Summer at Citrus Court

Growing up in Chicago I lived for summer.

For three months out of the year we could reliably count on good weather—along with some humidity and summer storms but also genuinely warm nights spent completely outside. Come June all the sudden everyone is Chicago had a convertible, every restaurant boasted patios larger than their insides and boats on Lake Michigan magically appeared along the sparkling city skyline. With an August 12th birthday, everyone always was eager to celebrate. When I was younger we’d swim all day long, capture fireflies outside and devour an ice cream cake to cool ourselves down. As I became a teenager, our summer tans were well established and there was always a social event to attend, often the last hurrah before the school year started and all the glories that come with what we call summertime chi.

Fast forward to my adult life in Los Angeles for the last 15 years, and one can beg the question;

“Summer” in Los Angeles, now why is that special?

Weather wise everyday in Los Angeles is a treat considering my midwest roots. You can always count on sunshine at some point in the day and theoretically one could make anyway here a beach day anywhere else. However, I soon realized while living here that Los Angeles does in fact have seasons, just a milder version of them. And while I can’t argue its’ residents take the summer months as seriously as we do in Chicago, I do cherish these warmer and longer days in Los Angeles.

What I love about La Summer

Long evenings hosting al fresco will always be my anchor to summer in LA. Our home at Citrus Court has offered me unparalleled access to true outdoor living and entertaining. What could be more magical than a summer night with friends, under the glow of waxy candles burning, flowers and citrus blooming in natures’ beautiful backdrop? I’m living a Nancy Meyer’s meets Martha Stewart fantasy over here.

The idea of the beach. LA is not really a beach city but ocean views and the Mediterranean terrain is what I love. Unless there’s a cozy chair and cocktail I didn’t make being offered to me, I am not that enthused for a beach day. So I prefer to see the ocean on my drive up the coast to Malibu, enjoy the views from an oceanside restaurant or pack my bags for Euro summer.

The Malibu Country Mart, The Hollywood Bowl and The Ivy at The Shore. Rarely does any place here come alive in summer but for me these are few that do. To be fair, the Hollywood Bowl is only open during the warmer months because it’s an outdoor music venue where guests can bring picnics, enjoy the LA Philharmonic’s summer residence and sway into the night under the stars. The Malibu Country Mart is a year round destination for my family, but especially for those summer afternoons post beach (or instead) boasting well manicured retail and a family friendly setting. It’s also selfishly the home of one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Los Angeles, Taverna Tony, a traditional Greek cuisine and isle-inspired setting that will always be synonymous with LA summer for me. Ivy at the Shore is a more elegant Southern California staple for fancy lunches by the beach and romantic sunset dinners. We go year round but those Ivy Gimlets will forever invoke a summer mindset.

This Summer at Citrus Court

Now that Memorial Day Weekend is upon us I am excited for a summer filled with post dinner gelato runs and slightly later bedtimes for Parker. While we have plans for a European summer I'm also hoping for another day trip to Montecito. But most of all I am yearning for some lazy afternoons at our home that fold into beautiful evenings hosting at Citrus Court.

The harvest has proven bountiful with our orange tree blooming and apples reappearing five months earlier than last year. And while the jasmine always slows down this time of year, and the camellias leave too soon come spring, random roses tend to pop-up in various colors along the courtyard. I’m excited to see what inspires my summer hosting this season, perhaps an orangery themed soirée or some simple low lit wine and rotisserie chicken dinners with the family. Regardless, I’m ready.

Wishing you all a relaxing and fun first weekend of summer.

xx, Monica