2024 Summer Favorites

Before transitioning into shorter and cooler days, we’ve rounded up our top 10 summer favorites. From beauty to fashion to food, choosing a handful was a challenge, but there are a few you can take into fall and others you can save for next year’s summer. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might incorporate a few of our favorites into your last summer days. Or, if you have good taste, you‘ll have a few that match up with some on our list. 

1. Denim Skirts

Mini, regular, or maxi denim skirts elevate a summer outfit. Denim skirts are versatile and comfortable and deserve a spot in your summer wardrobe. Dress them up with a fitted high-neck sleeveless top and kitten heels for a dressy date night outfit, or swap the top for a bright-colored tank top and the heels for sneakers for a casual yet comfy day outfit. Maxi denim skirts were a hot staple last fall and continue to make an excellent addition to a wardrobe capsule, but mini denim skirts add extra spice to every summer ‘fit. 

1. Warm tone blushes

Adding color to your wardrobe, home, or makeup routine is vital during summer. It’s the best time to experiment with warmer hues, and we love playing around with orange and red blushes. Whether you enjoy liquid, cream, or powder blushes, orange, red, and warm-tone pink shades add a pop of color to a simple outfit. A few affordable blushes we’ve repurchased are Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Joy, NYX Buttermelt Blush in Feeling Butta, and Milani baked Blush-Radiant Powder Blush in Corallina. 

1. Tinted Lip Oil 

Lipsticks and matte lip creams sometimes feel heavy on the lips, so we swapped traditional lipsticks for tinted lip oils. They’re lightweight, non-sticky, and give your lips a glossy punch of color. You can wear them alone or pair them with a lip liner for extra definition and to accentuate your lip shape. Lip oils nourish and hydrate your lips for hours, so you don’t have to reapply as often or run errands with dry lips. Well People’s Lush Lip Tinted Lip Oil in Desert Poppy and e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Lip Oil Glow Reviver in Red Delicious is a couple of lip oils we’ve kept in our handbags all summer. 

1. Pool Days

Living on the coast gives you full access to beach days, a privilege. However, I don’t enjoy being covered in sand, swimming in the cold ocean water, and having my snacks stolen by birds all the time, so I’ve spent most of the summer hanging out by the pool instead of the beach. Pool access can be difficult if you don’t have one at home, but many hotels offer day passes to enjoy their resorts or hang out at a public pool to cool down on hotter days. It’s a more relaxing experience, where you can tan under the sun without dealing with sand or birds. The pool water will still be cold, but it’s much more enjoyable than being attacked by the ocean waves. 

1. Fun Summer Jewelry 

If you’re a minimalist who doesn’t typically experiment with bold colors in your wardrobe or makeup, incorporating fun accessories, such as jewelry, can help take your outfit to the next level. I’ve hopped on the charm necklace and bracelet train, which has led me to purchase materials to make jewelry at home. It’s become one of my favorite hobbies and creative outlets, letting me disconnect from social media and be more present. Other fun summer jewelry options include pearl necklaces, rings with colorful stones, and beaded bracelets. If you don’t have the materials to make jewelry, shop from a local shop to add unique pieces to your collection. 

1. Lemon-flavored baked goods 

Summer is when you can eat many flavorful fruits, such as apricots, mangoes, blueberries, peaches, and strawberries. The best thing about summer fruits is that you can use them to bake in various ways. My favorite summertime baked goods are anything with lemon, whether a blueberry lemon loaf, lemon bars, or strawberry lemon muffins. The sweetness from the fruit and the tartness from the citrus are addicting, light, and fresh. On the other hand, it takes minimal time to make the bread; it’s perfect for get-togethers, a treat after dinner, and a gift for someone special. 

1. Walks around the park  

Soaking up the sun is necessary when the summer days grace us with sunshine and warm weather. You don’t have to go to the beach or have a pool day to enjoy the day because parks exist for us to enjoy, too. I take my morning and evening walks at the park instead of around my neighborhood, especially on warmer days because you have the trees to offer you some shade. You’re also closer to nature, giving you a break from the same scenery of houses and passing cars, which can help put you in a better zen state of mind. Always wear protective gear to prevent sunburns, and apply sunscreen wherever you walk.

1.  Tote bags

Summer is about being light; you travel light, wear light layers, and eat light yet fulfilling foods, but the only exception to my light theory is using a tote bag to pack it with everything you might need, from books to journals to coloring books to an extra pair of shoes to snacks to a small makeup bag. The possibilities are endless when it comes to filling a tote bag. It’s the ideal bag that prevents you from carrying around multiple bags. I typically fill my tote bag with my current read, a pouch filled with smaller essentials, a water bottle, a few snacks, and a journal. Things that you can’t fit in a shoulder bag deserve a spot in your tote bag. Plus, tote bags are made in various colors with exciting designs, so there’s one that will fit everyone’s interests.