Summer Essentials

Hey guys! I thought I might do a post on my summer essentials, so you could see what I am currently loving especially in the hot summer weather. So, let's jump into it:

1. Sunglasses - These I tend to get most often at Urban Outfitters (as you will probably see below). A cute pair for me is more than just a summer essential because I like to wear them in the car, too. Therefore, having a unique pair is a must.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Oufitters

Kate Spade

J Crew

2. Beach Bag - You will definitely want a cute beach bag when going to either the beach or the pool. There are all sorts of beach bags that you can get, but I prefer either something classic (a plain white or pale pink or any pastel color) or something graphic. Keep in mind the size of the bag because ideally I like to fit my towel, sunscreen, a water bottle, extra clothes, and various other knick knacks. Here are my picks:

Urban Outfitters

ASOS

Kate Spade

ASOS

(Even though this one is a little smaller, I had to include it because of how cute and practical it is, even if you do need to carry your towel separately)

The next few are some small pouches that would be perfect for holding either sunscreen, hair ties, sunglasses, or whatever else you may carry in your beach bag.

ASOS

Urban Outfitters

3. A Hat - People tend to have mixed feelings about hats, but I believe anyone can pull off a hat as long as they find one that flatters their face shape. The ones I picked are all from ASOS because they have quite a selection of hats on their website. I recommend checking out their website for more options and sizing.

ASOS

4. A Cute Summer Dress - This obviously looks different for everyone. I recommend buying new one to freshen up your wardrobe. Try to find one in a style that flatters your body shape, so you feel confident while wearing it. Whether it be an A-line, shift, or flare dress, be sure to find a cute, flirty one that you will wear all summer. All of my picks are from Zara this time because they have an amazing selection now, and the prices are affordable.

Zara

5. Statement Shorts - Personally, I find shorts quite difficult to buy because they are either be too short or they don't hit my hips right due to my high hipbones, but once I find a good pair, I wear them ALL THE TIME. Everyone should have those shorts that look absolutely adorable in photos and are easy to wear - not to mention they can show your personality through colors and styles. Here are my picks:

Zara

Mango

Zara

ASOS

Mango

6. Summer Shoes - If you know me, you probably know that I have a slight shoe obsession, so this was bound to end up somewhere on my list. I recommend having at least one pair of flip-flops (for the beach), one pair of sandals (that look cute with a lot of your summer wardrobe), and one pair of walking shoes or as I call them, city shoes (for traveling and sightseeing). Of course, this is solely based on your closet and personal preference, but maybe my picks can provide some inspiration.

Zara

Urban Outfitters

NOTE: These Birkenstocks are so comfortable that I would consider them city shoes.

Urban Outfitters

ASOS

7. A Swimsuit - There are so many different kinds of swimsuits and styles that it can be overwhelming trying to find one that looks flattering on you. At least, I know that swimsuit shopping is my least favorite kind of shopping. Often, trends don't look the best on my body type, and the only advice I can give is to have a good understanding of your own body and go from there. I also recommend having an open mind and trying styles that may not be standard. Here is some swimwear that I would be willing to try:

Zara

Urban Outfitters

Urban Oufitters

ASOS

H&M

8. A Beach Towel - This is an opportunity to either find something fun or something that goes with all you swimsuits. Here are my picks:

Urban Outfitters

H&M

9. Summer Makeup - During the summer, I tend to wear less makeup since I spend more time at home, but when I do go out, I love to wear bronzer, BB cream with SPF, and lighter eyeshadow colors. These are my summer favorites:

Tarte

Clinique

Bobbi Brown

Organix

(I thought I'd thrown in this sea salt spray because it gives the perfect amount of natural wave to get a beachy look)

10. A New Summer Playlist - This one is a must for me because this is the time of year when I listen to the most music (besides Christmas but that doesn't count). I am almost always looking for new music, but here are some songs that I have been listening to:

So, I may have just broken my record for longest post (this one literally took about 4 hours), but I'm really glad to have finally put it up. I'm excited to say that I will be traveling to Europe in a couple weeks, so expect an upcoming post on that. See you soon!