Cozy Vibes for July: A Guide ☀️

Hobbies, recipes, dinner party ideas, and a book of the month! 🫶🏼

Jul 06, 2025

The community center in my neighborhood has tiny American flags dotting the sidewalk, the pool is crowded and alive—a mix of kids screaming and adults lounging— and the weather forecast shows consistent 90 degree days ahead. July has arrived and summer is in full swing. Time for a little monthly guide, don’t you think?

Since the 4th has come and gone, I was hesitant to create another guide—the main event (at least here in America) has happened and we’re already a week into the month! But for the sake of a romanticized summer, I decided to soldier on. I am, truthfully, not much of a summer girlie. The heat and humidity has me longing for fall and the vibes here in the states, thanks to the current administration, is in short—abysmal. But everyday routines, side quests (like a micro bakery!?) and little pockets of joy are keeping me going. I hope these cozy vibes bring a little more whimsy and delight to your day, and to your July! Let’s dive in 🤍

July Grandma Hobby: Coloring

I excitedly dubbed this season Grandma Hobby summer last month and wowowow have I really dove into baking! But for July? Let’s color. Maybe less of a Grandma hobby and more of a childhood hobby, the vibes are still the same. Very chill and an opportunity to get off your phone. Perf! I was recently introduced to Ohuhu markers and I am intrigued—very profesh and they’re now on my list of cozy things to treat myself too. Also, Coco Wyo coloring books are maybe the cutest thing I’ve ever seen?! When work is over and it’s time to shut your brain off, maybe try coloring in the Girl Moments coloring book this month, hehe.

Cozy July Baking

We’re in the thick of summer, so it’s time to enjoyyyy the bounty that is summer produce. The more I find myself experimenting in the kitchen, the more I’m learning to love it. Here are a few summer recipes to try this month!

Olive Oil Cake with Peaches and Cream, Wishbone Kitchen: A few friends and I enjoyed this from last month’s cookbook club (more on that in a minute!) and it was so delicious. It’s been featured pretty heavily on social media, and it’s also on the cover of The Wishbone Kitchen cookbook! It lives up to the hype, and I’m excited to try it with other summer fruit.
Frozen Mocha Mousse: Ok, so this Ina Garten recipe doesn’t include summer produce, but it’s cold! Perfect for a sweltering July evening, especially if you’re craving chocolate. I don’t have an ice cream maker, but this recipe doesn’t require one, since it’s frozen mousse, of course. Yum!
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies: I recently stumbled upon Broma Bakery and I’m now completely obsessed. I made these strawberry shortcake cookies yesterday as a test bake for a potential seasonal item for The Cozy Crumb, and they’re totally delicious! Mine didn’t quite look like the picture, but I’m excited to eat them with vanilla ice cream. Since these cookies have fruit and jam in them, I learned that they’re not the easiest to transport, so they won’t be making the micro bakery menu—but I’m on the hunt for more summer cookies! If you have a recipe you love, I’d love to hear about it 🥹

July Dinner Party Ideas

Summer hosting continues! I shared a few cutie ideas for summer gatherings last month, and here are a few more for July 🥰 And PS! I normally would have shared a June “In My Hostess Era” post, but this month, the story got picked up by The Everygirl! You can read all about our Wishbone Kitchen cookbook club here.

Camping Party: We’re serving hotdogs, s’mores and a giant pitcher of adult punch. There’s cornhole, and maybe a three-legged race. Millenials, we’re blasting a 90s summer playlist, obvi. And just so we’re clear: no actual camping is happening (unless that’s your thing). Just camping vibes 😂
Summer Fruit Party: Pick your favorite summer fruit and plan a whole menu around it. Strawberry party, peach party, tomato party, cherry party?! All gorg and so cute.
Coastal Grandma Party: We’re leaning heavily into a blue and white color palette, woven textures, puffy white hydrangeas. Crisp white wine and a lemon-y pasta. The dress code is sundresses or classic button-ups. A cardi draped over your shoulders is optional, but highly recommended. A vibe!

Cozy July Reading

I made a cutie little July bucket list I shared on the first of the month, and one of my favorites things on the list is to re-read a favorite book. I know there are lots of summer reading lists out there, and I imagine your TBR list is high. I love a comfort read—and I’ve been saving this re-read for the fall, but I’ve decided I can’t wait anymore. This month, I’m re-reading Ina’s memoir, Be Ready When The Luck Happens.

This book truly changed my life and has been the inspiration behind my 2025. I wanted to wait to re-read it til October (it’s the COZIEST fall read), but since I’ve hastily started a micro bakery—I’ve been inspired to pick it up again. If your TBR list isn’t too bananas, I would a thousand percent recommend Ina’s memoir—it’s truly one of my favorites.

Before I go, I also wanted to share this article I wrote for Camille Styles, all about summer seasonal blues. Summertime sadness is real (I know I feel it!) and it can be hard if you experience it. Seasonal SAD gets a lot of attention in the colder months, but it can happen in the warmer months too. Sending extra love your way if you’re struggling 🤍

Wishing you a cozy and relaxing July!

xx, Kristen