How was your holiday weekend? Just like old times with big family barbecues? Or a repeat of last year with a quiet at-home nothing burger? We had a mini heatwave here and it was 104 yesterday. I think we can officially say it's summer. Every year Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to all the summer festivities as we fire up the grill, haul out all the patio furniture, and fill up the kiddie pool. Backyard bbqs, cool drinks, and (finally! maybe?) seeing friends and family again.

We're all dipping our toes back into "normal" life - maybe a little apprehensively, but excitedly too. Things will begin sorting out now as we move forward, navigating what we missed desperately and what we're happy to have let go of. We need to find balance after having the world shaken up like a snow globe. It's a jumble of anticipation, relief, nervousness, frustration, depression - pretty much the entire bus tour. Summer is the perfect season for this - with extra time, relaxed schedules, plenty of fun and play built right in. What are you planning this summer? Because that's the very best part - dreaming up new adventures and heading out to find them.

SUMMER SEASONAL SOAPS

As the weather heats up, you're probably thinking about cooling off. And maybe taking extra showers too. Our fresh new summer soap scents would love to join you in the shower -- spa-like Beach House soap, refreshing Dew Drop, cooling Green Tea & Cucumber, or crisp and pretty Cotton Blossom.

They are here for just a few short months and you won't want to miss this season's summer inspired scents.

DON’T FORGET THE BUGGER OFF SPRAY!

With warm evenings and outdoor shindigs, there's bound to be bugs. Yep, those pesky mosquitos are already buzzing.

Most insect repellants are loaded with toxic chemicals, including the pesticide DEET, which is so poisonous that the EPA says you should wash it off your skin when you return indoors, avoid breathing it in, and not spray it directly on your face.

Fortunately it's not that hard to keep the pests away in a safer, more natural way. Bugger Off to the rescue! It's my essential oil blend of bug repellant spray and it's gotten rave reviews for years. This is now a staple on the menu, not just a seasonal product, so no matter where you live, if the bugs are out, we've got you covered.

It's a 100% natural essential oil blend of cedar, orange, eucalyptus and bay leaf in a water based spritzer. It works best if you can spray your clothes and hair a bit, because the scent will last longer on you. Clean and woodsy smelling, it won't repel the people you're hanging with either - just the bugs. Works great on mosquitos, fleas too. Being a higher concentration of essential oils, this spray is just a tad higher priced than my usual room sprays - $6.95 / 4 oz bottle. Safe for the whole family - kids and dogs too!

What are your favorite things about summer? Hip hip hooray for flip flops and road trips, kebabs and s'mores, pool time and moonlight skinny dipping!

See you there,

Popsicle Toes

Hey Junebug!