A Cozy Guide to Summer
Music, Movies, Books, and more!
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Hello friends,
Happy Summer!! June 21st marked the first day of summer and to my benefit, the East Coast hasn’t caught up yet. The past week I’ve woken up to gloomy mornings and have walked out of the office to windy afternoons. I know it’s only a matter of time before New York City turns into a sauna on overdrive and my commute to work becomes absolutely unbearable, but I’m determined to not let the humidity bother me this summer (it 100% will)
I’ve compiled a list of some of my summer favorites for you plus some things I want to check out as well. I’m seeing the girlies talk a lot about having a nostalgic summer and I’m fully here for it!! Hopefully you join me in checking these gems out.
Bevvys!
Fruit smoothies!!!
I love a good smoothie, especially to fight off the summer heat. During the summer I love to indulge on mango smoothies, pineapple smoothies & when I’m feeling extra nostalgic, a cherry smoothie is my go to! When I was younger and would visit my family in DR, my cousins and I would play in my aunt’s backyard and yank off the cherries right out of the trees to eat them. I highly recommend making these as refreshing as possible by making them with water and adding a splash of lime.
Special Lemonade
I love a good lemonade but for this summer we’re kicking it up a notch and making it tropical. To make this special lemonade all you’ll need is lemons (duh!), mangoes, pineapples, water, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and ice. Blend the pineapples, mangoes, sweetened condensed milk, and a splash of water until smooth then stir in the squeezed lemon juice, a bit of water, and sugar to your liking! If you’re looking for a different kind of lemonade, I highly recommend this creamy, cherry, hibiscus lemonade.
Fun fact: my family and I always make lemonade with limes – I guess technically it’s a limeade, but in Spanish they’re both called lemons so we’ll stick to lemonade!
Iced tea
This is your sign to restock your Lipton Iced Tea for the summer! One of my favorite summer treats and favorite ways to end the night. If you’re feeling extra whimsy, buy a pack of drink umbrellas and make some garnish with fruit peels!
For a different flavor profile, switch the oranges for mangoes! If you couldn’t tell, mangoes are my favorite fruit and I basically put them on everything all summer long.
Music
Movies + TV
Activities
DIY bookmarks
The theme is nostalgic summer which means it’s time to get CRAFTY. I used to make almost every decor/accessory I found on Pinterest or in a YouTube video. An easy and affordable way to make the long summer afternoons pass by is to make your own bookmarks. All you need is some cardstock, markers, and whatever accessories you want (diamonds, beads, ribbon, lace)
Cross stitching or Needlepoint
My mom used to cross stitch and needlepoint every summer and I always loved watching her do it. She’d even let me help her sometimes!
Thrifting & refurbishing
If you’re in the mood for shopping, thrifting is so in this summer. Create a whole new wardrobe by going on a thrift crawl and if you find some pieces that you’re not sure about, make it into something you’ll love.
Make some jam
Strawberry, rhubarb, apricot, raspberry, the world is your oyster!
Learn a new card game
My mom and I love playing cards. Recently I noticed that even though I’m an expert on computer Solitaire, I’ve never actually played it IRL. Please hold while I teach myself.
Create a dance routine to your favorite song
We’re having a nostalgic summer and for me that means spending my afternoons creating dance routines to my favorite songs. This was something I did every summer as a child. I wasn’t a dancer by any means (though I thought I was), but it was a fun way to spend a couple hours.
Visit the Zoo (bonus if you get Dippin’ Dots)
I LOVE the zoo. It’s a great way to get your steps in, there’s Dippin’ Dots, cute animals, AND you can probably get in for free/at a discount if you’re a student or have a library card with an affiliation to a zoo.
Go to an outdoor movie or have a themed movie night
I discovered an outdoor movie at a park and have been taking my family there every summer for free movie nights. It’s such a great way to spend a Saturday. If there are none in your area, I recommend picking a movie and making food/snacks/bevvys inspired by that film to enjoy while watching. Extra point if you get PJs that match the movie!
Make use of the library
The library is such a wonderful place to spend the summer. It’s free and bursting with activities for you and your family.
Make an everything but the kitchen sink sundae
I loved when Dylan (Sarah Hyland) made this in Geek Charming. It’s the perfect way to end a Friday night in the summer when you don’t want to go outside.
Become a popsicle making expert
A couple summers ago my family & I bought a popsicle mold from Ikea and spent the whole summer making different flavored popsicles. We then had to buy another mold in Marshalls because we would run out of the ones we made very quickly. This is such a fun and affordable way to stay cool during the summer.
Books
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Funny Story by Emily Henry
You, With A View by Jessica Joyce
Swept Away by Robyn Carr
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
The Summer She Went Missing by Chelsea Ichaso
The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore
What’s your all time favorite summer song? The song that makes you feel like the sun is shining on your face, the air smells like the ocean, and you instantly know everything is going to be okay?
Although summer is not one of my favorite seasons, I genuinely enjoy the summer vibe. I love when May comes around and I get to start my summer Pinterest board or when it hits June and I get to write my summer bucket list in all sorts of crazy colors. It’s also the time of year when I feel the most nostalgic and just want to spend my days watching comfort movies and making crafts. I hope this summer is one of the best ones yet!
With love & a cup of coffee,
For collaborations, sponsorships and/or book reviews, please don’t hesitate to reach out by email: tathyscozynook@gmail.com or by responding to this newsletter! If we aren’t already connected, feel free to check out my Goodreads, Storygraph, or Letterboxd!
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Have a happy & safe week!