MONTH AHEAD // AUGUST 2024
MONTH AHEAD // AUGUST 2024
A SMALL TASTE OF WHAT'S COMING UP THIS MONTH
EDITOR’S NOTE //
“Let July be July and let August be August.”
That’s part of a line from a quote I see floating around Instagram here and there (I share the full quote below, under “words to live by”). It especially sticks with me as we head into the summeriest of summer months (aka August), which we should treat as such. Yet all I hear is talk about back to school this and sweaters that and fall this. Like…can we just maybe…not?! It’s still solidly summer, people!! I mean, you don’t think Europeans shut down in the month of August just to discuss fall and prepare to go back to school do you??!
Now you may say, what’s the big fuss anyways? You live in the US, not Europe (let a girl dream, ok?!). But I think it speaks to a bigger issue as a whole in society (especially here in the US) that we are always jumping to the next thing before the current thing has even passed. When it’s summer we talk about fall, when it’s fall we talk about the holidays, and once the holidays are done we want to skip right over the rest of winter and onto spring (which, ok, is fair because winter blues). And, of course, we don’t just do it with seasons, either. It’s really with everything, from the trivial, like our wardrobes, to the more important stuff like life goals, hopes and dreams (because honestly, if you take a second to pause before working toward the next thing, you’ll probably realize you’re already living one of your dreams). Honestly, it’s exhausting. And it makes it ever more difficult to be present, stay in the moment and be grateful for all that’s right in front of you.
That was basically a very long winded way of saying don’t even think about uttering the word “fall” to me until at least the first week of September, ok?! Also, if you need me, I’ll be here, working hard to stay present in the remainder of the SUMMER season, still basking in all that it has to offer- beach days, golden sunshine, warm breezes, stone fruit, juicy tomatoes, fruity popsicles, chilled white wine, picnics, al fresco dining, lightweight linens, fresh seafood, tan lines…
xx
HAPPENINGS //
WORDS TO LIVE BY //
Let July be July and let August be August, and let yourself just be even in the uncertainty. You don’t have to fix everything. You don’t have to solver everything. And you can still find peace and grow in the wild of changing things.
WHAT I’M PINNING //
Check out my AUGUST BOARD to see what summery goodness is currently inspiring me
WHAT I’M COOKING //
August usually brings some sort of unbearable heat wave with it so I’ve got my eye on salads, no-bake recipes, no-cook dishes…basically anything that is cool, refreshing and doesn’t require me to turn on my stove or oven! Here are a few current favorites-
GRILLED PEACH + CORN SALAD- we’ve been making this almost every night, except instead of burrata I’ve been using feta and a lot of times we don’t even grill the peaches and corn (and it’s still just as delicious)
THE ULTIMATE ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD- the ultimate, ultra loaded take on a classic
PROVENCAL CHICKEN SANDWICHES- light but filling and perfect for picnics
SPICY MUSSELS WITH PEACHES + ROSÉ- a fun seafood dish that’s light, unique, easy to make and perfect for backyard dinners with friends
FROZEN APEROL SPRITZ- a classic with summery, refreshing twist
WATERMELON GRANITA COCKTAILS- an oldie but still very much a goodie; skip the cocktail part and simply have the granita for a refreshing snack or dessert
STRAWBERRY HIBISCUS GRANITA COCKTAILS- in case watermelon isn’t quite your thing
DOUBLE MOCHA COCONUT POPSICLES- for something sweet and chocolatey, but still refreshing and did I mention that these are also vegan and made with coconut sugar?!
WHAT I’M LOVING //
Dave got a Ninja Creami for his birthday and wow, do I get the hype! One batch and we were hooked and have basically used it every night since. We’ve been making protein ice-cream (milk + protein powder), frozen yogurt and gelato (vanilla bean and pistachio). Honestly, I’m still shook by the texture every.single.time and I just don’t know why we waited so long to get one. Total game changer, especially for healthy frozen dessert options. So if you were looking for a sign to get a Creami, take this as your sign.
I was recently looking on Youtube for workouts to help lower my cortisol and calm my nervous system and came across a video from someone named Olivia Lawson. I had never heard of her before, but after doing one of her walking workouts I was instantly hooked and thrilled to see she has a whole channel filled with all kinds of workouts (walking, toning, pilates) specifically aimed at being lower impact, low stress and easier on things like knees and joints (because yes I have reached that age where I am concerned with those things). I have now worked out with her videos almost every day for the past few weeks and truly can’t get enough of them (I especially love the walk and tone videos). If you’re looking for workouts that are lower impact but fun, have great music and still make you break a sweat, definitely check out her channel.
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO //
Jazzy Mornings on repeat every single, you guessed it, morning
WHAT I’M READING //
WHAT I’M EYEING + BUYING //