The Dog Days of Summer

We wanted to share a few of our favorite things about summer with you! Feel free to share your favorites in the comments! Happy Hump Day, everyone!!! 

Attire:

If you are part of the Midwest like we are, your summers are hot and humid. Clothing isn’t optional so we’ve decided to share some of our favorite places to shop and what to wear. Most of my personal wardrobe comes from Target and Old Navy. If I’m heading out to dinner or a BBQ, I love throwing on a maxi dress, tying my hair up in a messy bun, and matching my dress with various colored flip flops. If I am working out in the garden, my favorite attire would consist of cut off sweat shorts and an Old Navy tank top. But my favorite clothing of all in the summer has been my gingham blue dress and strappy sandals.

Activities:

Summer months must involve water!  Whether it’s a pool, chillin’ on a boat or floating down a lazy river with a drink in hand, it’s the best way to spend a hot summer day and soak up that Vitamin D! But if you’re not a pool lover, the zoo is always a great summer escape.

Of course as a music lover, a summer isn’t complete without attending a concert or two!

      

Beach Reads:

Most of my favorite authors release their books in the summer because they know there is nothing quite like reading than by the pool or by the beach. My favorite spot to read this summer has been my front porch while drinking a tall glass of sweet tea. When I do have a chance to get away and read in front of the water, I always choose something from one of our favorites, Emily Giffin or Elin Hilderbrand. Who are you reading this summer?

Music:

There can’t be a summer without a good summer playlist.  My playlist is about a mile long so I won’t bore you with all of them!  Whether you are in the car with the windows down, at the pool, BBQing with family and friends or lying under the stars at night, you need some good tunes!  Some of these songs remind me of my childhood, some are kind of recent and some are just needed because they are ICONIC summer jams!  Maybe some are in your playlist too!

Pontoon – Little Big Town

Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

In the summertime – Mungo Jerry

Cheap Thrills - Sia

Fishin in the Dark – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Boogie Shoes – KC and the Sunshine Band

Cruel Summer – Bananarama

Hot in Herre – Nelly

Hotel California – Eagles

Low Rider - WAR

Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake

Summer Breeze – Seals and Croft

Summer Eats:

Food is a fabulous way to celebrate the days of summer. Between family barbecues and birthdays, we have Memorial Day to kick off the summer, the Fourth of July to celebrate our nation’s birthday, and Labor day to let us know summer is ending. Our favorite foods include kabobs, brats and hamburgers on the grill, salads and sweet tea on hot days, and fruit pies for dessert. We’re sharing our two favorite salad recipes with you that will be a great hit at any summer event.

 

Summer Salad                                                                          
2 tomatoes diced                                                                    
1 cucumber peeled and diced                                                
½ onion diced                                                                        
1 tbs olive oil                                                                            
1 tsp sea salt                                                                            
1 tsp pepper                                                                            
¼ c. crumbled goat cheese
fresh or dried basil to taste                                                    
mix, chill, and enjoy
 
Overnight Salad
Head of lettuce- shredded
Head of cauliflower-chopped
½ onion chopped
1 pound of bacon- fried and crumbled
1 c. parmesan cheese
Mayo- as directed
Directions:
Layer lettuce, cauliflower, bacon, onion
Top with sprinkled parmesan cheese
Place thin layer of mayo
Repeat
Chill overnight, mix before serving