My Summer Essentials
A lot of us have complicated relationships with summer. Things slow down, but also speed up. There are tons of summer activities but they’re usually surrounded by this weird bucket-list energy. And there’s so much sweat.
I’m sharing my Summer Essentials as a jumping-off point for you to consider your own.
My Summer Essentials
I own all of these exact things.
Reading
A Kindle Paperwhite to not have to lug books to the pool, to have closeby so you can read while kids are playing but not break the magic by getting up to get your book, great for cars and travel and for night reading since the screen isn’t as aggressively blue light as a phone. And you’re not distracted by your phone.
Favorite 10 Summer Reads
The Lost Man // Jane Harper
I love everything Jane Harper writes, but this slow burn of a book and family mystery set in Australia is a favorite.One to Watch // Kate Stayman-London
Bea writes about the lack of body diversity on a Bachelor-like TV Show called Main Squeeze then finds herself as the new star of the show. I’m shocked by how much I loved this. It was a delight.Beach Read // Emily Henry
Gus is a literary fiction novelist, and January is a romance writer. They were once college rivals, and now they live next door to each other on Lake Michigan, both trying to churn out a book on a deadline and getting nowhere. This is what I wish the romance genre actually was. It had the fun without the fluff.The Push // Ashley Audrain
Blythe is a reluctant mother because her own mother wasn't great, and you get stories from both of their childhoods, many of which are disturbing and unsettling. The main story revolves around Blythe and her own daughter, Violet, and it's like nothing I've ever read. It is not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of darkness in these pages, y'all.The Shadows // Alex North
Paul is returning home to visit his dying mother. He hasn't been home in years because of something terrible that happened when he was a teenager, but he goes anyway. Of course, strange things start happening that remind him of that terrible thing and make him afraid for his life. This would be a fun way to add a little drama to your days around the pool.The Hazel Wood // Melissa Albert
You know how Michael Scott says he’s not superstitious but he is a little stitious? That’s how I am with horror. I like just a little horror, and The Hazel Wood is my perfect horror-ish book. Full of dark fairy tales and great characters, it’s such a great read.Seabiscuit // Laura Hillenbrand
I read this doorstop of a book years ago and became weirdly obsessed with it. Somehow the real story was told in such a captivating way that it read like compelling fiction. I think it would be fun to read over the course of the summer.My best book of 2019. This book is about time travel but not in a stupid way, and the stakes are crazy. Blake Crouch is an absolute master at building tension, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Bellweather Rhapsody // Kate Racculia
High school students arrive at a remote hotel in upstate New York to attend a music camp, and one of the attendees is murdered. It's quirky and bold with a story that moves and characters that have surprising dimensions.
What if Jane Eyre was a serial killer? This is such a fun, smart read, and it pays homage to the classic without disrespecting it.
Water
Summer is surrounded by water. We drink more of it. We play in it. It seems to be everywhere. Here are my essentials for anything water-related.
Mesh Tote Bag
This bag is our go-to for pool days because it holds a ton, it’s easy to clean, and nothing gets moldy because the mesh airs everything out.Cheap, soft, unisex and you get five different colored hats for about $6 a piece.
Quick-Dry Towels
These towels are so thin and pack up great. I love the colors, and they make it easy to have one color for each family member. Plus, they dry in a flash.Black Girl Sunscreen
I wear this sunscreen every day. It’s just fantastic. They have a version for kids, too.Everyone in our family has one of these. They’re easy to customize with stickers, can withstand falls, and won’t spill in your tote bag.
Sunscreen Brightener
I use this on top of my makeup under my eyes, on my nose, and forehead - it has a nice shimmer and a little tiny and makes extra sun protection look pretty.I love that this adds sun protection without leaving my lips feeling gummy or sticky.
Our Quarantine Pool
We bought this pool last summer during quarantine, and I’m excited to bring it out again this year.
Cocktail Stuff
I’m proud to say I’ve essentialized summertime Happy Hour. Just add your favorite ingredients.
Inspired by master cocktail maker and human sunshine, Bri McKoy. Every beverage feels fancier when poured into fun cocktail glasses. They come in 7 or 8 colors, too.
Shaker Kit
But if you’re into cocktails, you need a shaker kit. This is the one I own, and it makes me feel like a professional.Giant Ice Molds
I’m obsessed with these giant ice molds. They’re so fun. And the spheres…I can’t.Lids for Mess-free Pouring
These made my Christmas gift guide last year, and they are still a favorite in our house. I love how easy they make pouring anything from sauces and dips to homemade lemonade or big batch cocktails.Another year-round favorite, but it works exceptionally well in the summer when everyone’s asking for lemonade, limeade and orangeade.
Fun & Kids
A few ideas to add to your activities list for your kids.
Jumping rope is a big deal at our house. And multi-packs are a must-have so each kid can pick his or her own color.
I’m a big believer in using kids’ screen time to do things that make you feel like yourself. Part of that for me is making sure I don’t hear whatever awful sound is coming from their video games or unboxing videos that they’re weirdly obsessed with.
Illustrated Harry Potter Books
A great introduction to the Harry Potter series plus the illustrations are legit works of art. So stunning.Fun, Easy Family Games like Qwixx
A quick-playing dice game for two to five people. We also love Skipbo.Paint by Stickers
These books are still having a moment in our house. It’s a quick, mostly mess-free way to add a little creativity to the day. They have all kinds of themes, too.
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