Summer Inspiration

Summer is officially here, the sun dancing through the trees, and the birds are constantly chirping outside of my window. I am here today to share so much inspiration with you, how to make summer 2024 the least boring and the most beautiful yet!

To start, here is what I want my summer to look like, everything late 1800’s summer - harnessing Anne of Green Gables and Tuck Everlasting. Reading all day every day, drinking iced drinks, and wearing skirts daily. Having full days with friends and slow days to myself. 
    
​Your summer doesn’t have to be like mine in any way, just do what you love!

​Summer Reading

When I was little my library did summer reading. You would track the books you read and get entered into a raffle, or get a free book. I miss those days where summer was all about reading, so I'm giving myself a summer reading challenge in the form of a bingo sheet. I’ve written down a bunch of prompts and added little stickers and am hoping to check every box. I highly recommend you make yourself a list too, here are some summer reading ideas. Some of these are prompts for books to read, and some are just bookish activities.

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• Read something outside of your comfort zone.
• Have a day to just read.
• Read a Jane Austen book.
• Do a buddy read (read the same book with a friend)
• Buy a book
• Read a new release
• Read a suggestion from Booktube, Booktok, or Bookstagram (or all three).
• Buy a book for someone else.
• A Book with an ocean setting.
• Read under the stars.
• A scary book.
• Read a book you see on Pinterest.
• Read a book set in your area.
• A book with a pink cover (or any fun color).
• Something nostalgic.
• An Adult novel.
• A Nancy Drew book.
• A book by an author you’ve never read before.
• Read the Anne of Green Gables Series
• Read at a coffee shop.

• A Classic.
• Read a book you’ve always wanted to read but never got around to.
• Have a literary inspired picnic.
• A middle grade novel.
• A Beach Read
• A poetry collection
• A YA Romance.
• Something with a summer camp setting.
• A book recommended by a friend.
• Pick a random book up and read it
• Read a comic book/graphic novel
• A picture book.
• Re-read the entire Harry Potter series
• Read a book then watch the movie.​​

The Perfect Summer Bucket List

This year I’m going bingo bucket list all the way. My general bucket list was so fun to make, even though I'm not much of an artist, I drew little pictures of the things I want to do. Here are all my bucket list ideas.

• First, leave yourself a free space in the middle of your bingo card. Leave this for whatever you want. Life happens and beautiful things occur that are not planned, so make a beautiful memory and then check off this box.
• Make homemade ice cream sandwiches
• Catch sunsets
• Go on a small town (or big city, whichever is your thing) adventure.
• Buy a book (yes this is a crossover from the summer reading list).
• Go to a coffee shop with a friend.
• Have an Anne of Green Gables movie night complete with raspberry cordial.
• Sleep under the stars.​

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• Write a poem.
• Dance in the rain (or run around).
• Pull an all nighter
• Have a girls only sleepover.
• Go to a lighthouse.
• Send someone a letter.
• Have a picnic with a basket, blanket etc.
• Go on a super late night swim (12 or later).
• Have a bonfire.
• Do a craft.
• Go to a fair (this is for later in the summer).
• Get ice cream from a local shop.
• Go to the beach or lake with friends (or alone).
• Make friendship bracelets.
• Start a journal.
• Watch Tuck Everlasting (or another summery movie).
• Bake a cake just for fun.
• Make a scrapbook.
• Go antiquing or thrifting.
• Make flower crowns
• Write a short story.
• Go to a farmers market.

• Go berry picking.
  
• Make your own iced tea recipe, or a signature tea blend.
  
• Laugh so hard you cry.
  
• Start a journal.
  
• Get Acai Bowls
  
• Plan what your perfect day would be like, and then do it.
  
• Take a sunrise walk.
  
• Have a photo shoot with your cell phone AND a polaroid or digital camera.
  
• Host a tea party
  
• Compliment a stranger.
  
• Go to a bakery.
  
• Get something lavender flavored.
  
• Make a summer vlog.
  
• Start a blog.​
  

I hope you enjoy these ideas for making your summer amazing! Let me know which of these ideas you decide to do, and I’d love to know what’s on your summer bucket lists!

Stay tuned both here on the blog and on my YouTube for more fun summer ideas!

And in case you were wondering, I finally got the Bath vlog uploaded! It's my favorite video I've made and I hope you enjoy it!

Belle Thomas

Belle is the writer and dreamer behind An Old Fashioned Girl. She is passionate about reminding girls of their identity in Christ, classic books, history, Louisa May Alcott, and earl grey tea.