Sand beneath your feet, cool blue waves lapping at the shore and sweet-smelling ocean air perfumed with exotic jasmine and hibiscus—there are few things better than the island lifestyle. But even if you live in an urban jungle (or a suburban one), you can learn how to claim a relaxing bit of tropical paradise all for yourself. As any islander can tell you, island life is not about where you live, but how.
1. Wish You Were Here
The intoxicating and quintessential scents of summer—juicy pineapple, tropical coconut, ripe melon and salty ocean air—spark the imagination. One whiff and suddenly you’re transported to a relaxed Tahitian resort or a sun-drenched Jamaican beach.
Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil fragrancers in Hawaiian Breeze® or
Ocean Blue™ will fill your house with familiar tropical aromas, bringing the calming vibes of the islands into your home.
2. It’s a Jungle in Here
Transform any room into a verdant paradise with potted palms, ferns and orchids—just a few examples of tropical plants that can be grown indoors. Make sure your plants are getting maximum light by keeping windows and sliding glass doors clean and clear with
Windex™ Outdoor All-In-One Glass Cleaning Tool. No green thumb? No problem, mon. Even cut flowers or vases of grasses, reeds and bamboo can help create a lush environment that contributes to your peace of mind.
3. ZZZs in the Breeze
Freestanding or tied between two trees, a hammock’s great for helping you while away a lazy summer afternoon. It’s also perfect for catching up on a book, lounging around or stealing an indulgent catnap. Hang it in a shady, secluded spot and set up a small table or stool beside it to keep frosty refreshments within reach. Feeling like a native yet?
4. Life’s a Beach
When you find yourself frantically rushing to complete your errands and check items off your “to-do” list, take a cue from those who believe life is best lived on “island time.” Real islanders take things a little slower, and nothing is so urgent that it can’t be completed later (or tomorrow). Instead of stressing out—
chill out. Close your eyes and picture ocean waves crashing gently on the shore and palm fronds bending in the breeze; as you do, the whole world slows down a bit and stress levels start to melt away. So why not try the island way and live every day as if you’re on an exotic island vacation.
5. Put the Lime in the Coconut
Stay hydrated on a hot day—island style. Frozen slushy drinks like virgin piña coladas and strawberry daiquiris are easy to make in a blender. Buy fresh fruit from your local farmers’ market or roadside stand. After it’s been washed and sliced, freeze the pieces in a
Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bag with the Smart Zip™ Seal. Doing this makes it easy to pack each frozen drink with fresh summer fruit, and you never have to add ice cubes or dilute your delicious concoctions. Use these same drink recipes to make ice pops (see sidebar),
healthy smoothies or refreshing
fruit salads.
6. When the Sun Goes Down
Re-create a night in the tropics with a genuine Hawaiian luau! Move some potted palms onto your patio and add some hula related decorations and travel posters to make your guests feel as if they voyaged over the seas. Then create some ambiance with a few
OFF!® Citronella Buckets. Wish your guests a cheerful “aloha!” with tropical drinks in shapely, colorful plastic glasses—ones that won’t shatter if you drop them. And don’t forget to garnish them with exotic star fruit, paper drink umbrellas and flexible straws. Sarong-style skirts and Hawaiian shirts are always welcome—and don’t forget the limbo contest! How low can you go?
7. A Pirate’s Life for Me
Share your desert island with your family. Send the kids in search of lost pirate treasure in your own backyard! Bury a plastic container or lidded box with a lid filled with small toys, comic books, candy, gum or other treats. Give each child a map and set a timer, giving clues along the way. Clues can be challenging riddles or simple directions, depending on the age group. Where “X” marks the spot, hand the kids some shovels to retrieve their booty.