You know how we create “new year’s bingo cards” versus “new year’s resolutions”? The reframe saps the guilt and self-optimization right out of the equation, swapping “shoulds” for “but wouldn’t it be fun ifs…” I’m creating a similar playful list of goals for this summer, which — between the installation of our house landline and an afternoon at Nats Stadium over the weekend — has already been carrying a delightful 90s summer energy. Below, a few things on my summer 2026 bingo card:
Prepare a perfect BLT — thick slab of tomato, heavily salted and peppered; Organic Butcher bacon; country sourdough loaf; deer tongue lettuce from the backyard; Duke’s mayo
Take in a Nats game with the children (access via the Metro, enjoy the over-salted ballpark snacks, bake in the sun, sustain sporadic whining on the return trip on the Red line)
Spend most afternoons at the pool, and lean into the specific delight of hot French fries while still-cold and faintly chlorine-scented from the pool
Witness the fireflies in their full regalia at their peak in late June/early July
Make a note in “my garden book” of when each flower/tree comes into bloom in my yard this year
Avoid sunburn
Stop at a farmstand and eat whatever’s ripe in the car on the way home
Take a boat out on the Chesapeake Bay
Send postcards from our trip abroad to friends back home
Make a ritual of Friday night family movie nights (see below for our list)
Finish as many books as possible — but at least three — outside
Make a lunch of the farmer’s market haul: ripe peaches, raisin-walnut bread, wedges of salty cheese
Spend rainy day afternoons playing cards, Uno, and Telestrations with the kids
Have pajama ice cream — a Magpie reader idea! (One night this summer, after the kids are already in their pajamas, throw them in the car for ice cream at dusk)
Hike in Great Falls Park and, possibly, somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Take our first international trip as a family (!)
Bake muffins with whatever fruit is in season
Visit the public library every other week to restock the kids’ supply (my parents and I took them to get their own library cards last week!)
Shuck corn on the back porch
Bring the kids with me for everyday errands — for some reason, this brings such a big nostalgic summer energy for me: stopping for groceries and gas, picking up a movie at Blockbuster, waiting for my sister to get her hair trimmed, etc! I’m determined to bring my kids everywhere with me versus shuffling “who stays home?” with my husband. Boredom is a gift.
Let my hair air-dry as often as possible**
Remember the first rule of birding: look at the bird (not the guidebook, not your notebook of sketches, not the branch or the tree; the bird, like the day, will be gone before you know it)
What’s on your list?
Post-Scripts.
*Some of our family movie night nominations — we just watched Pirates of the Caribbean (further down on the list below) on Friday night. The kids loved it. More family movie night recs from Magpie readers here.
**This product really helps with air-drying hair. It makes your hair seem intentionally wavey/beachy versus just chaotic.
+More things we’re nostalgic for.
+More favorite offbeat seasonal rituals.
+The best products for summer skin.
Post-Scripts.
+Oh my gosh, Tuckernuck has my NUMBER this season. Ordered these.
+While we’re talking perfect summer shorts: did you see these bandana print ones from VB?! GAH! Their latest new arrivals are next level. These crochet pants! This jacket! These jeans!
+This brand just sent me some of its print percale sheeting and I’m super impressed. The quality is incredible and I love the soft florals. The “shell robles” is a perfect neutral pattern — adds interest but keeps everything serene. They also sell really cute crib sheets if you’re in the market.
+Hoping this promo will still be live at time of pub, but the magic pants are 20% off. Get them in black or navy to start.
+Wore this pima tee (under $50) over the weekend and was reminded of its virtues. It is featherweight, ultra-soft, shrunken but not body-hugging, and hits at just the right spot for a higher-waist pair of shorts/jeans/skirt. I actually paired with THE cool mom shorts, a big hat, my sneaks at the Farmer’s Market (see here). Perfect.
+New patterned performance polos pour les hommes. Rush order one for Father’s Day if you dropped the ball…!
+Deeply charmed by this orange-and-toile print top.
+An intriguing bra innovation: a thermo-regulating material?! I ordered the sale color to test. Will report back. Because if it works…hallelujah? I also ordered these “breathable” (!!!!) covers for when I’m wearing backless / complex necklines. (Use SHOOP10 for a discount.) My big gripe with other brands is that they are completely airless and feel disgusting on a hot day!
+I guess I’ve been in an underwear buying mood, because I also ordered one of these heavily-buzzed-about sheer bralettes which apparently sell out every summer and am sort of jealous these fun/colorful mesh bralettes hadn’t yet launched when I did. Why not have fun?! Both are 15% off with code JENSHOOP15. (And, while we’re on this topic, ICYMI, these are the only sleeping underwear I tolerate now. I’m ruined for all others. I’d list these as a TOP regrettably worth it buy, right next to the Dyson hair tools.)
+I love this rescue foot cream so much (a sandal season must-have) that I just ordered a couple of other Prequel products to try, including their just-launched anti-itch cream (the mosquitoes have arrived) and their award-winning barrier therapy cream. Are there any other must-try products you love from them? I’m so impressed with their well-priced, highly-effective products. Note that they have a “shop by concern” area where you can find products specifically formulated for eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, etc…
+Speaking of skincare, two favorite handwashes for the season: the Hamptons from Hotel Lobby and Linnea’s crushed mint.
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