Dear Weather,

First of all, what the hell?  It’s almost mid-July, which means it’s almost August, and it’s STILL cold outside!  Drizzling every morning??  Mid 60s?  For real?  Where are we, the corner of Alaska?  Every other square inch of the USA is experiencing scorching, blistering heat waves…and I’m jealous.

California always has to be fashionably late to the party.  But guess what, CA Weather?  You’re too late to the party now.  It started like 2 months ago, let’s get with it.  The Eastern seaboard and 8/10ths of Canada are warmer and less gloomy than you.

As for now, I’m forced to create my own summer.  A faux summer, I call it.  I will fake it until the sun shines.  Here are my tools of creating a faux summer:

1. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $23: I’m absolutely addicted to this spray.  Not only does it smell of the salty ocean, it gives your hair that perfect windswept, beachy look.  All you need is a few spritzes on your damp hair and then let it air dry.  See, Kate Hudson knows what I’m talking about.

2. Sephora by OPI Havana Nights, $9 each: With these bright and punchy nail colors, I can look and feel as summery as I please!  Colors left to right: Rumba Romance, Caliente Coral, Teal We Meet Again, Read My Palm, Caribbean Cocktail, Havana Dreams. [Image via Sephora]

3.  Williams-Sonoma Ice Pop Cookbook, $15.95: I’m a huge fan of fruity, icey popsicles but since it’s currently too chilly to make them, I will gaze through this recipe book instead.

4.  Vintage Wicker and Wood Picnic Basket, kowgirlkitch etsy, $30: I have been planning the perfect picnic in my head for weeks now.  Potato salad.  Finger sandwiches.  Latticed pie?  A few bottles of vino (whoops).  But of course, I must hold off on my picnic planning until the temperature rises.  For now, I will oOOoOo and awe over adorable vintage picnic baskets.

5.  Turkey Sliders: Tonight I made turkey sliders indoors.  It was too chilly and overcast to grill outside so I brought the burgers-by-the-pool meal indoors.  These turkey sliders are juicy, delicious, and super easy to make. Recipe: First chop an onion and saute in a pan.  Then mix lean ground turkey with salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned breadcrumbs, and a little ketchup.  Roll the turkey into balls and add them to the pan.  Flatten the turkey into the sauteed onions so that they stick to and become part of the patty.  Cook through and top with cheese.  Make sure you buy those mini hamburger buns!!  Add any and all condiments to your turkey sliders.  Voila! A perfect summery meal to get you through these winter-like doldrums.