Summer Must Have List
Summer! It’s my favorite time of the year (after Christmas) and definitely the BEST weather. Give me all the sunshine, time at the lake, and patio happy hours with friends. I love when bloggers post about their seasonal ”must-have’s” or “essentials list”. It’s fun and an excuse to go shopping ;) I’ve never done one but figured it was time to change that. So, without further ado here is MY must-have summer list that you can score for $55 or less!!! What can I say? I love a good deal and being thrifty. Yes, there are some affiliate links below and no I wouldn’t ever share anything I didn’t really love or recommended. Enjoy!
Skyjo: I love playing games with friends. Skyjo is a current favorite - easy to learn, for all ages, can play with a few people or a group, and can be a quick game or drawn out! Easy to throw in a beach bag for a quick pick-up game with friends or fits in a purse to play on date night.
Vanilla Chai: If you know me you know coffee isn’t my jam. My go-to iced drink is a chai and this vanilla chai is my ALL TIME FAVORITE. When I figured out that my favorite Mpls coffee shop used this mix (that you get on Amazon), I stocked my shelves. All this to say, I never go to coffee shops anymore. I mean why would you, when you can make your favorite iced chai in your own kitchen!
Water bottle: Does anyone else struggle with staying hydrated? I do but this 40-ounce water bottle has helped change that! I know everyone's on the Stanley Cup train but this one on Amazon is my jam! It comes with me to every brand photoshoot and I always have it at arm's length while I’m working. It keeps stuff cold (or hot) and I love that it has a straw. I have a wider cup holder in my car that it "kind of" fits in otherwise that is the one downside. At least that's how it is for the 40-ounce.
Saltair: I’ve been on the hunt for an aluminium-free deodorant that actually works and lasts all day and THIS IS IT! You can find it in stores but I love purchasing off their website. They have a low shipping minimum and the refills aren’t currently sold in stores.
ILIA Multistick: I don’t wear a ton of make-up but when I do I keep it easy and natural. I loved the concept of this multi-stick meaning that it's both blush and lipstick. The At Last color is my go-to. I love that it's a stick - no brushes necessary. I apply the blush directly on my cheeks and blend it with my finger. Easy to throw in your purse for a quick refresh on the go.
Biteaway: Up here in MN we joke that mosquitos are our state bird 🙈 I LOVE summer but hate the bugs. Ever since growing up, I've gotten tons of mosquito bites. The itch creams, baking soda, and essential oil regimens never work. A friend introduced me to the Biteaway and it's the ONLY thing that takes away the itch. Easy to use, super compact, and the best part is IT REALLY WORKS! If you get super itchy bites that swell up every summer, add this to your Amazon cart and thank me later ;)
Kodak Waterproof Camera: Even as a professional photographer, I hate bringing my big camera out to capture summer memories. I've always loved film and there’s truly nothing better than capturing summer on film. Last year I ordered this Kodak disposable camera to bring on my honeymoon and I’m SO glad I did. Get one or two or five, you won't regret it. I got the waterproof one cause we were on the beach but the non-waterproof ones are great too. Here are a few pro tips when it comes to disposable cameras:
Photograph in good lighting conditions or use the flash. Basically, follow the directions on the camera ;)
Develop at a professional lab! This is a MUST. Walgreens won’t cut it. I get mine developed at Photovision because they have a great deal called, "Everyday film processing". You'll get high-quality prints along with digital scans so you can share them online. The Find Lab is another great film lab I'd trust.
Here are two of my favs…
Expressie: I’m awful at painting nails but do like it when they’re done. I tried this quick-drying polish last week and loved the results. It dried fast enough so I couldn’t mess it up and looked like gel nail polish when done. The World as a Canvas is my favorite color (and the only color) I've used so far. Looking forward to having nice nails this summer at a fraction of the cost of a mani/pedi.
Farmers Market Canvas Tote: I found this bag on Amazon while I was filling out our wedding registry. I was skeptical at first because of the price but put it on there because “Hey! Someone else was paying for it…” I’ve had it for about a year and it’s been one of my top 5 things we got off our registry! No joke. I use it ALL the time and for everything. The pockets make it super easy to organize stuff. I use it for groceries, running errands, beach bags, and packing stuff for an afternoon at my parents. I even used it as a camera bag for a photo shoot - the slots on the side are perfect for photography lens. When it first arrived it was a bit smaller than I was expecting ( you can’t fit a full grocery run in it) but now I love the size. Only downside? After a year I have seen some wear in the straps - they’re not real leather and are starting to separate. But, I pack it fullll and it gets really heavy so some wear and tear is normal. Still a must-buy!
