It’s almost the summertime! I’m sure you know what that means, right? It’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy some much-needed R&R! And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Between taking advantage of my free time, hanging out with friends and family and of course hitting the beach as often as possible—I’ve been feeling quite nostalgic these days! So much so that I created this list of seven things I’m loving this summer. Check it out below
#1: Hammock
A hammock is so much more than a summertime accessory. It's also an incredibly useful tool for napping in secluded outdoor spots, as well as an item that can create some unique moments and memories with friends and family. My favorite part about hammocks? They're super portable—just toss one in your car or bring it on vacation and you'll have instant relaxation wherever you go! One of my absolute favorite things to do in a hammock is read a book; however, if you’re like me, there are always times when books fall from their perch and tumble to the ground below. If you’ve ever tried reading a book while lying down in a hammock, then you know how difficult it can be to keep hold of your pages. Even though I typically use two hands to hold up my book, inevitably one will start slipping away until I eventually loose my grip completely and end up watching helplessly as my beloved novel falls into oblivion.
#2: Lemonade
Fresh lemonade is a sure sign of summer, and it also happens to be one of my favorite treats. In addition to being delicious and refreshing, lemonade is chock-full of Vitamin C—it’s said that drinking a cup of freshly-squeezed lemon juice has more vitamin C than an orange! Plus, there are so many different ways to make your own: you can use fresh lemons or limes (or both!), add herbs like mint or basil for extra flavor, and add other fruit juices like orange or pineapple for a twist on traditional lemonade. A glass of homemade lemonade goes great with brunch or lunch on a hot day; just make sure you don’t go overboard by adding too much sugar!
#3: Mozzarella Sticks
The perfect summer snack, mozzarella sticks are gooey, crispy and hit all of your taste buds in all of the right ways. They’re like little cheeseburgers on a stick! Just thinking about them makes me want to get in my car and drive to Sonic so I can order myself a cheese-filled basket! And that’s why they’re number three on my list of things that are just so darn awesome about summer. What is it about warm weather that makes us crave foods with melty cheese? It must be nature’s way of telling us it’s time to shed our winter coats and put down our heavy blankets for good! There’s no better feeling than laying out in a backyard or at a poolside and knowing you don’t have to worry about being too hot or too cold. So eat up, people—summer is here!
#4: Sandals
My love for sandals never dies. And there’s a ton of sandal styles out there so you can find one for any type of outfit and mood! You can choose from gladiator, wedge, sporty or even kitty-cat paw print options! But no matter what style you go with, make sure to invest in a pair that will last; more often than not they’ll be your new favorite summer staple. This year, I am totally loving Tory Burch's super cute flat wedges - great way to look stylish while still keeping it casual!
If you don’t wear sandals very often, it can be hard to decide which pair to get. It’s always a good idea to invest in a quality pair that you’ll love and feel confident wearing, because they will become your new go-to shoes for everything from casual outings with friends to summer vacations! Sandals are an easy way to add some edge and edge while still keeping things light and airy.
#5: 4th of July
It's hard to feel like you're celebrating when you don't have a chance to slow down. Rather than feeling disappointed that we're not in London, Paris or Nairobi, we've decided to focus on what makes us American: spending time with family and friends, enjoying each other's company and watching awesome fireworks light up a dark sky. Nothing says America more than hot dogs, burgers and apple pie! We are so grateful for our freedom and hope everyone has an amazing 4th of July! Independence Day Fireworks: One of my favorite things about summer is getting together with family and friends to watch fireworks light up a night sky. If you're looking for some fun events around town, check out these firework displays happening in New York City (including Brooklyn!).
#6: Popsicles
Last summer, I’ve eaten more popsicles than I have in my entire life. My three favorite are from a little shop in Portland called Pok Pok, which serves amazing Thai food with a Thai iced tea chaser. If you’re ever in town, do not leave without trying one of their fruity concoctions. They’re so flavorful and refreshing that you won’t believe they aren’t full of artificial ingredients—but they aren’t! The best part is that they’re made with real fruit juice, not high fructose corn syrup. And don’t even get me started on how cute their packaging is. What can I say? I’m a sucker for good popsicles.
#7: My Haircut
I just got a fresh new 'do, and am definitely digging it. The stylist used a different technique than she usually does for me, and my hair has never looked better! I think her change in approach really made all of the difference in how healthy and shiny my hair looks now. It’s also grown out nicely; I’m not sure if that’s because of her new technique or not, but either way, I can’t wait to go back for another trim! (And maybe even some highlights!) After my new style I decided to try a few new products on my hair to keep it looking and feeling its best through these hot months...and boy was I impressed with what they did!