Living My Nancy Meyers Summer

Every summer, like clockwork, I feel the magnetic pull of a Nancy Meyers movie. You know the kind: golden light pouring through gauzy curtains, the scent of something freshly baked in the air, a garden in full bloom just beyond a sun-drenched patio where someone, probably Meryl Streep or Diane Keaton, is laughing effortlessly over a glass of wine. There’s a white linen button-down involved. Always.

And every summer, I try to infuse a bit of that magic into my own life.

Now, let me be clear: I’m a full-time working mom with two kids, a packed Google Calendar, and more half-finished iced coffees than I care to admit. I do not live in a beach house in the Hamptons. I live in Ottawa, Canada. And yet…something about the “coastal grandma” aesthetic – this blend of cozy, polished, and serene – feels completely within reach, even here.

So here’s how I’m leaning into my very own Nancy Meyers summer, one woven basket tote and fresh tomato at a time.

1. Morning Rituals: Not Quite Montecito, But Close

Mornings are chaotic in my house, but some days I carve out a tiny slice of stillness just for me. I sneak out into the backyard with my coffee and a robe that makes me feel vaguely Diane Keaton-ish. I listen to the birds, water my herbs, and pretend I’m overlooking a vineyard. That five minutes? It’s transformative.

This summer, I’m romanticizing the mundane: folding laundry with French jazz playing, making breakfast in an oversized Oxford shirt and linen shorts, and investing in the smallest rituals that make me feel centered – like buttering toast with a vintage knife or drinking my afternoon iced tea from a cut-glass tumbler.

2. Gardening Like I’m in a Rom-Com

I’m not what you’d call a “natural” gardener. But each year, I dig into the soil with a little more hope and a Pinterest board full of hydrangeas and heirloom tomatoes. My garden is modest – a few flower beds here and there, a cedar box of vegetables, and a small herb garden, but it’s mine.

I grow lavender, basil, sage, rosemary, and cucumbers. I get dirt under my nails and wear an old sun hat that makes me feel like Diane in Something’s Gotta Give. The magic isn’t in how perfect it looks – it’s in how it feels. Grounding. Romantic. Real.

3. Dressing the Part (Loafers Required)

This aesthetic isn’t about trends – it’s about timelessness. Linen pants. Crisp white shirts. Espadrilles or soft leather loafers that make me feel like I’m strolling through a seaside market (even if I’m actually power-walking through Farm Boy for groceries).

I’ve leaned into the capsule wardrobe life: soft neutrals, clean lines, and pieces that layer like a Nancy Meyers kitchen, cozy but elegant. Bonus: when you’re throwing the ball with kiddos and juggling errands, these outfits are weirdly practical too.

4. Slow Afternoons at the Marina

While I may not live steps from the sea, we have our own slice of coastal charm right here in Ottawa. For example, the marina near Dow’s Lake or the NCC River House are both great for channeling that breezy, water-adjacent energy. We grab ice cream, wander the dock, and watch small boats drift by like we’re on the Cape.

And if the timing works out, we bring a simple picnic (read: baguette, cheese, grapes, white wine, and sparkling water).

5. The Joy of Doing Nothing (Sort Of)

This is the hardest part for me: slowing down without guilt. I’m learning, over and over again, that doing “nothing” – reading a novel in the shade or painting just for fun, isn’t wasted time. It’s the essence of this whole thing.

Nancy Meyers heroines make space for pause. They savor, they listen, they take the long way home. This summer, I’m trying that on for size.

6. Feeding the Family (Like Ina Might Drop By)

I believe in good cheese, fresh herbs, and setting the table even if it’s just for my family and me. Summer dinners are often simple – grilled chicken, big salads, pasta with whatever’s ripe from the garden. My husband lights the candles. We put on Ella Fitzgerald. We create the vibe.

Because why shouldn’t dinner on a Tuesday feel like a scene from The Holiday?

7. Coastal Grandma, Local Edition

The coastal grandma aesthetic isn’t about geography. It’s about presence. Intentionality. Beauty in the everyday.

So no, I don’t have French doors that open to a wraparound porch. But I do have moments. I have chilled rosé and thrifted serving platters. I have Sunday farmer’s markets, hydrangeas in an antique vase, and a linen apron that makes me feel like the main character.

And that’s more than enough.

Here’s to a summer of soft mornings, cozy evenings, and just enough reverie to make you feel like you’re in a Nancy Meyers movie – even if the closest thing to the ocean is your neighbour’s sprinkler.

Let’s romanticize it all. We deserve it.

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Emily Smith

Emily Smith, Editor of The Best of This Life, has been crafting lifestyle content and delicious recipes for over a decade. Featured on platforms like BRIT + CO, Today's Parent, and Chatelaine, she writes about family, food, home, and wellness, inspiring readers to live well and savour life's beauty. Based in Ottawa, she shares her adventures with her husband, two beautiful kids, and their mischievous cat, Zoro.

Living My Nancy Meyers Summer