Our Summer Editors’ Picks
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by Photos of Katie and James by Modern Kids
It’s mid-summer and time for Katie and James to share what they are loving and coveting this sun-filled season. From get-in-shape workout gear and intoxicating new scents to all things needed for an epic camping adventure, take a look below at what our editors’ have on their want/need lists!
Katie’s picks:
“I’m so excited to head to Wild Iris Retreat, a 300-acre oasis in Philo, California, for my good friend’s 40th birthday this summer. We’ll be camping on the property, but I’m anxious to come back and try out one of the beautiful cottages.” Wild Iris Retreat, $295 and up, Wild Iris Retreat.
“Speaking of camping, it’ll be my first time in a tent since I was a teen. Kris from Neve|Hawk has turned me onto the cool camping company Poler, which offers everything from tents and wearable sleeping bags to coolers and backpacks. Many come in fun prints.” Poler 2-Man Tent, $250, Amazon. Poler Napsack, $129.95, Amazon.
“When writing my profile on singer/songwriter Lia Ices, I stumbled upon her son ‘Little Marriage,’ which I had never heard before. Now, I’m playing it on loop! It’s so, so beautiful. That, mixed in with new Beyoncé and Rihanna, is pretty much my summer ’16 soundtrack.” Lia Ices’ Grown Unknown, $8.99, Amazon.
“I’ve been going to S.F.’s Outside Lands music festival since the beginning. The lineups are consistently great. This year I’m excited to see Radiohead and Lana Del Ray take the big, foggy, outdoor stage. I’m also super excited to be heading to the Beyoncé concert in Santa Clara with my local Bey Hive gang later in September.” Outside Lands Tickets, $145 and up, Outside Lands.
“My friends at the amazing jewelry shop Metier have the best antique baubles and inspired goods. I love the ‘Amicitia’ inscription—in Roman lettering—on this simple gold band. It’s Latin for ‘friendship’ and I am really into my girl gang these days!” Gabriella Kiss 14K Band, $600, Metier.
“I already have this shoe in navy and now I want it in black. It’s a sporty and cool essential for strolling my son to his preschool pick-up and drop-off every day.” New Balance WL410 Running Shoe, $56, Amazon.
“I love unexpected prints and this beautiful sun-bleached pink color is also a head-turner.” Sparse Tank, $52, See Sun.
“A less-messy way to make grilled cheese and s’mores over the fire during our aforementioned camping trip. I can’t wait!” Rome’s 1605 Pie Iron With Steel & Wood Handles, $23.99, Amazon.
“Now that Diego is 3, he can sit through an entire movie in a theater, which is such a fun next stage for the whole family. We’ve already seen two movies (Zootopia, Finding Dory), and I’m excited for our next one…either in the theater or just creating a movie night at home or at a friend’s house.”
James’ picks:
“Sqirl provided all of the mini jam jars we gave as gifts to our wedding guests and it has been so incredible watching the brand expand and flourish. The Sqirl Cookbook is releasing soon and I cannot wait. I pre-ordered it immediately!” Everything I Want to Eat: Sqirl and the New California Cooking, $28.42, Amazon.
“I’ve been forcing myself to workout regularly, even on days when I have little time or am just not feeling it. As agonizing as it can sometimes be, I always feel great afterwards and full of energy all day long. These leggings from Outdoor Voices have really upped my game and keep me excited to sweat.” 3/4 Warmup Legging, $85, Outdoor Voices.
“Now that it’s summer, we have been spending many an evening out on the back porch, complete with chilled rosé and a nice cheese and charcuterie spread to wind down after a long day. This beautiful wooden number will be the perfect addition to our small feast.” Round Sycamore Cutting and Serving Board, $65, Alder & Co.
“While we were vacationing in Austin last month, I fell in love with this simple amber oil and its price tag! It’s all I’ve been wearing since.” Amber Oil, $20, Hotel Saint Cecilia.
“These sippy cups are the best! They don’t leak and they last forever. Really! My kids love them.” Pura Cup, $32.99, Amazon.
“We found this candle, also while on our trip, and it is by far the best smelling, intoxicating scented candle we have ever smelled. Definitely ordering a couple more for the house.” Hotel San Jose Candle, $40, Hotel San Jose.
“I have been living in these gorgeous, hand-beaded earrings all summer long. They dress up any and every outfit (including a t-shirt and jeans) and make me feel pulled together.” Opo Earrings, $184, Salihah Moore.
“These Baggu reusable bags are perfect to stash into the bottom of your purse, a diaper bag, or to keep in the car for unexpected trips to the farmer’s market or anywhere else where you may need to carry a little something extra. The pink mesh is my favorite.” Mesh Baggu, $14, Baggu.
“I have been on somewhat of a health kick this summer and am trying to eat really clean, but sometimes you just need something sweet. These Chili Lime Mango pieces curb the sweet-tooth cravings and taste great—borderline addicting.” Chili & Lime Mango, $7, Moonjuice.
“We are renovating our house, one room at a time, and I can’t help but get excited about freshening up the space with a few new furniture pieces and rugs. I just bought this table that I had been going back-and-forth on for nearly a year. I plan on using it as a temporary dining room table until we find what we are looking for. And once we do, it will become my office desk.” Strut Large Table, $1199, Blu Dot.
“Apparently, I am all about scents right now, but this fancy incense is so good. The box is pretty, too.” Oulan Bator, $50, Lucky Scent.
Share this story