Seasonal | Devine Fairytale

11 of the Best Books to Read This Summer

Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it can also be a time for personal growth. If you’re looking to expand your horizons this summer, consider picking up one of these books. They cover a variety of topics and are sure to keep you entertained. Check out this list of the best books to read this summer. All of the titles are linked for you to easily add to your Amazon cart!

Best Books to Read This Summer

When summertime rolls around, most people are not as busy as they once were. It’s the perfect time to settle down and read a few books while you have the chance. Make sure you check out these awesome summer book options for adults.

1. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller that tells the story of three women: Rachel, Megan and Anna. Rachel is a divorced woman who spends her days riding the train to and from London, spying on her ex-husband and his new wife. One day, she sees something shocking happen in their backyard and becomes entangled in the subsequent investigation. The novel is a page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

2. “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960s. Aibileen is a black maid who has always taken orders quietly, but lately she’s unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college and has returned home. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies. It’s a story about bravery and standing up for yourself.

3. “The Martian” by Andy Weir

The Martian is the story of an astronaut, Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars after being presumed dead by his crew. He must find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and find a way to survive until help arrives.

4. “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee

Go Set a Watchman is a sequel to Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The book was originally written before To Kill a Mockingbird, but it was not published until after the success of Lee’s other book.

5. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han

From the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty is the first book of this series and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Belly (Isabel) and her family spend every summer in Cousins at Susannah’s beach house with her boys. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer—they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. This is the summer that everything changes. It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer are the other books in the trilogy.

6. “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed

Wild is the story of Cheryl Strayed, who, at the age of 26, decides to hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail alone without any training or preparation. The book chronicles her physical and emotional journey on the trail, as she confronts her past and learns to accept herself.

7. “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch

Love & Gelato tells the story of Lina as she spends the summer in Tuscany as her mother’s dying wish. After Lina is given a journal that her mom wrote when she lived in Italy years ago, she begins to uncover secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. She also discovers a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father—and even herself. This book was made into a movie you can stream on Netflix!

8. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park is a love story about two teens who are unlikely friends. Eleanor is a shy, awkward girl who is teased at school, while Park is a popular boy who plays in a punk band. They bond over their shared love of music and comics and eventually fall in love.

9. “The Beach House” by Mary Alice Monroe

The Beach House is a novel about a mother and daughter, Cara and Elise, who are struggling to connect with each other. Cara is busy with her career as a doctor, while Elise is trying to find her way in the world. When they inherit a beach house from their late father, they decide to spend the summer there and try to repair their relationship.

10. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation is a rom-com about two friends, Poppy and Alex, who go on a trip to Mexico together. They have a great time, but things start to go wrong when they develop feelings for each other. The book is a lighthearted read that will make you laugh and warm your heart.

11. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel about a young girl, Kya, who grows up in the marshlands of North Carolina. She is isolated from the outside world and becomes estranged from her family. When two boys from town are found dead, Kya is suspected of being involved. The book is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. The movie based on this book was just released in theaters and I’m looking forward to seeing it soon!

If you’re looking for books to read this summer for adults, hopefully, these selections will keep your imagination running wild and free! You may be asking yourself “what are the best books to read this summer?” I hope this list helps you out!

Categories: Lifestyle, Seasonal, Style & Beauty, Summer

Summer Beauty Essentials

Summer is officially here, which means one thing: it’s time to break out the shorts and sandals. But before you do, there are a few summer beauty essentials you’re going to need to stock up on. The sun is amazing, but you’ll want to take precautions to protect your hair, skin, and eyes – while still enjoying all the amazing things summer has to offer! To help you get ready for summer, I’ve put together a summer beauty essentials checklist that everyone needs to check out.

What are Beauty Essentials?

Summer beauty essentials are products that help you look and feel your best in the summer heat. They can range from sunscreen to self-tanner, and everything in between. So, let’s dive into my favorite summer beauty essentials and beyond!

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must during the summer months, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. I also recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses when spending extended periods of time outdoors to protect your face. Be sure to remember to reapply if you’ll be outdoors for awhile!

Block Star by Bliss is my favorite sunscreen for my face. I wear it daily! It is mineral based and blends in easily. It feels great on my skin! If I need some more coverage, my go-to is it Cosmetics CC+ Cream. This is what I wear most days and even stays on well at the theme parks.

Self Tanning Lotion

There’s nothing better than a summer glow, but getting sun can be incredibly damaging to your skin. Using a good self-tanning lotion is the perfect way to get that golden glow without having to worry about the sun. Just make sure to exfoliate your skin before applying the lotion to avoid any streaks or uneven patches.

Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops are great to add to your own moisturizers to help create a natural looking tan.

Moisturizer

The summer heat can be tough on your skin, so it’s important to keep it hydrated. A light, oil-free moisturizer is perfect for summertime. Apply it after you’ve been out in the sun or after cleansing your face to help lock in moisture. Drinking lots of water will also help to keep your skin hydrated all year long.

Bronzer

A good bronzer can take your summer look from drab to fab in no time. It’s the perfect way to add a little color to your face without having to wear foundation. You will want to choose a bronzer that’s a few shades darker than your skin tone to highlight your cheekbones and add that pop of color.

Hair Protectant

If you’re spending time in the sun, it’s important to protect your hair from the damaging UV rays. Look for a hair product that contains SPF or use a leave-in conditioner to help keep your hair hydrated.

If you’ll be in the pool quite a bit, AquaGuard is a must to help protect your hair from all of the chlorine that can cause damage.

I also recommend using a heat protectant if you plan on using any heated styling tools during any time of year.

Sun Recovery Products

After a day in the sun, your skin is going to need some extra TLC. Be on the lookout for products that contain aloe or green tea to help soothe sun-kissed skin. I would also recommend using a hydrating face mask to replenish any lost moisture after sun exposure.

Deep Cleaning Face Wash

A good face wash is essential for summertime. The heat and humidity can cause breakouts, so it’s important to deep clean your skin on a regular basis. Look for a face wash that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help fight blemishes.

Summer is the perfect time to try out new products and experiment with your beauty routine. With this summer beauty essentials guide, you’ll be ready to take on the summer heat! What are some of your favorite summer beauty essentials? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories: Seasonal, Summer, Travel

Simple Tips for Summer Travel

It’s summer and that vacation you’ve been dreaming about is just around the corner. Exploring your destination will be the best part of the trip, but the journey to get there can be stressful. It isn’t just a snap of your fingers and an arrival at your destination; you can’t just skip to the good part like the trend on TikTok. It takes planning and work to be able to enjoy your vacation. That’s where these five tips can help set you up for the best summer vacation!

Summer Travel Tips

1. Arrive Early

If you are traveling by plane, plan on getting to the airport early. We are all aware of how long security lines can get and the number of people that are ready to travel again. Remove some stress from the process by arriving early. Once you make it through security, enjoy your time. Your vacation has officially begun! Find a good restaurant, read a book, or enjoy a cocktail (or two) to ease the pre-flight jitters.

2. Dress in Layers

When traveling between different climates, dressing in layers is your best friend. Even if the outside temperature remains consistent, you may visit indoor locations where they are pumping the AC full blast. Those layers will come in handy then!

3. Purchase Tickets in Advance

If you are traveling to a popular summer destination, plan ahead. Purchase those tickets early so they don’t sell out. This will also keep you from standing in long lines at the start of the day. You don’t have to plan every single part of your vacation, but definitely make sure you are prepared for at least a couple of important things on your list!

4. Pack the Sunscreen

There is nothing worse than getting sunburned on the first day of your summer vacation. You’ll be miserable for the rest of your trip, so keeping safe in the sun is critical. Be sure to reapply it every couple of hours for the best protection, more frequently if you are swimming. Depending on where you’re visiting, you might need to pack reef safe sunscreen so be sure to do your research ahead of time.

5. Drink Plenty of Water

Getting dehydrated can really put a damper on your trip! Whether you’re at the beach or on the road, staying hydrated will help you enjoy your vacation to its fullest. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and sip it throughout the day. If you think you’ll forget to drink your water, you can set an alarm on your phone to remind you. When we get busy, it can be easy to forget!

Need help planning a beach vacation? Check out this post for some tips!

Where are you traveling this summer? Hopefully these tips will set you up for a great summer vacation!

Categories: Disney, Lifestyle, Seasonal, Summer

3 Tips to Save Your Sanity This Summer

Do you need some tips to help you save your sanity this summer? My friend Paige has some great ones PLUS a free resource with summer activities you can do with your kids at home! The highlight for me is the Disney-themed movie night, obviously. Hopefully these easy tips and ideas will help create a meaningful and memorable summer for your family.

white yellow and blue ball - save your sanity this summer blog post image

Meet Paige

I’m Paige Bruce. I’m a trauma-certified therapist, child-at-heart, and an adventure mom to three equally adventurous kids.

To be frank, I am a wildly passionate child and adolescent therapist who helps parents grow in their parenting skills, reduce parent-child conflict, and train and educate passionate people working with children and adolescents. I talk a lot about inner-child work and healing from our own childhood to become the parents we want to be (and will be) while also smashing mom-guilt and unrealistic expectations for parenting in the real world.

Summer is coming in HOT! And that’s no joke. We’re moving into the season where parents become full-time entertainers and the days of focused work are gone. For me, the summer season is accompanied by excitement, sleeping in, eating all the ice cream and memorable family adventures. The other part of summer is knowing that, as much as you love your sticky-fingered mess makers, the unadulterated quality time and energy you’re going to be putting into making summer magic means there’s a lot less time and energy to maintain your own sanity.

I’m here to help you keep summer from stealing your sanity while still creating the magic you hope for. You can continue being the intentional, incredible, SANE parent that I know you are.

My Top 3 Tips to Save Your Sanity This Summer

1. DO let your kids be bored.

Contrary to their belief, it is healthy for kids to be bored. To keep it simple, our brain is incredible, always working, thinking and problem solving. This productivity can also lead to an overload of stress and limits to attention. Being bored gives the brain an opportunity to destress, promotes creativity, increase problem-solving, and increase our ability to sustain attention and increase self-control skills. This summer, embrace boredom and reap all the benefits of maintaining your sanity and pumping up the creativity, self-control, and attention span of your kiddo.

2. DO prioritize quality over quantity.

While just existing in the same space isn’t enough, it’s also not your responsibility to entertain your child 25/8 over their summer vacation. Do prioritize quality time over quantity of time. Be intentional with your time this summer by making a bucket list with your kids. Make sure to include activities that your kids want to do, you want to do, and things you’d like to do as a family. Pick one or two days a week to assign those activities to. You can spend intentional time knocking items off your bucket list while reveling in the summer magic and family memories—sanity intact.

Some of our favorite summer bucket list items include themed family movie nights, making and using puffy sidewalk paint, creating giant indestructible bubbles, jolly rancher bubbles, camping, swimming, and “yes” days.

3. DON’T be too serious and get stuck in the “shoulds” of summer.

Stop “shoulding” on yourself this summer. It’s ironic that a time known for leisure and fun can feel so stressful and all consuming. Summer is meant to be lived as you want to live it (so is every season of life, but that’s a different conversation). Instead of focusing on all the things and ways you feel like you “should” show up this summer, identify and focus on those ways you want to show up this summer.

I am not a bedtime story mom (I know, it’s surprising), but I am an adventure mom. I am going to really focus on creating those adventure moments with my kids this summer because that’s what excites me. Accept the parent that you are and the things that will light you up while spending time with your kids without judging yourself for not showing up like Susan down the road. You will have a more fulfilling and accepting experience.

Creative and Easy Summer Activities

“Luca” Themed Family Movie Night

Honestly, what’s more magical than Disney? There are a few movies that get me right in the “summer feels”. Luca is one of the most recent and we LOVE it. Family night has become a weekly tradition, especially in the summer months because, for some reason, they feel a little more magical.

For the ultimate Luca themed movie night, we found some ideas online and made them work for our family! We followed and altered, a special Luca-themed dinner menu for our movie night.

My favorite part was that each recipe was simple enough that I was able to have some quality one-on-one time with each kid. They each were able to help me prepare a different part of our evening.

Drinks: Blue Ocean Drink

Have you had Ocean Water from Sonic? Recreate it at home for this movie night. It is basically blue coconut Sprite, so you just need a few ingredients to make it yourself at home. Find the recipe here!

Dinner: Our Favorite Pasta

It’s spaghetti and meatballs for us, but whip up your family’s favorite pasta recipe. Keep it simple or go all out and make the trenette al pesto like they eat in the movie!

Dessert: Ocean Fish Jell-O or Store-Bought Gelato

Make some blue Jell-O in individual cups with a bit of whip cream and some Swedish Fish on top for an on-theme dessert idea. Even easier? Pick up some gelato when you’re at the grocery store and serve it up at the end of the night! Everyone can even pick out their favorite flavor.

If you really go all-out, you could spend the day swimming or fishing and wrap up the evening with a Luca-themed dinner while watching the movie together. It’s an evening of perfection. *Insert chef’s kiss*

Need some more Disney movie night ideas? Check out this blog post: Disney Movie Night Snack Ideas.

If you’re looking for summertime ideas, CLICK HERE for a list of my family’s favorite summer bucket list activities including instructions, how-tos, and links to purchase the materials. Make sure to grab your freebie to make summer magic easy and accessible!

Catch the full details of my favorite tips on the podcast Mindful As A Mother Episode: PAIGE- 3 Tips to Keep Summer From Stealing Your Sanity.

Thank you so much, Paige, for sharing your tips with my readers! Make sure to give her a follow on Instagram for more helpful parenting tips.

Categories: Lifestyle, Seasonal, Summer

10 Things To Do This Summer

Long summer days mean extra daylight hours to be filled with everything fun. But what about when you can’t think of anything to do or your kids are bored? It doesn’t matter if you have children, or you’re just a grown-up child yourself, these fun ideas will have you enjoying every moment of summer. Check out this list of 10 things to do this summer!

Things to Do This Summer Blog Post Ice Cream Cones

1. Make it a goal to try every flavor at your local snow cone or ice cream shop. This will keep you busy for awhile. Bonus points if you keep a chart ranking every flavor!

2. Have your friends join you for a themed picnic. Send out invitations asking everyone to bring a food item that is green or starts with the letter “S”. Anything can be turned into a theme, it doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Meet at a local park and laugh as you enjoy a meal outside and spend time with friends.

3. Build a sandcastle. Of course, you’ll need to find some sand. If you don’t live near the beach, or aren’t going there on vacation, you can check local parks for a good old-fashioned sandbox. You could even make your own kinetic sand right at home!

4. Go on a high-tech scavenger hunt. There are many companies which are now offering app-driven scavenger hunts. Check to see if there are any offered in a location near you.

5. Find a rope swing and jump into the river! What better way to cool down and get that adrenaline rush?

6. Visit a local town you’ve never seen before. Day trips can be fun, and you never know, you just might find a hidden gem or your new favorite restaurant. It’s always fun to explore and create new memories.

7. Attend an outdoor concert. Pack a cooler and bring a folding chair or a blanket to a local concert series where you can enjoy a summer evening listening to music.

8. Go to a theme park. Roller coasters, snacks, and fun will have you reminiscing about the best parts of being a child. It’s pretty obvious which theme park we’ll be headed to, but there are options all over the country to check out.

9. Be a tourist in your own city. What makes your town special? Take your camera with you and create a scrapbook, physical or digital, to show off your hometown.

10. Go to the library and check out a book. With words becoming more and more electronic, it’s nice to hold a book. The best part is with one library card, you’ll have a collection of books to read all summer long.

All of these ideas are here to help you squeeze out every last drop of joy summer has to offer. Do you have other ideas? I would love to hear them!