Need a little something to perk up the long, hot days of summer? From practical kitchen finds, treats for people and pets, activities for kids, must-see TV, and books, this month’s list of favorite things is bound to make those days a little more fun!
A Refreshing Pick-Me-Up
Ann was recently introduced to Tru Fru by her niece, Evie, who told her they are her new favorite summer snack. Soon after, Ann mentioned the find to several friends, who quickly got on board and reported their favorite flavors. The frozen bites are perfect to pop into your mouth when you want a little something refreshing and sweet. Evie says the raspberries and blueberries are the best, as the dark and white chocolate provide a lovely balance to the tart fruit. (Ann concurs!) Several friends are in the mango, strawberry, or cherry camp, and just yesterday a friend told Ann she tried the bananas, which are enrobed in chocolate and peanut butter. Her family agreed – and finished the bag in a day!
Clean or Dirty?
No more Post-it notes. No more answering questions about whether or not the dishes have been washed. And no more dirty dishes being added to the clean dishes! These dirty/clean dishwasher magnets are the perfect way to let your partner (or kids or roommates…) know what state the dishwasher is in. (Ann credits this find to her good friend, Christine, who was so delighted with her find, she sent Ann a quick video of her new tool, knowing that many of us would appreciate!)
Speaking of clean, have you seen the “soap nails” trend? It’s basically just a clean, natural look. “Bubble Bath,” the O.P.I color on the right, is the perfect polish to achieve this minimalist look. Ann likes, “Birthday Girl,” the sparkly Essie color on the left, as a top coat when she wants a little shimmer. She also finds these subtler colors are easier to do herself, as they are more forgiving for those of us who aren’t expert polishers!
Melissa & Doug does it again, this time with a fantastic Magic In A Snap! Abracadabra Collection Magic Tricks Set for your little performers aged 4+. Emily’s kids loved mastering each of the 10-piece tricks and then performing them in front of the grown-ups. Great for fine motor development and presentation skills, this set will keep the kids busy – and then the rest of us get to enjoy an adorable show!
GoGoLegoLady
What to do when your little one won’t sit still on car trips, at restaurants, or when you need to take them to a sibling’s soccer game? Don’t want to keep plopping them in front of a screen? These Lego binders provide a brilliant, contained space to bring the classic bricks anywhere, making life a littler bit easier and more fun!
The GoGoLegoLady’s binders are an on-the-go system with Legos stored in a zip pouch that is attached to the binder. The baseplate allows for lots of building and keeps the Legos on the binder rather than all over the table and floor. The ‘”Original” Lego binder retails for $35. The “Everything is Awesome” binder includes Crayon Mess-Free colorizing pages and special markers that write only on the paper (not on clothing and tables) for an even more creative experience for $55.
Apparently, citronella candles are out (recent studies showed they don’t work!), and spatial repellents are in. Thermacell Mosquito Repellent E-Series Rechargeable Repeller promises to keep mosquitos 20 feet away. Plus, it includes a 12-hour repellent refill and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts up to nine hours. Wirecutter lists this particular model as their favorite pick for size and ease of use. Ann bought one for Jack last summer and it really does help. A decent investment at $49.99, but a bug-free end of summer may be worth it!
Emily loves her new RORRY Portable Apple Watch Charger because she always seems to be running out of batteries at the worst times. It’s an all-in-one charger for phones, AirPods, and watches and it can hook onto your keychain. It’s a touch bulky for a keychain but worth it for sure. You will be so glad to have it when you need it!
The charger comes in a wide variety of colors, and retails on Amazon for $32.96.
Details can truly elevate a meal, and Jacobsen’s Infused Sea Salts are a great way to do so. The company now sells bundled slide tins for $38, which include five infused flavors plus Pure Flake Salt (Ann’s favorite flaky sea salt). A fun way to try a variety of flavored salts, these cute tins are perfect for general use as well as picnics, camping, or a gift for a friend!
Ann’s friend shared this photo of her darling dog with the brilliant Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Challenge Slide. The toy is ideal for dogs who get bored quickly and need an engaging activity to keep them stimulated. Pups can sniff and paw for treats as they discover the specific sequential steps needed to get to the tasty reward. Help from humans is optional, but likely not needed. The toy is also easy to clean and has no removable parts.
This puzzle is level 3, and $25.99 on Amazon. But there are other levels and price points available!
In The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, small town relationships and class divides are tested when young Barbara Van Laar goes missing from her bunk at a summer camp in the Adirondacks. The daughter of the wealthy family that owns the camp, Barbara’s sudden disappearance strangely echoes the disappearance of her older brother several years before. As her family, the camp community, and the surrounding townspeople band together to search for her, it becomes clear that nothing is quite as it seems—and no one can be trusted. The suspense never lets up as those who know Barbara (and those who know “of” her) work to untangle the complicated web of her disappearance under the specter of her family’s influence.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is a thrilling, hilarious, and truly original look into what happens when an average Londoner joins a secretive government organization working to bring expats from the past into present day to determine the viability of time travel. Over the course of a year cohabitating with a sailor from the 1800s, our protagonist finds herself enmeshed in era-spanning conspiracies, newfound friendships, and an unexpected romance.
If you’re flipping around for a new show to watch, here are a few to consider!
Emily, Ann, and many of their friends enjoyed the new Roger Federer documentary on Prime, 12 Final Days, which follows the star tennis player right before his retirement. You don’t have to be a tennis fan to appreciate it.
Ann and her extended family thoroughly enjoyed Fool Me Once on Netflix, which is a murder mystery turned conspiracy that will keep you on your toes.
Lastly, Eric is about a desperate father, alongside a tenacious cop, who battles his own demons on the streets of 1980s New York as he searches for his missing nine-year-old son. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch shows off his New York accent!
Tell us below, what have been your favorite things this summer?