Summer is almost here :o)

Monday, May 10, 2010

Hi guys…SP here :o)

Can you believe that summer is just around the corner?  Here in the states…it starts on June 20/21st and we are already preparing for the fun season ahead!  School is almost out…the days are getting hotter (and longer)…and so it’s time to think SUMMER!  lol!  I thought I’d share some of our favorite ‘things’ to have around for this season – maybe you’ll find something that will make your summer more fun (or at least more bearable lol)!  So, here goes!

OLD NAVY FLIP FLOPS – seriously…I can’t (or won’t lol) tell you how many pairs of these little flip flops we have at our house!  First…they are INEXPENSIVE!  Second…they come in a gazillion colors!  and Third…they aren’t half bad lol!  And…they even have patterned flip-flops, too!  They are just fun and easy and are perfect by the pool…at the beach…or just running a quick errand!  I love wearing a pair of denim shorts…a bright t-shirt…and matching flip flops!  How quick and easy is that for just running around during the summer?!  Love them and wouldn’t be without them!  (they also come in metallic…and don’t forget – they come in sizes for the entire family)!

SUN PROTECTION!  I realize this is a no-brainer…we all need to wear sunscreen and protect ourselves from the part of the sun that is harmful (not just during summer – but all year)!  However, as someone with super sensitive skin (and even more sensitive EYES) – I have struggled with sunscreen all my life!  I can’t be in the sun for five minutes without burning – so this is a daily issue for me lol!  I have tried just about every sunscreen available (from drugstore brands to the most expensive…desperate to find something that didn’t irritate and sting my skin) – and have finally found the PERFECT line of sunscreens for me.  Just about anytime I need something for sensitive skin – CLINIQUE comes through for me!  I can wear their sunscreens with ZERO burning/stinging on my skin…and best of all – no stinging eyes!  I know that this brand is a little more expensive than what you find at the drugstore…but for me – I simply cannot use those…so what good do they do me?  lol!  Now…my husband (who does NOT have sensitive skin or eyes lol)…he does not get to use my sunscreen LOL!  He gets the drugstore brand and it works great for him.  But, me and the little man (he seems to have inherited my skin sensitivity) – we only use Clinique!  And, if you do get too much sun – they make a great AFTER SUN rescue balm that is a huge help and relief (we make sure we always have it on hand). So, I hope this might help someone else who is tired of dealing with sunscreens that burn and sting!  Of course…no matter what brand you go with – please be sure to protect your skin :o)

While we are on the subject of SUN PROTECTION…I have to quickly tell you how much I love these sun/rash guard shirts from LAND’S END!  If you spend a lot of time in the water during the summer…whether it is the lake, beach, pool…or just in the back yard – these are a MUST!  It takes out so much of the ‘worry’ about spending a bunch of time in the sun.  My son and I both wear these most of the time we are in the water during the summer and they are NOT bad lol!  I know…ya look at them and think – UGH…I do not want to wear a long sleeve ‘shirt’ in the water!  I know…but these are really not like that.  The fabric is very comfy and dries SUPER fast.  It doesn’t weigh you down in the water either.  I love that I can stay out in the water a little longer without having to constantly re-apply sunscreen to my neck, shoulders and arms!  Just added peace-of-mind!  And, of course – it’s even better for the kids – because if yours are anything like mine…getting them to STOP playing long enough to apply more sunscreen is a CHORE lol!  Anyway – I really can’t recommend these enough :o)

 

So, I know that CANDLES AND SMELLS are not really summer necessities LOL…but I had to share this fragrance with you :o)  I love smells and love for my house to smell great – but we do not burn candles.  So – I love yankee candle’s electric air fresheners and have them all over the place lol!  We also have a tart warmer on my desk so when I’m working – I can have a yummy smell right there lol!  My husband always tells me that I have superhero strength smelling abilities lol…I guess I am very sensitive to smells…which I guess is why if I am going to smell everything – I want it to be good lol!  When it comes to scents and fragrances…I usually go for yummy food smells like buttercream and vanilla and pumpkin.  I do not care for floral or perfume-y smells, so I hardly ever try anything new…always sticking to my old ‘favorites’!  However, on my last yankee candle order – I decided to order a tart (yes, just one lol) and a plug-in in the PINEAPPLE CILANTRO scent…knowing full well that I would hate it and give it to my husband for his office lol!  BUT – oh my Goodness – I absolutely love this one!  It is such a fresh fragrance…without being too fruity or flowery.  I’m not really sure that I smell cilantro OR pineapple lol…but whatever it is – I love it!  And…it really just smells like spring/summer and makes you want to open the windows and let the breeze blow in lol!  So…if you are a yankee candle fan…and haven’t tried this one yet – I say GO FOR IT (but know that your nose is different from mine and you might not love it as much as I do lolol)!

 

 For us…summer wouldn’t be summer without POPSICLES lol!  And, of course you can buy them at the market…but they are so much fun to make at home…and the kids can join in the fun!  Best of all – you get to control what goes into them :o)  We love to add fresh fruit, fruit juice and even sometimes put candies inside!  It is even more fun when you have cool POPSICLE MOLDS to work with!  The molds pictured above are some of our favorites (especially love that these are way less mess than store-bought popsicles…and nothing to throw away!).  So, here are links to our favorites – ORKA ice pops (you can even opt for chocolate brown which looks sooooo cool with the summer popsicle colors) — TOVOLO yellow groovy pop molds (classic and just perfect) — and, TOVOLO green shooting star pop molds (fun shape that everyone loves)!

 

 

Of course, I couldn’t have a SUMMER article here at the SHABBY SHOPPE blog without mentioning digi scrapping lol!  So, see above for some kits that are perfect for your fun and colorful summer photos :o)  I chose SPLASH, SUMMER COTTAGE, BOUNCE, GIGGLE BOX, SANDBOX AND ISLAND CHIC as they all have color palettes and papers that work really well with summer, lake, pool, beach, etc. pics!  So, have fun this summer and take lots of pics…and have your summer kit ‘stash’ ready!

Obviously, there are lots of other things you will need (or well…want lol) for summer…like sunglasses, sunhats, beach towels and blankets, outdoor toys, lemonade (lol), a grill, ice cream…I could go on and on (don’t worry though – I won’t lol) :o)

Have a GREAT Monday…and a super summer (in advance) :o)  Tomorrow, Nicole will be bringing you the PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT…then on Wednesday…Beckie will have a wonderful article for our FOCUS on PHOTOS series!  So, check back…and again – you really do not want to miss Thursday :o)  And, Friday won’t be too bad either lolol!

 

Shabby PrincessBeauty & Fashion, Uncategorized 3 Comments