Slither Into Summer In A Snakeskin Print Dress

Every summer I seem to lean in to a particular trend or item of clothing. One summer I wore shorts non-stop. The next summer I couldn't get enough of wearing cute, flirty skirts. The summer after that I bought all the shorts, literally every embroidered, denim, distressed, scalloped, and tie-waisted pair I could find.

This summer, I am declaring it the summer of dresses. I've already bought at least 10 dresses that will be on repeat all summer long. I'll be sharing more pictures of those as the summer goes by, but today, I am teaming up with my my blogging friend extraordinaire, Deborah from Fabulous After 40, to share one of our favorite summer dresses. This snakeskin print, keyhole dress is, by far, my favorite.

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Beach Basics Under $40!

featured:

Cover Up | Wristlet | Sunscreen | Sunglasses | Flip Flops | Beach Towel | Bathing Suit

Whether you are lucky enough to be heading on a winter getaway (can I come?) or you are counting the days until Memorial Day (there are 81), it's time to start gathering your beach essentials. Maybe you need one of everything or maybe you just need 1 or 2 of the above. Don't wait until it's time to pack up your beach bag to discover that you are in need of a new bathing suit or your favorite flip flops are worn thin.

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What To Wear To A White Party

You've been invited to a white party this summer, and you're feeling overwhelmed by what to wear. I get it. The thought of dressing in all white can be daunting. But it doesn't have to be. We've been invited to a party this summer, and rather than stress about the attire, I've embraced the challenge. Here are some ideas for what to wear and some tips for how to put your outfit together when attending a white party.

• Keep the key components of your outfit white, but use accessories to inject color and texture into your overall look.
• Experiment with shades of white. Your whites don't need to be matchy-matchy. Mix and match cool shades of white (gray-ish) with warm shades (beige-ish).
• Accessorize with metallics. Gold and silver work very well with whites and help to balance the strong, bright shade.

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Summer Reading List

For me, summer is a great excuse to unplug, kick back and devour a great book. Carefree weekends spent lounging on your deck or patio, by the pool, or on the beach were made for reading. Since I can't devote as much time to reading as I once could, I tend to be very selective about the books I choose to read. Although I tend to lean towards psychological thrillers that have you on the edge of your set, I also love stories with happy endings, murder mysteries that keep you guessing until the last sentence, and heart wrenching dramas that require multiple boxes of tissues.

Here are the books I'll be reading this summer.

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How To Make The Most of a Family Trip To the Pool

photo via

During the summer months, there's no better exercise or enjoyment for kids than swimming. What better way to engage your kids in an active lifestyle than a family trip to the local swimming pool. Not only is learning to swim a major life skill which should be encouraged from an early age, but it also offers an excellent cardiovascular workout that can help to keep them energetic, physically strong and at a healthy weight. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of a swimming experience for the entire family:

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5 Ways To Make Guests Feel At Home

Whether you live close to a resort town or not, you are likely to have house guests at some point. Because we live at the Jersey Shore, our home is a popular weekend destination for friends and family. Whenever we have out-of-town guests, it is our number one goal to make them feel at home. Our home is their home, no matter who they are and how long they are staying.

Here are the 5 ways I make guests feel at home when they are visiting.

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How To Beat The Heat This Summer

Summer got off to a slow start, but now that it's July, the temperatures are rising. I love summer, and the hotter the better. But not everyone feels the way I do. Chances are that you love summer, when you can sit in the backyard sunbathing and sipping a refreshing cocktail or mocktail or slurping on a juicy popsicle when the heat and humidity are at their lowest.

But what happens when you just can’t seem to get away from the heat? What happens when it gets to that stage where it is unbearably hot - the kind of heat where you struggle to eat and sleep, let alone continue with daily life?

Obviously, you want to enjoy summer and all the activities that go along with it. But you also don’t want you or your little ones to end up uncomfortable or unwell because of the heat. The good news is that keeping cool this summer doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think, it’s just a case of knowing the steps to take to beat the heat. Here’s how to do that in a range of places and scenarios.

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Friday Fresh Picks: Fourth of July Favorites

After Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July is probably my favorite holiday. It's one of those low-key holidays that's all about food, family, friends, and fun. What's not to love about that? As we are gearing up to celebrate next week, I've been planning festive meals, decorations, desserts, and games to enjoy on the day.

In this installment of Friday Fresh Picks, I'm sharing a few of my favorite Fourth of July-themed items.

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My Summer Reading List

For me summer is a great excuse to unplug, kick back and devour a great book. Carefree weekends spent lounging on your deck or patio, by the pool, or on the beach were made for reading. At one time, I could put away two books per week, easily. These days that's no longer an option. Since I can't devote as much time to reading as I once could, I tend to be very selective about the books I choose to read. My choices are based on recommendations from friends, authors I love, and the New York Times best sellers list.

I've carefully selected the following six books for my 2017 summer reading list.

1. The Breakdown by B.A. Paris
Last summer I read Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris. I couldn't put it down. Seriously. It was a page turner. When I heard that she had written a second book, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on an advanced copy of it. If you haven't yet read Behind Closed Doors, you can read my review and then race out to buy the book. The Breakdown is another gripping thriller filled with suspense, the unknown, and the unforgivable. Stay tuned. I'll be posting a full review in the blog within two weeks.

Note: The Breakdown is available for pre-order and will be released on July 18, 2017.

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Summer To-Do List

It's the first day of summer, so it seems only fitting to share our summer to-do list. Here at the Jersey Shore, there is no shortage of fun summer activities, events, and random things to do. From beach movies to local fairs to concerts and so much more, you'll find plenty to keep the entire family entertained for a few months.

Here's to a summer full of sun, sand, and checking everything below off the list!

1. Go peach picking and make this dessert and these cookies.

2. Go camping on the beach.

3. Walk across The Brooklyn Bridge.

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Summer To-Do List

A few years ago when I realized that summer flies by in the blink of an eye, I started making a summer to-do list to insure that I accomplish all that I hope to by Labor Day. New Jersey summers are never short of fun things to do. From the beaches to the mountains, fun abounds. This summer I have some old favorites on the list as well as a few newbies.

Here's what I am aiming to knock off my summer to-do list this year:

1. Go camping (yes, I said camping)!

2. Go to a beach movie.

3. Visit the Statue of Liberty.

4. Go to a local farmer's market that I've never visited before.

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Summer Fun at Jenkinson's Boardwalk #JenksMemory

When you think of summer fun at the Jersey Shore, you think of Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Amusements. Jenkinson's, located in Point Pleasant Beach, is your one-stop shop for family fun and entertainment. Jenkinson's dominates the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk with an amusement and arcade area, an aquarium, miniature golf, several food concessions, and a nightclub.

From the beach to the boardwalk, Jenksinson's offers plenty to put smiles on everyone's face for an entire day or for a few hours.

Come for a day or a week and enjoy the sprawling beach complete with palm trees. Beaches are open daily during the summer season.

A little too hot for the beach? Head indoors where it's cooler and the sharks are behind glass! The Jenkinson's Aquarium features your favorite creatures from sea habitats including sharks, penguins and seals.

On our most recent visit to the aquarium, we were lucky enough to catch a diver cleaning the tank.

Kiddos and adults will get a thrill in the amusement area. Rides for every age abound. If you are seeking a thrill on the tame side, try the train or the carousel. My girls have long abandoned the tame rides in favor of those with more speed and more spins!

Feeling competitive? How about a good, old-fashioned game of miniature golf. Or for a slower pace, a walk through the Fun House is always a good idea.

Jenkinson's is open daily, but hours vary from attraction to attraction. Check the web site for specific hours.

Jenkinson's offers special events throughout the year including Hot Halloween, Boo at the Boardwalk and Christmas in July. Tuesday afternoons and Friday evenings are wristband days where you have access to unlimited rides for one low price. See web site for details.

What are you waiting for? Hope in the car and head to Jenkinson's today!

Disclosure: As a Jenkinson's Ambassador, I have been provided with a voucher for my visits. All opinions expressed are always my own.

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What's In My Beach Bag?

My beach bag is always stocked and ready to go. We don't make it to the pool or beach every day, but on those days when the stars align, we make it to one or the other. And today, the stars and moon must have been in perfect alignment because I was able to go to the pool by myself. Myself, people!! This is a rare occurrence, and I took advantage of it.

What exactly do I keep in my beach bag? All the essentials, of course. And a bit more...

Beach Bag
First things first. You need a sturdy and stylish beach bag. Mine is from San Diego hat company. It's a few years old and no longer available, but this bag is similar and just as cute.

Sun Bum Sunscreen
I was first introduced Sun Bum sunscreen last fall during our annual vacation in Captiva, Florida. It quickly became my favorite sunscreen. I've bought the lotion, the spray, the stick, and the lip balm. Seriously, it's just THAT awesome. Don't believe me? Read my full review here.

Sunglasses
You'd be cah-razy to hit the pool or beach without your favorite pair of sunnies! For me, it's this pair of Ray Ban aviators.

Turkish Towel
Two years ago, I worked on a campaign with Aveeno through a client. As a thank you, Aveeno sent me a gift bag and in it included a Turkish towel. Ever since, I have been hooked and haven't used a traditional beach towel. Turkish towels are lightweight and airy and are perfect for throwing over your chaise on the beach or at the pool.

Reading Material
For the beach or pool, I like to read magazines. Books are great, but I need uninterrupted time for a book, and I just don't get that when I am with my girls. So, magazines work great since I can put them down when the girls want me to take a picture or a video or when I want to dip my feet in. My favorites: Redbook, InStyle, US Weekly, Food Network, and Real Simple.

Earbuds
When I am not reading a magazine, I can usually be found listening to a podcast. A pair of comfortable earbuds is a must. You can find them at your dollar store for just $1 or if you want to invest a bit more, you can go big and purchase a pair of Bose earbuds. They are available in any price range, and of course, the quality ranges. I am perfectly content with my $20 pair of Sony earbuds.

Leave-In Conditioner
Hair that's been exposed to sun, salt, chlorine, and sand becomes a dry, tangled mess. I spritz on leave-in conditioner to help manage the tangles and keep my hair smooth and shiny.

After-Sun Moisturizer
In the event that I am going straight from the beach to dinner or cocktails, I like to lather on an after-sun moisturizer. Sun Bum makes a lotion and a gel that are perfect for cooling down and hydrating the skin.

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How To Make the Most of Your Back Yard in the Summer

Summer is here and that means we are going to be spending more time outdoors, especially in our back yards. In the summer, we use our back yard for everything from playing to entertaining. We make the most of it by using our back yard as an extension of our living space. Everything from morning coffee to evening dinner is done on our patio. Here are some of the ways you can make the most of your front lawn or back yard.

The Grass Is Always Greener

Or at least, it will be as long as you look after your grass properly. This means more than just mowing your lawn regularly because grass is just like any other plant. It needs water and proper care. This can be a problem particularly if we have a summer without a lot of rainfall.

If you want to make sure you are lying on lush green grass in your garden, consider installing a sprinkler system or purchasing sprinklers that you can place on your lawn. We have a pre-installed system, and it's incredibly convenient. We have it set on timers to turn on a at a certain time and on specific days. It keeps our lawn looking bright green and healthy. If you don't have a local sprinkler service, you can use the services of a website like Proirrigation.com/products-services/services/system-repairs. A sprinkler system is the best and easiest way to keep your lawn green whatever the weather.

Fantastic Outdoor Furniture

If you are going to be spending any amount of time outdoors, you'll need some furniture to relax on. If you are short on space, a bistro table is a great option. If you have more flexibility with space, opt for a set that includes ample seating. This is perfect for settling down with a good book or keeping cool in the shade. If you plan to entertain al fresco, consider buying an outdoor table. You can find one that seats 4 or up to 10-12 people.

Photo credit

Fun In The Sun

There is much more to summer fun than enjoying your beautiful yatd, particularly for kids. You may find them jumping through the sprinklers to cool down or enjoying a dip in the pool. You can also buy a cheap slip and slide online. Setting one of these up is easy to do and it will keep your kids entertained through most of those hot summer days. If you have smaller children, you can buy a medium sized plastic pool for your back yard. Children will delight in playing and floating in the water.

Delicious Evenings

Summer is BBQ season. If you want to cook a proper barbecue you'll need a grill. Whether you prefer a gas grill or a charcoal one or a small one or a large one, a grill is a summer essential. Impress your guests with perfectly grilled specialites...and of course, s'mores!

I hope you enjoy the time you spend in your yard this summer because I definitely plan on enjoying mine!  

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How To Organize a Summer Barbecue

With the warm weather finally here, now is the perfect time to throw a BBQ party. While organizing a BBQ for all your closest friends and family can be a lot of fun, it can also be quite stressful.

From sending out the invites to ensuring that there is enough food to go around, planning a successful BBQ takes a lot of time and effort. However, there are plenty of ways you can make things a little easier for yourself.

To help you plan a fantastic BBQ with the least amount of stress, we have put together this handy guide below:

Photo credit

Ensure you have enough seating
Once you know how many people to expect, the first thing you should do is check whether you have enough seating. If you don’t have enough seats for everyone, don’t panic. You have options.

If there are a lot of people coming to your BBQ, it’s unlikely that you will be able to provide enough seats for everyone. However, it’s a good idea to have an outdoor table that can be used for placing the food.

If you don’t want to invest in a traditional garden table, why not opt for something more modern. There are various outdoor dining settings at Mydeal that are perfect for using at BBQs. They offer a variety of sizes to suit

Decide on the menu
For most people, a good BBQ includes lots of delicious meats, like ribs, chicken, hot dogs, and burgers. However, while it’s a good idea to stock plenty of meats for the party, it’s also important to have some vegetarian alternatives on offer.

Grilled vegetables are delicious and allow your guests to enjoy grilled cooking. Many vegetarians also eat veggie sausages and burgers, so you could consider getting some of these as well.

To cut down on costs, make the sides and salads yourself. These are generally easy to prepare and won't require a large chunk of time. Instead of buying sides like potato salad and coleslaw, make them yourself. Not only will homemade sides be healthier than shop bought ones, they will also be less expensive.

Things like couscous, tomato salad, potato salad, coleslaw, and pasta salad are all easy to make. If, however, you don’t have the time to make all that, you could always ask people to bring a dish each.

Sometimes BBQs can take a while to cook the food, so it’s a good idea to have a few nibbles on hand for your guests to snack on. Things like hummus and carrot sticks, pretzels, potato chips and dips, and tzatziki and cucumber, are all ideal for warding off hunger.

Make it simple
Organizing a BBQ can be stressful, so try to make things as easy for yourself as possible.

You're hosting a backyard barbecue not a formal dinner party. Instead of leaving yourself with plate after plate to wash, use paper plates, plastic cutlery, and plastic cups. That way once the BBQ is over, all you have to do is bag up the trash.

A barbecue is intended to casual and fun, whether you are the host or a guest. Organizing a big BBQ can be stressful, however, if you follow these tips you can make it a lot less stressful for yourself.

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Summer To-Do List

It's the first day of summer, so it seems only fitting to put together our summer bucket list today. Summer flies right before my eyes. If I don't record a few of the things that we'd like to do, see, and experience in the next 85 days, it's not likely to happen. The girls will be busy this summer with local recreation programs, but I plan to still squeeze in time for the things that rank high on our summer priority list.

Here's to a fabulous summer and to checking each item off the list!

1. Visit Popcorn Park Zoo.

2. Go to at least two Friday night beach movies at Jenkinson's.

3. Continue my never ending quest for the perfect bathing suit. This one comes close.

4. Achieve my summer fitness goal of walking 150 miles by August 21st.

5. Visit the Statue of Liberty.

6. Go to Hersheypark. It's been 10 years since our last visit.

7. Go on a breakfast eating tour of the Jersey shore.

8. Master the perfect margarita.

9. Visit a New Jersey waterfall, such as this one.

10. Take a cake decorating class with my girls here.

What's on your summer to-do list?

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Tips for Totally Taking Care of Yourself This Summer

Disclosure: I received LISTERINE® Brand products and a Walgreens gift card from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, INC. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® Brand Totally Taken Care Of program. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Summer tends to be a time of the year when we slow down a bit and lead more relaxed lifestyles. For many parents, our day to day routines are completely altered by the fact that the kids are out of school and running from one activity to the next. We often struggle to find semblance of a normal life during these months, and sometimes we lose sight of taking care of ourselves.

This summer you can incorporate a few easy steps into your daily routine to ensure that you are taking the best possible care of yourself. Here are a few ways to get started.

1. Exercise a few times per week
An early morning or late evening walk is the perfect (and very easy) way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Choose a time when the heat is at a minimum so that you stay as comfortable as possible. Remember to bring a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated and refreshed.

2. Take advantage of nature's bounty
Gardens will soon be overflowing with a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables. Visit a local farmer's market or join a CSA for the best variety and first pick of the goodies. Try a few of
my favorite summer recipes:

Homemade bruschetta

Cherry tomato spaghetti

Yogurt, fruit, and granola parfaits

Quick and easy salad

3. Protect your skin
Summer is the perfect time to make SPF your BFF. Nothing can you bring down your spirits faster than a sunburn in summer. They are uncomfortable, incredibly painful, and completely unnecessary. Lather up before you go into the sun, and keep applying throughout the day.

4. Make dental health a priority
Cotton candy, popsicles, ice cream, and funnel cakes all add up to a mouth full of sugar. Don't let this summer be the one where the cavities strike. LISTERINE® makes it easy to take care of your teeth by offering a full line of products from toothpaste to dental floss to mouth rinse. This summer I'll be encouraging my daughters to follow up their normal brushing routines with LISTERINE®'s TOTAL CARE mouthwash. Not only does TOTAL CARE mouthwash freshen your breath, but it also prevents cavities and strengthens teeth.

Shop your local Walgreens and stock up on these LISTERINE® products so you can be prepared to take care of your family all summer long.

Disclosure: I received LISTERINE® Brand products and a Walgreens gift card from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, INC. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE® Brand Totally Taken Care Of program. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

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Spotlight on the Jersey Shore: Jenkinson's Boardwalk {Giveaway} #JenksMemory

I am thrilled to announce that, again this summer, I am happily partnering with Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Jersey Moms Blog as a summer ambassador. I and several other New Jersey bloggers have been invited to share our love of Jenkinson's and show you how Jenkinson's can create a true Jersey shore experience for you and your family.

Ever since I first moved to the Jersey shore back in 2001, every summer has included several trips to Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach. You can read more about my love of Jenkinson's here, here and here.

When I think of summer family fun, I think of Jenkinson's Boardwalk. From the beach to the aquarium to boardwalk games, rides, and a fun house, it's a jam-packed day of fun for the entire family. Oh, and let's not forget about the Sweet Shop!

Jenkinson's beach movies

Whether you are looking to relax on the beach, channel your inner marine biologist, indulge your palate, or feed your sense of adventure, Jenkinson's has something for you. Or if you are like I am, you want to do it all! And Jenkinson's makes it possible to experience all it has to offer in a day.

We love the beach movies. They offer a relaxing Friday night under the stars. See the full summer 2015 schedule for dates, times, and movie titles.

Whether beaching it is your thing or you are looking for a day of adventure, Jenkinson's has you covered. With miniature golf, amusement rides and fun house, an aquarium, a sprawling beach and bath house, souvenir shops, food, food, and more food, you'll want for nothing when you visit Jenkinson's.

Can't wait to go?WIN A GUEST VOUCHER FOR UP TO 5 PEOPLE

Jenkinson's is generously offering one Pieces of a Mom reader a 2015 Guest Voucher for up to five (5) people (guest wristbands will be issued). The wristbands include complimentary access to:

• amusement park
• beach
• bath house
• miniature golf
• aquarium
• fun house

Voucher is valid Monday through Friday only and excludes holidays. It expires on 12/31/2015. The guest voucher does not include parking. Winner will redeem voucher at the Pavilion Office after 9 am or Amusement Park office after 12 pm for wristbands. The voucher is non-transferable and ID is required to redeem. Must be 18 years of age to enter to win.

Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 


Disclosure: I received guest vouchers as well as paid compensation as part of the Jenks Ambassador program.

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Boho Chic At The Beach

In the summer, it's easy to forget that anything other than casual beachwear exists. But there are plenty of occasions where something that's fitting for the beach but also for dinner or drinks afterwards is needed. So when I found this dress, I knew I had to scoop it up for several reasons. It's perfect for this summer's boho trend, and it can easily take me from beach to boardwalk with just a few minor adjustments (add jewelry, change shoes). Another added bonus: it pairs perfectly with those Birkenstock sandals that I wanted. (Yes, I bought them!)

Old Navy Dress | Birkenstock Sandals | Tory Burch Tote (old) | Essie 'A Crewed Interest' on fingernails

This dress would be perfect for any fourth of July festivities that you have planned. To see more fashions for the 4th, stop by Jo-Lynne Shane's blog for the Fashion Friday link up.

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Exciting Things To Do This Summer

I cannot wait for the summer! It is already getting warm here in New Jersey, which can only mean one thing - summer is on its way. This year, I want to make every moment count. As the hot season is my favorite time of year, I want to make sure that I make the most of it. Here is my personal checklist of the things I want to do. Feel free to steal it and add some things to it yourself!

Image Source

1. Take the kids to a theme park
Children adore theme parks and attractions, so why not treat them? These tourist points seem to make great days out for kids. I have already purchased tickets to a theme park that we haven't visited in 10 years. I know it might seem stressful to take your kids to one of these parks, but if you plan out the day ahead of time, it will be easier than you imagine. I promise.

2. Book yourself a spa day
Summers can be stressful with the kids home from school full-time. Take some time out for yourself and you'll be grateful that you did. We all need some time out, don't we? I know I do. When summer comes around, I can't wait to book myself into a local spa and enjoy a day of pure pampering. Whether you prefer getting a massage or having a facial or a manicure, having a relaxing treatment will help you to relieve your stress and unwind. If you book your place in advance, you might score a great deal. Start looking now and see what deals there are online.

3. Shop for a brand new look
The summer season means just one thing - it's time to start shopping! If you want to look fantastic this year, you'd better hit the stores and buy yourself some brand new clothes. Keep your eyes out for sales. I also subscribe to the email notifications for some of my favorite stores. This way, I am one of the first to know if there is a sale or a daily special. And don't forget about your local boutiques. They offer a fabulous selection, and you are guaranteed to look original. I recently went to The Mills at Jersey Gardens and found some fantastic pieces for my wardrobe.

4. Take your kids to the theater
If your kids have never been to the theater, now is an ideal time to take them. After all, it is never too early to start exposing your little ones to a bit of culture. Much of the time, theaters will offer family discounts or even free summer performances in the park. Look for a family-friendly show or a musical that they will love.

5. Start learning a new skill
I am big believer that you should never stop learning new things. I want to keep learning for as long as I can. Whether it's learning a new language, taking up a new sport, learning to play an instrument such as learning to play the piano, you might as well give it a go now. I encourage you to try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised by how quickly you learn to love something new.

6. Go on a staycation
The summer is the best time of year to take a staycation. Whether you visit another state or your hometown, you will be sure to have the time of your life. Set a a small budget and start looking for deals now and see whether there is one within your budget. It is also worth looking at train tickets to visit a nearby city rather than incurring the cost of air travel. I hope that my little checklist inspires you to start planning your summer.

Don't let the summer pass you buy without doing at least one thing from this list. Start making your own list now!

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