Summer Favorites

Summer favorites – Everything we love to kick off summer! From the best facial sunscreen to the swim towels we wear by and more, it’s all in summer faves!

It’s already time for SUMMER FAVES! Can you believe it?

After my spring cleaning themed favorite things, this month’s list seems to be a bit more well-rounded. I’ve still included lots of fun favorites, from cute kitchen finds, to a makeup trick I love, to some outdoor picks, and more!

Let’s jump in! Here are some of the things I’ve LOVE for summer…

1. All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

I’ve mentioned this before, but I think it’s worth sharing again. With the weather warming up (we’re hitting 100 this week!), I need a little help in the makeup department. This All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray works wonders, and I LOVE that it really helps keep my make-up on. (Even in lots of heat, or shooting recipe videos!)

I mist 3-4 pumps across my face after applying my makeup and let it dry after. It’s awesome! I love that there isn’t a strong or harsh fragrance, and it’s just a light mist that dries invisibly. It also comes in a mini size, so you can always try it out before committing to a bigger one. (I only buy it a few times a year, since it lasts several months at a time for me.)

2. Pretty Ankle Strap Sandals

It’s basically sandal season 11.5/12 of the year here, so I’m always on the hunt for a great pair of sandals I can wear with anything. I prefer something that’ll stay on my foot instead of flap whenever I walk, and I don’t want anything with a heel or wedge for everyday wear. These ankle strap sandals are perfect! I love how sleek they look and they can easily be tossed on with jeans or shorts for casual looks, or can be worn with skirts and dresses for an elevated look. (Notes on fit: I ordered my usual size. They are a bit stiff the first few wears, then they break in like butter!) 

These are another pretty option that’s less expensive. Love the straps and the blush is so pretty!

3. The Home Edit

If you love design books as much as I do, you’ll LOVE this new book from the ladies @thehomeedit. They’re the queens of organization and color coding and have tackled celebrity homes, big businesses, and more pantries and drawers than I can count. I love the practical tips and the gorgeous inspiration photos. The book even comes with free labels you can use in your pantry–WOOHOO!

4. The BEST Beach Towels EVER. 

Okay, it might seem nuts to get so excited about towels, but if you swim as much as we do during the summer, you’ll appreciate these. These towels are different than your average beach towel.

They’re not plush like a resort towel (they’re smooth and soft, just aren’t fluffy. ), but they absorb a TON of water, dry SUPER quickly, and fold up TEENY, TINY. They’re a lightweight, tight microfiber, so sand doesn’t stick to them (seriously!), and they work great for travel, the pool, or even camping. The towels wash like a dream (we got chocolate ice cream out of ours without stain treating!) also have a little hanging hook, so they’re easy for little ones to hang up, and each one comes with a little pouch for carrying them you can use if you want.

They come in a ton of colors–you can save on a SET OF 6, or pick your favorite color. We own PINK, GREEN, and BLUE, but they also have cute prints like PINEAPPLE or these PASTEL RAINBOW ONES.

5. My Favorite Facial Sunscreen

Hands down, Image makes my favorite facial sunscreen. The quality is fantastic. It’s mineral-based, so it’s less likely to clog pores, and the formulation is blendable. (No chalky or pale look afterward!) It’s even light enough to layer under make-up every day if you want. (I do.)

It’s pricey enough that I don’t use it for my body, but I use it every single day on my face. For oily complexions, this matte option (my fave) is perfect. Otherwise, their traditional formulation is probably a good fit.  And, they even make a tinted one I use when I don’t want to wear makeup in the summer (best for medium/olive skin tones rather than very fair).

Also, for folks concerned about sunscreen safety: Image sunscreen is not specifically called out or highlighted on the EWG sunscreen list, but doesn’t contain any of the ingredients of concern they call out and scores well based on the individual ingredient scores. (The ingredients rate it a 2). 

6. Comfy Leggings

I do more walking, exercising, and casual everything in the summer than I tend to do in the winter. After an afternoon at the pool, I almost never come home and get fully dressed again. I live in these high waisted leggings for lounging, light exercise, and sleep. They’re super soft and comfortable. I get a few pairs and they last about a year with regular use.

7. A Belt Bag

Natalie Borton made me do it. I know fanny packs have been making a comeback, but I’d never seen one I actually loved the look of. Natalie made this one look super sleek and stylish. (Don’t believe me? see how she does it here and here) I’m wearing mine to parks and outings with the kids (aquarium, zoo, museum). It’s also awesome for travel (I’m bringing it to Disneyland this fall!).

It’s not giant (it *is* a belt bag, after all), but it can easily hold my phone, keys, chapstick, and a small money clip or small wallet without trouble.

8. A Headband

Summer is kind of a hair free-for-all for me, too, between it being 100+ degrees and endless pool and splash pad trips. (Lazy much? Yes, thank you.) I don’t tend to curl it as much, so in between ponytails and top knots (it’s hot, yo!), I’m mixing it up with one of these headbands I’ve seen a few style bloggers wearing lately. It also comes in a cute peachy coral, which I just ordered.

9. The BEST Popsicle Mold

Summer time is popsicle time! I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite popsicle mold. I get questions about it every year. We own two and have used them a LOT in the last 4-5 years. We’ve made over 100 batches of popsicles and they’re still going strong!

If you struggle to get your popsicles out of the mold after they’re frozen, you may like this silicone version. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s flexible, so you could push the popsicles out, which might be easier. (With our popsicle mold, I just run the side of our popsicle mold under cold water for a few seconds, then wiggle the popsicles side to side to loosen them)

(p.s. Get all our best homemade popsicle mold recipes here)

10. The Sun is Also a Star

My favorite fiction read lately was The Sun is Also a Star. I love when authors are able to weave multiple stories and plot lines together well, and Nicola Yoon did a fantastic job with main characters and small side stories alike. I was HERE FOR IT every page along the way. Now, I just need to go see the movie!

11. These Cute Patio Chairs

In addition to the little outdoor living space we shared recently, we also have a covered patio, and have slowly been putting that together. I LOVE these Adirondack-style patio chairs. They’re made by POLYWOOD, which makes their furniture using recycled milk bottles. It’s wipeable, weather-resistant, sturdy, and stylish. We LOVE them.

We have two of these chairs, this little table, and this bench, which we have near a tree in our yard. Their furniture comes in lots of colors, too, so you can mix and match or go bright if you want! I also love these cute rockers! I love that you can hose them off, and they’re fade resistant.

12. Everspring Foaming Hand Soap

I’m always on the lookout for natural products that WORK, and I’ve been really impressed by the new Everspring line at Target. I picked up a few of their foaming hand soaps and love the free & clear (scent free) and Geranium scent. Their hypoallergenic soaps are 97% USDA-certified biobased and made with natural fragrances from essential oils and plant extracts, rather than harsh artificial or chemically made scents. They’re free from parabens, sulfites, and harsh preservatives, so they’re biodegradable and non-toxic. The packaging is also made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials, and the soaps are never tested on animals. A win all around!

They carry 100% recycled paper towels and also have several cleaning products, like dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, and even a granite & stone cleaner. When my current stash of cleaning products runs out, I plan to give them a try!

Those are some of my summer picks! What are yours!?