One of the best things about January is making a fresh start in a new year. And one of the worst things about the rest of the year is seeing that gorgeous planner get a little tattered, stained, and tired.

That’s part of why I’m obsessed with Silk & Sonder’s innovative monthly planner system. I think it’s one of the best splurges you can indulge in to continue feeling inspired all year long.

This planner system is set up to send you a new planner every month of the year. That means each month you get a little surprise in the mail with a fresh new theme and artwork.

The system is designed around a bullet journal approach with plenty of space to get some important concepts out of your head and onto paper.

It’s designed to not only help you keep track of appointments, but also to reach personal goals like developing new habits, keep track of your health through a sleep log, and focus on developing a specific character trait. (As you saw on the cover, January’s theme is “ambition.”

If you want to pamper yourself, consider picking up a high-quality pen.

I love the Kaweco Sport fountain pen because it’s small enough to take along–and yet it writes as nicely as any fountain pen I’ve owned. (But make sure you always carry along another pen to share as needed–these pens are very finicky and won’t work as well if you let someone else use them extensively. Of course, I learned that the hard way.)

If one of your resolutions this year is to stay on top of your finances, there’s also a monthly expense tracker built into each month’s planner.

In a world where most money changes hands digitally, writing down each expense by hand can make the cash outflow seem more real.

This can also be a great place to track business expenses for accounting purposes.

The full two-page week overview also includes an area for meal planning (every meal plus snacks). Which is a huge help in getting a handle on what’s likely to be your biggest potential budget-buster.

Of course, none of the bells and whistles matter if the daily planner section doesn’t work for you.

Personally, I love the blank grid approach taken here because I can make the most of all the space available no matter when I start or end my day.

If you decide you want to try out this system, you can choose from a monthly subscription that can be canceled at any time. Or you can commit to several months or even an entire year to save money.

Personally, I started with the monthly subscription and loved it. But, I talked myself into canceling because I do have a calendar on my iPhone after all. However, after missing one appointment and having a few other close calls, I decided this system is worth the investment to stay focused and on-schedule. The second time around I opted for the annual payment option.

What’s your favorite planning system? How about your favorite pen? Share in the comments section below!

My husband and kids claim this is the best taco recipe ever! It’s worth trying if you want a new take on a family favorite dinner favorite.

This recipe substitutes a custom seasoning blend for your typical taco seasoning. It also uses raw saukraut instead of lettuce for a healthy crunch that also delivers beneficial probiotics in every delicious bite. (Trust me, this is one of the most delectible ways to enjoy your fermented veggies.)

Ready to try it out?

Here’s what you’ll need for the seasoned beef:

2 lbs. ground beef (We get ours grassfed in bulk from a local rancher. I usually thaw it in a bowl of water an hour before using or put it in the refrigerator a few days before I plan to use it.)

2 t. salt (I prefer Real Salt or Himalayan salt)

2 t. oil for cooking (I usually use coconut oil, ghee, or leftover bacon greese.)

1/2 t. black pepper

1 1/2 t. Frontier vegetable seasoning

1 1/2 t. Simply Organic adobo seasoning

1 1/2 t. Frontier dry onion

1/2 t. Simply Organic chipotle powder

(Please note, this is a mild recipe–so if you like it spicy double up on the chipotle powder and use your favorite hot sauce.)

In a medium frying pan, heat up the cooking oil on medium heat. Once it’s hot–but not too hot–add the ground beef. Use a spatula to help the ground beef crumble into fairly uniform small pieces. Add all seasoning to the beef and cook it until it’s brown. 

Here’s what you’ll need to put the tacos together:

Hard taco shells or soft tortillas (I used these Garden of Eatin’ blue corn taco shells from Amazon Pantry. You can also find low carb options, like these whole wheat Mission Carb Balance tortillas, but they do contain some soy. My husband is on a pretty hard core clean keto regime so he prefers to wrap his with Folios Cheese Wraps.)

Raw saurkraut (I make my own, but you can find it in the refrigerator section of some grocery stores and Costco.)

Shredded cheese (I used a five-cheese Mexican blend from Costco)

Sour cream

I like to put out all the ingredients and let everyone (at least those who are old enough) build their own.

Do you have some unique ingredients your family loves in their tacos? Comment below!

Editorial credit: Checubus / Shutterstock.com

If you’re thinking about moving to Idaho, you’re not alone. This roomy western state is one of the fastest-growing states in the US. If a move to the gem state might be in your future, keep reading to get a lay of the land.

Nov. 15, 2019: Bike officers patrol Boise’s 22.3-mile greenbelt pathway year-round. The bicycle unit began in 1989 with two part-time officers and now has five officers and a sergeant.
Photo credit: D.Lopez-FotoMundo America / Shutterstock.com

 The “City of Trees”

For many people moving to Idaho means heading for the state’s capital, Boise. This intermountain west city is home to the largest metro area in the state. The nearest major cities include Salt Lake City, Utah to the south and Portland, Oregon in the northwest.

If you aspire to become a local, one of the first things you need to know is how to pronounce the name of the city. Locals pronounce it “boy-see” instead of “boy-zee.” Boise is located in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, a large fertile high desert farming area kept green by extensive irrigation systems. The New York Canal flows through the city, supplied by the Lucky Peak Reservoir. The Boise River also runs through the city, flanked by an extensive park system and bike path known as the greenbelt.

August 8, 2018: Girl in Fountain statue at Fountain Square in The Village, Meridian, Id.
Photo credit: Matthew Thomas Allen / Shutterstock.com

Fastest Growing Metro Areas

Most newcomers planning to move to Boise actually end up in one of several cities surrounding Idaho’s capitol. Nampa and Meridian are among the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

These once sleepy farming towns, along with Eagle and Caldwell, are now growing rapidly. Other smaller outlying cities include Star, Emmett, and Kuna. If you really crave small-town life you can check out numerous small farming communities in Southwest Idaho and near the Eastern Oregon border.

June 7, 2018: JUMP, Jack’s Urban Meeting Place, a not-for-profit, interactive creative center and community gathering place in downtown Boise on a summer afternoon.
Photo credit: stellamc / Shutterstock.com

Economic Growth

If you visited Idaho decades ago, prepare to find new construction almost everywhere. Subdivisions and shopping malls have sprung up across the region–and downtown Boise’s skyline has changed significantly.

One popular new venue, Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) is also a nod to Idaho’s history. Idaho’s former “potato billionaire” Jack Simplot’s influence can be felt throughout the Treasure Valley from Esther Simplot Park (which he donated in memory of his wife) to Micron Technology Inc. (a computer memory company he helped make possible by investing heavily in the new technology in the 70s).

A lower cost of living compared to parts of California and the Northwest has some companies moving to Idaho while other successful start-ups have been created by Idaho natives in the past several years. A few notable software as a service companies in the Boise metro area include ConvertKit, Click Funnels, Truckstop.com, Paylocity, and an Intuit location.

The Housing Market

Due to the increased number of people moving to Idaho, Boise area housing prices continue to increase. In December 2019 the median home price in Boise was $335,000 compared to $214,000 in 2014. That’s a $121,000 increase in only five years.

However, the area’s cost of living is still a bargain compared to many major cities on the west coast, especially Seattle and major cities in California where investment from foreign cash buyers has been driving up real estate prices. And while foreign investment in the US housing market has been cooling off in the past couple of years, the effects still aren’t being felt in the Boise housing market where a tight supply is expected to push prices a bit higher in 2020. In fact, Realtor.com predicts Boise will have the hottest housing market in the nation in 2020.

Are you contemplating a big move this year? We’d love to hear about it the challenges you’re facing. Comment below or drop me an email.

(A big “thank you” to porch.com for sponsoring this post!)

It’s hard to feel lonely when you’re constantly surrounded by your nearest and dearest. But if you live in a crowded household, a lack of privacy can become a problem. Many parents know their children’s presence can be felt in virtually every area of a home—even when they’re not around. As a result, many parents simply give up on having personal space. However, it’s often possible to carve out a cozy retreat in the master bedroom.

Personal Furnishings

While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, many parents don’t put a lot of thought into their bedroom décor. Since kitchens and living rooms typically serve as the main centers of household activity, most parents opt to focus their efforts on those areas. However, if your bedroom’s furnishings lack any semblance of a personal touch, it’s only natural that this space won’t feel as if it’s truly yours. With this in mind, make a point of implementing bedroom décor choices that reflect your personality. Repainting the walls in your favorite color and picking out sheets, bedspreads and curtains that you truly love can have a tremendous impact on the way you feel about your bedroom. Additionally, purchasing chairs, loveseats and other furniture specifically for your bedroom can add an air of laidback relaxation to the space.

Entertainment Center

When looking for effective ways to unwind, many people head straight for their favorite TV shows, movies and video games—and the best way to enjoy these things is with a top-shelf entertainment center. Just because entertainment setups are commonly associated with living rooms doesn’t mean you can’t have one in the bedroom as well. Parents interested in enjoying their favorite visual media in the comfort of their bedroom should consider purchasing TVs, streaming devices and gaming consoles specifically for this area.

If you lack the space for a full-blown media cabinet, wall-mounting your bedroom television can be a great way to save space. Furthermore, if you’re uncomfortable mounting a TV on your own, a number of professional handymen can carry out the job in a timely manner. Motor City residents are sure to appreciate the wide variety of TV mounting services in Detroit.

Reading Nooks

There are a plethora of advantages to reading on a regular basis. Not only does reading improve memory function, it also helps most people relax and set their minds at ease. For maximum impact, reading should be done in a quiet spot, and, as any seasoned parent can attest, such spots can be hard to find in a busy household. Consider creating a bedroom-based reading nook.

Fortunately, this project can be undertaken on virtually any budget, and you only need a little bit of free space to bring this plan to fruition. Simply clear out one corner of the room—preferably one in the immediate vicinity of a window—for a comfortable chair or loveseat and a bookshelf or two. You may discover that creating your own reading nook will help you rekindle your love of the written word in a spot that’s all your own.

Trust and proven expertise should be the most important factors when choosing professionals to work in your home– and if you are facing a major remodel project finding the right general contractor can make all the difference.

Taking on a “Fixer Upper”

When my husband and I purchased a house on an acreage, about 50 minutes from Boise, Idaho, we knew there was a reason we got a great price: It needed to be fully renovated before we could call it home.

At the time we were living in Taiwan and preparing to move back to the US the next year. I immediately started doing my homework to figure out how much this was going to cost– and hoping I would manage to find the right people to do everything that needed to be done. One of my first moves was to price out kitchen cabinets and countertops at Ikea. (That’s a chain store you can find all over the world!) I was in the process of trying to get prices on installation when I decided to send Trudy Mallon, with Mallon Homes, a message asking about the average price of a kitchen installation in the Boise real estate market. Her estimate for the entire project was similar to what I had calculated materials alone would cost. We scheduled a meeting to go over the house to discuss our needs and wants during our next trip to the US.

Expertise Makes a Difference

We jumped at the chance to have Tim and Trudy Mallon take a look at our home for two reasons: 1) We’d met them through church years ago and know they are passionate about their work. 2) We’d enjoyed touring their homes during the annual “Parade of Homes” in the Boise area. What we didn’t realize is how quickly an expert could tell us what needed to happen– and what it would cost.

The house came with a 1,200 square foot attached garage– with a wooden floor. Because of the construction method used we weren’t convinced cars could safely drive into the garage. In his first walk through the house, Tim was able to tell us how that space could be turned into a master suite, laundry room, office, and oversized two-car garage with a cement floor.

We immediately saw the value in having a plan to make the house fit our needs (and wants), add value by improving the layout, and avoid having to build a separate garage.

Making Smart Customization Choices

When it was time to pick out interior finishing materials for our home, we took advantage of our builders’ expertise while selecting options that appealed to us. We started by looking at the standard finishes used by the builder and then picked a few special items we wanted to upgrade– and found other areas where we could select a less expensive option so we could stay on budget.

Shopping in December allowed us to get a deal on some materials– like travertine tiles for our master bathroom. We chose a granite our builder was able to get at a steep discount. We also cut costs with some of our lighting choices and splurged on decorative tile for backsplashes.

In the end we spent the same amount we expected originally (when we had intended to do some of the work ourselves) but got a home with nicer finishes than we originally expected.

Do you live in the Boise area or plan to move here soon? If so, be sure to check out the Boise Parade of Homes. And no matter where you live, please comment below let me know where you find your inspiration!

(A big “thank you” to our friends at porch.com for sponsoring this post!)

Moving is stressful at best (we don’t need to remind you about the countless reports that have been commissioned on that). However, when you are relocating to a completely new area, you have even more factors to fuel anxiety.

Even with help from pros like those at Den moving companies, there are a lot thing you need to sort out before committing to a big move.

Research, A Lot

First, you need to invest some serious time into conducting the right type of research. That includes making getting information from non-biased sources or people who know the area but don’t have a vested interest in having you move there. This might mean speaking to several real estate branches in various areas. You can also look into statistics about areas you are considering. Learning about things like the median price and sized of homes, average commute times, access to goods and services, and crime statistics can provide a big overview of an area.

Are there any warning signs?

Once you think you have found your area of choice, continue to scrutinize it. After all, a mistake at this point could be costly and keep you from enjoying life in a new city.

Are there an unusually high proportion of people interested in moving away?  Does it look like a place where you would feel comfortable living? Do you want to live in an area with meticulously groomed landscaping? Or are you more interested in finding a neighborhood where people are playing outside with their kids? If the neighborhood doesn’t “feel” right when you actually visit it, it’s probably worth reconsidering whether you’re willing to making a short commitment to rent—or a long term investment if you plan to buy a home.

What will the area offer you?

Of course, you can live in the “best” neighborhood in the land, but that doesn’t mean to say that it is suitable for your needs. If you are the young and trendy type, there’s every chance that you will want bars, coffee shops and the like on your doorstep. Or you might also want to focus on finding an established neighborhood with mature trees.

If you’re considering an upscale neighborhood that will likely stretch your budget a bit, also consider other costs you may incur as a result of relocating to that area. Will the property be expensive to maintain in a manner that will meet community standards? When you compare yourself to your neighbors, will you feel pressure to purchase more expensive cars and furniture?

If you have children who will attend nearby public or private schools, try to learn something about the school culture. Will you feel comfortable having your kids in that environment? Even if you’ve selected what’s commonly considered a “good” neighborhood, you need to make sure it will really be the perfect place for your unique family.

How does it impact your work life?

Finally, you don’t want to base your choice of location only on the proximity to work. However, you do need to make sure the commute will allow you to still have a good quality of life. In some cities, even a five-mile commute can take hours to complete. That means you distance isn’t the most important factor. Use a software, such as Google maps, to see how long the driving time is estimated to take during the times you will most likely be traveling to and from work.

(A big “thank you” to Clean and Clear Water for sponsoring this post!)

Take a look at your glass before you drink the water you’ve just got from your tap. Does it look clean? It should be safe to drink, but sometimes a failure in the system will leave you holding a questionable glass of water.

An even bigger concern is when your water appears to be clean, but contains contaminants that can only be detected by testing. It’s probably always good to check with pros like those at Clean and Clear water for a filter recommendation. After all, there are several ways your water supply may be compromised.

System Maintenance Work

Perhaps the most common cause of dirty water is when the water board is completing work in your vicinity and accidentally leaves the main supply exposed. This can allow all sorts of dirt and debris into the pipes which comes out at your home.

This should be obvious if the color starts to fade after you’ve run the tap for five minutes.

Sediment

Another common problem is sediment present in water lines. This is often flakes of plastic and metal which tend to settle at the bottom of your water heater tank. Unfortunately, they can end up getting sucked into the pipes. This can cause your water to appear cloudy. It is extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to see the pieces of debris, but you will need a filter to remove them from your water.

The debris is created by the natural corrosion of the inside of your pipes and water heater. Flushing the system regularly can help to reduce corrosion buildup and extend the life of your appliances.

Change Of Water Supply

If the source of your water supply has changed then it is possible that the water will appear cloudier or dirtier than before. This should quickly pass although you may notice a taste difference in your water. (This is just one reason why it’s a good idea to have an emergency supply of clean water stored in your home.)

Chemicals

Rainwater flushes the ground, forcing any land based chemicals into the ground and then the water supply. These will include pesticides, oil from roads, and even fracking debris.

All of these elements can be washed into the water supply where they may make your water appear dirty and might just make you ill.

Dealing With Discoloration

If you find that your water has got darker it’s probably time to get your water tested. You can get a sterile cup to take a sample to a local lab or even try a home testing kit. A lab will be able to provide detailed information, including whether bacteria is present. If it is you’ll need to get a plan in place immediately to keep your water clean with a good quality filter—and to find source of the problem. It’s a good idea to also let your neighbors and local government officials know there’s a problem that needs to be fixed.

(A big thank you to our friends at Super Squeegee for sponsoring this post!)

Are your windows covered in grime? Dirty windows mar the aesthetic appeal of your home. They’re ugly to look at and they interfere with the natural light that should be pouring through the glass. Luckily, there’s a good chance you can take care of the problem yourself.

You can hire a professional to clean your windows or you can see what some elbow grease can accomplish. You can also choose both options. Take care of occasional smudges on your own but call the big guys for a yearly deep clean.

Window cleaning is something of an art. Jeremiah Hickey, a window washer with USA record in SLO, CA, has been featured on multiple national media outlets because of his skill. Not only has he a won a Guinness record, he’s dominated in the world championships of window cleaning.

You don’t need to be as good as Hickey, however, to make your windows shine. Keep reading to find out how to do it yourself.

Pre-Cleaning

It’s prep time! If you want your windows to look like they’ve been treated by a professional cleaner, you need to pre-clean the glass before you do any real scrubbing. Get rid of stubborn stains first and your job will be a lot easier. Bird poop, hard water minerals, etc, require special care to be removed.

Tips

• Soak the stains in vinegar for a few minutes. When the time is up, use a regular cloth to wipe it clean.
• Use a specialized mineral deposit cleaner
• If there’s debris clinging to the glass, use something sharp to pry it off
• Remember to clean the screens.

When you switch to cleaning the interior part of your window, there’s a little more prep work to do. According to Stephanie Lewis, customer experience manager at The Maids: “One of the big things about cleaning windows is really protecting your floors and the inside of your walls… You want to make sure you lay down a sheet or drop cloth to protect your carpet or flooring from getting wet and causing damage.”

Grab Your Supplies

Now you’re ready to get to the real work. You need the right tools, however. You might have these items lying around your house already or you might need to run to the store. Here’s what you need:

• A clean rag
• An absorbent cloth
• A squeegee
• Window cleaner

If you’re wary about the chemicals in the window cleaners sold at the store, you can make your own by mixing warm water and dish soap. To clean particularly stubborn filth, add some vinegar to your solution.

Start Cleaning

Time to start scrubbing. It doesn’t matter if you start inside or out. If you are going to clean the outside of your windows, however, it’s recommended that you choose an overcast day. Too much sunlight can mess up your work.

The next steps are pretty self-explanatory. Just start cleaning your windows. For larger windows, use your squeegee. A ladder is helpful if the window if the window is located high above your head or is very tall, but you can also attach your squeegee to a broomstick or something similar to give yourself more reach.

Take your time with the actual cleaning. You don’t want to rush through your work because you might be left with streaks or leftover spots. Most people find cleaning their windows to be a hassle, which means that you don’t want to be stuck doing it over again when you thought you were done. Here some more handy tips to make your windows smile again by cleaning them.

Make sure to properly dry the glass. One side of your squeegee is for cleaning, the other side is for scraping away the excess water. You’re going to have to use both sides to be effective.

Consider Getting Help

Floor-to-ceiling windows are incredibly impressive to look at but they can be a pain to keep clean. The same is true for windows located high up on the walls. As we’ve shown, you can take care of the cleaning yourself but it’s possible that you don’t want to. If the process seems too difficult or time-consuming, offload the work onto a professional. If you happen to live in Slo County, CA you could put a world champion cleaner to work. Hickey operates his own business, On The Spot Window Cleaning.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at Livable for sponsoring this post!)

Moving can be stressful, and if you’re not organized while trying to move, it can make it even worse. Thankfully, making a few smart moves can make your transition easier.

1. Purge Early

You don’t realize how much stuff you have until you need to pack it all up. One way to ensure you easily get through all your belongings is to purge early. As soon as you know you’ll be moving it’s a good idea to start going through closets, basements, attics, and other storage areas. Make three separate piles: keep, donate, and trash. Anything in the trash or donate piles should be taken out of your home immediately. By purging, you can rest assured you’re not wasting time and money packing up things you won’t need.

2. Hire a Full-Service Moving Company

While using a company may cost a little more than doing it yourself, it brings along a lot less stress. A full-service moving company will not only haul your moving boxes and furniture to your new place, but they’ll even pack it and store it for you if desired. According to Livable, a storage facility out of Boston, “Full-service moving companies allow you to handle your move on your schedule. From packing to shipping to storing to delivery, everything is done as easily as possible.” In my experience, our family’s international full-service moves were less stressful than our local DIY moves.

3. Use Lists

If you decide to pack yourself, you can stay organized by using lists. For instance, have a binder or notebook on hand when you start packing. Then, label every box with a number. In your notebook, write down the box number and then list the items inside that box. This way, if you get to your new place and are in desperate need of your pizza cutter, you know which box to look in instead of digging through random boxes until you find what you need.

4. Be Color-Coordinated

Along with the list, you should also consider color-coordinating your moving boxes. For instance, place a yellow sticker on all boxes for the kitchen, blue stickers on items for the living room, red for the bathroom, etc. By doing this, you’ll know which rooms to put certain boxes in as you move in. This way, you’re not shuffling through all your boxes in the garage. Instead, you can get a jump start on organizing your home.

5. Designate Tasks

If you have people helping you with the move, it becomes more efficient if you give everyone a specific task. For instance, delegate some people to pack while others bring the boxes into the truck. Or put someone in charge or labeling boxes and filling out your notebook. When everyone has a specific task in mind, it will create less chaos around the house and help you keep an organized and efficient process.

6. Plan Ahead for Pets and Kids

There will be a lot going on during your moving day, so it’s a good idea to make advanced plans for pets and/or kids. For instance, see if a neighbor, friend, or family member can keep an eye on your pets or kids while you’re moving items out of the old house. This will create less for you to look after, and you also don’t have to worry about closing doors behind you or someone getting lost in the shuffle. In addition, if you need to stay in a hotel for a few nights in between the move, it’s a good idea to either confirm it’s a pet-friendly hotel or find a local boarding facility that will keep your pets safe for you.

7. Confirm Dates and Times

Whether you’re moving your belongings on your own or relying on a third party, it’s critical to confirm dates and times with anyone involved in your move. For instance, be sure moving trucks will arrive at the right location and at the right time. Make sure any closing dates and times have been confirmed, and finalize any other important dates before you start to move. The last thing you want to do is be waiting on a truck to arrive—or have a crew waiting at the wrong address—because you didn’t take the few extra minutes to confirm the appointment.

Moving can be stressful, but if you do everything you can to stay organized during the process, the transition will be much easier.

Photo Credit: Harry Antipala

(A big “thank you” to our friends at SeaLife Cameras for sponsoring this post!)

It’s already August, which means the summer season is flying by. Your Instagram is living proof of what you’ve ticked off of your summer bucket list. It doesn’t matter if you’ve accomplished a decent amount of your to-do or if you haven’t even started yet, there’s still time to amp up your feed! Here are 7 things to take a picture of before summer’s over:

1. A frozen treat

What better way to cool down in the summer than with a frozen treat? Whether it’s a scoop of ice cream melting between two humongous cookies, a nostalgic popsicle from a passing ice cream truck, or a frozen margarita in a fishbowl glass, these summer treats certainly make for a Grammable moment. Capture your frozen delight with a cityscape background or against a white wall for contrast. Make sure it’s a quick photo so it doesn’t melt too quickly!

2. A sunset

It’s always special when you can catch a sunset. We’re in the dog days of summer right now (these hot, sultry days are based on the heliacal rising of the Sirius star), which means you can find some gorgeous sunsets across the United States. Head to a local waterfront to capture the perfect sunset photo. The best part? No filter required.

Photo Credit: Dave Dietze

3. A boat shot

Nothing says summer like taking a ride on a boat. A cool breeze in your hair, the smell of the salt water, and a drink in your hand. When you’re in the depths of winter reminiscing on warmer days, snapshots from boat photos are the ones you’ll look at longingly.

4. Under the sea

Whether you’re snorkeling in the Caribbean or taking a dive in the pool with your friends, get your hands on a SeaLife Camera and snap an underwater photo. These cameras take clear images of photos you wouldn’t be able to capture otherwise. From colorful coral to your best friend’s cannonball, you’ll be guaranteed triple digit likes with an underwater shot.

Photo credit: John Wall

5. Candid snapshots of your friends and family

Switch up your feed from photos of your summer self and scenery. Instead, post a candid of your friends and family. Catch them while they’re enjoying summertime fun like fishing or swimming. These photos are more natural and more fun to look back on, capturing memories you may not have even realized were being created.

6. The book you’re reading

Book clubs are extremely popular, especially on social media. Many people have been sharing their summer reads with their friends and followers. Snap a photo of your book cover, then share a short synopsis of the book and why you like it. Use the right hashtags so that other bookworms will see what you’re reading.

7. A scene from nature

Not everyone is close to the coast, but that doesn’t mean there is a lack of scenic summer photos to capture. Whether it’s a park, local lake, mountain range, or flower bed, there’s plenty of natural beauty all around you in the summertime. A photo of one of these landscapes adds vibrant imagery to your feed. With outdoor photos, the right lighting is key to taking your photo to the next level.