My Slowed-Down Summer Bucket List
20 easy, breezy things I want to do
I used to lament the languorous summers in the South, but I’m learning to embrace them. Half of my friends leave for the whole season, and it gets very hot and humid. That being said, it’s the perfect time to slow down. I like how quiet the city becomes, that I can easily get a reservation anywhere, and that there’s less pressure to be social. I have two trips to France planned (one for a retreat, one with friends), and I’ll be in L.A. a bit, but otherwise I will be here in Charleston.
I was inspired by this post by my friend to find more ease and calm in my life. I constantly say that I want to slow down, but don’t listen to my own advice. I pack my calendar with social plans, take on additional work projects, and commit to things I am lukewarm on. I am not going to do that this summer. I am going to have an unhurried, relaxed summer. I want a summer that is full of the best things: creative projects, time outdoors, long walks, good books, deep conversations. This is my reminder that saying no often means saying yes to myself. Here are my current priorities:
Paint, even though my enthusiasm outshines my skills. (We talked about that here.)
Work-free weekends. It’s not because I am *so busy* or drowning in work (I am my own boss!), but sometimes I just let my work spill into the weekends. I am trying to give myself stricter boundaries here. My therapist suggested that creative projects (like writing, for example) are OK, but anything tied directly to my blog or business? Save it until Monday.
Make shell barrettes and headbands with my niece.
Air dry my hair. I don’t even know what my natural texture is anymore. It’s something between wavy and curly. It’s just too humid for constant blowouts.
Spend at least 15 minutes outside every morning (weather-permitting). It is the best way to start the day.
Make paper flowers
A crafternoon with my mom, sister, and niece where we decorate our Brightland olive oil bottles (My friend/the founder Aishwarya generously sent over a few of these paint & pour sets and I can’t wait to do them.)
Eat the tomato tart at FIG at least three times. (It’s back on the menu as of last week!)
Learn more about film photography and have fun experimenting with it! I want to be fully comfortable with my new camera by the time I leave for France at the end of this month.
Reupholster my couch. I am thinking chartreuse velvet.
Get my gutters cleaned out. OK, this is not a fun one but I’m putting it here because it’s definitely a top-20 priority. My dad keeps nagging me. It’s really just about making a phone call.
Get out to the beach, more often. It’s 20 minutes away, but I am lazy and often stay home.
More nature, more time spent outdoors.
At least one day trip to Edisto. Maybe even rent a house for a couple of nights. It reminds me so much of Cape Cod, where I grew up. I feel so happy and relaxed when I am there.
Plan a fun day trip with my boyfriend and his kids. Maybe Legoland? Honestly, I’ve always wanted to go.
Nurture my creativity and take a whole week off from work. I am doing a creative retreat at the beginning of next month and can’t wait to unplug, paint, flea-market hop, and more.
More solo pool days or afternoons. I love entertaining, but I also love just being back there by myself or with one friend with a good book or needlepoint project.
Make more frozen cocktails or mocktails. I have this fun blender that is just for frozen drinks—it is the best. Here is a good list.
Host a dinner party.
Make gazpacho. (Anyone have a favorite recipe?)
Everything I Read in May 2025 — it was a strong month of reading; I read 10 books!
The best Father’s Day gifts.
Rainbow stripes! I love this edit so much — give me all of the color for summer.
An under $200 edit of (mostly!) classic Summer staples.
Hot tomato summer! All of my favorite tomato-inspired pieces: fashion, fragrance, and more.
I also updated my review of Jones Road Beauty after trying a few new products. I really love this brand!
Big week of books. We had a lot of rain, I had a lot of cancelled plans!
I finished reading Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. I loved it. I can’t stop thinking about it. I cried so hard during parts in the ending. It’s definitely a contender for best book of 2025, hitting all of the spots — literary, thriller, romance. (Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon)
I also finished reading We’ve Decided To Go in a Different Direction by Tess Sanchez Greenfield. I listened to this and just adored it. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, you will laugh and cry. An amazing collection of essays that you’ll read very quickly. (Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon)
I read Tell Them You Lied, by Laura Leffler over the weekend in a couple of sittings. This is a messy story about a toxic friendship between two young women at art school (and living in New York afterward). I couldn’t put it down but it was uncomfortable, twisty, and upsetting. (Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon)
I started A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall on a Sunday night and finished it on Monday. It started a little bit slow for me, but by the end? I was hooked. I nearly skipped my evening walk because I couldn’t put it down and needed to know what happened. A woman with a rough past has landed the man of her dreams. She gets an eerie sense of familiarity when he brings her to the family estate. And begins to feel unsafe. I loved the plot. Creative and twisty! (Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s new book, Atmosphere arrived on Tuesday, and it was cause to drop everything (well, sort of, after work!). I read it in two days and loved it. It’s two things at once: a thriller (there is a very challenging NASA mission) and a queer romance. Stressful, but also romantic, with strong female characters you root for. I could not get enough. Highly recommend! (Order on Bookshop.org or Amazon)
On audio, I am listening to Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. It’s hard to listen to; I have a lot of complicated feelings about Biden (and Tapper, too!). I haven’t gotten very far listening to it, to be honest.
Ina Garten Gazpacho is great
For #20- NYT best gazpacho recipe is sooo good