Happy summer, friends! I hope you're staying cool and hydrated but still having the best summer ever. We've been getting in lots of time on the water so far this summer, and it has been wonderful. Alexis has also gotten to do one camp so far, we've attended two programs at the library, and we've taken a day trip to the aquarium.

This week is all about tennis -- my favorite sport! Alexis has decided she wants to give it a shot, so we put her in a four-day camp with our high school coaches. Next week we'll be back at the lake for the July 4th holiday, and sometime next month we're going to visit an area zoo. We also want to go to our local water park at least once before school starts back in August.

It's been awhile since I did a favorites post, so I thought now would be a great time to share 10 things that have either brought me joy and/or made my life a little easier in some way.

Belt Bag -- This bag is great for trips where you don't want to carry a full-size purse. I ordered this specifically to take on Alexis's Tybee Island trip because I knew I would not want to carry a big bag but also knew I would need to keep up with my phone and her inhaler. This was also the bag I used for our aquarium trip. This can be worn as a fanny pack or be used like a crossbody. It's got two bigger sections/pouches and two smaller ones. I was able to fit my phone, a very small wallet, Alexis's inhaler, chapstick, a small tube of lotion, my keys, and cash money comfortably. I got the black so that it would go with pretty much anything, but it comes in a bunch of other colors/patterns. It is definitely worth the $8.

Weekender Bag -- Speaking of trips, I finally broke down and bought myself the overnight bag that's been on all my gift lists the last several years, and it was worth it. This bag was the perfect size for a three day trip. I was able to fit a pair of hiking boots and tennis shoes in the bottom compartment, and I used the larger of the smaller bags (which can be used as a crossbody if you want) to keep all my cords organized. I got the A03 - brown+pink leopard, but it comes in a bunch of other options as well.

Monthly Carwash Membership -- I'm definitely kicking myself for not signing up for this sooner. The convenience of being able to take my car through the carwash as many times as I need to and only pay once is unmatched.

Nivea Tinted Lip Balm in Blackberry -- If there's one thing to know about me, it's that I almost never reapply lipstick throughout the day, but I will put on lip balm multiple times. So this tinted balm by Nivea has been a game changer for me. And the blackberry color? So perfect for that just kissed look with literally zero effort behind it. I don't even need a mirror to apply it because it's chapstick!

Satin Sleep Mask + Cooling Headache Mask -- I'm pairing these together because I'm using them pretty interchangeably these days. We got new darkening curtains for our bedroom, and because it is now so dark, the alarm clock is super bright and directly across from me when I sleep. It's very distracting. Most of the time, I use my satin sleep mask that came in a Monat gift bag (this one is similar), but because it is so hot, I've been getting heat-related headaches, so on those nights I use the as-seen-on-tv cooling headache mask instead. Y'all, this thing is worth the $20 it costs.

White Sandals -- I got these at the end of the school year because I needed something dressier than my knock-off Burks but more casual than my braided wedges to wear to school. These definitely fit the bill. I'm seriously wearing them all the time and not just for work. I normally wear size 7 in shoes but these were a bit tight so I sized up a half size.

Luck Gods series by J. Gabriel Gates -- This series was such a pleasant surprise. It has a unique magic system, lots of twists and turns, and an unexpected ending. It hooked me from the first chapter and held me through all four books. If you're like me and love fantasy but tired of the same old tropes, give this series a shot.

Retro Sunglasses -- These are my new favorite sunglasses. The tint level is perfect!

Too Sweet by Hozier + Edge of the Earth by The Beaches -- These two songs have been playing on repeat in my head these days.

Mine Rapid Recovery Aftersun Gel -- I hate to say it, but I probably wouldn't survive summer without this miracle gel. It is the best sunburn product I've found and well worth the money. Seriously, I apply it and the next day it's almost as if the sunburn didn't happen in the first place. Sadly, I've already had to use it multiple times this summer (I swear I'm using sunscreen!). Unfortunately, I think this gel is no longer being produced, but the same company has a lotion version that looks like it may be similar and a different gel that says it's "coming soon."