 Congratulation to all the freshly minted graduates and their families. Whether it's from kindergarten or medical school, it's an accomplishment to be proud of. com·mence·ment a beginning or start. "at the commencement of training" synonyms : beginning, start, opening, outset, onset, launch, initiation, inception, origin I've always been struck by the notion of these life transitions asCommencements - beginnings. I like that. That these events happen as we move into summer, seems like perfect timing to me. The season's slower pace affords us an opportunity to reflect, recharge and move forward into our next big thing. Having the luxury to try new things is one of the joys of summer.  As a a child, my summers were filled with many opportunities to explore new things. Lots of lessons (art, swimming, riding, piano), Vacation Bible School, camp, and Summer School "for enrichment". The later was not always high on my hit parade, but in retrospect was a great opportunity to learn new things in a small relaxed fashion. So here's what's on my Summer School Curriculum this year with a fun new way to matriculate.  Learning at your fingertips With so many apps to choose from it's hard to narrow it down to a few. These are ones I enjoy and hope you will too. Learn a New Language Planning a foreign trip or simply interested in expanding your verbal horizons? Duolingo is the app for you. Nature 101 Summer is a great time to be outdoors. Take some time to learn about your surroundings. What's that bird? Try out Merlin Bird ID Arts and Crafts There are tons of wonderful apps to flex your creative muscles. My current distraction of choice is Assembly Meditation If you're like me, trying to meditate is like a mental game of "Whack a Mole". Ideas keep popping up in my head, I keep trying to empty my thoughts - not very relaxing. Buddhify to the rescue. Guided meditations for any occasion in the palm of your hand. Recess Because all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. If you just want to get silly, give Dubsmash a go. Root Beer Floats - an Iconic Summer Treat After all that studying, why not treat yourself to this classic.  Better yet, indulge in one of these. Happy Learning! For those of us with traditional homes, it's sometimes challenging to work out how to inject a bit of summer decorating into these classical spaces. The happy bright colors we see in design magazines somehow seem to be too much and surf boards and tiki huts just won't do. I turn to another classic - British Colonial Style  Born in a time when the sun truly never set on the Empire, British colonial style evolved between the 17th and early 20th century, when British citizens went to live in Africa, India, Asia, and the Caribbean They adapted their refined design style to the climate and available materials where they moved.  Nowhere is this style more appealing than in the West Indies. Merging with styles brought by other European colonizers - France - Spain - Holland -West Indies Style is the perfect inspiration for sophisticated summer design. Elements of The Style Key to the style is the idea of expatriates adapting their familiar decor styles to their new surroundings and making use of local materials.  Furniture Classic mahogany pieces Light upholstery Campaign furniture - easily transported pieces Rattan, bamboo and wicker  Fabrics Solid white linen or cotton Indigenous fabrics - batiks, palampores Natural colored jute, sisal, or sea grass rugs oriental rugs  Artwork Botanical Prints Ornate Mirrors  Accessories European colonials were a surprisingly cosmopolitan people. They were well traveled and liked to show off their treasures. fine crystal fine china silver items Asian blue and white porcelain animal horn tortoise shell hurricane lamps seashells maps telescopes  Plants potted trees and exotic blooms  Some easy ways to bring the style home
Fill them with your favorite shells  Consider investing in summer slip covers. I had white matlesse covers made for my living room pieces years ago. I love that they go right in the washing machine and lend a calm cool air to the room. I love mine so much, I sometimes leave them on all year. 
 Roll up the carpets. Leave your hardwood floors bare, or put down some seagrass rugs.
 Pick up some bamboo pieces. India Hicks |
