Daily Skimm Weekend: We’re cool for the summer

…in your playlist: Ring the alarm. Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” has arrived.

…in your skincare goals: Bouncy, beautifully plump jello skin. So not off-pudding. 

…in your watchlist: “Surface,” a new thriller about a woman with amnesia. You won't forget it.

…in your Doomsday fears: Incoming rocket junk from outer space. TBD where it'll land.

Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

Someone Gave Our Daughter a White Doll…a father reflects on what toys might teach kids of color about beauty standards.

Why Must We Work So Hard Before Vacation?…spoiler, we shouldn’t.

How Much Would You Spend To Save Your Relationship?...on-call therapists, Enneagram personality tests, and all-inclusive menus — welcome to the world of upscale marriage retreats.  

Downtime doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. Here’s one idea for making the most of your weekend.

Feeling hot, hot, hot? Yeah, same. And unfortunately, for many in the US, that’s probably not going to change: Dangerous levels of heat will likely persist through the weekend and into next week in many parts of the country. But don’t sweat. Try these drinks to help beat the heat:

• If you’re all about sugar, sugar, you can’t go wrong with a classic milkshake or a refreshing slushie. But here’s something even sweeter: creamy, dreamy frozen hot chocolate. It’s practically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults, and it only takes a few minutes to put together with a hardworking blender.

• If you prefer something healthy, make a smoothie (think: coconut blueberry, mango peach, or honeydew cucumber) using whatever fruits and vegetables you have on hand. And to make it trendy, mix in some sea moss gel, like in Hailey Bieber’s $17 Erewhon smoothie.

• Last but not least, if you’re craving something blended and boozy, there are plenty of thirst-quenching options (think: raspberry-ginger margaritas, pineapple-mint daiquiris, amaretto sour slushies, and — of course — frosé.) We’ll raise a glass to all of that.

The midterm elections have a big impact on the policies that affect our day-to-day lives. So we’re here to help you Skimm Your Ballot. And Skimm what’s going on next week...

State(s) of Play: On Tuesday, August 2, there are primary elections in Arizona (Senate, House, Governor), Kansas (Senate, House, Governor), Michigan (House, Governor), Missouri (Senate, House), and Washington (Senate, House). And on Thursday, August 4, there are primary elections in Tennessee (House, Governor). 

The Talkers:

• In Kansas, voters will be the first in the nation to cast a ballot on an abortion measure post-Roe. If the “Yes” vote prevails, the amendment would revise the state’s constitution to declare there is no right to abortion, which would pave the way for the GOP-controlled legislature to ban abortion access. And would affect state residents as well as out-of-towners, who in recent weeks have surged from nearby states with tight restrictions. 

• In Missouri, Sen. Roy Blunt (R) is retiring — and both Republicans and Dems are eager to replace him. While Dems are choosing between a Marine vet and the Anheuser-Busch heiress, the field of GOP candidates is a bit more crowded.

• In Arizona, the astronaut-turned-senator Mark Kelly is widely seen as one of the most vulnerable Dems. So all eyes will be on the tight GOP race to challenge him, which includes the state’s AG Mark Brnovich and venture capitalist Blake Masters, who’s endorsed by both his former boss Peter Thiel and former President Donald Trump. 

• In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), is up for reelection. And a motley crew of Republican candidates are clamoring to challenge her. Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. Peter Meijer (R) is being primaried by his own party — after voting to impeach Trump.

PS: The results of these elections are up to the voters. Click here to learn more about how to make your vote count.

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A special deal that’ll get tails wagging. The Farmer’s Dog delivers fresh, human-grade dog food (made with real meats and veggies) right to your door. Plus, you can personalize your meal plan to fit your pup’s needs. Here’s 50% off your first box.*

2. A lip tint that’ll make you wanna kiss and tell. This oil-stain hybrid will keep your lips soft and hydrated. Pro tip: Apply on repeat to maintain their natural moisture levels. Psst…Skimm’rs get a gift with any $75+ purchase.*

3. How to rack up huge cash-back rewards. These high-paying cards are perfect for people with good to excellent credit. You can pocket $200 after spending $1,000. Plus, enjoy no annual fee and 0% interest for 15 months. Learn more.*

4. How to give your wardrobe a major refresh. Ready to kick that dreaded ‘I have nothing to wear’ feeling? You’re in luck. Because this brand’s got everything from wallet-friendly wedding attire to wallet-friendly workout gear. And Skimm’rs get 20% off sale items with code AffExtra20.*

More Skimm, more knowledge. Here’s what else we covered this week…

• We talked to Vice President Kamala Harris about abortion rights — and the larger “health care crisis”

• Kerry Washington on why it’s important to choose work with intention

• Saudi Arabia is building a 105-mile-long smart city. Yes, really

• Why you should hug a tree

• Here’s why it feels like there’ve been so many shark bites and sightings this year

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

The UN’s International Day of Friendship. Aww.

Lollapalooza continues. Featuring J. Cole, J-Hope, Charli XCX, and more. Find out how to stream it here.

Alicia Keys kicks off the North American leg of her world tour. This girl is on fire.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.