Today is the first official day of summer! FINALLY. Time to hear those waves crashing on the shore, walk barefoot on the sand, have a picnic, go fishing, revel in the air conditioning, feel the hot sun on your face… and end up with a bright red, painful, peel-y back. Oh well. It’s all worth it. And it’s only here for a brief, fleeting moment. And this is the first beach season since Superstorm Sandy, so all you New Yorkers/New Jersians/etc: you ALL have to go and support your local businesses & beaches on the shore. They need you! Help them rebuild by frequenting them! It’s a short season, many of these stores desperately need to get back on their feet this year.

Summer only comes once a year and it’s over in the blink of an eye.

So anyway to celebrate us all making it through a Superstorm, a Nor’easter & yet another winter, here’s a brand spankin’ new list of fun summery stuff, chock full of excellent links for you to click on… THE FRIDAY FIFTEEN!

1. First, I have to link to these cupcakes I made last year- they’re perfect for the first day of summer with little sugar seashells & saltwater taffy buttercream.
2. Second, in the spirit of summery recipes, I have to link to my post from last summer about sun tea & cold brewed iced tea. You’ve gotta make these! They are SUPER refreshing & delicious. And crazy easy. Oh, and sun tea is pretty fun if you have kids.
3. Thirdly, very cherry berry cobbler. Need I say more? Newp.
4. Fourthly (?), blackberry lime jam and of course, blackberry lime jam cupcakes. Great for a summer birthday. You’re welcome.
5. And now for one final recipe (that actually isn’t from me!): this roasted shrimp & orzo from Ina Garten via Siriously Delicious sounds so good. Must make.
6. This wreath is so pretty, and simple. Which is really what summer is, isn’t it?
7. Everyone needs a cocktail shaker. Why not a custom made one by woodeyeglass.
8. And these napkins by stemstallkids are so summery & so Mad Men I can’t even deal! Love ’em.
9. True Blood & Dexter both come (or have already come) back this month. Lucky us! However, sad face because it’s the last season of Dexter. You guys know how much I love my Dexter… *sigh*
10. I turn 32 in just one month & 9 days. What I’d like for my birthday (aside from an iPad & for my hair to skip the awkward growing-out stage) is a set of Falcon Enamelware in Pigeon Grey. I mentioned them before, I know, but I’m obsessed. I don’t think these three things are asking too much. Especially for a poor pathetic soon-to-be 32-year-old chick like myself. (Ouch.)
11. Summertime means that the 4th of July is quickly rearing it’s flag-draped head. Which means patriotic, dinnerware, housewares, clothing, everything! Or, in this case, drinkware: in the form of vintage American Eagle drinking glasses from SouthernWhimsicality.
12. Amendment to #10 on my list! I want four things for my birthday, not three. Someone needs to buy me this IMMEDIATELY. My birthday is in a little over a month, guys. Don’t make me cry. I want need this jumbo die-cut pink mixer from Everyday is a Holiday. It’s Lola! MUST HAVE!
13. It’s jam-making time. Get your jars ready, read this post and then start making some jam from all that beautiful summer fruit.
14. You all know my apron obsession, right? Well look at how cute this pin-up apron from Sourpuss Clothing is! Super cute. And summery.
15. My new favorite blog: Farmette.ie. Also known as, I Married an Irish Farmer. Beautiful blog with great stories & photos. And the old post about Irish Artisan cheeses has my mouth watering.

 And this month, just because it’s summer & I love summer… I have one more thing to share…

Aren’t these three 1920’s beach bunnies adorable? I wonder who they are, or where this photo was taken. I’d love to know any and all stories behind it. I love that ukelele player! They look like they’re having a blast- total jubilation. And isn’t that what summer is all about? Just good old fashioned fun.

Happy Summer!