Summer

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Summer As Newlyweds: 5 Things To Do

Spending the summer as newlyweds? The season is full of so many golden opportunities to make memories as a couple and with friends/family. It also has the tendency to be the season that flies by so quickly we all look up and it’s already fall. Take my advice and make a list of summer to-do’s together…right now! This allows you to understand each other’s ideal summer activities and the list can be referenced any time you have a free evening. Below are five newlywed summer ideas to get you started.

1. Pack a Picnic – Pick an afternoon to picnic and be serious about it. Whether you go the fancy route with wine, cheese and crackers or something as simple as fried chicken and lemonade it it the idea of eating together somewhere out of the ordinary that makes this a moment to remember…not just a meal. Leave your phones at home and take time to enjoy each other’s company and the outdoors. You’ll be glad you did!

2. Go to a Theme Park – Revel in being big kids who don’t have kids (yet). Screaming as you ride roller coasters and laughing as you get drenched on a log luge will do wonders for your relationship. Spending a carefree adrenaline filled day together is one of the best ways to celebrate summer as a newlywed. Don’t forget to take a commemorative photo or two.

3. Host a BBQ – Time to break out all of the fun entertaining items that you received as wedding gifts. Make a big pitcher of sangria, put together a salad, throw a few things on the grill and invite your friends over. Good times are guaranteed. You can up the fun factor by lighting sparklers as the light fades.

4. Plan Pool/Ocean Time – Make plans to plunge into a pool or the ocean (or both) this summer.. You can hit the community pool with a bag full of sunscreen and pool toys or get away for a weekend at the beach. There’s nothing better than cooling off in a big body of water with your spouse. Should you be flying to the beach. Don’t miss our travel tips for newlyweds!

5. Attend a Local Concert or Festival – Look for a concert or festival in your area. Groupon and Living Social tend to have discounted tickets to a variety of events from music to wine in the woods. You don’t have to go alone either, coordinate a whole group of friends to come enjoy the festivities. You’ll laugh, dance and enjoy each others company.

What are your summer plans? Did making a list work for you and your spouse? Let us know in a comment!

Cool Ways to Cool Off This Summer

Summer is here and so is the hot weather. While it’s great to glory in the sunshine, sometimes a girl’s gotta cool off. Here are some fun ways to beat the heat!

Boozy Granitas – Take a tip from Martha…the cocktail flavored icey treats gracing her magazine cover this month will have you smiling in no time! They also make a great BBQ or girls get together treat. Looking for a summery non-alcoholic option? Try this watermelon granita recipe.

Take A Dip – Hit your neighborhood pool (or a friends) or plan a weekend beach trip. The main idea is to spend as much time submerged in blissfully cool water as possible! Worst case scenario: fill your tub up with cool water and read a magazine while your body temperature drops.

Get Misty – Turn your shower to completely cold water and stand in the mist as you eat almost frozen sections of an orange. You’re guaranteed to feel better immediately. You can always invite your spouse to join you…but things might heat up again!

Ice Ice Baby – Need to cool off quickly? Take two ice cubes and place them on your wrists with your palms up. Wait one minute and let your circulatory system work like a personal air conditioner. Here’s a link to step-by-step cool off instructions.

How do you battle boiling Summer temperatures? We’d love for you to share your tips or tell us if any of our suggestions worked for you.

Top 5 Summer Date Ideas

Looking for summer date ideas? As the summer days stretch longer and longer there’s more daylight to spend together as a newlywed couple! What better way to celebrate the arrival of Summertime than with a date night or two? Here are our top 5 summer date night ideas:

Drive-in Movie – There’s something both romantic and nostalgic about a drive-in movie date. Instead of dealing with crowds of teenagers at the mall or sitting in your living room, you’ll be sharing a movie with your spouse in the privacy of your own vehicle (be sure to pack some fun snacks). Here’s a drive-in locator if you need help finding a venue nearby.

County Fair – Not sure what to do this weekend? Go to a local county fair! Let your spouse win you a fuzzy bear or goldfish and then take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. There’s something about heights and your love that causes spontaneous kissing!

Outdoor Patio Dining – Light some candles, pour a cocktail, and enjoy a meal with your spouse al fresco. What better excuse to wear your new sundress and no shoes? Here’s a great recipe to try.

Paddle Boating – Looking for something unique yet fun to do one weekend afternoon? Find a local park or lake that offers paddle boat rentals. You’ll be exploring, exercising and enjoying each others company all at the same time! Don’t forget to pack some sunscreen and beverages for the trip.

Ice Cream Social – Looking for a sweet way to treat your spouse? Find an old fashioned ice cream shop and split a sundae. Sharing a dessert is such a fun married couple perk…all the taste and half of the calories!

What are your favorite things to do with your spouse during the summer? We’d love to add to our list of Summer date night ideas, so please leave a comment!

Kahlua Summer Cocktails

In the mood for Kahlua summer cocktails? With spring fever within reach, it’s becoming easier to envision balmy summer days filled with BBQs and bathing suits. While we all may be craving that sunshine now, there will come a time when we’re desperate to cool off.

That’s where Kahlúa comes in. The same delicious liquid that makes hot chocolate and coffee a decadent treat in the winter also makes unparalleled summer cocktails.

Ready for one unusual summer cocktail recipe (it could easily become your summer signature)?

Ginger ale, a mixer that became popular in the United States during Prohibition, adds a sweet kick to the rich, smooth taste of Kahlúa. The bubbly blend of carbonated water, ginger and cane sugar balances the flavors of Kahlúa to make an easy-to-drink cocktail. Serve it anytime you want to add some sparkle to a gathering with good friends or when you want to cool down after a long day.

Kahlúa Ginger Ale
Ingredients
2 parts Kahlúa
4 parts Ginger ale
How to mix it
Fill a highball glass with ice, add Kahlúa and ginger ale, then stir

We’d love to get your feedback on this Kalua summer cocktails recipe….is it a keeper?! Please leave a comment and let us know. Also, if you’re looking for more delicious Kahlua cocktail recipes check out https://www.kahlua.com/us/kahlua.com!

Summer In February

You’ve heard of Christmas in July right? Well, what about a summer day in February? As a massive storm spread snow across the Northern half of the United States, I think we could all use a way to channel summertime. Here are a few ideas to help you create your own summer day in February.
Simulate a Beach Day – Crank your thermostat, break out the coconut scented sunscreen and blast some beach tunes. It might sound crazy, but you’ll feel much better after you’ve broken out a sundress and danced around the living room with your hubby.

Buy a Bikini – Now’s the time to score a great new swim suit before all the stores are picked over. You’ll feel that much closer to summer as you look through different styles and prints. I recommend shopping online to minimize the fluorescent light shock that can happen in dressing rooms. If the concept of trying on a swimsuit makes you squirm, consider finding a great new beach bag or cover-up.

Break Out the Blender- Whip up a Tropical Smoothie or a boozy beach beverage such as a Pineapple Daiquiri or a Mango Margarita. You’ll be in vacation mode in no time, no matter what the weather is like outside.

Host a Luau – Invite a few friends over to beat the winter blues with a Hawaiian themed dinner party. Here are a few appetizer ideas to get you started on the endeavor. You can also purchase a few inexpensive accessories such as grass skirts and leis to amp the fun level for your guests.
Read a Book – Pick up a book with a storyline set in the tropics or based on a summertime adventure. The Beach House, Summer Island or The Beach Book (which is even water proof) are great reads to put you a summertime mindset.

Whatever you choose to do, indulging in a summery activity in the middle of Winter can do nothing but boost your spirits and put you one step closer to warm weather.
Have you come up with any summer fun ideas to try out this February? We’d love for you to tell us all about them in a comment.