I can’t believe August is over. In fact, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it’s already mid-September! August was such a whirlwind month that I can’t even remember what happened.

It was a hot month. I felt like this summer has drawn on and on. Many days were in the 90’s and the humidity was brutal. This made even the smallest things feel like huge chores. I hate to complain about it because I’m not a fan of winter, but geez, can it be fall already?

In August, we celebrated 12 years of filing taxes jointly and all that holy matrimony stuff by going out to eat and complaining about how hot it was.

It was a busy month but not necessarily an eventful month. I spent the month working and prepping for grad school.

Here were some of my August Favorites:

Wearing (fragrance) – In general, I’ve had some fragrance malaise. I wore whatever was on my dresser or whatever samples were the closest to me. Really the only thing I actually felt like wearing was Chanel Cristalle and that Yves Rocher Neroli. 

My favorite bath/body combo has been Malie Organics Koke’e Shower Gel and Yves Rocher Body Lotion in Lily of the Valley. This is the perfect fresh, crisp and clean base for stuff like Chanel Cristalle.

Summary – Maybe I’ll feel more inspired when there’s a season change?

Wearing (cosmetics) – I was uninspired so I went shopping within my own stash. The looks were all over the place with a few reoccurring themes. One of those themes was minimal eye makeup. I can’t be bothered with eyeliner and such. I was feeling lipstick but not one color in general. I guess I wore oranges/coral more than usual as a way to just embrace the heat’s oppression. I was reminded that one of my favorites oranges is MAC Morange. It’s delightful obnoxious and makes me feel like a nonna living in West Palm Beach. I also remembered how much I love Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow. That stuff stays put and can put up with crazy amounts of sweat flooding my brow. Trust me, it lasts.

Summary – I wore whatever Victoria’s had on sale. And there was a lot of random stuff on sale. If you follow my Instagram Stories, you can see for yourself!

Wearing (clothes) – Ugh, I’m so sick of summer and its stupid clothes. Most days I wore a draped Uniqlo t-shirt, these black Levi’s 501 cut-offs and white leather Converse. This means that most days I was a bum.

I also realize that I have a new type. And that type is Dolce & Gabbana-ish black and red rose floral prints. I bought those Adidas Flux on sale for $25 at an outlet and I ordered that retro-inspired bikini (which is awesome BTW). I should wear them together in a desperate attempt to be noticed during NYFW. Not.

Summary – I sat in the a/c and planned my fall fashions.

Using (skincare) – Now this is the section that’s going to inflate the word count of this post. August was such a great “skin month”. It started with a JK7 facial at Osswald. This is a luxury all-natural skin cared brand and not a semi-automatic assault rifle. There are items in this line that cost more than my rent. It’s like the epitome of rich hippie skincare. Everything smells like it could only be used by the queens of Ancient Egypt. I left Osswald feeling and looking like a million bucks. I was quickly brought down to my peasant status as soon as I descended into a subway tunnel with steps covered in puke. But, that’s big city living, eh? At least my skin was radiant for a week.

Moving on, I bought a lot of Garden of Wisdom skincare since I liked the stuff that was in Boxwalla. You guys, this stuff has changed my skin for the best. My friends are so sick of hearing about it and I admit that I’m embarrassed that I keep bringing it up. The website is confusing to use and the packaging is so simple/crafty so you know that it must be good stuff if I’m still talking about despite these “cosmetic” flaws. Like I said, I’m embarrassed to even send you to that site, but I love the products that I’ve bought so much that I’ve already made another order.

Summary – My skin was so glowy and happy in August. And I’m grateful for this because your complexion can be your worst enemy and we all know that it can turn its back on you at any given moment.

Eating/Drinking – This is so boring to talk about but I’m trying to get my diet in check and eat healthier (while at home). I still eat out about twice a week. For the most part it’s delicious pizza or Cuban sandwiches in my ‘hood but I did go to some “fine dining” places (like Prune, Danji and Bobo).

Summary – I’m trying to cut back on sugar and carbs and I’m sorry for everyone’s feelings I’ve hurt in the process.

Listening – My dedication to Southern rap always surprises people that haven’t known me for a long time. I guess think my tastes lean gothier or more feminist or something. But, the deal is that I was a very young adult when trap crossed over to the mainstream. (Fun fact, I even did makeup for some videos). And even now when I’m sure I’m too old, I still listen to what is coming out of the South. It’s always been weirder than it has been given credit for. Anyway, I was all about Yung Thug “JEFFREY“.

Summary – A little off topic but Gangsta Boo has a nail polish with Floss Gloss and everyone should buy it. Because you need to support female rappers forever and always.

 

Watching – I really had no time for this luxury but I squeezed in a few things. When I was living my temp bachelor lifestyle, I rewatched “Gilda” and admired Rita Hayworth’s perfect, electrolysis hairline. I made David watch “Friday” after finding out he’s never seen it before. I’ve always thought of it like “On the Road” for my generation for its themes and oddly, La Nouvelle Vague pacing.

Oh, and I made David watch this film that I randomly remembered. Years ago on a flight, I watched a movie that made me cry in front of strangers. Here’s the deal and this is not a brag, I rarely cry during movies. Now reading the news, I cry. Reading poetry, I cry. Reading “Humans of New York”, I cry. But, with movies there’s like three other movies in my entire life that have made me cry. This random Spanish comedy made me cry so many tears while sandwiched between strangers. Later David (who was on the plane but we weren’t seated together) asked me why I had been crying. I lied and said he was insensitive to me because that made more sense than crying at an in-flight movie. (This is why you should never marry me. I’m awful). Anyway, I fessed up years later and made him watch, “Instructions Not Included/No se aceptan devoluciones“. He cried.

Summary – I have issues but you already know that.

 

 

Reading – I wish I could tell you that I read something entertaining and fun. I didn’t. I spent the month cramming and trying to get my brain ready for “grad school mode”. I could list the books that I did read but trust me, you won’t care (I mean unless you are a cartographer or a cyborg).

Summary – I say it was boring but I really do enjoy learning. I’m very happy to be dedicating so much time to it.

 

 

Wanting – To go on vacation. And I am. My brain has been in vacation mode for the past week. I’m ready for a change of scenery and tacos and to have a spouse that isn’t on-call. I’m meeting up with my bestie/cousin and her wife. I can’t wait to catch up with them over Mexican beers by the pool.

Summary – I’ve never planned a trip so far in advance. It’s been nice to have something to look forward to but I’m also finding I “check out” earlier than I should. Now I remember why I have so many last minute plans.

What were your favorites from August? Did you do anything inspiring? Go anywhere inspiring? Eat anything inspiring?

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*Nordstrom, Amazon, Uniqlo  and Yves Rocher are affiliate links. Thanks! All pics are mind except for Young Thug (rollingout.com), proportional symbol map from (www.e-education.psu.edu), Merida house (remixto.com).