European summer here (in Italy). Everyone is on the sun lounger at the beach or lake all day, feeling productive, because this is what you are supposed to do with your summer!
As an American (New Yorker), now living in Tuscany with my French husband, we are loving a European summer. Summer is meant to be restorative not taxing. I had to move overseas to learn this! 🙈
That's a GREAT start!! I've been taking French lessons for over 5 years and I'm still HORRIBLE. You're probably better at learning foreign languages than me, but it takes a lot of time!
Lovely post! I’m currently having a British summer in London, enjoying reading books in my garden, playing with my toddler and walks in the parks and grabbing fresh juices and gelatos. Then I’ll head to South of France for 2-3 weeks and walk by the beach, eat (too many croissants), read more books and enjoying “being bored” in a beautiful area. I’m European and I like to spend time on destination. However, I do a few different cities if I travel to Spain or Italy if I stay 2 weeks.
I know this is random, but I have lost a postcard I recently received where you listed a vintage shop in ATX for vintage Levi’s. I think in congress? Would you mind directing me to that letter? I’m heading out to visit my son and would like to swing by there! Love your style and hope to shop the Paris flea markets with you some day!
YES!! Go! It's great! It's called American Drifter and he has a great selection of vintage Levi's. It's on South 1st Street so not far from South Congress and, yes, come to Paris! xx
Every year I dream of decamping to Italy or France for the entire summer. I write about slow travel and aim to enjoy the kind of summer you describe here - but in reality I cram too much in, mainly because of work. (UK-based)
You absolutely should!! What a dream!! I don't know where in the UK you are but we tried to move to London. I love it there! I also studying in Oxford one crazy summer! xx
I grew up in Russia and spend the summer on the black sea, 2 wonderful months of just doing nothing. I don’t remember much , but no one planned their kids summer daily activities. If you were home , you spend most of your day outside with your friends , until dawn .
I immigrated to US when i was 11 years old and saw how hard my parents worked most of their lives. Now in my mid fifties i have never experienced a chilled summer . Our “ rat race “
lifestyle is exhausting , every minute is planned and if we don’t have anything planned, we start wondering if something is wrong 🙈. We “ live to work “ not “work to live “ . We plan a 14 days vacation and feel guilty and anxious about our missing work the whole time we are on vacation . I think Europeans are doing it the right way . Allison thank you for reminding us how important it is to slow down .. Is there hope for Americans to be a little more like Europeans ?
You're the best!! Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful reply. I've been thinking about the American Back to School vs. the French Rentrée and it's mind blowing. We seem to really overcomplicate things over there in the States! xx
While I would love to spend a summer in Europe, the relaxed pace of life you describe reminds me of my 1970s childhood summers in the US. My father took a month-long vacation, unheard of for today's corporate worker, and we headed to Cape Cod to lounge at the beach all day. Times have changed. When did we all start getting so busy and stressed out?
Cet été nous sommes en Italie à Ischia près de Naples, c’est très calme loin de la masse touristique ! Je recommande ☀️❤️ il fait très chaud et je pratique mon italien haha
European summer here (in Italy). Everyone is on the sun lounger at the beach or lake all day, feeling productive, because this is what you are supposed to do with your summer!
Agreed. What a dream!!!! Have the best time ever!! 🤸🏼♂️
As an American (New Yorker), now living in Tuscany with my French husband, we are loving a European summer. Summer is meant to be restorative not taxing. I had to move overseas to learn this! 🙈
my dream is to do the same .. i want to move to Europe. Italy 🇮🇹
May be by putting out there in the universe it will happen!
It will! I started with taking Italian lessons. Believing before seeing is key!
That's a GREAT start!! I've been taking French lessons for over 5 years and I'm still HORRIBLE. You're probably better at learning foreign languages than me, but it takes a lot of time!
If you want it bad enough, it will come! I promise!
I had to move overseas to appreciate slowing down. I feel you.
European Summer with A/C is perfection in my mind 👍
That’s the dream 💭
Lovely post! I’m currently having a British summer in London, enjoying reading books in my garden, playing with my toddler and walks in the parks and grabbing fresh juices and gelatos. Then I’ll head to South of France for 2-3 weeks and walk by the beach, eat (too many croissants), read more books and enjoying “being bored” in a beautiful area. I’m European and I like to spend time on destination. However, I do a few different cities if I travel to Spain or Italy if I stay 2 weeks.
I love London so much!!! I’m envious 🤍
I know this is random, but I have lost a postcard I recently received where you listed a vintage shop in ATX for vintage Levi’s. I think in congress? Would you mind directing me to that letter? I’m heading out to visit my son and would like to swing by there! Love your style and hope to shop the Paris flea markets with you some day!
YES!! Go! It's great! It's called American Drifter and he has a great selection of vintage Levi's. It's on South 1st Street so not far from South Congress and, yes, come to Paris! xx
Dropping our daughter in Toulouse in October so maybe when we come back in the spring! Merci & bonne nuit!
How fun!! Keep me posted! xx
Every year I dream of decamping to Italy or France for the entire summer. I write about slow travel and aim to enjoy the kind of summer you describe here - but in reality I cram too much in, mainly because of work. (UK-based)
You absolutely should!! What a dream!! I don't know where in the UK you are but we tried to move to London. I love it there! I also studying in Oxford one crazy summer! xx
I grew up in Russia and spend the summer on the black sea, 2 wonderful months of just doing nothing. I don’t remember much , but no one planned their kids summer daily activities. If you were home , you spend most of your day outside with your friends , until dawn .
I immigrated to US when i was 11 years old and saw how hard my parents worked most of their lives. Now in my mid fifties i have never experienced a chilled summer . Our “ rat race “
lifestyle is exhausting , every minute is planned and if we don’t have anything planned, we start wondering if something is wrong 🙈. We “ live to work “ not “work to live “ . We plan a 14 days vacation and feel guilty and anxious about our missing work the whole time we are on vacation . I think Europeans are doing it the right way . Allison thank you for reminding us how important it is to slow down .. Is there hope for Americans to be a little more like Europeans ?
You're the best!! Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful reply. I've been thinking about the American Back to School vs. the French Rentrée and it's mind blowing. We seem to really overcomplicate things over there in the States! xx
While I would love to spend a summer in Europe, the relaxed pace of life you describe reminds me of my 1970s childhood summers in the US. My father took a month-long vacation, unheard of for today's corporate worker, and we headed to Cape Cod to lounge at the beach all day. Times have changed. When did we all start getting so busy and stressed out?
a month long summer in the US is unbelievable! What a treat! My daughter's name is Lia. I love that name!
Take me back to Europe. It sucks here.
You’re not enjoying this rat race of a summer?! 😂
European summer are the best ! So many places to visit !
Cet été nous sommes en Italie à Ischia près de Naples, c’est très calme loin de la masse touristique ! Je recommande ☀️❤️ il fait très chaud et je pratique mon italien haha
That sounds incredible!! I’ll add it to my list!! 😘