August was a month of really intense change, and yet, I still feel like I didn’t do much. I packed up my apartment in LA and put everything in storage to drive across the country. I’ll save that story for another day, but here’s what I was very into:
Santa Fe:
The first stop of my road trip. I ended up staying an extra day because I loved it so much!
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum was a breath of fresh air. The gallery is small but amazing and has a solid representation of the breadth of Georgia’s work. There’s even a small exhibit on her home life which I really appreciated. If you don’t see yourself in Santa Fe any time soon, you can check out their online and on-demand art classes and talks. I’ve already registered for a few and I’ve been loving them!
Next time I’m in town, I’m going to make sure I’m there on a day when her home and studio in Abiquiú is open!
Another stop you should definitely make time for is Meow Wolf . You’ve probably seen it online, and if you haven’t…look it up! Pop an edible and get ready for a good time. It’s something that needs to be experienced to be understood!
Rhode Island:
HOME! Rhode Island has so much to offer, especially during the summer months, which is why I knew I wanted to spend a chunk of my time there. I ended up spending a lot of time hanging out with Sunnie, reading in different parks right on the ocean.
When it came time to work, I was usually at The Coffee Depot in Warren. Finding a good coffee shop that feels comfortable to work in is crucial for those of us who work from home and feel the need to escape once in a while, and this place checked all my boxes. It's not pretentious at all, there was a solid mix of people posted up to work and people stopping in for coffee and a chat, it was big enough that I never felt like I was preventing others from sitting, and a HUGE iced latte was $7 with tip. Also, they play a LOT of Dolly Parton. (Laptop for scale.)
Spicy Books I Read and Loved:
Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine
I love, love, loved this book. Sure, I relate to the main character on the superficial levels like living in Silverlake and being super close to her sister. Yes, I giggled at the jokes about understanding the joys of a perfectly ripe avocado that felt like they were written just for the LA girlies. But I don’t think I’ve ever related to a main character more than Margot to my core. Not to get too deep here, but her jaded (read: bleak) outlook on real life love while still being a sappy romantic made me think: If I can cheer a fictional character on in finding real love, why can’t I do the same for myself? Also, the mmc is hotttt.
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
I know within 5 pages if I’m going to like a book or not, and I was hooked on Yulin’s writing by page 2. (Also) Based in LA, it follows two characters with a past who are now writing a tv show together. (Yes, the mmc lives in Silverlake.)
The author is also a screenwriter and director working on two Emily Henry adaptations, so…she clearly gets good writing and romance.
*Linked to Goodreads for more reviews because here I’m just sharing what I loved about them.
Skincare Must-Haves:
I reeeally really tried to go super minimal on the skincare this summer. Turns out, some products are just necessary. A cleanser, moisturizer, spf routine is great in a pinch, but my skin started to feel dull, congested, and just overall meh within a few weeks.
What was nice about the break is it really allowed me to see what products actually help my skin, and how. Adding these 3 back into the mix has made a huge difference and I’m happy to say I don’t cringe when I look at my pores now.
Vitamin C
Biossance 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum: I use this every morning and within a week I noticed a move even skin tone.
Exfoliant
Facile Clear Exfoliating Serum: My pores were begging for a chemical exfoliant, and I remembered how much I loved this serum from Facile. The AHA + BHA blend before bed has me waking up with visibly smoother skin and less (zero) breakouts.
Retinol
Shani Darden Retinol Serum: I was using Tretinoin and ended up stopping because no matter what I did, it was just too much for my skin. It’s been a few months since I used any type of retinol and I realized that was probably why my skin felt so dull. I alternate this with the Facile Serum nightly and now my skin is smooth, glowy, and happy.
Check out all my skincare faves here. :)
Music On Repeat:
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I listened to this band for approximately 70% of my 8 day drive time. If you miss Kings of Leon and like to wear cowboy boots (for fun or function) give them a listen.
Specifically, the song Running Red Lights which is possibly the most romantic song ever. I cry every time I listen to it.
