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Health & Fitness

Cool ideas for summer

Being 'cool' outside and inside.

Now that the sun is back for summer, we can start living on ‘the outside’.  There are a few things I have been dreaming about to make me ‘cool’ outside and inside.

I want a rain barrel for the hot days the hydraneas start begging for more water. They come in all shapes, sizes and prices.

Is there anything that brings back warm memories better than sheets dancing on a clothes line, delicously drying in the sun? Which is why I have wanted a clothes line in my backyard for years, or a simple tier drying rack from Target.

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This is the best product I have seen in a long time - synthetic grass cushions for lounge chairs. I am definitely making a moss chair or a sedum wicker chair. Would love to have moss covered ceramic rocks by Mineo Mizuno.

Make some music swatting flies. You can't have too many oscillating pedestal fans on those hot days, but if I have lots of money to spend, I would try a Dyson bladeless tower fan. Think how easy that would be to keep clean!

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I wish my backyard was large enough to accomodate one of these amazing birdhouses by Extreme Birdhouses. Maybe a cool doghouse?

Save herbs in stylish herb pots by Graham and Green or make my own seed bomb. I also love this seedling paper pot press from Cox and Cox.

Make myself a maritime mobile.

Hanging vases from IKEA or I made this sweet little multi-vase using a piece of driftwood, a drill and test tubes. I also hang lots of jar lanterns to add a little magic at dusk. My son and I made tin can lantern holders many years ago, wonderful fun.

Add some new flowers, like this double flowered Coneflower, white and pink! Speaking of flowers, time to head out to Snohomish, to A & D Nursery to dream about what new peony to plant! I am little obsessed with the perfect peony. Better Home and Gardens' must-grow new perennials for 2011. See more of my garden inspiration board at Pinterest.

I would love to have a String Garden.

The coolest thing is to hang out with your friends, drinking some wine at dusk! Enjoying the warmth and long summer days.

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