The Potluck: June-July 2022 (Summer 2022 Love List)

Continuing the monthly tradition, The Speckled Palate’s The Potluck: June-July 2022 includes clothing, snacks, summertime entertainment and more. Come see my love list and tell me what was on yours for June and July.

Collage of eight products on June and July 2022's love list What did you love in June and July 2022? This love list includes clothing, some favorite snacks and more. #lovelist #speckledpalate

This summer has been a total whirlwind in the best possible way.

Unlike last year, this year is really feeling more “normal”. (Also, could I just say HOORAY for science for easing my mind a bit? Both girls are officially vaccinated!

We’ve done some traveling and have been enjoying the longer days this time of year. And we have more fun in store before we go back to school in mid-to-late August.

So let’s get into this potluck things, mmkay?

Let’s Discuss Highlights:

The new design: Did you notice that my site looks a little different? If you didn’t before, I hope you do now! We overhauled the design of TSP this month, and I am so so so so pleased with the results. If you haven’t had a chance to poke around yet, please do! I’d love to know your thoughts.
The beach: We went to Orange Beach, Ala. with family in June, and it was a delight. We stayed in a condo that had a pool, a lazy river and easy beach access, so we basically spent all day every day outside in the water. The girls had a blast, and so did we. We ventured into Florida one day, too, to check out a fish market and brought home the most amazing catch for dinner.
Memphis: We visited for the Fourth of July and got to spend time with grandparents, as well as cousins (and extended family!) as everyone converged to be together. Our kids met their cousins from Illinois and Ohio, and it was so incredibly fun to watch them play together.

Let’s discuss action items:

It seems that everything that was released by the Supreme Court this summer was just… bad news for everyone all around.

And I have a lot of anger and sadness about all of it, especially that one that impacts MY health and the health of MY kids and all the people who have uteruses.

There’s a lot that I could say, but I’m going to hold my tongue because I’m still processing and have been looking for places to donate…

Now Let’s Talk About This Monthly Love List…

To recap, my potluck, as defined by the folks at Merriam-Webster is:

the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made… a communal meal to which people bring food to share —usually used attributively ; whatever is offered and available in given circumstances or at a given time.

Now who’s ready to see what ended up on my list for the summer of 2022?!?

The Potluck: June-July 2022

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1. The Ex Hex: A Novel by Erin Sterling

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

This is the book I read at the beach, and it was utterly delightful. Easy, like you want when you’re on vacation, but with a bit of a mystery and intrigue. Also, some romance, too! This was a simple, enjoyable read and I look forward to the sequel* (affiliate link), which is coming out later this year.

2. Tropical Cherry Sparkling Water

Photo Credit: www.target.com

I’m on a new kick, and I am loving all the Good & Gather flavors of sparkling water. I especially love the Tropical Cherry, which is effervescent and refreshing.

3. SkinnyPop Original Popcorn

Photo Credit: www.target.com

OK. So it needs to be said that I hate the name of this popcorn, but it’s one of my favorite easy snacks. While I love the classic popcorn, I’m also super into the white cheddar variety, which just hits all those salty notes I want in a snack.

4. UNO Card Game

Photo Credit: www.target.com

This was the game of the summer for us because we spent so much time playing it, whether we were on a trip or at home. When we were at the beach, we’d spend hours playing as a family, and it was a total delight. Both girls relish in playing this card game and challenging others to it.

5. Inflatable 3-Ring Pool - Sun Squad

Photo Credit: www.target.com

Our watermelon pool that’s been loved for the last three years but the bullet last month, so we invested in a new pool… and the girls are loving this one. It’s not super big but they have fun with it—hopping in and out and splashing water everywhere. It’s been fun watching them play together.

6. Cadent High Waist Legging

Photo Credit: apparel.onepeloton.com

When I received the promotional email for these leggings (and the matching bra), I forwarded it to my husband to let him know that this would be an excellent gift for me… if he and the girls needed ideas. They are light and comfortable—and the bra isn’t ridiculously padded, which is nice for a lady built like me. While I’m still not super comfortable wearing a bra and pants out and about, I love how I feel in these. Maybe I’ll get there.

8. No Stress Chess

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

One of our cousins taught our older daughter, A, how to play chess while we were in Memphis. We brought this game home with us and have been playing ever since. A learning how to play chess has encouraged me to learn and her little sister to start picking it up, as well.

8. Bare Republic Coco Mango Mineral Spray

Photo Credit: www.target.com

This mineral sunscreen is the best. Not only does it smell good, but it sprays on and then rubs in pretty easily. It’s also reef-safe sunscreen. We wore it at the beach nonstop, and it helped all of us, some of whom are very sensitive skinned, avoid burns at the beach.

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