There is nothing quite like the lazy days of Summer. It invites us to live outdoors with its slow-paced mornings and lingering evenings. It allows us to entertain outdoors by hosting birthday parties, neighborhood BBQs, and to have long conversations late into the night. If you are inspired to reach maximum relaxation, the perfect outdoor area must first be achieved. The beauty of creating an inviting outdoor living space is its simplicity. Here are a few tips you can use to easily create your exterior space.

Don't be afraid to go bold with color. Being outdoors, you can use vibrant colors you might otherwise be hesitant to embrace indoors. This can also be done with colorful plants and flowers. Beautiful, lush hanging baskets or climbing vines create a secret garden feel that cannot be replicated in your living room.

Invite guests to stay longer with twinkling string lights or a fire pit. Although the evening's warmth will still be around, the setting sun might make you feel rushed to take the party inside. By using creative lighting, you can set a welcoming tone after the sun goes down.

Furniture is everything. Outdoor couches and Adirondack chairs with cozy throws give you the comfort of an indoor living space while still being able to enjoy the fresh air. Relaxation Expert Tip: Don't forget a hammock for optimum outdoor napping!

All of our senses are evoked during the Summer, but our favorite "Summer Sense" is taste. This year, we have been working diligently to bring you our second cookbook, One-Hundred Sweets by Wren & Willow. We have enlisted the help of our many clients and team to share with you our most tried and true sweets recipes. We are confident these recipes will set your dessert apart from everyone else's at the next family picnic!

Ingredients:

4 C. Heavy Whipping Cream 2 C. Half & Half 3 C. Sugar 5 to 6 Peaches, smashed 3 tsp. Vanilla 1/2 tsp. Almond Extract

Directions: Begin by smashing peaches in a bowl with the sugar. Add the cream, half & half, vanilla, and almond extract to the peaches. Mix well and allow to chill. Before placing in an airtight container, add finely diced peaches, if desired. Seal container and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Found in our new cookbook, One-Hundred Sweets by Wren & Willow

Wren & Willow has several core team members, and one of them is Superintendent, Hans Kvale. Both Hans's grandfather and father were carpenters. Ever since Hans was a baby, he watched as his father worked using a hammer and saw. Building is clearly in his blood and he is no stranger to construction. Hans's knowledge and talent have been a rich gift to our company and clients. However, at his core he is a family man. Hans and his wife, Hilary, have three spunky girls whose favorite store is Home Depot. In the future, we may be writing about another Kvale, and calling it A Carpenter's Daughter.

To learn more about Hans, click here.

To help us celebrate the launch of our new cookbook, we wanted to share our favorite summer pastime: eating ice cream! This month's giveaway has all you need for an impromptu ice cream social. Go ahead with the second scoop, we won't judge.

This giveaway has now ended. Congratulations to Ann T. for winning this giveaway! Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated on future giveaways.

Photos by: Aleksander Akinshev

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