9 Must-Haves for the Best Summer Ever, According to TODAY’s Laura Jarrett and Author Poppy Harlow

Laura Jarrett, co-anchor of Saturday TODAY and NBC News’s senior legal correspondent, and Poppy Harlow, author and former CNN anchor, are celebrating the start of summer in the best way possible: the pair just published their first children's book together! The Color of Love, a picture book illustrated by award-winning artist Elisa Chavarri, was a lovely collaboration between the two friends that unfolded during the pandemic.

To celebrate the book's launch and the upcoming warm weather, we asked the two moms to share the summer essentials (including good books!) that help them and their families make the most of the season.
01
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Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheet Set
"These sheets are incredibly soft and don’t get too hot during summer nights," says Laura. We have to agree with Laura on her sheet set pick—fun fact, we've tested almost 200 sheets here at REAL SIMPLE and this bamboo set from Cozy Earth was a top performer! Having the right sheets are crucial if you want a restful, not-too-hot summer.

02
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Trader Joe's Matcha Green Tea Powder
Of course, there has to be a Trader Joe's treat on this list! Poppy swears by the brand's matcha powder for a refreshing morning pick-me-up when the weather's warm. "I use this for a good iced matcha latte at home with unsweetened vanilla almond milk," she says.
03
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The Color of Love
Finding new reading material for the kids to keep their minds active over the long summer days can be a challenge, but Laura and Poppy's new title, The Color of Love, is the answer. The book explores love in its many forms as the young protagonist asks in a classroom project, "If love were a color, what color would it be?”

“Sometimes people think children don’t see color—but they do. They just see the beauty in our differences and aren’t afraid of them. Poppy is fearless, and I'm so grateful to collaborate with my friend on this story," says Laura.

04
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H&M Kids Sundresses
This is technically Laura's daughter's choice, but clearly, the kid has good taste! A breathable cotton summer dress is a definite must if you want to stay cool and comfy.

Laura adds, "My daughter loves a dress, even if it’s for playing in the sandbox. These H&M Kids sundresses wash well yet still feel pretty." (Something that washes well is also music to our ears!)
05
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Sun Bum Kids SPF 50 Clear Sunscreen Face Stick
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable for healthy skin, especially when the sun is blazing. Ensure your kids are well-protected from its harmful UV rays with a solid sunblock—literally. Poppy recommends this face stick from Sun Bum, saying, "This sunscreen goes on clear and lasts when the kids jump in and out of the water. Plus, it smells delicious."

06
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BrüMate Era 40oz Tumbler
Hydration is also key when the temperature rises! Laura stands by BrüMate's Era 40oz tumbler, which holds a lot of liquid and is leakproof—ideal for anyone on the go, especially parents juggling kids, grocery bags, a purse, a phone, a stroller...shall we go on? But seriously, you can flip the cup upside down when it's in the "locked" position and you won't see a single drop seep out.
07
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Hair Ribbons
Summer hair can be hard to style—it's too warm to whip out any hot tools and who wants to spend forever in a humid bathroom fussing around with frizzy strands? Poppy's genius solution? Stock up on ribbons! It's an easy fix when you just can't be bothered to do much to your hair.

She says, "A good bow makes a ponytail so much fun! I buy a yard of each at our local fabric store." You can follow her lead and pick up some yardage or swing by Target for clip-ons.

08
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Amazon Handheld Mini Fan
A portable fan you can stash in your purse and bust out the second you break a sweat?! Sign us up! Of this super affordable find from Amazon, Laura says, "C’mon, so cute! This is great for when the New York City subways feel like a furnace in August." (Most REAL SIMPLE staffers commute on the subway daily to work, so we can totally relate...and will probably snag a fan too.)

Oh, and even better, the fan features a backup power bank and a flashlight!

09
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Birkenstocks
People are naturally more active in the summer months, so with all the walking around you'll be doing, it's important to wear the right shoes—something Poppy fully agrees with. She votes for Birkenstocks as the comfiest pair to rock, saying, "These are an essential! They last forever and are beyond comfy. My favorite is the Arizona Big Buckle in patent leather—blue for fun!"