I love spending time outside reading. Or staring into space? Or both! And I have a few things that I love to have with me to make my outside time more comfortable, whether I’m in my back yard or traveling somewhere.
Recently Amanda had a goal of sitting outside on her porch with a book and some beer, and asked if we had chair recommendations.
I did, and so did my dog, Zeb. We bought these zero-gravity recliners in 2020 and use them on the beach (they fold up) and in the yard. They’re very comfortable, and now the two-pack comes with cupholders! Ours do not have cupholders.
My elderly dog, Zeb, also loves these chairs and steals them when one of us gets up. He loves these chairs and recommends them for major snoring naps lasting two hours.
Elyse: We are going on vacation in June. I found this on Amazon, it’s reasonably priced, fits in a carry on and has good reviews. My skin comes from my Swedish / Irish ancestry so I need a barrier from the sun.
I got these beach pillows, too:
You can get cooling gel inserts to put in them. I thought they’d be good for camping too when it’s a bajillion degrees at night.
Sarah: I’ve mentioned these before, but since I am allergic to the venom of all the insects who think I am a delicious snack, I try to keep them away through multiple methods. In addition to bug repellant to avoid ticks, I use these when we have dinner outside:
Usually I light one about 10 minutes before we go out side to eat, and stick it in a planter on the table. The scent seems to be very effective!
I also put this very basic fan like this one on the ground to blow bugs away from our legs:
If I can keep bugs from biting me, I am sparing myself days of irritation and discomfort.
I also love having music on outside when I’m reading, and have a new Bluetooth speaker this year that I really like!
It doesn’t weigh a lot (just 13oz) so I’ll bring it on vacation, too. One of the ways I like to make a hotel room or condo feel more welcoming is to put music on when we’re hanging out.
One of my closest friends sent me this tumbler (which I routinely type as “Tumblr”) two summers ago, and it’s now my favorite “I am relaxing and probably drinking gin & tonic” glass.
Having a special glass for relaxing time reinforces the idea that it’s G&T&Outside time and, also, it’s really pretty.
The double-walled construction means it doesn’t get condensation on the outside, and my drink stays rather cool, too.
I also really really like this one.
I might have to have two Special Outside Drinking glasses.
Finally: sunscreen. The best sunscreen is the one you wear.
Wear your sunscreen, please! I’m someone with a lot (A LOT) of sun damage and I go to the dermatologist every 18 months to have a check on all my spots. To quote my dermatologist as he looks at the absolute galaxy of freckles and spots on my back: “You…have a lot going on. Like, a lot. Do you wear sunscreen?”
I DO NOW.
My favorite for faces is this one:
I wear it every day, and it doesn’t give me pimples or sting when I put it on. Win!
I will use whatever sunscreen I have in the house if I’m at the beach or in my yard, but my current favorite is Sun Bum SPF 30, which I found as a buy one get one 50% off at CVS (WIN!):
So we’ve got chairs, tents, bug repellants, drinking glasses, and sunscreen. What else do we need for Summer & Outside Time? Please tell us your favorite must-haves in the comments!
I too have fair skin with not only freckles, but also many moles on my back and chest now. In the last few years I reach for a rash guard anytime I’m in the sun. It’s just so much easier than worrying about reapplying sunscreen (and I live in Florida so this is a must basically all the time).
I just ordered this adorable set that comes with matching bottoms and the top has a built in bra which is about impossible to find:
2 piece rash guard long sleeves
Emily C your link comes back to this page, I need to know what you have bought!
Help!! I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong with the link but it’s still coming back to the Smart Bitches page. I’m trying to link here:
Daci Women 2 Piece Rash Guard Long Sleeve Zipper Bathing Suit with Bottom Built in Bra Swimsuit UPF 50 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WHZZ7JD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1XWFHQPZEGKC64XXT0BR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I agree about rash guards! I’m not comfortable showing skin (to people or the sun) and I hope if I ever get to the beach again (not since fall 2019) I’ll finally feel up to going in the ocean with one…
I’d also love to see that link to the one with the built in bra, mine doesn’t have that.
That Tribit bluetooth speaker lives in my house and not a one of us with any of our phones seems to be able to get it to work consistently. I got completely fed up with bluetooth speakers because when they drop out, the phone doesn’t seem to know and stays muted. I’ve tried moving them farther apart, keeping them close…nothing works. I just enjoy the speaker on my phone, such as it is, lol!
@Emily C, that works! Thanks for the link. I’m not sure I want something with such skimpy bottoms, yikes, but it’s not a bad price for just the top…
@AtasB- I bought the ‘Blue’ color scheme which came with boy-short style bottoms and the top has cups sewn into it. I think the tops with a zipper may not have the cups.
I’m small chested so the sewn-in cups were enough for me and the bottoms covered like other similar styles which overall makes me feel so comfortable at the pool or beach. I’ve also worn the top alone when working in the yard and may pick up another set for our upcoming Disney trip.
@EmilyC that’s perfect! I get such bad sunburns and heat rashes. Ordering now!
I love my zero gravity recliner! I pop in some earbuds and do my meditation outside on nice days while I’m in my chair. My times I doze off!
YES! BEACH TENT!
I love my beach tent. I have convinced 4 different friends to purchase beach tents. They are amazing. You can lay in the shade and read and nap and *not get a sunburn!*
They are the best!
For everyday face, neck & chest (seriously, from someone who is mid 40s, do not neglect your neck & chest!) I use this Pacifica daily sunscreen https://www.pacificabeauty.com/collections/suncare/products/sea-c-mattify-protect-daily-priming-lotion-spf-35
And I’m not big on daily makeup, (for me makeup is an artistic expression I really go all out in when I do it) but in the summer I add this powdered base daily as well for added protection: https://janeiredale.com/products/purepressed-base-mineral-foundation-refill
Also be sure to moisturize before applying sunscreen-it truly helps. This will sound weird, but I use an HA serum I get from Trader Joe’s (it’s $10) under my sunscreen. If they are out (which sometimes they do run out) my backup is witch piggy hell pore serum (I just don’t like that there’s a light fragrance added).
And for burn care I rely on kukui nut oil ever since a friends Hawaiian grandmother introduced me to it. Seriously. Order some to have in hand.
Ooo, the fan and the incense, SUCH a good idea! I will need to adopt that this summer, especially as I now have a litter of kittens living under my deck and attracting all sorts of bitey things. (They’re not mine, they’re my neighbor’s; the mom kitty decided my deck was quieter than their house. Although admittedly I’d adopt one or two if I wasn’t severely allergic.)
Being also extremely sun-sensitive due to medication, I use Banana Boat SPF 100 Sport Sunscreen. It comes in a convenient spray can, so no having to rub it in or spread it around and ending up with areas with too much or too little, and faster for those applying it on impatient, wiggly kids. It’s also waterproof and sweat-proof so good with outdoor activity. I have used this for two-hour tubing sessions on the Chattahoochee and emerged unburnt. It’s good stuff.
@EmilyC: And the long-sleeved rash guards aren’t too hot to wear away from a pool or source of water? That’s put me off getting one, even though these suits look great. I won’t swelter?
@Emily C Good to know, I’ll probably stick with the swimming friendly bra thing that I think I still have, then, since I’m not so small. I don’t really know what counts as boy shorts; since I never wear anything that shows above the knee I don’t pay the shorter stuff much attention, but I don’t really see any styles there that would work for me. Sadly as men’s lengths have begun to climb it’s been getting harder to find anything at all for myself, but I think I’ve still got a couple pairs of swim shorts that will still fit, tho I’ve been losing weight over the pandemic.
@AtasB: I get the Swimsuits for All catalog because I am Rather Gifted in the Chest Department and they have different shorts in the latest catalog in a bunch of different inseam lengths: https://www.swimsuitsforall.com/
I really like meundies new swimwear. It’s size and gender inclusive, with neat prints
https://www.meundies.com/collections/swim
I’m kinda addicted to their rompers and jumpsuits too!
https://www.meundies.com/t/everyone/dresses-rompers/jumpsuits
“What else do we need for Summer & Outside Time?” A good book or ten!
@Darlynne- I was comfortable enough wearing it to work in the yard and walk the dog last weekend for a few hours. It was in the 80s here.
In the middle of summer when it’s 98 degrees with 80% humidity in Florida I probably wouldn’t spend that much time outside not near a pool or at the beach.
this brand has sun protection clothing: https://www.coolibar.com/
Late to the party but for those of us allergic to sunscreen, I recommend Sunday Afternoons hats. They have ones with adjustable brims if you are driving and they stay on securely.
PENNY I had no idea MeUndies had rompers! I just ordered one – and with code SUNNYDAYS you get 30% off – woot woot. Thank you so much!
@SB Sarah – you are welcome! I just discovered them myself this year, and basically plan to live in them all summer. If you do the subscription thing (which I finally gave in and did – I just get the socks to maintain it), then they regularly have 50% off sales. There’s one right now for the weekend!
Hello! Does anyone have recommendations for natural hair care? I’ve had a hard time finding anything! I have curly and frizzy hair and the frizz just does not let up in summers! Hoping someone knows!