15 Favorite Things for Summer

Who doesn’t love summer? Okay, I’m sure some people don’t like it, but I think most people look forward to the sun and vacations and everything else that goes with summer.

For me, it’s a time to slow down and rest. I still work, but my hours are more flexible. We typically don’t do any huge trips, but we do a week or two with our family at a rented cabin, some pool days at my in laws’, and days of yard games and evening bonfires.

In the midst of all of that, I’ve come to consider certain things as absolute necessities in the summer.

Today I’m sharing those things with you!

1. Sun Bum’s hair & scalp SPF spray. The part in my hair burns so easily, and if you’ve ever done that, you know it’s the absolute worst! Trying to comb or brush your hair afterward feels like you’re scraping your fingernails over the most tender spots imaginable. This spray solves that problem. I thought it would be greasy, which is why I hadn’t been putting normal sunscreen on my scalp. I’m not a big fan of greasy hair. But when I spray this on my fingertips and rub it into my part, it protects my scalp from the sun without making my roots greasy. It’s a dream come true!

2. UV-blocking sunglasses. My husband used to tease me because his sunglasses were UV-blocking and mine weren’t. I’d still be squinting on a sunny day and he was walking around all normal with a smirk on his face. Now I’ve leveled the playing field. I even got a two-pack so I have a couple different designs (I have the black leopard and tan/pink ones).

3. Cruelty-free, reef safe sunscreen. I don’t want my products tested on animals, full of ingredients that harm the environment, or full of things that aren’t good for my body. I’ve been searching for cleaner products in all areas of my life for a while, and one of my favorite sunscreens is Alba Botanica. I’ve been using the lotion for a couple years and loving it, and now I’m buying the spray for my hubby, who prefers that form to typical lotions.

4. A sleeveless, loose-fitting dress. We’ve been in the middle of a heat wave for over a week here in Minnesota, and it’s only early June. I have been loving wearing dresses on those days since the material doesn’t stick to me and makes me feel like I can still breathe, even in sweltering heat. One of my absolute favorite clothing shops is Amma’s Umma, and they have a great selection of dresses— plus they donate money to help fund adoptions and support artisans with the places they source their products from.

5. A sunhat. Because sometimes you just need some extra shade. Enter a floppy sunhat. With or without a bow or ribbon or some fun design. I have one like this and love it for beach days!

6. Some stay-put sandals. I love my knockoff Birkenstocks from Amazon, but this year I’m really loving my new sandals from Sanuk. They’re super comfortable, have a cushioned footbed that supports my arches, and they have soft straps that keep my foot in place.

7. Good books. Paper books, hardcover books, audiobooks, ebooks on your phone or Kindle or Kindle app. Whatever floats your boat, I’m a big believer in summer reading. I recorded an IGTV video recently with my summer reading picks, and I’d love to hear what you’re reading this summer!

8. Slip-on canvas shoes. I love fancy sandals, but summer is the time for simple slip-on shoes. I don’t want to fuss with laces or things that require too much work in the summer. When I’m running out the door, headed to the lake, or playing yard games, I want something easy. I’m loving these Pair o Dice shoes from Sanuk this summer. I have the harbor mist color.

9. After-sun lotion or gel. No matter how well you apply sunscreen and remember to reapply your sunscreen, you’ll still probably get sunburned at some point this summer. I know I will (in fact, I already have, due to a hike that started out really overcast, making us think it wouldn’t get sunnier…and it did). Enter an after-sun lotion or gel. You can use straight aloe vera, or you can use some kind of hybrid gel or lotion, which is my current favorite— specifically Sun Bum’s Cool Down.

10. A beach or lake bag to carry all your essentials. I picked up a pineapple-print giant bag from Aldi last year during their end-of-summer sale, and it has waterproof material to make it easier to clean along with a zippered pouch for wet swimsuits. I love that I can throw multiple towels, swimsuits, sunscreen, a sunhat, and my Kindle in the book with room to spare. This one from Amazon is similar, with even more pockets to hold everything!

11. Tank tops, rompers, and lightweight shorts. I’m not giving you any really specific recommendations, but I love getting my clothes secondhand to extend the life of clothing and not participate too much in fast fashion— plus, it saves money, and you can find some great pieces for less money! My favorite source for secondhand clothes is ThredUP, and you can get $10 off your order through my link!

12. Water. I love plain water from the tap, but especially in the summer, I like to drink some other, more “special” kinds of water as a treat to myself. My favorite is Bai, and I love the Molokai Cocount flavor (and the mango coconut, and the strawberry lemonade, and the acai berry…). It’s just so good and refreshing, especially when it’s hot outside!

13. A water bottle. I carry water bottles with me all the time to make it easy to stay hydrated. My current favorite are bottles by Tal, which I typically get at Walmart, but if they’re not available at your local store, you can get them online. I have one in this style, but with a different design (I think it’s called confetti). I also have my eye on this one since I could drink from it without removing the lid (which is more convenient when I’m working out).

14. Lotion. All the sun, sunscreen, chlorinated pool water, sweat, heat, and lake water have a way of drying out my skin. I’ve experimented with several lotions over the years, and I’m currently loving St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter body lotion. It’s paraben free, cruelty-free, and made with coconut oil, which I love.

15. Tinted facial sunscreen. I’ve always been wary of putting sunscreen on my face because my skin is sensitive and I thought I’d break out. But I’m realizing the importance of protecting my skin, especially on my face. I’m really liking Thinksport’s tinted facial sunscreen. It doesn’t leave any white residue or streaks, covers easily, has a neutral smell, and doesn’t have negative effects on my makeup. I call that a win! Unfortunately, I picked mine up at my local Walmart, and I don’t see it on their website, Target’s website, or Amazon. I would also try Alba Botanica’s sheer SPF 45 facial sunscreen or Sun Bum’s SPF 30 tinted daily face sunscreen (which you can also get in non-tinted).

What are your must-have items for summer? Let me know in the comments!

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