The summer survival guide

As a pale-skin individual loving the British weather, it may become quite a difficult task to survive in a climate that sometimes reaches the south of Slovakia; the temperature can easily climb up to tropical heights.

Let´s be honest, some of us are simply not able to adjust to such conditions. Over the years, by using the method of trial and error, I developed a certain number of tips and tricks that help me get through hot summer days. I am not saying I religiously follow them day by day during the summer, sometimes I overrate my abilities and end up regretting straying the “paved ways”.

If you are like me and you feel like a slow overcooked slime once the summer shit hits the fan, keep my list by hand and try it. The things we do to feel a tad bit better, right?

SPF to avoid burned butt cheeks
When the summer temperatures hit Leipzig for the first time this summer, me and my friend decided to abandon our overheated flats and spend the day by a lake located near our place. Before I left, I basically bathed myself in a sunscreen, thinking about how I am saving my skin, hoping for a nice light-brown tan I would get. As the day went by and the sun was shining brighter with every passing hour, I decided to play the superhero card and leave the sunscreen in my bag. After a shower in the evening, I felt red like a steak fresh from the grill; my but cheeks were so red I couldn´t sit for days, my underboobs were so burned that I couldn´t think of wearing a bra for more than two weeks (not that I complained there). But what is more disturbing, my feet were so swollen from the amount of sunburn, that I couldn´t think of wearing anything other than bare feet for a very long time.

If there is any of my fellow pale-skins here, I just want to say: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SUN and USE A GOOD QUALITY SUNSCREEN throughout the summer months. Your skin will thank you later.

Flowy is better than curve-hugging
I know that some of us, mainly the female part of our population, like the jaw-dropping effect of tight t-shirts and leggings  that exhibit everything that should be shown. But the constant contact of the material with our skin can be quite uncomfortable in a superhot weather.

It was last year that I discovered the secret of flowy oversized t-shirts that make miracles when the light summer breeze touches the light fabric. And just by the way, from the fashionable point of view, it looks cool tucked in high-waist shorts or skirts. Even better if it has a nice simple graphic design on it.

Ice tea, ice coffee, ice everything
I am a huge tea fan, but drinking tea in thirty-something weather is not the nicest experience. But let me tell you, ice cubes make the difference. I usually opt for the Earl Grey blend, but today my sister surprised me with the Assam. In a large jar I added thinly sliced lemon, peppermint leaves and the tea, poured boiling water over it and let it sit until lukewarm. Then I added ice cubes and enjoyed the show.

The same goes for the coffee. Adding an espresso with milk to a jar full of ice cubes makes for a good summer treat. If you want to get a little sassy, add vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on the top. Hashtag yummy in the tummy.

Freeze your smoothie
Talking about the ice cream, I can´t help but share my favourite homemade popsicles. And what is more, summer is the best time to do it, since the best fruit is in season.

It takes the same amount of time as making your smoothie – put it in a freezer and wait till tomorrow. You won´t regret it.

Holy guacamole

During the time when even eating seems like an activity that is too much to handle, I prefer to avoid meals that require too much cooking because there is nothing more annoying than even more heat emanating from the oven. What I usually end up whit is guacamole, a simple mix of avocado with onion, garlic and tomatoes, or ten-minute one-pot pasta. Quickly prepared, quickly eaten, less activity required.

Spending summer somewhere in Scandinavia where the climate is a lot milder would be the best option, for sure. However, if it doesn´t work out that way, we need to adjust to the conditions we find ourselves in. I am sure everyone has developed certain habits when it comes to dealing with heat waves. And.. I don´t know how about you, but it always hits me hard. Using some of the tricks above make it a wee bit easier. At least for a while, anyway J

Until next time,

čauko, Lenka.