August Round Up of Favorite Things
This is a few days late because I still needed to get a few things in the mail but oh my gosh, I’m obsessed with these August finds!
The Simple Wild
First up, one of my new favorite contemporary romances. The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker I found via the Read It or List It podcast (my fave! And it returns this month, wheeee!) It’s a slow burn for Jonah and Calla but boy is it fun. The sequel Wild at Heart is equally enjoyable and after you finish both, go and listen to the Read it or List episodes (one spoiler-free and one spoiler-filled) all about both of them!
Happy Go Lovely Sleeves
And do you see my awesome book sleeve in this gorgeous green plaid? That’s directly from Happy Go Lovely Sleeves and the amazing Rachel. It’s so soft and well made and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Who doesn’t want to have their book tucked safely away in something pretty?
Lovecraft Country
Image Credits: HBO
Lovecraft Country premiered on HBO in August and boy is it a visual feast. There are plenty of fantastic reviews and even an awesome podcast called Lovecraft Country Radio but I wanted to talk about the stunning design here in the third episode “Holy Ghost”. Leti played by Jurnee Smollet is just transcendent in this role and this particular moment when she takes a baseball bat to the cars belonging to the white neighbors on her street after they put a burning cross in her yard? It brought chills to my spine. She was the dark to Beyoncé’s iconic light in her video “Hold Up” and I cannot get over how this moment made me feel. Everyone: watch Lovecraft Country if just for the incredible production value. Seriously. Notice how the car color complements her dress (instantly iconic!) and how the lights burning in the house—and the fire burning on the cross—represent her anger and ferocity in this moment. Protected by the armed men standing watch (as still and commanding as the trees in front of her new house) she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Image: HBO
Hello Teddy Earrings
Hello Teddy Co is a new shop with the most adorable clay earrings. I had to have these cloud ones for my girls and I can’t wait for them to wear them in their new photo shoot we have planned. Kelli still has several pairs available and I would highly recommend snagging some for yourself.
Bonus favorite: this gorgeous book that has me wanting to travel again so bad! The photography is phenomenal.
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson and Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson was the very first Reese’s Book Club YA pick and after reading it, I can say it definitely deserves it. It’s the best senior year prom rush novel I’ve read in a very long time—maybe ever? Likewise, Skyward by Brandon Sanderson was a favorite of the eldest teenager this month and and I’m so glad he’s been so invested in reading this summer. I love seeing him enjoy the same books I do.
Avery Flynn’s Ice Knights series—on Audiobook
I’m completely addicted to contemporary romance—this is known. But I never thought I would enjoy the audiobook versions so much! Avery Flynn is a very popular novelist but her Ice Knights series is just the best of the best—her characters are well-developed and sexy as hell and I just adore the sports angle. Granted, hockey players aren't everyone’s ideal sports figures but man, she makes me want to watch a few games now. My husband is an old school Toronto Maple Leafs fanatic so it won’t even take much convincing! I found a bunch of her books available on audio through Hoopla but I also ended up buying the kindle versions to read at my leisure, too.
Other Favorites and Links I Loved
Bonus audiobook mention: Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley is just magnificent. I’ve loved Beowulf for close to twenty years now and I even collect old editions of any translation I can find. This version is modern and just gravely and deep enough to cut to the bone. I love love love it.
Speaking of Beowulf, I just ordered a new Beowulf shirt from Out of Print and I can’t wait to get it in. They are having a fantastic sale this weekend but their shirts are totally worth it even when they are full price.
This oil control serum just came back into stock and I smashed that order button so fast.
My son wanted this unicorn float for his late August birthday and it is fabulous. This is the best price I’ve seen on it this summer!
These sea salt caramels are my favorite dessert in the entire world currently.
Back to School
Last weekend, I came across this very large, very old chalkboard and naturally, I dreamed up the perfect photo shoot for back to school with my girls. My friend/coworker Colby hand-lettered the alphabet for me (thanks Colby!) and the girls styled themselves in some of their favorite colors for Fall. Although all the kids are heading back to school virtually, I think the twins will definitely be in the running for best-dressed for third grade, don’t you?
Film Edit
I don’t shoot on film anymore. And although it will probably be my favorite medium forever, I’m not sure it has a place in my busy life right now. There are times, though, when I take a photo that would feel so good on film—filled with grain and soft bokeh and those silvery greens that only a great film can express. And thanks to Caroline Tran’s Lightroom Presets, I can get close to the feel of film without the time or expense.
Mona Lisa Smileless
One of my favorite insta accounts is Maisie Violet Rees, a home decor blogger in Birmingham, UK and she’s known especially for her altered vintage paintings and prints. Her work is fabulous and bright and bold and I’ve been on the lookout for vintage prints and paintings where I could do my best to re-create my own at home. Enter this thrift store Mona Lisa reproduction with that perfect frame.
I left the glass in place and painted a wide swath of black matte paint directly over her face.
I then added copper leaf over the still-wet paint and pressed it down lightly. I love copper, especially against the soft blueish green background.
After leaving it to dry fully for most of the day, I used a dry, soft paintbrush and just brushed away the copper leaf, leaving just enough behind.
She ended up looking so lovely! This may be my new favorite upcycle—something about the copper makes it catch your eye and seeing the Mona Lisa in an unexpected way is so fun.
July Favorites
I’ve decided to try something new! A monthly recap of my favorite things I’ve encountered in July. Let’s get started, shall we?
The Babysitter’s Club
Images: Paramount Pictures and Netflix
The Babysitter’s Club on Netflix has been my favorite, favorite show adaptation I’ve come across in a while. I adored the books growing up and begged my grandmother to buy me new ones every weekend at the used bookstore in town. And the styling and costume design is A+++, with plenty of homages to my beloved nineties (Alicia Silverstone!!!) The twins and I flew through all ten episodes and I’m so excited to see what comes next.
Image: Netflix
And did I immediately go on Etsy and order the twins’ Claudia’s watermelon earrings? Most definitely. And if you want the full experience, The Bookshelf, a sweet bookshop in Thomasville, Georgia, is offering a The Babysitter’s Club online book club experience. I missed out on the first round but I’m seriously considering joining the second round starting in September!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series
Thanks to the awesome ladies at Read It or List It Podcast, I am now an avowed Peter Kavinsky-stan. Yes, I know, I JUST now read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. It’s about time, right? I inhaled all three of the Lara Jean books within a week and I’ve promised myself time out to finally catch the movies on Netflix. In the meantime, I had to have chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with Reese’s Pieces, just like Lara Jean’s recipe in P.S. I Still Love You.
Jenny Colgan’s Newest Release
Speaking of things I love like cake, Jenny Colgan is one of my fave British authors for closed door romance. My husband and I adore Scotland after visiting in our early twenties, and especially Loch Ness in the Highlands. Most of Jenny Colgan’s romances center on this gorgeous village that is near the Loch and her imagery is spot-on—I always feel like I’m right back there alongside the protagonists. Her newest novel 500 Miles From You is my favorite of hers yet. She’s really grown into herself as an author and I’m so enjoying the journey!
DIY Cupcakes from The Chocolate Moose Bakery
The decorate your own cupcake kit from The Chocolate Moose Bakery was the PERFECT way to spend a hot afternoon. Highly recommend!
Lightning Round
Just quick fire links to lovely things.
She-Ra is fabulous and fabulously gay and it makes me so happy!
Tula Sunscreen is my go-to this summer.
I made Chrissy Teigen’s spicy miso spaghetti every single week of July.
I don’t think there’s been a Jeni’s Ice Cream collection I’ve wanted more than this one!
So what do you think? I really, really want to share here more and I would love for anyone to let me know what you’d like to see!