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It’s Not Too Late To Make The Ultimate Summer Bucket List
Depending on where you live and your perspective on time, we’re slowly approaching the halfway mark of the summer. This time during the season presents a unique opportunity to not only reflect on all the memories that you’ve already encapsulated but also take inventory of how you’d like to spend the remaining days ahead.
Summer bucket lists have long been a staple tool to document our desired adventures and keep track of lasting memories that have marked our summer days. And while most people create their bucket list before summer gets into full swing, it's never too late to create a list to put yourself on the road to making the most of what’s left in the season offerings.
Whether you've been caught up in the hustle and bustle of life or simply looking for some inspiration, a mid-summer bucket list can infuse your remaining days with spontaneity and intentional joy — since the spirit of adventure knows no time constraints or time limits.
Before diving into creating your mid-summer bucket list, it’s always best to have a moment to reflect on the experiences you've already had this season. Sometimes when we live in a city that gets a lot of action with concerts, festivals, and everything in between, it can be overwhelming to decide what it is you actually want to put your energy into going to. But when you take time to recall the moments that brought you joy and the nights that made your heart race (in a good way), they can give you the foundation for your future summer shenanigans.
Just because the calendar says the summer days are winding down doesn’t mean you can’t still embrace the wonder of trying new things and a sense of excitement for the unexpected fun that lies ahead. As long as you have warmth and extended sunlight at your disposal, it's never too late to start your summer checklist, and to get you started, we’re providing you with all the inspiration you need to create one that reflects your unique desires.
1.Beach Day with Friends:
Spend a day at the beach with your closest girlfriends, soaking up the sun, bronzing up your melanin, and indulging in a refreshing tipsy drink (or two).
2.Take A Road Trip Adventure:
Plan a spontaneous road trip to explore nearby towns, hidden gems, and breathtaking landscapes. Embrace the freedom of the open road and create unforgettable memories along the way.
3.Get Aquatic With A New Water Sport:
Whether it's paddleboarding, surfing, or kayaking, challenge yourself to learn a new water sport and experience the thrill of riding the waves.
4.Take Your Workout Outside:
Find a serene spot in nature or a group outdoor class to rejuvenate your mind and body while connecting with the beauty of the outdoors.
5.See Your Favorite Artist In Concert:
Something about summer ‘23 has all our favs touring, which is perfect for us: the fans! Grab your tickets and get lost in the sounds of your most-loved tunes, you won’t regret it.
6.Outdoor Movie Night:
There’s nothing like watching the sunset while a classic rom-com is playing in the background. Hit the nearest rooftop and organize a cozy outdoor movie night with friends, complete with blankets and popcorn — extra points if you get a good cry in.
7.Attend A Farmer's Market:
Explore a local farmer's market, supporting local businesses while discovering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and unique artisanal products.
8.Try Trendy Summer Recipes:
With the TikTok kitchen at our disposal, there’s always room to experiment with refreshing and Instagram-worthy summer recipes. From colorful smoothie bowls to homemade popsicles and fresh salads, you can keep your meals light and cute.
9.Switch Up Your Appearance:
Maybe you’ve been eyeing a hair color or a curly cut on your Pinterest mood board. Whatever your flavor, summer is the perfect time to test out a new look and switch your style up.
10.Pick Up A Book:
Remember when we used to read for fun? We do too! For book recommendations, check out our Good Reads section and our series, "I Read It So You Don't Have To," by clicking here and here. Why not use the summer to tap into your inner bookworm?
11.Go For A Sunset Bike Ride:
There’s one thing to see the city on foot. There’s a whole other thing to see it on a breezy route while biking. Take the long track while taking in the scenery of your neighborhood and city.
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Featured image by Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
In today’s economy, we’re always looking for ways to stretch every dollar. However, the allure of new gadgets, trendy clothes, and the latest dining spots can often lead to impulsive spending. An iced latte here and an Uber Eats delivery there, topped off by a spontaneous online order can add up over time.
For those seeking to curb frivolous expenses and adopt a more mindful approach to their finances, participating in a no-spend month could be the solution to gaining control over their spending.
What is the No-Spend Challenge?
The no-spend challenge is a personal finance exercise where individuals commit to not spending money on non-essential items for a specific period. This could mean cutting off a subscription service, limiting your nights out for drinks, pulling back on online shopping, and holding off on big, spontaneous purchases to see how much you’d save over the month. The challenge encourages participants to evaluate their spending habits, identify areas of unnecessary expenditure, and redirect their financial focus toward savings and debt reduction.
This spending requires one to differentiate between needs and wants, with the base necessities being food, transportation, housing, essential bills, and medical/mental health expenses.
Preparing for a No-Spend Challenge
When embarking on a no-spend month, proper preparation is key to ensure you make the most out of the experience.
Financial expert and founder of The Frugal Feminista, Kara Stephens, says that having a compelling “why” can serve as a motivator to endure the ups and downs of the challenge, especially if it's your first time. “Have a clear idea of what your goals and outcomes are for the challenge. Do you want to be grateful for what you have? Do you want to save a certain amount of money?” she tells xoNecole. “Know what's going to be your ‘after-no-spend challenge' sustainability plan because we're hoping that your habits and your perspective on spending are changing and that you find a way to make that a part of your life after the challenge.”
One of the initial catalysts for the recent popularity of the no-spend challenge is to combat “revenge spending.” This spending habit, triggered by the “life is short” reality of the pandemic, has caused many of us to want to make up for lost time or missed experiences, which can lead to reckless financial decisions and jeopardize future stability.
Because of this, Stephen advises us to reframe our thinking around revenge spending to avoid putting our financial future at risk.
“Try and shift your perspective on revenge spending and say, yes, I want to live my best life, but how can I spend it responsibly?” she says. “How can I revenge spend on a budget? How can I remove the idea of revenge spending from my lexicon and just live well and plan systematically so it doesn't take away from my future financial goals?”
Benefits of A No-Spend Month
Taking part in a no-spend month has a number of benefits, one of which is the self-awareness and gratitude you gain by cutting out non-essential purchases. “You’re more financially self-aware because you're only thinking about what you deem as essentials,” Stephens says. “It can also make you more resourceful because you have to use what you have in your home, rather than going out and shopping.”
Those who take part in the challenge often find they become more intentional with their purchases, distinguishing between what they truly need and what they can do without. The money saved over this course of time can then be redirected towards paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or being put into a sinking fund.
Due to the rigid nature of the challenge, Stephens says that it’s important to have a sustainable framework to follow the no-spend challenge to avoid reverting to old habits. “It can be like "yo-yo dieting,” she explains. “If you were very strict for a certain period, but didn’t create any type of habit or change of mind to continue with it, you could resort back to revenge spending, ironically.”
Things to Keep In Mind
While it may seem like just another financial trend, taking part in a no-spend month can provide precious data about not just how much money you spend but also your mindset and relationship around money. You can observe how your feelings about money change and highlight areas of improvement. Alternatively, you can even start a sinking fund that allows you to put money aside for large purchases or personal experiences.
Ultimately, it’s not that spending money is bad, it’s about how you approach spending in a responsible way that ensures your financial security and success in the long run.
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Featured image by Evgeniia Siiankovskaia/Getty Images