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Happy almost Memorial Day Weekend!
In the United States, this weekend marks the beginning of summer, and is filled with red, white, and blue parades in honor of the military, casual outdoor parties and picnics, and of course, the return of white jeans.
We’re in for an unseasonally chilly, rainy weekend here, but I’m optimistically thinking hot-weather thoughts and hoping for sunny days!
Whether it warms up this weekend or not, summer, with its late sunsets, sweaty tennis games, lazy beach days, and vacations, is upon us, and I’m thrilled. I was raised in a hot, humid place, and feel well-qualified to handle the heat.
Here are the things I rely on each summer to stay cool and stylish, entertain effortlessly, and make the most of my favorite season!
My summer uniform consists of a rotating cast of loose cotton or linen dresses—always with pockets! Here are 5 options to throw on and be dressed for the day:
Organic cotton sleeveless swing dress - in several colors including gingham!
I recently upgraded my stash of white, navy, and black cotton t-shirts and am reveling in the fresh, new feeling! I like a loose fit, crew neck, and non-see-through fabric…
Necessary for cool mornings and evenings, air-conditioned movie theaters, windy days on beaches or boats, and of course, airplane rides.
Organic cotton striped crew sweater in several colorways.
Adorable cotton-linen short-sleeved cardigan, and here’s a long-sleeved cardi in stripes!
Cotton, long-line, higher-neck in solid and stripes: my summer go-to!
When a dress won’t do: perfect for boat rides, long walks, and wearing with a swimsuit for a casual lunch or dinner!
Tailored. I’ve been wearing my tailored Vince shorts for years!
Laid back linen. I have these in white, plus they come in many colors and patterns.
I love a summer glow-up, but am very careful about sun exposure, especially on my face, so I like a little extra “help” from these self-tanning drops and shimmery body oil!
A fancy French shimmering dry body oil for a golden glow!
The anti-aging tinted moisturizer / SPF45 I wear every day, year-round. It magically adjusts to the color of your skin tone, so you never need to color-match!
A few drops of this added to your evening facial moisturizer give you a subtle (safe!) tan!
Entertaining is always worth it, but rarely entirely “effortless,” so here are some ideas for making your gatherings a little easier and lovelier…
Striped flatware pocket placemats. I love these nifty cotton placemats for summer table settings. They come in plain and striped—I have the blue stripe and am eyeing the chambray!
Gorgeous sweet or savory cookies! Delight a host/hostess—or impress your guests—with a box of these handmade gourmet mini cookies. They come in both savory and sweet, and every flavor is addictive: my personal favorite is cheddar-chive.
The Easiest Appetizer. Ever since reading this piece by Jenny Rosenstrach I’ve followed her three-piece strategy to give guests something tasty but not too filling to nibble on pre-dinner. I typically serve salt-and-vinegar potato chips, a bowl of olives, and some nuts.
⛱️I love SO many things about summer, especially doing everything I can outside: eating, reading, playing tennis, lounging by pools and on beaches…What’s your favorite—or least favorite—thing about summer? It’s my favorite season, but I know it’s not everyone’s!
A long summer weekend calls for some serious downtime, and zero guilt! Here are some buzzy books, movies, and TV shows to consider…
📚TO READ
Yesteryear: The “tradwife” novel everyone’s talking about. It’s a fast-paced read with a twist that has both delighted and disappointed readers, and provides a lot of fodder for book club discussions!
The Things We Never Say: Elizabeth Strout’s latest novel, set in New England, follows a teacher who discovers a life-changing secret. I can’t wait to read this!
London Falling: Patrick Radden Keefe’s latest closely-reported true-life story of a family devastated by the sudden death of their nineteen-year-old son, who was living a secret life in London’s dangerous criminal underworld.
June Baby: Set during the summer on Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island, this novel is billed as a tender coming-of-age romance.
The Fine Art of Lying: a murder mystery set in the rarefied world of the Manhattan art elite!
For more ideas, here’s The Atlantic’s Summer Reading Guide!
📺TO WATCH
Rivals Season Two: if you’re in the mood for something soapy and seductive, this series is set amongst the badly behaved wealthy in the British countryside in the 80s, based on the beloved Jilly Cooper books.
Off Campus: a new steamy hockey romance series set on a Canadian college campus that seems perfect for everyone who loved Heated Rivalry!
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed: a new dark comedy/thriller series with a description that has me very intrigued: “…newly divorced mom Paula falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder and youth soccer. Convinced she witnessed a crime — while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis…”
Marty, Life Is Short: this is an inspiring and heartwarming bio of the beloved comedian, with cameos from his MANY famous friends.
Catch up on the latest episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Hacks and Widow’s Bay, and the entire season of Rooster.
At the movie theater this weekend: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, Hugh Jackman in The Sheep Detectives, and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
A very warm welcome to this week’s 163 new subscribers. I’m so happy you’ve joined our thoughtful, wise, and fun crew! If you’d like to catch up, you can peruse every issue of Happy on Purpose right here.
📢 Some news: I’m working on an exciting new project that I can’t wait to share with you. I’ll have more details in next week’s issue, but for now, here’s a hint! 👀
Have a wonderful week and weekend. Coming up, a 5-minute miracle, genius life hacks, and this year’s best books, TV, and movies…
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