Everything You Need for a Rejuvenating Summer Staycation
You could go somewhere nice—or you could just buy some stuff that replicates the "nice" vacation feeling at home.
You could go somewhere nice—or you could just buy some stuff that replicates the "nice" vacation feeling at home.
Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.
We’re nearing the end of summer, which I’ve declared as peak Staycation season. Mostly because I’ve been feeling some post-vacation blues after returning from a great trip and have shifted my shopping focus to a range of home upgrades that spark that vacation feeling.
Start with a drink
Maison Balzac Gin & Tonic Glasses
Sincerely dedicated to the art of creating the perfect G&T, they always carry a lime in their hearts to make sure you are never caught without the essential finishing touch!
Step one of staycation is to make yourself a drink in a fun glass. I’m a total sucker for funky glassware but these gin & tonic-inspired glasses are my current favorite. At 15 oz, they’re the perfect size for a cocktail (perhaps a G&T!) and there’s room for Big Cube, which we’ll get to later. The best part? There’s a little glass lime at the bottom of each one.
Fruity coasters
Susan Alexandra Fruit Coasters
Protect your surfaces with a cornucopia of decadent fruits! Sold as set of 4. Apple Dimensions: 4.5" x 6" Strawberry Dimensions: 4.5" x 4.125" Grape Dimensions: 6.6" x 5" Cherry Dimensions: 4.5" x 8.5" (including stem)
You can’t let your beautiful, icy drinks sweat all over your coffee table. Coasters are your friend and these Susan Alexandra fruity ones could be your best friend. I love the beading, it gives the coasters an 8-bit vibe!
Bring "the big screen" home
BenQ TH575 3800-Lumen Full HD Projector
Ideal for movies, TV, and gaming, the TH575 3800-Lumen Full HD DLP Home Theater Gaming Projector from BenQ provides 1080p resolution and enough illumination to handle fully lit rooms, while still being able to deliver increased contrast during dark scenes. It does this via its 0.65" DMD DLP projection system and Black Detail Enhancement feature. The additional details in dark scenes is especially helpful when gaming, which also benefits from the TH575's 16.7 ms latency for low input lag. You can have all of your content ready to go with dual HDMI inputs, and automatic vertical keystone correction makes it easy to project a straight and square image.
One of my favorite at-home activities is watching Bravo or playing Animal Crossing on the projector. If you’ve been on the fence about projectors, let me push you over the edge. They’re so much fun and elevate any movie night, no matter what you’re watching. I used this cheaper projector for a bit to test out the setup and how easy it was to use. It’s a great entry point because it’s portable and relatively inexpensive. When you’re ready to commit, I have nothing but great things to say about this Benq projector, which is what we have in our apartment right now. It was easy to mount and plays nicely with our Soundbar and Apple TV.
There’s nothing like a crisp linen sheet
Quince European Linen Sheet Set in Terracotta/White Stripe
These European linen sheets offer year-round luxury and feel as good as they look. Ethically woven from the finest flax, our mid-weight linen sheet set is pre-washed for superior softness and a perfectly lived-in vibe, and only gets softer over time.
There are few things more luxurious than great sheets, and for me, linen sheets are the absolute best. They can really range in price and quality but the Quince linen sheet set is a great option that won’t make your wallet explode. Linen can be a bit finicky to launder, but these sheets hold up well in the washer (cold, obviously) and dryer low/medium heat with dryer balls. Linen can sometimes shed after washing but I haven’t experienced that with the Quince sheets. They get softer and softer with every wash. This is a great way to trick yourself into thinking you’re waking up in a hotel.
I love Big Cube
Large Cube Silicone Ice Tray by Kitch
KITCH silicone ice cube trays are constructed with the highest quality standards and materials. Engineered to exceed your expectations. Trays stack easily and neatly in the freezer without sticking to each other, and are designed to channel water so trays fill quickly and easily.
Giant ice cubes elevate every drink, from cold brew to cocktails to a plain old glass of water. These silicone trays are sturdy while also being flexible enough to pop out a delightfully Big Cube. Look at what "freezer restock" TikTokers are doing with giant ice cubes. This could be you!
Remember bendy straws?
Glass Crazy Straw
Created with a free handed flamework technique. Every piece is handmade producing similar yet one of a kind results.
Some drinks just hit differently through a straw. I can’t explain it but you know it’s true. These bendy straws are so fun! Not quite what you’d get with a vacation cocktail…but arguably better. If the silly straws are too much for you, Hay makes colorful glass straws that are a more normal shape. Both are dishwasher safe—don’t forget your straw cleaner!
Don’t dry out at night
Ferm Living Ripple Carafe Set
Stay hydrated all day long with this handy little set of carafe and glass, which doubles as a lid for the carafe. The set features the characteristics of the series with the rippled mouth-blown glass. It can be your healthy office accessory or a new favourite on the bedside table.
There’s something really fancy about a bedside carafe. I love this one by Maison Balzac, which comes in a bunch of different colors, including this minty green color. It reminds me of green Mosser glass. Ferm Living makes a great clear rippled carafe with a more neutral vibe. If you wanna get real fancy, throw some lemon slices in there! It’s vacation!
It’s ok to eat in bed!
Zara Home Foldable Tray with Handles
Foldable acacia wood tray with handles. Height: 3.7" Width: 12.6" Depth: 20.5"
If you’re like me and love having a Bed Day, this tray can help elevate that experience. The legs fold in so it could double as a serving tray, too! I like that the sides are raised, offering your bed some protection against spills and crumbs.
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Related Reading:
What You Need to Pack Light—and Smart—For Any Summer Getaway
Here’s What You Need to Make the Jump to Loft Living Seamless
