I said it before and I’ll say it again – July, you were a slow, sweet hug. If June was a swirling tornado of chaos, June was the double-rainbow at the end of the storm (and fittingly, like the double rainbow at the end of June’s wrap-up roundup post).
And what I’m left thinking, feeling, and reflecting on as we enter August with open arms is this:
We need the storm to see the rainbow.
This life is a beautiful both/and – both heartbreaking and healing. Both mundane and magical. Both grief-filled and grace-full.
We will never escape the hard altogether – but we can always find the happy in the midst.
July was joy.
Stoked to share a few (specifically, 10 😉 ) little shareable joys with you!
1.) Ladder app (free 7-day workout trial with this link!)
I recently started using a new app for my workouts, and when I say it’s been LIFE CHANGING…phew. I first learned about Ladder through a Facebook ad and figured I’d give it a shot since it was offering me a free week trial. I’m pretty picky with workout apps; I know what I like, what I don’t, and I just need to be in a very certain headspace to make the most of a workout.
Ladder is *exactly* what I want all wrapped up in one app.
You first take a quiz to see what coach and team (s) would be best for your specific goals and needs – everything from strength-centered to pilates, cardio-focused to bodybuilding…even prenatal, and travel-friendly options or stretch-based routines. From there, you’re able to see your recommended and priority workouts for each day.
You’re able to connect your Spotify for music to accompany your workouts (highly recommend this workout playlist!), and each workout is broken down into sections so that you can see your percentage progress; you also see rep counts AND countdown times on the screen, so truly no matter how you prefer to get through workouts, there’s something for you.
Your coach gives weight recommendations and form instructions as you go, as well as generally helpful motivational maxims, so it feels like having your own personal trainer in the comfort of your home (or at the gym if you’re taking it on the go). You can opt for bodyweight-only workouts, dumbbells, or indicate that you’ve got full access to gym equipment – everything is customized accordingly.
J downloaded the app after me and we’re both loveloveloving it (and he’s using a totally different coach/team).
These TikTok-famous facial pads have been totally viral for a hot sec now – and for good reason. They work to exfoliate + refine your pores, they’ve got BHAs and AHAs, but also soothing lavender to also help calm your skin. Trials saw a reduction in sebum/oil by 47.1% and a decrease in pore waste by 87.3% (!!!).
They’re the #1 bestselling facial toner with over 6,000 5-star reviews. And you get 70 pads in one tub for not even $20 – which is wild to me. That’s 2+ months worth of pads at 27 cents each, which is *significantly* cheaper than my other favorite facial pads.
After cleansing, you swipe your face with the embossed side, then flip to follow up with the silkier side and just lightly pat it all in for absorption. Makes your skin feel (+ look) amazing.
3.) Protein coffee
If you’ve been meaning to add more protein to your daily diet (yes), this is such an easy way to make it happen!
It’s got 10 grams of protein per serving, which is a nice little boost – especially if you’re someone who struggles prioritizing protein intake OVER coffee first thing in the AM (like me).
There’s not as much caffeine in a serving as a typical cup of coffee (only 80 mg) and it’s not like it’s groundbreakingly good espresso – but it hits the spot, and it’s especially great if you’re an iced coffee girlie needing that extra protein power up.
You already know I’m a big, big fan of this de-alcoholized red wine…it’s hands down, my favorite non-alcoholic option yet, namely because it’s de-alcoholized, so it retains a lot of the body and flavor of your usual favorite red from before the alcohol was removed. I was never a big white girlie when I was still drinking, but sometimes you just need a crisp glass of white on the patio, you know?
This one is so yummy. It’s a blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and a few other whites from the South of France region.
5.) Justin Willman’s magic comedy special
Let me just say, I am a *sucker* for good street magic. Justin Willman is INCREDIBLE. We had seen a few episodes of his Netflix series before, Magic for Humans, and it was always thoroughly entertaining and amazing. So color us *stoked* when we saw a new magic/comedy special trending on the platform. It’s like a clean standup special meets magic show, and it’s simply unreal. More impressively, though, is the disclaimer that starts the show that all participants were real people in the audience chosen at random, so it just shines such a light on Justin’s talent.
Add this to your watch list STAT!
Hello, it’s me – the girl perpetually caught dry shaving outside the shower, then wondering why she’s got a leg full of razor burn and painful, awkward red bumps.
NO MORE, FRIENDS. Enter, this stuff.
It’s a gel shave stick that you just glide on anywhere anytime before shaving, giving you a smooth, clean, moisturized shave sans water or shaving gel or cream or anything else! It’s got bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood, so it smells great, and it doubles as a vegan body moisturizer. You can put it on before and/or after shaving, no rinsing required. AND, it’s formulated based on the cleanest beauty standards in the industry.
An easy must to have on hand for at-home OR travel, or even to throw in your car console (since we all find the peskiest little buggers while waiting in car line…IYKYK).
7.) Trash card game
This favorite has Olivia Grave to thank! Liv came home from summer camp and promptly introduced us all to our new collective favorite card game, called Trash. Have you heard of it?
Granted, I feel like half the card games I ever learned at camps all at 13 different names, so I’ll do my best to explain the rules here and you tell me if you know it by another name. 😉
Each player is dealt ten cards face down, which you put out in a 5×5 layout in front of you. Then you take alternate turns turning over a card from the leftover center deck; as you pull cards Ace through Ten, you replace them in their corresponding position in front of you. If you pull a King or a Joker, they’re wild and can be used for anything (and shifted accordingly), but if you pull a Jack or a Queen, they’re “trash” – you put them in the center discard pile and promptly end your turn. Until you pull a Jack, Queen, or card you already have and therefore don’t need (something already flipped over face-first in front of you), you can keep pulling and flipping.
It’s so fun and family-friendly, so I highly recommend trying.
8.) Free People look-for-less pants
I first saw these pants at the thrift store. Not for SALE at the thrift store, but on a girl – and I promptly followed her around the store until I got close enough to ask where her pants were from. She was wearing the Free People version, but this color combo was sold out, so I found the next best thing on Amazon…and it just so happens to be 1/3 the price.
They’re lightweight and breezy with a great flowy feel, adjustable drawstring waist, and oversized pockets.
Totally fabulous seasonally, sure, but also just a great infusion of joy in your closet that doesn’t require wrinkling and works for running around wherever.
9.) Nex playground
And all credit to this favorite goes to J! He found this cool new “game system” and was instantly sold. It plugs into your TV and is totally controller-free – it’s also totally ad-free, designed to be family-friendly to the whole family without upselling to kids or showing inappropriate content.
But what I personally think is coolest, is it’s meant to be a system that gets your family moving together.
Because there are no controllers, it uses a little camera to sense your bodies and register movement (and even comes with an auto-cover to cover up the camera when not using, just for your own comfort). The first day we had it, Olivia was playing for maybe four hours – and girlfriend got a FULL BODY WORKOUT. It doesn’t feel like screentime because it really isn’t – you’re following instructions but using your whole body for play, so it feels more like the old Wii games used to work, just minus the controller (that somehow always ended up getting thrown at the screen, right? Ha!).
10.) Daisy Sour Cream Rancy dip + French Onion dip
My aunt brought these two Daisy dips for Jonah’s birthday party, and let me tell you, they are straight up addicting. But the best part, is they’re also clean labels! Sure, sour cream isn’t the healthiest option, but they’re just sour cream with various spices – no weird preservatives, additives, or unhealthy extras.
I didn’t have a single chip at the party – and the entire platter of veggies with dip was devoured. Dipping veggies or crackers in this stuff is SO GOOD, so be warned!
HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF MY MONTHLY FAVORITES YET?
And what have been YOUR Monthly Favorites? Would lovelovelove to know!
P.S. ICYMI and wanna get caught up on or last month’s favorites, just click here!
