Summer in Canada or anywhere else, is a passionate love story, one that is far too short. We know it will leave us in September, so we want to experience everything, right now, in fast-forward mode.

Friday night BBQs. Spontaneous cottage weekends. The picnic that was supposed to be “simple” and somehow ends up requiring three coolers and a tablecloth we absolutely should not have brought.

Between mosquitoes showing up uninvited, sandwiches getting as soggy as our January resolutions, coolers giving up before noon, and sand taking permanent residence in the car until October… summer has a way of reminding us that happiness often hides in the little details.

That’s exactly where I come in.

The modern glamorous grandmother, affectionately known as Glammie, the one who borrows her ideas from both traditions and trends. The one you call when Google and artificial intelligence have run out of answers.

Because yes, AI knows a lot of things, but it has never had sand stuck in its swimsuit while trying to read a novel on a beach towel.

At the end of the day, the best tips aren’t just about saving time. They’re about spending more time with the people we love.

So relax, everyone. Glammie is here to handle those little summer annoyances.

WHITE SNEAKERS LIKE THEY’RE BRAND NEW

There is something wonderfully summery about a pair of bright white sneakers. The problem? They rarely stay that way for long.

Remove the laces and insoles. Soak them for 30 to 60 minutes in warm water with a little detergent and stain remover. Then scrub with an old toothbrush and baking soda before placing everything — sneakers and laces included — in a laundry bag on a delicate cycle.

Glammie’s tip: Let the sun finish the job. It’s one of nature’s best whitening agents — and that’s scientifically proven too.

CHILLED ROSÉ IN FIVE MINUTES

There are two sentences no one wants to hear on a Saturday in July:

“There’s no more ice.”
“The rosé wasn’t chilled.”

Place your bottle in a mixture of ice, water, and a handful of coarse salt. Gently rotate it for a few minutes.

No ice available? Wrap the bottle in a damp tea towel and place it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes — but set a timer, unless you want a rosé popsicle. (Yes, this one comes from personal experience.)

Glammie’s tip: A few frozen grapes in your glass keep wine chilled without watering it down. A perfect second life for slightly tired berries — and another reason to never waste food.

THE PERFECT PICNIC (YES, IT EXISTS)

A successful picnic isn’t just about a pretty blanket and Instagram-worthy containers. The real secret? Organization.

Ice that works harder: Freeze silicone loaf pans filled with water to create large ice blocks that melt slowly. Even better: frozen bags of salted water stay cold longer.

The secret second layer: A cooling rack or small shelf inside your cooler keeps food above melting ice and prevents sogginess.

Sandwiches just like at home: Keep them in their original bread bags before placing them in a container. They stay fresh, dry, and protected from sand.

Serving without bugs: Clean shower caps make excellent improvised food covers. Yes, really.

Stress-free dessert: Freeze individual scoops of ice cream in cupcake liners or molds, ready to go.

Glammie’s tip: Place two small plastic baskets in the centre of your cooler, surrounded by ice and drinks. Everything stays organized, accessible — and most importantly, dry.

A PICNIC THAT ARRIVES HOT LIKE HOME COOKING

The true challenge of a picnic? Bringing the warmth with you.

Pour boiling water into your cooler and let it warm up the inside for 10 to 15 minutes. Empty and dry it. Line the bottom with newspaper, then place your hot dishes inside, with the warmest items at the bottom.

To keep the heat longer: add a cotton sock filled with microwaved rice, a reusable heating pad, or a barbecue-heated brick wrapped in aluminum foil.

For hot dogs that are still warm when you arrive: place them in a thermos filled with boiling water about five minutes before leaving.

Glammie’s tip: Fill empty spaces with napkins or a tablecloth. Cold air is the silent and sneaky enemy of warm food.

THE RIGHT PLACE FOR EVERY FOOD

Summer heat and humidity speed up spoilage. The secret? Store every food where it belongs.

Berries: In the refrigerator, unwashed, until serving time.
Leafy greens: Dry, wrapped in paper towel.
Fresh herbs: Like flowers — in a glass of water in the fridge.
Tomatoes, peaches, plums, avocados: On the counter until ripe.
Potatoes, onions, garlic: Cool, dry, and away from light — never in the fridge.

Glammie’s tip: Wash only when you’re ready to serve. Your food will thank you.

MAKING TRAVEL EASIER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR RHYTHM

Jet lag is a little like trying to convince your body it’s noon while your brain insists it’s midnight.

A few days before leaving, gradually adjust your sleeping and eating schedule toward your destination time.

On the plane: set your watch to local time, stay hydrated, eat lightly, and sorry… skip the alcohol.

Once you arrive, resist the urge to nap and instead seek natural daylight.

Glammie’s tip: Remove your sunglasses and walk outside for 20 minutes in the sun. The best way to reset your internal clock — no prescription required.

KEEPING YOUR HOME COOL WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING

Before investing in expensive equipment, Glammie believes in simple solutions.

A bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle placed in front of a fan creates a refreshing breeze. In the evening, open windows and use fans to push out warm air.

Glammie’s tip: Hang a slightly damp white sheet near an open window. As it dries, it gently cools the air and becomes the most poetic air conditioner you’ll ever have — without the background noise.

A BEACH DAY WITHOUT THE LITTLE IRRITATIONS

Sand between your toes, bugs in your drinks, popsicles dripping everywhere… it’s always the little details that complicate a beautiful beach day.

Sand sticking to your skin? Sprinkle a little baby powder on your feet or legs and it will brush away easily.

A cooler that stays cold longer? Frozen water in a shallow container melts much more slowly than regular ice cubes.

Popsicles without the mess? Slide a cupcake liner onto the stick to catch drips before they reach your hands — or your clothes.

Glammie’s tip: Cover your beach blanket with a clean shower curtain. Little ones can sit on it wet, snack, and drop crumbs. When it’s time to relax, simply remove the curtain and your blanket underneath is magically clean and dry.

BYE BYE, BUGS

Glammie prefers inviting flowers, laughter, and conversation — not mosquitoes.

A few cinnamon sticks in a fruit bowl can help keep fruit flies away.

A bowl of water with lemon, lime, rosemary, lavender, and a floating candle becomes a beautiful table decoration while reminding us that nature can also be our ally.

Near doors, diluted peppermint oil can discourage unwanted visitors from entering your home.

In the end, the true luxury of summer isn’t doing everything perfectly.

It’s having a few good tricks that allow us to spend less time solving little problems and much more time creating beautiful memories with the people we love.

Beautiful summer days don’t require perfection.

They require a little preparation, a lot of presence, and a few wonderful tips passed down with love.

Because sometimes the best miracle products are already in our homes.

Or in nature.

Or hidden in that mysterious junk drawer nobody ever thinks to open.

***

Who is Glammie?

When her granddaughter Eloise was born, Julie Blais Comeau asked herself a simple question:

What do I want to pass on to her?

Not just recipes or memories, but small gestures that make everyday life easier, strengthen relationships, and create traditions.

That’s how Glammie was born.

She is neither a cleaning guru nor a crafting queen. Glammie is a modern, curious, connected grandmother who bridges yesterday’s traditions with today’s trends.

Her belief is simple: the best tips are often the ones that bring people closer together.

Julie Blais Comeau’s alter ego, Glammie embodies the grandmother you call when Google and artificial intelligence aren’t enough — the one who knows the little tricks that make life easier and the gestures that make it more beautiful.

Ready to connect with her community, Glammie welcomes collaborations including columns, conferences, events, and brand partnerships focused on the art of living well, entertaining, and creating meaningful connections.

Published August 3, 2026 translated from published article in mitsoumagazine.com © Julie Blais Comeau