I think it is fair to say that we all deserve to have a good summer, Corona or no Corona.  I’ve been trying to remain optimistic throughout this whole situation, and I really believe your life is what you make of it.  You can choose to adapt to the situation in a positive way, or you can take the other route and only focus on the negatives.  Sometimes it is just more difficult to stay positive, especially when it seems like there is nothing good happening.

You probably already know this about me, but summer is my absolute favorite season.  I love the sun, the warm weather, the good times, the vibes……everything.  I freaking love summer, okay?

You’re like, “yeah, we get it.  Now get on with the show.”

So I’ve been thinking about what activities I want to do this summer, and I came up with this list.  A lot of these things can be done if you are still in quarantine (again, we are trying to remain optimistic here but just in case this is still the scenario).  These things can be done alone, or with your friends and family.  So basically, I wanted a wide variety of activities.

1.  Have a picnic

I think picnics are aesthetic.  Now mind you, there is good picnic weather and bad picnic weather.  Good picnic weather is sunny, about 70 degrees, and not too windy.  I’ve only been on a few real picnics in my life, but I think it is such a cute idea for a nice summer day.  Plus, you can even have one in your own backyard if things are still looking bad.

2.  Drive-in movie

I have been wanting to go to a drive-in for the longest time.  I have only been once, but I think it would be so fun to go, bring some snacks, and watch a movie on a warm summer night.

3.  Pool day

This speaks for itself.  When you think of summer, a lot of people associate it with swimming.  That is something I feel like I don’t do enough of.  Even if you don’t have a real pool or can’t go to one, you can get a little one just to dip your toes in, which I have noticed are super popular on Instagram right now.

4.  Bonfire

Bonfires.  Another staple summer activity.  This is something you don’t even have to leave your house for and can be done with however many people you’d like.  Roast some marshmallows, tell some scary stories (just not around me please), and break out those campfire songs.

5.  Go to a fair

You already know how I feel about fairs.  If it is summer, the fair is the place to be.  Assuming they still happen this year (fingers crossed), they are such a blast and who doesn’t like some good fair food?

6.  Go to the zoo

Obviously, the reason I go to zoos is to see the penguins (I heard they have some other interesting creatures there too).  However, going to the zoo is such a fun time and I think it is a great activity for a nice summer day.

7.  Go to the park

This probably sounds like a very cliché and boring thing to do.  But just hear me out, going to a park and taking a nice walk or having a photoshoot is a blast.  Find one that you haven’t been to before and do some exploring.  Just make sure you stay 6 feet apart from any people you may encounter!

8.  Go for a bike ride

Biking isn’t for everyone, I completely understand.  I personally have found it to be a very enjoyable activity during the summer.  A lot of parks have nice trails for biking, or you can just go for a quick ride around your neighborhood.  If you don’t have a bike, roller skating or skateboarding are equally exciting and fun.

9.  Ice cream

I’m sure we can all agree that going to get ice cream is a must.  I always look forward to spring, when all the ice cream places open for the season.  This also makes for a good treat after a nice walk or bike ride.  Comment down below your favorite ice cream flavor (mine is chocolate chip cookie dough).

10.  Road trip

Okay but I’ve always wanted to take a road trip.  Not like a road trip where you just go to one destination, but one where you stop at several places along the way.  It doesn’t have to be super far either; in fact, you could do a one-day trip going somewhere just a few hours away.  I get major vibes from just driving with the windows down and listening to music, so going on some kind of a road trip is definitely on my bucket list for this summer.

11.  Tie-dye

I don’t know if it’s because of quarantine and people are getting board, but somehow tie-dying has become super popular.  There are so many things you can make with tie-dye- shirts, pants, hats.  Literally anything can be tie-dyed.  Just make sure you’re careful and let everything dry before wearing/using it.

12.  Mini golf

You don’t have to be a pro-athlete to play mini golf.  This is such a fun thing to do during the summer, even going to an indoor one is fun for rainy days.  It’s also a great activity for multiple people, so grab some buddies and go play mini golf this summer!

So those are some things that are on my bucket list this summer.  I tried to include a variety of things and a lot of these activities can be done if we are still in quarantine.  I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, and I will talk to you guys again soon!

7 Ways to Stay Healthy and Fit This Summer

I am so excited to finally announce that…SUMMER. IS. HERE.  For me this means: a trip to the beach, staying up late, bonfires, the county fair, and of course the most important part, no school.  Although so far my summer hasn’t been all that exiting because all I’ve done is binge watch 13 Reasons Why Season 2…but that’s not the point.  Anyway, now that school is out I want to try to post more this summer, so keep an eye out for more new posts.

            Summer can be quite busy for some people.  Traveling, parties, festivals, and all kinds of things can fill up our summer days.  During all this it’s easy to get distracted from our healthy habits and lifestyle.  So today, I want to share a few tips that will help you stay on track during these next few months.

We all get bored of eating the same things all the time.  This summer, instead of getting lazy and converting to a junk food diet, try some fresh new healthy recipes.  Pinterest has a variety of easy, healthy recipes that are perfect for summer.  Try some fresh salads or cold veggie wraps for a delicious, healthy meal after a long, hot day.

I don’t know about you, but I get tired of doing the same workout routine after a while.  Summer is the perfect opportunity to switch things up a bit and try some new exercises.  Or if you don’t want to change everything completely, try your current routine in a new order.  If you keep the same routine for a long time, a) well it just gets boring, and b) it makes exercising a little more interesting when you have something new to try.  Try a few different things and find what works best for you and your body!

It’s summer.  The weather is finally warm, and the great outdoors are practically calling your name.  Take the opportunity to be outside and enjoy the season.  Buy some yard games such as corn hole, latter ball, or a badminton set (which you can find at stores such as Walmart or Target for pretty cheap).  Evenings are the perfect time for having a nice fire in a fire pit.  Take advantage or warm weather and don’t forget to wear sunscreen (because no one likes sunburns)!

No more schoolbooks….so that means there’s plenty of time for what I like to call pleasure reading.  Summer is the perfect time to spend your days outside reading a good book.  Set a goal for how many books you hope to read this summer and finish them!  I like to get on Goodreads to check my “to-read bookshelf” and read reviews on books I’m thinking of reading.

5.  Tan naturally

Exercising doesn’t always have to mean squats and lifting weights.  You can easily stay fit by doing some fun things.  Try bike riding on some trails, going on hikes, or even swimming a few laps in the pool.  These activities keep you active and are enjoyable, plus you’re having fun and it doesn’t even feel like a workout!  Grab a friend to do these things with to make it even more fun. 

I know this is something you should be doing all year, but during the summer, it is especially important to stay hydrated.  Heat strokes are a real thing, but you can avoid that by drinking lots of fluids.  This summer try to stay away from sugary and energy drinks that are unhealthy and bad for your body.  Try to drink as much water as possible (I usually try to drink 64 oz. a day) and you’ll be good to go for the summer!

Spring DIY: Flower Wall Hanging

Good evening (or afternoon, morning; whatever time it is for you)!  I asked you guys on my social media what kind of posts you want to see in the near future, and I’m here to deliver your first choice, which was a Spring DIY.  While I was looking for inspiration, I had a hard time finding something that wasn’t too difficult or Easter themed.  I came across these flower wall hangings, and I thought these would be the perfect thing to make because one, they’re super easy, and two, you can even leave them up through the summer!

            This project only takes about 30-45 minutes in only 5 easy steps!  The supplies cost under $10.  The items you will need are:

Step #1

Cut 4 strands of ribbon, each about 4 feet long.

Step #2

Start cutting the stems off the flowers with your wire cutters.  Make sure to leave about an inch left to have something to tie the ribbon on with later.

Step #3

Lay the ribbons out on a flat surface and start to organize your flowers to where you want them to hang on the ribbon.  Make sure to scatter them so you won’t have just rows.  You want them to be organized, but yet not look organized if that makes sense

Step #4

Starting at the bottom, begin to tie the flowers onto the ribbon.  Make sure you tie them tight.  I double knotted mine just to be safe.  Also make sure you leave room at the bottom.

Step #5

Tie your finished ribbon onto the stick, about 2 or 3 inches apart.  Then, hang your new decoration up! 

And that’s it!  Super easy and simple.  This will make a perfect decoration for a party or photo booth.  The bright colors re perfect for spring and even summer, and the best part is, they won’t die on you! 

Happy crafting!

FALL IS UPON US.

But let’s be real for a second.  I honestly don’t understand why people like fall so much.  It means summer is over, school starts, and the weather gets cold.  What’s so great about those things?  Anyway, I ‘m excited because I have a bunch of fall themed posts planned for the next few months, so make sure you keep updated with my blog by signing up for email updates and following my social media so you’ll be the first to know when I publish a new post.

Today’s blog is all about things to do during fall.  I guess some people call this a “bucket list” and I’ve never made a bucket list before, so let’s see how this goes.  All these things are things you can do on dates, with your best friends, or even by yourself (who needs other people anyway?).  So if you’re bored, hopefully this list will give you some cool ideas of things to do instead of sitting in the house and watching the leaves turn colors.

I went to my first corn maize ever last year (as pictured at the beginning of this post) and loved it!  This is a great fall activity when the weather is nice, and it’s super fun as long as you’re not scared of getting lost…….or of the critters that live in the corn.

I’m way too scared to set foot in a haunted house.  The thought of it creeps me out.  But if you’re looking for a creepy fall adventure, a haunted house is the activity for you.

Did you ever take a field trip to an apple orchard in school?  Guess what, that was probably years ago so it’s time to revisit.  Fall is harvest season so it’s always a good time to pick apples.

This doesn’t have to be for Halloween, if you’re one of those people that aren’t allowed to celebrate it.  Have your friends over, make hot chocolate, and dress up in your favorite costume. 

You can’t even find regular food at the grocery store anymore without it being “pumpkin spice” flavored, which is very annoying for people like me who absolutely despise any kind of food relating to pumpkins.  But if you are a big fan of pumpkin, try some new recipes this fall with pumpkin or apple ingredients.

Have you seen all the creative things you can do with pumpkins?  Hop on Pinterest or create a new design that will be sure to win.

Want some cute fall clothes?  No need to go to the mall and spend hundreds of dollars on 2 shirts.  Find a local consignment shop and track down some trendy clothes- for cheap!

You don’t need a photographer or a nice camera.  Put on some fall colors, grab a few props, and take some Instagram worthy pictures with your iPhone in your backyard!

You can do DIYs any time of the year, but look for some fall craft ideas online or redecorate something you already own!

Some days, it’s just too hard and too cold to leave the house.  These days are perfect for a cup of coffee, a blanket, and a good book.

I hope these things gave you some ideas for the upcoming season and let me know if you have any other ideas!  As always, thank you for reading and I’ll talk to you next time!