It’s summer! I’m loving it. Usually I complain about the heat and grime but not this year. I’m really feeling it.

June was a great month. I started a class at Columbia. I’ve been taking myself to museums and galleries. It was Pride. Life has been rather stress-free and my skin is looking great. I can’t complain about anything.

So, here’s my favorites from June:

Wearing (fragrance) – I wore the heck out of Serge Lutens Vierge la Fer, which smells like pears and funeral lilies. I don’t want to be one of those people that reports on how many compliments a perfume gives you, but geez, this one got a lot of compliments….and free coffee and some requests for dates. How did I know it was the perfume? The icebreaker went like “You smell amazing”. Vierge La Fer is a boring perfume, but it does wear so nicely. A guy friend of mine always gets asked what he’s wearing by strangers when he wears it (he talked me into buying it).

As far as bath/body stuff, I’ve been so into a limited edition Kneipp Body Wash in Endless Summer. It smells like a mojito and the gel is this ridiculous Slimer green.

Summary – Thank you, Serge Lutens.

Wearing (cosmetics) – I’ve really been into neutrals. I’ve been into very boring looks but my skin was looking so good, that I had to embrace an updated 70’s earthy look.

• Eyes – I haven’t really given a hoot about eye makeup. I wore it but didn’t bother with too much. I was into Rituel de Fille Ash & Ember Eye Soot in Sigil, a champagne glow. I bought SauceBox Étude palette on sale. It’s amazing: long-lasting, matte and so pigmented.
• Lips – On Instagram Stories, I try to post my “combo du jour” which is my perfume and lipstick for the day. I’m always all over the place because I love lipstick so much. I did wear neutrals more than I anticipated. I got into Armani Rouge Ecstasy in 100 Androgino, a light neutral. I wore Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick in Island Blossom a few days in a row (big deal for me). It’s an oddly natural light coral.
• Face – It was hot so I didn’t bother. I wore a foundation powder I bought in Mexico. On my cheeks, I’d wear a Physicians Formula Solar Powder Bronzer with SPF 20. It would last for like 2 hours, max. I bought Edward Bess Precious Pearl Primer. That stuff feels so luxurious (which it should because it’s expensive). But, gosh, it’s so pretty, like the most luxurious MAC Strobe Cream ever.

Summary – Don’t take weaving classes or this will happen to you too.

Wearing (clothes) – I bought the ugliest pair of Dr. Marten’s sandals ever (Oriana). But, they are sooo comfortable. I love them because they don’t expose me directly to the gross streets and they cover my toes. (Also more info on the exhibit pictured above which had me craving a closet full of white for the first time in my life).

Summary – Cities are gross and I’m certain that 99% of surfaces 5′ and under are saturated in piss.

Using (skincare) – With the change of weather, I switched up my skincare to lighter layers, more antioxidants and higher SPF. My favorites weren’t exciting but were useful. Oh, I did start using a konjac sponge and love it.

Summary – Thank you, Skin Goddesses. I know you are fickle and you will bring down wrath on me, but right now, I’m very happy for your blessings.

Eating/Drinking – Produce has been exceptionally good. Rain in California? I don’t know, but it’s been great. I’ve been living off of tomatoes, cherries, watermelon and eggplant.

Summary – I’ve actually been eating healthy, what?!

Listening – It was all about ATL. 2 Chainz “Pretty Girls Like Trap Music” and Big Boi “Boomiverse” both dropped. They both exceeded my expectations…and my expectations were high.

Summary – Even though you let us down in June, I’m still proud of you ATL.

Watching – We binged watched Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 3. I watched a few old French films like “Ascenseur pour l’échafaud“, which is so cliché at times that it becomes a comedy. Despite this, it’s a great film if you exclude the dialogue. The shots of Jeanne Moreau are memorizing and the Miles Davis soundtrack is great. I also watched “Herb and Dorothy“, about a hard working Manhattan-based husband and wife duo of  art collectors. And then, of course, we wrapped up RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9.

Summary – I miss watching movies without feeling any guilt. This is great.

Reading – Now, here’s where I’m disappointing. I haven’t really read much unless it pertains to a class or research. I didn’t really do any “entertainment” reading in June.

Summary – Oh, well.

Wanting – Endless summer.

Summary – It’s more than just the weather. It’s this feeling of being caught up, having time to eat right and exercise and indulge in “enrichment activities”. It’s great.

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

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*All pictures are mine excluding: Vegetables, Library, Hibiscus (freeimages.com), Jeanne Moreau (frenchculture.org). Amazon and Nordstrom contain affiliate links. Thanks!