a complicated relationship with summer
the check in #3
It happens every year.
I approach summer with a sense of possibility, a palpable excitement. “This is the one,” I think. This will be the best summer ever.
It never is.
I think my best summer ever was when I was 11, turning 12 years old. I spent virtually every day with my best friend, either at her house or her at my house (her parents were like my second parents). We spent most of the days outside living the original 90’s summer—long bike rides around the neighborhood, drinking from the hose, attempting to “build” things, living on popsicles and grilled dinners (from her mom, whose tandoori chicken is still my favorite).
Every summer since has failed to live up to that one. This is the first summer I’m going to stop chasing some idealized version of the summer. I’m simply going to be present in this one.
The one fantasy I’m indulging in is getting a pool eventually, maybe. Emily Henderson’s Soake pool has me daydreaming what one would look like here.
a few smart things
Currently playing around with different ways to incorporate #5SmartReads in this next chapter. Let me know how you like this!
Jo Piazza’s spot on on why we can’t have a 90’s summer in 2026. And Miranda Hammer’s honest essay on the reality of summer made me feel seen.
How South Korea makes the most innovative sunscreen in the world (National Geographic) - such a smart read on how South Korea continues to lead in sunscreen formulation (and sun protection in general).
The Summer Beauty Edit (Inventory) - Dina Fierro will never steer you wrong with her recommendations, especially on the beauty front. I can vouch that the L’Oreal Elvive water and JVN air dry cream are excellent additions that let me skip blowdrying my hair.
The beach is a popular summer destination, but for ancient Greeks it was a different story (PBS) - as someone who doesn’t really love the beach, I feel vindicated by history.
everything you thought was drowning you was teaching you how to swim (sentimental being) - just a stunning essay on summer, childhood, loss, and growth.
what I’m enjoying this week
Don’t sleep on Steve Madden right now. These are the perfect pair of satin & lace shorts, these jelly flats are actually comfortable, and I’ve been wearing this pretty blouse multiple times a week.
Hang this in the Louvre. Or at the very least, the Philadelphia Art Museum (because Philly is hosting the 4th of July celebration the way it should be celebrated in DC). Here’s how the artist created the work.
Printfresh’s cotton pajamas are kind of perfect. I just treated myself to a second pair for my birthday.
The astrology is WILD this week. Plan and protect yourselves accordingly—the last time Jupiter was in Leo was June 2014-June 2015, and I’ve been thinking about what was happening back then, and how I can use this transit to my benefit (instead of mourning that Jupiter in Cancer was the furthest from what I’d hoped).
This visor is a splurge (one I made after waffling on it for months), and I must say that it’s well worth it. Eric Javits kindly gave me a code - HITHA10 gets you 10% off.
i feel you on how summer has so many expectations and gets built up in your head and then sometimes it falls flat. I just wrote about how I am trying to re frame my summer and have a positive outlook about how its going to be a 'slower' summer for me than most.
This article about the beach resonates deeply. I’m 1000% a lake girl and not a sandy beach one