Summer Bucket List and What to Wear While You Enjoy the Season

I was getting a little bogged down with doing all the usual things and decided to take a new approach today. I guess we’re almost halfway through the season, but in fact this is about the time I start needing a little inspiration…both for my style and for getting out and enjoying whatever season we are in. So today I’m sharing a summer bucket list for adult women along with a little style inspiration for what to wear while you enjoy what’s left of the season. Let’s have some fun!

This post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I potentially earn a commission on your purchases, but at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my work here by shopping my links.

I decided to reach back into my archives for this post. So you may see some outfits that are no longer available. And you’ll undoubtedly notice a variety of hairstyles. Ha! I never move my sofa, but I frequently change my hairstyle! Anyhow, I’ll link you back to all original blog posts in the captions of the photos so you can check them out for additional details if you’d like. And I will link clothes that are still available.

Let’s check out my summer bucket list and what to wear while you enjoy the season!

1. Take a road trip.

We thoroughly enjoyed our road trip to Maine. In fact, I enjoyed the three days we took to drive there and the four we took to come home just as much as I did our week in Maine.

We took backroads and state highways about 75% of the time. So worth it! But you don’t have to take an overnight trip. Just get in the car and scout out some new areas of your own state. As long as the AC is working in your automobile, this could be a cool getaway!

2. Rock or Swing a While on the Porch

Do you have a big front or back porch you could rock away the afternoon on? Make yourself something cool to drink and bring out the electric fan if you need to. Ha!

Then just sit and sway and listen to the birds. Don’t worry, I’ll suggest more activities. But for this item on our summer bucket list try to resist the urge to accomplish anything. Instead just take it easy.

3. Read a book. Or ten.

I find I have more time to read in the summer. Or maybe I just take the time. I’m on my third book of the summer right now. I finished A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter and really enjoyed it. It’s light – think Hallmark movies (of which she has written several!). But I thought it was fun.

And now I’m finishing up Nancy Thayer’s All the Days of Summer. It’s definitely a little scandalous for my taste, but I’m enjoying the window into a different way of thinking and living.

4. Explore your own downtown.

Take an early morning to go downtown before anyone else is there. Get a coffee or other beverage at a local coffee shop and just stroll, looking in windows and enjoying the sidewalk to yourself.

5. Plant some flowers. Or have your husband do it like I did. Ha!

I love to pick out flowers for my husband to plant. And fortunately he truly has the green thumb in the family. In fact, James worked for a well known billionaire on his home gardening staff while he was in seminary. So he really learned a lot about home landscaping and caring for common yard plants. Comes in handy!

By the way, that photo is from last year, but the items shown in it are all still available. Great outfit for a casual summer day.

6. Visit a botanical garden.

Visiting a beautiful botanical garden causes us to slow down a little and really take note of the world.

Don’t forget to wear a good sun hat and comfortable walking shoes!

7. Meet a friend for coffee or something cool to drink.

Summer sometimes means we’re crossing paths with our friends like ships in the night, coming and going on vacations and family gatherings. So pause to catch up with a friend when you’re both in town. Friendships are so important.

By the way, don’t wait for a friend to invite you to meet up. You take the initiative! And if you are needing some new friends, make one this summer.

8. Go out for ice cream!

I try to keep my diet pretty healthy most of the time. And during the summer I actually find that to be pretty easy with all the fresh vegetables and fruits that abound. But don’t let the summer get by without indulging in one or two treats, too.

9. Take a hike.

I know it’s hot. But if you get out early in the morning or late in the evening, you’ll find that a walk in the woods can be quite cool and invigorating.

Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and moisturizing wicking fabrics. I also suggest insect repellant and good sunscreen at this time of year, too.

A hat with a wide brim and good sunglasses will be essential if it’s sunny, too. Oh, and make sure you take some water along.

10. Host a week (weekend?) of Grandkids Camp.

Did you hear that I’m going to be a Mimi? I’m so excited to be a grandparent. If you have grandkids, consider having them all in for a few days of spoiling camp.

You could have a grandkids camp t-shirt, play games, go for nature walks, swim a little, make some crafts and eat some s’mores. Fun! And your kids will love having a few days without their kiddos while you spoil enjoy them.

11. Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

I know, I know. But it’s truly a great sale. And this year I’m pretty amazing at the selection. They do have some wear now items in the sale, but it’s largely a pre-fall sale full of brand new styles. You can preview the sale now and begin building your wish list so that you shop it smart.

Check out my recent post about how to prepare for the sale HERE. And you’ll be able to see the staggered start dates for the sale there, too. Truly, this is one of the highlights of the summer for me. Ha!

12. Wear a dress.

Seriously. In the winter I always bemoan the fact that I can’t wear dresses as much because it’s just so cold. Well, here’s our chance! So no matter what you’re doing, try to wear a dress at least once a week during the summer. That’s my personal goal anyhow. Join me if you’d like!

Simple but pretty dresses like the one above from Walmart make it so easy to make this goal!

13. Invite some friends over for a cool supper.

Last summer I remember having some neighbors over for a cold supper. We had chicken salad on lettuce leaves, corn salad, fresh tomatoes and a grape salad for dessert. We all loved it!

Keep summer entertaining easy by purchasing some of the meal ready-made (we got the chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick) and preparing other dishes ahead of time. Don’t turn on your oven if you can possibly help it.

14. Attend a wedding or other special event in style.

Summer is a time for weddings, reunions and anniversary celebrations. Go in style!

Whether you know the event will be dressy or not, you can still show up in a pretty dress. Don’t worry about being over dressed. You be the pacesetter and dress up a little.

15. Go for a swim!

I don’t swim nearly as often as I used to when I was raising my kids. In fact, I don’t even really have a swimming pool accessible to me at this stage in the game. Hmm. I need to make some new friends. Ha! But I do try to at least get in the water sometime during the summer.

Let’s not allow the summer to slip by without making a splash!

16. Hit the course or the court.

Again, it’s hot. But schedule an early morning tee time or a late evening court reservation. It’s time to play!

17. Treat yourself to an afternoon tea.

Escape the heat by making reservations for a delightful afternoon tea.

Sometimes you just need to get out of the heat and do something relaxing and special. Treat a friend…or just treat yourself!

Thanks so much for dropping in for my summer bucket list. I hope you got a little inspiration for how to best use the rest of your summer days. And hopefully you also enjoyed seeing some outfit ideas for what to wear. Have a lovely summer day!