Hot time, summer in the city. It's July and things are warm and things are bright, so bright I can't stand to go outside without my sunglasses. So what's a guy or gl to do if they need readers to read and sunglasses for this bright summer sun? I found the perfect solution. Clic Reading Sunglasses.

Clic Reading Sunglasses

The glasses are lightweight, come in a soft light tortoise finish sure to complement everyone's complexion and have a nifty magnet connector at the bridge that allow you to clic and unclic them for easy on and off. And what to do when you're not wearing them? Just allow them to drape gently around your neck waiting for the next clic back in to reading.

July is here, it's almost the 4th. This time of year always brings trips to the pool and or beach. As I gather all of my necessities(and there are a lot of them) I began my quest for the perfect beach bag. Here are some of the things I have considered as I search.

Material: Materials for beach bags range from canvas to rope, corn husk to raffia, there are even great green versions now available made of things like recycled sails and rice paper. Polyester and polyfiber rope are also good options. Canvas is classic and easily machine washable so when you spill your poolside crink on it it's an easy fix. Corn husk and other natural fibers of this sort are very attractive. They also dry fairly quickly. The downside for me with these materials is the cleaning aspect- they can't just be easily tossed in to the washing machine. Recycled sails and rice paper are water proof so any spills would simply bead up on the outside and could be easily wiped off. Polyester and other poly materials would do the same thing.

Size: Can the bag haul everything. Now truth be told, I am a bag junkie. I don't like to carry a bag that is any larger than whatever it is I need to carry on any given day. I have a tendency to follow the smaller is better school of thought when it comes to purses or backpacks. However, when it comes to beach bags big reigns supreme. You need to stuff towels and books, sunscreen nd snacks in to the bag so it needs to have ample room.

Style: From small handles you need to grip with your hands to straps choosing the right style for your beach bag is very important. Mny classic canvas styles are nice as long as you drive to your destination. If you walk or ride over for any distance you don't want your hands busy gripping your bag en route. If you bike a backpack style is a no brainer, or my current solution is a large bag with straps ling enough to wear like a backpack.

Pockets: Do the bag have any? In this day and age we all seems to be hauling our phones and mp3 players every where we go. I for one do not like dropping these devices into a cavernous space through which I will need to dig to find them. Plus, you will probably loading all of your stuff back in to the bag at the end of the day covered in sand and even a little soggy. It's best to be able to segment your electronics from al of this mess, it will add to thir longevity.

So, these are my current considerations. I often scold myself saying I don't need another bag when I look at the piles of empty ones I have, yet none seems just right. I continue to search given the above criteria for one that convinces me I just can't go without it.

Off to the pool……

We have been having a LOT of rain, and I mean a lot. Typically I live in  dry climate tht might see an occassional rain shower but for at least the last month we have seen hours of showers every afternoon. This is putting a serious crimp on my pool schedule and starting to give me a case of the doldrums. I was honestly beginning to think little positive could come out of this. That was until today. I was in my gym and one of the staff came bopping in with the cutest, happiest red umbrella ever. It was bright red with tiny yellow polka dots. I think anyone seeing it such a grey day couldn't help but smile.

Gotta jet!

Summer is here and life is good. By far my favorite things about summer time is flip flops. They are easy to slide off and on, come in a plethora of colors and styles and work for both men and women. You can wear them with anything, a summer dress, a pair of jeans, or around the pool in your swimsuit. They also allow you the perfect opportunity to show off all the time spent on a perfect pedicure. Rubber, or jute, ribbon or cork, there is a flip flop make or model that is perfect for just about everyone.

When you are wearing your flip flops out in the bright sunny weather make sure you have the perfect pair of reading sunglasses as well. With this combo you will be all set for enjoying the great outdoors.

My very favorite drink is sweet tea with lemon.  Actually, like most things, this drink was better when I was a child.  I was responsible for preparing it for the family, and the very first step would be to go outside and get some mint leaves.  Then I would fill a small, battered tin pot halfway full of water, drop in the mint and about four Lipton tea bags. More on Sweet Tea With Lemon

I love chai tea lattes. I usually buy my chai lattes at places like Coffee Bean or Starbucks, but when I do make them at home I use Vanilla Chai Tea bags which I soak in boiled water for about 5 minutes. I then take out the teabag, add some honey, sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and then add cold milk. I stir this all around until the honey and cinnamon dissolve into my latte and that's how I drink it. More on Chai Tea Latte

On a hot summer day, nothing beats fresh made lemonade.

• Start by soaking 4-5 lemons in hot water for about 10 minutes.
• Roll each lemon on the counter before cutting in half.
• Squeeze as much juice out of each half using a lemon squeezer. More on nothing beats fresh made lemonade
  

My favorite drink, far and away, is Tang. I drink roughly 3 quarts per day. I prefer to drink it at roughly 20% of the recommended strength.

I have a 1-gallon pitcher, and to keep from having to make it practically every day, what I do is make it at full strength, then put just a tiny bit in a glass and then add some cold water to fill the glass. When I was in college this was a great, inexpensive drink to keep on hand. More on Tang, the drink of champions

Natural Strawberry and Mango fruit smoothie…

small package of fresh ripe strawberries, 2 fresh whole mangos, 6 cups of crushed ice, 2 cups of skim milk..blend in a blender until smooth, add 1/2 cup of sugar or more if desired.
Can also add 2 lemons for a little tang. More on A Couple Favorite Drinks

My favorite book is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. When I first came upon this book, I was at a really low point in my life. My mother had passed away, my marriage failed, I had a blood clot in my leg.

Basically anything that could happen did. When I began to read the book the message inside spoke of living in the now and trying to over come the past. More on The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle