july is a blind date with summer.
oh, july. the seventh chapter of the year is opening up before us, pages still warm from the sun. july carries the kind of energy that feels endless, like anything and everything is possible. this month has this way of making it feel like the whole thing is one long afternoon that hasn't fully decided what it wants to be. it’s yours to shape. july feels like adventure is around every corner: a road trip you haven't planned, a lake you haven't visited yet this year, a friend who calls and says come over, right now, the weather’s too good to waste.
there’s a looseness to the days that we don’t get the rest of the year. plans get made an hour before they happen. dinner moves outside. bedtimes get later, not because anyone decided that on purpose, but because the light just won’t let go, and it seems a waste to just let it pass. you find yourself outside more, barefoot more, a little sunburnt and not super bothered by it.
but july also comes with a subtle urgency under the surface. july 2nd (technically at exactly 12:00pm) marks the official halfway point to the year. by then, we have as much of the year behind us as ahead, the year turning to it’s second half. the warmth and ease of summer is here, but we know it will be fleeting. the summer always passes in a flash, here one day and gone the next, so this july i’m really trying to lean into holding it tight while i have it. leaning into the feeling of nostalgia that summer always brings me, settling into the long days with a cold drink in hand. bringing back some of that childhood feeling that made the summer feel endless. i’ll be searching for any excuse to go a little slower than necessary and soak it all up while it’s here.
the energy of july: nostalgic, glowing, warm, energetic
july feels like the brightest, most glowing month of the year. she arrives like a friend who already knows that the spare key is hidden under the planter on the deck. no knock, no warning, just the screen door swinging open and that familiar voice calling out like she never left. there's a comfort in that kind of arrival. you don't have to explain anything to her. she already knows the house, the yard, the particular creak of the porch step. there’s a cozy warmth to her presence that puts everyone around at ease.
the month of july has always felt especially nostalgic to me. maybe because as a kid, it was smack in the middle of summer and school was both a distant memory and a future plan that still felt far away. july felt so safe in that way, like time was endless, moving so slowly that each day felt filled with possibility.
july is blue raspberry snow cones(shaved ice), popcorn, walking the streets in the summer evening with my friends, grabbing a slushy and watching a movie. it’s days spent at summer camp, and swimming in the lake. july is drive-in saturdays and mid week beach days. it’s summer road trips and bonfires at night. july has a way of folding our past selves into our present ones, so that for a moment you’re not just an adult eating a popsicle on a porch, you’re also seven, and twelve, and seventeen, all of you sitting in the same warm evening at once. it doesn’t feel like remembering, exactly, it feels more like a visit.
it’s a month that always feels the same way in my memory: slow, a little sticky, and smelling like fresh cut grass and lake water. i think of one particular kind of evening—the kind where dinner happens late because nobody wants to come inside yet, the lake is still calling to you, fireflies dance over distant fields, and the night—like the summer—feels endless. i think there’s a version of that evening in nearly everyone’s childhood, even if the porch was different, and the lake had another name.
the summer looks out from her brazen tower, through the flashing bars of july.
—francis thompson
lean on nostalgia
embracing the warmth of summers of old.
rely on physical media whenever you can
a paperback tucked in your beach bag, dvds and VHS for movie nights, a magazine to flip through on the porch. there’s nothing like actually being able to hold, touch and feel the media you consume. actually owning it, instead of paying monthly fees to rent access to a movie library where you spend more time scrolling to find something to watch than you actually spend watching. i’ve always been a big physical media lover, but there is something so quintessentially summer about a paper back book thrown into a beach bag, the summers tracked in wear on the pages, or fade of the cover from being left in the sun.
go to the drive-in
nothing feels as nostalgic as the drive-in on a summer weekend night. there’s something timeless about piling blankets and pillows into the car, grabbing popcorn, candy, and your favourite drinks, then watching the sky fade from gold to deep blue as the previews begin. arrive early to claim a good spot, bring camp chairs if you want to sit outside, and don't forget a cozy sweater for when the night cools down. whether the movie is good or not almost doesn't matter—it's the crackle of the radio, the evening air, nostalgic feeling the drive in always delivers on.
treat a lake day like summer camp
pack a towel, snacks, a deck of cards, a frisbee, a good book, and leave your phone tucked away as much as possible. spend the day swimming, skipping rocks, exploring the shoreline, making friendship bracelets, collecting interesting shells or driftwood, and eating sandwiches that somehow taste better outdoors. end the afternoon stretched out in the sun until your hair smells like the lake and your skin is warm, then head home tired, happy, and feeling like you were twelve years old again.
have a childhood summer day
relive the summers of your childhood, when you didn’t need big plans or fancy things to have an awesome summer. a freezie dripping down your wrist, running through the sprinkler barefoot in the grass, walking or riding your bike down your street, and ending the day staying up too late reading with a flashlight under the covers. i think as we get older we sometimes overcomplicate what makes a season good—it isn’t in elaborate plans, it’s in letting the day feel endless as it unfolds in front of you. let it become whatever it wants to.
precious presence
being fully in the month of july.
bring july home
let your kitchen and your space feel like the season by leaning into what’s fresh and abundant right now. fill your fridge with in-season fruits and vegetables like berries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs, and let your meals be simple enough that the ingredients can shine. make salads that taste like summer, drink something cold and citrusy, leave fruit on the counter in bowls. stop by local farmers markets or veggie stands to find the freshest in season produce. you can also likely find flower subscriptions if you want bi-weekly flowers from local flower farms.have a july drink ritual
something you can come back to again and again all month long, like an iced coffee in the morning, homemade lemonade in the afternoon, or a cold sparkling drink in the evening. it’s less about what you’re drinking and more about the pause it creates—the ritual of making the drink, and the small moment where you slow down, step outside, or sit by a window and actually stop to enjoy. let it become a little anchor in your days, something that quietly says: this is summer.a mid year reset
july second marks the official halfway point to the year. it’s the perfect pause between everything that’s already happened and everything still to come. take a little time to check in with yourself—what’s been working, what’s felt heavy, what you want more of for the rest of the year. you don’t need a full life overhaul, just small, honest adjustments. maybe it’s cleaning your space, resetting your routines, checking back in with your goals from the beginning of the year, or letting go of ones that no longer fit and choosing new ones that feel more like you now. think of it as realigning, not starting over.have an unplugged, screen free evening every week
have one tech free night every week in july. no scrolling, no checking, no letting your attention get pulled in a hundred different directions. just books, cards, music playing in the background, cooking something simple, maybe a walk when the air cools down, or sitting outside watching the sky change. keep it simple and let the night stretch out without trying to fill every quiet moment. there’s something grounding about stepping away from everything for a few hours each week and remembering how to just be in your own life, not watching it through a screen.
making the most
soaking up the summer while it’s here, making the most of each day.
host a board game night
a few friends, some snacks, music in the background, and games that make everyone laugh more than they take seriously. set the mood with something simple like candles or string lights, put out whatever food is easy and shareable, and let the night run itself. it’s not about planning a perfect evening. focus on that easy, familiar kind of togetherness that makes summer feel warm and full.summerween movie night
pick a night in july to lean into the cozy, slightly spooky side of summer and make it feel like its own little tradition. dim the lights, light a few candles, grab blankets, and set out snacks that feel a bit fun and themed—ghost shaped pizzas, burgers with pumpkin shaped cheese, and load up on nostalgic snacks like popcorn, pop, and twizzlers. choose a mix of comfort movies and light spooky films, nothing too serious, just something that feels playful and nostalgic (i have a whole list of summerween movies here). bonus points: carve a watermelon (aka a jack-o-melon).local attractions
take advantage of any free and fun things going on in your area. here in nova scotia there are so many events that take place over the summer. we recently had sail gp here and everyone was on the waterfront enjoying watching the races. there are also tons of events for canada day, outdoor concerts, little festivals and fairs. stand in the grass, wander through stalls, share snacks, and let the music drift in and out as you talk or just take it all in. it’s the kind of summer moment that feels effortless but ends up staying with you.a weekend roap trip (or staycation)
my favourite summer memories from both my childhood and adulthood always seem to revolve around going away for a weekend. not always for a big or super distant vacation, but the weekends at a cabin where schedules slip away and all that matters is a good book at the beach, finding lunch, and starting a bonfire at dusk. if travelling isn’t possible, turn home into the destination instead. sleep in, change your routine, try new places nearby, order food you wouldn’t normally get, or plan small day trips that make your own area feel different for a while. it’s less about distance and more about giving yourself the feeling of being somewhere outside your everyday life, even if you never go far at all.
summer in memory
hanging onto summer, and cementing it in your mind.
do something that feels so summer 26
do one thing that will stand out about this summer, so that in years to come you’ll be able to look back and say “oh yeah, that was the summer that i _____”. take the chance, make the leap. maybe it's learning to surf, taking a spontaneous road trip, seeing your favourite artist live, camping under the stars, saying yes to something that scares you a little, or finally trying the thing you've been putting off. it doesn't have to be life-changing—it just has to be memorable. the best summers usually aren't remembered for the days that all blurred together, but for the one decision, adventure, or moment that made that season feel different from every other.take real photos
ideally ones on film that you won't even get to see until later. it forces you to live in the moment, capturing the memory without analyzing how you look or whether it's the perfect shot. you don't need a fancy camera—just grab a disposable to keep in your bag all summer. save it for the little moments: ice cream runs, beach days, sunsets, campfires, and friends laughing. when you finally get the photos developed, you'll get to relive your summer all over again.journal, imperfectly
you know those amazing days where you sit back at the end of it and think “wow, i’ll remember this forever?” you wont. not to scare you— you’ll remember the big things, but you may not always be able to recall the little details that made the day feel magic. write it down. imagine being 80, sitting on the porch, and being able to pull out a journal and read about that wonderful sumer ‘26. it’s not about making the perfect, aesthetic journal spread to share. let it be messy, imperfect, and personal.pick a book and film for this summer
i mark my time with media because being a fangirl is woven so deeply into who i am. there's something so special about the way a book or film can transport you right back to the moment you first experienced it, tangling itself within the threads of a season. years from now, all it will take is hearing that soundtrack or seeing that book on a shelf to remember exactly how summer 2026 felt. let this be the summer that's forever tied to one story you'll always come back to. pick a movie or book that feels exactly how you hope this summer feels in memory.
written between the lines — journal prompts for july
some inspiration to write about
what do you want your ordinary days to feel like this month?
what is the most nostalgic part of summer for you? how can you invite that feeling more?
if july 2026 had a colour palette, what would it be?
take your journal on a date, and write about what you see and feel where you are
describe july as if she were a person—what does she do? what does she love?
a list of celebration-worthy dates in july…
canada day — july 1st
canada day is always fun to celebrate. while i wouldn’t consider myself to be super patriotic or anything, i do love walking down the street to the waterfront, getting popcorn and a snow cone with friends and watching the fireworks. always feels like such a true summer night.
world ufo day — july 2nd
on this day in 1947, a mysterious object crashed on a farm in roswell, new mexico, which started many famous theories that the craft was actually from outer space. i’m still big into the summerween mood, so i think world ufo day perfect to go out to popular ufo sighting spots in your area. 🛸👽
world chocolate day — july 7th
like we need any excuse to celebrate chocolate, right? a perfect day to indulge. the ultimate day for chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and baking with chocolate for dessert.
international moon day — july 20th
this day marks the anniversary of the 1969 apollo 11 mission, when neil armstrong and buzz aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. i think this would be a fun day to watch space movies, make space themed snacks, or research space and moon landings.
full buck moon — july 29th
the second summer full moon—the buck moon. take a walk through the woods and connect with nature, step outside after dark to view the full moon, and sit with yourself in your journal or meditate. celebrate your own growth and strength.
paperback book day — july 30th
another international day for something i never need an excuse to celebrate—books! go to the library or a book store and treat yourself to a paperback. then, take your new book to read in a cozy spot—outside under a tree, the beach, in a cafe.
all the worth-watching new shows and movies releasing in july:
moana — july 10th | 🎬
i loved the animated moana, and i’m sure i’ll love the live action as well. the trailer looks beautiful, like summer in a bottle. the movie follows moana as she answers the ocean's call and ventures beyond her island's reef for the first time. sure to be an absolutely stunning and heartwarming watch.
elle (prime video) — july 1st | 📺
for the girls who made elle woods their personality in 2001, who learned that girliness and smartness can coexist easily. (what, like it’s hard?) we’re back with elle—but this time pre harvard law—in high school. all 8 episodes drop on the same day, perfect for a binge watch.
the odyssey — july 17th | 🎬
an epic fantasy and action film adaptation of homeys odyssey. odysseus embarks on a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca following the trojan war, encountering treacherous creatures like the cyclops polyphemus and sirens.
lucky (apple tv) — july 15th | 📺
sit on the edge of your seat for this one. lucky follows a con artist whose life unravels when a multi-million-dollar heist goes sideways, sending her on the run from both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss. it feels like july is the month of book to movie adaptations; this one is based on marissa stapley's bestselling novel.
the five-star weekend (peacock) — july 9th | 📺
based on the novel of the same name by elin hilderbrand, and set on nantucket, this is sure to be a perfect summer series. dealing with themes of family drama, loss, and friendship, i think this will keep me captivated from start to finish.
little house on the prairie (netflix) — july 9th | 📺
“little house on the prairie is part family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the american west.” a reimagining of the classic tales, this is for the girls who grew up rewatching reruns on lazy afternoons, who wanted nothing more than a sunbonnet and a wagon of their own, who still feel a pull toward simpler things every time the prairie comes back into view.
comfort movies for summer nostalgia & campiness:
the parent trap (1998) — the quintessential nancy meyers summer movie. a summer camp, twins swapping places, and the absolutely iconic elizabeth james. what more could you ask for?
grease (1978) — i love retro vibes in the summer, and grease is the ultimate. the music, the bright colours, the summer love. it’s perfect.
it (1990/2017) — both the old and new. a group of misfit kids in the hot summer in derry, maine. small town summer where something isn’t quite right.
the sandlot (1993) — a group of kids play baseball and get into trouble during one magical, endless summer. it’s a warm, nostalgic look at being young and growing older.
heavyweights (1995) — the kind of movie that just feels like summer. set at a kids summer camp, the whole thing is steeped in that july nostalgia. camp counsellors, mess hall, pranks and a group of underdogs banding together.
i know what you did last summer (1997) — a summer movie at its core, not just a horror movie set in summer. fireworks, beach bonfires, convertibles, small coastal-town humidity—the whole look and feel is so summery, but spookiness lurks beneath the surface. perfect for a summerween movie night.
books to add to your (ever evolving) tbr:
star-crossed summer by devon daniels — july 7
based around the lore of the romance between rachel mcadams and ryan gostling when filming the notebook. the legend is they hated eachother on set, and locked themselves in a room to have it out, and eventually they ended up dating. sign me up! in star crossed summer, about ten years after a heartbreaking hollywood romance with her former costar, actress scarlett everhart is forced to reunite with the man she vowed to leave behind—where old feelings resurface and a long-buried secret threatens their second chance at love.
country people by daniel mason — july 7
when his wife takes a teaching position in rural vermont, an aimless academic named miles hopes for a fresh start—but becomes swept up in a quirky community, an eerie local legend, and a journey that challenges his ideas about family, purpose, and the power of stories.
hot girl murder club by ashley winstead — july 14
ten years after her sister's mysterious death, pop star scout sage is framed for a string of hollywood murders and must uncover the truth behind a decades-old conspiracy before she loses everything—including her chance at justice.
habits of the sea by shea ernshaw — july 7
after discovering a mysterious floating island off the coast of nova scotia (love that for me), ellie mills reunites decades later with the man who hasn't aged a day, uncovering a haunting story of time, loss, and the mysteries that shape our lives.
sea of charms by sarah beth durst — july 28
in the aftermath of a fallen empire, independent sailor marin and her sea serpent companion ferry refugees across a magical archipelago, where an unexpected bond with a stubborn composer leads her on a journey of hope, healing, and new beginnings.
the romance revival by christina lauren — july 14
after a tragic accident claims her husband's life, brilliant scientist emery finch risks everything to bring him back—but when he returns with no memory of their love, she must find a way to make him fall for her all over again
as july settles in around us, let this post be your invitation to lean fully into the warmth—popsicles dripping down your wrist, evenings that stretch on a little longer, the glow of fireworks against a dark sky. i hope it can guide you through the brightest month of the year, grounding you in all the nostalgia and ease july has to offer. and if this month doesn't feel quite as golden or carefree as it should, that's okay too. give yourself permission to let july find you anyway, like a friend slipping in through the screeb door. even if it's just a few minutes with your toes in a lake, or the hum of fireflies lighting up the yard at dusk. july is a reminder that some of the best parts of summer are the ones we don't have to chase.
with love, kyla
ps. what is the most nostalgic part of july to you?
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