[ We used dried lavender in a bottle as a last minute center piece ]

The last thing you want to do on an 80º+ day is come home and make dinner in a ridiculously hot kitchen. The past few days have been sweltering, leaving our house feeling like a sauna. So last night some friends and the beau and I set a table up outside, made an easy summer salad and sipped rosè while we cooled off as the sun went down. It was 100 times more comfortable and I felt like I was enjoying the heat instead of cursing our air-condition-less house.

 [ A bottle of chilled French rosé – Château du Rouet ]

[ Summer salad – mixed greens, avocado, bell peppers and corn mixed with a light balsamic dressing (dijon mustard, honey, olive oil and balsamic vinegar) ]

 [ Hot days = fuss free desserts. These fresh strawberries were incredibly refreshing ]

[ Chase away the bugs with a citronella candle ]