6 Things I'm Loving This Summer

Sometimes I just like the easy button. I want to know exactly what someone is liking best right now: The pair of shorts they feel fabulous in, a list of the essentials that are making their life easier this summer, a new place to check out. It could be anything, really. A recommendation from a friend means a lot more to me than something I only found on Pinterest. I imagine this list would be the kind of list that I would share with you if we were having a cup of coffee together. Or an Aperol Spritz—scroll down for the recipe!

If you are like me, curious about what other people's summer favorites are, then in no particular order...

1. A not-too-floppy beach hat

I bought this summer hat two years ago when I realized that a shaded face at the beach is necessary as you get older (so says my dermatologist). I like this one because it wraps around like a visor, but is still a bit "floppy" for the beach. But not too floppy for chasing after children. It's easily adjustable and offers full sun protection, while still allowing you to wear your hair up in a messy bun. An added bonus is that it rolls up for easy packing if you are traveling!

2. A favorite summer short

These beach shorts were a gift from my husband last month. Initially I wasn't sure if they would outrank my Lululemon running shorts for my go-to beachwear, but after spending one day in them I was hooked. They are lightweight and wash well. My favorite feature is the elastic waistline that hits slightly higher up on my waist without creating unwanted bulging. They have become a favorite on and off the beach. Recommended.

3. Poolsuite FM

If you struggle with summer playlists like I do, you should check out Poolsuite FM or find it in the App Store (right now it's only available for iOS). Poolsuite FM claims that they are "the ultra-summer music player for Macintosh Computer; transporting you to a virtual vacation where the sun never sets." I tend to agree. (Also, it's worth noting that the retro format is on point. If you used a vintage Macintosh or Windows computer back in the day, it's worth a click over to their website for a walk down memory lane in the best possible way.) Note, however, you can use Poolsuite on just about any device.

4. Aperol Spritz

This is (in my opinion) the perfect summer sipping drink. It's an easy to make Italian cocktail that is light, bubbly, and refreshing. Enjoy it as an afternoon poolside cocktail or on your back patio under twinkle lights. You can also easily adjust the level of "boozy" that you want without sacrificing the taste. Here's the recipe..

5. Summer Screen Schedule.

This is still a work in progress, but I think we have settled on a few guidelines for our kids. So far, it seems to be working well! Here's a brief overview. Screens are allowed after 7AM. At 8:30 all screens are off for the morning. Between the hours of 1PM-5PM, each child may have one additional hour of screen time at a time of their choice. Additionally, each child gets one "Wildcard" each week that allows them to have a full afternoon of screens. (The thinking on this is for really hot days and/or days no friends can play. So far, our kids have used this "Wildcard" very strategically.) We also have daily and weekly chores, but this summer schedule has helped balance screen time in our home. Here’s the Wildcard Template if you’d like to print it and use this idea for your family this summer.

Another Summer Essential

I promised you six things I’m loving right now, and here’s that last one. I spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer and with or without my hat, I have found my face could always use an extra boost during the summer. This past winter I discovered Nature's Ultra CBD Beauty Boost. It is infused with Young Living’s Rose essential oil, tamanu oil, sunflower oil and grapeseed oil. It is hands-down the most luxurious skin care product I have ever used.

That is not an exaggeration.

Beyond moisturizing my skin and giving my skin a natural effortless glow, I have found that the Beauty Boost (which contains 0.0% THC) has also helped to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation on my face, allowing for a more even skin tone. The Beauty Boost is ideal for all skin types and can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles - a solid win in my book! You can also turn the Beauty Boost into a tinted moisturizer by adding one small pump of your liquid foundation. I've found this little trick to be a perfect light-weight summer coverage.

A quick tip: While the directions say to use one-fourth to one whole dropper, I have found just one drop from the dropper applied to a clean face to be just enough. The bottle lasts a long time this way.

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear a few things that you find yourself loving this summer! Just hit reply if you’d like to respond. (When you hit reply, your message goes directly to my email. It’s a private conversation between just us.) I read all your messages and try to respond, but not always in a timely manner. Sorry! And if you enjoyed this email, you’d be doing me a favor by forwarding it to someone else who might like it.