Something shifted the moment we arrived at the beach house. Slower mornings, dinners outside, salt air coming through every window—these first few weeks have felt like a deep exhale and exactly what I’ve been craving.

It feels right that our June issue of The EDIT is all about dreams—because summer, wherever you find it, feels made for them. We put so much love into this one. This month’s Editor’s Picks are an extension of that same energy—the things we’re reaching for as summer fully arrives. Warm-weather dressing, beauty finds that work with the sun instead of against it, and a few pieces for the home that make everyday life feel like exactly where you want to be.

Fashion

The Shorts I’m Living In

These have replaced every other pair of shorts in my rotation. The rise is exactly right—high-waisted without being stiff—and the Toasted Ecru is the warm neutral I keep reaching for all summer. I grab these first, every time. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Paige

Dani Short

$189 at Paige

My Strappy Top Secret

The bra I wear under every summer tank. The racerback disappears completely under strappy tops, it’s comfortable enough to forget about, and the fit gives the most natural, effortless shape—which is exactly the point in summer. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Negative

Sieve Racerback Bra

$70 at Negative

The Comfiest Closet Staple

Since I was wearing my olive pair multiple times a week, I finally added the espresso. The comfiest pants I own — and the ones I get the most compliments on. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Nuuds

Streamline Pant

$88 at Nuuds

The Easiest Summer Stack

I just redid my earring stack for summer and I’m officially obsessed. I wanted pieces I could throw on with a white tee, a swimsuit, or a dinner dress and never have to think twice about—and these from Made by Mary are exactly that. The Live-In Hoops are lightweight enough to truly wear every day, and the Pearl Bezel Studs add the prettiest soft glow without feeling overly precious. Simple, effortless, and somehow make every outfit feel a little more pulled together in that “I didn’t try too hard” kind of way. — Anna Decker, Social Media & E-Commerce Manager

Made by Mary

Live In Hoop Earrings

$38 at Made by Mary

Made by Mary

Bezel-Set Pearl Stud Earrings

$68 at Made by Mary

Summer’s Most Versatile Bag

The bag I’ve been carrying daily. The leather trim makes it feel more intentional than a typical straw bag but it has all the same breezy summer energy — farmers market in the morning, dinner in the evening. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Sezane

Rosie Basket

$195 at Sezane

Day-to-Night Essential

The polo I’ve worn to everything from casual lunches to dinner out this summer. The cashmere blend is lightweight enough for warm evenings, the vintage cut is exactly what a polo should be, and it’s one of those pieces that looks more considered than it takes to pull on. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Jenni Kayne

Cashmere Frances Polo

$425 at Jenni Kayne

My Whimsical Girl Summer Wardrobe

If you keep close tabs on my monthly picks, you know Rumored has basically taken over my closet at this point—and I have zero regrets. A couple of months ago I spotlighted the Portofino Maxi Dress (which I immediately lent to a friend who wore it to a wedding—compliments reported back, obviously). This month I’m adding the Olive Grove Mini Dress to the collection. The babydoll fit, the collar, the neck-tie bow—it looks like something my grandmother would have hand-sewn, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. Catch me frolicking through a meadow in this. I have plans.

Also in heavy rotation this month: two pieces from the Alex Crane x Caroline Z Hurley capsule—a limited-edition collection brought to us by a husband-and-wife duo—chic!. The Penny Slip in Rose is my new throw-it-on-and-forget-it dress (except I’m constantly thinking about how cute I look, so… ). I’m petite, so it hits a little longer on me, but the side slits save the day. And the June Button-Up in Rose? I wear it unbuttoned over the slip as a warm-weather jacket alternative. Monochromatic dressing is genuinely the easiest way to look chic—and chic I absolutely look. — Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist

Rumored

Portofino Maxi Dress

$208 at Rumored

Rumored

Olive Grove Mini Dress

$188 at Rumored

Alex Crane

Women’s Penny Slip

$168 at Alex Crane

Alex Crane

Women’s June Button Up

$158 at Alex Crane

Matching Set Season

Summer dressing has its own kind of ease, and for me, nothing embodies it quite like a matching set. Linen, cotton, poplin, lace—I’ll take all of them. If sweats are my winter uniform, a lightweight set is the warm-weather version. It has the same effortless feel, but somehow makes me look instantly pulled together. I feel a little more polished, a little more confident, and a lot more ready for the day ahead. They’re endlessly versatile, too: paired with ballet flats and sunglasses for dinner plans, layered over a swimsuit with flip-flops for a beach day, or worn on travel days and slower office mornings. They’ve become the pieces I return to again and again because they work for almost every kind of summer day. Consider this a case for building a small rotation of go-to sets—future you will appreciate the ease every morning. — Bridget Chambers, Fashion Editor

Reformation

Lenora Linen Two Piece

$278 at Reformation

Summer’s Coolest Color Combo

These are officially my summer 2026 shoes. I tend to shy away from classic white sneakers this time of year (life with two little boys!), but the Better Scarlet color is SO good. I’ve been wearing them nonstop with jean shorts or Free People’s Red Clay chino trousers for a monochrome look. They’re lightweight, comfy, easy to throw on for errands or the playground, and just have that cool retro vibe without feeling overly trendy. — Edie Horstman, Wellness Editor

Adidas

SL72 OG Shoes

$100 at Adidas

Free People

Spotlight Washed Barrel Chino Trousers

$128 at Free People

Big Bag Girl Energy Essentials

Two things are forever true about me: I am always on a walk and I must always be able to speak freely with my hands in expressive gestures. The Terra Small Sling Bag in Amethyst is my savior. Water-resistant, hands-free, and cute enough that I’d wear it to run errands or on a hike—or on a hike between running errands. High standards, fully met.

And then there’s the Luka Mini Duffel in Tomato. Tomato Girl Summer may have been a passing trend to some, but for me, it’s a way of life. My conclusion from the color analysis I still need to do is that I look amazing in red, and this pop of color is exactly what every outfit needs. She fits my huge water bottle and the three books I keep on rotation with space to spare—roomy, puffy in the chicest way possible, and luxe enough that I never want to apologize for carrying her at all times. In fact, this is usually how I greet my friends: “Hi, so good to see you, look how gorgeous my bag is.” — Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist

Calpak

Terra Small Sling Bag in Amethyst

$43.20 at Calpak

Calpak

Luka Mini Duffel in Tomato

$98 at Calpak

Home

Salad Nights Made Better

Handcrafted wood salad bowls are back in stock at Casa Zuma in almost all sizes. This is one of the most frequently-used items in my kitchen, and especially during farmers-market season, it’s on our dinner table every night filled with whatever greens and produce are in season. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Casa Zuma

Handcrafted Wood Salad Bowls

$125 at Casa Zuma

Cookware Worth Coming Back To

Setting up our Malibu kitchen with the pots and pans I keep coming back to. I’ve had Caraway for years and wasn’t starting over with anything else—the black might be my favorite colorway yet. Non-toxic, effortless to clean, and they make the kitchen feel pulled together from day one. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Caraway

12-Piece Cookware Set

$595 at Caraway

My Softest Bathroom Staple

The softest towels I’ve ever owned — I ordered these for the Malibu bathrooms and they’re the upgrade I didn’t know I was missing. The oak color is the warm neutral I wanted: not stark white, stays beautiful, and actually photographs the way you hope. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Boll & Branch

Turkish Ultra Plush Bath Towel Set

$272 at Boll & Branch

Beauty & Wellness

15-Minute Under-Eye Refresh

The two-step eye routine I’ve kept consistent. The patches depuff and firm in about 15 minutes, and the eye cream has genuinely changed the texture of the skin around my eyes over time. I reach for this combo every time I need to look more awake than I actually am. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

True Botanicals

Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches

$75 at True Botanicals

True Botanicals

Pure Radiance Supreme Eye Cream

$95 at True Botanicals

The At-Home Lift Routine

I’ve been a ZIIP loyalist for years—it’s one of the few techy skincare tools I believe actually does something—and they just sent me their new 2.0 Halo to try. The upgrade is real. When I’m using it consistently, the lift and brightness are visible enough to be actually noticeable. I try to do it for 7 minutes at a time, 4x per week. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

ZIIP

ZIIP Halo

$399.99 at Ritual

The Duo Worth Packing

Upgraded my sleep mask to this one, which apparently every beauty insider considers the gold standard, and now I understand why. Yes, it’s an investment, but—it’s total blackout, contoured so it doesn’t destroy my lashes overnight, and one of those things where I panic if I forget to throw it in my suitcase. Their hair-protecting scrunchies in brown have also become an essential for me. — Camille Styles, Editor in Chief

Slip

Black Contour Sleep Mask

$79 at Slip

Slip

Back To Basics Dark Brown Skinny Scrunchies

$37 at Slip

My Beach Read Essential

It’s officially beach read season–which also means overstuffed beach bags, books with wet pages, and the balancing act of trying to hold a paperback open while laying out in the sun. As a lifelong physical book loyalist, I resisted the Kindle for years. Then I got one for Christmas two years ago and… as much as I hate to admit it… I completely changed my mind. It slips effortlessly into a purse or beach tote, making it easy to bring along for errands, travel days, or afternoons by the water. I’ve found myself reaching for a book while waiting at the doctor’s office or sitting at the airport gate instead of instinctively scrolling social media. I’m reading more simply because there’s less friction—when I finish one book, the next one is instantly there waiting for me. And for anyone wondering: reading in the sun is surprisingly seamless. No awkward glare, no juggling pages in the wind. If summer reading is on your agenda, consider this your sign to give a Kindle a chance. — Bridget Chambers, Fashion Editor

Amazon

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon

My Kai Era (An Inheritance)

You know how we’re all obsessed with our moms as little girls—and then again in our 30s? (If you self-identify as a Giggler, you get it.) I have always wanted to do everything my mother has ever done, and that includes drowning myself in kai. Seriously, our mutual obsession is a recurring topic on every phone call we’ve ever had.

I’ve loved the signature scent since it was appropriate for me to wear perfume (in my book, that was age 7—I have always smelled good), but I’ve recently introduced the kai rose eau de parfum into my rotation. It’s delicate but stays with you all day, buildable, and smells like you just walked out of a well-tended French garden. Every time I spritz it on, it’s like a little positive affirmation: you are beauty, embodied.

The body glow is non-negotiable if you have main character energy—which I do. This isn’t disco ball territory (though call me extra, I call myself forever young). It’s just enough shine that people will loud-whisper around you: “Oh my gosh, that girl? Radiant.”

And because I love kai so much, I need everyone who has ever walked into my home to enjoy the scents as well. The Skylight Candle gives you 40 hours of burn time in the signature scent, crafted with a soy, palm, and coconut wax blend and an organic cotton wick. Consider this a standing order for the hostess gift you should always buy me. — Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist

Kai

Rose Eau de Parfum

$86 at Kai

Kai

Body Glow

$38 at Kai

Kai

Skylight Candle

$48 at Kai

My Summer Supplement Stack

I’m wary of a detox—but I’m simultaneously allured by the promise of one (she’s human, folks!). I’m just a young millennial lady who would like to GLOW: inside (re: regular BMs—doesn’t that sound nice?) and outside (skin that would make Anne Hathaway nod her head in approval). I’m on month two of HUM Daily Cleanse—two capsules daily, because if anything, I’m a rule follower, and I believe that plus a healthy bit of whimsy is the key to life. If I were still in school, I’d be coming back post-Labor Day and the kids would be like: whoa, that girl—she glowed up.

A few things I set out to do in my early 30s: invest like a boss who knows what she’s doing (re: stop ghosting my financial advisor), never EVER reply to a presumptuous “u up?”, and finally FINALLY find the multivitamin that actually does it all. First Day’s “No Junk” Women’s Multi did it. I eat the rainbow and still, nutrition gaps abound—but B6, B12, and Magnesium have me energized in a way that feels suspiciously like having my life together.

If there’s anything consistent about me, it’s that I often wake up in a mental fog (where am I? WHO am I?—both existential and practical questions). Enter Brain Support: a peach gummy with Cognizin, phosphatidylserine, and sustained-release caffeine that somehow makes “nootropic” sound fun. Now I function with the best of them. Call me a genius? No, just a girl who has her intellectual ducks in a row.

And finally: I’m a childless cat lady, so you’d think I’d have no excuse not to clock 9-10 hours a night (I usually do—geriatric bedtimes, up at 5 to the beautiful paw of my Calico, Millie, demanding breakfast). But despite the hours, I woke up sleepy sleepy sleepy—dragging myself to the coffee grinder in a haze. That’s until Nighttime Reset. Calming magnesium, no melatonin, strawberry flavor. I now wake up like a person. It’s revolutionary. — Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist

Hum

Daily Cleanse

$27 at Hum

First Day

Daily Gummies To Support Beauty & Daytime Energy

$39 at First Day

First Day

Smart Gummies For Focus, Memory, And Fighting Brain Fog

$49 at First Day

First Day

A Melatonin-Free Gummy For Improved Sleep & Reduced Stress

$39 at First Day

---

Tired Skin’s Favorite Shortcut

The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is one of those products I end up reaching for in more ways than one. At night, I like to tap a little under my eyes after my regular moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration, and I swear I wake up still feeling it on my skin. It has a rich, cushiony texture that makes tired, dry skin feel instantly comforted, but it’s also versatile enough to use as an overnight mask or even as a refreshing hand cream when my skin needs a little extra care. — Tatom Hoffmann, Marketing Intern

Summer Fridays

Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer

$49 at Summer Fridays

---

The post The June Edit: What Our Editors Are Obsessed With This Summer appeared first on Camille Styles.

There’s a Frog & Toad page that’s been living on my Pinterest feed lately—Frog, sitting alone on a rock, telling Toad: “I am happy. I am very happy. This morning when I woke up I felt good because the sun was shining. I felt good because I was a frog. And I felt good because I have you for a friend. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to think about how fine everything is.”

For most of my 20s, I lived a life of relentless breadth. Hopping from city to city, saying yes to everything, collecting experiences the way some people collect stamps—enthusiastically and without much consideration for whether I actually had room for them. It was exhilarating, and it was also, eventually, exhausting.

Featured image from our interview with Jessie De Lowe by Michelle Nash.

30 Things to Do in June to Stay Energized This Summer

This June, I’m doing something different. I’m staying put. I’m enjoying the fruits of my labor (said labor: signing my first solo lease), and I’m spending this summer turning my space into the sanctuary I’ve always imagined—sewing machine humming, acrylic paints cracked open, a sweater on the needles that I may or may not finish before fall. I’m trading breadth for depth. And the more I share that with people, the more I hear: same.

Fuel prices are high, Euro summers feel a little out of reach, and I think collectively, we’re rediscovering what’s already here. Not as a consolation prize—as an upgrade.

June, this year, feels less like a departure and more like an arrival.

So here are 30 ways to lean into that. To picnic and create and slow down and notice. To feel, as Frog would say, that everything is fine.

Stay Close to Home

This is the summer of staying put, and finding out just how much is already here. June in your own city has more to offer than you think. All it takes is leaving the house with a little intention and no particular agenda.

1. Go to the farmers market and let what you find shape your week. Instead of going with a list, go with an open basket. Strawberries, snap peas, fresh herbs—let the season decide the menu, and you might discover a new favorite ingredient or recipe you wouldn’t have thought to look for.

2. Pack a picnic and head to your favorite park. Text three friends, assign dishes, and don’t overthink it. A blanket on the grass and food from your own kitchen is genuinely one of the best things summer has to offer.

3. Take a sunrise or sunset walk this week. There’s something about the quality of light at either end of the day that makes even familiar streets feel worth paying attention to. Pick a direction you don’t usually go, leave your phone in your pocket for at least half of it, and see what you notice.

4. Go on a wildflower walk. Download an app like iNaturalist or PictureThis so you can identify what you’re seeing. It turns a walk into something closer to wonder.

5. Explore a neighborhood, bookstore, or coffee shop you’ve never visited. Novelty doesn’t need a flight. Sometimes the most interesting version of your city is just a few blocks outside your usual radius—you just have to actually go.

6. Create an outdoor nook at home. A chair, a throw, and a dedicated spot outside signals to your brain that this is a place to rest (not scroll, not plan, not produce). Give it a week and see if it becomes your favorite part of the day. Trust me, it will.

Create Something

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes from making something with your hands—something that didn’t exist before you sat down. The goal isn’t perfection—it never is. It’s just to remember how good making feels.

7. Pick up a creative hobby you’ve been putting off. Knitting, sewing, painting, ceramics… whatever’s been sitting on the “someday” list. Someday is June. Someday is now. A $4 thrift store canvas and a little money thrown to acrylic paint is all you need to get started.

8. Sew something wearable. A tote bag, a skirt, a simple dress. Start small, follow a beginner pattern, and wear the thing you made. There is no better feeling. (Sew It Yourself is my favorite book for getting started! The patterns are forgiving and so fun.)

9. Make something from scratch in the kitchen. Not a recipe you’ve made a hundred times (though those recipes have their time and place). We’re going for something new here: fresh pasta, homemade bread, or a sauce that takes all afternoon. The process is the point.

10. Start a creative journal. Not a diary or to-do list. I’m talking about a place for clippings, sketches, color swatches, and half-formed ideas. Skip the rules and ditch the audience. This is for you.

11. Make wildflower or farmers market bouquets at home. Arranging flowers is a creative act that takes 10 minutes and changes the entire feeling of a room. Trader Joe’s blooms absolutely count as well.

12. Try abstract painting. No skill required, no outcome expected. Put on a playlist, pick three colors you love, and see what happens.

Gather Around the Table

Summer changes the way we eat together. Our meals move outside, the pace slows down, and hosting stops feeling like a production (and more like a part—ay!). This month, lean into the kind of gathering that’s less about impressing anyone and more about actually being together.

13. Plan a Friday night al fresco dinner. Just a few friends, a simple table, and a menu that takes less than an hour to make. The long June evenings do most of the work for you.

14. Host a cookbook dinner club. Pick a book (consider Camille’s favorite cookbooks), assign recipes, and let everyone bring a dish. It’s the easiest way to try new food and have a good conversation starter built in.

15. Try a new non-alcoholic drink. Summer is peak season for interesting NA options—shrubs, botanical sodas, adaptogen drinks. Mix something new (I’m starting with these non-alcoholic spritzes) and see if it becomes your go-to for the season.

16. Make a summer dessert board. Fresh fruit, something creamy, something crunchy, and a little chocolate, obviously. It comes together in 15 minutes and looks like you planned it for days.

17. Organize a neighborhood potluck. Assign categories—mains, sides, desserts—keep it low-key, and let your community do the rest. The best gatherings are usually the least planned. (Proof.)

18. Set a table worth lingering at. Linen napkins, something seasonal in a vase, candles even if it’s still light outside. Small details signal to everyone at the table: we’re not rushing. Here are the table-setting tips to make it happen.

Tend to Yourself

Depth over breadth applies here, too. We’re not overhauling your wellness routine or adding 10 new habits to your morning. This month, we’re paying closer attention to what your body and mind are actually asking for, and letting yourself answer.

19. Start walking outside without your phone. Try it just once this week. The thoughts that surface when you’re not filling the silence are usually the ones worth having.

20. Refresh your skincare routine for the season. Lighter layers, more hydration, daily SPF. Summer skin is its own thing—here’s how to get the ultimate glow-up.

21. Book a massage or spa treatment—no occasion needed. Rest is not a reward for productivity. Schedule it like you would anything else that matters.

22. Do a one-week home reset. Focus on one small area each day—a drawer, a shelf, a corner of your closet. The cumulative effect is disproportionate to the effort. These decluttering tips are the perfect place to start.

23. Clear the mental clutter. A 7-day mental reset is the most effective way to create more clarity, focus, and ease in your day—and summer is actually the perfect time to do it.

24. Build an evening wind-down practice. Some evenings, replace the Netflix spiral with something that actually signals your body to downshift: stretching, reading, tending to something (for me, that’s my little container garden). Dim the lights 30 minutes before bed and see what changes.

Find the Delight

This is the Frog & Toad section. The part of the list that doesn’t need to be productive, optimized, or justified (though really, none of this does). June has a kind of magic in the small things—and the whole point is to notice it.

25. Make your summer bucket list. Write it down, keep it somewhere you’ll actually see it, and let it be aspirational without being a to-do list. I know you know: there’s a difference.

26. Build your summer playlist. The one you’ll want on repeat from now until Labor Day. Start with one song that already feels like summer and let it lead you somewhere good.

27. Visit a local gallery, pop-up, or art show. Put yourself in the path of something you didn’t create and didn’t expect. You never know what you’ll connect with.

28. Pick up a summer page-turner. The kind you read in two sittings because you can’t stop. Bring it to the park, the bath, the backyard. Wherever you do your best disappearing.

29. Go to the movies. When the heat gets to you, the theater is the perfect place to cool off and completely check out for two hours. I consider it an underrated summer luxury.

30. Do one thing this month just because it sounds fun. Not because it’s good for you, not because it’ll make a good story, and not because someone else suggested it (even me!). Just because you want to. That’s always enough.

This post was last updated on June 1, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 30 Simple Delights to Add to Your June Calendar appeared first on Camille Styles.

If social media has taught us anything, it’s the importance of walking, sleep quality, and eating enough protein. But when it comes to sex—something that directly impacts nearly all of those things—why is it that the conversation tends to stall (or get reduced to clickbait)? Here’s the truth: regular sexual activity, whether partnered or solo, is one of the most underrated tools for supporting your physical and mental health. We’re talking everything from stress regulation to a more resilient pelvic floor. With your whole well-being in mind, we’re breaking down the research and making a case for why sex belongs in the wellness conversation.

Sex Regulates Your Stress Response

Of all its benefits, this is the one worth paying attention to. During sexual activity, your brain releases a cascade of feel-good hormones—endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine —that directly counteract cortisol. When cortisol drops, your blood pressure follows. Your muscles relax. Your nervous system shifts out of fight-or-flight and into a calmer, more regulated state. In fact, research shows that sexual arousal lowers cortisol levels in women, which has downstream benefits for everything from gut health to skin. In a world where most of us are running on low-grade stress around the clock, this matters more than we give it credit for.

The Sex-Immunity Connection

This one might surprise you. Research has found that people who have sex 1-2 times per week show higher levels of an immune antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA), which serves as your body’s first line of defense against colds and infections. IgA is found in your saliva and mucosal linings, and higher levels are consistently associated with getting sick less often (the goal!). It’s not a replacement for eating well and sleeping enough, but it’s a meaningful layer of immune support most people aren’t thinking about.

It Supports Better Sleep

If you’ve ever fallen asleep faster after sex, there’s a biological reason for that. Orgasm triggers the release of prolactin, a hormone that promotes deep relaxation and drowsiness. At the same time, oxytocin levels rise, and cortisol levels fall, creating the ideal hormonal environment for restful sleep. This isn’t just anecdotal! The relationship between sexual activity and improved sleep quality is well-documented, and it works in both directions. Better sleep supports better hormone regulation, which in turn supports a healthier sex drive. It’s one of those positive feedback loops your body was designed for.

A Workout Your Pelvic Floor Needs

As a nutrition consultant, I find this benefit doesn’t get nearly enough attention, especially for women who’ve had children. During orgasm, your pelvic floor muscles contract and relax rhythmically, giving them a functional workout similar to (and complementary with) Kegel exercises. A strong pelvic floor supports your bladder, bowel, and uterus while reducing the risk of incontinence and prolapse. Research estimates that urinary incontinence affects at least 30 percent of women at some point, and regular orgasms can meaningfully help.

The Bonding Effect

Oxytocin, often referred to as the “bonding hormone,” is released in significant amounts during intimacy. This hormone increases feelings of trust and emotional closeness with your partner. Research shows that couples who maintain regular sexual intimacy report higher relationship satisfaction and lower anxiety. But the benefits extend beyond romantic partnerships. The sense of safety and connection that oxytocin promotes has a calming effect on your nervous system—the same type of regulation you’d get from a long hug (or time spent with someone who makes you feel completely at ease)!

The Pain Relief You Didn’t Expect

Did you know the endorphins released during sex activate the same opiate receptors in your brain that pain medication targets? Research has shown that orgasm can increase pain tolerance by up to 75 percent in some cases! For women who deal with menstrual cramps, migraines, or chronic tension, this is worth knowing. The uterine contractions that occur during orgasm are followed by a release of tension that can ease cramping. It won’t replace medical care for chronic pain conditions, but as a complementary tool? It’s remarkably effective.

Beyond the Bedroom

To bring this full circle, sexual wellness isn’t separate from your overall health. It’s woven into it. Your stress levels, your sleep, your hormones, and your physical body are all connected. When one of those systems is supported, the others benefit too. That’s what makes sex such a powerful (and overlooked) piece of the wellness puzzle.

Forget frequency goals or performance. This is about recognizing that pleasure and physical intimacy are legitimate pillars of health—not luxuries to get around to when everything else is handled. Your body was built for this! Prioritizing it isn’t indulgent.

This post was last updated on May 31, 2026, to include new insights.

The post Why Sex Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health appeared first on Camille Styles.

Some stories just know how to get you. A wedding dress being zipped up. A hospital waiting room. A daughter leaving for college with a mom pretending she’s fine. One minute you’re watching strangers, and the next you’re texting your mom at 11 pm on a Tuesday for no reason you can explain.

Best Mother-Daughter Relationships on TV

These 14 movies and shows will do exactly that. Some through relationships you recognize immediately—the best-friend mom, the complicated one, the one where nobody says what they actually mean. Others through the ones you didn’t know you needed until you did.

Donna and Sophie, Mamma Mia!

Donna and Sophie are less mother and daughter than they are each other’s whole world—and the movie never lets you forget it. The scene where Donna helps Sophie into her wedding dress is the one that gets you, every time, without fail. Technically, Mamma Mia! is a movie about fathers, but it’s really about what it looks like when a mom raises a daughter entirely on her own and somehow, impossibly, gets it right.

Rory and Lorelai, Gilmore Girls

Lorelai and Rory are the gold standard of the best-friend mom—fast-talking, coffee-dependent, and completely co-dependent in a way that somehow (almost) never feels unhealthy. The show spans years of their lives and manages to make every stage feel true: the teenage friction, the college distance, the slow realization that your mom was right about more than you wanted to admit.

Anna and Tess, Freaky Friday

Anna and Tess can’t stand each other—until they’re forced to live inside each other’s lives for a day, at which point they realize they’re not so different after all. It’s a comedy first, but the moment it stops being funny is the moment it lands. The switch is more than a plot device. It’s the most literal version of the thing every mother and daughter eventually has to reckon with: you have no idea what it’s like to be her.

Daphne, Maggie, Mae, and Milly, Because I Said So

Daphne meddles in her youngest daughter’s love life with the kind of specific, targeted overinvolvement that will make you laugh until you recognize it. The movie is light, but it earns its place on this list for one reason: it’s the most honest depiction of a mom who loves her daughter so completely that she hasn’t yet figured out how to let her be a person. Every daughter has felt that. Most of them have also, eventually, understood it.

Xo and Jane, Jane the Virgin

Jane and Xo are only 16 years apart, which means they grew up together as much as they raised each other—and the show knows exactly what to do with that. What makes it unusual is the third layer: Xo’s mother, Alba, whose presence turns every mother-daughter dynamic in the show into a negotiation across three generations. You watch it and start doing the math on your own family without meaning to.

Tami and Julie, Friday Night Lights 

Tami Taylor is the kind of mother who makes you want to be a better person—principled, warm, and completely uninterested in being liked when being right matters more. Her relationship with Julie is the most realistic depiction of a good mom and a difficult daughter on this list. Julie is frustrating in the way that only daughters who have everything they need can be, and Tami loves her anyway, without making it a thing. That’s the part that gets you.

Marmee, Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth, Little Women

March doesn’t dominate this story—her daughters do—but remove her and the whole thing collapses. She leads by example so quietly that you don’t notice it until you’re already shaped by it, which is either the most effective parenting or the most devastating thing about growing up, depending on the day. Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation earns every one of its tears.

Rebecca and Kate, This Is Us

Rebecca and Kate’s relationship is hard to watch because it’s hard to look away from—loving and loaded in equal measure, spanning decades in a way that makes both of them impossible to reduce to a single version of themselves. The show gives you Rebecca as a young mother, a middle-aged mother, and an aging one, and the accumulation of all three is what breaks you. You’ll finish an episode convinced you need to call your mom immediately and also that you need a minute alone first.

Lady Bird and Marion, Lady Bird

Christine (she insists on Lady Bird) wants out of Sacramento, out of her mother’s house, and out of every expectation Marion has placed on her, and the movie never once suggests she’s wrong for that. What it does instead is show you Marion’s side with equal generosity, which is the thing that makes this film devastating rather than just good. The last three minutes will rearrange something in you.

Mia and Pearl, Elena, Izzy, and Lexi, Little Fires Everywhere

Mia and Pearl are a team in the way that single mothers and only daughters sometimes are—insular, loyal, and completely unprepared for what happens when the outside world gets in. Elena and her daughters are the counterpoint: a mother who loves her children inside a blueprint they never agreed to. The show puts these two versions of motherhood in direct collision and doesn’t let either of them off the hook. It’s uncomfortable in the best way.

Kate and Marah, Tully and Cloud, Firefly Lane

This one works on two tracks simultaneously: Kate’s fraught, tender relationship with her daughter, and Tully’s lifelong reckoning with a mother who was never quite able to show up. One shows you what it looks like when love is present, but communication breaks down. The other shows you a mother who was never going to show up. Together, they make the case that whatever your relationship with your mother looks like, you’re probably not as alone in it as you think.

Jackie, Isabel, and Anna, Stepmom

Jackie is dying and she knows it, which means she spends the film doing the most selfless thing a mother can do: preparing someone else to love her children after she’s gone. It’s a movie about rivalry that becomes a movie about sacrifice without you noticing the shift. The scene where she tells her daughter the things she’ll miss is the one that finishes you.

Aurora and Emma, Terms of Endearment

Aurora and Emma spend the first half of this film driving each other insane, and the second half proving that none of it mattered. It covers 30 years of a mother-daughter relationship and gets every stage right—the desperation to escape, the slow return, and the moment you realize your mother is the only person who has ever really known you. It is not an easy watch, but it’s fully worth it.

M’lynn and Shelby, Steel Magnolias 

Everything on this list has been building to this one. M’Lynn and Shelby have a love that exists at full volume—present for every moment, every decision, every consequence—which makes what happens to them impossible to prepare for, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. The cemetery scene is one of the greatest pieces of acting ever committed to film, and it will leave you wrecked in a way that somehow still feels like a gift. Watch it with your mom if you can.

This post was last updated on May 29, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 14 Mother-Daughter Movies That’ll Make You Text Your Mom Immediately appeared first on Camille Styles.

There’s a certain kind of person who draws you in without trying. I’ve always noticed them in small moments: the friend who answers a question without hedging, the woman at dinner who says exactly what she means, and the coworker who doesn’t rush to fill the space after she speaks.

They’re not louder or more charismatic than anyone else in the room, but something about them feels settled. Their attention isn’t scattered. They aren’t scanning the room for approval. Being around them makes you feel calmer—and you really can’t explain why.

Featured image from our interview with Babba Rivera by Belathée Photography.

How to Be More Magnetic: A 7-Day Reset That Actually Changes How You Show Up

For a long time, I assumed that quality—magnetism—was innate. Something you either had or you didn’t. But I’ve come to see it differently. What we call magnetism is often the result of small, repeatable behaviors: the way someone takes care of their body, how they protect their time, the way they speak and move through the world. What they tolerate—and what they decide they no longer will.

Mimi Bouchard—founder of the Activations app and author of Activate Your Future Self—has built an entire framework around exactly this. Her perspective on what actually makes someone magnetic cuts straight to the point: “Honestly? The boring stuff. How you talk to yourself while you’re washing your face, choosing the outfit that makes you feel confident, whether you rush out the door or actually take a breath first. People are always looking for the ‘big thing,’ but your whole system is picking up on every little cue you give it all day.”

I started noticing that in my own life this past year. Relationships that feel energizing instead of destabilizing. A promotion that matched the responsibility I had already been carrying. Where did it come from? Definitely not my trying to be more impressive. I have this life now, because I’m learning to reduce internal friction and move forward with intention.

Mimi Bouchard

Mimi Bouchard is the founder of Activations, a personal development app built around the practice of becoming your future self through small, daily actions. She is also the author of Activate Your Future Self, which offers strategies for shifting every area of your life—from relationships to career to finances—by closing the gap between who you are and who you’re becoming.

Why This Works

There’s a neurological reason small habits compound the way they do. Bouchard points to the Reticular Activating System—your brain’s built-in filter for what it decides to pay attention to. “Whatever you’re looking for, you start finding more of,” she explains. “So if you move through your life expecting good things, expecting connection, expecting doors to open—your brain is literally scanning for evidence of that without you even trying.”

Magnetic people aren’t a different species. They’ve simply trained their minds to notice what everyone else walks past. These seven habits are how you start doing the same.

Day 1: Build Physical Confidence

One of the most counterintuitive shifts I made this year was starting with my body instead of my mindset. I’ve always treated confidence as something mental (a perspective to adopt, a belief to strengthen …). But I’ve found more traction by reverse-engineering the process.

Before trying to change how I think, I focus on changing my physiology.

Confidence feels abstract until your body feels capable. When your body starts providing evidence that you’re strong, well-fueled, and rested, your mind tends to follow. I’m letting go of a fake-it-until-you-make-it approach and instead diving into embodying confidence from the outset.

Incorporating strength training into my routine, eating enough, and protecting my sleep has transformed how I show up in the world.

What Changed for Me

• I picked up heavier weights in my workout classes—and felt more confident as my strength grew.
• I stopped skipping meals in the name of productivity (or calories saved, argh).
• I treated sleep like part of my job.

As my strength increased, I stopped bracing before I spoke. When I fueled properly, my decisions became clearer. When I was rested, my reactions slowed down. Over time, those physical signals started to accumulate. My body had proof that it was capable—and my mindset adjusted accordingly.

Try This Today

• Swap one workout session for strength training.
• Eat a protein-forward breakfast.
• Choose a bedtime you’ll treat as non-negotiable. Repeat.

Reflect: Where am I trying to force my way into confidence instead of building it physically?

Day 2: Protect Your Energy

For most of my twenties, I mistook availability for kindness. I responded instantly, I over-committed, and I said yes because I didn’t want to be difficult. I’m sure every woman reading this can relate.

Of course, I wondered why I felt resentful. The answer? Magnetism doesn’t grow in exhaustion. It grows in discernment.

What Changed for Me

• I stopped overexplaining my no.
• I delayed responses instead of replying from pressure.
• I left events when I was ready—not when I felt obligated.

The surprising part? People around me adjusted.

Try This Today

• Say no without adding extra justification. (Standing up for yourself doesn’t make you a bad person.)
• Delay one non-urgent response.
• Don’t over-clarify a decision you’ve already made.

Reflect: Where do I overexplain myself out of fear that I won’t be liked?

Day 3: Refine Your Language

I used to think confidence meant being quick—quick to respond, quick to clarify, and quick to prove I knew what I was talking about. But the most compelling people I’ve worked with are deliberate, not fast.

What Changed for Me

• I removed “just,” “sorry,” and “kind of” from my vocabulary.
• I paused before answering questions.
• I stopped cushioning opinions in disclaimers.

Try This Today

• Pause for two full breaths before responding.
• Say your opinion once, without softening it.
• Let silence exist without filling it.

Reflect: Where do I dilute my words to make others comfortable?

Day 4: Dress With Intention

I used to treat certain clothes as aspirational. I’d wear them “when I felt more confident.” Or save them for bigger moments. 2026 is the year I stop waiting.

What Changed for Me

• I edited my closet the way I edit my calendar—keeping only what actually fits my life.
• I stopped buying pieces that felt almost right. (And that almost fit, but didn’t.)
• I wore outfits that matched how I wanted to show up that day.

When what you’re wearing aligns with how you want to move through the world, you stop adjusting yourself mid-conversation.

Try This Today

• Build one outfit that feels more intentional.
• Remove three items that feel like a past version of you.
• Wear something you’ve been saving (for the right occasion, for when you lose weight—anything).

Reflect: If I dressed like someone who trusted herself completely, what would change?

Day 5: Raise Your Standards

Standards show up in the small decisions before they show up anywhere else. The plans you decline, the conversations you don’t entertain, and the situations you choose to step away from.

They’re grounded in what you stop allowing. And this is where Bouchard’s framework becomes visible in real time: every time you act like someone with standards, your brain files it as evidence that you are that person. The Reticular Activating System works in your favor only when your behavior gives it something to work with.

This doesn’t have to look like announcements, but adjustments. And as a result, the right people will rise, and the wrong ones will drift away.

What Changed for Me

• I stopped initiating one-sided dynamics.
• I declined opportunities I didn’t actually want (even if they sounded impressive on paper).
• I asked directly for what I needed instead of hinting.

I didn’t make announcements—I made adjustments. As a result, the right people rose, and the wrong ones drifted away.

Try This Today

• Ask directly for what you want.
• Clarify expectations instead of hoping they’re understood.
• Decline something that drains you—even if you could handle it.

Reflect: Where am I accepting less than I would advise a friend to accept?

Day 6: Choose Depth Over Noise

Constant consumption feels productive until you realize your thoughts have stopped being your own. News, opinions, hot takes, reactions—input isn’t the same as growth, and magnetism requires something that noise makes impossible: digestion.

What Changed for Me

• I reduced passive scrolling.
• I read long-form instead of headlines.
• I let myself think before forming an opinion.

When you aren’t constantly absorbing what everyone else thinks, your perspective sharpens.

Your opinions feel earned rather than borrowed from a stranger on the internet. That’s the difference between someone who’s interesting to talk to and someone who just has a lot to say.

Try This Today

• Replace scrolling with 20 pages of a book.
• Spend one hour without consuming content.
• Follow one curiosity deeply instead of five shallowly.

Reflect: Where am I consuming more than I’m creating or thinking?

Day 7: Choose One and Commit

The instinct when you want to change is to change everything at once. Overhaul the routine, the habits, the mindset—everything, immediately. It never lasts, because that’s not how identity actually works.

What actually shifted things for me was much smaller. Instead of reinventing myself, I started reinforcing behaviors that already made me feel capable. Strength. Boundaries. Precision. Standards. Depth. Each one started as a single decision I repeated long enough that it became part of how I move through the world.

Bouchard puts it better than I could: “Identity is built in the repetition, not the resolution. Sure, the dramatic overhaul feels good for maybe a week—and then real life shows up. But something small that you actually do every day? That becomes who you are.”

That’s the whole thing, really.

What Changed for Me

• I stopped chasing dramatic resets.
• I picked one behavior at a time and practiced it until it felt normal.
• Once it felt natural, I added another.
• Over time, those choices stacked. My life began to reflect the standards I was practicing.

Try This Today

• Choose one habit from this week to practice daily for the next 30 days.
• Write it into your calendar so it has a place in your day.
• Keep a simple checkmark system—one mark for every day you follow through.
• Watch how quickly consistency starts to compound.

Reflect: If I behaved this way consistently for six months, who would I become?

When Your Behavior Catches Up to Your Standards

A year ago, I was capable but unconvinced. I worked hard, but I still second-guessed myself. I wanted more responsibility, but I wasn’t fully inhabiting the life I already had.

Game-changing: I stopped seeing my personality as the problem and instead focused on shifting my behavior. None of these choices felt dramatic on their own. But over time, they created a different baseline for how I moved through the world.

Magnetism is about reducing internal friction. When your behavior matches your standards—when your words don’t require apology and your body feels capable of carrying your life—people notice.

So choose one habit, commit to it, and let it compound.

This post was last updated on May 28, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 7 Small Habits That Will Make You More Magnetic appeared first on Camille Styles.

Summer can unravel even the best intentions. Schedules loosen, meals get improvised, and the routines you spent all year building suddenly feel a lot harder to hold onto. That’s not a failure—it’s just the season doing what it does.

As a certified nutrition consultant and mom of two, I’ve learned to stop fighting it. Instead, I lean into a handful of meals and habits that work no matter what summer throws at me—whether that’s a spontaneous backyard barbecue, a week with the kids home, or a travel schedule that makes “eating well” feel like a distant memory. The questions I get most this time of year reflect exactly that tension: how do I stay consistent when nothing about my life is?

Below, I’m answering the questions that come up most—from simple, repeatable meals to blood sugar basics to portion control that doesn’t require an app. Think of it less as a rulebook and more as a summer survival guide for eating well on your own terms.

The Healthy Summer Meals Worth Putting on Repeat

What are some simple and healthy meals I can put on repeat this summer?

Breakfast

Morning is where blood sugar stability starts—and summer breakfast doesn’t need to be complicated to do that job well. These are the ones I come back to when I want something that actually holds me until lunch.

• Greek yogurt mixed with a scoop of chocolate collagen peptides, frozen wild blueberries, chia seeds, and a spoonful of nut butter.
• Two hard-boiled eggs mashed with cottage cheese, dolloped on toasted sourdough with hot honey and sea salt.
• A smoothie bowl with frozen peaches, spinach, ground flaxseeds, vanilla protein powder, and a dash of cinnamon—blended with just enough milk, topped with pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of tahini.

Lunch

The best summer lunches are the ones you can pull together without turning on the stove. These are fast, protein-forward, and endlessly riffable based on what’s in your fridge.

• A snack plate: deli turkey, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, hummus, seedy crackers, and cornichons.
• Rotisserie chicken and smashed avocado on rice cakes, with sliced bell peppers, baby carrots, and olives on the side.
• Canned salmon mashed with avocado oil mayo or Greek yogurt, lemon, sea salt, and dill—served over arugula with Siete tortilla chips and fresh strawberries.

Dinner

Summer dinners should feel easy, not like a project. These three are on heavy rotation at my house. They’re simple enough for a weeknight, satisfying enough that no one’s reaching for snacks an hour later.

• Chicken sausages with grilled zucchini and couscous cooked in bone broth. Crumbled feta, optional but encouraged.
• Egg noodles tossed with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, and canned tuna or white beans, finished with fresh basil and parmesan.
• Crispy sheet pan tofu with bell peppers, red onion, and broccoli, roasted at 425°F and served over rice with sriracha mayo.

How to Keep Blood Sugar Steady All Summer

What are some smart ways to manage blood sugar during the summer when routines, meals, and schedules are all over the place?

Summer is the season most likely to throw your blood sugar off: irregular meal times, spontaneous BBQs, late nights, and more alcohol than usual. But staying steady doesn’t mean missing out. These habits work no matter how unpredictable your schedule gets.

Eat in the right order. Start with vegetables (a green salad, cherry tomatoes, grilled zucchini), then protein and fat, and save starches or sweets for last. This sequence slows the post-meal glucose spike in a way that’s simple enough to do anywhere (even at a cookout).

Anchor every meal with protein. Aim for 20–30g per meal to slow carb absorption. If you’re at a BBQ and not sure what to choose, go for grilled protein, fresh fruit, and crudités as your base.

Go for a walk after eating. Even 10 minutes around the block can significantly blunt a post-meal glucose spike. It’s one of the most underrated tools for blood sugar management—and it’s free.

Don’t skip meals. Try not to go more than 4–5 hours without eating. Skipping leads to energy crashes, cravings, and overeating later—none of which make the rest of your day easier.

Keep balanced snacks on hand. Roasted chickpeas, a protein bar, or almonds with a piece of fruit in your bag means you’re never caught desperate. Blood sugar doesn’t care that you forgot to plan ahead.

Hydrate strategically. Plain water is great, but if you’re sweating more or drinking alcohol, add electrolytes—a pinch of sea salt and lemon works, or something like LMNT—to help keep things stable.

What You Actually Need to Know About Protein

What’s the real deal on how much protein we need—and is there solid science behind it?

Protein has been having a moment—and for good reason. It plays a critical role in blood sugar balance, muscle maintenance, hormone production, and satiety. But most women still aren’t getting enough, especially at breakfast.

While the RDA is set at 0.8g/kg of body weight, that’s the bare minimum to prevent deficiency—not to thrive. For optimal energy, hormone health, and body composition, most women benefit from 1.2–1.6g/kg daily, which works out to roughly 25–40g per meal.

But protein isn’t the only player. Fiber is equally essential and often overlooked. Where protein helps balance blood sugar, fiber helps blunt the rise by slowing digestion and feeding beneficial gut bacteria, which also impacts insulin sensitivity. Think of them as a team: pair your protein (eggs, chicken, Greek yogurt, tofu) with fiber-rich foods (leafy greens, berries, beans, chia seeds), and you’ve got meals that keep you full, energized, and metabolically supported for hours.

In practice, it’s simpler than it sounds. A smoothie with protein powder and chia seeds. Salmon over arugula. Greek yogurt with berries. The meals you’re already making can do double duty—you just have to know what to look for.

Portion Control Without an App

I’m trying to get better at portion control—are there any effective methods besides food-tracking apps?

Good news: you don’t need to log a single calorie to eat well. The simplest starting point is your own hand—a built-in portion guide you always have with you.

• Protein: A fist-sized portion (think chicken breast, tofu, or fish) equates to roughly 20–40g per meal.
• Carbs: A cupped hand of brown rice, quinoa, or sweet potato.
• Vegetables: At least half your plate, non-starchy. Leafy greens, cauliflower, mushrooms, artichokes—eat freely.
• Fats: A thumb-sized portion of avocado, nuts, or olive oil to round out the meal.

Two habits that make a bigger difference than most people expect:

Slow down. Actually chew your food, and put your fork down between bites. It sounds small, but eating at a slower pace gives your body time to register fullness before you’ve overshot it. If you need a trick, try using chopsticks or switching to your non-dominant hand.

Pause before seconds. Before reaching for more, wait five minutes. Drink a glass of water, take a short walk around the room. Often, your body just needs a moment to catch up—and that pause is usually enough.

A Nutritionist’s Top 5 Tips for Eating Well All Summer

Summer doesn’t have to derail you—it just requires a slightly different playbook. Save these as your go-to reminders when the season has other plans.

1. Prep once, eat twice. Grill or roast extras and mix and match throughout the week.
2. Hydrate like it’s your job. Add a pinch of sea salt and lemon for extra minerals.
3. Anchor every meal with protein. Your blood sugar and hormones will thank you.
4. Don’t skip breakfast. It sets the tone for your cortisol and everything that follows.
5. Soak up sunshine and prioritize sleep. Both are powerful, free, and wildly underrated wellness tools.

The post A Nutritionist’s Top 5 Tips for Eating Well All Summer appeared first on Camille Styles.

If there’s one thing Italians do best, it’s embracing the simple pleasures of the season—and in summer, that means pastas bursting with sun-ripened flavors that are meant to be savored slowly. This collection of veggie-forward recipes captures the carefree spirit of an Italian estate: juicy burst tomatoes, tender zucchini, creamy lemon-scented ricotta, and market-fresh roasted vegetables that take center stage. They light pasta recipes are unfussy and come together with just a few ingredients—perfect for long lunches or spontaneous dinners at golden hour. Light and satisfying, these are the pastas you’ll have on repeat all summer long.

11 Pastas That Taste Like Summer in Italy

Burst Tomato Pasta

We love how this recipe takes pantry staples and turns them into something that feels instantly vacation-worthy. With juicy cherry tomatoes, briny sun-dried tomatoes, and plenty of basil, it’s a low-lift pasta that captures the best of warm-weather cooking.

Get the Recipe

Simple Zucchini Pasta

When zucchini is everywhere, this is exactly how we want to use it. It’s simple, vibrant, and made for twirling up on the patio while pretending you’re somewhere along the Italian coast.

Get the Recipe

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Creamy but never heavy, this pasta strikes the perfect warm-weather balance. The ricotta creates that silky texture, while lemon and greens bring the fresh, summer energy we’re always craving.

Get the Recipe

Ratatouille-Style Roasted Vegetable Pasta

We love this recipe for that late-summer moment when the produce drawer is overflowing, and dinner needs to feel simple and satisfying. Everything roasts on one sheet pan, then gets tossed with pasta, parmesan, and basil for an easy bowl that still feels special.

Get the Recipe

Blistered Broccolini Pasta with Garlic, Lemon & Toasted Breadcrumbs

This recipe is proof that great pasta doesn’t need a long ingredient list. With blistered broccolini, thinly sliced garlic, bright lemon, and a shower of parmesan, it’s the kind of low-effort dinner that tastes like you did far more than you actually did.

Get the Recipe

Roasted Red Pepper Caprese Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is everything we want from an Italian summer lunch: juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a sun-dried tomato dressing that ties it all together. It’s simple, colorful, and made for serving chilled with something sparkling nearby.

Get the Recipe

Lemony Spring Pasta Salad with Olives, Artichokes, and Bacon

Equal parts easy lunch and crowd-ready side, this pasta salad does it all. The mix of artichokes, olives, parmesan, and herbs gives it that effortless Italian-inspired flavor we crave as soon as the weather warms up.

Get the Recipe

One Pot Parmesan Orzo

Think of this as the lighter, brighter cousin of mac and cheese. Parmesan and cream bring the comfort, while asparagus, peas, kale, and zucchini add color, freshness, and enough substance to make it a full meal.

Get the Recipe

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

A bowl of green pasta has never felt so comforting. With parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil, and a little heat from red pepper flakes, this broccoli pesto pasta turns a humble vegetable into something rich, vibrant, and totally family-friendly.

Get the Recipe

Rigatoni with Brussels Sprouts & Kale Pesto

This dish proves that a healthy pasta can still feel completely indulgent. It’s loaded with greens and cruciferous veg, but the garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and walnuts make it taste like something you’d order at a cozy neighborhood trattoria.

Get the Recipe

One Pot Garlicky Mushroom Pasta with Sausage & Arugula

This one-pot pasta brings all the cozy, savory flavor of sausage and mushroom pizza into a weeknight-friendly bowl. Crispy mushrooms, garlicky Italian sausage, peppery arugula, parmesan, and lemon come together in a light sauce that feels rich without being too heavy.

Get the Recipe

This post was last updated on May 26, 2026, to include new insights.

The post Summer Pasta, the Italian Way: 11 Recipes Worth Slowing Down For appeared first on Camille Styles.

Anyone who has spent a summer in the Pacific Northwest knows it arrives with a specific sort of relief. After months of gray skies and that particular kind of drizzle that makes you question your life choices (and your real estate decisions), the sun shows up in Portland like it’s been meaning to call. The heat is gentle, the light lingers until 9 pm, and suddenly the mountains are just there on the horizon again.

I make a summer bucket list every year for exactly this reason. Because summer in Portland is too good to sleepwalk through, and I have a bad habit of blinking and finding myself in September wondering where July went. This year, I’m paying attention, and these 30 ideas are how.

Before You Dive In, Ask Yourself This

What do you actually want this summer to feel like? Not what you want to accomplish, not what looks impressive on a to-do list, but the feeling you’re reaching for. More ease? More adventure? What about more mornings where you’re not already behind before you’ve had coffee? Let that answer guide how you move through this list.

30 Summer Bucket List Ideas to Soak Up Every Day

We’ve all felt it before: summer can slip through your fingers if you let it. One minute it’s Memorial Day weekend and you’re making plans; the next it’s Labor Day and you’re not entirely sure what happened in between. This list is an antidote to that—a collection of ideas designed to make summer feel lived in, intentional, and (drumroll) fun.

A few of these are adventures, and some are so small they barely count as plans. But every idea on this summer bucket list? 100% worth doing.

Eat & Drink

Summer eating is its own love language. These ideas are about slowing down and making the most of the season’s best ingredients. Ideally, with good company and something cold in your hand.

1. Visit your local farmers’ market. You have one rule: buy whatever looks best and figure out dinner from there.

2. Make a signature summer drink. These NA summer spritz options are my personal go-to.

3. Host a dinner party with a theme specific enough to become a story. Every dish from a country you’ve never visited. All pink foods (this is on my own summer bucket list). A menu built entirely around one ingredient. Commit to the bit.

4. Try the thing on the menu you’ve been curious about but always talked yourself out of. This is how I discovered that oysters are actually my favorite food.

5. Cook something entirely from scratch that you’ve always bought. A vinaigrette, a simple jam, a loaf of bread. (My only rule on the bread: just please don’t talk about it ad nauseam. Thank you!)

6. Eat at least one meal outside every week this summer. Not a picnic necessarily—just your regular dinner, on a blanket, on the porch… anywhere you can see the sky.

Move & Explore

The best thing about summer is that the world is easier to be in. These ideas are about getting out into it—whether that means exploring somewhere new or a post-dinner walk around your neighborhood.

7. Drive somewhere within two hours of home that you’ve never been. No itinerary, and ditch the agenda—just go and see what finds you.

8. Swim in something natural this summer. A lake, a river, the ocean. Embrace the shock of cold water and stay in longer than you planned.

9. Find a trail you’ve never hiked and do it at golden hour. Bring something to sit on at the top and enjoy the view.

10. Spend a morning exploring your own city like a tourist. The museum you’ve walked past a hundred times, the neighborhood you’ve never wandered, or the coffee shop that’s been on your list since last summer.

11. Take a walk without your phone at least once a week. Notice how different the world looks when you’re not half-documenting it.

12. Wake up early enough to watch the sun rise. Make coffee. Bring a blanket. Decide it was worth it.

Read & Create

Summer is the season to finally make time for the things that feed you creatively. These ideas are about getting lost in a story, making something with your hands, and giving your imagination room to breathe.

13. Read a book so good you lose track of time. Let yourself be completely unavailable to the world for the length of a really good chapter.

14. Start a summer journal. Not a diary, just a place to collect things. A pressed flower, a ticket stub, a sentence that stopped you mid-page, the name of a song you can’t get out of your head.

15. Try one creative thing you’ve always been curious about. Watercolor, pottery, film photography. Being a beginner is the whole point.

16. Write a letter to someone you love and actually send it. Not a voice memo, not a text—a letter, with a stamp. Trust me, they’ll love opening it.

17. Read outside whenever possible this summer. Even 10 minutes on a blanket in the backyard counts. Especially 10 minutes on a blanket in the backyard counts.

18. Make a summer playlist that captures exactly how this season feels. Listen to it on the last day of summer and let yourself feel it all.

Connect & Celebrate

Some of the best summer memories are just the result of showing up for the people you love. These ideas are about making time for connection before the season slips by.

19. Plan something to look forward to with someone you love. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—a picnic, a long Sunday breakfast, a movie night on someone’s back porch. Put it on the calendar so it actually happens.

20. Call someone you’ve been meaning to call. Walk while you do it so it doesn’t feel like a thing you have to sit down for.

21. Say yes to something you’d normally talk yourself out of. The spontaneous road trip, the last-minute invitation, the plans that don’t quite make sense on paper but sound like a story you’d want to tell later.

22. Throw a gathering with no occasion. Midweek, backyard, everyone brings something. The best parties are unplanned and an excuse to be with some of your favorite people.

23. Take someone somewhere that matters to you. Think of a place you love that they’ve never been, and let them see what you see in it.

24. Tell three people who made your year better that they did. Summer has a way of making you feel generous—lean into it before the feeling passes.

Romanticize the Ordinary

This is the category that ties everything else together. Because the magic of summer isn’t just in the big moments—it’s in how you move through the small ones.

25. Wear the nice thing. The dress you’re saving, the perfume you’re rationing, the earrings that feel like too much for a Tuesday. Tuesday is exactly when you should wear them.

26. Set the table properly for a meal you’re eating alone. Light a candle, put on music, pour something into a real glass. Remember: you are worth the ceremony.

27. Keep fresh flowers in your home all summer. Even grocery store flowers, even a single stem in a jam jar. Beauty is a practice, not a special occasion.

28. Give this summer a name. Just for you, not for Instagram. Something that captures the feeling you’re reaching for. Then live toward it like an intention.

29. Wander into a bookstore with no list and no plan. Buy the book whose cover stops you and trust that instinct.

30. On the last day of August, sit somewhere quiet and write down everything you want to remember about this summer. The light at 8 pm, the conversations that ran long, or maybe the moments that almost slipped by unnoticed.

The Magic Is Already There

A summer bucket list is really just a permission slip to pay attention. To notice the way the light hits at 7 pm or to stay at the table a little longer. None of the ideas above requires a flight or a major life overhaul—they just ask you to show up with your eyes open. The magic of summer isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you decide to notice. And once you start looking for it, you’ll see it everywhere.

This post was last updated on May 25, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 30 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Your Most Magical Season Yet appeared first on Camille Styles.