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Something I’ve noticed about myself over the last couple years? I really don’t enjoy summer.

If you know me, you know—I’m a fall girl through and through. Give me sweaters, crisp air, and pumpkin spice anything. But even more so, on December 26, the day after Christmas, I’m already counting down to the next one!

I might have even watched Merry Liddle Christmas through the end of March this year. Send help! 😂

So, by the time summer rolls around, I usually retreat inside—wrapped in a blanket with the AC blasting, watching the season from behind the curtains like it’s a heatwave horror film.

But this year, something shifted.

I started wondering… what if I stopped dreading summer and found a way to actually enjoy it?
I mean, Christmas is amazing, but do I really want to live for one day of the year?
The other 364 days have entered the chat. 👀

So, I gave myself a quiet challenge: what if I stopped bracing for summer… and started shaping it into something I could actually enjoy? Not just get through but look forward to.

Maybe you have a season like that too—one you’ve been avoiding, or one that’s never quite felt like yours. What if it could be different?

For me, it started with one simple shift: making space to enjoy where I already was.
And believe it or not… it worked.

I can’t even believe I’m saying this, but this has been one of my most beautiful summers ever—and it all started with a patio made for living.

Here’s How I Refreshed Our Patio to Actually Enjoy Summer 👇🏾

The Clean Slate
Comfort + Style (That Can Handle Real Life)
The Rolling Cart: From Baby Bottles to Patio Bliss
DIY Lavender Citrus Spray (Bug-Free & Calming)

The Clean Slate

*See…I still had my Christmas branches out!* 🤭

We have trees right next to the patio, which means constant pine needles—and a few uninvited buggy friends that come with them.

I didn’t go overboard. I just:

Swept the patio
Dusted around the furniture and railing
Cleared out the cobwebs hiding between the fence and the front steps
Moved the grill to the back/garage area

That’s it. A quick tidy to help the space feel fresh again.

Comfort + Style (That Can Handle Real Life)

We already had the basics:
Our chairs and table were from IKEA, and the olive tree and rug were Amazon finds from last year. That setup gave us a good starting point, but it still felt a little...bare. Not quite the vibe I wanted.

So, for this refresh, I added a few easy layers to bring in more comfort and charm:

FRÖSÖN cushions from IKEA for softness you can actually sit on
Pillows + Textured covers from Amazon to add a little contrast and cozy
Two real olive trees (aka Ollies) from Green Thumb Nursery to give the space some Mediterranean/Montecito energy 🌿
Terracotta-style pots from World Market that made the Ollies feel like they belonged
Faux lavender + pot from Hobby Lobby—because I wanted the look without the upkeep
Woven basket from Amazon for that effortless “I planned this” look
A Citronella candle
And a handful of sidewalk chalk that just so happened to come from my son’s Easter basket, gifted by a friend (10/10 aesthetic and entertainment)

It didn’t take much. Just a few layers that made it feel less like a pass-through space and more like a place we actually live.

*Tip: For faux & real stems, add a clear vase inside of your pot to keep it structured.*

The Rolling Cart: From Baby Bottles to Patio Bliss

This cart has seen things.

It used to live inside, stocked with bottles, burp cloths, diapers, and wipes—basically the newborn command center. But once we were past that phase, I wasn’t ready to give it up.

So, I gave it two fresh coats of spray paint… and just like that, it got a whole new life. 🙌🏾

Now it’s my favorite piece out here.

Depending on the day, it holds:

Snacks, water, and tea
My planner, journal, or whatever I’m reading atm
Bubbles, chalk, or random toddler treasures
A candle or fresh stems to keep things cute

It’s simple, mobile, and so helpful when I don’t feel like going back inside 47 times. Just roll, restock, and enjoy.

DIY Lavender Citrus Spray

Listen… I love being barefoot on the patio. But what I don’t love? Ants, mystery bugs, and anything crawling on my blanket like it pays rent.
So I keep this DIY spray on hand at all times. It’s linen-safe, baby-safe, and makes the whole space smell like a lavender-lemon daydream. (IG video coming soon!)

Here’s the mix:

1 cup water
½ cup white vinegar
15 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon or orange essential oil
Optional: splash of witch hazel (helps the oils mix better)

Just toss it all in a spray bottle, shake well, and mist wherever you want to chill—blankets, pillows, chair legs, the rug… basically everything except your snacks. 😂

It keeps the bugs away without killing the vibe.

Final Thoughts

This little patio refresh didn’t require a full makeover or a shopping spree—just a few thoughtful swaps, some layered comforts, and a tiny shift in mindset.

And honestly? It changed everything.

Now I find myself out here all the time—whether I’m sipping tea, chalking with my son, sneaking in a few emails, or just sitting still (which I’m learning to do more of these days).

It’s also become the perfect spot to host. I finally have a space that feels welcoming for a tea catch-up with a friend or a wine night with the neighborhood moms—like the one we just had this past Thursday. ✨

Summer doesn’t feel like something I have to survive anymore.

It feels like something I get to enjoy.

And that, my friend, is a win. ☀️

With Love,
Ambyr

A Patio Made for Living: How I Refreshed Our Patio to Actually Enjoy Summer