Summer Favorites
Summer seems to be flying by at a rocketing pace. I find myself wanting to hit the pause button so we can savor every moment longer, with that in mind, I wanted to share my summer favorites.
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Patio Furniture
Over the last few days I’ve received many questions about our patio furniture. I plan on doing a post all about the final reveal of the pool area once it’s finished, but for now I thought I’d share our sources.
The loungers are by Ikea, and were a bargain at $149. The boys enjoyed helping us put them together. I love the gray and also love that they are comfortable and perfect with wet swimwear. We’re actually thinking of getting one more, that way we can all lay on them together. The boys have been fighting over one if Luke and I are laying on the other two.
The pillows are outdoor pillows from Crate & Barrel. I love the navy against the gray. I thought they wouldn’t show up dirt as much. They are currently on clearance $14.95 instead of $35. I found them on clearance. You can see the full range of Crate & Barrel pillows here, some great deals to be had.
The teak tables are by Signature Hardware and were a bargain at $95 a piece! I really love the design of these, as well. I couldn’t find this exact table on their site now, but they have lots of great and affordable teak here.
I shared some dreamy outdoor furniture a couple of weeks ago on the blog, too.
Bathing Suits
As you can imagine, we’re spending most of our time in bathing suits (either at the beach or the pool) and I was so excited to hear about a new to me company- Cupshe! Have you heard of it?
Bathing suits can be so pricey that I end up wearing the same ones again and again. Cupshe offers beautiful swimsuits at really affordable prices. To give you an idea. I ordered 4 bathing suits (3 one piece and a bikini) and paid $91!!!! Isn’t that amazing?!? Some shops sell a single suit for that! I crossed my fingers and hoped I’d love them.
Guess what?!?
I do! The suits are soft and fit well. I love the high cut leg, too, which helps me look a bit taller.
Water Wave Halter One-piece Swimsuit
I ordered all the suits in small but the bikini was a little too small. I contacted customer service and they offered me two different options. I’m going to use a code to order a replacement suit. So the suits are great – they fit well and the customer service was amazing. What more can you ask for? I actually have my eye on this one and this one.
Books
For me summer is a time to catch up on reading I’ve wanted to do all year! Our commitments slow down and I love reading in bed, by the pool, or at the beach. The boys are also getting along with their summer reading. Luke actually snapped this of us all doing our summer reading before we did the planting the other weekend 😉
The boys both have books they need to read for school, but they are avid readers anyway. Conor is reading The Wild Robot and John is reading The Girl in the Blue Coat. I’m reading The Emperor of Shoes which I’m LOVING. It’s about a father and son and their shoe company in China. I’m excited to meet the author of this book and The Late Bloomers Club at Buttonwood Books in Cohasset in August. My mom and I have signed up for a dinner with the authors.
In June I finished two of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s novels. You may remember that I interviewed her here on the blog a few years ago, click here for the interview. Her Peach Tree Bluff Series is lovely, especially at the beach. It’s a series about a mother and her daughters and I fell in love with her characters and the southern setting.
Here are a few more books that I’m currently reading or will be reading this summer:
Never the Less Memoir by Alec Baldwin
The Friend was actually written by our cousin. She is a fabulously talented writer and this is her 2nd thriller. The first was amazing. I Am Watching You is really good, too. I’m hoping to interview her soon in my Creativity Over Coffee series.
Day Trips
The summer for us is about Staycations, especially this summer, since we put the pool in. There are so many great places to visit close to our home. We have lots planned from a day in Boston, a trip to the North End for Italian, and a few museums. If you’re local, I recommend the following:
We took a day trip to the Boston Harbor Islands with my mom the other day. We went to George’s Island and Spectacle Island. The above photos from Spectacle Island. The beach is strewn with pottery shards and sea glass – heaven for me. You can read more about it here.
Clothes
Lastly, I’d love to share a few comfortable clothes I’m loving for the summer months. I think you guys all know how much I love J. Jill. My friends there sent me a few summer pieces that I’m absolutely loving.
This top is one of my favorites. It’s the Textured Elliptical Top in White. I’ve worn it in the garden with jeans but to the Harbor Islands with a cute skirt. It’s so cool in heat.
Nights by the sea can be chill, as you know. I’ve been living in this outfit.
Some days the weather is too cold for a swim. On those days I’ve been wearing this tunic and these tie cotton pants.
So those are a few things I’ve been LOVING lately. What are you guys reading and loving on for summer? Can’t wait to hear!
Danielle, I just ordered the pillows from Crate and Barrel. They will be perfect for my navy Adirondack chairs!