☀️ Summer Essentials I Actually Use
AKA: Things that keep the chaos survivable and the vibes human
Look, I love a good curated summer aesthetic as much as the next person, but most “essentials” posts either want you to spend $400 on sheer linen or pretend hydration is a personality.
This list is not that.
These are the things I actually use—in the woods, by the lake, in the car, while chasing kids or writing stories or pretending I’m going to clean a closet.
Affiliate links included. They help keep the iced coffee full and the blog running. But I’d share these either way.
🛋 The Robe That Does It All
Kimono Style Lightweight Robe
Light, pretty, and gloriously comfy. You can answer the door, hop on a FaceTime, or write a memoir in this thing. Year-round staple, but summer is when it shines.
🐝 Summer First Aid MVP
Prid Drawing Salve
Bug bites? Splinters? Angry mystery spots? This is magic in a weird tin. The packaging looks like it came from your great-grandmother’s pantry. That only adds to its power.
☀️ Sunscreen Without the Drama
Babyganics Sunscreen Stick + Kabuki Brush
Gentle, low-tox, and kid-tested for years. The brush is essential if you have sensory kids (or are one yourself). Smooths on like a breeze and prevents the dreaded lotion freak-out.
👂 Earbuds That Don’t Hurt Small Ears
JBL Wireless Earbuds
These are a miracle for those of us with tiny earholes. Great sound, no ache. I wear them nonstop and they’ve outlasted every other brand.
🩳 The Summer Pants I Live In
Flowy Wide-Leg Pants
Every print is a vibe. Every fit is forgiving. They grow and shrink with you and get compliments even when I’m wearing them to pick up a grocery order. My husband makes fun of them. That means they’re perfect.
🌟 Teen Skin Saver
Hydrocolloid Acne Patches
My kids swear by these. They do their full skin routine, then wear these overnight or to school. Keeps hands off and pimples calm. We call them "stealth healers."
🔍 Guilt-Free Extraction Tool
Looped Comedone Extractors
No picking rule in our house—but these help remove blockages gently when the pimple patch lifts. A must-have for skin-curious teens.
☀️ Ginger-Kid Survival Shirt
Long Sleeve UPF Fishing Shirt
My redhead wears this all day at the rive or by the laker. Hood up, sleeves on, sunscreen-free, and not burned. Moisture-wicking and actually wearable.
🎧 Over-Ear Noise Blockers for Rage Cleaning
JBL Over-Ear Headphones
When the earbuds aren’t enough. These block out chaos beautifully. Perfect for blasting a Spotify list while rage-cleaning a closet to hide from your children.
🧥 The Summer Sleeves That Don’t Trap You
Lightweight Summer Pullover
Perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a light arm layer in the woods. Breathable, non-binding, and weirdly stylish.
🚗 First Aid That Travels
Welly Compact First Aid Kit
This lives in my car and has saved us more times than I can count. Stylish, well-stocked, and kid-proof.
✒️ Cursive Isn’t Dead (and Still Good for Brains)
Cursive Handwriting Workbook
We’re brushing up on cursive this summer—not just for fun, but because it’s linked to brain development and fine motor growth. It’s screen-free magic with benefits.
🎬 Old School Flip Book Fun
Create-Your-Own Flip Books
We’re making motion pictures by hand over here, and it’s been surprisingly fun. Screen-free, creative, and oddly relaxing.
🧺 Turkish Towels That Changed Everything
Turkish Towel with Carry Bag
These dry fast, pack small, and are way better than bulky beach towels. Everyone in the family has one. We keep them on the boat and in the kids’ lake bags.
👗 My Summer Uniform
Button-Down Summer Dress + Comfy Bike Shorts
I own several. Pockets, flattering, comfy, and perfect with a pair of buttery bike shorts. I hang dry them to avoid the button seam pucker.
🧵 The Backup Turkish Towel
Classic Turkish Bath Towel
We use these like we’d use any towel: lake, picnic, light blanket. Minimalist perfection and quick to dry. Worth having more than one.
That’s the list!
Stay tuned for my Road Trip Essentials post—it’s weirdly specific and very worth it.
Thanks for being here. Clicking through to purchase helps support this blog and lets me keep sharing what’s useful. If you have summer must-haves, drop them in the comments—I always love to try the weird things that work.
—Amber
bike-shorted, robe-wrapped, and currently by the fan
