BEAT the HEAT

A note from my U&M summer office. Survival tips for the heat (and humidity!) of the Deep South.

Since having kids, we have taken them back to our home state of Alabama for the summer. Is it blazing hot? Yes. Does it have bugs and the occasional snake? Yes. Do we absolutely love it? Yes. I take off my makeup upon arrival and put on my jorts for the entire summer. It is a constant load of towels, cooking (do kids eat 8 times as much during the summer?), and endless hours of fun pulling kids on skis. The boats sometimes work, the cars sometimes start, the jet skis break every other week, but there is not a place on earth I would rather be. Hydration is key so we constantly fill water bottles , drink cases of Topo Chico and also Arnold Palmers using the famous Milo’s sweet tea.

Summer in the south is more assembling than cooking. It is too hot to cook and the produce is so good that it is a crime to do much other than season and eat it. We have super casual lunches and we basically eat a jar of these at each sitting. My kids are addicted to all things “Wickles Pickles”. They are made right by our lake, but now available to all. The one thing that we (and when I say we, I mean my mom) cooks is fresh summer peas. She is famous for them among my friends. I can’t describe them (they are literally the best thing I eat all year) and they really only grow in south Alabama, BUT, we top them with this “chow chow” that you can order. I also put it on everything from freshly sliced tomatoes to sandwiches. I can’t explain it; Trust me. Think sauerkraut, but WAY better. If we do cook, it is always for a crowd. The Green Egg still reigns supreme for taste and this “Beer Can Chicken” is our go to recipe, but it sometimes takes more time and planning than we want to think about. Our Blackstone griddle is the fastest and tastiest way to feed a crowd from morning to night. This waxed apron will save the grill master’s swim trunks.

I am almost never without a hat in this heat and this Lola is my oldest and most useful. It is perfect for the lake and also summer travel as it packs easily. I also have the most adorable friend who also splits her time between the bay area and Lake Martin (what are the odds?). She wears this super chic packable hat that feels part European seaside and part glamping. Only a lunatic would run in this heat, but when the scorching pavement calls, I wear these Goodr aviators. I would also like to be friends with whoever names their glasses- so clever.

The best part of the day on the lake is the morning coffee cruise where we drink out of these coffee mugs from local potter, Tena Payne and the sunset booze cruise when we pack the cooler for all. Sunscreen is maybe the MVP of summer and with so many people coming and going, I leave this Supergoop by the door as a reminder to re-apply. My kids are also playing lots of sports and also going to summer camp so I like this Freaks of Nature sunscreen for their faces (and mine) when I wonder if they will re-apply (they won’t).

This little black sundress is as close to wearing nothing as possible and has been my go to this summer and it packs like a dream. I love a wide leg pant and all things DOEN. These from their collab with GAP are super light and breezy. We picked our friends up to cruise and she was wearing these amazing Fred Salvador sandals. They are always sold out in my size, but they are now 20% off on Insta so good luck! (She promptly took them off, jumped in the water in her clothes and wowed my boys with her slalom skills. She’s that fun and cool so I follow her lead on all things). My teeny tiny bikini days are behind me (thank goodness) but my one piece swimsuits can be quite hot in this heat. I love this Left on Friday bottom with several different tops for a lot of coverage without baking.

Stay cool this summer, friends! Xx, Jenny