5 Ways to Update your Bedroom for Summer

Dreams of a far away place, with sandy white beaches, 

and charming cottages by the sea; 

where one could go and spend time relaxing and refreshing 

as if you were staying at a beautiful b&b,

 is right where I want to spend my time in the Summertime. 

This is what I immediately thought of,

on ways to refresh my bedroom
for better Summer Living with Parachute!

Recently, I learned about Parachute bedding, and the vision, it's entrepreneur, CEO Ariel Kaye, had of recreating the feel of an amazing hotel bedroom experience she had on a trip to Italy. She wanted to create an  affordable, premium line of bedding to ensure we get our best night of sleep! Her studio is based in Venice Beach, California, and as a direct-to-consumer bedding brand, Parachute  offers luxurious Egyptian cotton bed linens, woven in Italy. With Parachute, providing direct-to-consumer, the company's costs are unbelievably lower than standard retail. Another good thing to know about Parachute, they give back. They've partnered with Nothing but Nets, to provide an insecticide-treated bed net to protect from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. For every sale of their signature Venice bedding set sold, $10 is donated.

My hopes of an early fall were crushed this week, 

when once again, we are experiencing another heat wave, 

mixed with late afternoon intermittent rain showers, 

bringing on the sweltering humidity.

 Over the years of living in Arizona, I've learned how to prepare for Summer 

and how to create a bedroom that is not only cool and refreshing, 

but comfortable and relaxing. 

With August still being a hot Summer month, 

today I am sharing 5 easy ways to refresh a Bedroom for Summer.

via pinterest

1. Vintage fan

It's a well known fact, that temperature effects the way we sleep.

The cooler the temperature the easier and more comfortable we sleep.

Not all parts of Arizona, have central air, 

and even though we do have A/C, I've found that running an oscillating fan,

 helps to keep the cool air flowing. 

 It really helps relax and cools you down, 

especially if you spend anytime out in the heat,

 nothing feels better than a refreshing breeze, 

as it blows through the room.

(affiliate) Holmes 12" Classic Metal Table Fan - Oil Rubbed Bronze

courtesy of Parachute

2. Crisp White Linen Sheets

There is nothing I love more after a long busy day, than to climb into smooth, white linen sheets, that feel cool and refreshing. This time of year, I usually leave off the top sheet, and opt for a thin, and airy down alternative duvet, instead of a heavy comforter or on cooler summer nights after a summer rain storm, when the temperature drops twenty or more degrees, I love to snuggle with a soft cashmere throw.

courtesy of Parachute

3. Soft, and Elegant Sateen Pillows

Another intersting fact about me is that I love big, comfy pillows. We have four on our bed, and I sleep with two of them. I like  big, soft, cool pillows, like clouds of comfort, that I can sink into. I almost fall asleep immediately as my head hits the proverbial pillow.

(affiliate)

4.. Romantic scented candles

Growing up in Southern California, we didn't have central air, 

so at night; this is from another time, 

when you could leave your windows open, 

and as I drifted off to sleep, 

the cool night air brought the intoxicating scent of 

Nighttime Blooming Jasmine, wafting on a breeze, 

its fragrance took me off to dreamland. 

Using candles, creates a relaxing atmosphere with 

the aromas of jasmine, lavender and orange blossom.

 giving a room a more romantic feel. 

The mesmerizing glow of the candlelight, helps to create that dreamy mood.

Aqua Ocean Photography

5. Peaceful Wall Art

If I can't be near the beach,

 then I might as well create a serene beach scene to look at. 

Choosing a Wall art piece helps set a peaceful focal point to gaze at, 

something that helps remind of the ocean waves as they rock you off to sleep.


How do you refresh your bedroom for Summer?

Hope you are staying cool and relaxing this weekend!!
Until next time!
xo,

  
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Coconut White Velvet cake with Pineapple curd and Coconut Cream cheese frosting

Good morning! How has your week been going? As you can see, I still haven't packed up my Easter decorations yet! I am just in love with this bunny vase/pot!

You know what's funny is he is a White Rabbit!

Not to get off the subject, but did anyone see (and I don't normally watch), but this past Dancing with the Stars, it was Disney theme!
One of the dance couples was Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit! (videos at bottom of post)

Why is that funny about my White Rabbit, you ask?

This may not come as a surprise to the tens of you that read my little blog, know, I am not particularly fond of White! Don't get me wrong, I think White is very pretty; signifying fresh and clean! For me it just, and I am sorry in advance, but just too plain!

In fact, I cringed when my husband had a special request for me, to make him a White cake, a plain white cake with white frosting! Ugh! I am already looking at bare, white walls, that are driving me nuts!

I am even the same way, when he asks me to make him plain sugar cookies. Again, there is nothing wrong with plain sugar cookies, I just like mine frosted, or at the bare minimal with some sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top! Ok, so now you know how I feel about white.

I love the white bunny, but I would really love him, if he were a pastel shade of pink, green or blue!

Fast forward to last night, when I told my husband what I was making, you could see a sparkle in his eye! That made me smile, because, we've learned to compromise a little bit!

 I love the fact he likes to keep things simple, and he loves that I like to Jazz things up a bit!

Another thing I know my husband loves is pineapple. Originally, I was thinking white cake with lemon curd, which would be amazing too! With Mother's Day coming, I wanted a little something  that speaks Summer is coming. Nothing reminds me more of summer than sipping a Pina Colada under a Cabana with my toes in the sand! Pineapple and coconut sound incredibly divine!

Coconut White Velvet cake with Pineapple curd and Coconut Cream cheese frosting

(adapted from Baking with Rose)

for the cake:

5 egg whites at room temperature

1 2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter

3 2/3 cup sifted cake flour

3 Tbls + 1 tsp. baking powder ( I use Clabber girl)

1 cup Coconut cream milk

1/4 cup whole milk

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. coconut flavoring

for pineapple curd:

1 (15 oz can) crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup. unsalted butter, cut in pieces
3 eggs
1 Tbls. all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar

for the coconut cream cheese frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
8 oz. cream cheese
5-6 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. coconut flavoring
2 Tbls. coconut cream milk

 Garnish with sweetened coconut flakes

Directions for the cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter 2-9in. cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl lightly combine the egg whites, 1/2 cup coconut cream, vanilla, and coconut flavoring.
3. In a large bowl, combine, the flour, salt and baking powder.
4. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula.
5.  Mixing on low speed, add half of the flour mixture until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl Add the remaining 1/2 cup of coconut milk, mix until well combined. Scrape down sides, and then add the remaining half of the flour mixture. Scrape down sides. Lastly, add the 1/4 cup of milk, mix until well combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 25-35 minutes (mine took about 30 minutes), until you see slight browning on top, the tops of the cake spring back when touched, the sides of the cake pull away from the sides, and inserting a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the cakes completely, mine always take longer than 10 minutes. Loosen the sides with a knife, and invert on to a plate or wire rack.

 

Directions for Pineapple Curd:

Using a blender, blend the crushed pineapple, until it looks smooth. Pour it into a small pot, on low. Add the butter, eggs, flour and sugar, and cook, stirring often. I like to keep an eye on my curds, because, if the curd gets too hot on the bottom of the pot, the curd could become lumpy. If you keep slowly stirring, the curd will have a nice silky even consistency. When the crud is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, take it off the heat to cool. When it is completely cooled, it will become thickened, but too thick. Spread evenly on top of the completely cooled bottom cake layer. Store in airtight container for 3-5 days in the refridgerator. The recipe called for 1 Tbls. of lemon juice, I didn't add this as I didn't want the added acid. Pineapple, is acidy enough for me.

Directions for Coconut Cream Cheese frosting:

In a stand up mixer cream the butter and cream cheese together. Scrape the sides of the bowl down. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar. Scrape the sides of the bowl down. Add the vanilla, coconut flavoring, and 2 Tbls. coconut cream; beat until well blended. Again, scrape the sides of the bowl down. Add the remaining 2-3 cups powdered sugar. It depends on how thick you want your frosting. I am good with 2 2/3 cups. Store unused frosting in airtight container for 3-5 days in the refridgerator.

After frosting the cake, garnish with sweetened coconut flakes. Serve and Enjoy!

As always I saved a slice for you! Until next time!

 Enjoy the rest of your week! xo Christine

Then there is my favorite from Pirates of the Caribbean!

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