June 1st…. hard to believe that we’re here already! I feel like just yesterday we were wearing oversized knits + distressed jeans. We’ve had a slew of May Gray days over here, but with the weather taking a warm turn this coming weekend, I’m looking forward to pulling out, and using, all my favorite summertime items on a daily basis. So today, I’m sharing all my favorite summertime essentials… from sunscreen to beach bags… nail polish to slides….

Annnnd, a quick little note about being confident in your skin this summer season. I remember after having Harper and going on a trip to Hawaii 6 months later. While I was ecstatic to be in Hawaii… being in a bathing suit, not so much. What it taught me was that the most important thing was being comfortable and confident in what I was wearing…. because when you feel that way, in anything you’re wearing, you’ll feel amazing. So, while I’m sure I can always pick pieces of my body I don’t like, I want Harper to grow up with a mom who demonstrates a positive body image. And while I’m not perfect in that demonstration, I’m certainly working on it. I mean, can’t I just be as happy as little miss is in a swim suit, belly out and all??!……

Swim Suits: I feel fortunate that we have relatively warm weather year round, so I’ve been able to test out quite a few suits and share my current favorites with you! This striped, cut-out Abercrombie suit has great bottom coverage, and people who have purchased it have shared great feedback with me. My all black, cut-out suit fits perfectly too…. and these high waisted white bottoms have great coverage all around. I recently bought these olive green bottoms and tan gingham bathing suit top and love them paired together (I also pair this asymmetrical suit top with the white bottoms above). And, this white ruffle back suit was recently restocked! Harper and I recently got these matching suits (details below) and I’m just a little obsessed with the matching. My favorite suits for Harper include this two piece black and white gingham suit, swan suit, black asymmetrical suit, and floral ruffle bottom suit.

Cover-Ups: I bought this beautiful mauve/blush maxi cover-up dress in February and have brought it on all our trips since. With a slip, it easily doubles as a happy hour dress too. These sage green cover-up pants are amazing… super cute with my target suit. I also think this pareo is a super easy option to toss on as a cover… and can be worn around the waist or around the chest… two different looks that are super chic. This rainbow romper + knit romper are both excellent pool to happy hour options. I wore both during the day and then for cocktails + s’mores roasting. I’m also obsessed with this white lace kimono… and such a great price. For Harper, this sage green embroidered dress was a favorite in Hawaii… and I also bought her this little lace kimono.

Sunscreen: Ok, so I’m on the quest to find a non-toxic sunscreen…. and I know that Beauty Counter just released a new one (have it on the way). I haven’t tried it yet, so I can’t report on its effectiveness… but if you’re on the hunt, it could be a great place to start. I was using, and was very happy with, SunBum, Coola, and BabyOrganics… yet read this article, and was very disheartened. I’ve been so happy with them.

Beauty: My skin has a tendency to get dry in the summer months, so I try to up my moisture. I’ve been loving the TULA aqua infusion gel cream (oil free) and this new power liquid serum (they work amazing together). They both help to make my skin feel soft and supple (code SHANNON for 20% off). For my body, this Raw Sugar lotion has worked wonders… and smells SO good. Annnd, this coconut non toxic deodorant has been amazing! Oh, and my favorite white nail polish is from OPI infinite shine.

Hats: Loooove a good head cover… and this one is my summer favorite right now. It’s packable and easily rolls up. I also love this straw visor… and this straw hat has been a favorite straw hat for years (I own it in two colors).

Hair Ties: I bought these scrunchies (yes, you read that right) for Hawaii and love that they hold my hair in place without damaging it!

Bags: Summer bags are always my favorite! I bought this macrame tote for Hawaii, but have used it so many times for running errands… and this tote (last seen here) is the best for long days at the beach or pool. It’s incredibly roomy and so adorable (the straps are very sturdy, so it feels like it can withstand a lot). I can fit two beach blankets, sunscreen, sandals, snacks, and a few other small essentials. For evenings and daytime use, this has been my favorite round tote for the past 3 years… and this macrame tote has become a favorite this season.

Sandals: Maybe one of my favorite parts of summer… a good sandal and cut-offs. My current favorites are these white slides (I also own in black), this little bow pair (super padded), and this rainbow slide…. I also wear these tassel slip-ons all the time (actually bought them last summer). These white, horse-bit, slides + gold strappy slides are perfect for something a tad dressier. For the beach and pool, I own these TKEES and they’re a great option. For Harper, hands down these jellie sandals are her favorite. She literally brings them to me all the time, and she can easily take them off on her own!

Towels: I know this seems like a strange category, but when we have evening picnics at the beach, I like having a soft blanket/towel to sit on… and this one has been a fav this season. We used it the other evening when we headed down for dinner on the sand.

Work-Out Wear: While I love wearing leggings to workout in….sometimes it’s just way too warm in the summer months. A few favorite, warm weather, pieces I’ve discovered (and have been wearing on repeat) include this tank (literally, wear all the time), this cropped distressed tank, biker shorts, and these regular shorts (which can have the length adjusted, see post here). The rainbow trim on this sports bra makes it my favorite for summer!

That’s it! I’ll be sharing a review on my favorite denim shorts next Thursday, so stay tuned!!
___________

(Outfit Details || My Suit Top | Suit Bottoms | Harper’s Suit… use code SHANNONSWIM for 20% off | My Hat | Harper’s Hat (which matches mine))