We’ve all got our lists of what makes your summer special. To me, it’s about the summer state of mind. There’s a general feeling of being relaxed– especially in South Carolina. It’s about a slow day and the sun being out until almost 9:00 p.m. It’s about good recipes. The smell of sunscreen on your baby’s cheeks. Feeling like you have all the time in the world to read your books because there aren’t any distractions. Listening to Dave Matthews Band with your windows rolled down. Sitting outside after dinner with a bowl of ice cream.
These items are on my must-have list. What items are on yours?
Pool and Beach Supplies
Lands’ End Natural Zip Top Canvas Tote - I prefer the zip top for the beach because you can keep the sand out of your bag and off your stuff
Pottery Barn Kids Spencer Clear Food Storage
One Step Ahead Baby Spring Float Activity Center (that is obviously not Hudson in the picture!)
A Good Dose of Reality TV
The Bachelorette {ABC} and Real Housewives of New Jersey {Bravo} are both in full swing. Both are train wrecks and both are highly entertaining.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey are by far my favorite of the housewives because I love how they’re all related. I’m so sad to see Dina leave the show. Danielle is cuckoo!
A Brilliant Scripted TV Show
Mad Men returns to AMC in July! Hallelujah!
A Big Pile of Books
Because there aren’t as many TV shows on in the summer, I’m able to take more time to read without being distracted. My 2010 reading list is on track, but I did take a small detour. I’m up to 8 books so far in 2010 and my goal was 12. Here’s what I’m reading this summer:
Heart of the Matter- Finished!
Water For Elephants- Finished!
Nanny Returns- Finished!
South of Broad
Return to Sullivan’s Island
The Real Real
Bed Of Roses
Savor the Moment
That’s kind of a lot of books. Maybe I’ll just read a few and save the rest for the remainder of 2010! Because I did say that I was going to start the Twilight series… But first I have to read the new Tori Spelling book. I love her books!
Uncharted TerriTORI
Delicious, Fresh, Summer Recipe
Barefoot Contessa’s Linguine with Shrimp Scampi- I’ve posted this before, but it’s just so fresh, clean, and light (even though it has tons of butter), that it has become my summer go-to recipe.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
- 3/4 pound linguine
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
- 1 pound large shrimp (about 16 shrimp), peeled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 lemon, zest grated
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
- 1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
- 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.
Meanwhile, in another large (12-inch), heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily! Add the shrimp, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and the pepper and saute until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.
Just a Little PSA…
My number one must-have item for summer is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF 50. I also love the Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock in SPF 55. I actually wear this every day of the year when I leave the house.
What do you need in your beach bag? What shows are you watching? What books are you reading? What are you favorite summer recipes?
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Love Mad Men! We have been watching the reruns on demand and I think my hubby is more obsessed with it than I am!
I LOVE RHofNJ too! They are the best! I was so sad to see Dina leave the show and someone needs to punch Danielle in the nads. She is psycho. Whenever she is on, I have to put my TV on mute. She is super delusional! And I’m so pumped about Mad Men. I started watching it mid season last year and got hooked instantly. I love all the clothes and January Jones is my girl crush.
I’m so excited for Mad Men to return!! Love that show. Also anxious to read the new Tori Spelling book. I just finished “Water for Elephants” and it was a very good read. You will enjoy it. My must have for summer is a good book, great ipod mix, and relaxing lounge chair. Love lazy summer days!!
Glad I’m not the only one that loves Tori Spellings books! Such easy and fun reads.
Seriously, this post makes me wish it were summer all year long, haha!! I know you already have a book list but when you are able you should check out Karen Kingsbury’s book!!!! GREAT reads. And it’s Christian fiction and wonderful writing!!!
Love your summer list! I have the Land End bag and I love it. Great carry on bag for flying too.
Water for Elephants is a GREAT book. I recommend it to everyone. They are making a movie version of it now. Not so sure I’m feeling the movie idea but Reese Witherspoon is in it and I love her.
I’m reading Tori Spelling’s book right now. It’s a little disappointing because it seems like she is basically re-telling a lot of the story line that you saw on the most recent season of her show but I loved her other books and her fun attitude so its still worth reading.
LOVE LOVE LOVE MadMen and I couldn’t be more excited for this season! Also fully on board with your sunscreen on the way out the door – I put it on my face every morning all year along. People don’t realize how much time is spent in the sun, it adds up!
We kind of take a break from tv during the summer. Not to say I don’t love “Bethenny’s Getting Married?” on Bravo and I watch it every week now. I just finished Jane Green’s “Promises to Keep” (the day before I started “Heart of the Matter.”) I loved “Promises to Keep.” I highly recommend adding it to your long list of books! As far as bags go, I use one that my mom made a little more than a year ago. It even has a place inside that will hold a water bottle. I love it!
1. I love RHoNJ also! Caroline is my fave. Dina will be missed but I don’t blame her for leaving. Danielle brining those scummy guys around now is kind of sketchy. Did you see her sing on “Watch What Happens Live”?
2. Water for Elephants is fantastic! Hard to read at some points because of the torture to animals, but such a great story. South of Broad is on my list to take to Charleston later this summer. I’ve had a hard time putting it off! And you must read the Twilight books. Good, quick easy, entertaining reads
Happy Wednesday!
Love all the cities of Real Housewives. My least favorite is Atlanta, but I still watch. Did you see when Teresa let her girls ride the 4 wheeler in the driveway? All I could think was, “HELMETS!!” Gia took off on that thing.
Danielle is scary cuckoo. Kelly from RHNYC is aggravating cuckoo. And I think she’s so pretty… I want her to have a personality to match. So sad she doesn’t see how weird she is. Loved Bethenny and Sonja this season. And I think Bethenny’s new show is fun. I could go on and on. I won’t. 
Can’t wait to read Tori’s new book!! I loved the other two!! I need to get that float for my little Kinley! And although it isn’t a recipe, I am obsessed with Edy’s frozen fruit bars this summer. Me and Lyndsey were tweeting about how much we love them last night!!
I love your list! My lands end zip tote is my favorite summer accessory. And, you have a great list of books there. I want to read South of Broad, too!
A salad of watermelon and feta cheese says summer to me. Blueberries, strawberries, and feta is also good. I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it is super yummy — and low cal if you go for the reduced fat feta. Yum
Your summer favs/must haves are very similiar to mine. I read Return to Sullivans Island and South of Broad on vacation this year…Save the Dorthea Benton Frank for your beach trip..it is very uplifting and funny at times…Pat Conroys is a little darker, but a fantastic read. I also just read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil- It was also good in my opinion though disturbing at times. I’m going to try your recipe..it looks great! Also love Mad Men, and Real Housewives….I’ve got to add Big Brother to my list though!
Water for Elephants is on my bedside table, waiting to be read! Looking forward to it!
One thing I do NOT need in the summer are SOCKS! Totally banned (except when running) between Memorial Day and Labor Day!
I am loving The Bachelorette but what is with all the making out? Used to be they only made out with the last two or three people!
I have the lighthouse tote from Lands End that I use for my pool bag during the summer and I love it! It doesn’t zip but it’s semi-waterproof.
I’m reading South of Broad right now. The characters are kind of over the top, but I really like their relationships and the author’s description of Charleston definitely puts me in a summery mood!
So many things to say! I’ve heard South of Broad is a great book! I’m getting ready to start The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo while I wait for Jen Lancaster’s new book to come out.
That linguine sounds so good (too bad I don’t cook as discussed on my blog yesterday, though I do collect and read them). Strange, I know.
Lastly, I have those PB kid boxes (love them, so cute) and Lallie used that raft when she was a baby. Sadly, the cover thing didn’t work properly and wouldn’t stay up!
I love this post. It is so fun! Definitely sun screen everyday, sandals, cut offs are staples for summer. My current go to summer recipe is mixed green salad with white beans, pine nuts, fresh basil, roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh goat cheese and balsalmic vinaigarette. It is perfectly yummy, light, quick and filling enough for dinner. I am also reading lots of books this summer. Now I am reading Gone With the Wind. There is something about reading classic favorites in summer. I feel like they lend so much more to the immagination. I think next I’ll read A Passage to India. I do also want to read South of Broad. I’m curious what you thought of Water for Elephants? I read it last year and had really mixed feelings.
I second the Jane Green books. I am reading her new one right now and am enjoying it. Next up is Tori Spelling’s new book. Sandals, skirts and pedicures are my summer must haves!!!
Have you seriously not read the Twilight Series? It is wonderful, I am sure you have heard that before. I LOVE to read too! May have to take advice from some of the books on your list and give them a try too.
I just finished Something Borrowed and Something Blue. I can not wait to read the rest of Emily Giffin’s books. I love them!! I can not bring myself to read the Twilight series. Vampires are just too corny for me.
I can’t wait to read your thoughts on the Twilight series!
I have a list of books that I’ve a mind to read in the next month or so…….. House Rules (Jodi Picoult), Keeping Faith (Jodi Picoult), Last Song (Nicolas Sparks), The First Family (Mike Dash…. nonfiction about the start of the American Mafia), Naturally Thin (Bethenny Frankel), and Heart of the Matter (Emily Giffin).
As far as TV goes, I love The Bachelorette, So You Think You Can Dance, and Big Brother (comes on in July). Those are my summer guilty pleasures, lol.
Have you tried the Panera Strawberry Poppyseed with Chicken salad? Super healthy and delicious!
Ooo-how did you like Water for Elephants? I read it a couple years ago, and loved it.
I just finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Very very good…not that you need another book on your list, but in case you devour what’s on there and need something else!
LOVE RHWoNJ! One of my favorite seasons! Danielle is a loney, she and Kelly from NYC should be friends! They both live in another world!! Love Lands End bags! Reminds me I need to order a new one, ha! I wish I lived where I could sit outside for dinner, it’s way to hot here! You’re from Dallas, you know! Summer not my fav but I do love how it stays light outside for what seems like forever and I love the “slow” feel of the south in the summer, just HATE the hot weather!
How was the Nanny Returns? Thought of reading it, haven’t taken the plunge yet. Book review portion of the blog, perhaps? Also a HUGE fan of Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer dry touch sunblock! Buy it cheaper in bulk at Sam’s! Housewives of NJ is also my fave. Jersey Couture is also a Jersey-themed must-watch. Looking forward to the new season of Big Brother!
I agree with everything on your list! Hope Hudson is feeling better!!! xo, Turner
I recently started reading your blog and I really enjoy it. I loved seeing Hudson’s party and thanks for the party planning tips. My little girl turns 1 in Nov and I am already starting to plan her party because i don’t want to get overwhelmed. I LOVE mad men – do you watch Breaking Bad? It’s on the same channel and is so so good! It’s my second favorite show behind Mad men. They are about to air the last episode of this season but I am sure it’s on demand. The bachelorette is so my guilty pleasure, what is up the psycho tattoo guy? ew. Poor Ali doesn’t have many decent guys to chose from (but really, do they ever?). Did you hear Jake and Vienna broke up? What a shocker. Ok, enough with the random comments. Thanks again for the great blog and check out breaking bad!
I don’t comment often, but I wanted to pass along this website that a fellow mom shared with me not too long ago: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/. It’s surprising to learn that the sunscreens you thought you could trust, really aren’t the best for you! It helps you find sunscreens that avoid Vitamin A and Oxybenzone. I took all of the sunscreen I purchased a few weeks ago back to Target in favor of better sunscreen for my whole family (baby and ‘grown-up’ sunscreen). Just wanted to share b/c I know it’s important to you!
Love this post! I didn’t realize Mad Men was starting soon, I was hoping to watch it this next season, but MUST watch the past seasons on DVD first… I need to get on that quickly! I haven’t read any of Tori Spelling’s books, but have heard they’re great. I’ll have to add those to my list as well!
I can’t wait for you to start reading Twilight! I JUST started (as in, 2 days ago) because I have been holding out (for no reason other than to just go against the grain) and I am already enjoying the book. I also am going to pick up South of Broad from the libray tonight as I have been on the waiting list for weeks!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to hear what you think and I love that you share your reading list on your blog b/c we seem to have the same interest in books! Happy Summer Reading!
Thanks for the list Erin — it’s very similar to mine! One recipe I love (also Ina Garten — isn’t she amazing?) is her Fusilli Pasta with Lemon, Broccoli, and Arugula. Amazing for summer — so tasty and light and packed with veggies. (I’m not sure it’s too healthy because it has butter and cream, but still.) Hope you’re having a great summer so far!
I just finished Bed of Roses and I started Savor the Moment. They are really great and a pretty fast read.
I love, love, love Emily Griffin’s books and I can’t wait to read “heart of the matter.” I’m checking out some of the others on your list. I recently read Jenny Sanford’s “Staying True” on a flight home from a work trip, and it was really good. Kind of sad, but really made me think about my relationship with God, and what matters most in life.
I love taking long walks around a lake talking with my husband- it’s the most relaxing thing and we have “quality talks.” In the winter, I tend to get cabin fever and I like personal space, so sometimes we end up going days without a really good talk! Also, sitting by the pool with a good book or trashy magazine. There is nothing like the smell of a pool!
What did you think of Heart of the Matter? I LOVE Emily Giffin but I was a little disappointed. I like her writing style but I thought the plot was a little predictable and there were a lot of cliche things in the book.
You MUST read the Twilight series!!!! I thought the hype was silly too until two years ago when I was taking a Philosophy of Horror class and everyone was talking about how good the books were. I went out right after my class to buy the first one and had it read in 3 days. All while in the heart of the semester and taking 5 classes (my grades didn’t suffer : ) ). Stephanie Meyer based Edward partly off of Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice- I think that’s why I liked them so much!
Made the pasta tonight–a household hit!!
I have rea a few of those books and just started the Emily Giffin Series… I am on Something Blue, and still hate Darcy at the moment- I have already been told that will change!
Twilight series you will not be able to put them down! I work full time, planning our wedding (4 months left) and I still read all 4 of them in two weeks!
My favorite summer recipe is tomato and Vidalia onion pie! it is the most wonderful thing in the world!!!! it has tomatoes, Vidalia onion, fresh basil, and bacon (only 4 slices) it is topped with Swiss Cheese and baked!
It is a recipe from my grandmother… if you want it please email me! I am the biggest tomato fan ever- if anyone else is then you would love this recipe! kmccracken1030@gmail.com
I love summertime. I love all the street festivals that Chicago has to offer every weekend. I also love the smell of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen, and walking my pup in the night summer time air. I just finished Chasing Harry Winston. It’s a very cute book! I love Emily Giffin and can’t wait for Something Borrowed to become a movie! They better do a good job with it. I don’t have much time to read for fun because I’m taking a summer class. last weekend, I hosted a little pool party with my sister and some friends and made a very yummy recipe from Recipegirl.com. Here’s the link: http://www.recipegirl.com/2008/05/29/bruschetta-with-peach-salsa-and-melted-brie/ It was a hit and only 2 ww pts per serving.
I love this list! Such fun summertime stuff. I loved reading Water for Elephants, and the Nora Roberts Bride books are quick easy reads! I love any of Kristen Hannah’s books too if you need suggestions, though that’s a pretty full list!
I finished Tori’s new book in 3 days! She is such a HOOT and I love her honesty. She has so much going for her yet still encounters problems and difficulties; it’s just so nice to know that her life isn’t as perfect as it might seem. She and I are totally long-lost BFFs.
I’ve read this recipe before and so glad to come across it again. I just added it to my weekend menu! Thanks so much.