20-Something Things To Do Before Summer’s End
Headed toward the post-summer coulda-woulda-shouldas? Behold, your guide to no regrets.
1. Rent a shore house for a long weekend. Nothing says summer like a few days spent shooting the breeze beachside with your “Top 5.” Can’t afford to go in on a house? Opt to rent a few camp sites nearby. (Just make sure everyone vows to leave the Jersey Shore drama at home).
2. Cool down with ice cream. Whether creating your own concoction at the local creamery or kicking it gelati style, frozen treats are ripe for the lickin’.
3. Make a playlist of summer’s greatest hits. Start with the song you use to get out of bed, the one you listened to while prepping for nights out (Katy’s Perry’s “Last Friday Night,” anyone?) and anything from Justin Bieber (er, if you’re into that sort of thing).
4. Set sail (anywhere). Don’t have a friend with a boater’s license? Call your local dock to see if you can have one of their skippers take you out or sign up for an evening booze cruise. (Tip: You can find them on the cheap through discounted sites like Groupon and LivingSocial).
5. Have a picnic. Take the adult approach and set up a blanket equipped with “salad” sandwiches (chicken, tuna-you name it!), pre-made Arnold Palmers (1/2 lemonade; 1/2 iced tea) and a pack of playing cards. Looking to have a more sophisticated affair? Sub in a few cheeses and a bottle of wine.
6. Test drive summer’s biggest trends. Make sure you get your fill of fedoras, playsuits and cross-body bags before they pass and you have to wait another twenty years to revive them.
7. Host a clothing swap. Once you (and your friends) have exhausted #6, host an end-of-season swap so that you have a new wardrobe waiting for you next year.
8. Stroll through an outdoor market. Whether it be a produce market or the local “flea,” some of your savviest finds can be “pop-up” purchases. Looking to sell? Ask one of the vendors how to rent a spot of your own.
9. Embark on a road trip. These days, you’ll probably go almost anywhere to escape the heat, including an air-conditioned car. Take advantage of the “great wide open” before winter road conditions creep up on you and it’s too late.
10. Let your hair breathe. Before you know it, the humidity will cease and you’ll no longer have an excuse to not heat-style your hair. Save time (and sweat) by throwing some texturizing spray in your hair before heading out the door.
11. Go to a baseball game. Whether you’re supporting your home team or taking advantage of “Dollar Dog Night,” ball parks pack serious fun. Bonus points if you participate in some pre-game tailgating festivities.
12. Stock up on fresh fruits. Make sure to put peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe and mango at the top of your grocery list, and keep them there as long as possible.
13. Sign up for a summer-savvy mani/pedi. Treat tortured tootsies to a little TLC with a spa pedicure finished off with a quintessentially summer shade like mint green or tangerine. You’ll be back to black in no time.
14. Have a fling. Whether it’s a guy with great surf moves or the girl down the hall with a shared love of sangria, invest in the type of connection that runs on sun, and make sure to remain Facebook friends when the day gets shorter.
15. Visit an amusement park. Pay tribute to your twelve your old self by hitting up all of the roller coasters at your local theme park. Live on the West Coast? Hit the ground running with Green Hornet at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
16. Attend a rooftop party. The skyline. The lights. The cool breeze in your hair. This is one thing city dwellers have so right. (Just don’t get too close to the edge).
17. Watch the sun set. And take pictures.
18. Master the art of self-tanning. Too many women spend their summers sunbathing at the beach, followed by months of using self-tanner to maintain that (un)healthy glow. Save face (literally) by perfecting your self-tanning routine in the summer when it actually counts, then switch to a tinted moisturizer or blush when the season starts to change.
19. Take lessons. It’s never too late (and it never felt so good) to learn basic water survival skills. Already a swimming pro? Take on surfing or jet skiing instead.
20. Read a summer novel. Whether you’re officially on break from school or “mentally” on break from the office, good reads can mean great escapes. We suggest delving into The Help by Kathryn Stockett and One Day by David Nicholls before their motion picture equivalents hit the big screens in August.
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Photo Credit: Marta Crowe via Flickr
