I shop online a lot, probably more than most. I’ll buy little everyday things in bulk or scour the corners of the web for oddities to try, but mostly I end up on Amazon. With Prime Day coming this week, I figured I’d put together a list of some of my favorite summer items that I think are worth every penny. If they’re not, at least the returns will be super easy. If you don’t actually want to read my notes but are curious, the full list is here. [Also, Ruby will make a little commission on anything that gets purchased from the list or one of these links, so cop up!!] (and let me know what you think)!
Lightweight Paper Traveler’s Notebook (Passport Size), $6.99
I try my best to journal year-round. It helps keep my thoughts organized and has been really important for my mental health. Lately, I’ve been using my Papa as more of an everyday notebook for jotting down anything and everything that comes to mind and sketching my ideas or observations. These lightweight refills are cheap and easy to slot into any passport-sized leather-bound cover, making for an experience much more elevated than their price might connote.
SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens, $14.10 for 6
I can’t remember how I came across these, but I love them. I’ve probably tried hundreds of different pens in my lifetime and always come back to these. They’ve basically got a very small ink tip that makes for smooth, precise lines. Perfect for sketching or notetaking alike.
MUJI Smooth Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens, $14.80 for 10
MUJI really changed my life when I bought my first tee from them back in ‘05 or ‘06. It’s a brand that’s successfully shown that great quality and extremely strong designs don’t need to come at a premium price. So much of what they do, they do really well, and the pens and stationery are often the entry points for most people. If you haven’t tried these, they’re just simple, reliable, and affordable ballpoint pens that are a pleasure to write with. Which is harder to come by than you’d think.
Tea Tree Therapy Mint Toothpicks, $10 for 3 packs of 100
I always have these on me and keep a backup pack in my car and on my office desk. They’re great for after meals, but I use them anytime I need a catalyst to release some energy or ruminate on something. If you’re trying to kick a habit, these often make for a healthier distraction.
Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $18.45
I’ve sung the praises of this simple, compact coffee maker/pitcher before, but it bears repeating. 1000mL is just enough for two large pints, or you can stretch it to about 4 smaller servings. I use a coarser grind which makes it easier to fill (you have to pour the water into the sieve full of grounds, and a finer grind tends to clot up faster) and stir with a chopstick to aid the flow of water through the grounds. I also recommend steeping overnight so you have a big, freshly chilled pitcher ready in the morning.
True Lime Crystallized Lime, $6.63 for 32
Crazy that you can get fresh lime in crystallized form. It feels like something from the future, but it’s real and great for adding to seltzer, sodas (Mexican Coke, especially), and especially for cocktails. This, with a little seltzer and your favorite clear spirit in a chilled glass? Oh, mama.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier - Passion Fruit, $72.99 for 48 sticks
The hangover cure for the day after you go too hard on lime-flavored cocktails. Passion fruit is my favorite flavor I’ve tried of these, and they’re quite strong and very sugary, so usually half a stick is enough for one serving, or you can pour it into a 32 oz. Nalgene. Admittedly pricey for an electrolyte powder, but they’re the best-tasting option I’ve tried and always do the trick, and it’s easy to stretch that dollar if you’re only doing half a stick.
Two-Piece NATO Apple Watch Band, $9.99
I’ve been wearing my Apple Watch more and more, especially when I’m working out, keeping up with my calendar in the office, or trying to track my sleep. I have a leather band and the black rubber one it came with, but neither option appeals to me when it’s 80+ degrees out, so I’m giving this NATO band a shot. NATO bands have been my go-to for warm weather since the Frank Muytjens J.Crew days, and while khaki is my go-to, the Bond colorway is a nice option too.
Wright's Silver Cleaner and Polish Cream, $10.61
My summer style is mostly shorts and tees, so accessories do all the heavy lifting until I can layer up again. I wear mostly silver with a few touches of gold and noticed some pieces I haven’t worn in a while were looking a little dull and oxidized. So I gave this silver polish a shot and was pleasantly surprised at the results. It brought back the brilliance of the silver surface without removing the oxidization in the nooks and crannies that tend to add character. I think more people than you’d think probably don’t ever polish their jewelry, but it really makes everything pop.
Maui Babe Browning Lotion, $13.95 for 4 oz.
The older I get, the more I want to be an old man in the Mediterranean for the rest of my life. A good tan also just makes me look and feel healthier and helps that jewelry pop even more. I’m not sure what it is, but this stuff is magic for getting a perfect tan. I use it in 30-minute increments, usually on the weekend when I can get some time to relax in the direct sun.
Solimo Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, $6.49 for 8 fl. oz.
Cheap, high-SPF, reef-friendly sunscreen that doubles as a decent moisturizer. It’s got a slight white cast when it goes on, but it disappears within a couple of minutes. This big bottle is also easy to keep track of and ensures you’ll have enough for at least a two-week vacation, if not all summer, if you use it more sparsely.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, $30 for 30 ml
This shit is expensive for how tiny of a bottle it is. But a little goes a long way in this case, and it really works miracles on my dry, sun-damaged hair. It’s a very light oil with a pleasant scent. I work it into my ends while damp when my hair is feeling especially dry or brittle and after haircuts in summer to seal in that smoothness.
Hair Clippers, $79.99
Summer is a great time to try a buzz cut, and it’s easy enough that you can do it yourself. There are plenty of tutorials out there nowadays, especially on YouTube, and you can build up some skills and save a lot of money. I’ve been cutting my own hair since high school, and every time I get my hair professionally cut, I find there’s something (however slight) that I would have done differently. If you need guidance or tips on cutting your own hair, hit me up.
Natural Pumice Stones, $3.89 for 2
My mom always had one of these growing up, and now I see why. I hate wearing socks in summer, but I also don’t want to be ashamed when I wear flip-flops. With these, you can exfoliate and soften up any rough patches so your feet are ready for a public appearance.
Indoor/Outdoor Bug Zapper, $40.99
Ruby’s family had this when we visited them in NY, and we just got one of our own. At less than a week old, it’s already proving its worth in zaps, which are satisfyingly sharp, strident pops that let me know there’s one less mosquito to worry about. It works best at night, so if that’s not enough for you, there’s also this electric fly swatter that is a lot of fun to use but increasingly hard to land as flies seem to pick up on its deadliness quicker than I can swing it.