As the summer eases in and the weather attempts to kill us, it’s important to have little joys and essentials on hand. I love having the ‘must haves’ in my bag for a season like summer, for some reason. Maybe because it can mean longer hours in the office. Or that there are so many situations and trips. Sometimes it’s spontaneous happenings that you just don’t know if you’ll need something. The weather can do a number of things to a person, so it’s always good to be prepared and have some fun in the meantime.

Here are some of my essentials: Things to do and things to keep in your bag.

Let’s talk what’s in my bag…

1. Coach Manhattan Tote

   1. I LOVE this bag! It holds so much, is just slouchy enough but not so much that it makes it hard to find what you need. I’ve taken it on road trips and used for everyday. It’s the best! I bought it last summer and it looks like it’s currently unavailable, but something similar is the best companion.

2. ColorSoft Amazon Kindle

   1. I generally always keep my Kindle in my bag. At least for road trips or spots where I might have a few minutes to myself. If nothing else, there’s always my Kindle app, so I can finish reading a good book or feeling more productive with my time.

3. A Good Summer Read

   1. Summer is always an excellent time for new reads! It’s a popular time for the “beach read” for obvious reasons. One of my favorites is Emily Henry’s “People We Meet On Vacation.” I cannot tell you how many times I’ve read this book and I cry every single time. It’s ridiculous, but a favorite for a reason.

4. Cameras

   1. I don’t always have all of these cameras in my bag at once, though, there have been times, like longer trips.

      1. Olympus | The Taylor Swift camera - it’s the one she uses that gives her signature filter. I love this for the creativity that you get to have within the camera itself - pop art, black and white, sepia, and so on. And the pictures are so crisp. And it’s smaller to carry around if you don’t want to bring a larger camera.

      2. Sony Vlogging Camera | This is a great quality camera, mostly for videos and also comes with the little built in mic. It’s also smaller and easier to throw in a bag or keep in your hand, as it’s about the size of your phone.

      3. Disposable Cameras | In past summers, I’ve bought a 3-pack of disposable cameras for the beach, day trips, the Taylor Swift concert and other random every day events in between. It’s fun to have the actual prints and it just gives a different effect that I love.

5. Makeup/Medicine Bag

   1. I keep a small makeup bag to keep

      1. Medicine: I try to keep Midol and Midol heating pads for cramps, as well as essentials that might be necessary on the day-to-day, like Ibuprofen, Sudafed and other allergy medication that helps with the sinuses.

      2. Lip Gloss: I take after my mom and always have so many shades and styles of lip gloss and lipstick as if I really need more than one. But, options are good. Lancome Juicy Tubes are not only a nostalgic reminder, but it was a summer memory unlocked from the early 2000s that were so yummy and stayed on forever.

      3. Body Wipes: Showers are obviously the way to go! But, in the heat, even when you’ve showered and cleaned up, it can feel hot and grimy. Or maybe you’ve been outside and just want to freshen up a bit before running to your next thing. These are SO handy and smell great.

      4. Hand Wipes | I’ve loved the Aloha hand wipes, because they’re just wet enough and cover your hand in an even amount of cleanliness. Also, they leave your hands feeling softer, more like a lotion.

      5. Hand Sanitizer | The 3-pack of Touchland hand sanitizers are my favorite! I’ve tried just about all the scents, but mostly love the wild berry scents. I usually give one to my mom to use (since she works with kiddos all day and you never know what’s on their hands).

      6. Rare Beauty Hair & Body Mist: The Find Comfort Hair & Body Mist is my absolute favorite scent. It’s not overdone! It’s light, smells like summer and is great for a hot summer day if you don’t want something too strong and overbearing. Also nice to just spray throughout the day when you need a bit of a refresh.

      7. Rare Beauty Powder Compact & Mirror: This was the perfect size mirror and makeup compact to touch up my blemishes when the heat melts off my makeup or I have smudges where my glasses have been. Excellent coverage!

      8. Lotion: When the seasons change and the weather shifts, my skin can be a bit moody. I can have issues with eczema. I’ve had really painful times with it, but lotion is always a good thing, especially if you’re sanitizing and washing your hands a lot.

      9. Hair ties: While I usually don’t leave home without one on my wrist, I try to have extras on hand. I might start off with my hair down, but it’s nice to be able to throw it up if that doesn’t last. Or fun clips that have returned from something of the 90s trends.

6. Sunnies

   1. I’ve had Coach, Michael Kors, DIFF and Rachel Zoe glasses. I usually wear for several years a piece until they’ve been through so much that it’s time to move on. Recently, I bought a semi-cheap, but nicer pair on Amazon. They’re like Ray Bans without the crazy price point.

7. Snacks

   1. I love having small snacks on hand, like jerky pieces, Chomps beef sticks, peanuts and bars, or other bags of filling goodness. Fruit snacks are another favorite! I’m not sure if it’s the medication I’m on, but I just always feel hungry. Having a snack is comforting without having to find something or buy something when I’m out.

8. Notebook & Pens & Markers

   1. As a writer, I always have a notebook on hand. Sure, I write in my notes app but there’s nothing like the physical paper and pen. You never know when inspiration will strike. Sometimes markers are just more fun and colorful to write with, depending on what I’m doing. I always like to have that option!

9. Portable Phone Charger

   1. Longer days, events, trips and travel can often mean more time on your phone. The heat can also drain the charge, so bringing a portable charger (in case you can’t find a plug nearby) is always such a good call and gives a peace knowing I can always be with my phone in case of emergency if I’m alone.

10. Puzzle Book

    1. I’ve recently gotten into Murdle, which are like Whodunnit mysteries or a Clue but on paper. You read a short story, then using the theory of deduction, you check off the evidence you know and figure out who did it, what they did it with and where it took place.

There are plenty of things to do and ways to spend your time. Once you have the essentials, you can take on the world.

These are just a few of my favorite things to do!

The Perfect Summer Read

You know I love my TBR Summer Pile. It’s a specific summer vibes tower that I will work my way through over the next few months. It’s just nice to have a feel good book that you can’t put down, helps you escape from daily life.

Cooling Towel

I can’t seem to hang in the heat anymore. I am usually sweating after any activity, even just walking - it’s a whole thing, I’ve tried checking into it, also a whole thing. But, I love that there are cooling towels in individual packs, like the shower wipes. You can also use a cooling towel, that comes in bulk on Amazon. If you’re active or can’t handle heat, then this is for you.

Mindless TV Show

The summer calls for the perfect mindless TV show, whether that’s reality, like the Kardashians, Love Island or a cheesy scripted series that doesn’t take much effort to stick with. This year, I’m going to give Beverly Hills, 90210 a try. There’s no shortage of content and streaming sources these days.

A Day at the Lake or Beach

Summer needs a moment with water, whether it’s boating on the lake and jumping in from the rocks above or walking the sandy beaches and dipping your toes in the ocean. There’s just something so peaceful and majestic about spending a day at the water; read, write, take pictures, swim or simply layout and people watch. There are so many options for everyone.

Nostalgia Moment

Let yourself do something that you enjoyed as a kid. Maybe it’s something you haven’t done in a while. Reconnect with a family member you used to spend time with. Or maybe it’s waiting for the ice cream truck to come by. Maybe it’s a certain book. There are so many little moments of joy we tend to lose as adults, but don’t let your summer get away without bringing a little bit of the magic back.

A Dinner Out with Friends

I don’t go out much at all these days. But, if it’s something I can mentally prepare for and do with my closest friends, I’m there. Especially if it’s trying a new restaurant. Or if you can spare three or so hours for a lunch, even better. Whenever you can squeeze in time with your friends in between busy schedules, you make it work.

Crafting

When I was younger, my grandma and I were always doing crafts. I had an entire craft bin that we would just store all of our things, especially when items were on sale at Michael’s. We’d watch all the morning talk shows and segments with crafts and try to make our own. So, the summer always gives me this newfound creative energy and a little more time to devote to projects and special things.

I’m excited for the summer. I’m excited for a little downtime; creativity, resting, a new energy, more reading, watching things I love. The next few months will be a joy whatever comes.

What are your summer essentials? What keeps you sane in the heat? What do you always get excited about doing this time of year?

That’s all for now,

Shelby

Pink and white flowers in my Kate Spade newspaper vase; smelling sweet and earthy, bringing the spirit of spring to the living room.

My incredible mom as we celebrate this Mother’s Day weekend.

Making a playlist for the fictional characters you’re writing about that will set the scene and put you in the zone.

Watching your friends meet their goals and achieve their dreams, whether it’s having kids and becoming mothers, getting their doctoral degree or simply doing something just because they wanted to. Living their best lives is beautiful to see! It encourages me.

Seeing Sally Field on the Today Show earlier this week. She’s just absolutely delightful and I’m going to make it a point to read her autobiography this weekend.

Watching my pup snuggle into her pillow on the couch for a little afternoon nap. She’s too precious!

Scrolling through my phone for happy memories when the days are long and challenging.

Reading newsletters/publications from my favorite Substack authors, like Feeling! Magazine with Jenna O’Brien and Noticing by Caroline Lunne. They just fill my days with so much joy and inspiration.

That feeling you get on Friday morning knowing you have the entire weekend ahead of you and fun plans to look forward to.

Watching a reality show about finding love, like Love is Blind - there’s nothing like escaping reality for something completely outlandish and dramatic like people falling in love and getting engaged without having seen each other.

The academic year coming to a close and summer hours, summer activities ahead of us. Daydreaming about taking road trips in California, flying to New York City to see Mariska Hargitay on Broadway (even though it’s insane and won’t work out, it’s fun to think about).

Curling into bed at night with a good book and losing track of time before eventually falling asleep.

The cooler evenings as the sun goes down; outlines of the palm trees in the distance from our backyard. It’s that spark that just makes the air feel like summer is coming and time will stand still for a minute or two.

Amy Poehler’s podcast “Good Hang” is just an absolute ray of sunshine, no matter who is on the show. I love Amy Poehler, but would not have anticipated just what a great interviewer and conversationalist she is. It’s, like, actually very impressive.

there’s a lot of hard, crazy things going on in the world, but there are still bright spots when we seek them out.

What are the bright spots in your own life right now?

That’s all for now,

Denim on denim, something I never used to like. Now it just feels like a simple uniform, country-fying my outfit for the spring days. It’s comfortable, but stylish. I feel confident in it.

Diamond art projects that allow me to turn off my mind for a little bit as I catch up on one of my favorite TV shows.

A day out with my mom and aunt for lunch and a bit of shopping.

Writing in my new notebook - scribbling down ideas that I have for poems, thoughts about life and whatever else comes to mind.

Hugging my dog, even though she probably hates it, when she’s outside sitting on the grass or when she’s cozy on the couch.

Knowing there are still a few days left of vacation, and I’m holding onto every second left of it.

Word search books that keep my mind busy and not on creating crazy scenarios when I have too much downtime.

Enjoying the idea of not setting an alarm for the next few days, relishing that there are still a few days left of the spring break week and reality hasn’t set back in just yet.

Finding some of my favorite books in the process of spring cleaning - I’ve been wondering where they are since I moved a couple years ago, and am so glad I found them altogether.

That’s all for now,

It’s the light beaming through the clouds on a flight as you look down below through the window.

When you feel so small in the grand scheme of the world, as you walk the pier and hear the roar of the ocean underneath the boards your feet are on.

The first sip of coffee when you wake up, leisurely walking to the kitchen, settling in to your day with a morning talk show to tell you the headlines and quick scroll through your phone to see if you’ve missed anything.

Falling into bed after a long, hard day, on clean sheets. take a big whiff of the laundry detergent, as you pull the sheets up to your chin

Finishing a project that has been a headache and feeling that job well done, sigh of relief when it’s all over.

A good book that you just can’t put down.

When your best friend sends you a meme or some random article on the internet that speaks to your friendship lore.

Finding a good TV show that you can binge with the ones you love.