my summer bucket list
plus a brand new European city guide!
Discussion topics: my summer bucket list, curating your own summer bucket list (for the summer of your dreams), Fashion & Home inspiration, and a Mini City Guide I’ve created for myself (and you) for an upcoming summer trip!
re: my summer bucket list
I measure my years in summers. Each summer that goes by is another dog eared chapter in the novel of my life. This summer, as I’ve done every summer, I’ve already started to whisper about my determination to have The Best Summer Ever. The kind of summer little me only dreamt of when the world seemed liked a much much bigger place.
Katie’s Summer ‘25:
Live music outside somewhere
Explore some place new with mom
Picnic in the Heath
Swim in the Mediterranean
Ride bikes in Hyde park
Enjoy high tea with friends. This! Especially since I’m living in England
Visit the coast of England
Write in my journal to document this summer
Running! Running and more running in the various parks of London
Enjoy a post-beach shower and read outside in fresh air with the sea breeze — is there a better feeling?
Take a post-sunny beach day nap
Rooftop party!
Take lots of photos with my big camera. Lean into enjoying photography when on vacations to honor my inner Pinterest/Tumblr era girl dreams.
Lots of evening walks with bf and Bear
Get up to watch the sunrise
Do a “London activity” with a group of friends. (movie in the park, river brunch cruise, etc)
Eat lots of strawberries
Write write write! lean into substack as a creative outlet
Bake something *special* monthly!
Give back. Volunteer or raise funds to a cause or organization.
Play tennis. First, taking tennis lessons for the whole summer might be as far as that goes. But I’d like to play with my friends and family here/when they come to visit for extended periods because most of them can play already.
re: creating a summer bucket list
step one: open the notes app in your phone
step two: curate the list
step three: execute mission
It’s easy to get scooped up in plans being made for you, work hours that make you forget the sun is outside, and days that pass like silent assassins killing your time. This summer is yours for the taking. Let this be the summer of your dreams. Claim it! I, myself, have experienced a lot of change since last summer. For one, I wasn’t living with a man (ewww!) and now I am. I also wasn’t living in this neighborhood, and now I plan to make the absolute most of this place. I didn’t have a Substack platform to pour my little creative heart out either. I loved last summer. So much changes in a year and this summer will undoubtedly be different than the ghosts of summers past. They always are.
A summer bucket list is about making the most around a season full of light, warmth, and possibility. Remember: “Everything good, everything magical, happens between the months of June and August.” —Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Here are some questions I encourage you to think about when creating your list:
+ What’s one thing I always wanted to try but never made the time for?
+ How do I want to feel at the end of this summer?
+ What are small pleasures I only get to enjoy in the summer that I want to take advantage of?
+ Where do I feel most relaxed and how can I spend more time there?
+ What activities recharge me without spending money?
+ Who do I want to connect and reconnect with?
+ Do I want to start a summer tradition?
+ What story do I want to be able to tell about this summer?
The timing of your life is never wrong. You are reading this right when you’re supposed to. I have a feeling this summer is going to be one of the best ones yet! For all of us. If you’re in London, or coming to London this summer, join for a Sunday Stroll if you feel so inclined. The summer Sunday strolls dates are as follows :
+May 11th — Battersea Park this weekend! Hanging out at the Pear tree cafe after. A fun little outdoor summery pub.
+June 1st, June 29th, July 13th , July 27th, August 3rd, & August 17th. Locations posted on my Instagram the week of.
re: summer home & fashion inspiration
Think harvesting fruits and vegetables, jumping into bodies water, salty skin and hair, sun-kissed, natural light, and laughing over dinner al fresco.
fashion:
lightweight fabrics, versatile pieces, layering, accessories, pops of color, elevated basics
currently loving the brands Align, Madewell, Meshki, Reformation, and Sezane.
+shop what’s in my cart & summer must haves here.
home:
fresh florals, fresh herbs, summer scents, fresh bedding, hosting
currently loving the brands Dipytque, Laura Ashley, Piglet in bed, Mason Flaneur, Mackenzie Childs, and Little Brooklyn Candle Co.
+shop my summer home inspiration here.
As always, thank you for reading my work. If you have enjoyed this piece or any other, please leave a comment, like, or share if you feel so inspired and inclined to do so. Additionally, paid subscribers will have access to the group chat (brand new!), in-depth city guides (like this one below), and additional writing pieces. I only encourage you to subscribe if you have the means to. xo Katie