Summer is here and I am so, so ready! I feel like this summer I really want to live my best life. I am officially in my summer era! 

To prepare for this summer I have done my studying – and by studying I mean watching the Gossip Girl Hamptons and Paris episodes. (Fun tip: if you have a fave show, most of the time the first episode in a new season has something to do with summer.)  

Here’s my ultimate summer checklist into everything I am doing to prepare for an amazing summer!

Update My Wardrobe 

This spring, I really wanted to do proper spring cleaning. I looked at the clothes in my wardrobe and truly asked myself questions like “Does this clothing item fit?” and “Does it make me feel good and confident?” If the answer was no, I donated it to a thrift store and if it did, then I kept it. I found so many nice pieces from different stores that I will be using as my summer outfits. I feel like updating my wardrobe really got me into the spirit of summer. Clothes are just better in the summer. 

Make a Summer Playlist 

I have been making summer playlists since 2014. I love setting the vibe of the summer though my playlists. Last year I had a great summer playlist of songs that I found through that season of love island (UK) and other Top 40 songs. This year my playlist is very mixed, with so many genres. The vibe is Hamptons, vacation, The OC, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl soundtrack, happy indie (e.g., Tongue Tied by Group Love), nostalgia, country and a mix of 60s+ 70s classics. 

Make a Summer Mood Board

This is essential in curating a summer you’ll love. To make mine, I started by playing my new 2022 summer playlist and went on Pinterest to find activities, cute quotes and pictures that fit the vibe of the summer I am wanting to have. I placed them into a board and now I am going to make it into a mood board that I can keep as my lock screen, print and hang on the wall, or keep for my computer background. Visualizing the type of summer you want to have can help bring it into reality. Go to my TikTok and Instagram reels if you want to see the process behind my summer ‘22 vision board. 

Summer Journaling 

If you don’t already know, I am a huge journaling fan. I love writing lists and goals for the summer. To start my summer journaling sesh, I love to write out a summer bucket list – all the activities I want to do, places I want to go, etc. I feel like making a list you can see will help you plan out your summer. I also like to do a beginning of summer brain dump so I can let go of everything from the past few months. A reset. I will also be writing down some goals that I want to accomplish. 

Glow Up

Summer is your time to shine and I love the summer look. I will be doing a mini summer glow up to refresh for the summer. The top 3 things I’ll be doing as a part of this are getting my nails done with a color that will make my tan pop, having a facial so I can get prepared for being out in the sun, and getting a haircut plus my first time getting highlights. I am so excited for my hair to have a little change. I am thinking of getting long layers with highlights that bring out my natural copper tones. The inspo photo I’m giving to my hairstylist is Lily James from her press day for Pam and Tommy.

Put Together a Summer Book TBR

I am so excited to read a lot of books this summer. I have done my research and bought most of the summer books I plan on reading. Last year, I read The Summer I Turned Pretty, surrounded by beach houses facing the lake and it was such a fun experience. I highly, highly recommend reading outside with the summer breeze this summer.

Researching Summer Inspo

Setting the tone for the summer is something I have talked about a lot in this blog post. In early summer, watch so many movies and TV shows with summer vibes, listen to vacation music, read summer books, plan outfits, etc. I have re-watched the Gossip Girl summer episodes several times already. I honestly think we should have had a half-season of the Gossip Girl characters in the Hamptons. If you want some summer movie and TV show recs, stay tuned for my next blog post.  

Now that I’m off school, there will be more summer content coming soon. If you have any more blog post ideas let me know in the comments. What is something you are looking forward to this summer? 

I hope you have an amazing summer and live your best life! 

Sincerely, 

Sadie