Summer Essentials: Things We Love!

Summer is upon us! Yes I know it’s officially a week away but, still, school is out, the ice cream truck has started it’s rounds, and days are oh so long and full of fun! I just thought I’d take a quick minute to round up some of the things we’re loving lately for summer to share, because sharing is caring 🙂

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Entertaining

Fun Unbreakable glassware!! – I love unbreakable glassware for entertaining or just dinner on the patio. These feel cute, festive and a little fancy, while being totally pool side, backyard, and kiddo safe! These are some of the super cute styles I have found this season! Iced Tea Glass, Wine Goblets, and Tumbler, Adorable Rope swirl detail glass (my mom has these and they are such nice quality!).

Beverage Dispenser I found one almost exactly like this, that is vintage, years ago at a thrift store and it is one of my favorite beverage dispensers for parties. It’s footed so it stands up high enough to put a glass under and it is so pretty with fruit for sangria or iced tea with lemon slices!

Standing cooler for Parties: This one has been on my list since a recent birthday party at my neighbors house. We ended up talking about how much she loves this cooler for a good 15 min. It’s especially nice to not have to bend over to get your beverages. The wheels mean its super easy to move around, no lifting heavy full coolers! So no I don’t own this one (yet!) but my very fun neighbor does and she LOVES it!

Solar Firework garden lights! Creating a festive ambiance in the summer makes those backyard BBQs feel that much more fun and inviting! We love these firework lights because the really make the yard feel magical. They sort of rustle in the breeze and just give a twinkly 4th of July summer vibe!

Eco-friendly, biodegradable straws that don’t get soggy in your drink! So these are for your everyday beverage consumption. Obviously for parties I love a cute paper straw for a beverage , but everyone knows, while they are cute, they really aren’t very good at being straws. Inevitably by about 2/3rds of the way through your beverage the straw has started returning to its pulp form, and you are no longer interested in the tasty libation that it was supposed to help you consume. I have been on the hunt for a good Eco friendly Straw, because lets face it, even water feels more festive out of a straw! The ones I have been using that I really like are these. I’m still gonna put out my cute paper straws for parties though. 😉

Personal fan – We originally bought one of these for the stroller and car seat, but I have totally taken to “borrowing” it when I’m sitting outside reading, at the park or beach, or just playing in the yard with my son. You can attach it anywhere and it’s got 3 speeds to help you find the right cool. It also has both battery and usb-C charging so all your bases are covered if it runs out of juice.

Fun In the Sun!

Resealable water balloons! OMG I wish I had invented these because whoever did is a genius. Seriously a bucket of water and a pack or two of these were such a hit last summer when my kiddo was just over 1 and this summer its a down right home run! They practically refill themselves and there is no mess of broken balloons to clean up! AND the adults were playing with them too and having just as much fun!

Giant Floaties: Really if you have a pool or regular access to a pool these are just so much fun! We have bought one every couple of years for our summer birthday bashes and they have held up so well it’s amazing! They are a big hit with Adults and Kids alike. The peacock float, Giant Lemon Slice Floaty, the flamingo float (or Pinky as we have nicknamed her)

Summer aesthetic Cooler, umbrella, and chair. I am so in love with Business & Pleasure co.! I have their cooler and it is absolutely my favorite, for one it works, and two it is just so darn cute! I have also been shopping their umbrellas and chairs for this summer. Now that we live close to the beach these are on my list to add to our beach gear! This chair, by the way, is amazing! My friend has one and it is the size of a beach chair but fully reclines! And has a cup/book holder, pillow, and storage back pack! Plus the wood arm rest details are both practical and beautiful!

Liquid IV – It is so important to stay hydrated, but sometimes with all the sun, fun, and festivities we can get a little out of balance, and just water doesn’t always help. These electrolyte packets are one of my go to’s when I’m feeling a little wilted from the heat, or at then end of a night with one too many margaritas. My favorite flavor is the tropical punch, but honestly they are all good.

UPDATE: I found a new favorite flavor!! Well actually I found two, Pear and Grapefruit! OMG the Pear flavor is so so good especially if you are a pear fan like I am, its hard to find and when its done well (here’s looking at you Jelly Belly Juicy Pear) it’s amazing! Now Grapefruit is a bit of a dark horse flavor for me. I love love love the grapefruit mentos (yes it really is a thing, which sadly you can not get in the states) and candies, as well as grapefruit liquors, but Grapefruit, like actual grapefruit the fruit is absolutely disgusting to me! Way way to bitter! The Liquid IV grapefruit flavor is more like grapefruit candy to me and I think it is worth a try!

Sun Safe!

Powder Mineral Sunscreen! I absolutely have to share this powdered mineral brush on sunscreen! It is so light weight and easy to apply, never ever greasy, and I keep it in my purse, the stroller, and the car! It’s also so great for brushing into your or your kids hair when you don’t have a hat! It totally helps prevent that weird summer scalp sunburn! Honestly this was a total game changer, oh and my 2 year old loves brushing it on his face himself. I also bought this one for me to try side by side and I’ve really liked both.

Face Sunscreen: A super important staple for any time of year, but especially summer. I buy a couple of bottles and keep one where I get ready each morning, in the stroller, in my purse, and in my travel bag! I’m a bit forgetful and this is one thing I don’t want to be caught without. Funny thing is Jenna and I both love the same brand of sunscreen for faces, just slightly different products. Just goes to show everyone’s skin is different and what works for one person may not be just right for another. Here is my Favorite Aveeno Positively radiant daily moisturizer and sunscreen, and Jenna’s favorite Protect and Hydrate Sunscreen. Jen also uses the Protect Hydrate in the 50spf, 60spf, and 70spf depending on what sort of activates she is doing.

All Over spray on Sunscreen: Jenna turned me onto her fav spray on sunscreen and after sun products recently and they are now my summer staples too. They are super easy to apply and safe. According to their website their products are vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free and have no sulfates or parabens. They are also free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. And they’re reef friendly. The Hawaii State Legislature approved a bill that banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate last year, but the FDA is still assessing how to regulate “safe” sunscreen ingredients. Sun Bum chooses ingredients that meet the requirements set by Hawaii’s recent legislation! Good old Sun Bum! Also their website has a ton of great information about sun education and safety, go check them out!

Sun bum after sun spray on and Lotion:

My all time Favorite Body Lotion! I really never thought I would be the kind of person to recommend a lotion, mostly because they can be such a personal thing, the scents, the feel, everyone has different preferences, BUT I’m kind of obsessed with this one. I really like the smell, it says its cucumber and it’s just very light and pleasant. It feels so hydrating, not just in the moment but for a long time after and it’s not oily, which I’m super picky about. (ps. this one is like double the price on amazon, so I’ve linked it to the original site, no affiliate connection here, I just really like this one!)

That’s it for now. We will probably keep adding to this list as we think of or find more wonderful summer things to share! So happy summer time and let us know what you think of these in the comments!