This has been a summer unlike all others. We didn’t take a vacation, and mostly stayed close to home. I’ve relied on Amazon to keep me hooked up with a lot of my essentials, since I try to stay out of the stores unnecessarily.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again– Amazon is one of my favorite modern conveniences. It was before the pandemic, and I’ve been even more thankful for it during.
Today, I’m sharing some of the items that have helped keep me going this summer.
Personal Care & Pampering
Bathtub Caddy Tray with Wine and Book Holder
A bath is a favorite treat after a hot day of yard work. This bamboo caddy is expandable to fit most tubs, and holds my phone, a book, a candle, and glass of wine. It doesn’t get much better than that…
Pineapple Whip – Smells just like a Dole Whip only in an 8 oz 100% Soy Wax Candle
No Disney adventures for us lately, but lighting this candle takes me right back there! They have a variety of different scents that are reminiscent of all your favorite Disney resorts, treats, and parks!
Vionic Women’s, Relax Plush Slipper
My daughter calls these my “Kardashian” slippers, so they must be fashionable, right? 🤣. Idk, but they are comfy and perfect for wearing around the house without getting too hot during the summer.
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
This lotion. It claims to lighten and smooth skin, and give it a slight glow. I can’t really vouch for the authenticity of those claims, but I can tell you that it’s thick, silky, and glides on easily, and has the most addicting scent. It’s got a cult-following on Amazon and Sephora websites, so I had to try it for myself. I really, really like it, although the jar is fairly small for the price, so that’s something to keep in mind. That scent though….
UNITE Hair Leave-IN Conditioner, 8 Fl Oz
This is my current favorite hair conditioner and detangler. All summer long, I have been washing my hair, spraying some of this on, combing it through, and letting it air dry. It gives my hair a nice texture, and smells like candy.
Summer Cooking & Dining
My husband got me this set for Mother’s Day, and we’ve already used it multiple times! It makes it easy to take along a bottle of wine for a picnic or outdoor barbecue, keeps it protected from breaking, and nicely chilled as well! The double-walled wine tumblers are excellent for outdoor sipping. I love this set!
I love cooking with fresh summer herbs from my herb garden, and these scissors make chopping them all up so easy! Especially cilantro, because when we use cilantro, we use a lot….
ProTensils Cherry Pitter Tool Corer
Summer cherries are the things dreams are made of, especially Ranier Cherries! This pitter lets you pop 6 in at a time and knock those pits right out! Love it.
Large Pop up Mesh Screen Food Cover Tents
We’ve been having a lot of socially-distanced outdoor gatherings lately, and these mesh covers are perfect for keeping the pests out of your food! They fold up when not in use!
Round Ice Cube Mold, Easy Release
These giant round ice cubs are perfect for summer drinks, because they don’t melt quickly and water down your drink. You can use them in your cocktails, but also just your lemonade or ice tea!
252 pcs Organic Set for Drinks and Appetizers.
Summer cocktails should be fun, and dressing them up with these tropical enhancements adds a vacation vibe. Even if the pandemic stole your vacay. 😞
Outdoor Living
Portable Camping Side Table for Outdoor
We’ve gotten so much use out this little portable table. We have used in the driveway for barbecues and family gatherings, and taken it with us for picnics. Just Friday night, we went to a local winery for live music and food trucks, and we were able to find a spot appropriately socially-distanced from everyone else, pop this thing up next to our chairs, and enjoy a bottle of wine with a vineyard view. An Iowa vineyard, but still.
Banana Boat After Sun Lotion Aloe, 16 Fl Oz. (Pack of 2)
In my opinion, this is the best after-sun lotion. We always take it with us on vacation to apply after a long day at the beach or pool. This year, no vacay, but it has been needed after some long days in the yard or garden.
I got this for my hubby last year for Father’s Day, and it has been worth its weight in gold! It truly does keep the bugs away so well! We live in a very “nature-y” area, and before we started using this, the bugs were much worse. You can buy larger ones to guard larger areas of property too. This one claims to keep bugs away for half an acre.
What are your summer essentials? I’d love to hear!

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Great finds! Thank you for sharing!
My friend has those food tent covers and they’ve come in so handy! And I have that pop up table and have used it multiple times for socially distance gatherings as well! That wine set would make a prefect present for my mom, definitely pinning that as right now I’m in a no-spend month! Great finds!
I admire you for having a “no-spend” month. I haven’t ever done that. 😂
So many great items! Love that pop up table and the bath caddy especially!
I use that banana boat lotion year round…love it! Thanks for linking up with Prime Purchases! Tanya – The Other Side of the Road
Totally just bought that herb stripper. Been wanting one forever!
Lauren, I think you will love it! We use ours SO much, especially at this time of year with all the fresh herbs exploding in our garden!
We have a cherry pitter but it only does one cherry at a time and I think I’d much rather have yours! It’s a great tool but it takes forever to pit cherries.