As the summer eases in and the weather attempts to kill us, itās important to have little joys and essentials on hand. I love having the āmust havesā 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 itās spontaneous happenings that you just donāt know if youāll need something. The weather can do a number of things to a person, so itās 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.
Letās talk whatās in my bagā¦
Coach Manhattan Tote
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. Iāve taken it on road trips and used for everyday. Itās the best! I bought it last summer and it looks like itās currently unavailable, but something similar is the best companion.
ColorSoft Amazon Kindle
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, thereās always my Kindle app, so I can finish reading a good book or feeling more productive with my time.
A Good Summer Read
Summer is always an excellent time for new reads! Itās a popular time for the ābeach readā for obvious reasons. One of my favorites is Emily Henryās āPeople We Meet On Vacation.ā I cannot tell you how many times Iāve read this book and I cry every single time. Itās ridiculous, but a favorite for a reason.
Cameras
I donāt always have all of these cameras in my bag at once, though, there have been times, like longer trips.
Olympus | The Taylor Swift camera - itās 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 itās smaller to carry around if you donāt want to bring a larger camera.
Sony Vlogging Camera | This is a great quality camera, mostly for videos and also comes with the little built in mic. Itās also smaller and easier to throw in a bag or keep in your hand, as itās about the size of your phone.
Disposable Cameras | In past summers, Iāve bought a 3-pack of disposable cameras for the beach, day trips, the Taylor Swift concert and other random every day events in between. Itās fun to have the actual prints and it just gives a different effect that I love.
Makeup/Medicine Bag
I keep a small makeup bag to keep
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.
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.
Body Wipes: Showers are obviously the way to go! But, in the heat, even when youāve showered and cleaned up, it can feel hot and grimy. Or maybe youāve been outside and just want to freshen up a bit before running to your next thing. These are SO handy and smell great.
Hand Wipes | Iāve loved the Aloha hand wipes, because theyāre just wet enough and cover your hand in an even amount of cleanliness. Also, they leave your hands feeling softer, more like a lotion.
Hand Sanitizer | The 3-pack of Touchland hand sanitizers are my favorite! Iāve 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 whatās on their hands).
Rare Beauty Hair & Body Mist: The Find Comfort Hair & Body Mist is my absolute favorite scent. Itās not overdone! Itās light, smells like summer and is great for a hot summer day if you donāt want something too strong and overbearing. Also nice to just spray throughout the day when you need a bit of a refresh.
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!
Lotion: When the seasons change and the weather shifts, my skin can be a bit moody. I can have issues with eczema. Iāve had really painful times with it, but lotion is always a good thing, especially if youāre sanitizing and washing your hands a lot.
Hair ties: While I usually donāt leave home without one on my wrist, I try to have extras on hand. I might start off with my hair down, but itās nice to be able to throw it up if that doesnāt last. Or fun clips that have returned from something of the 90s trends.
Sunnies
Iāve had Coach, Michael Kors, DIFF and Rachel Zoe glasses. I usually wear for several years a piece until theyāve been through so much that itās time to move on. Recently, I bought a semi-cheap, but nicer pair on Amazon. Theyāre like Ray Bans without the crazy price point.
Snacks
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! Iām not sure if itās the medication Iām on, but I just always feel hungry. Having a snack is comforting without having to find something or buy something when Iām out.
Notebook & Pens & Markers
As a writer, I always have a notebook on hand. Sure, I write in my notes app but thereās 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 Iām doing. I always like to have that option!
Portable Phone Charger
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 canāt 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 Iām alone.
Puzzle Book
Iāve 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. Itās a specific summer vibes tower that I will work my way through over the next few months. Itās just nice to have a feel good book that you canāt put down, helps you escape from daily life.
Cooling Towel
I canāt seem to hang in the heat anymore. I am usually sweating after any activity, even just walking - itās a whole thing, Iāve 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 youāre active or canāt handle heat, then this is for you.
Mindless TV Show
The summer calls for the perfect mindless TV show, whether thatās reality, like the Kardashians, Love Island or a cheesy scripted series that doesnāt take much effort to stick with. This year, Iām going to give Beverly Hills, 90210 a try. Thereās no shortage of content and streaming sources these days.
A Day at the Lake or Beach
Summer needs a moment with water, whether itās boating on the lake and jumping in from the rocks above or walking the sandy beaches and dipping your toes in the ocean. Thereās 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 itās something you havenāt done in a while. Reconnect with a family member you used to spend time with. Or maybe itās waiting for the ice cream truck to come by. Maybe itās a certain book. There are so many little moments of joy we tend to lose as adults, but donāt let your summer get away without bringing a little bit of the magic back.
A Dinner Out with Friends
I donāt go out much at all these days. But, if itās something I can mentally prepare for and do with my closest friends, Iām there. Especially if itās 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 Michaelās. Weād 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.
Iām excited for the summer. Iām 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?
Thatās all for now,
Shelby