Summer Favorites: 6 Staples
Because we are what we are.
Summer is almost over (omg please say it is). I’ve had a giant upheaval this year — we moved in May, taking our pups with us on a very long road trip. Now we’re in Austin, Texas, and the heat is sweltering. The good news? We’ve got a backyard for the girls. The bad news? DID I MENTION THE HEAT!?
Getting through these last months have been relatively easy, given the following summer staples:
BOOKS.
Duh. I’ve been reading Ottessa Moshfegh like a fiend lately, and McGlue has been no exception. I’ve also piled on a couple to-reads: Ray Bradbury’s The Halloween Tree and Emma Cline’s The Guest. I’m hoping to get a jumpstart on spook season, as you can tell.
HAND SANITIZER.
Okay so it might be a little bougie to have fancy hand sanitizer. But this stuff smells so good! And I have eczema all over my hands, and this doesn’t inflame it. Did I mention there’s a BLACKPINK collab? Sure the name is a little lube-y sounding, but Touchland, in my opinion, is worth it.
MOONSTONE DOG HARNESS BY WILD ONE.
Omg how pretty is this color!? Plus it’s on sale for like, $33 and some change. Plus, there are 608 positive (5⭐️ reviews). I found it on their website.
FRESHPET VITAL GRAIN FREE.
Talk about a lifesaver. In a pinch, I can pick up any FreshPet food and my dogs will happily eat it. So if I don’t have the time to cook up a feast, or the girls are being extra-finicky (or just extra), I can have this doordashed within 30 minutes and I’m the dinner hero. It’s not really cheap, but the way Kitty and Coco gobble it up, I’m fine with that. Go to their website to find locations or to order online.
UNDERWOOD ALWAYS UP TO NO GOOD.
This Pinot Gris has been my go-to since Seattle. Born and raised in Oregon, Underwood has a whole array of wines, but this little can is my fave. Wanna relax after a long day, throw the tennis ball, and chill out? Take Underwood with you. It’s typically at Whole Foods, but Union Wine Co. probably has a laundry list of retailers. Find ‘em here.
STINKY CHEW-CHEWS.
God, these do not smell fetch (“stop trying to make fetch happen!”). But they are beloved, and small enough to satisfy but not overwhelm a puppers. Chewy has them on sale. Do not purchase if you’re sensitive to the absolute rank stink of bully sticks.