Summer Bucket List
I'm back in the game 😎☀️
It’s a grey morning in Los Angeles, an untraditional sign that summer has arrived. June Gloom, as Angelenos call it, has rolled in, and even though I needed a light jacket for my lunch date today, I can feel that the sunny season of July-October is upon us. So if a summer bucket list in July feels late to you, you’re probably in a different state where you don’t need to factor in heat waves when planning Halloween costumes.
With the arrival of summer also comes my first chance to take some deep breaths this year. Despite my 2026 word being regulate, the top half has been anything BUT. We’ve obtained two new vintage photobooths, renovated and placed the first one, I did a two-month consulting contract with a major movie studio, spent two weeks in Europe, Ben had knee surgery leaving me in charge of the house for about 6 weeks, we’ve done multiple pop-ups and events for our company, and a myriad of other juggling acts along the way. Needless to say, this Substack was the first project to fall by the wayside.
But ironically, as the June clouds roll in, the fog in my life is starting to clear up, and I have some time to get back to hobbies and adventures that are perfect for a summer bucket list. I’ve been making seasonal bucket lists for years (anyone else who lived in the blog world of the 2010s is probably familiar), but I need to acknowledge that I completely stole this format from my friend Jordy’s excellent Substack, and she stole it from Ali Labell’s glamorous Substack, so here we are 2 degrees away from the structure’s origin, but no less excited.
In full alphabetical order: My Summer Bucket List of things to try, inspire, create, tackle and do ☀️🪣
A - Accessorizing. These days I spend quite a lot of time in grungy workwear, so I’m trying to elevate my outfits when I’m out in the world. I bought these pearl bow shoe charms (sorry, it’s Amazon, I know), been rotating my kitchen sink necklace, and I used this adjustable headscarf hack on my Euro trip!
B - BRICK. The first time I saw ads for Brick, the phone-locking device, I smugly thought, "Who has so little self-control that they need to be physically locked out of their apps?" Well, you know who does? Me. I do. Bricking my phone has been a godsend, keeping me off of social media for massive chunks of the day. I want to spend the summer away from screens!
C - Chocolate Chip Cookies. My friend Sara and I started a chocolate chip cookie club to find our favorites in LA. We’re using The Infatuation’s List as a jumping-off point and have a full ranking system, including a milk-dunkability scale.
D - Dodgers Baseball. I am not a sports person, but boy do I f*cking love Los Angeles baseball. I’m trying to go to a bunch of games this season, and even paid for the MLB package to watch at home. One of our photobooths says GO DODGERS on the strips for the season, and it’s made my pride swell even further.
E - Evening Walks. Ben and I are trying to take nightly walks when he wraps up work for the day, and I’m determined to maintain the habit while we have these longer days. It’s the perfect shift out of work mode, helps us catch up on our days, and transitions into us time. We’ve been leaving our phones at home for added connection.
F - Film Cameras. As I hurl my life further and further into analog, I’m falling back in love with shooting on film. On my recent trip to Europe, I shot 7 rolls, an all-time high, and the photos are some of my favorites ever. Keeping a camera on me at all times is honing the habit. (This is where I get them developed fwiw)
G - Griffith Park Hangs. I live within walking distance of Griffith Park, and yet am absolutely not taking proper full advantage of it. I want to bop over with a picnic blanket and a book and just chill for an hour in the sun.
H - Hammocks! Hammocks are what the phrase ‘get me to God’s country’ should really be about. The gentle sway, the fabric cocoon, it’s pure peace. I’m deep in hammock research to find one to make our bland cement backyard a bit more relaxing. Eyeing this L.L. Bean one but debating the investment…
I - Ice Cream Dates! If you want to see me this summer, invite me for ice cream. I’m talking soft serve in baseball caps at the stadium, banana splits at Fluffy’s, dipped cones, dripping soft serve, you name it. I want to eat my fill this summer.
J - Jacaranda Trees. From roughly mid-May to early July, the city explodes with the most beautiful purple trees, always signaling the change of season. To maximize time with them, use this Jacaranda Map to find ones in bloom nearby!
K - Kittens. I’m perpetually devastated that our landlord won’t let us foster kittens anymore, but I’m always determined to integrate more into my life. My pilates studio is doing purrrlates in partnership with Del Gato Rescue that I WILL be attending.
L - Line Dancing. Ok… hear me out. My best friend just had her birthday at a desert-themed bar during line-dancing night, and it was a blast. I only participated in 2 dances because it was clearly not the beginner’s evening they’d promised, but I was so jealous of everyone who knew the steps and looked like they were having the best time. I may or may not have started saving TikToks to learn some dances…
M - Music League. If you’re unfamiliar with Music League, I describe it as Fantasy Football for music nerds. Each week has a unique theme, and everyone anonymously submits two songs. A playlist of those songs is generated, and everyone gets to listen and vote on/rank their favorites. It’s a total blast that also fosters an active, hilarious group chat, and I’ve discovered tons of new music.
N - Napping. God, I love a good nap. Especially in the summer with the windows open and a light breeze coming in, with my cat sleeping next to me. Heaven. I swear by this 36-minute nap meditation on the Insight Timer app.
O - Organizing My Cabinets. Tackle the nagging tasks! I feel like our house is bursting at the seams with things stuffed into every corner. I want to dedicate time once per week to purging every closet, cupboard, and cabinet in my home. I’m always inspired by the How Long Does it Actually Take TikToks and channeling that energy.
P - PEONIES! The window is already rapidly closing on peony season, so I’m buying them up like there’s no tomorrow. Trader Joe’s forever.
Q - Quince. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop on Quince, the budget-friendly basics site. I have no idea how they keep their prices low, but until an NY Times exposé is released, I will continue to enjoy their perfect travel dress, excellent sheets, and reasonably priced gold jewelry.
R - Ribbons. In Budapest earlier this month I stumbled into a craft store and, with the heavy help of Google Translate, found myself behind the counter buying about 50 Euros' worth of floral-embroidered ribbons. I’m not totally sure how I’ll use it all, but the short list includes making a victory ribbon, covering a notebook, and making a ribbon photo frame mat.
S - Stone Fruit. We recently switched our biweekly CSA to fruits, and the cornucopia of summer stone fruits has been a DELIGHT! I can’t wait for the juice to run down my face from plums, cherries, and peaches. Last week I had a truly biblical nectarine.
T - Tattoos! I’m slowly trying to build up a sticker sleeve on my upper right arm, and I’m ready for a bit more skin confetti this summer. If you know any great delicate tattoo artists, send them my way!
U - Unoptimizing. I love this piece from Scroll Sick about not optimizing our time this summer. Let’s be dionysian. Let’s do nothing. Let’s ditch the Oura rings and habit trackers and just let ourselves BE for a little while.
V - Vision Board. I love all of the intention-setting at the beginning of the year, but 6 months in, it’s time to reconnect and shift to what I’m feeling at the halfway point. I want to make summer vision boards!
W - Wallpapering my Bathroom. We’ve lived in our home for 5 years, and I’ve been meaning to wallpaper our half-bath the entire time. Since it has tiles halfway up the wall, I feel like I can go pretty bold… some contenders: Stampede, Oranges, Swan Lake, Scalloped Block Print.
X - Xiao Long Bao. I love a good soup dumpling, and it’s high time I branch out from Din Tai Fung. Time to explore some of LA’s many dumpling options.
Y - Yoga. For someone who hates exercising, yoga is the exception. Especially as I navigate some frustrating back problems, I want to throw myself (gently) into more yoga this summer. Gonna go back to Y7 for heated yoga, sign up for some beach classes, and even try something called Yoga Booty Ballet…
Z - Zuma Beach. Malibu is a summer must! (Sorry for my non-Angeleno readers, as this list became increasingly localized) - I’m determined to get up to both Zuma and Matador once this summer.
I would LOVE to know what’s on your bucket list this summer!! Send me all your recs for hammocks, ice cream, good beach reads, and tattoo artists!
Without the context of the rest of the decor, you must wallpaper your bathroom in Stampede-- I'm so inspired by western decor lately (maybe it's being reminded that Woody is one of the best cinema characters of all time??)
Hold up, I *love* chocolate chip cookies. Hit me with an invite!!