Wowowow. I cannot believe we are here at the end of August. As you’re reading this, I am on my way for one last summer hoorah at the beach with family, a trip that has loomed far off in the distance for so long and suddenly, now it’s here.
August, for its brevity, has contained multitudes. It started with my birthday, which was August 1st, followed by Luke’s birthday, which was August 5th. And if you’ll remember, our anniversary is mid-late July, so that’s a whole lot of celebrating jam packed into just a few weeks.
Which is maybe why I’ve had a weird relationship with celebrating my birthday the past few years. Not only do we have all our big milestone events crammed into this time, it also feels like everyone I know has a birthday in August. Throw in the going- back-to-school of it all, and asking my friends to set aside a night to join me for a birthday dinner has felt greedy. Like I’m asking for too much. But then the day comes and goes and I’m left feeling disappointed that it didn’t pan out like I had hoped. Which is why this year, I got over myself and planned my own ding dang birthday dinner.
I sent an e-vite to several friends extending the offer to join Luke and I for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, giving plenty of notice so babysitters could be procured. Of course, not everyone could make it, but where in years past I would have taken that personally, this year I did not. I was able to focus on everyone who was able to show up and we had a lovely evening. It was a great reminder to myself that you can’t expect other people to read your mind and sometimes, you just have to take matters into your own hands. Also, sometimes it’s just not that deep.
This month has also included a prolonged spell of debilitating back pain (another essay for another time), the liminal space between summer and fall where extra curriculars have kicked off but school still awaits in September, not to mention the engagement of my close personal friend Taylor Swift.
August truly has slipped away like a moment in time. Was it ever mine1?
It didn’t slip away before I could take note of some great books, shows, and purchases, though. And because I didn’t do this in July, we’ll go ahead and bundle those picks in here, too.
Reading Roundup
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: One Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes by Jessica Pan
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
As an introvert, I was intrigued by the premise of this book. I found it to be an enjoyable read/listen, but I was expecting less measured and more zany experiences from the author. I imagined a book where she found herself getting into funny situations after saying “yes” more in every day life, but this was more of a methodical quest to overcome her social fears over the course of weeks and months.
Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith
Format: Physical book
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a book I read for months, savoring its wisdom and dragging out its inevitable ending because I didn’t want it to be over. It’s also one I will keep within arm’s reach on my bookshelf for a creative pep talk anytime I find myself in need. If you’re a creative of any kind, but especially a writer, I cannot recommend enough.
Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
Format: Physical book
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was a fun, low stakes, feel good read that was easy to stop and start over the course of several weeks while I was traveling. I do think I liked How to Age Disgracefully more, though.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This is not the type of book I’m normally drawn to, but a friend mentioned it and I was intrigued by the premise—an alien is born into a human family and tasked with reporting back to her superiors her observances about humanity. While there are some beautiful and poignant notes on human nature and I appreciated the writing style for what it was, I am definitely more of a plot-driven reader than character driven, and this book was allllll description, no action.
Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Listen. I LOVE Nate Bargatze. I’ve watched all of his standup specials, gone to see him live, and think his George Washington skit on SNL is one of the best ever. But this book just wasn’t my favorite. If you are not a Nate super fan, I think it would make for a much more laughter inducing experience, but most of the stories or themes in the book are part of his specials, so I didn’t feel like I was learning anything new or hearing different jokes. Parts of the book were laugh out loud funny, but what should have been a 1-2 day listen turned into two weeks because I wasn’t compelled to finish.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Format: Physical book
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I heard about this time multiple times over the course of a few days, I knew I needed to read it. I also knew it was going to be emotional, so I held onto it for awhile until I was in the headspace for that type of book. I accompanied Luke on a quick work trip where I had a day and a half at a hotel all by myself and that was the perfect time to DEVOUR this story. Broken Country is beautifully written and weaves the details perfectly, tying all the threads together in a very satisfying way. I don’t want to give any of the story away, but I will give a trigger warning to say the storyline hinges upon the death of a child. I’m SUPER sensitive when it comes to plots involving sad stuff with kids, but I didn’t find this too hard to read.
Entertainment Honorable Mentions
Building the Band on Netflix
I don’t feel like enough people are talking about this show! Imagine Making the Band meets Love is Blind and you have Building the Band. Also, for all the 1D/Liam Payne fans, he is a guest judge in several episodes and it’s really sweet to see him seemingly happy and engaged with the bands. I need more people to watch so we can discuss the final results—I do not agree with the winner!!
The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime
I’m the last person in the world to jump on TSITP bandwagon2. But after my back left me bedridden for several days, I had no choice but to binge watch the first two seasons and I’m now fully invested. I’m mostly happy to be caught up so I can appreciate all the memes circulating each week and to be part of the zeitgeist of it all. No spoilers but after this week, maybe I’m not so excited to be caught up—the suspense is killing me!
Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty
When I went to Maine in June, my friend Brooke (who will always and forever be my style taste maker) had this heated round brush. Now, do I own a Drybar blow dry brush and a Dyson Air Wrap3? Yes I do. But what makes this brush different is it’s not a blow dry brush, it’s just a heated round brush. Which is revolutionary because part of what makes styling hard is when your hair is blowing around every which way and won’t cooperate with the brush. Both the Drybar and Dyson brushes are also extremely bulky whereas this brush has a low profile, making it perfect for packing. I snagged one to take to Banff and it was the perfect travel companion. It’s also great at home for days I don’t want to commit to curling my hair but just need a little smoothing and a little volume. Also, did I mention it’s only $30?
Ever since my beloved Tory Burch clutch purse from circa 2013 went out of vogue, I’ve wanted a new small black purse to take to dinners, weddings, etc. Not anything super fancy, but sleek and stylish all the same. This woven leather purse from Quince is exactly that! I got this for my birthday and have loved carrying it around. It’s small enough to work for a night out but large enough to fit my phone, small wallet, Camp Snap camera, lip gloss, and several pill containers for my old lady back.
One of the most confusing aspects of being a Millennial woman is the advent of these newfangled cuts of shirts. Back in the day, there were either tunics or t-shirts. That was about it. But now every shirt seemingly has a different cut and it’s hard to keep up, especially in the bra department. Enter Nippies and I now feel the freedom to wear whatever shirt (or dress) I want.
As I mentioned before, we are in the liminal space between summer and fall, which can make it hard to get dressed, especially in the south. This loose cotton button down maxi dress is the perfect transitional piece for this time of year and I foresee myself living in it from here on out.
In Case You Missed It
Luke and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in July and it got me thinking about what I would add to a registry if I was creating one a decade in.
In honor of world breastfeeding week, I reflected on my own breastfeeding journey, a time that will always hold a special place in my heart, despite the challenges.
If you are planning a trip to Banff or if it’s on your travel bucket list, I shared all the ins and outs from our trip including itinerary, what I would do again, and what I would change.
Alright, I think that does it for August. Whatever August held for you, I hope you feel possibility in the air as we get ready to transition to a new season. Cheers to September!
Okay, TBH, I had this line written before the engagement news, so am I planting easter eggs without knowing?
My BFF Mandy would want me to note that she’s the one who got me to watch both of the shows mentioned here, and she would be correct. Also my parents. No I’m not kidding.
Let the record show that I did not pay for either of these. One was a gift from my mom, and one was an incentive gift Luke got from work on my behalf.
I wish I had captured my daughter’s reaction when she walked in my room right after I put on my Nippies…🤣
I’m still waiting on the right timing for Broken Summer! And slowly making my way through Dear Writer too and not wanting to rush it!
I love what you wrote about your birthday dinner- it highlights to me how I so often tell a story to myself that just not true- and love the line of “also, sometimes, it’s just not that deep.”