What to Stock Up On, Consider, & Prepare in April
April is sort of the in-between month of Spring. The weather is still figuring itself out, we’re past spring break, but we’re also still a little ways off from summer. April is a bit of a calm before the storm of end-of-school-year activities and concerts and recitals, and because of that it is a great month to stock up on some items you’re going to soon need and take care of a few other planning and preparation items.
Also, I just want to point out that I am totally aware that this post would be so much better with pictures. Right?! Well, guess what- if I task myself with finding and adding pictures for all of these items, this post will never get published. Someday I will make it big and hire someone to do all that glorious picture posting, but until then, we might have to live in a little bit of reality and embrace the fact that picture posting is not my strong suit, for the sake of content actually getting published. You get it!
I can, however, add gifs. You’re welcome.
Stock Up!
-Self Tanner- It’s time to start fighting back against the dreaded pastiness of winter! Hallelujah! I am about as pale as pale can come and Coco & Eve has been the trick for me looking ready for summer. I love both their face drops and their foam. I also got this handy little back strap so I can be sure to reach all the places with no splochiness. (At the time I’m writing this there is a 20% off coupon on Amazon for most Coco & Eve products)
-Towels- If you haven’t yet been introduced to the glory of Turkish towels then by all means let me formally introduce you! These towels are AMAZING! They are super absorbent, don’t trap sand, dry quickly, and fold down so small and light! Plus, they are nice and big. I bought this particular set (which is currently 5% off on Amazon) because they allowed me to easily color-code all my people.
-Bathing Suits- I know, it might seem crazy to be buying bathing suits already, but I’ve found in years past that if I didn’t buy them early, especially for my kids, then by the time summer hits there aren’t many options left. For my girls we really like suits that have more of a wetsuit vibe like this or that come with a rash guard.
Suits for us ladies are definitely harder to find (and what I really mean is “like,” it’s harder for us to find suits that we like! Can I get an amen?!) However, I have found a few flattering options in the last couple of years that I’d love to share with you.
I’m also going to go out on a limb here and state something that will be controversial but true- just so you’re prepared. If you want a bathing suit that is flattering on your backside then you’re going to have to be willing to go with a little bit higher cut leg. The fact of the matter is that if you are wearing bottoms that come down to full under-the-cheek coverage, your butt has no choice but to look like a billboard. You need something to break up the monotony back there and a bit higher cut does just that. It sounds crazy but in fact it’s actually slimming and accentuates the parts you actually want accentuated. SO, if thats not your jam, and you want more full coverage for whatever reason, go for a board short or a non-granny skirt, such as the ones I’ve linked, but under no circumstances get a suit that is full panel fabric cheek-to-cheek. Your butt can thank me later.
These high waisted bottoms from Athleta are by far the most flattering I have found in the high waisted variety. They hold things in while also giving you some shape and preventing granny-fanny. This tankini top is also cute and flattering.
I had this style one-piece from Cupshe last year and it was super comfortable and forgiving in the tummy region. I also had this suit and really liked it.
Katie also really likes the Sidstroke by Summersalt.
Start Thinking About
-Summer Camps and Classes- As I learned the hard way last summer trying to get my son into driver’s ed, these things fill up fast! If you haven’t already started figuring out what possible camps and classes you would like to get your kids involved in, now is the time!
-Spring Cleaning & Organizing- April is a great month to tackle a lot of your spring cleaning projects. It’s nice to get them out of the way before the craziness of May and the end of the school year. Throwing open the windows, clearing the cobwebs, and getting some fresh organization in your space can do wonders for your mood, your routines, and your overwhelm. Right now we are systematically working through our houses over in Patreon. So, if you need some inspiration, encouragement, accountability, and guidance, it’s the place to be!
-Fitness- I know personally, especially this year as I’m approaching my 38th birthday, being fit for summer is on my radar. Now, I’m not talking anything crazy! But all the stress of the past winter left me fairly sedentary and I’d like to feel a little bit more mobile and alive before I dawn a pair of shorts. I am alternating using the elliptical, the Asana Rebel app, Sarah Beth Yoga on YouTube, and my rebounder. My goals are to not run out of breath and be exhausted within 5 minutes and maybe tone my arms a little bit. Not gonna lie, also hoping the self-tanner makes me look magically more fit. A girl can dream.
-New Recipes- By this time in the year I am always in a little bit of a recipe rut. We’ve been eating the same 5 cozy meals for months! But with the transition from winter to spring comes the perfect time to dust off lighter recipes with more fresh ingredients. Break back out your old staples or look for some new ones to liven things up. I have been enjoying Half Baked Harvest during the winter and am looking forward to what spring fair she will be featuring on her site.
Can you think of other things to be on top of in April to make the next couple of months easier? I’d love for you to tell us about them in the comments!