Well, with the 106 degree weather predicted for this Saturday,
I think summer is officially here! (At least in Virginia.) For a Casper-pale
person such as myself, staying cool and preventing sun burns in the blazing
heat can be a constant worry but I’ve learned that lots of water and SPF 100
can do wonders for my attitude when running around outdoors. Aside from those
basic necessities, I have come up with a few essentials for a very “dungeons
and diamonds” summer. Most of these items (along with a never ending supply of
fro-yo..mmm...fro-yo) are on my wish list, and I thought they might inspire my readers too.
1. Waterproof iPhone case by Lifeproof- This waterproof case
comes in black, pink, purple, and white and would be perfect for taking cool
photos or short videos underwater at the beach. A bit expensive at 79.00, but
that’s far less than the price of a new iPhone if it were to get dropped in the
pool. Available at
Lifeproof.
2. Fekkai Summer Hair Cooling Shine Mist- As evidenced by my Instagram
(follow me at Starbuckles) photos, I have very long, red hair. In other words,
very susceptible to chorine, the sun, sand, and salt water. Most people apply
some level of sunscreen to their skin, but your hair needs attention too! This
mist touts shine and UV protection. Available at
Ulta.
3. Christian Dior Bronzer in 001 Healthy Tan- As I mentioned
previously, I am pretty pale. I don’t tan I just burn and get more freckle-y. I
see a lot of gorgeous pale folk, (down with skin cancer!) but personally, I think
I look better with just a little bit of color. Thanks to a good spray tan and
bronzer, I can prevent myself from looking too “walking dead”. I actually have
this product and LOVE it. It’s $46.00 but a little goes a long way. I got my
compact earlier this year (at
Nordstrom’s) and have barely made a dent in it.
4. My Little Pony Rarity Hoodie- Yes, it’s true. I got sucked
into the new MLP and frankly, I think it’s adorable and funny (Pinkie Pie makes
me LOL). I think this would be super cute over summer basics, or to keep you
warm in the frigid AC at the movies. Available at
WeLoveFine for $49.00.
(Incidentally, check out the rest of their site. Some awesome pop culture tee’s
and hoodies.)
5. Comptoir Sud Pacifique “Vanille Abricot” Eau de Toilette- Summer calls for lighter
fragrances (which still get magnified in the heat) and this smells like a
tropical vacation. I have the Vanille Peach scent (which is discontinued) and
always get complimented on it. Available for $37.00 at
Amazon.com.
6. Guayaki “Revel Berry” Yerba Mate- There comes a point when
the temperatures start to rise that I switch from hot caffeinated drinks over
to cold caffeinated drinks. I was gifted the Toddy Cold Brew system a while
back and it is fantastic for making homemade iced coffee. Sometimes though, the
coffee jitters or dehydration leave me craving something caffeinated but a
little less harsh on my system. Enter Guayaki’s Revel Berry tea. It comes in a
large can (much like other energy drinks like Monster) and has as much caffeine
as a cup of coffee. From Guayaki’s website: “Mate has the strength of coffee,
the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate.” Need I say more?
The Revel Berry flavor is sweet without being cloying and its definitely refreshing.
It also has only 112 calories per giant can. You can order a case of 12
straight from
Guayaki (shipping included) for $29.99.
7. Hello Kitty Moustache backpack- I saw this via Fashionably
Geek a few weeks back and cannot stop thinking about it. I would throw in a few
magazines, a book, sunscreen, and my iPhone to take with me to the pool.
Available at
NeatoShop for $39.95
8. Striped Fedora- Along with a UV hair spray, a hat is another
way to protect your hair, skin, and face from sun damage. I love the idea of a
cute fedora which can be worn with a cute sundress or a swimsuit. This pink and
white striped version is available at
Nordstroms for $18. (I’ve also seen cute
options at Forever 21 and Gap.)
9. AppTag Laser Blaster
for iPhone, iPod, and Android- Okay, who remembers
THIS version of laser tag?
My sister and I were huge fans of both the cartoon and the toy that eventually
followed. The newest, updated Laser Tag gun has been constructed to be used
with your smart phone and a free AppTag application. This would be an awesome
to play with in a park with a group of friends. Read more about it here.
Available through
Hex3 for $60.00. AppTag Laser Blaster orders will be shipped
towards the end of August.
10. Doctor Who Police Box Towel- I browsing the internets for a
fun beach/pool towel and BEHOLD, the TARDIS towel. Signal the Doctor and you
might get a ride. Out of stock currently, but available ~ 6/29 from the fine folks at
ThinkGeek for 19.99.
FANTASTIC!
11. Jeweled bow flip flops- Let’s face it; flip flops are a
summer staple. They come in all colors and styles, and are usually pretty inexpensive.
These are no exception. This is another item that I already own, and they are
ADORABLE. I bought them both in black and Tiffany blue, and the best part? I
got them at
Sears for $6.00 each. (Note: They are currently down to $5/piece.
At that price, you can buy all of the colors!)
12. Victoria’s Secret Bikini- I happen to love the swimsuits
from Victoria’s Secret, especially when they are on sale. VS offers all sorts
of styles, from bikinis, to one pieces, to weird things called “monokinis.” I
am a big fan of this bright purple and turquoise tie-dye option. The top would
also be cute worn under a v neck or scoop neck t shirt. Top and bottom available at
Victoria's Secret for $18/piece
Although most of us
have full time jobs and other responsibilities that don’t stop during the
summer months, that doesn’t meant that you shouldn’t take advantage of the
longer daylight hours and opportunities stay up way past your bedtime.
What are YOUR summer essentials?
