We so often associate summer with blue and turquoise or juicy orange, yellow and pink. Those colors completely evoke the fun-filled, sun-filled, 15-hours of sunlight days of summer. But what’s been popping up recently is a lot of dark green and gold. It might seem like an unexpected combination for summer but if you pay attention, it’s all around you. You find it in the color of the setting sun over the water at your favorite camp site and the color of the pine trees at dusk. It’s in the golden streaks you get in your hair from sitting at the pool too long and the color of the poblano peppers you toss on the grill for a snack.

It brings a mysterious feel to the season, a sultriness. And how beautiful against sun kissed skin or glinting in the early evening light! Try a jungle green dress for happy hour with skinny gold jewelry or a statement cuff and beachy waves in your hair. Wear a white denim jacket with a deep green watch and flat gold sandals. At home, start small with a green and gold tablescape or go bold with deep forest green cabinets and gold hardware.

Contact Marlena for more information on how to incorporate green and gold into your home.

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There is really no wrong way to celebrate the Fourth of July. No matter what you plan or don’t plan, the day is a time for family. Whether it be the family you choose or the one you’re born with, the way to get everyone all together is food and drink. The Fourth is full of meals and snacks, cocktails and mocktails.

Fourth of July is a day of parades and firecrackers, bare feet, cold beer and yard games. For the city folk, it’s a rooftop pool party and barbeque. It’s sunburned noses, tank top straps slipping off of shoulders and ketchup stains on khaki shorts. It’s finding a spot on the grass amidst the fireflies. Finally, when the sun goes down and the bug spray comes out, that’s when the magic begins. Because everyone loves fireworks.