Beat the Summer Heat
Summer is here, and it's time to cool down and chill out! And, oh boy, what a HOT summer it is! I've put together a list of my favorite must-haves to help keep you refreshed and comfortable. From stylish fans to my favorite refreshments to my picks o...
Refreshments
My favorite refreshing beverages and snacks especially for hot days!
My favorite of all time soda! Cheerwine was created right here in NC and my dad introduced me to it when I was very young. I remember he called it “Cherry Wine.”
I could eat this every day! And you can make it in 10 minutes flat.
The best bottled water I've tried. Take a sip and you'll be a fan too!
Lemonade from Chikfila is my fav! Even the diet is good. Sometimes I drink it half and half with sweet tea. We call that an “Arnold Palmer” but I think the official Chikfila name for it is “SunJoy”.
Fruit salad is so refreshing on a hot day. The best part is you can easily mix and match your favorite fruits to make it uniquely yours! And it's so delish!
Pepsi was the first soda I ever tasted and it was love at first sip! My parents called it "ale". Nowadays I drink Pepsi Zero but once in a while I treat myself to the Pepsi with real sugar, just like the good ole days.
Y'all. This is a local coffee shop in Burlington, NC that has excellent cold coffee drinks and juicy refreshers (my fav). If you're driving through, be sure to check it out.
Yep, we Carolinians may call it “Carolina Caviar” but it's well-known as “Cowboy Caviar”. Some use it as a dip with chips but I just use it as a side dish or a snack on those hot summer days.
Hailing back from my childhood when all we had were the orange push-ups, these are a nice and cool sweet treat!
Cooling Gadgets
Best way to beat the heat is to stay cool! Here's a few gadgets that can help you do just that.
I first saw this at a 4th of July party and, wow, I was sold! Definitely a must-have for outdoor BBQs, concerts, or your own backyard.
Your own personal cooling system, perfect for outdoor or indoor use. And so affordable!
Looking for a portable air conditioner? This one by Black & Decker is an excellent choice!
Going camping in the heat? Look no further than REI!
This is so retro and cute! And it keeps a small amount of your beverages cool.
The capacity of this is amazing and the glass door allows you to see exactly what you have whether you use this in your office, garage, or man cave.
Sun Protection & Outdoor Gear
Staying cool for this gal means protecting myself from the sun as well as the heat. Here's some of my favorite picks that will help you avoid the sunburn and keep cool outside.
Headed to the beach? REI has a variety of beach tents for all your needs.
Amazon is a great place to check out a variety of tents for your next beach trip.
Enjoy the great outdoors despite the harsh summer sun with a shade tent from REI. Hands down the best of the best!
SPF built into a shirt? Yes, please!
I just discovered these sleeves and how cool is that? They can keep your arms cool or hide tattoos. Feels much better than the sun beating down on your skin.
More sun protection is better! This affordable sun hat is super attractive, too!
Gotta keep those kids and grandkids protected and this 70 SPF is a good start. Whether you're at the pool, at the beach, or just playing in the backyard, Coppertone helps you keep the sunburns away.
As someone who wears glasses, I like having a pair of sunglasses that fit over my regular glasses, especially while driving. (I used to have glasses that darkened in the sun but wouldn't darken in the car.) These work great and give you UV protection...
My favorite is the spray sport suncreen by Banana Boat. It's easy to apply and less messy than lotions. I do like the lotions for my face. Otherwise, gimme that spray!