It's a Fab Summer Update!

Hello dear Reader,

How are you holding up? I’m doing all right. Just resetting some content-related boundaries and plowing ahead with my lists. As you’re likely aware, the next few months are ramping up ahead of the November 2nd election in the states. The ads are aggressive and in yo face. Quite honestly—if I never see a political ad again, I would be extremely happy. Unfortunately, several streaming platforms include ads, so I’m making a conscious decision to simply not watch the ones that have them. Bye for now YouTube!

“I’ve got stuff to do,” is a recurring refrain these days, because I want to make the most out of the weather. I’m not quite done with my jewelry-making for GenCon, either, and I’ve been spending my free time outside biking and gardening. As I learn more about conservation efforts, I want to prioritize making my spaces greener and healthier. I also want to ensure I have the “right tool for the job,” which means ensuring that my summer gear and clothes are appropriate. Though we humans are fantastic innovators, sometimes the old classics (like wearing cotton or linen instead of polyester) are the best. That said? I have had luck finding affordable options to keep me cool and want to share them with you.

Beating the Heat

It’s summertime in the northern hemisphere and temps are heating up. Here’s five recommendations for summer gear I’ve used. They’re available on Amazon* and other retail outlets, too.

Mini portable fan - To avoid overheating, portable fans are great! This one is rechargeable and the battery lasts 10-12 hours. Fits in a purse or backpack, and also works to keep the bugs off.

Cooling Neck Wrap - If you hike, bike, or spend a lot of time outdoors, a reusable neck cooling wrap can help. This one doesn't require any electricity; you just soak it in water and it interacts with the polymer beads inside. There are others that you can pull from the sleeve and freeze the interior.

Mini Air Con - Air conditioners can get pretty pricey and spike your electric bills. If you want a wee air con, this one does help cool off small rooms provided it's used correctly. We found that smaller ice cube trays that freeze tiny ice cubes work better than large ones, and soaking the filter before freezing it is ideal.

Blackout Curtains - Sometimes, reducing heat is as simple as putting up an affordable pair of blackout curtains to thwart sunny rays from raising temperatures. They do work! This particular set doesn’t have a coating on the back, like the Eclipse drapes, and wears well.

Instant Cooling Pack - Heat can really creep up on you! If you’re feeling the heat, these portable, one-time use cooling packs will ensure your temperature comes down.

Have you tried any of these options? Got a different rec? Send it my way!

Putting a call out! Need a Lens

If you have any ideas how to find a Canon RF 200-800 lens that’s reasonably priced for sale/rent, that’d be awesome. I do have a Canon and can either use another RF lens or one with a converter. I’ve got some wildlife photography excursions I’m planning, and my current lens requires close-ups. While I think bears are cool, I probably won't be asking for a selfie with them anytime soon. Probably.

Capybaras on the other hand…

Next time, I’ll share some recommended links and news following GenCon!

Warmly,

Monica

Links included in this post are for my Amazon affiliate account. Gotta eat, yo!