Ciao,
If you live in the half of the world that I do then you'll know that Summer has booked it's flights, sorted it's Visa and is on it's way over for a little while!
Inversly, if you live in the half of the world that I don't, then I apologise - this post may not be for you!
Now, as with any big event - or even small event - in my life I feel the almost obsessive need to prepare. This includes seasons! So lets take a look at all the things that Summer means;
- Sun - Hopefully! I live in England, which is usually soggy and miserable but occasionally we get a few bright days.
- Outdoorsy stuff - picnics, days on the beach, hanging with friends, walks with family, festivals maybe. You know the drill.
- Less clothing - Time to peel off those winter layers! As I mentioned a moment ago, here in Britain we don't get many nice days but still, when we do this rule applies to us just as much as it does to those in California!
- Friends - touched on in #2 but so important it deserves its own point! Summer is what I like to call the Social Season! In Winter you may be happy with a blanket, a mug of Hot chocolate and a soppy film but in Summer? Oh no! It's about going out and having fun - and this is hard to do without fine company!
Right! Now we know what Summer is about let's take a closer look at what we gotta do!
Sun - Important! We live in a world where people are shocked in you don't have a tan the first day the sun is shining; give us a chance! I urge you not to worry about whether your skin comes here or here and worry more about what that pretty ball of fire in the sky is doing to your skin! I won't hammer the point too hard because I'm sure you've heard it before but try to keep in mind that a little bit of sunscreen will go a long way!
- The sun also means heat (normally anyway..) and for that you may want to invest in a bottle of water, a mini fan and, if you don't normally, some antipersperant!
Outdoor activities - I really do dislike that phrase; it sounds like something schools say to make a 10 mile jog or an hour rolling in mud sound like fun. But that's beside the point! The point is you're going to need a few ideas planned! As usual Gala Darling has come to our rescue...Twice! But, also as usual, there are tons more possibilities! It's all about you, baby!
I do recomend that you keep some of the following equipment just in case;
- Swimming apparel - None of that tatty ill fitting stuff from the back of the closet. Buy an outfit that makes you grin everytime you see it! Winona of Daddylikey has some fabulous - and funny! - suggestions.
- A picnic rug/towel/cloth/skirt (see below!) - It's probably a good idea to have two or three! Mud is mud, afterall! It's also fun to start a little competition between friends to see who can find the cutest!
- A picnic basket - bonus points if it matches the Picnic blanket and double bonus points if it matches your outfit!
- A deck of cards - it really depends what you and your friends are like and the things you like to do but personally on a lazy Sunday I love a game of cards. And if you don't know any then make one up!
- Sunglasses - That water fight isn't going to be nearly as much fun if you can't see anything! Think - take the shades! (Yes alright, even shuttershades are better than no shades!)
Less clothing - Above is the link to Winona's help on swimsuits but they really are about personal style and finding something you're comfortable in.
- Less clothing also means Summer clothes! All of those short shorts and mini skirts that have been forced to the back of the wardrobe need to break out once more! I recomend trying on your summer clothes ASAP just in case you've grown a little and those short shorts really are..um..short! You wouldn't want to end up here, would you?
- Again most of this is personal style so I'll leave you too it and trust you won't show off too much! If you've got the legs then wear the shorts but do keep modesty in the picture!
Friends - Most of what needs to be said has been! You'll probably wanna go out more and you'll want things to do and that's lovely! Summer is a Social Season! Yay!
- The only two things left to say are make sure you have everyones numbers - home and mobile! - to make sure you're never out of reach and
- Make the effort! I'm often incredibly lazy when it comes to calling friends and making the arrangements. It's not that I don't want to see them, it's just that I'm not good at organizing the party, and, to be really honest, it just doesn't occur to me! If you too are like me then why not plan ahead, one break time at school perhaps, or have the whole group take it in turns to plan a day. If you're stuck for ideas and don't fancy Gala's suggestions then why not just agree to meet up somewhere - town centre, big field, famous landmark - and just see where it takes you!
One last thing to not; Beautyfying - of course you're all perfect as you are (Group hug everyone!) but around this time of year you can pick up any magazine and bet that they have a few suggestions on how to get buff for Summer.
Things include;
- Painting your toenails and caring for your feet in general. With sandals creeping back in they'll be on show a lot!
- Getting your hair done. A lot of people like to dye their hair lighter in the Summer, even though this happens naturally anyway, but even if you don't want to dye it why not just get it trimmed up and in shape?!
- Speaking of getting in shape...many of us put on a few pounds (guilty..) over the Winter period. Some blame Christmas, some blame laziness and some are so lucky they don't put on a single pound - ggrr... whichever one you are you might want to buff your bod for the beaches and bikinis. But please don't feel like you have to - mags are always on about diets, they just take Summer as another excuse!
- Shopping! It may not just be that that one pair of trousers has turned into shorts, but that nothing fits at all! This is the perfect excuse to run out and buy yourself some nice new Summery numbers. And while your going, why not ring those friends we keep forgetting about and invite them? ;)
Well that's a little bit of what my minds been a-thinking latley - that and Cupcakes of course! I hope this was helpful, even if it just got the ball rolling! Enjoy your preparations everyone and enjoy whatever season if coming your way!
Cuddles and cookies,
Vixxie.
