Issue #21: Hello, August
This week's picks and what’s on my reading list
Can you believe it’s August? This year has felt stretched thin and gone by too fast all at once. We still have over a month before fall officially begins, but after two beautiful days with open windows and chilly mornings, I can’t wait for it.
For now, I’m making the most of what’s left of summer. This past weekend, I needed a bit of a creative reset, so I spent time painting and made two batches of soap because we were due for a restock.
If you’ve been running on autopilot lately, taking time for a small, hands-on project can spark new ideas and leave you feeling a bit renewed as you head into the week.
THIS WEEK’S PICKS
TRY: I recently heard about setting aside a “life admin hour”, a dedicated block of time for all those miscellaneous tasks that pile up on your to-do list. Think things like scheduling upcoming appointments, paying bills, sorting through receipts, updating your calendar, or doing a quick digital cleanup (unsubscribing from emails, organizing files, clearing your desktop).
I realized my Sunday mornings have unintentionally become this exact thing, and it helps start the week on top of my usual prep. Whether you do it weekly or monthly, setting aside that hour can keep the little tasks from turning into mental clutter.
WATCH: The Hunting Wives is twisty and absolutely perfect for a summer binge. Time Magazine called it a “bonkers, bisexual, culture-war soap,” and, honestly? I agree. The characters are terrible people… but in the most entertaining way. It’s not exactly Emmy-level television, but it fully leans into its own ridiculousness.
READING: I’m about 70% through Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab and really enjoying it. I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I think it comes down to expectations. It’s not a high-stakes vampire fantasy; it’s more of a slow-burn, character-driven story with themes of longing, hunger, feminine rage, and grief. The writing is gorgeous and carries this moody, in-between-seasons atmosphere that feels just right for the end of summer.
LISTEN: Rare Beauty just dropped their first-ever perfume, and I love how intentional the brand was about inclusivity, from the design to the bottle cap. Gloss Angeles sat down with Chief Product Officer Joyce Kim for an exclusive conversation about the inspiration and the team’s vision. It’s a fun listen for beauty lovers and a behind the scenes on the brand.
EAT: Our herb garden is thriving, which means bruschetta has been on repeat this week. It’s been perfect over grilled chicken, alongside roasted garlic-parmesan potatoes, or on toasted bread. If you’ve got ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs, it’s such an easy way to add a little brightness to every meal.
When I made chicken spinach salad a few weeks back, I tried this marinade, and we loved it so much I’ve been recommending it to everyone. Now I’m passing it along to you, because good things should be shared.
Chicken Marinade Recipe
1/8 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp Worcestershire
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp Kinder’s Woodfired Garlic Seasoning, it’s optional but adds a nice smoky flavor
WHAT TO READ NEXT
As tempted as I am to dive into fall planning, I’m determined to squeeze the most out of my end-of-summer reading. I’ve been meaning to get to a few books on my shelf that have been waiting for their turn.
Right now, I’m listening to The Compound by Aisling Rawle. I’m less than 10% in, but the narration is great, and the setup has me intrigued.
Some of my anticipated August reads:
Inexpensive self-care ideas for your routine.
On burnout and how to find balance with your job. (New York Times, gifted link)
A practical guide for August produce.
14 coming-of-age books that will have you feeling nostalgic for the past.
Ben and I just scheduled a life admin meeting because we had some big things to tackle and we needed to set aside some intentional time to get them done!
Absolutely saving that marinade it sounds so good!! And that photo from your vacation is gorgeous!