Summer Essentials Guide

Less than a week ago, we had a really great evening at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, located at 7141 S. Western in Oklahoma City.  We loved the simple atmosphere, the funky metal chairs and the bright colors that greet you as you walk in the door. We all had delicious meals and smoothies, many sampling their fresh salads, new sliders or wraps!  Everything was made fresh to order.  After we finished eating and chatting, we had a surprise for our ladies on our contributor team to showcase some summer essentials that we love!  Without further ado, here is the line-up.
TropicalSmoothie
Tropical Smoothie — Eat Better. Feel Better.  Like we mentioned above, at Tropical Smoothie Café, they believe there’s no better way to make a great meal than with fresh, natural, quality ingredients. With a menu that boasts bold, flavorful food and smoothies with a healthy appeal, all made to order from the freshest ingredients, their superior, simple ingredients including real fruit and veggies set Tropical Smoothies apart from the rest!  With two metro locations (North and South), you can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 Designs By Jamie
Summer Tote – Designs By Jamie — Every mom needs a great tote bag to haul summer gear.  Jamie Palerino creates high quality, durable yet unique totes, clutches and other accessories using beautiful modern fabrics.   Each hand crafted piece is then trimmed with delicate trims such as vintage doilies. All items are made in her home studio in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Head on over to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see her beautiful designs and grab your own summer tote.
 Electric City Apparel
Comfy Tank Top – Electric City Apparel — Electric City Apparel Co. is an Oklahoma City based apparel company specializing in unique imprinted tees and tanks (and these are the softest we’ve found). Their mission is to create unique and exciting apparel that allows their customers to express themselves with style and affordability. You can connect with Electric City on Facebook or visit them on Etsy. You can also find their apparel in various stores around the OKC metro area, and see them at various festivals and shows around town throughout the year.
Fit Circle
Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Mizu from Fit Circle — Hydration is key in the hot summer months.  We love these stainless steel, 100% BPA free, food grade Mizu bottles from Fit Circle.  From sunglasses to sports gear, Fit Circle has you covered! Edmond’s active lifestyle retailer, Fit Circle offers a variety of apparel, accessories and gear to keep your entire family moving this summer.  You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or drop by and visit their friendly and knowledgeable staff at 1200 W. Covell Road.
GoddessGarden
Sunscreen – Goddess Garden — Second only to hydration is skin protection. As every mom knows, the chance to spend a little more time outside, even a few extra minutes does an immeasurable amount of good for the soul. These natural sunscreen products allow you to get a dose of vitamin D without chemicals or compromise. So you and your kiddos can go out and shine on! Goddess Garden can be found at several local and organic grocery stores across the metro. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
ChaneysSummer Snacks  – Chaney’s Popcorn — Chris Chaney experimented with traditional healthy snacks but they didn’t satisfy his taste.  Wanting a household snack that didn’t require a degree in rocket science to master drove his mission to experiment with flavors to make a fresh, and delicious healthy snack for anyone wanting to eat smart. Chaney’s uses a collection of raw ingredients (the kind you won’t have trouble pronouncing) and air popped kernels resulting in an irresistible healthy summer snacking experience. Today, every batch of Chaney’s Popcorn is handmade from the freshest ingredients available, right here in Oklahoma.  Find Chaney’s on Facebook and Instagram.

LemonTreeSoapMoisturizing Soap – Lemon Tree Soap — After a day in the sun and sand you need to get the sweat off. Fed up with the dry and irritated skin caused by conventional soaps, Christina Hicks started Lemon Tree Soap in 2012. A hot process, lye based soap, with 100% organic coconut oil, made in small batches in Edmond, Oklahoma, Lemon Tree is Pure. Simple. Soap. Any scent used is 100% essential oil, which offer skin healing properties. Combined with the coconut oil, these bars offer a superior level of moisturizing. Lemon Tree offers three scents (Lavender, Sunshine and De-Stress) as well as an “unscented” version perfect for anyone who has super sensitive skin that cannot tolerate any type of chemicals or preservatives. The entire line aims to reduce chemical exposure in households. You can Lemon Tree Soap Co on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and locally at Indulge Salon and Spa, (12325 North May Avenue).

Kura
Breakfast Protein – Kura — We’ve heard it a hundred times over – breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Adding Kura to your favorite fruit and ice is a great way to start your morning! Kura is the delicious, natural way for everyone to enjoy high quality dairy protein to their morning beverage. Customizable for the entire family, Kura is your perfect protein powder: GMO and gluten-free, with natural ingredients and no added sugar. The simple, healthy, and best way to start your day with a balanced meal. Find Kura at local health food stores and online on Facebook and Twitter.
Head Country
BBQ Sauce – Head Country Bar-B-Q — If there is one thing that gets us nostalgic for simpler times and family fun, it’s the smell of BBQ in the air. And there’s no better sauce for those occasions than Head Country. Crafted with care, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory that we all love. Proudly produced right here in Oklahoma, the grill masters at Head Country continue to amaze us with new flavors and products. Like they say, “A good sauce can bring a meal together. But a truly great sauce brings people together.” You can find them on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.
VivaLaPies
Pie – Viva La Pies — When you think summer dessert, what comes to mind? Pie, of course! Viva La Pies specialize in bringing a little piece of home and uniqueness to your catering needs. A catering and by order only business, Viva La Pies offer whole pies, mini pies and hand pies. Every pie is made from scratch with no high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. With a variety of sizes and flavors you are bound to find the perfect addition to any summer cookout or gathering!  Find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see all their fabulous creations!
VenturePass
Adventure – Venture Pass — Venture Pass is your summer gateway to family fun offering admissions to SEVEN metro area attractions.  That’s a whole lot of fun in ONE pass!  A $450 value, these passes usually sell for $149.99 per person. But, because we love our OKC Moms Blog readers, we are able to get you a discounted rate! Simply go to www.myventurepass.com, click on the redeem button and enter the promo code OKCMOMS.  This pass provides Oklahoma families a chance to enjoy some of the best entertainment options in the area throughout 2015 at an affordable price.  Be sure and get one for each member of your family at the discounted rate!
There you have it!  Those are our summer essentials for 2015!  We have a variety of items and wanted to cover a lot of areas of a busy mom’s needs!  But the best part is…we have one ENTIRE set for one of our lucky readers!  Enter to win the bag pictured above filled with these goodies!  (Note: Due to freshness of food, the actual pie from Viva La Pies will be supplemented with a gift certificate.)

Must be an OKC resident to win!  Enter now!

 

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Lindsey
Born and raised throughout the Midwest, Lindsey has officially called Oklahoma home for nearly ten years. Wife to Michael and mother to Ivan, she left the corporate world to be home with her family full time in 2012. When not chasing her ridiculously active 18-month old, Lindsey enjoys being involved in community organizations and planning outings for a local moms group. She also enjoys running, reading, road trips and all things mid-century.

23 COMMENTS

  1. I’ve been waiting for this all week! Everything thing is so good but I am most excited about that bag by Designs by Jamie! So cute! Been drooling over it since I saw it on Instragram!!

  2. Oh, I’ve heard of Tropical Smoothie but didn’t realize they had full meals! I need to check them out!

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