This isn't a shopping blog. I have never wanted it to be one, nor do I want it to become one. However, when I happen onto things that make me so very happy I will share them with you! That's the point of this post... to share with you all of my favorite things of this summer. They are all easily attained and will not break the bank! More over, I hope they put a smile on your face too!
1. Old Navy flip flops. The more the merrier! At just $2.50 a pair I say go ahead, why not get them in every color under the sun? And when they get dirty simply toss them into the washing machine! Really!
1. Old Navy flip flops. The more the merrier! At just $2.50 a pair I say go ahead, why not get them in every color under the sun? And when they get dirty simply toss them into the washing machine! Really!
2. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray
There is NO substitution. Trust me here... I have tried them all! I have even tried to recreate it by making it myself per Pinterest... It's just not the same! My straight as an arrow, no-body, flat hair comes alive with fullness and bounce when I use this. I want to hug and kiss the person who created this!
3. Meeble Mail
Pretty up your email this summer, girls! Meeble Mail is the divine creation of Sharon Gaffney who has partnered up with some of the fashion and design industry's most celebrated names... You'll find beautiful, fun and whimsical designs by Boatman Geller, Waverly, Trina Turk, Leila Rose, Sigrid Olsen to name just a few! Not to mention there are plenty of options for the men in your lives as well!
Meeble Mail has caught the attention of Lucky, Coastal Living, Parents, Working Mother, StyleBeat and Cool Mom Tech... just to name a few! They knew a good thing when they saw it!
Pretty up your email this summer, girls! Meeble Mail is the divine creation of Sharon Gaffney who has partnered up with some of the fashion and design industry's most celebrated names... You'll find beautiful, fun and whimsical designs by Boatman Geller, Waverly, Trina Turk, Leila Rose, Sigrid Olsen to name just a few! Not to mention there are plenty of options for the men in your lives as well!
Meeble Mail has caught the attention of Lucky, Coastal Living, Parents, Working Mother, StyleBeat and Cool Mom Tech... just to name a few! They knew a good thing when they saw it!
For more information on patterns, pricing and to become a Meeble Mail affiliate, please visit their website.
4. A nice refreshing cocktail like a Margarita on the rocks, no salt (and not from a mix!) or a grapefruit mojito. I love anything grapefruit and I love this twist on one of my favorite cocktails
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| Iowa Girl Eats |
Makes 2 drinks
Ingredients:
1 grapefruit, segmented & juice reserved20 mint leaves4 teaspoons agave nectarjuice of 1 lime1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons reserved grapefruit juice3oz rum (2 shots)icesparkling water
Directions:
Muddle 4 grapefruit segments, mint, agave nectar and lime juice in the bottom of a martini shaker with the end of a wooden spoon. Add grapefruit juice and rum, then fill the shaker 3/4 full with ice. Shake until very cold then evenly divide between two glasses filled with ice. Top with sparkling water (to taste) and garnish with remaining grapefruit segments.
Recipe and image via Iowa Girl Eats
5. Arnold Palmer iced tea. I simply cannot keep this in the fridge. I don't allow my kids to drink soda and juices are loaded in sugar and not terribly thirst quenching... I allow lemonade for special treats, but this is what we drink when we need that special something! There is no comparison. There is no substitute!
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| via Framed Cooks |
If you don't want to make your own I highly recommend Arizona's version of the Arnold Palmer. They have a Light variety that's not laden with sugar and it is out of this world. We buy the stuff by the gallons!
6. Beaded bracelets!
Nothing says summer to me like gauzy sundresses, beaded bracelets and flip-flops! My kids and I love to make them! We make them with memory wire, a fine gauge wire that retains it's shape. I've been known to pile as many bracelets as I can on both arms. Some are home made and some are purchased... It's my personal answer to modern hippie chick and I just love wearing the ones that my children made!
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| Property The Entertaining House |
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| Add caption |
7. RIT dye
The hours and hours of endless fun we've been having with RIT and old white Tshirts, towels, sheets, pillow cases and napkins... We've saved items from the trash... We've had fun, recycled and given new life to items that haven't been used in years! The beads, the flip-flops, the flowy dresses and beachy hair... I'm channeling my inner 70s girl!
I do suggest this be done outside! All you need are old white articles of clothing or bedding, some rubber bands, a mop bucket, rubber gloves, and a wooden spoon. This simple activity will bring forth hours of fun!
8. A good summer lipstick
In the summer our skin glows and we have natural color from the sun so we don't have to be hard-pressed to slather on the make-up... every girl should have a lipstick or two on her at all times. This is the one beauty item I never leave home without!
9. Your local farm!
There's nothing like the taste of vegetables that come from the farm. The freshness simply cannot be beat and cannot be found in your local grocery store or super market... even the organic ones. Support your farmer. Support your community. Support the environment. Nothing taste like a salad fresh from the farm. If you can participate in a CSA... pick up local eggs. Your mouth will thank you!
There's nothing like the taste of vegetables that come from the farm. The freshness simply cannot be beat and cannot be found in your local grocery store or super market... even the organic ones. Support your farmer. Support your community. Support the environment. Nothing taste like a salad fresh from the farm. If you can participate in a CSA... pick up local eggs. Your mouth will thank you!
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| via The Entertaining House and The Entertaining Kitchen |
Home made salad dressings are so easy to make and taste far more superior than any bottled dressing ever will!
In the summertime I love a dressing made of nothing but olive oil and lemon juice... Take the juice of one to two lemons, about 1/3 of a cup and add twice the amount of olive oil. I make my dressings in old mustard, pickle or jam jars. Shake the dressing really well until it emulsifies, pour it over your favorite fresh greens and toss well. For an added special touch add goat cheese and pine nuts, or a touch of truffle salt and Parmesan cheese! Your taste buds will explode. I assure you!
10. Perhaps my most favorite thing about summer this year, and every year, is the opportunity to slow down... to stop and smell the roses, or sea breeze or piney mountain air... to go to the beach at the end of the day, just because... to curl up on the porch mid-day with a good book, just because... to be able to eat your meals out doors... to watch the fireflies light up the night sky... to listen to the sprinklers outside the windows... to have sand on your feet... to be barefoot at all times... to live in Tshirts and shorts or easy little dresses... to truly enjoy and appreciate the flavors of summer... the corn on the cob, the watermelon, the lemonade or iced T... to have the sun shine for most of the day... to feel carefree even when there are obligations and deadlines... Summer simply has a feel that is like no other!
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| via Rickshaw Designs |
What are a few of your favorite things this summer?
XOXO,
Jessica