Summer is here! Albeit it looks a little different than summer pasts…it’s still here and it’s a beautiful thing.
There is so much to love about summer and with only three months of it – there is a lot to fit in within a short amount of time.
It’s no secret that this summer is going to be slower paced with fewer big events to attend…is it really so much of a bad thing? I don’t think so. This will most likely be the one time in our lives where we all get to enjoy the leisurely pace of the warm months ahead.
To have the opportunity to slow down. To have smaller gatherings and more meaningful conversations. More time to kick back, relax, enjoy a cold beverage, and a good book. Preferably in a hammock.
We all can use a little self-care (now and always) as we work through so much that is happening around us.
A pandemic, social injustice, massive calls for change.
With the heaviness of our current environment and the fact that the summer that we are used to is on pause this year, here a few ways I am setting out to enjoy life in the upcoming months.
Low key, social distance hangouts.
It’s really weird to not be hanging out in massive groups of people while at a music fest or going to the annual backyard Fourth of July parties. This summer is all about smaller get-togethers, picnics in the park, two-person tie-dye parties, and smaller BBQ gatherings. It is what it is.
The plus side, it’s made for some really wonderful conversations and more one on one time with loved ones. There’s also an element of creativity which makes it a bit more fun to come up with unique ways to hang.
Here are some old school summer ideas to inspire you.
Morbid
Here’s the deal. Sometimes I need to not listen to stuff going on during this exceptionally intense moment in time. So what do I do? I throw on a podcast all about murders and true crime. Yup.
This one is for all the true-crime junkies out there. The two gals in charge of Morbid don’t mess around and get down and dirty with the details, so keep that in mind. On the bright side – they crack me up at the same time. All about balance!
Whether it’s this podcast or another one, throw one on and get a project at home done or go on a beautiful, long walk.
Gardening
The smell and terpenes from tomato plants teleport me back to my Grandma Manos’ garden. I spent so much time with her picking, plucking, and pruning her vegetable plants. Those moments are some of the fondest I have as a child and surely sparked my love for gardening at an early age.
Waking up early to water my plants with a cup of coffee, in my robe, is my form of summer meditation. I adore watching them grow and learning how to care for them best. Recently, I planted flowering succulents adding a little sparkle of California vibes to my urban outdoor setting. They literally and figuratively brighten my day.
Tie-Dyeing
2020 is going to go down as the summer of tie-dye. If there is something white lying around my house, trust that it won’t be that way for long.
Tie-dyeing brings me back to my summer youths. Our mom would set up buckets of dye, we’d wrap rubber bands around a bunch of t-shirts, and we would go to town!
I have found it is just as fun as an adult as well. Perhaps even more so because I like to plan each project out a bit more and make items for gifts. Soooo yeah, if you’re my friend or family – you know what you’re getting for Christmas this year.
This is my favorite site for ideas. I’ve been very pleased with this dye so far this summer, but it’s hard to find so snag it when you can. Stay tuned, a tie-dye post is coming soon!
Watching old school summer movies because they are the best.
Here are my top summer movies of all time:
The Goonies. The Burbs. What About Bob. Stand By Me. League of Their Own. Now and Then. The Sandlot. The Big Chill. Dirty Dancing. Mystic Pizza. The Talented Mr. Ripley. Jaws. Weekend at Bernie’s. I Know What You Did Last Summer. The Parent Trap (1961), Dazed and Confused. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. How To Make an American Quilt. Parenthood. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. Troop Beverly Hills. Indiana Jones. Jurassic Park. Back to the Future. E.T. Muriel’s Wedding. My Girl. The Notebook. Sleeping with the Enemy. National Lampoon’s Vacation. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
Micro-dosing with cannabis.
A low dose of THC (2.5 – 5 mg) is an excellent way to enjoy a summer day. It’s the perfect amount to add a little magic to your day without going overboard or inducing anxiety.
My absolute favorite and go-to microdose edibles are Mindy’s gummies. They’re consistent and delicious, so be careful with that – you’ll likely want to gobble them all up.
Pro tip: suck on your edibles, don’t just chew them up and swallow. The longer they linger in your mouth, the faster you’ll feel the beautiful effects.
Here’s a quick guide on cannabis.
While we’re on the topic…CBD.
CBD does a body and mind good. It’s as if the plant was created to align beautifully with the human body. Did you know that we have within our body, the endocannabinoid system, which receives CBD (and THC)? Yup! It’s a match made in plant heaven.
My favorite brand of CBD is Chicago’s very own and women-owned Equilibria. I use the Extra Strength daily drops for overall mental and physical maintenance to help manage stress and everyday minor aches and pains. For other issues like lower back pains and cramps, the CBD infused bath soak and relief balm works wonders!
Pro tip: Just like THC gummies, hold the CBD oil under your tongue for as long as you can. Shoot for one minute. It will be delivered faster into your system that way.
Use our code: thesisterproject to recieve 15% off of your order. Here’s more info on CBD and how it works.
Road trips, sunsets, and lake houses!
Living in the midwest gives you a plethora of options when it comes to finding a place to escape for a long weekend away.
Whether it’s finding something off of Lake Michigan or a cabin on a smaller lake in Wisconsin or Indiana, there are so many options that are just a short road trip away.
We recently spent some time in Traverse City, MI (pictured above), and enjoyed a little bit of South Haven, MI on our way back down to Chicago. Both are so different and majestic in their own ways.
Last summer we took a road trip to Door County, WI which I highly suggest! The fish boil is a must and the sunsets are pure magic. Here’s more on that trip, here. Mackinac Island, MI is another must experience midwestern treasure.
There’s no law with the claw!
Oh, man. I don’t know why, but never in a million years did I think I would love boozy seltzers like I do. Why must they be so damn refreshing and delicious? I am a huge fan of sparkling water as it is so it’s actually no wonder I’m in love with this summer cocktail sexiness.
Not all hard seltzers are created equal. Some are better than others for various reasons. I love the hint of flavors in White Claws, especially the mango and the black cherry. Truly’s passion fruit is unique and reminds me of tropical vacations. And Loverboy’s Mango Peach Spritz – which is more of a craft cocktail in a can – is delightful! We have not tried, Two Chicks canned cocktails, however, we will be. It’s women-owned and check this out, here’s a quote from their founder, Megan:
“Two Chicks was born out of my passion for encouraging women to embrace one another and connect. I just felt like there wasn’t anything in the market that really embraced qualities of empowerment, inclusivity, and connection.”
Not to mention, their packaging is on point.
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