The Friday Five
An affordable beach set, my favorite towels, the pillow that fixed my neck, the only sunscreen I use on the girls' faces, and our go-to cocktail glasses.
Happy Friday!
Summer always feels endless until suddenly you’re looking at the calendar wondering where it went. I’m trying to savor as much of it as possible, so lately I’ve been making a point to find little pockets of the day that actually feel like summer. A walk before work. Twenty minutes on the patio with a book before bed. Working by the pool instead of at my desk. Nothing too ambitious, just enough to slow down and soak up the sunshine and fresh air we were dreaming about during this last brutal winter.
I had to laugh last night because the reality of having kids who are 7, 16, and 19 is that the house never really settles. It’s constantly buzzing. Viv is up early, the older girls aren’t far behind, and before I know it, someone is staying up late telling me a story, asking a question, or just wanting to talk. The house is alive for what feels like seventeen hours a day. I love having them all home, and I know this season won’t last forever, but there are moments when I realize I’ve gone from one conversation to the next without a single quiet minute.
So that’s my goal for the rest of the summer: not to do less, but to make sure I carve out a little time that’s just mine. It doesn’t have to be productive or even particularly meaningful. Sometimes twenty quiet minutes with a book or a walk around the neighborhood is enough to reset the rest of the day.
A few of this week’s favorites are inspired by our countdown to August at the shore, which means there are a few beach essentials mixed in with one sleep discovery I can’t stop talking about.
Let’s get into this Friday’s Five.
Clockwise from top left: Gap Factory Terry Sweatshirt and Shorts Set, Coop Original Adjustable Pillow, Dock & Bay Beach Towel, Sun Bum Original SPF 40 Cooling Face & Body Sunscreen Stick, and JEKOSEN Crystal Coupe Glasses.
1. The Pillow That Fixed My Neck
A few weeks ago I mentioned how much I love our new Helix mattress and that I was testing a few different pillows to go with it. The way I sleep could best be described as hanging off the edge of a cliff, so calling myself a side sleeper is putting it mildly. Every now and then I wake up on my back, but for the most part my neck and shoulders take the brunt of my sleeping habits.
After trying several options, the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow is the clear winner. Combined with the new mattress, my neck and shoulder pain is gone. I noticed a difference after the very first night. It’s soft without collapsing, supportive without feeling stiff, and it comes with extra fill so you can customize the loft until it feels just right. I didn’t even need to add any extra stuffing, but I love that the option is there.
This one is absolutely coming to the shore with me.
Coop Original Adjustable Pillow | $85
2. The Terry Set I’ll Live In This August
For the last few years we’ve spent August at the shore with our best friends, and it’s one of my favorite traditions. And every year Lauren and I pack like we’re headed to Europe when, in reality, we spend most of our days happily living like beach bums.
Jersey Shore towns are casual.
This year we’re living in reality and keeping things much simpler. One thing we both agreed on that there is nothing better than a terry cloth set. So we each ordered this one in a few colors. ( Gap Factory Terry Set | Shorts $20 , Sweatshirt $27.49, Hoodie, $29.99)
When I picture getting off the beach, taking an outdoor shower, pouring that first crisp glass of wine, and hanging out on the deck before we start dinner, this is exactly what I’m wearing. Comfortable, classic, and easy.
I have a feeling this is going to get a lot of wear over the next few weeks.
Gap Factory Terry Set | Shorts $20 , Sweatshirt $27.49, Hoodie, $29.99
3. The Best Sunscreen for Kids’ Faces
If you have little kids or grandkids, this is the sunscreen I’d recommend over and over again. The Sun Bum Original SPF 40 Cooling Face & Body Sunscreen Stick is fantastic. It glides on easily, doesn’t drip into anyone’s eyes, dries quickly, is water resistant, and actually stays put.
I just ordered six to take to the shore because last summer we sent Ava out on her bike to find one after we ran out, and she came back empty-handed after checking what felt like every store in town. Lesson learned.
I use Sun Bum pretty exclusively, but this stick is my favorite product in the line. It’s the only thing I use on their faces because it’s so easy to apply without the complaints. Then I use the spray everywhere else.
Sun Bum Original SPF 40 Cooling Face and Body Sunscreen Stick | $13
4. The Beach Towels Worth Spending More On
I bought these towels last summer, and they’ve become one of those purchases I’m genuinely glad I made. They take up almost no room in a beach bag, dry incredibly fast, wash beautifully, and sand brushes right off. Plus, they come in really cheerful colors.
I also tried a few less expensive versions from Amazon, and they just weren’t as good. The fabric didn’t perform the same way, and they held onto sand much more than these do. This is one of those products where I really do think the original is worth buying.
Dock & Bay Beach Towels | From $35
5. The Coupe Glasses I Pack Every Summer
I’ve mentioned these glasses before, but they are back on my mind as we start to pull our beach house must haves together.
I am irrationally particular about drinkware. I'll order a cocktail simply because it comes in a coupe glass. And I am personally offended by thick-stemmed wine glasses..
I keep two boxed sets of these packed away just for the shore (there are plenty more in our bar at home) because if we’re making cocktails, I want them in our favorite glasses. There’s something about pouring a drink after a day at the beach that feels just a little more fun when it looks the way you imagined it would.
Collectively, we’ve all agreed these are the best coupe glasses. They’re delicate without feeling fragile, have a nice weight in your hand, and I love the shape. The bowl is slightly deeper than a traditional coupe with a subtle flared rim, so they’re elegant but still practical enough that you don’t feel like you’re going to spill your drink every time you take a sip.
They’re one of those little luxuries that don’t change your life, but they do make a Friday night cocktail on the deck feel just a little more special.
JEKOSEN Crystal Coupe Glasses, Set of 4 | $25.79
Have a great weekend!
