5 Things I’m Loving Right Now – Summer 2020 Edition

Summer 2020 is upon us! But right now, we are still dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and, at least for me, all of the things that I was looking forward to doing this summer were either canceled or postponed. So, while I won’t be able to ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier or lay out on the beach without a care in the world this time around, I have been striving for a change in perspective. I found some little joys and little wins that have made me feel like everything is alright after all, even though life is very different.

I have found 5 things that have given me joy so far this summer, and they’re not expensive either! Three out of five are from Target, my favorite retail paradise.

1. Chesapeake Bay Reed Diffuser in Sea Salt Vanilla

My original intent was to purchase a candle, but my husband has a very sensitive nose, and I didn’t want to risk having to throw out said candle if the fragrance was too strong. So, I went with a reed diffuser. I wanted something light and beachy that reminded me of being on vacation somewhere on the coast of North Carolina. I bought this Sea Salt Vanilla one online based on the scent description, and I ended up loving it so much! Every once in a while, you get a whiff of vanilla and freshness. The scent description says vanilla and “ocean”, but it really does remind you of that subtle salty smell of the ocean. Transport yourself to your dream beach vacay while staying healthy at home with this reed diffuser. I can’t wait to try some of the other scents. 

2. “Becoming” by Michelle Obama

I have not actually read this book yet (I know!), but I am so jazzed that I have some time to finally get around to reading this. And it’s for several reasons. Michelle Obama is not only a classy first lady, but I look up to her in so many ways. I see myself in her and I look up to her as a role model. Not only are we both women of color, she grew up as a high achieving black girl in a society that didn’t expect her to succeed, she went to Princeton for undergrad, just like I did, and pursued a professional degree. I can’t wait to read in more detail about her life experiences. I fully expect to be inspired, and if you haven’t read this one yet, you should! There is also an audiobook available on Amazon.

3. Zak! 30oz insulated tumbler (Yeti Knockoff)

I bought this tumbler I wanted to keep my coffee hot for longer and keep my water cool all day long. Yes, this is a Yeti cup knockoff, and it is so, so affordable. At Target it is $9.99 full price, but I picked mine up from the clearance shelves and paid around $5 for it. I was curious if it would keep my drinks cold all day as well as the $40 Yeti tumbler, and I think it does a pretty good job. I can fill up my cup at 9pm before I go to bed with ice water, and when I wake up in the morning, there is still ice in the cup! There are neutral colors available if you don’t care for this peach pink shade. I might even snag another one.

4. Ella + Mila Nail Polish

I wanted to find a “clean” nail polish to add to my beauty routine this summer. Though at-home manicures are all the rage right now because of the quarantine, I don’t want to spend too much money on nail polish. So, I shopped online at Target and found this one. This is a 7-free nail polish line, with lots of beautiful colors. I have had this nail polish on for a whole week and my nails have barely chipped. This current manicure could definitely go another week! I also found a great top coat from Sally Hansen’s “good.kind.pure.” line that I am sure is also helping to keep my manicure looking great.

5. Paula’s Choice Hydralight Mineral Sunscreen

This is my favorite sunscreen right now. It’s a mineral sunscreen, but it doesn’t go on white like some other ones I have tried in the past. It also doesn’t leave your skin greasy and is great for layering underneath makeup. This is not the cheapest sunscreen. It is $29.00, but it lasts me about 3-4 months. Paula’s Choice is a great brand known for their transparency in their ingredients. They’ve got a lot of other awesome products you can check out. Read my post on my Paula’s Choice product review to learn more about some of their products, including this one.

I hope this post brightened your day and gave you some ideas for making your summer season everything you want it to be!