My Summertime Survival Essentials

Here’s a little secret about me: I’m not that crazy about summer. Yes, summer is the time of vacation, long and lazy days, and frozen margaritas/daiquiris/rosé – yes, there is such a thing as frozen rosé and yes, I’ve seen it called frozé. But it’s also the time of triple digit weather, chaffing in spots on your body that you’re sure will someday will burst into a four-alarm fire, and the resurrection of douchey bro tanks.

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Rather than wallow in my house as I pump my air conditioner and watch my utilities bill skyrocket, I have a few random essentials to help get me through the summer months.

Archipelago Botanicals: Charleston Soy Candle

I’ll admit it right now: I’m here for candles. In fact, I have absolutely no shame in taking one of those candle cardboard cartons at Bath and Body Works, and easily filling it with lavender vanilla or honeysuckle bouquet.

This summer, I’m all about Archipelago Botanicals Charleston candle.

Now, I’ve been to Charleston and absolutely fell in love with this city. However, it didn’t really smell like this but that could have been because I visited in the middle of summer and quickly discovered the limitations to my deodorant. Regardless, the light, floral scent is perfect for those days when you’re sick of smelling sunscreen and citronella torches.

Gap’s Linen-cotton Utility Shorts

Summer is all about busting out those shorts and realizing that you need to up your leg workouts and invest in some self or indoor tanning lotion.

For me, shorts have to be two things: comfortable and not so short that I’m being charged with public indecency. That’s why I’m in love with these shorts. First, there’s a drawstring closure, which means you can have that second margarita with salt and not feel that your short’s waistline is about to break like a poorly made dam. Then there’s the length – not too short that people see you do actually wax and not too long like your grandma’s culottes.

To the Gap designer who crafted these shorts, I bow down to you, you majestic wizard.

Benefit’s Benebalm

The idea of putting on a full face of makeup when the temperature is over 100 degrees makes want to punch a dolphin. Rather than go all out with my typical makeup routine, my summer makeup routine is all about tinted makeup, and I’m obsessed with Benefit’s Benebalm. It hydrates the lips without becoming too waxy or heavy and it’s rose-tint is perfect for that pop of color.

Starbucks Mango Black Tea Lemonade

Okay, Starbucks is the the definition of basic, but don’t act like you’re not working steadily toward your next drink reward.

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I love Arnold Palmers. Adding mango to the equation makes me so giddy with excitement, I’m pretty sure I skip out of Starbucks, sipping on my mango black tea lemonade. Total chill.

Knight and Moon Series

It’s a summertime tradition for me to become immersed in the world of Janet Evanovich. First it was her Stephanie Plum series, then I moved onto her Diesel and Lizzy books, and last summer I fell in love with master thief turned FBI informant Nick Fox and his adventures with Kate O’Hare.

This summer for me is all about her Knight and Moon series. Evanovich has the ability to create colorful, sometimes eccentric characters amid storylines fused with mystery and humor. Is it a little far fetch? Sure. Does the plot ever feel recycled? Occasionally. Are they fun to read? Absofreakinlutely.