Cozy Vibes for August: A Guide ☀️

Yesterday, I took a drive, popped my sunroof open, and blasted August by Taylor Swift three times in a row. It actually wasn’t sweltering—rain from the previous day had cooled everything down and it felt like we were getting a teeny glimpse of fall weather. (eee!)

The sun was shining and I was headed to Trader Joe’s for peaches—an errand firmly rooted in summer, while simultaneously enjoying weather reminiscent of fall.

I honestly don’t know if there’s a better way to encapsulate August than that.

August feels like a lazy, delicious exhale. The way that I look at it is this is the month to do all those summer-y things you’ve been putting off. Summer doesn’t last forever, and before you know it, kids will be back in school, the football season will kick-off, and the weather will get blustery.

I imagine you’re probably in one of two camps: 1. Team Summer or 2. Team Fall. We all know that fall begins to creep onto store shelves earlier and earlier every year (there’s pumpkin coffee creamer at the grocery store already!) and this may thrill you or it may cause you to shout into the void, wait not yet! Or, strangely, maybe it’s both.

This is the month where I allow myself to feel giddy that fall is almost here, while also doing my best to enjoy the last bits of summer. Like having one foot in one season and one foot in the other.

Consider this guide a permission slip to plant your feet wherever you like. You’re not going to get in trouble for lighting your pumpkin spice candle or sprinkling your coffee with a little bit of cinnamon this month. You also have permission to ignore all the fall content that may be trickling into your scroll too. Do the thing that makes your heart feel lighter. Here are a few ways to bring some cozy vibes to your August.

Ok, so I don’t know if cooking can truly be considered a hobby, but August is the month to be eating summer foods. If you haven’t been treating yourself to peaches, nectarines or cherries—do yourself a favor and indulge. Get a cantaloupe and wrap some prosciutto around it. Slice tomatoes and put them on toast. You don’t even really have to actually cook anything, just enjoy summer produce while it’s still here. Maybe this hobby should be called eat in season food. Honestly, leave it to me to make eating a hobby 😂 I’m trying to eat a stone fruit a day, and it’s delightful!

I’m also going to consider Pinterest a hobby this month, because I’m hard core rebranding life right now. Pinterest is slowly becoming part of my morning routine, and I shared last week that I started printing my pins. I’ve made myself a little style book of outfits I love and I’m completely obsessed! A few of you shared it feels nostalgic, like what we millennials did before Pinterest was even a thing. Obsessed again. Highly recommend pinning your little heart away—and printing them!

Let’s be real—fall is when baking really gets exciting. But I didn’t have an oven for three months while living in London, and haven’t baked since beginning of April. Omg! Here are my top two recipes to try this month.

• Peach Shortcake Cake: I made this cake twice last summer and it’s stunninggggg. It was actually a top recipe of the entire YEAR last year, and I bake a lot. This one’s a winner! It’s made with cold butter and is exactly what it sounds like—soft like a cake, but dense too, almost like a biscuit. The recipe is actually for strawberry shortcake cake, but I just subbed peaches for strawberries. You can add whatever fruit you like! If you’re itching to bake a cake, I highly recommend you get this one in before summer is over. It’s a showstopper for sure, an easy way to impress your friends!

• Smores Ice Cream Pie: This is a Wishbone Kitchen dessert that’s been on my summer baking list ever since I got the cookbook, and I’m hoping to squeeze this in before the month is over. This recipe consists of a graham cracker crust, a layer of fudge, a layer of ice cream and a marshmallow fluff topping. The instructions say to use a kitchen torch as you make the fluff to add a slight toasty flavor, which I think is brilliant. This will also be an excuse to buy a kitchen torch! It’s an optional step, but I’m excited to have one for homemade creme brulee and more. Fancy!

Last August, I hosted a Coastal Grandma themed dinner party and it reminded me how special it is to gather with friends, and how fun it is to have a theme. A themed party doesn’t have to be complicated, just a little simple through line that adds a little bit of whimsy. Before fall gatherings are in full swing, here are a few more summer ideas.

• Pint Party: an ice cream social! Have your guests each bring a pint of their favorite ice cream, and the host provides sundae toppings. It would be totally adorable to have pretty paper sundae cups with everyone’s name on them, or an excuse to get fancy with cones!

• Yacht Rock Party: My husband and I are low key obsessed with yacht rock. It’s truly a complete and total vibe and it’s inspiring me to throw a yacht rock party before the summer is over. I’m thinking this will be super casual—chicken cutlet club sandwiches, Cape Cod chips, the s’mores pie. Captain hats and aviator sunglasses. And obvi, a yacht rock playlist that will have everyone bopping around to. So fun!

• Back-to-School Party: School is back in sesh late August where I live, and even though I have no kids I’m sending off—I still feel the whiff of a new season as school buses start making their rounds again. How fun would a back to school party be? Charcuterie boards are essentially grown up lunchables, you can serve the meal on little plastic trays and all the bevs can cutie cocktails.

Ending this cozy guide with a playlist. This is what was played at my Coastal Grandma dinner party, and imo is the perfect soundtrack for literally anything. Listen while you browse Pinterest, enjoy a late summer treat or dream up your next gathering. It’s definitely full of Nancy Meyers vibes and will hopefully make you feel main character energy. It is Leo season afterall!

Wishing you a cozy and relaxing August! As always, let me know what’s catching your eye and what you’re dreaming up for this month. See you next week!

xx, Kristen

PS. If this post feels familiar, it’s because it’s a slightly edited version of last year’s cozy August guide! I’ve been a busy bee and am still transitioning back to life at home in the states, so thank you for bearing with me. The vibes are just as immaculate imo and I hope you love it! (I do!)