COOL SH*T I LOVELOVELOVE - Monthly Favorites, August 2022

The PSL launched this week, so consider it officially fall. 😉 Even though it’s still in the 80’s here in PA, I guess it’s high time to dig out the flannels and booties because IT’S FALL, Y’ALL. At least, the transition has begun…and I’m here for it. Fall is my FAVORITE and always has been, so in the words of Lizzo, it’s about damn time for some cool breezes, changing leaves, and cozy, comfy clothes. AH. Anyhoo – August is almost out, and its favorites are IN.

So many of this month’s favorites have solid 5-star ratings from other customers, too, so consider this a collective stamp of approval on some really Cool Sh*t. 😉

1.) Lemedy workout tops

I first bought one of these workout tops back in 2020 and have since added four more to my collection. It’s SUCH a good, affordable alternative to Lululemon Align tops – the fabric mix is near-identical, for a third of the price. They’ve got THOUSANDS of 5-star ratings on Amazon. There are built-in cups, and while it says “hand wash only,” I wash on delicate and have had no issues. They’re buttery soft, comfortably compressive, and just a reaaaaally close comparative to Lululemon. 😉

2.) Acrylic tissue box holder

Such a chic, easy upgrade to elevate any space! I’m personally not a fan of those crazy-printed cardboard tissue boxes; this Amazon find is acrylic, so it immediately matches any aesthetic. Simply unbox your tissues, slide open the acrylic tissue box base, and slip your tissue stack inside. Takes all of 10 seconds and instantly uplevels your bathroom! As seen in this Instagram Reel!

3.) DIME Blue Facial Oil

I used to be *skeptical* of facial oils, especially being someone with oily skin. It always seemed counterintuitive to add oil on top of oily skin, but turns out – it’s actually super beneficial. Sometimes, if your skin is stripped of its own natural oils, it will overproduce oil and cause a buildup; replenishing your natural oil with a facial oil can actually balance you out while ALSO preventing breakouts. DIME’s Blue Facial Oil is their first blemish product – it’s formulated with a few powerhouse ingredients to help fight acne while also being anti-aging AND anti-inflammatory, reducing redness, scarring, and breakouts at once. It’s rich in antioxidants, anti-microbial, hydrating, and a cruelty-free and vegan formula.

Blue Tansy oil is calming to help damaged skin while also fighting wrinkles.

Black cumin seed oil helps retain moisture while fighting free radical damage, fine lines, and wrinkles; it also works on redness and soothes irritation.

Rosehip seed oil is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids, working as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, AND anti-blemish aid.

I apply it as the final step in my nighttime routine (I typically alternate evenings with my fave Tula overnight treatment!), and I’ve been SHOOKETH with how much I lovelovelove it. It feels fabulous on my skin but also makes a NOTICEABLE difference overall, and I’d absolutely recommend it. Code THRIVE20 will also take 20% off all DIME products for ya!

4.) DIME cleansers

Clearly DIME is making headlines this Cool Sh*t – for good reason. I had been testing quite a few of their products for weeks leading up to August because I needed to ensure I loveloveloved before accepting them as a sponsor for the THRIVE podcast. (Spoiler alert: they made the cut with flying colors). Your girl is PICKY with cleansers – Tula’s has been my tried and true for years, and so many others just don’t really clean all that well and leave me feeling meh. I was really surprised I liked BOTH of DIME’s cleansers – although I guess no surprise since they’re both *solid* 5-star rated products on their website.

The Creamy Foam Cleanser is probably the best foam cleanser I’ve tried; it’s a fluffier, richer foam with a great lather, formulated to actually give you a deep clean. It’s formulated for more oily/acne-prone skin and has glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation and salicylic acid for dissolving dead skin cells. It’s not stripping and helps promote your skin cell turnover for a healthier glow.

Their Gentle Jelly Cleanser is also a winner – and a totally different feeling cleanser than the foam cleanser. It removed dirt, oil, and makeup, hydrates and soothes, helps soften your skin’s texture, and protects your skin from environmental stressors. This one has coconut + Vitamin E insitead, as well as strawberry oil + lycopene, so you don’t feel tight or dry after cleansering. This one is up there with Tula’s cleanser for me – it’s GREAT.

5.) Gold twist hoops

SO BUMMED to see these pretty twisted hooped are now sold out, but I wanted to share them/the brand anyway since their PR firm was so kind to send them over my way – and I’ve been wearing them on repeat.

NÜR is a small business run by an Afghan-American woman, and the shop’s name comes from an Arabic word contextually describing a form of light that only shines from within. Her pieces are all quality gold plated over hypoallergenic metal, making them safe for wear without a crazy price tag.

6.) Master rug

Even though we’ve been in our house for a hot second (like, two years…HA), I’m *still* working on putting everything all together. Our latest addition was a big rug to our master; it was a decision I had been putting off because I couldn’t land on one I liked for the LIFE of me. Also, rugs are expensive SHEESH. When I found this one for 60% off and then some, I gasped and felt like I found the one. (Pssst it’s still on sale + FREE shipping! Woo!)

It’s a washable rug with SOLID 5-star reviews. Pretty low pile which I prefer for higher traffic areas (+ a dog, two cats, and a kid…), and I just put these Amazon rug pads underneath for a no-slip surface on our hardwood and it’s worked GREAT.

7.) Whole Foods 365 Spicy cheese curls

I couldn’t tell you the last time I was in a Whole Foods – until this month. My mom and I popped in while running errands together and just poked around each department to find a few healthier swaps. Their spicy cheese curls are reportedly a healthier upgrade to hot Cheetos, so naturally, I had to give them a go. And man oh man…they be SPICY. But honestly, in an addicting kinda way. While it’s still a processed food, it’s a better processed food than other options out there. We went through the bag in a week and would def buy again.

8.) DIBS beauty

Instagram has been raving about DIBS, probably because it was launched by an Instagram influencer (Go Courtney go!). I had the chance to try out some of their products through PR and jumped at the opportunity; turns out, as I figured I would, I fell in lovelovelove. Dibs stands for “desert island beauty status,” and is meant to A the Q “what’s your desert island beauty product?”

The products are formulated to be flattering with no-nonsense application and good-for-you ingredients, all very clean. So far I’ve tried a shade stick, desert island duo (brozner/blush sticks), lip gloss, lip definers + lip liners, and eye palette…and I have zero complaints. Everything is just gorgeous on, applies easily, lasts and looks beautiful.

9.) Simple Mills cookies

I first found Simple Mills cookies while searching for healthier alternatives to some pantry favorites – and these have GREAT reviews. These are made with cashew butter which is one of my favorites, so I gave them a go. While they aren’t *identical* to OREOs (they can’t be since OREOs are so processed…ha!), they taste like an awesome swap.

10.) Sight & Sound theater DAVID

We are HUGE Sight & Sound Theater fans in our house. Consider it Christian Broadway – it’s a theater in Lancaster, PA (with one in Branson, MO, too!) that puts on massive scale productions of popular Bible stories, keeping things biblically accurate and performed at an insanely professional level. Honestly, I’ve seen countless Broadway shows at this point and Sight & Sound shows have trumped many, from the performance quality to the sets and storytelling. Their sets are UNREAL with a mix of static set pieces and digital screens seamlessly interwoven together, as well as REAL LIVE ANIMALS that are trained on premise (+ cared for SO well!).

DAVID will be running through December 2022 – if you’re not local, no worries; you can actually grab tickets to see it livestreamed online! So you get the best seat in the house (aka, your couch) for the live stage performance.