The 10 Summer Essentials You Actually Need

Summer is one of my favorite months and I love dressing for it! Many of us are starting to go out again, see friends and enjoy being outdoors! I wanted to share the 10 summer essentials you actually need. From dresses to home items we’re really enjoying, I hope this guide will make your summer a little bit easier and enjoyable! These are items I have on constant rotation so I know you’ll reach for them over and over.

1. Bright Print Dress

During summer, I love bright vivid colors. Florals are beautiful year-round, but during summer they are stunning! Fruit prints, especially citrus, are perfect for summertime, too! This lemon-print dress is on sale and I love how dainty and feminine it is. You can dress it up with heels or down with white sneakers and a denim jacket.

2. White Sneakers

I’m a big sneaker fan, so it’s no surprise white sneakers are my go-to all year. They are perfect for summer when you want a more casual look. These Nike sneakers are easily in my top 10 summer essentials! Plus, they are on sale for $45! They fit true to size, incredibly comfortable and you can slip them on and off.

Another pair of sneakers I love are the Nike Air Max 270s.

3. Cold Brew Maker

Now that it’s warm, we are nonstop brewing cold brew at home! In case you missed it, I did a tutorial here on how we make ours! It’s foolproof and inexpensive! We love trying out new beans, too. I saw Nespresso came out with pods you can brew over ice and it’s a game-changer! This is perfect when we’re in a rush and forgot to make cold brew the night before. Cold coffee is definitely one of my top 10 summer essentials.

4. Oversized Sunglasses

These Celine Sunglasses are a splurge, but they will always be my favorite! They are so chic, classic and timeless. I always get asked about them or complimented on them, too! There are other dupes out there, but I would rather have one pair of really nice quality sunglasses I reach for over and over versus cheap knockoffs (not to mention the whole counterfeit market issue, too).

These actually fit quite well on my low-bridge nose, so I’m very impressed. This is another brand of sunglasses that have an alternative fit to better suit low-bridge noses.

5. White Dresses

What else is there to say? White is so refreshing, crisp and clean. It’s perfect for summer and also makes you look tanner than you are, which is a huge perk! This blog post has a selection of white dresses I’m loving for summer at each price point.

6. Concealer

I’m the type of person who either wears makeup or doesn’t. However, I understand the allure of a no-makeup look. If you’re looking for a good concealer, this one is hands down my favorite. The color payoff is beautiful and it brightens under the eye without creasing. When you feel like you start running out of product, take a pair of tweezers of pliers and remove the stopper at the top. Look closely for a 1 cm piece where you insert the tube. Rip that out and you’ll get about a month or more worth of product! It’s a game-changer!

7. Air Purifier

We love our Dyson Air Purifier and got it because it is also a heater. However, the cool air/fan feature has been great during summer. Since we are in a new-build home, having an air purifier is so important to us. This particular model has a HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, including pollen, dust, mold spores, bacteria and pet dander. Plus another layer to get rid of all the household junk such as paint fumes.

8. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must all year, but it’s one of the most important summer essentials. I use this one on my body and Johnny uses it for his face and body. For my face, Supergoop has always been a favorite. There is no white cast and it goes on so smooth it almost acts like a primer. I recently ran out, so I’m testing this one right now and I love it!

9. Glass Tumbler

These are the best! I make a ton of smoothies during the warmer months and I love how these have a silicone sleeve. It reduces condensation and I don’t have to hold an ice-cold cup. They come in a ton of colors! I have four. Perfect for iced coffee, too, which makes it one of my top summer essentials.

10. High-Rise Mom Jeans

I have been reaching for these jeans nonstop. They are so comfortable and I love the lighter wash. If you are 5’4 or shorter, I definitely recommend getting short sizing! They fit true to size and the high-rise fit is perfect. I love how I can dress them up for date night or down for a casual weekend.

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