(Family Features) As outdoor activities beckon during the summer months – from backyard entertaining and days spent at the beach to cross-country travel – ensure you’re prepared to make the most of your warm-weather fun.

Whether stored in a deck box, stowed in your carry-on or carefully packed in your vehicle’s trunk, consider these summer must-haves to ensure you’re prepared for everything the season has to offer.

Clothing and Footwear
Having the right clothing and footwear is essential for staying comfortable and stylish during the summer months. Make sure to have a variety of lightweight and breathable clothing options available, as well as accessories, such as:

• Shorts
• Tank tops
• Sundresses
• Swimsuits
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Sneakers
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Jacket or sweater
• Hair accessories

Sun Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is crucial, especially when spending extended periods outdoors. In addition to seeking shade during the hottest parts of the day and wearing lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your skin, consider these must-haves to protect yourself from the sun:

• Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Lip balm with SPF
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection

Hydration and Snacks
Staying hydrated is essential during summer heat. Consider bringing a cooler bag or insulated backpack to carry cool drinks and snacks including:

• Water (and a refillable water bottle)
• Electrolyte-rich sports drinks
• Fruit (such as watermelon, apples, pears or bananas)
• Cheese sticks
• Granola bars
• Trail mix
• Pretzels
• Crackers and tuna
• Vegetables (such as celery or carrot sticks)

Outdoor Entertainment
Make the most of your summer adventures with some outdoor entertainment gear:

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Camping stove
• Life jackets
• Umbrella
• Beach towels
• Goggles
• Portable speaker
• Binoculars
• Frisbee
• Sports equipment (volleyball, soccer ball, baseball and gloves)
• Deck of cards
• Board games

First Aid and Emergency Kit
Safety should always be a priority, especially during outdoor activities. Pack a well-stocked first aid and emergency kit that includes:

• Band-aids
• Antiseptic wipes
• Pain relievers
• Prescription medications
• Aloe vera
• Insect repellent
• Flashlight (and extra batteries)
• Whistle
• Small mirror
• List of emergency contacts and relevant medical information
• Portable chargers or power banks

Find more advice to make summer safe and enjoyable at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:
eLivingtoday.com

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

Party Planning

(Family Features) Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply catching up with loved ones, playing host can be as demanding as it is enjoyable. Before gathering your crew for your next event, make a plan to ensure you get to enjoy the day as fully as your guests.

Keep the Menu Simple
An ornate spread may be impressive, but your guests are just as likely to appreciate a less demanding menu with a few standout dishes. Offer a single main dish, a couple of tried-and-true sides, some finger foods for snacking and a seasonal dessert. Beverage staples like tea, lemonade and water are all you really need, but if that feels too basic, you can offer a flavor station with fresh fruit like berries and lemon wedges, flavored syrups and other sweeteners. If you’ll be serving alcohol, don’t try to cater to everyone’s favorite. Select neutral white and red wines and one or two beer varieties. A signature cocktail you can premix and serve is another way to add a special touch.

Set a Thoughtful Theme
One area many hosts go overboard is theming their events. While setting a theme can be a fun idea, it doesn’t have to be fussy or complicated, and your decorations don’t have to be over the top. Subtle color, centerpieces and serving pieces are all places you can inject some thematic vibes without investing too much time or money. You can also let your theme influence any games or activities you plan, as well as other entertainment like background music.

Anticipate Guests’ Needs
Thinking ahead about your guests’ comfort can prevent scrambling once the party is underway. Consider needs like seating, where you’ll keep extra food for quick refills and essentials like more toilet paper in the guest bath. Also anticipate accidents like spills and have supplies ready to efficiently correct inevitable incidents. Remember to plan for extra trash bins and if guests will be congregating outdoors, provide extra sunscreen, bug spray and fans.

Organize Entertainment
Depending on the purpose of the party, your entertainment may be pretty clear, but if it’s a casual gathering, you’ll likely want to provide guests some ideas for passing the time. Board games and backyard games are almost always a hit. A playlist that fits your theme can add ambiance and provide background for conversation, but you can also inject some musical fun with karaoke. If you’ll have kids in attendance, provide age-appropriate options for shorter attention spans, too.

Make Cleanup Easy
After the last guest leaves, you may be ready to call it a night, but taking care of a few quick chores can make cleanup easier in the morning. Load the dishwasher and set it to run overnight, leaving any tough dishes to soak in hot, soapy water. Check for any spills or stains that need immediate attention and get a jump start on the floors. For a convenient hands-off experience, try the Eufy S1 Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop, which achieves a 99.99% sterilization rate when mopping and, using automated sensors, elevates the mophead and converts to powerful suction for carpeted areas. After cleaning, the robot docks to automatically empty its dustbin, dispose of wastewater and clean its mopping pads, drying them with hot air to inhibit bacterial growth and odors.

Explore more ideas to tackle entertaining (and its aftermath) with ease at eufy.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (group of friends)

SOURCE:
Anker Innovations

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

Are you tired of expensive toll fees when renting a car in Orlando? The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) has exciting news for visitors to the Sunshine State! The Visitor Toll Pass™ program is now available at all terminals of Orlando International Airport (MCO), offering significant savings of up to 80% on toll fees compared to traditional rental car programs.

The Visitor Toll Pass

What makes the Visitor Toll Pass™ stand out is its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. By using this temporary toll pass, travelers can enjoy the lowest toll rates across Florida without worrying about hidden fees or extra charges. With just a few easy steps, visitors can set up their pass through the free Visitor Toll Pass app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app provides straightforward instructions for creating a reservation, entering trip and rental car details, and enabling notifications for trip and toll updates.

Upon arrival at MCO, visitors can conveniently pick up their pass at any of the designated locations in Terminals A, B, or C. By declining the rental car company’s toll program and adding their rental car license plate number to the app, travelers can attach the pass to their rearview mirror and hit the road hassle-free. At the end of their trip, customers can easily return the toll pass to one of the 14 drop boxes scattered throughout the airport, with all toll charges billed directly to their credit card associated with the pass.

The Visitor Toll Pass™ program is a game-changer for visitors to Central Florida, the premier travel destination in the U.S. With over 200 miles of local toll roads, this innovative toll pass is designed to enhance the overall visitor experience and make travel more convenient and affordable.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to save on toll fees and streamline your rental car experience in Orlando. Embrace the ease and cost-effectiveness of the Visitor Toll Pass™ program and enjoy a stress-free journey through the Sunshine State!

Source: Central Florida Expressway Authority

http://cfxway.com/

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle