The Super Summer Special (Issue #4)
This week’s theme is SUMMER VACATION. I’m nostalgic for my younger, camp-filled summer months, and want to bring that energy back in 2023!
Hi friends!
As this edition of Sincerely, Celisia finds its way into your inboxes, I’m immersed in prep for my bachelor(ette) party weekend!! Andrew and I decided to do a combined celebration because after eight years together, and over a decade knowing each other, pretty much all of our friends are mutual. It really feels like the perfect kick-off to a summer filled with weddings, travel (honeymoon, anyone?), and sun-soaked evenings with all of my favorite people.
Summer, for me, is a time that feels inextricably linked to childhood. Because I was an only child, my mom made a point to keep me busy by enrolling me in tons of summer camps. The list is long: day camps, sleep-away camp, sailing camp, “Gay camp” (I called it that – not them lol) for kids with LGBTQ parents and caregivers, horse camp, etc etc. I have so many fun memories of making friends from across the country, crushing on my camp counselors (lol), and getting picked up by my mom at the end for the joyous return home. Summer always has a special glow to it, and even without school-less, job-less days, I plan to lean into these months with the same energy as my 7-year-old self. And I kept that in mind with today’s dispatch, so you can join me in having THE BEST SUMMER EVER!!!
Before we jump in, an important announcement…
Next week, I’m adding a new, paywalled section to this newsletter as a special reward for my paid subscribers. While Sincerely Celisia is and always will be free, it is not free to make, and the financial support of my paid subscribers is an immense help in allowing this to be sustainable work. So as a “thank you,” I’m launching an exclusive section at the end of each newsletter, fittingly titled “P.S.” Each week, this section will dive deeper, offering a more personal peek into my life, thoughts, feelings, and experiences. To make sure you don’t miss this section when it launched next Friday, you can become a paid subscriber for as little as $5/a month through the link below. Thanks for your support!!!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise that I’ll only ever share items I truly love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
The Good Trade: How To Cultivate Friendships Without Spending Money To Go Out by Ellie Hughes
This think-piece and accompanying list center on the unique benefits of finding free time to spend with your friends. In addition to saving money, Hughes advocates that thinking outside the “dinner and drinks” box can help deepen and strengthen adult friendships – something that becomes distinctly harder once we leave school and build our adult lives. I have this list bookmarked and plan to go through it with friends this summer!
Podcast: The Run Up
This podcast from The New York Times is my go-to for U.S. election coverage. While it’s still early in the 2024 cycle, their coverage has already kicked off. At this point, the episodes focus less on what voters are thinking, and more on what’s happening behind closed doors and within political parties. The host, Astead Herndon, is a talented journalist with an impeccable podcasting voice. A great listen in the summer months to stay updated ahead of election season.
Show: Outlast on Netflix
This show had me SCREAMING at my television. If you’re a fan of the survival show Alone and love back-stabbing, chaotic reality TV, Outlast is your match made in heaven. The premise is simple: 12 people are dropped in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness and split into four teams. The goal is to outlast all of the other players to win $1 million. There is no elimination of players, and the only way they can leave and miss out on the prize money is if they choose to opt out on their own. The only real rule is that to win you must be on a team(although you can switch from team to team at any time).
Book: *Out There by Kate Folk
This book of short stories is definitely on my reading list and is pretty weird (in the best way) from what I’ve heard. I love short stories for summer months so I can read a little next to the pool or at the beach before going swimming, or in a hammock on a break from a walk!
Book: *Happy Place by Emily Henry
I’ve devoured all of Emily Henry’s books and I’m sooo excited to pick up her newest romance novel. Happy Place just seems like the perfect vacation read.
Add some adventure to your summer and check off as many as you can!
Watch both the sunrise and the sunset on the same day.
Buy a pack of chalk and decorate the sidewalks of your neighborhood.
Invite a few friends to have a picnic in the park. Go all out! Encourage your friends to wear their picnic best, and bring a delicious item to share. Pro-tip: Pick up your food at a bougie specialty store (my MN favorites are Kowalski’s and my local wine + cheese shop) to feel extra fancy.
Host a party and make all guests make + bring a custom cocktail/mocktail based on their job. I’ve seen this going around on TikTok (you can watch my faves here and here) and I love the challenge to get really creative with it. Bonus: vote on your favorites and award prizes to the winner!
Create a summer photo diary. Buy a photo book, decorate the cover, and print photos from your phone each month to fill the book with memories! I own and highly recommend *this instax photo printer, which prints Polaroid-style photos straight from your camera roll! For other more budget-friendly printer options, check out *this similar printer with good review, and *this printer which uses photo paper rather than Polaroid paper.
Go to a thrift store with a friend and each secretly buy a board game. Back at home, try out each other’s games. There are lots of routes to go with this one, from an in-depth strategy game you’ve never heard of, to a nostalgic favorite like Twister!
Sign-up for a summer community education course. Many communities have something like this, and through the Minneapolis Community Education program I’ve taken tons of classes, including ceramics + bread making!
Join + complete The 2023 Summer Reading Challenge from BiblioLifestyle! I love the nostalgic feeling of completing library reading challenges! What I especially love about BiblioLifestyle is that Victoria (who runs the site) also offers many resources to help you to get started, including reading guides, quizzes, book choice prompts, and more!
Go to a drive-in movie or movie in the park (depending on what’s most accessible in your community). I love my little portable radio I use at the drive-in, and it always feels like such an adventure!
Try Geocaching! The app can be downloaded quickly and easily on your phone, and it’s like your very own treasure hunt!
Escape to the woods! If sleeping on the ground isn’t your jam, book a Getaway Cabin for the ultimate glamping on a budget experience! They have locations all over the US; you can even bring your pup along for the adventure! And as a special bonus, if you use my referral link, you’ll receive $25 off!
Find a new recipe before visiting your local farmer’s market. Try to get all the needed ingredients from the market before heading home to cook!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
My friend made this garlic aioli for a tv-night a few months ago, and I swear this sauce changed my life. When she made it she didn’t have dill and subbed the herbs for basil, which was just as delicious. I’m sure there are tons of other ways to switch up and customize this recipe, and I’m just obsessed with how simple this comes together.
You might have seen me post about this on my Instagram a while back, but I made these potato wedges to pair with the aforementioned garlic aioli and it was a match made in heaven. I soaked the potatoes in ice water for 30 minutes before roasting, and it helped them get extra crispy. Try it out!
One of my favorite parts of summer is when my farm share starts arriving! If you’re local to the Twin Cities, The Good Acre is the farm share I use and I love their program. In addition to the boxes, they send a newsletter with details about the farms, recipes for the ingredients in your box, and write-ups on farming history + food systems. If you’re not local to the Twin Cities, most communities have farm shares that can be easily found with a quick Google search.
I recently invested in this dress, and I already know it will make an appearance on my honeymoon in Italy. It’s the perfect, breathable dress to help you stay cute + chic even on the hottest days.
I hope this warm season has nothing but the sweetest treats in store for you and yours! I know I will be living it up, and hope you get to do the same.
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