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10 Things You Should Definitely Do This Summer
A non-exhaustive list of everything fun our Brand Editor is doing between now and September.
A few weeks ago, I made a promise to myself that I would only book something “big” every other weekend this summer. By “big,” I mean overnights, houseguests, or any trip that requires more than an hour in the car. With my friends and family mostly vaccinated, I knew it would be pretty easy to schedule myself into an overwhelming, unmanageable state of anxiety, and I wanted to protect my sanity. But guess what? I totally, epically failed.
It’s not even Memorial Day, and I’m currently looking at a calendar booked straight into mid-August. Go figure. I guess the only thing I can do now is roll with it and tweak my original plan. My new rule is this: Just have the most fun possible. It’s as simple as that.
Here are 10 things I am going to do to have the most fun this summer—even if I need to sleep through the entire month of September to recover.
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Become a Boat Person
According to my friends, I have “boat person energy.” I think this means they’d like me to own a yacht one day (mostly for their benefit), and yeah, sure, that would be nice. But until then, I’ll be faking my nautical know-how with an outfit that looks the part: The Caitlin shorts in ink or the Milo jeans in fawn, paired with the striped Alina T-shirt or the Samara sweater in navy and ivory. I’ll top it off with the Koio sneakers in white, because heels on a boat seem really dangerous.
Eat Like an Italian
One of my favorite things about summer is the produce—particularly big, fat heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and peaches at their peak juiciness. I love to make a salad with all three, plus burrata, and eat it while sitting on a porch or in a backyard, surrounded by birds and bees and greenery. It reminds me of everything that’s great about Italy, and I’m going to make a date with myself to do this at least once a week.
Turn Work Clothes into Cover-Ups
My button-downs and blouses didn’t get a lot of attention this year, but now it’s their time to shine. The Bridget top looks remarkably sophisticated when worn over a sleek black bathing suit at a hotel pool, as does the Lagarde. Heck—I might even put a blazer on over a bikini top for an instantly chic going-out ensemble.
Finally Embrace the Color Pink
When I lived in New York and went into the office every day, my wardrobe was 80% black and white. But those days are long gone, and to be totally honest, I’m loving it. This summer, I’m embracing everything pink. My three favorite pink tops include the Choe and Annika in rosewater, and the Paige tee in soft pink. All three look great paired with the Mejia pant in rust, and the Koio sneakers in azalea transform this simple outfit into a tonal statement look.
Meet for After-Work Drinks
One thing I’ve missed all year is meeting a friend for a drink after work on a random Tuesday or Wednesday. I’m so looking forward to sitting outside at a cute little spot, sipping a Paloma (to go with my love of pink), and catching up on whatever said friend is reading, their work drama, and their weekend plans. I’ll be adding one of these hangouts on my calendar, stat.
Dress for Revenge
I’m still not over the idea of revenge dressing, and I’ve been doing a lot of it. These days, all I want to do is dress to the nines and strut down the runway in my head to make up for all the sweatpants and non-outfits I wore last year. Right now, I’m loving the off-the-shoulder (ooh la-la) Dae top, paired with skinny FRAME jeans or the Rowley skirt. Depending on the day’s plans, I either go full drama with the Ella sandals or lean toward comfort with the Koio sneakers in smoke.
Sleep Outside
I’m not much of a camper, but I could see myself really enjoying a night under the stars if it includes a cashmere sweatsuit, a pair of fuzzy slippers, and access to running water. So this summer, I’m going to convince my husband to set up a tent in the backyard and spend a night roughing it…sort of.
Wear a Rainbow of Dresses
Here at M.M., we’ve dubbed this the Summer of the Dress, and we really mean it. I’m in the middle of stocking my closet with an entire rainbow of dresses: the Aditi in rhubarb, the Hayden in canyon, the Dylan in tuscan yellow, the Lara in rainforest, the Kaia in azure, the Etsuko in claret, and the Joslyn in multicolor. Too much color? No such thing.
Be the Ice Cream Sundae Aunt I Always Wanted
Multiple flavors of ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries—I promise to always have the makings of a perfect ice cream sundae available in my kitchen for my nieces, nephews, and any other kid (or adult) who wants one. Come over whenever.
Make Zoom Fun Again
This is a tough one. Most of us are so over Zoom, or at least over trying to pretend it is anything like in-person interactions. That said, I’m still working remotely, so I do feel the need to mix things up every now and then. I’ve found the best way to have fun with Zoom is by giving my jewelry collection a refresh. This summer, I’m picking up a few new pieces, including the chunky-chic Herma necklace, the crystal-inspired Wangari earrings, the bold Briar earrings in julep, the unexpected Lizzie ear cuff, and the Rayna bangle because it really goes with everything.
Written By
Caitlin Abber
Caitlin Abber is the Brand Editor at M.M. LaFleur, and an award-winning writer and content creator. Over the last decade she has held senior editorial positions at MTV, Women's Health, Public Radio International, and Bustle, and has bylines at InStyle and OprahMag.com.
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