How to Feel Summery When it’s Not Sunny

Technically summer is not quite here yet, but if, like me, you’re ready for more of that sunshine we had a few weekends ago, what you need is a list of ideas to help you feel summery even when it’s raining. Lucky for you, that’s exactly what I have right here!…

Summer scents

If there’s one thing that really gives me the summer feels, it’s the smell of sun cream. And I have been known on occasion to put some on, even if it’s not particularly sunny. Find the scents that make you feel summery and use them! I also have a coconut-scented hand sanitiser that I keep in the office, which is the smell of pure summer.

Have an indoor picnic

Picnics are the essence of summer, so don’t miss out just because the weather isn’t great. Gather some friends and pack up your hamper with all your favourite treats – for me that’s pink lemonade, egg sandwiches, pork pies, veggies and hummus, strawberries, maybe a summer fruit tartlet. And then set up your picnic in someone’s home! Lay out the picnic blankets in exactly the same way you would outdoors, and enjoy the fact that there are no insects to bother you. And here’s a cute idea – if you have a big screen in the room, why not put something summery and outdoorsy (like this) on loop to give the impression you’re outside.

Holiday reads

Some books are just too summery to be read at any other time of the year. So even if it’s raining outside, curl up with one of your favourite beach-based reads (and perhaps some ice cream!) and imagine you’re exactly where they are.

Eat ice cream

Eat ice cream in a cone. Or make fruity ice pops to enjoy. Who said it had to be hot before you could do this?

Create a playlist of summer theme tunes

Every summer has a theme tune, and whenever you hear these songs you’ll think of summers past. So put all of them into a playlist which you can stick on whenever you need it. I can’t lie, mine features a lot of J Lo songs which make me feel so summery!

Drink rum cocktails

Pay a visit to your local Tiki bar or Caribbean-themed restaurant (hello Turtle Bay) for some holiday cocktail vibes. Or why not experiment with some rum cocktail recipes at home?

Plan day trips

Day trips are the memories you’ll have of this summer, so don’t put your plans on hold because it’s not sunny. Do them anyway! Or find new things to do that can’t be rained off.

Cook up some summer recipes

Use Pinterest to find some new summery recipes to try. I’m currently being inspired by colourful non-basic salads, grilled fish and Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Check out my Food and Recipes Board here.

Summer movies

What films make you think of summer? In the run up to my holidays I like to watch these movies to get me in the mood, because they are full of sunshine, beach locations, holiday romances and general happy feelings:

• The Beach
• Dirty Dancing
• Moana
• Mamma Mia
• Six Days Seven Nights
• Cocktail

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