Hey friends! I’m back with My Five Favorites, the fun and ever-changing series on the first Wednesday of the month along with Jennifer at Dimples & Tangles, Kris at Driven By Decor and Pam at Simple Details! This month we are thrilled to have Sheila from Maison de Cinq here to guest host along with us!I “met” Sheila on Instagram and adored her from the start – she’s so genuine and kind, and I love her Southern Californian home and easy breezy casually chic aesthetic!Visit Sheila’s recent coastal inspired tablescape post, or take her summer home tour here! Welcome Sheila, and thanks for hosting with us today!
This month we’re sharing some of our favorite summer essentials. Do you ever buy something that you just love, and have to tell your sister or friend or niece about it? Me too. So here we go – some must-haves for your summer!
Cute Summery Shoes
I bought these wedges a few weeks ago and LOVE them. So cute with blue or white jeans, soft and comfortable, not too high, easy to walk in and are perfect when you are desperately in need of a pedi 🙂 They come in a gold metallic and these black ones are tempting me too.
These striped wedges are similar to the flat black Soludos ankle tie espadrilles that I talked about in my Mother’s Day post – I wear them alllll the time, and think the blush pink version is so cute too!
Here are a few cute pairs to breathe new life into your summer wardrobe (just click the photo to check them out!)
Bright colors for summer nails!
Watermelon is my perennial favorite, and apparently Hannah’s too because I have to dig through her room to find it every time!
Mod Square • She’s Pampered • Come Here • Watermelon
Weekender Bag
Are you planning any fun weekends away this summer? We’re looking forward to spending a couple weekends at the Cape as well as our 16th annual weekend at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire with two other families. Our kids have gone from newborn babies to high schoolers and now college kids over the course of these yearly weekends!
For quick jaunts, I’ve been looking for a black bag that is light to carry but also has wheels so it can double for airport travel, ample enough for a couple days’ worth of clothes and shoes, but small enough to be a carry on, and found this one at TJMaxx/Homegoods.
It has “vegan leather” findings vs. genuine leather, but for $60 it’s great for light travel, and I love the option to wheel it.
As of this post going live, this particular wheeled duffel I found is sold out online, but here are a few similar ones that are mid-priced, lightweight and have wheels!
Self-Tanner
Hands down this St. Tropez Self Tan Express mousse is the best sunless tanning product I’ve ever used, which makes the fact that it’s twice as expensive as other ones ($44) more palatable. What I love about it: NO funky smell, NO orange tint, and it only takes 1-3 hours vs. many of the home self-tanning products that “cure” overnight.
The only con I can think of – it feels slightly tacky the whole time it’s on, but after 15 minutes or so you can throw on some light clothing and that doesn’t disturb the application. As with any self-tanning application, having someone nearby that can put it on your back is super helpful!
I loved an Aveda self tanner that is no longer made and no other products have ever measured up. This winter before Mark and I went to Arizona and I was all sorts of winter white, I read tons of reviews before buying this, and it’s really the best one I’ve used. I also bought the applicator mitt after reading in reviews that this gives a more even application, and I really like that too. I apply the self tanning mousse for the least amount of time (1 hour) for just a subtle healthy glow instead of my winter ghostliness.
Rosewater Mist
Years and years ago I read an article about Liv Tyler in which she extolled the virtues of spritzing rosewater on your face. Right after reading the article I saw a bottle of rosewater at my hair salon and tried it. All these years later I still use rosewater especially in the summer! Keep a bottle in your car and you will LOVE it on a hot and humid day when you get back into your sticky car after doing errands, trust me, it’s so refreshing!
I am not married to this brand above – I’ve tried a bunch – but I did just buy the lavender scented one (they are often in those stands where you wait in line at Ulta and Sephora, I can’t resist!)
Check out these recipes for homemade face mists that refresh and hydrate the skin.
Sheila says
I love these posts so much! I always learn about some new, fun things and this was no exception! LOVE the espadrilles, and I’ve been looking for a better self-tanner so I’ll definitely be trying that! And rose water! I would have never known but the thought of spraying it on when I get into the hot car (which in the summer is a daily occurrence) is super tempting!
Thanks again for having me Lisa! I really appreciate you including me:)
Sheila
xo
Pam @ Simple Details says
I’ve heard of that self tanner so many times, I definitely need to pull the trigger and try it! And the wedge sandals look so fun and summery, and comfy! Love your pic, your hair looks so cute! 🙂
Jennifer Griffin says
These are great, Lisa! Darling shoes, and you’ve convinced me to try rosewater the next time I see a bottle!