Everyone is kicking summer into high gear now that the first day of summer is officially here! I am continuing some of my summer essentials in this post- showing how to incorporate these items into your entertaining to make this the Best. Summer. Ever.
Easy Appetizer- Lemon-Garlic Shrimp
Adding Angostura Bitters into recipes is one of the best-kept secrets in the culinary world. This mixture started in 1824, and has evolved into a cocktail mainstay. Many people haven’t branched out from the use of bitters in cocktails, and are missing out on all of the complex flavors it lends to food dishes! This is a simple appetizer to serve in the summer months. Adopted from the Angostura Bitters website:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Grated peel of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 Tbsp. ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional, to taste)
- 2 lbs. shrimp with tails, peeled and deveined
- 8 wooden skewers
Combine all ingredients except for shrimp and skewers in a non-metallic bowl. Add marinade and stir to coat; let sit at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Thread shrimp on skewers- grill or broil until they turn opaque.
Passion Fruit Mimosa
Mimosas are a summer brunch staple, and with the addition of Passion Fruit, you can take it to a tropical place! Passion Fruit juice isn’t readily available, but Schofferhofer JUST came out with a Passion Fruit beer.
- 4 oz. Prosecco or sparkling white wine
- 4 oz. Schofferhofer Passion Fruit Beer
Pour Prosecco into a champagne glass and top with Schofferhofer Passion Fruit Beer. Garnish with tropical fruit and enjoy!
Summer Skincare Routine
During the summer, I try to take a break from heavy makeup, load up on extra sunscreen, and let my natural skin shine through. To keep it extra soft and clean, I add a toner to my daily routine. I have used Dickinson’s Witch Hazel since my teen years, and love that it is made of 99% naturally distilled witch hazel. No alcohol, dyes, sulfates or parabens.
Here is my skincare routine in the summer, in order of application:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serum
- Moisturizer
- Eye Treatment
- Sunscreen
Camping Must-Have
I am taking my kids camping TODAY and am in the process of loading up the car. I have added the Bug Bite Thing into my summer outdoor bag, along with sunscreen, goggles, and towels. Both of my children are extremely sensitive to bug bites. Last summer, my daughter developed severe skin issues as a direct result of bug bites she received from a camping trip in August. It took MONTHS for them to clear up!
The Bug Bite Thing works by suctioning out insect venom/saliva from the skin, and works best if used immediately after a bite or sting. ALSO- it works well on removing splinters! My kids always freak out when I try to use tweezers on them, and the Bug Bite Thing is a much less scary option.
Safety First
I remember when my kids started crawling and walking- that meant the end of relaxation for me! I tried putting up gates, strapping them into a stroller at all times, and just being exhausted when trying to keep them contained. We didn’t have play yards for some reason!
Regalo Baby has come out with this incredible and affordable play yard that gives babies/toddlers enough room to move about and feel a little freedom while giving parents/guardians a chance to relax and know their kiddo is safe. If I had small children, this would be permanently in my car this summer. It retails for under $100, so a worthy investment for parents!
Cheers to celebrating long summer days, and those warm, endless summer nights that we all love so much!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, all opinions are honest and my own as always.
