My Summer Bucket List with J. McLaughlin
📍 Downtown St. Pete, Florida
Dress (c/o) || Wedges || Handbag (c/o) || Sunglasses (c/o) || Earrings || Book
I’m taking a quick break from France to discuss my favorite time of year! Although summers are brutal in my home state of Florida, it’s such a great season! The days are longer, making for more opportunities and chances. The possibilities are endless, whether you’re on the go or relaxing with a strong dose of AC. A few days ago, one of my favorite companies, J. McLaughlin, passed along the sweetest care package to help ring in the next season. With their help, and the prettiest maxi dress, here’s my official summer bucket list for 2022! Calling all who love the coastal grandmother aesthetic!
Read a Batch of New Books
Even though I’m a little behind on my goal of reading 50 books in 2022, the summer is the perfect chance to make up for the lost time! I have an ever-growing stack of historical fiction and biographies to read. The newest addition is The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, a sweet gift from my friends at J. McLaughlin. I can’t wait to pack it with me on each and every pool or beach day.
Make the Perfect Limoncello Spritz
There’s something about sipping a sweet and citrusy drink that just screams summertime. Each year, a new spritz cocktail makes its way to the top of my list. This year, I’ve been thinking about making limoncellos by the pitcherful. If I really want to shoot for the stars, I would love to make limoncello and perfect my very own homemade recipe. If you have a favorite, please feel free to send it my way!
Have a Hamptons Weekend
Last year, we had the privilege of visiting our dear friends at their new Hamptons houses. I can say without a doubt that it was the most relaxing weekend of the summer! We grilled, drank bottles of delicious rose, and were screen-free for the entire weekend. I would absolutely love to have another opportunity to unwind in this pristine corner of Long Island.
Host a Backward Soiree
Even though the summer days a warmer in Florida, I still like to dine al fresco as often as possible. The next time we have a subtle temperature dip, I can’t wait to host a casual backyard dinner party. When a lovely sitting area in our backyard, strung with cafe lights. I’ll mix up a round of limoncellos and serve Caprese and charcuterie. With some Italian Oldies playing, the mood will be set for an effortless and intimate affair.
Continue to Collect Home Art
I can’t believe we’ve been in our Florida bungalow for nearly two years. Still, in all that time, our walls are pretty bare, and yearning for some accessories. Over the summer, I would love to continue to add new pieces to our walls. It’s on the top of my to-do list, but it seems like such a big undertaking. I have a few pieces already framed, and I just need to find the perfect place for them. For the rest, I hope to find some diverse pieces that perfectly tell our story. Wish me luck!
Start an Herb Garden
Fresh herbs can do so much to add flavor to a favorite dish. The dried version you buy from the spice aisle just doesn’t seem to get the job done. They also just smell incredible. I would love to start an herb garden of my own to have all my favorites on hand. There would be cilantro for Mexican dishes, basil for my salads, and rosemary or lavender to infuse with new cocktails. Our kitchen is about to get a lot more interesting.
Join a Pickleball League
As much as I want to make tennis a part of my workout routine, pickleball is taking the area by storm. I have a batch of friends who already play regularly. All I need to do is buy the equipment, and I’ll be ready to play. If I need to buy a few new pickleball-appropriate outfits, the first place I’ll go to is Tuckernuck for their Tnuck Sport Collection!
Have a Beach Clean-Up Morning
Growing up, I was always at the beach, especially during the summertime. The ocean is such a special place to me. This summer, I want to recommit myself to that love by going on beach cleanups. Inviting some of your loved ones would be a great way to catch up with friends and help the community. Afterward, we can treat ourselves to a job well done by having breakfast at a local favorite.
If you don’t look out, summer will be gone in the blink of an eye! There’s so much to love about the season, and I plan on fully taking advantage of the longer days and warm weather. Cheers to making memories and spending a healthy dose of time relaxing in the sun. Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.