IMO, August is the absolute worst month of the year. It just drags and drags and drags, it's humid as fuck in Chicago, it's like peak bug season, and the energy, for me at least, just feels so heavy and sad. And so yeah, August has been very meh.
But in a very VERY bright spot, I announced the launch of my creative studio. It's been in the works for a while, and I'm excited to be launching it with my very talented cofounder, who will primarily be focusing on the creative and web side, while I sit within brand, paid media, and social.
Part of this comes from the frustration of feeling like I have no control over my life while working in corporate. Tbh with the way layoffs have been crumbling the tech industry I've felt like the concept of job security just feels like a thing of the past. And honestly, I wanna be able to plan for a future, to build a life, and I can't keep doing that if every year I'm navigating a minefield of layoffs.
I also…. listen, I'm not trying to sound whatever, but like realistically there aren't very many people like me in c-suite, and so the reality of upward career mobility feels...not real either. No matter how much I want it. And so starting an agency, it just it feels like me. I have no idea how it's going to go, but like LFG, or whatever toxic bro saying feels right.
Anyways, here are some things I was really fucking with this August.
Beauty
This August I kept reaching for Sparkling Jo by Vilhelm Perfumes. I got it by chance at Merz in Chicago and it's a lovely fresh scent. It's got notes of champagne, bergamot, juniper, William pear, fresh ginger, ambrette, musk, oakwood, ambergris.
Now I overwhelmingly get that champagne note initially, but eventually it does become more of a fresh musk. It's very sweet and feminine, light. I do think I'll favor it in spring a lot more, my only gripe is I wish the longevity was better, I maybe get around 3 hours. Which I would prefer something a little longer lasting given the price. Still nice, and tbh a rarity, as I find a lot of other stuff from the brand has a nice wear time.
In the fragrance department I was also gifted Blood Berry by Heretic, I have started to wear it a bit, and first impressions, are surprisingly I really enjoy it. It's honestly much more rose heavy on me, rather similar to Le Labo's Rose 31. So I'm excited to play with it some more, as well as other scents they sent over, I'll report back next month.
Ok....idk if this is like beauty, but kinda. Listen, whatever Lindsay Lohan has done to her face I need. Because between watching Freaky Friday (twice in theaters), and the press cycle, it looks damn good. So I'm slowly doing research on lasers, because while I am currently not in a place of lasers, I may plan to be there in 5 years. So just perpetually curious.
Lastly, here's my nails for the month by the ever talented Gigi, pool ball inspired for the end of summer.
Experiences
I got to see Nine Inch Nails for the first time in concert and quite frankly I have no idea what took me so damn long. It was legitimately the exact experience I needed, I was so down in the dumps and it just jolted me back.
So many people were up having a good time, dancing, vibing, just existing, so unafraid of the cringe. When you aren't afraid of cringe and you do cringe shit, it cancels out, and like it's cool, imo. Well except posting on LinkedIn.
There was so much creativity and care put into everything from the set list, to the lighting design to the stages. It really made me feel like I need to get back to creating in ways that perhaps don't need to be seen, just doing for myself. So yeah, but I still do obvi make some things that are seen, like this scent pairing with NIN's discography. Shameless plug.
So I also happened to stop by Field & Florist in the Loop today, and I was so blown away with the beauty. There were so many fun scents and beautiful flowers. I ended up getting a very small decant of Scorpio Rising by Eris Parfums, a very warm woody scent with some pink pepper and saffron notes.
The team there was also really great and knowledgeable, really passionate about their products. Like they really care about their stuff and wanna make sure you get something you enjoy. They aren't pushy or weird. They also helped me put together the perfect moody bouquet.
Fashion / Style
I have been impacted, deeply by a vest. I apologize for my derogatory statements I've made in regards to vests. Like turns out they kinda are for me. I recently paired this cashmere vest (similar) from J.Crew, with a nice cotton crew neck short sleeve, silk slip skirt, moto boots, giant Alexander McQueen scarf, and a very heavy Alexander Wang Rocco bag. I loved this outfit, it's a little different than what I typically go for, but it's really fun. I love it, it feels pulled together, but still casual.
It's the US Open, which apparently some are saying is quickly eclipsing NYFW, especially given the amount of designers, including my beloved Willy Chavarria, leaving NYFW to show at Paris. So I've naturally been looking at what the stars that are just like us are wearing.
I really enjoyed the matchy match of Eboni Nichols and Queen Latifah. I just feel like it's so fun and sweet, laid back but luxe, curated. Now I will say I don't love a slip on loafer without a sock but I will make exceptions naturally. I am also very into the pendant Queen Latifah is wearing, more pendants moving forward please.
I am also very into the energy Katie Holmes is omitting, very tousled waves, oversized leather and a butter yellow bag in a soft leather, gorg.
Food & Drinks
This month I went to the Taste of Andersonville, which I documented here, which is essentially just a one night walking tour of all of Andersonville and a bunch of restaurants giving samples of some of their menu. Anyways, I had these sourdough chili crisps from The Chinese Mom Kitchen and honestly they were spectacular. Kinda like a spicy Cheez-It. It was so perfectly crisp and savory, absolutely divine.
I've been a big fan of Nelly's Organics for a while but I specifically really love their Peanut Butter Quinoa bar. It's like a crispy peanut butter bar covered in chocolate. It's a really nice quality peanut butter. Very creamy, very rich. They're a nice alternative to a candy bar if like that is something you care about.
Home & Lifestyle
I needed some new everyday matches, because unfortunately the Diptyque matches have been moved to the special occasion category given the state of the economy. That being said I found some really wonderful ones from Abbott that I picked up at Foursided in Andersonville. They strike really quick and with low pressure, which is quite nice if you have long nails. I got the zodiac ones and love them, but they also have some really cute holiday designs and lip prints.
Last month I added yet another coffee table book to the collection, this time it's Queer Power Couples: On Love and Possibility by Billie Winter and Hannah Murphy Winter. I appreciate its documentation of queer love and success in a time when that feels so scarce.
Media & Entertainment
Since I saw NIN and wrote a bit about their discography I spent a lot of time listening to The Fragile. Very ambient, very calming, and really good for writing, or just being in your thoughts.
Project Runway is back baby, and I have to admit I really needed the freshness of Law Roach. I greatly appreciated the recent addition of Christian Siriano, but felt he really needed someone that meets his energy, and unfortunately imo a lot of the old judges just felt so flat and sometimes felt like they were wanting to be overly kind in an attempt to not rile up fans.
I think most of reality TV today has become so overtaken by fan opinion and it's making things boring. Let people be fucked up and problematic, like unfortunately that makes good reality TV. Let people be a little rude.
Anyways, all this to say I do really appreciate the new energy of the show and am really excited to see what happens moving forward.
Here are some things I read that I liked:
A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers
An Astrologer’s Messy Affair With a Trump Pentagon Official
Online shopping is full of copycats (Podcast)
Palestine was the problem with TikTok
Would You Pay $13,000 to Rid Your Blood of Microplastics?
Things I Wrote/Created
Cherry Glossed Thoughts │ Sex work, body dysmorphia, and I want you to wanna fuck me
AI Influencers Are Here — But Can They Earn Audiences’ Trust?
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