secrets of a stylist: the dog days of summer.
It's been SUPER hot here in Denver lately. I'm even getting up extra early to get stuff done before it gets too hot! You know, the fun stuff like picking up poo, mowing, weed whacking, weeding (!!!), and organizing my garage. At about 2pm, I sit on some ice with a fan blowing at me and doze off for a few minutes or 40. I have an evaporative cooler aka a "swamp cooler" that works pretty good, but when the temp is 100 degrees, I feel it struggles to keep up. In this heat, I think we all struggle to keep up....hence, the nap.
FYI: this post contains a bunch of dog photos and a few affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you click on one of them (not the dogs) and buy something. :)
Stella enjoying the backyard. She gets that cute little smile when she is hot.
The dogs do it right. Get up, stretch, eat food that someone else has prepared, rub face on new couch, poop, find a sun spot, take a nap, stretch, chase a squirrel or two, lounge in the sun, take a nap, stretch, eat some more food, play with a toy, take one more nap, snuggle mom, go to bed. I'm always impressed by their ability to nap so much.
Stella found the morning sun spot.
Action shot of Stella chasing a squirrel...she gets soooo close!
Soooo sleepy.
I was looking at Stella outside the other day and this popped into my head..."Yep, it's the dog days of Summer for sure. She's soooo hot, she can't possibly do anything but lounge and try and stay cool". LOL~ I totally thought that the "dog days of Summer" was in reference to how lazy dogs get in the summertime when it gets so hot. Isn't it funny how sayings get stuck in our heads with certain meanings? Every time I've heard that saying in the past, I always pictured a dog all stretched out relaxing in the sun and taking a nap.
Zoe also enjoying the backyard.
Here's the actual meaning according to Wikipedia: "The dog days or dog days of summer are the hot, sultry days of summer. They were historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius (known colloquially as the "Dog Star"), which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere."
Ok, so maybe I'm not too far off...lethargy, heat, drought, etc....just hot dogs in my mind...no mad dogs. Or bad luck (insert knocking on wood here). I do like the idea of a dog star.
Zoe has sass.
In between photoshoots, I've been working on my backyard trying to get it all spruced up so I can enjoy it once it's a little cooler and when the sun goes down! I found this cute umbrella at World Market (on super sale!) and it set the palette for the rest of the patio!
I bought the green ceramic table to use as an end table but it makes a great plant stand!
Love all these fun pillows! Target and Homegoods for the win!
The gold end table is new this year too!
Stella loves all the new pillows...perfect for sunbathing. That face.
stylist tip: find one thing that sets the tone/colorway for your entire look. It could be a bedspread, a throw, a rug- anything. All my outdoor furniture is neutral so adding ANY color made such a huge difference. I couldn't resist that umbrella! It is so funky and fun! Finding the pillows to go with it was easier than I thought and it created such a colorful outdoor living area!
stylist secret: I LOVE Leanne Ford's style. I think I've mentioned my girl crush before. I literally try and emulate her style and do tone on tone of neutrals in my home...but I can't. It is so gorgeous and I love it and appreciate it...but...I NEED color. I WANT color.
Life's too great to be beige.
Thanks for reading! Are there any sayings you have you gotten wrong and later finally learned the real meaning? Are you enjoying the dog days of Summer? :)
Until next time...cheers! xo tina