When it starts getting hot in Oklahoma, my black car with black leather interior starts looking very unappealing. I had high hopes of finding some accessories like car seat covers, windshield screens and maybe some organizing essentials to turn it into a better place this summer.
Have you ever searched for decent seat covers? Well, let’s just say that the cute yet sophisticated ones I picture in my mind do not exist out in the world! I thought with the new era of bringing design to the masses (Target anyone?) that it would be a piece of cake and even planned on settling for a trendy chevron one if that was all I could find.
Boy, was I wrong. Things are pretty rough out there. So much so, that when I found one of those wooden beaded massage covers I thought, “Well, that’s not bad.”
Needless to say, I switched gears. What are my needs and what can I live with?
First of all, I need to cool down the seats enough so that if I am in a skirt or shorts I will still be able to jump in the car and go as opposed to looking at the car with the doors open wondering how much heat I can stand and how late I can arrive at my destination. I need to be able to easily wash the covers since inevitably the dogs will jump on them, or if they take a beating after a muddy soccer game.
Maybe these simple, taupe-y gray car seat covers can work just fine until I work up the nerve to make my own.
Then I hope this solar powered ventilator works some sort of magic. Anyone have any experience with these?
And I already know that the best way to keep the car temp down is to prevent it from climbing too high in the first place. So I need to invest in a new windshield sunscreen. This insulated Heatshield sunscreen has gotten lots of good reviews and doesn’t have any weird cartoons or designs on it. See a trend here?
Second, I would like to have a little organization. I think one of those car organizers that hangs on the back of a seat will work. It just needs to have a small trash receptacle and space for the atlas, car duster and lint roller.
I like this individual trash receptacle in an Amy Butler pattern from The Mod Mobile on Etsy and the simple two-pocket organizer from Violet Giraffe also on Etsy. Having two separate pieces perform these functions will make it easier to clean out the waste bin.
Third, having a small emergency car kit would be quite nice. Although, for me that is more of a winter season essential. The most important item in the summer is a charged cell phone so I can call for a ride if it comes to that.
Well, what I had hoped to be an inspirational post for making your car a little more home away from home, ended up being a quest for the impossible. Please tell me that somewhere out there is a fantastic source for great seat covers that don’t snag all the attention, but quietly do a good job and look great.
Oh and before I forget, here’s an actual recommendation. These car dusters are great for keeping pollen, dust and dog hair at bay. It’s so simple to grab it while in line at the bank and swish over all the surfaces, then just shake it out and it’s ready to go again. I wash mine maybe once a month, so it’s a pretty low maintenance way to keep the car looking nice between detailed cleanings.
