Summer means pool parties, birthdays, and trips to the park. It also means, because of my two small kids, that I have even less time to get ready than usual. Their goal is to soak up all this good weather—while getting as dirty as possible. So I have to be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice, from a last-minute trip to an outdoor festival to an impromptu beach rendez-vous. 

It’s quite hot in Boston at present, but I also have to adapt to frigid AC temps in the office and sudden rain showers. Because I'm literally running around under all kinds of conditions, everything in my life has to be functional and very, very durable. So, I’m reaching for my most-loved items to make my life easier. Unlike the pieces I like for a particular occasion, my everyday staples can stand up to heavy use without missing a beat. Everything on this list saves me time and, in a lot of cases, keeps me cool in every sense of the word.

Below, browse through my personal haul of products that I'm using just about every day this summer, from the perfect white tee to my mobile smoothie maker and the cutest accessory for my sneakers.

Summer makes my skin more oily. Since my curls have short layers, that also means I suffer from the dreaded wet, greasy bangs. Frange Puff is awesome as a dry shampoo specifically for the front pieces of my hair and my roots. It has a brush that delivers product where I need it most. I gently stroke or pat the base of my scalp and brush my bangs from different angles for fuller coverage. It’s extremely targeted instead of a “spray your whole head” dry shampoo, which means it’s lasted me months; plus, I can buy refillable packets when I run out. It’s small enough to stick in my purse, which might be my favorite part.

I’m not interested in turning on the oven right now. Now is the moment for soups, smoothies, and dips: anything to add some flavor for my picky kids. This light, pretty Beast blender is extremely aesthetically pleasing compared to my bulky, heavy-duty blender. Obviously the Beast's best feature is its cordlessness, meaning it can come with me for blending on the go. Its cutest feature is the straw I can stick into my freshly made smoothie, meaning I can use my Beast as a portable cup. When I'm not traveling, it honestly works for me as a regular kitchen tool. It isn’t a blender for a huge meal, but it serves my needs just fine when I’m making sauce for the fam. Extremely superficial take: It’s super-cute, so I keep it on my counter, and then I use it more.

The days of me in short-shorts are long gone, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve always hated this particular item of clothing because they’re perpetually riding up and chafing my inner thighs. Mercifully, though, longer Bermuda-style shorts are in. I’ve tried a few for that perfect mix of comfort and style. This long A-line short is the clear winner. The shape is deeply flattering, including when I’m bloated or retaining water. The length is long but doesn’t make me look silly or frumpy. I have the dark blue, which goes both with my dark tees and my colorful camis. They’re a little longer than the brand's classic A-line shorts, but I actually like these a little more. As of this writing, they’re on sale! Maybe I should get them in another color.

At this point in my life, I’m a white tee connoisseur. I can tell you which ones are overly sheer, only last for a few wears, or aren’t worth your money. This Splendid V-neck has none of the cons and all of the pros. The sleeves angle downwards, which is a great design if you have a larger chest or broader shoulders (or in my case, both). It goes well with shorts, naturally, but I can dress it up with a silk skirt and heels; it washes really well on a delicate cycle. If white isn’t your thing, or you can’t justify getting another shirt in that color, this comes in a bunch of hues. This does run a bit small, so size up for a looser fit. The medium was perfect for me: snug without being tight.

Layering is an important aspect of my aesthetic, but it's absolutely not happening in the heat of summer. So I have to come up with creative ways to style my basics. I discovered novelty laces as a perfect way to spruce up my standard sneakers. I got these in a delicate cream color, and they add a touch of femininity to my white trainers. The 47-inch is just long enough so that I can tie a small bow at the top. Each pack comes with four laces in total, so when one pair gets dirty, I swap them out with the other one (I hand wash these to preserve their shape). I cannot wait to wear these with my other fashion sneakers.

This mineral sunscreen is for “sport”—athletes who want to quickly apply broad-range, high-protection sunscreen before heading off for a run in the sun. But it also works beautifully for two small people who 1) hate sunscreen, 2) never stop moving, and 3) have the same amount of energy as an ultra-marathoner. It’s mineral but doesn’t leave a white cast, and it goes on fast and effectively. I buy it in bulk, and everyone gets a spritz before we head out for the day. 

Reformation Millie Lattice Flat Sandal

I love mules so much, but because I have flat feet I need a bit more heel support. These Reformation sandals look like mules but have a slender strap at the back. From the front, it gives me the look of a strapless shoe; at the same time, I can run around after the kids without accidentally kicking them off and/or tumbling down the stairs. I have both the flat and the heeled version; the former I use for an everyday shoe, and the latter is great for a slightly nicer occasion. These are also awesome for work, by the way.