The List: The Best of SavvyMom

It's been hot and you've been busy. That's why SavvyMom founders Sarah and Minnow rounded up their favourite picks of the summer for you to discover—while it's still summer. Just in case you missed them the first time.

A wine bucket isn't out of place poolside at the St. Regis—but on the dock?—that's a little over the top. Keep the vino cool without carrying down all sorts of accessories. Freeze it, pop it in the bottle and the liquid stays ice-cold pour after pour.

Interested in ingratiating yourself with older, more active kids you might be visiting with this summer? Try a combo ball launcher/water blaster that launches projectiles up to 30 feet. This should keep them entertained long enough for you and your bestie to have an uninterrupted dockside or pool-side catch-up.

You can spend hundreds on a bike, but let's face it—for little kids it's really all about the bell. Try this bright eco version and get ready to hear it ring over and over (and over and over). Don't say we didn't warn you.

This photostabilized sunscreen protects you right down to your cells. Spend less time worrying about sunburns and more time making memories with your kids. Expect long-lasting protection and grease-free skin.

For anyone who entertains regularly, this chalkboard cheese serving tray eliminates the unknown appetizer guessing game and allows everyone to know just what their palate is getting into in advance.

Summer nights are thankfully long. Kids clue into this quickly though, which means coaxing them to bed at the appropriate hour can be a comedy of errors. A funny book read pre-bed will keep kids laughing and (might) aid in the evening routine.

For families with young kids, try picking up some of these handy ice cream/popsicle holders that will keep drips, drops (and, as a result, tears) at bay.

Somewhere in that confusing self-tanner/moisturizing-lotion hybrid aisle is something that gives you a darker shade of pale. And we found it. This line provides a range of options, including a gradual all-over bronzer with a scent that won't scream: ‘I just applied some faux-sun skin lotion!'

This old-school addition to the cottage may become part of your daily routine, or add some much needed rustic decor, at least. The ‘Come-and-Get-It Bell' is made of steel and comes with the triangle, strike, hook, and leather hanging strap and will have the kids clamouring to ‘gong the gong' before most meals. Fair warning, it could turn mealtime into a total gong show.

With the exception of siblings, most rivalries are made, not born. Encourage some competitive in-cottage one-upmanship, particularly useful on rainy days, with an indoor ping pong set that will fit most tabletops.

Choose from a selection of excellent flavours, and wrap up some elegant tins of loose-leaf tea from this newly launched mother/daughter-run tea company based in Creemore, Ontario.

The hypoallergenic, water-resistant Ombrelle Face Stick not only leaves you with protected skin, but with more room in your tote bag. The stick is small and portable, and great for getting those tough spots close to the eyes.

If Archie comics and old Chatelaine magazines are the extent of light reading at the cottage, then the late Nora Ephron's funny, pointed and amusing take on aging will appeal to female hosts, and any of their future (middle-aged) guests will welcome it on their bedside table.

When life gives them lemons, they'll be perfectly prepped to turn them into lemonade. This impressive market/lemonade stand set-up will be an eye-catching play area to keep them occupied. Note that the detailed assembly instructions may require a drink or two of the good stuff (we mean the lemonade).

Losing keys on a regular basis doesn't make one flaky (we prefer ‘distracted'). The loss of our skin, however, actually does. Scrub away and find an easy solution to the free fall of flakes with an exfoliating scrub containing crushed almond shells and oil.

There are many promises you will break along the road of parenthood, including, but not limited to, bribes involving candy and disavowing television. Add the refusal to buy a pogo stick to that list, especially if this child in question contains endless energy and decent coordination skills.

The value of a purchase can be measured by how often it gets used. So this classic milk-bottle-shaped measuring set will score big points and stack up against your other kitchen essentials.

Return to your curious childhood through this novel that visits the author's own experiences and memories as a child, which only make this book more heartfelt and powerful as you read on.

Add some brightness to any bike with this wicker basket, sporting tough leather straps and buckles for a secure attachment. This petite bucket basket can handle all of the kiddies' small-yet-uber-important accessories (skipping rope, stuffy, spare change for the ice cream truck, etc).

Jergens wins the prize for the best cheap and cheerful tanner from the drugstore. Lather it on daily and watch your tan develop gradually—almost naturally.

What bugs you, delights them. This goes for actual bugs—the little creepy crawly creatures kids love to contain. Encourage them to do so carefully with a set of jars that offer a wider view than most containers, with an easy—but thankfully not too easy—open top.

This novel is an inspiring story about a woman who felt she lost everything and built herself back up. This powerful and honest memoir explores the author's eleven-hundred-mile solo hike and how she overcame obstacles to pull through in the end.

Cotton shirts cover skin, but don't necessarily offer full UV coverage. Our kids' summer wardrobes, and their epidermis, will benefit with the addition of regular UPF clothing (not just swim-related wear) like these NoZone shirts. The elbow panels offer great flexibility and they're comfortable too—just try and peel it off them at the end of the day.

A set of six stainless steel meat markers will help the in-house chef cook everyone's protein to perfection with these in-meat reminders. No one's getting burned with this pick, we promise.

It was only a matter of time until someone developed a hybrid for kids, but their version is way more adorable—and affordable. This walker/rider allows for greater awareness of balance and space. Easily moved in the desired direction with sturdy non-marking caster wheels, it's perfect for outdoors and in.

Introduce kids to the magical world of Narnia with this classic children's story. Their imagination will know no bounds in this secret world—just beware, your closet may get a facelift.

Clumping is generally to be avoided, whether referring to mascara wands or gourmet salt. For foodies who regularly cook with expensive seasonings, this salt cellar will preserve the freshness of those exotic white crystals for when they are needed in a pinch (get it?). This salt keeper is a dash of genius, for sure.