I know it's hard to spend summers productively given the general disarray with the weather and the general dismay at the fact that you are not on vacation for 3 months straight. However, summer time is the best for overall life cleansing, starting your mind (which one resolution should I focus on amongst the 10 I planned on Jan 1 2016? ), moving over to your body (hello swimming pools and sunrise Yoga on the terrace!) and finally your soul (making travel plans is the most therapeutic exercise ever). Summer is an attitude to adopt, which in essence means keeping it light and letting go of all that is superfluous.
So here's a few ways to make this a summer to remember and I am back to writing again. :)
1. A Bob - A summer cut is simply the best way to start feeling the change of season right down to your nape. Fuss free, wash and sun dry kind of haircuts will add more rock chic to your summer look and more chill time to your summer days. Kristen Stewart & Jessica Chastain's recent Cannes short crops are great starting inspirations for a whole new summer hair look.
Cleansing Juices : Since I hate salads, my personal mantra is that anything that goes in a salad is better off being juiced up. Do invest in a good juicer this summer. There is a whole thesis out there on different kinds of juicing and which ones retain maximum nutrition but to keep things simple, cold pressed juicers lead to more nutritive juices by minimizing the heat generated while juicing and you can find some good options on good old Amazon here.
Start out with these delectablely fresh combinations that make the best of easily available seasonal fruits and translate from healthy concoctions to healthy cocktails in day to night.
- Pomegranate + Watermelon + Coconut Water + (optional) Vodka
- Pineapple + Oranges + (optional) Vodka
- Green apples + Kale+ Spinach + Cucumber + Coconut Water + (optional) Vodka
- Apples+ Beets+ Pomegranate + (optional) Vodka
Infused water : Chill water with the heartiest of seasonal fruit goodies thrown in and you get a magic potion that's delicious, nutritive and makes you lose weight!
Mixed berries and basil is my standout favourite but you can refer to this link for various other creative options.
You can also replace water with chilled green tea or chilled coconut water to keep things interesting or both together and you will have your skin and weight thanking you till 95.
Basically don't drink just water ok? However, in case of sheer inability to drink anything non-alcoholic, refer to this post on champagne cocktails and let your heart sing.
3. Eating light, deliciously - I don't think I'll be able to make my peace with soups and salads in this lifetime. But summer pastas are great for keeping things fresh and light and upto 10 mins in the kitchen only. This link from Saveur is my veritable savior. So, is this BonApetit link with Yotam Ottolenghi's choicest summer recipes. Less cooking, more freshing. Simple.
For a summery and actually edible salad, combine a fruit you love with a cheese you love - watermelon and feta, apple and cheddar, ricotta and beets, get the drift? Top up with fresh rocket and toasted walnuts. For a ready to use versatile dressing, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, wholegrain mustard, honey, a dash of lime juice, salt and pepper and refrigerate.
4. Beauty breaks - Your skin is quite likely to be the bipolar partner this season unfortunately with all the heat, sweat and abrupt temperature transitions so please be kind to it. For starters,
1) Drink a lot of 'non-water' to keep your skin literally chilled out2) Cleanse daily with a mixture of cold pressed coconut water & rose water
3) Tone more frequently. The bestselling Keihl's calendula toner every worth the buck.
4) Forget moisturisers, stick to essence and serum only treatments in night and day. Essence is your Korean skincare gem - a light concentrated cream that revitalizes the skin by focusing on dull and uneven skin tones and fine lines. Combined with a targetted serum, your skin will sleep feeling gently treated and will wake up all bright and dewy. Innisfree's Green Tea range is great for both these products and you can buy Korean products in India now thanks to SokoGlam.
5) Once a week, slather up your face with cold things from the fridge - bananas, cucumbers, orange peel, lemon juice, yoghurt and honey and take a power nap.
6) Use Sunscreen :). Albeit a hardcore 50 SPF pharmacy one.
No one wants to look like an oily made up doll in summer so let the natural glow of your skin shine through with some highlighter and nude lipstick.
5. Clothes that breathe - Think whites, light cottons and weekend vibes. As you tone up this summer, fluid silhouettes will complement your tanned skin and sunny demeanour and will help you move around more freely. Some really exciting contemporary Indian brands are doing the world rounds right now and are dangerously experimenting with summer proportions. You can start putting together your summer wardrobe starting with these 5 dresses in shades of summer that play with lightweight fabric and craft handwork. Hey also, no pants!
1. Pleated polka shirt dress in chanderi (finely textured handwoven cotton) from Nicobar
2. Sheer off-white jamdani (handloom woven cotton) dress from Good Earth
3. Indigo handblock printed dress in cotton from FabIndia.
4. Striped handwoven linen dress with crochet trimming from Eka
5. Cotton lightwool dress in mustard from Runaway Bicycle
6. In your bag - I would recommend the terrific charms of only staying in all summer and doing a weekend full of eat drink sleep repeats with your squad. However in the scenario that you must go out, stuff in these quick summer savers in your bag.
- An Avene thermal spring water for between-meeting fresh ups
- A pure flower body mist in Jasmine
- A hydrating tinted lip balm from Benefit
- A tall jar with chilled green tea+coconut water or any detox water option
- Musk melon and papaya salad
- A neutral linen scarf with colorful tassles to wrap under when the sun gets too generous
- A bar of All Things Summer, handmade chocolate from All Things Chocolate in summer's ultimate flavor - mango
- Your favourite pair of oversized sunnies in icy metallic lens of summer colors
- A playlist with indie+summer+happy songs on 8 tracks
- A lightweight summer romance novel, or any travelogue
7. And finally on your travel plan - Because you must travel to have all these feels REALLY COME ALIVE, consider these beach islands for the unforgettable summer of 2016 :
Palawan : Hidden lagoons, limestone cliffs, underground rivers and subterranean biodiversity, Palawan islands in Phillipines are as much a feast to the eyes as an exhilaration for that beach body.
Lakshadweep : The secluded Agatti Island is on every travel editor's must do summer list. Enjoy silence and minimum human contact amidst its golden sands, lush coconut trees and emarald waters, and watch life unfold at a different pace.
Tulum : With undoubtedly the most pristine beaches in the Mexican Carribean, Tulum is the most laidback of Mexican beach destinations. Discover it's spectacular ruins and thriving nightlife, Tulum will teach you how to beach and party like the Mayans, with several shrimp taco interludes.
Wishing you a summer of high tides and good vibes!
