Aside from our Memorial Day barbeque pool parties this past weekend, one could argue that the quintessential summer moment is on a hike and looking out over a vast desert plain. The sun is hot on the backs of our necks as it’s been baking the red earth laid out in front of us. We can’t drink enough water and it’s a little too lukewarm anyway, but we’re surrounded by that very particular dusty green smell of desert sage.
The sun sinks lower as we make our way home. Our skin seems to hold the sun’s warmth for hours after, and the sky turns the colors of rainbow sherbet. It’s bigger out here, the sky, out west.
We start itching for cinnamon-spiced sangria and tortilla chips with smoky salsa. We don’t need much by way of entertainment this time of year, under woven lanterns, when it’s the relaxing hours. All we need are bright white linen tee shirts and handmade tumblers for our drinks, our bottom lips pressed against the natural grit.
For a later cocktail party, we have dresses in earthy colors with warm leather accents, or khaki shirtdresses with a hint of leopard print peeking out. Our sun kissed glow is helped along by our favorite bronzer/blush combo (and maybe the sangria.)
Back at home we pad across color-drenched woven rugs and light a fresh candle before sinking into soft white sheets, blissful with the realization that in the morning we can do it all again.