SB Hot List: Our Favorite Summer Essentials
From breezy clothing and shimmer-infused sunscreen to game-changing travel accessories, our team has uncovered some of summer's best must-haves — and we're sharing them with you in this installment of SB Hot List. Whether you're beach-bound or simply trying to beat the heat at home, this roundup of tried-and-true summer essentials is sure to elevate the season.
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Boho Glam Midi Dress
'This midi dress from Farm Rio is like an elevated T-shirt dress. It's so comfortable, very flattering, and oh-so chic! I recently wore it on a girls' trip and received so many compliments. I love that it can be dressed up or easily thrown on with a cute pair of sneakers.' — Caroline Neely, Account Executive
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Miami Two-Strap Sandals
'Baby's first pair of Crocs! After tons of research, I decided to purchase these for a trip overseas with LOTS of rain in the forecast. These sandals saw me through every possible terrain, including a rocky beach. They're super comfortable and INCREDIBLY lightweight, so they're easy to pack — a total win for travel. I went for versatile black (as I tend to do), but there are several other fun colors to choose from. (Heads up: I was only able to find these online on the official Crocs website, and they took a few days to ship.)' — Alissa Harb, Managing Editor
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Strawberries & Creme Vita Coco
'I've always been a Vita Coco fan because there's nothing quite like naturally hydrating coconut water. But my latest Costco discovery, Strawberries & Creme Vita Coco, just took things to a whole new level. It tastes like the Starbucks Pink Drink, only at a fraction of the price, and now I always have a few bottles chilling in my fridge.' — Robert Conklin, Digital Developer
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Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen
'This face sunscreen from Neutrogena is my go-to. I use it daily, and I love it because it's lightweight and not too oily. Plus, the bottle is small enough to throw in my purse when I inevitably need to reapply throughout the day.' — Brianna Goebel, Sponsored Content Manager & Associate Editor
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Men's Training Shorts
'For people who like the WHOOP band (which I also recommend!), I've been loving my new WHOOP shorts for summer.' — Jay Graves, COO
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Gold Strappy Sandals
'These are my new favorite summer sandals! They're super comfy and match any dress, pair of jean shorts, or romper in your closet. Plus, they're under $50.' — Katelyn Caughron, Client Relations & Social Media Coordinator
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Medina Market Basket
'The Medina Market Basket is glued to my side all summer long. Not only is it super cute, but it's durable and can tote around just about anything, thanks to its convenient size. I use it for beach days, picnics, boating, and any occasion where I need to toss a variety of miscellaneous things into a bag and call it a day!' — Kate Feinberg, Associate Editor & Sponsored Content Specialist
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Snug Crop T-Shirt
'Give me this shirt in every single color. I've been living in these all summer. They're high quality, fit perfectly, and just make me feel polished and confident.' — Zoe Yarborough, Staff Writer
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Every Day Shimmer Mineral Sunscreen
'Serious sun protection with a little shimmer? Yes, please. This reef-safe, water-resistant sunscreen is made with non-nano zinc and tested to be safe for you and the ocean. The shimmer version gives your skin a soft, radiant glow — and just the right amount of sparkle to feel a little extra.' — Mary Breen, Web Designer
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RYOBI Cordless Misting Fan
'If you despise being outside in the swampy summer air (I do), and your body rejects the heat (mine does), this RYOBI fan is a breath of fresh air. Literally. But wait for it … it's also a mister! Prop it on top of a bucket of water, and voilà — an instant personal cooling station that turns even the stickiest afternoon into something dangerously close to enjoyable.' — Jenna Bratcher, Associate Editor & Lead Nashville Writer
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Happy summer!
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About the Author Brianna Goebel
Brianna is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.
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Writing Scripts and Writing Code 'The scripts were written by Black historians,' Janette adds, explaining that they went through the production process with three questions in mind: What does the Black community in each area want to hear? What stories do they want to tell? And in what way should those stories be told? 'The stories are wonderful … stories of resilience, triumph over adversity, and just some of the most incredible, not necessarily well-known people,' Janette adds. 'They … are lesser known, but did incredible things — not just for Kentucky, but for the United States as well.' With the help of Black actors, costume designers, and a Black director, the Kentucky counties hired Tactic — the same company that created the AR storytelling for 19 Crimes — to pull it all together. Pin Using technology similar to Pokémon GO, which blends the real world with the virtual world through augmented reality and GPS technology, Kentucky Black Trailblazers came to life in July 2024. Since then, thousands of QR code scans have allowed people to experience Kentucky legacies in a new dimension. Each location is linked to Google Maps coordinates, making it easy to find spots off the beaten path. Once someone gets started with their first QR code, the app acts as a digital passport of sorts, tracking their way along the trail. Pin The Trailblazers 'You've got all 19 people listed on your app,' Janette explains, 'and as you do an experience, it becomes full color — almost like you're getting a digital sticker for completing that experience.' The stories of strength and resilience include those of: Daniel Arthur Rudd , who co-founded the American Catholic Tribune and was a founding member of the Catholic Press Association , who co-founded the American Catholic Tribune and was a founding member of the Catholic Press Association Dorsey Wickliffe , a black enslaved nanny who cared for the children of some of Kentucky's most prominent figures , a black enslaved nanny who cared for the children of some of Kentucky's most prominent figures Mack Rowan , who was born with clubfoot and became a highly sought-after master boot and shoemaker for bespoke footwear , who was born with clubfoot and became a highly sought-after master boot and shoemaker for bespoke footwear The First Black Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, a testament to the enduring spirit and faith of the African American community in Elizabethtown, a testament to the enduring spirit and faith of the African American community General Braddock , a body servant to a British general during the French and Indian War, also believed to have served with George Washington before being enslaved , a body servant to a British general during the French and Indian War, also believed to have served with George Washington before being enslaved Margaret 'Ma' Collier , the first African American woman to serve as a hostess in military service clubs , the first African American woman to serve as a hostess in military service clubs Mary Cunningham Smith , whose actions helped lead to African Americans securing the right to sit and ride on Louisville streetcars long before the civil rights movement , whose actions helped lead to African Americans securing the right to sit and ride on Louisville streetcars long before the civil rights movement Muhammad Ali , a world-renowned symbol of greatness both inside and outside the boxing ring , a world-renowned symbol of greatness both inside and outside the boxing ring Oliver Lewis , a cook and private in Company E of the 116th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, who fought for liberation and justice , a cook and private in Company E of the 116th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, who fought for liberation and justice Eliza Brooks , who escaped slavery at the age of 50 with her two children and a friend , who escaped slavery at the age of 50 with her two children and a friend Henry Bibb , who was born into slavery and later became a leading abolitionist and advocate for freedom , who was born into slavery and later became a leading abolitionist and advocate for freedom Elijah P. Marrs , who rallied 27 other African Americans to join the Union Army, enlisting in the 12th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery , who rallied 27 other African Americans to join the Union Army, enlisting in the 12th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery The Harlem Hellfighters , an award-winning African American combat unit during World War I , an award-winning African American combat unit during World War I Whitney M. Young Jr. , the head of the National Urban League who worked to dismantle employment discrimination and improve government services for Black Americans , the head of the National Urban League who worked to dismantle employment discrimination and improve government services for Black Americans Annie Mitchell Reed , a nanny, cook, laundress, and seamstress who survived the deadliest train wreck in Kentucky history , a nanny, cook, laundress, and seamstress who survived the deadliest train wreck in Kentucky history Mattie Owens , a teacher who instructed first through eighth grade in a single room until desegregation , a teacher who instructed first through eighth grade in a single room until desegregation Reverend Charles Henry Parrish Sr., a Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute graduate who co-founded Eckstein Norton University Pin Janette recalls witnessing a visitor's reaction during the Harlem Hellfighters experience: 'I remember someone breaking down in tears at Calvary Cemetery because they knew that their loved one was buried there somewhere, but they had no idea [about] all that they had done in history,' she says. 'That was surprising and wonderful.' Though Kentucky Black Trailblazers currently features 19 stories, Janette hopes to eventually expand its coverage, perhaps adding more tales or expanding upon the existing ones. 'The project truly is an experience,' she exclaims. 'It brings history to life in a completely new way. I don't think I've been with anyone who didn't walk away feeling … changed. It just feels immersive and transformational.' ********** Give your inbox the Southern makeover it deserves. Subscribe to our daily emails. About the Author Lennie Omalza Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.
