This July has been a lot. I mean, the entire world has been a lot. I’m not going to lie—it's hard to stay positive. A lot of really disgusting things are happening. Our administration is ripping apart essential government programs while going on social media temper tantrums and erecting god-awful interiors. Simultaneously, Palestine is being denied continuous aid and starved beyond recovery. Layoffs are destroying people’s economic safety, and there's just a lot happening.
Sometimes, I’m not going to lie, I feel really frivolous making this kind of stuff. Selfish, overindulgent. But I also understand that sometimes people just want to engage with things and turn off their brain from the bad for a while, and I can’t blame them. I like to dissociate with content as well—five-star hotel stays from Hannah Ricketts on YouTube are a favorite. So yeah, with that, I guess what I’m trying to say is I feel collectively what I think a lot of people may be feeling: disgust, anger, immense grief, and confusion. I believe something beautiful is coming, and I think it’s really important to hold onto that hope.
So, with that tangent or whatever, here are some of my monthly favs.
Beauty
Sunscreen makes the world go round. I am a sunscreen freak, and I think you should be too. It should be a non-negotiable, tbh. Anyways, I really love Vacation’s Chardonnay Oil. It’s got SPF 30 (which, listen, I do wish were a 50) but I’ll make do. My skin loves this stuff, soaks it right up, and is left with a nice glisten, especially on my arms. It has a nice scent that can be a bit strong in the first few minutes, but once it settles, it’s fine. Then I apply perfume.
I love a citrus scent. I just really appreciate its crispness. I tend to like a citrus paired with something else—it can’t be a solo citrus. This month, I’ve really been reaching for Orange X Santal by Essential Parfums. It’s a woody citrus, rather earthy, very solid. It’s got notes of bitter orange, sandalwood, cypress, oakmoss, and a bit of basil (though faint). It opens with a strong orange, like the zest from the peel. On the dry down, it’s much more lived-in: a heavy sandalwood. Very dreamy and elevated. It wears close to the skin and lasts about four hours, which I wish were longer, because I love how elevated it smells. But the price point makes up for it. I recommend Essential Parfums often. There are a lot of great scents from them, and the discovery set is a solid value for exploring the brand.
Also, my nails this month. I had two sets: one inspired by Mötley Crüe’s “Girls Girls Girls” video, and one kind of space-age chrome and blue themed. Shoutout Gigi—best nails in Chicago.
Experiences
God, what didn’t I do this month? I did it all—from behind the scenes looking at thousands of bugs at the Field Museum, to orchestras from the Chicago Symphony, to Greek festivals. But I really just enjoyed getting to go to the Field Museum. I was lucky and got to meet with some field scientists doing research across the globe. We got to talk about how they foresee AI changing how we preserve and archive natural history. I also got to go to the Field Museum’s photo studio to see how they take photos of their giant collection. There were so many amazing things I got to see, and I feel really lucky to have experienced it.
It also made me reflect on how essential data collection and preservation is, and how it’s crucial that our government continue funding research of all types. I met a researcher and biologist who helped use pollen and moss patterns to help solve the Burr Oak Cemetery crimes. It was through resource sharing across museums that they were able to identify when bodies were improperly disposed of. Not to be morbid or weird, but I do find these stories important given the current context of our government.
With that, the Field Museum is really cool. They have an exhibit with a ton of snakes and turtles on display right now. Also, a ton of giant gemstones.
Fashion / Style
I am a gingham freak. FREAK. Last summer I took this really beautiful skirt from J.Crew to the tailor because it was far too long. My tailor was able to make a headband and scrunchie with the scraps. I always recommend asking your tailor what else they can make. Anyways, I really love this skirt because it’s just the perfect length and fabric. It’s a mildly stiff gingham, so it moves really nicely. One of my favorite summer pieces.
Listen, I’m working my ass off to not see any Devil Wears Prada spoilers, but for some reason production is obsessed with ruining it for us. Like damn, let us have a surprise. Anyways, I’m going to be part of the problem—I love this look from Emily Blunt. I’ve been really into suits lately and want to explore one sometime in the fall. Entering a butch moment, I suppose.
Speaking of butch, I really loved some of Charlotte York’s looks on And Just Like That’s 10th episode of Season 3. Specifically, this giant collar and tie combo with a plaid coat and Ami Paris matching bag. I fear I am destined for it, given that my name starts with an A.
Food & Drinks
Ok, so I went to Gemini in Lincoln Park in Chicago by chance—and omg, did they have an amazing salad. A specialty one for the evening. It was really seasonal: sweet watermelon, creamy whipped feta, fresh tomatoes, and some kind of seed or nut. So good I didn’t get any pictures, sorry. But it’ll be in an eventual vlog. Also just highly recommend Gemini for an early evening dinner. Nana hours vibes.
I’m going to be real Grade-A classless and break my “luxury” aesthetic I attempt to portray. I have been disgustingly obsessed with the Cherry Coke Zero. It’s so damn good. Only issue: it needs to be in a small can, not a regular can. Everyone knows baby can is superior.
Home & Lifestyle
I’ve been all over the Perfect Palm Springs candle from Glasshouse. Like, I actively won’t shut up about it. Sorry, but it’s good. It’s got a great projection, fills my entire living room, and makes its way into the kitchen and parts of my office. It’s a mint and bergamot candle. A very sweet mint, but there’s a nice crispness to it. Great, even burn. Highly recommend all of Glasshouse’s products, but this is one of their best scents, I think.
Listen, I know this is deeply unsexy, but I’m really appreciating the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Sheets. They’re great for small surfaces. I also use them for some of my shoes. They are thinner, so they’re far more flexible than the large sponge. Nice to just have around.
Ok, I gotta say—Wired lately has really been killing it. Just a lot of good reporting. There’s a lot going on in the world of tech, from layoffs to the AI race. And while mainstream news is reporting, they sometimes lack nuance. Given that a lot of Wired's reporters have been really focused on tech for a while, they bring that nuance and historical data and context that I think mainstream news is lacking.
Media & Entertainment
I know Ozzy was and is a very controversial figure for a lot of people. Very fair. I enjoy some of his music and appreciate his commitment to his craft and true love for what he makes. His final show was simply spectacular. Deeply moving. Beautiful and profound. A perfect encapsulation of a career. I am saddened by his passing, but I find the way that he is connecting people to be very beautiful. I will always adore The Osbournes—a very special place in this millennial reality-TV-obsessed heart.
Here are some things I read that I liked.....
Breaking down Trump’s big gift to the AI industry
My Couples Retreat With 3 AI Chatbots and the Humans Who Love Them
The Discourse Is Broken: How did a jeans commercial with Sydney Sweeney come to this?
The New Sun Worship: Tanning is back. And this time, it’s not just about looking good.
Why I Am Closing Ami Colé My beauty brand offered Black women shades they couldn’t find elsewhere. Why wasn’t that enough?
Things I Wrote/Created
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Sex WorkBuilt to Protect, Programmed to Fail: Inside the Tea App Leak That Hit 4chan
Inside Two Luxe Chicago Perfume Events | Fragrance Haul + Unboxing
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