Things I'm Loving Lately: Summer 2024

 I love love love love love love SUMMER! Right now, I'm sitting in my backyard enjoying this beautiful July day in San Diego - sunny and 75. Here's what I'm loving for summer:


1. Spending time outdoors. The only thing I get 'fomo' with is sunshine. If the sun is shining, I must be enjoying it. As a 9-5 corporate America worker, I still find ways to get outdoors while getting my work done. Working from home or in the office, coworkers have become accustomed to my video conference backgrounds being flora and fauna. There is a spectacular garden onsite at the Amazon San Diego office location, which I frequent. Suntanning is my 'guilty' pleasure, leading to the next thing I'm loving...

2. Super Goop Sunscreen. I'd been quite loyal to Sun Bum sunscreen products the past few years, but recently I've been OBSESSED with Super Goop products. Especially their Glow Screen and CC Screen. Combined or stand alone both products give you the perfect "no makeup makeup" skin. SUPER GLOWY.

3. Dance Fitness. This summer I'm getting my cardio in with dance classes - Zumba and cardio hip hop. Your brain is so focused on learning the routines and keeping time with the beat that 60 minutes flies by, and you leave with a huge smile on your face completely drenched in sweat. I go to a local studio and we also have a gym at the office with amazing classes. 

4. Vuori & Skims clothing. It's HOT! Every season I rotate my wardrobe and while I'm at it sort out clothes I haven't worn so much or aren't my style any more, and make a donation pile. If I'm bringing new clothes in the house, I do have a policy that I must donate more than I bring in. Since 2020 Vuori has been my go to brand for all things athletic and athlesiure. The days of non-practical swimwear are gone - Vuori makes extremely functional and gorgeous swimwear and UV protection tops. I live by the beach and swim in the ocean as much as possible - Vuori swimwear is my go to. Skims is a brand I did not own until recently and I get the hype. Their fabrics are something special. The bras and underwear are extremely lightweight and comfortable, and I'm obsessed with the Everyday tees. 

5. Binge reading. What do I do when I'm soaking up the sun? Plowing through great books across genres. Having a Kindle exponentially increased my appetite for reading and my access to books. This week I read a few Scott Galloway books. I learned about Scott when he did a talk at SXSW at the Female Quotient Equality Lounge following a panel I spoke on. The two books I read this week focus a lot of coverage on my employer (Amazon) and the tech industry - topics that fascinate me. If you need some book recs, check out my Book Nook page on my website. 

6. Smoothie for lunch. It's hot and big heavy meals are not the vibe when you're heading to the beach to swim in a bikini all afternoon. Throw in some protein powder, fresh summer fruits, a handful of greens, and either an avocado or nut butter for fat and you've got a nutrient dense treat that's easy to digest and keeps you fueled for a substantial amount of time. 


Happy summer to you! I hope you're getting outside today. 

xoxo

maddymo 



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