Summer has come to an end...and what a summer it has been! While I always look forward to the fall and winter months (because Arizona!), I can't help but look back fondly on Summer 2024 and all the highlights and memories made. We had some family highlights and some great treks across the globe...and let's not forget the food and wine! I thought I'd round up some of my favorite moments and share them with you! No, this won't be a blog post about interior design, but I hope you enjoy a look back with me.
Our summer kicked off in May with the graduation of my one and only son, Kellen. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He graduated on 5/4/24, so naturally all of the very nerdy engineers had to include a Star Wars themed production to honor May the Fourth! We had friends and family join us for the celebratory weekend. I couldn't be more proud of Kellen's hard work...and guess what! He started the first day of his first grown-up engineering job today!
In June, we wrapped up an amazing project in the west valley. Our clients love the color blue, so we sprinkled accents of the hue throughout the project. We love all of our clients, but I have to say this project was a dream to work on...probably two of the loveliest humans I've ever met! We hope they are enjoying lots of dinner parties in their gorgeous new dining room!
In late June, I was lucky enough to take a trip to Spain and Ireland with my husband and son. We enjoyed the Picasso museum in Barcelona and took in a Formula 1 race. We put our toes in the sand of the Mediterranean Sea while there. After several days, we jetted off to Ireland!
I have to say, of the two countries we visited, Ireland was most definitely my favorite. Despite the weather being on the cool side, we were lucky to have mostly rain-free days! The countryside of Ireland is nothing short of gorgeous. And all the shades of green are as brilliant as you'd imagine. The people are some of the most friendly and delightful that you will meet.
Prior to arriving in Ireland, I had no idea that the seafood would be so amazing! Wow, it was delicious. And to make things even better, nearly all the pubs offered gluten-free fish and chips, so I was able to partake. The highlight of the trip was a carriage ride through a beautiful park/preserve.
In August, my husband Eddie and I escaped Arizona for getaway to the central coast of California. We make this trip annually, as we love the rural setting filled with farmland, wineries, and horses grazing in the greenest pastures. And of course, the food is amazing. We always stop at SY Kitchen in Santa Ynez...it is definitely worth the stop if you are in the area!
My favorite winery stop during this trip was Sunstone Winery. The tasting room and surrounding grounds are absolutely beautiful and everything looks like it has been there forever, which is so lovely! As a tried and true fan of European architecture, it hits all the marks for me!
To wrap up my summer highlights, we concluded August with a feature article and cover photo for a local lifestyle magazine, North Peoria Lifestyle. We shot the photos in mid-July, so it was a bit hard to get in the mindset of autumn, but we did it! I am lucky to work with an amazing photographer Rachel Smak. She gets my moody vibes and makes them come to life in photo form.
As summer fades into fall, I am grateful for all of the memories of summer...and equally excited for autumn to creep into our hot, dry Arizona days. While we may not get the beautiful change of the season that other areas of the US enjoy, there is a change in the air that everyone can feel. We all begin to venture out of our homes a bit more...we get reacquainted with our friends and neighbors as we enjoy the cooler evening temperatures. As many other areas see fall as a time when the summer foliage dies away, we see the beginning of autumn in Arizona as the time when our neighborhoods come alive again!
Wishing you all the beauty of autumn days to come,
Steph
Stephanie Park
Owner // Principal Designer
Urbane Interiors
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