it's coastal grandma season

aka the most wonderful time of the year

august and september are my favorite months of the year. it’s still hot, but there’s a breeze that hints at cooler days to come. it’s still (mostly) summer, but you’re more motivated to make all of the fun plans you haven’t crossed off your list happen. or at least i am. and most importantly, it’s motherfucking coastal grandmother season!! if you’re unfamiliar, this article summarizes the lifestyle and aesthetic pretty well. not to brag, but i’ve been living that coastal grandma lyfe in late summer well before the tiktok trend popularized it. here are a handful of the CG essentials if you’re interested in taking part.

nancy meyers movies

the holy grail of coastal grandma-ness, there’s no better way to get in the spirit of the season than watching at least one nancy flick. i’m partial to it’s complicated, something’s gotta give, and home again. some non-nancy movies that also nail the vibe include nights in rodanthe and under the tuscan sun. throw in a handful of barefoot contessa episodes and you’re really cookin’.

all linen everything

i recently bought this linen-adjacent outfit on amazon that i saw, of all places, on a buzzfeed listicle, and i think i’ve worn it like six times in a two-week period because it’s just so comfortable and perfect for this time of year. very temped to buy it in another color because it’s making my beachy, breezy dreams come true.

drinking coffee or wine on your deck/porch

it’s such a little thing, but how often do you ACTUALLY do it? since i get up way too early on weekends anyway, i’ve been trying — especially on sunday mornings — to bypass my normal couch/today show routine and head straight out onto my back deck with a steaming cup of joe. it really does set a nice tone for the day, sitting quietly and looking at my lil’ plants.

farmers markets, bakeries, and fresh flowers

to get in touch with my coastal granny within, i especially love taking long walks to this bakery in cambridge that makes a mean sourdough loaf, and buying fresh flowers at markets or trader joe’s whenever possible (to put in a mason jar, natch). the most aesthetically pleasing and mood-boosting farmers market i’ve ever been to was in — of all places — winter park, florida outside of orlando, and i haven’t found one yet in the boston area that matches up, but it’s always nice to grab some fresh veggies and fruits and stroll around with a fancy coffee.

dinner parties

CGs are always having seemingly spontaneous, large gatherings of friends and family in their enviable dining rooms and kitchens. don’t question the actual likelihood of all of these people being free all the time for these parties and just go with it!

yoga

of course, an actual studio class is always ideal, but a little yoga with adriene action is the next best thing.

GARDENING

even if it’s just a small deck garden, coastal grandmas love a gardening moment…preferably while wearing a straw hat and carrying some sort of basket.

neighborhood walks

there’s just something in the air this time of year that makes the morning or after-dinner walk that much more magical. bonus points if you live in a beach town and/or have a fluffy dog to accompany you (i don’t, and i doubt my large orange cat, marv, would take kindly to a leash, but you can’t win ‘em all.)

candlelit bubble baths

glass of chilled white wine: mandatory. sobbing about your perfect-looking life that’s actually unraveling on the inside: optional!