The Summer Vibe: A Recommendation List
Hello! Welcome to a new series of curated recommendations for you. Here you will find shows to watch, books to read, trips to take, things to cook, and more in this newsletter. It is jam-packed full of cool recs. Enjoy!
What To Watch
Fall in love with some new shows to cool down with this summer. Some popular shows that you can binge this summer include And Just Like That, a sequel to the iconic television show Sex and The City. If reality TV is more your jam, there are The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Love Is Blind: Brazil, Too Hot to Handle, and The Circle to check out. If you are into weddings then this show and this show are both very dreamy and summery as well. I also love the reality show The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties, which follows a trio of sons who run a family real estate business together. Another real estate show and another fan favorite for drama and intrigue is Selling Tampa, a spinoff of Selling Sunset.
If you are interested in dabbling in telenovelas, check out Fake Profile, which has us following a young woman who follows a man to Colombia. There is also a great telenovela out called The Surrogacy, which follows a young woman who is lied to and forced to be a surrogate for an affluent couple. I am also binge-watching the CW show Dynasty right now, which is basically a telenovela in English that follows the Carrington family and their control of their family business.
If you are interested in lighter shows and rom-coms, check out the movie The Perfect Find, which follows a woman in her forties who starts a relationship with her boss’s son. There is also a great Turkish movie called Make Me Believe, which follows a young woman who is in a slow-burn relationship with her childhood best friend. Then there is a fun new show called Glamorous, featuring Kim Catrall, that focuses on a young person getting an internship at a beauty start-up. I also really like XO Kitty if you need some light-hearted drama, which follows Lara Jean’s (To All The Boys I Love Before) sister as she transfers to an international school to be closer to her boyfriend in Korea.
For cool-down nights, I also love the Netflix show Barbecue Showdown, which follows amateur chefs as they compete to see who has the best barbecue in town. To round us out, a nice and cute watch is The Lake, which is a lighthearted dramedy on Prime Video. This show follows a young teen who reconnects with her birth parents, who gave her up for adoption, and also finds community of her own while her birth parents reconcile with the choices they made. Sweet Magnolias is also a great option for low-stakes drama and a heartwarming central story (season three is coming out soon).
What To Read
Books are everything to me. And I love the vibe that a good summer read gives. Some reads to occupy you by the beach and pool are The Golden Couple, a twisty thriller that follows a couple who is seemingly perfect on the outside but has some secrets inside. Continuing with the thriller theme, two books to try out are The Last Thing You Told Me and The Love Of My Life. Both are great twisty thrillers with complicated protagonists. Then there is The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, which is a classic book that follows a young woman who tries to break into Hollywood during the 1950s and all the love and heartbreak that came with that time period. Hotel Nantucket is also a great beach read that follows a group of eclectic characters who are working in a newly restored hotel on Nantucket Island.
Some other cool reads include Same Time, Next Summer, which has the best summery vibes as it follows a woman who revisits a childhood romance. I also love this book about a family finding their way back together. Then there is Every Summer After, which takes place lakeside in Toronto. Malibu Rising is also a dreamy, vibey read that takes place in California and features siblings struggling to grow up in their parents shadow. Another great beach read is In Five Years, which takes us to Positano, Italy, and follows a woman reconciling with the memory of her mother and finding her own way in life. I have also been binge-reading Jasmine Guillory's books (who is a phenomenal romance writer), and I recommend this book and this book to get you started.
What To Cook
Summer is the time for grilled food, salads, summer pastas, and more. This is a delightful recipe for a potato salad that will be a crowd pleaser. This white bean and veggie salad looks amazing and is easy to prepare. Then there is this tasty burrata salad, which is filling and delicious at the same time. Also check out this Caesar salad, which is both light, creamy, and flavorful. Then there is this BBQ chicken salad which looks perfect for low-cook summer nights. Plus there is this amazing grilled steak salad, one of my favorites, which is great when you are craving more.
Additionally, you also can’t go wrong with pesto pasta for the nights you are craving a non-heavy alternative to your favorite dish. Then there is this caprese salad, and caprese sandwich which is a crowd-pleaser and makes for a light lunch. If you are into grilled chicken, this recipe will keep you full and satisfied for hours. And to round out the list with some desserts, check out this cheesecake recipe, this strawberry shortcake recipe, and this yummy lemon pie.
What To Drink
Summertime is best for cold, refreshing drinks. Whether you are drinking a light, cold non-alcoholic beverage, a euphoric beverage, or having some wine or aperol spritz with friends, there is a drink out there with your name on it. This drink is a crowd favorite with people living in Spain. People are obsessed with this drink and how tasty it can be. Mint juleps scream out to us all in the summer. People love Negronis when enjoying a night out on the town. You can’t go wrong with a classic margarita or mojito for the long summer nights.
If you are looking for a non-alcohol alternative, check out a watermelon limeade, strawberry limeade, or cucumber water for a quick refresher. There is also a great recipe for rhubarb lemonade, which should be a hit among friends and family. Cold Thai Ice Teas are also a lovely drink for nice summer nights. Ginger-peach soda is also a nice alternative during the hot months. You can also check out tepache and agua frescas if you want to get a little creative with your non-alcoholic bevy for the summer.
What To Wear
Summer is the season for sundresses, cute hats, small bags, and strappy sandals. If you are looking for a cute dress, check out here, here, here, here, and here. I also love this dress, this one, this one, this one, and this one. If jumpsuits are more your style, this one, this, this, and this might peak your interest. Also swimsuits are needed. Check out this, this, this, and this. Accessories are just as important as the outfits themselves, so treat yourself to these earrings, this bag, this necklace, these shoes, these shoes, and those shoes.
Places To Visit
If you are active on social media, then you know that travel is on the rise and there are plenty of destinations to choose from. Italy is very popular this summer. Island-hopping in Greece is also popular. Many people are spending lazy days on the French Riviera, including Cannes, St. Tropez, and Marseille. There are lovely pictures of people spending time in Porto and Lisbon, which is great for summer travel and tourism. Alicante is also a great place to visit if you are near Valencia, Spain.
If you want more local options, Savannah is always nice (though hot) in the summer. Charleston is a beautiful city not too far away. Nashville is also very lively in the summer months. St. Augustine is also a great option for a quick beach getaway.
Cool & Delightful
This lovely piece about interior design and bright colors made me swoon and want to call an interior decorator ASAP. Then there is this piece of artwork, and this here and here that makes me feel all summery and calm. There are these planners that make me wish for the old days of school. I love this puzzle set because it makes me want to engage both sides of my brain. And finally, some gardening tips for summertime can be found here!
That’s it for today! Till next time!