June, the month of Pride, may be over—and as much as I love Pride, I’m honestly a bit relieved. This past month was tough. Despite supposedly being a good one astrologically, I felt pretty low, really inward. I had to do a lot of thinking (which, as you know, is not exactly my strength lol). I spent time untangling my feelings around work, imposter syndrome, and what I think I’m worth. I wrote about that [here]. It was just a stack of not-so-great feelings piling up. A real sour funk. And honestly, the world feels gross right now.
But! There were still some bright spots. A few really good moments. So, here are my favorite things from June.
Beauty
This month I went to Merz for two perfume events, one of which was Ormaie. While there, I got a small sample of 28°, which is a very beloved brand. I’ve smelled this before—once in their sample pack, once in a store by chance. When I first smelled it, I was instantly brought back to childhood summers in Chicago. I had a very physical reaction, just this wave washing over me, remembering moments of fun in a very complicated childhood. It includes notes of lemon, bergamot, mandarin, pink pepper, rose, orange blossom, sandalwood, vanilla, and immortelle. To me, it smells a bit like sunscreen, a bit watery, and a bit green. I get a lot of the sandalwood and orange blossom. I also love the bottles—little sculptural works of art.
I am a Shahs of Sunset girl, and I’m so glad it’s coming back. But with that comes a deep love for Lilly Lashes, which, admittedly, I had never tried until recently. But I’ve really enjoyed the Lilly Lashes Blushing Everyday 3D Faux Mink Lashes. They’re just the right amount of fullness for an elevated natural look. The band is pretty solid—still flexible, but supportive. And naturally, you can get a good amount of uses out of them with proper care.
My go-to face sunscreen is always the Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42 Mineral Face Sunscreen. I wear it all the time, even if I’m indoors, because I’m unwell. But I will say, I really love it during the summer—it’s not oily or heavy or greasy. It’s got great coverage, and most importantly, it’s really great for your skin. It has hyaluronic acid for moisture and wrinkle prevention. It’s done wonders for my skin and is not at all clogging. Highly recommend.
Experiences
I saw GRACE JONES in person. I can’t believe it! I’ve never experienced anything like it. I’m changed. God—her performance is electric, her stage presence insane, her talent and beauty unmatched. At one point, she wore what was essentially a hat made of a disco ball, with a light projected from the top of it, effectively turning the entire venue into an illuminated disco. It was stunning in person—no image could ever do it justice.
This tour was with Janelle Monáe, who was equally amazing. Dancing in full latex in the summer heat is a true skill. Her performance was also filled with references to greats like Michael, Prince, and James Brown. Together, it was truly an experience I’ll never forget. I feel so lucky to have seen it. Also—I vlogged it [here].
Near the end of the month, I had the privilege of seeing Om Mission, a production put on by About Face Theatre, created by Zahra Baker and Shanta Nurullah, and directed by Kezia Waters. The show highlights the stories of Black lesbians throughout time, accompanied by live sitar music—something I had never heard played live before. It was such a different and moving experience.
Zahra and Shanta set out on an adventure to find stories of Black lesbians in the public archive. Though at first they’re met with silence and gaps, they come to uncover unexpected and remarkable histories—unsung but loud and out blues women of the 1920s and 30s. Gathering inspiration from the past, these visionary performers build a vibrant and joyful tribute that shines a light on Black lesbians today.
It was so beautiful to witness stories of love, pain, anger, and hope. I don’t think I have quite the right words to express how important this work is. We need more stories like these—documented and seen.
Fashion / Style
A while ago, I got this vintage orb necklace from a shop in Palm Springs. I haven’t been able to track down much about it, but I love it. It’s rather heavy, but it definitely draws attention—which makes it worth it. It also moves a lot, which makes it really fun to wear. I love how much of a statement piece it is, and I love it even more when people compliment it.
If there’s one show worth noticing from Paris Fashion Week—yes, there are several, but if you only have time for one—it’s American designer Willy Chavarria. The show has stirred quite a bit of controversy. At the start, 35 men with shaved heads in all-white outfits walked onto the runway, knelt down, bowed their torsos, and placed their hands behind their backs. The moment deeply upset El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele.
But fashion is always political. Per the show notes, which were created in collaboration with the ACLU, the opening represented “people being profiled and persecuted with no due process.”
The rest of the show featured colorful suiting: silk trenches, baby pink lapels, and zoot suit references. Beautiful pieces, each carrying their own message. The tailoring was impeccable, with nods to noir—then, the vibe shifted. It got bad boy. A little naughty, deeply smoldering, and sexy.
It was in that moment I saw it—perhaps my ideal look. (See the all black dress.)
Food & Drinks
My favorite local teas are from Madame ZuZu’s in Highland Park. They’re exceptional quality, made in direct partnership with tea farmers. I recently tried their Tropical Fruit Melody, which features Spanish cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, hibiscus, Seville orange, and blood orange. I had it iced—and honestly, it’s kind of like juice. Very sweet and refreshing, but still crisp with just a little tartness.
I’m Greek—of course I’m passionate about olive oil. Right now, I’m really enjoying Frescobaldi Laudemio Extra Virgin Olive Oil... even if it’s Italian. I mostly use it for topping and tasting: think salads, seasoning fish, finishing hummus. I don’t necessarily cook with it. It’s rich but not heavy. A nice medium—clean, slightly fruity, a little artichoke-y. Lovely.
My go-to summer salad is feta and watermelon. I’m not quite sure if it counts as a salad, but for lack of a better word, it is. I mix mine with olive oil, a pinch of honey, and a little lemon juice. I’ll top it with mint or basil from my garden. Pro tip: get Dodoni feta—it’s the best. And always get feta in the water/brine; it’s the only way to keep it truly fresh.
Home & Lifestyle
I’ve always admired Glasshouse Fragrances, but lately I’ve been obsessed with their Perfect Palm Springs candle. It’s my official candle of the summer. Notes include wild mint, anise, bergamot, white tea, fig, blonde woods, and musk. Though the mint, blonde woods, and bergamot dominate, the mint adds a crisp freshness that’s a different take on summer. The throw is incredible—it fills most of my apartment. It also burns cleanly, with no tunneling.
I’ve got two little flower boxes on my back patio, and I’ve been loving just looking at my flowers. I’ve got everything from marigolds to dahlias—and even some patchouli.
Media & Entertainment
Back to 2008 I go—a time of Obama-era hope. I’m reliving it with Neon Neon’s Stainless Style album. It’s very ‘80s new wave synth pop: fun, referential without being overly nostalgic. The album is inspired by the life of playboy car engineer John DeLorean (yes, that DeLorean). One of the tracks, Raquel, is based on an alleged affair with Raquel Welch in the mid-‘70s. But my favorite by far is I Told Her on Alderaan—it’s the most synth-heavy and pure ‘80s fantasy. I discovered this album when it dropped on MySpace, and over the years I’ve dipped in and out of listening to it. It’s worth a listen if you like that kind of vibe—or just want something conceptual and fun.
Bore, bore, bore... I rarely like period pieces. But The Gilded Age happens to be one of the few I enjoy—mostly because I find Carrie Coon and Christine Baranski so hot. Hot and talented. Sure, some of the sets feel a little silly, but I appreciate the drama of rich people fighting among themselves while destroying the lives of millions. It’s the same reason I’m deeply fascinated by Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos’ alleged entanglements with Kim Kardashian.
I’ve been a longtime S.U.P. head, and lately Sexy Unique Podcast has been killing it. They’ve been doing recaps of And Just Like That and The Valley—both of which I desperately need right now.
Here are some things I read that I liked:
Bluesky Is Plotting a Total Takeover of the Social Internet
The Department of Veterans Affairs Is Not O.K.
The Unstoppable Lauren Sánchez: Bezos has the money to send her to space, but Sánchez is the gravitational force.
The Rise of ‘Vibe Hacking’ Is the Next AI Nightmare
What Happens After A.I. Destroys College Writing?
Things I Wrote/Created
How Duolingo Became the Face of the Anti-AI Backlash
The Second Cumming? OnlyFans’ Founder Returns with Subs—but Where’s the Smut
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