FEELS LIKE SUMMER
We’ve officially entered summer. I am not here to remind you that we’ve passed the longest day of the year already and days are getting shorter again from here on out. I’ve been enjoying the longer mornings and evenings – even though we get almost 2 hours less daylight than in Germany. Did you know that because of its location at a higher latitude, it stays light there until after 10 pm? Nothing beats these long summer nights!
ZIO PATCH
I received the Zio Patch (ECG monitor) in the mail last weekend and started wearing it on Sunday. I am probably going to write a blog post about my experience with it (I found it helpful to read about other people’s experience beforehand). So far, it’s not been too bothersome. It’s relatively small and light-weight, so most of the time, I don’t even feel that it’s there.
The thing that sucks is that I can’t go to the pool with it and even showers have to be brief. Oh yeah, and I am not supposed to sweat if I can avoid it. (But did I mention that I live in the Central Valley of California, where it gets really hot in the summer, and I also like to work out and that I am the sweatiest person ever? Haha! (I know Nicole can relate.)) Well, the patch will hopefully survive. Today is day 5 and I have nine more days to go.
FRUGAL WIN
I don’t usually shop during sales just to shop during sales, unless it was already on my “to buy-list”, but I will also not pass up something for free. Kohl’s offered free shipping (no minimum purchase required) and a $10 off coupon (no minimum purchase required) yesterday, which means I was able to snatch up a (discounted) summer top – that I already have and like – in a different color completely for free.
TRADER JOE’S WILL TEACH YOU DETACHMENT
I saw this Reel the other day and it made me laugh hysterically and cry at the same time, because this man speaks the truth. If you like something at Trader Joe’s a little too much, there is a good chance it’ll be discontinued. This has happened to me quite a few times.
So, the actual explanation that they often discontinue stuff is not because it doesn’t sell, or to aggravate their customers, but because the distributor raises prices or discontinues a product. If they don’t find a competitor with the same or better price, they just let the item go. I am always a bit afraid which product it might happen to next. In their defense, they always come out with new exciting items all the time, too and I can’t stay mad for too long, although I occasionally still miss their Everything Bagel Chips. They were amazing.
TIPS AND TRICKS
It’s possible, even likely, that this Instagram (iPhone) hack is old news to you, but I’ll share it anyway. Just in case, someone is late to the party like me. Did you know that you can “pinch” the screen and watch IG reels without all the icons on the right-hand side? Did you also know that if you tab + hold above the “heart” (likes), you can increase the video speed up to 2x?
Nicole MacPherson
June 26, 2026 at 3:27 pmIn Calgary, it stays light until after ten as well in late June/ early July. Where my parents live – two hours north – it’s close to eleven before it gets dark! Here I would say the sun sets shortly after nine at this time of year. I had a friend in grad school who would say, the day after solstice, “well, it’s going to get darker every day now until December” which, while depressing, is true. Or as Ally Bean said to me once, “back into darkness we glide.”
On more cheery news! Can I ever relate! This morning on the Peloton I looked down at a particular puddle of sweat and thought “is that coming from my HANDS?” It was. I love that we are both sweaty girls! I mean, I’m sorry you can’t have a nice long shower after but hey, sweatiness loves company! Or something. I just like knowing I’m not alone, when I take my workout clothes off and they make a big wet thud on the floor.
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:26 amHaha, every time I sweat heavily I think of you Nicole and feel we’re such kindred spirits ;)
Birchie
June 26, 2026 at 5:18 pmI’m sweating at the thought of being told not to sweat. Some of us are extra glowy, thank you very much.
My two biggest TJ losses are Bay Blend coffee and the “This Fig Walks into a Bar” bars. They have other flavors, but nothing hits like the fig bars did. Sigh.
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:27 amWe sparkle :)
Oh, I remember the Bay Blend Coffee and I remember you talking about the Fig Bars! Why do the good things have to go away?
Suzanne
June 27, 2026 at 4:26 amI did not know those Instagram hacks! Thank you for sharing!
You are my sweaty sister, San. How frustrating to be told not to sweat. Ugh. I’m glad the monitor isn’t too bothersome, though.
If TJs stops carrying jalapeno lemonade, I will cry.
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:27 amOh, another sweaty sister! We’re a club now :)
Michelle G.
June 27, 2026 at 11:34 amI’m one of those weirdos who loves the decreasing daylight. On the Summer Solstice, we had 15 hours and 46 minutes of daylight. Today, it’ll be 15 hours and 23 minutes.
Thanks for the cool Instagram hacks! I didn’t know about them. I can barely figure out Instagram!
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:28 amI am always still learning new hacks every day ;)
J
June 28, 2026 at 2:25 pmI love how when you are further north, the sun takes so long to go down…meaning that twilight feeling lasts for a lot longer than around here. Closer to the equator, you get almost none. It’s light, then it’s not. Done.
I love your heading for the TJ bit, TJs teaches Detachment. Clever, funny and true.
Congratulations on your frugal win! That’s fabulous.
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:28 amI do love longer twilight for sure! And I love a good frugal win!
ernie
June 28, 2026 at 4:27 pmGood luck wearing the patch and not sweating. I envision an SNL skit about someone getting nervous sweaty just hearing that. TJ is not close enough to my house to be a place I frequent, but I’ve gone a few times when wanting to pick something up when I host book club, etc. Mini and I went last week prepping for book club and she casually mentioned that word on the street is that a TJ is going to be added in a location near our home. I was disproportionately excited considering how infrequently I’ve shopped there. I guess the truth is I can see myself becoming hooked on things. I like some of their gf crackers for dips, etc. Hooray for a free shirt – I’d avoid going for that deal b/c I think it would become a time suck trying to find something I wanted to order, but if it’s a shirt you already like. . . you can’t lose.
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:29 amOH! I hope you get a TJs closer to your house, Ernie. I wouldn’t be able to live without it :)
Lisa's Yarns
June 29, 2026 at 7:50 amI love the longer hours of daylight but I don’t need it to be light for SO LONG so it doesn’t bother me all that much to have the hours of daylight just slightly decreasing. I think the sun sets here around 9pm and it’s light out after that. The most important thing for me is that it’s light when I wake up (around 5:30-6) and light out until around 8 so the kids can be outside after dinner. So I’ll be in my prime season of sufficient daylight for quite some time!
San
June 29, 2026 at 9:29 amI agree – the early morning light is much more important than longer evenings and I am glad you’re in that season right now :)
Melissa
June 30, 2026 at 12:24 amI am also a sweaty person so I can feel your angst. G and S are not sweaty and sometimes finish their runs as if they have not done a things, meanwhile I can wring my T-shirt out. I hope you get some good news once the test is done, and no heart issues.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
July 1, 2026 at 2:21 pmI do love the long summer nights. Probably my favorite part of summer. You can keep the heat… thank you very much.
I did know about the iPhone hacks but then I spent too much time a day in the app. Sigh.
Yeahh for frugal shopping. I didn’t manage freebies but I did make some nice purchases. Some snow boots for 14,39€? I had them on my wish list since November, I love shopping winter close right now. Such good deals.