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The July To-Do List

YP Editors

We may be closing in on the half-way point of summer, but that doesn't mean the fun is over. Use YP's sizzling summer checklist to pack in as many backyard barbecues, family trips, and memorable outings as you can before the kids head back to school.

July-To-Do
  1. Prep for an Awesome Barbecue: Before your friends and family arrive for your any summer shindigs, make sure your backyard is ready. Spruce up that dead flowerbed with drought-tolerant succulents. Get a back-up propane tank for the grill. Check the outdoor lights to ensure they are operable. Then let the fun begin.
  2. Organize a Family Camping Trip: Whether you're planning to rough it under the stars or glamping in a tricked-out tent, reserve your campground space ASAP, as they tend to go quickly during the summer months. Once you've found the perfect forest, beach or lakeside locale, make sure you and your family have all the gear you'll need -- from hiking boots and backpacks to waterproof sleeping bags and bug spray. Most importantly, don't forget the s'mores fixings.
  3. Plan a Girls' Night Out: Sometimes you just need a night away from it all--whether that means a quiet dinner with a friend, a rosé-filled evening with the girls at a local wine bar, or a fun chick-flick movie night. If you've got the latter in mind, consider reserving your tickets for 'Ghostbusters' with Melissa McCarthy and Kristin Wiig (opening July 15) or 'Bad Moms' with Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristin Bell (opening July 29) on Fandango, or find a movie theater near you.
  4. It's Wedding Season: Your summer social calendar is bound to have at least one Saturday or Sunday reserved for a loved one's wedding. If it's an out-of-town event, be sure to book a top-rated hotel near the celebration in advance. And, don't forget to schedule a hair appointment and mani-pedi before the big day, because you know that wedding photographer is going to find you on the dance floor.
  5. Splashy Summer Fun: By July, your backyard pool has definitely seen some action -- whether it's become an afternoon hangout for the neighborhood kids or it's your morning Aqua Zumba sanctuary. Even if you already have a regularly scheduled pool cleaner, mid-summer is the ideal time for a pool maintenance check-up. Are your filters and heater working properly? Does your deck need a power wash? With a little maintenance, your aquatic playground will be as good as new. Did someone say pool party?
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