Midsummer love letter from the Cotswolds
There’s nothing quite like midsummer in the Nordics: bonfires, flower crowns and that certain kind of light that only appears around midsummer. This is what's on my love list this week
This past month has been a bit of a blur, quite literally. I’ve been tiptoeing through days with a persistent hum of migraines, less a gentle background noise, more an all-out drum solo behind the eyes. For years I barely got any migraines, and the ones I got were tamed easily with the medication I have. Something has been cooking this year (I’m looking at you, hormones) and they’ve been a out of control with no rhyme or reason for the cause anymore… After trying every herbal tincture and lifestyle tweak under the sun (and yes, even stopped drinking red wine and cut back on coffee), I decided to start a preventative medication. It feels like the right call, even if I was resisting it as I had so hoped to find another way to cure them.
But let’s talk about something more fun instead—like the fact that it’s midsummer week. The most magical time of the year, and if you grew up in Scandinavia like I did, even more so.
In Finland, Juhannus isn’t just a date in the calendar. It’s a national mood. It’s the highlight of summer, when even the most buttoned-up Finn throws caution (and perhaps their clothes) to the wind. The cities empty out like someone’s pulled the plug, and suddenly everyone is on the move- off to their lakeside or island mökki (summer cottage), arms full of new potatoes, fresh dill and a selection of pickled herrings (my favourites are mustard and matjes herrings).
And oh, the light. It’s the season of near-endless days, when the sun dips below the horizon for just a moment before rising again. In the north, it doesn’t even bother setting. There’s a strange, tender sort of magic in walking through a forest at midnight with birds still singing and the sky that soft, painterly shade of blue. As a child, it felt like anything could happen on midsummer night, and according to tradition, it rather might.
You see, Juhannus isn’t all mosquito bites and grilled sausages. It’s steeped in old pagan rituals, fertility myths, and the kind of folklore that makes you glance over your shoulder in the woods. Bonfires (kokko) are lit to scare off evil spirits and keep the night safe, though these days they also serve as handy gathering points for songs, sausages and maybe a midnight swim.
And then there are the love spells.
One of the sweetest midsummer traditions is the idea that if you pick seven different wildflowers and place them under your pillow on midsummer night, you’ll dream of your future spouse. It’s important to do it in silence, without speaking to anyone, or the spell won’t work. I can still remember my cousin and I sneaking out with a basket at dusk, whispering and giggling through the meadows, talking about whether yarrow counted or not.
Other rituals involve rolling naked in dewy meadows (a good one for health and beauty, apparently) or gazing into a well to see your true love’s reflection. There is something little eerie about it these age old midsummer spells - like the veil between this world and the next had thinned ever so slightly, and the trees might just be watching you back. The natural world felt alive in a different way.
Since my children started school, I haven’t been able to experience a “proper” Finnish midsummer. This week always makes me a bit homesick. It’s hard to explain here just how much it means, how it’s less about a date and more about a deeply embedded rhythm in the body, a sense that everything is blooming, buzzing and momentarily suspended in golden light.
This year, I’ll be celebrating at a dear friend’s house. She’s half-Swedish, so she gets it. There will be grilling, maybe some aquavit if we’re brave, and hopefully a generous helping of sunshine. I’m even thinking of picking a few flowers - just for old times’ sake - and seeing what dreams might still come on a midsummer night!
Summer capsule edit
The silver lining to this season of lying low has been, well, lying low with my laptop, several cushions, and an entire internet's worth of sales. Between browsing for linen trousers and planning my kitchen garden (more on that soon), I’ve pulled together a rather pleasing little summer capsule edit. All from Arket, all on sale now, and all chosen with those dreamy midsummer days in mind - whether you're gliding through a local fête or just making heroic decisions in front of the freezer aisle.
1. The striped sleeveless top
The quiet hero of any summer wardrobe. Timeless Breton stripes in a sleeveless cut, perfect for layering with a linen shirt or wearing solo when the sun’s being generous. Equally good for pottering about the garden or heading to the market with a basket to get pick up strawberries.
2. White linen trousers
These are the trousers that make you feel like you're starring in your own Nancy Meyers film. Tailored but relaxed, they go with absolutely everything and instantly elevate whatever you throw on top. Add sandals and you're off to the races - or the tearoom.
3. Baby blue linen shirt
Soft, breezy and the colour of an English sky on one of its better days. Wear it buttoned up for structure or loose over a swimsuit when you're chasing shade. It’s one of those pieces that looks like you’ve made an effort, even when you haven’t.
4. Cream cropped trench
For those inevitable “what is this weather” moments. Lightweight and just structured enough, this jacket pulls everything together and looks as chic over a dress as it does with jeans and trainers. Also: those buttons are doing the lord’s work.
5. Straw phone bag
When all you need is your phone & credit card. Light and easy to fit the bare essentials and not to feel like you’re lugging a picnic hamper. The woven texture adds a bit of interest without being fussy.
6. Toile-print dress
A gentle showstopper. This dress has all the whimsy of an antique teacup, with the versatility of a summer staple. Pair it with a straw hat, and you’ve got your garden party outfit sorted.
7. Checkered skirt
Comfort, but make it countryside chic. This midi skirt is an ideal for everything from running errands to sitting dramatically on a picnic blanket. Bonus: there are pockets.
8. Mauve trainers
Because practical can be pretty. These are your walking-the-lane, popping-into-town, trying-out-a-new-pilates-class shoes. The muted colour keeps things soft and wearable with dresses or jeans.
9. Blue linen-cotton smock dress
The kind of dress you throw on and instantly feel put together. Light, airy, and vaguely reminiscent of school holidays in the best way. Add sandals, a hat, and you're basically on the cover of Country Living.
10. Woven mules
Slip them on and feel smug. These are elegant without being try-hard, perfect for warm-weather dinners or just looking like you’ve got your life together (even if you’ve just eaten peanut butter from the jar).
You can find all the links to these here, and as ever, if you’ve found any good summer gems lately (especially migraine-friendly remedies or medicinal garden inspiration!), I’d love to hear about them in the comments.