Let’s call a spade a spade: June has sucked some serious a** this year. Here in Chicago, we had (maybe!) one-and-a-half days of sun throughout the entire month — a month, mind you, that most count typically lump in with “summer,” particularly here, where the warm season is already far too fleeting.
Consequently, it was tough for me to pick “five things I’m digging.” Where I’d normally be lauding Daisy Dukes and summer blockbusters, I’ve been over here cursing every 55-degree day that passes (so, like, all of them) and trying to figure out which sweater to drag from the back of my closet — where it should be — in order to keep warm.
With the last couple of days registering above 70, I’m hopeful we’ve finally, (FINALLY!) turned a corner, so July should be back on track. (Fingers crossed!)
In the meantime, however, here are a few things that managed to spark some joy for me in in this godforsaken month.
1. Glitterlimes Jewelry: These little delights caught my eye while walking through the 2019 Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago last month, where I was on hand to interview Jennie Garth about her upcoming show, BH90210, for Us Weekly. Based in New York City, designer Debbite Tuch creates this quirky-but-cute jewelry out of all kinds of *actual* food items by preserving the fruit (think limes, lemons and strawberries) before reinforcing them with a glittery resin to make wearable works of art. Nothing is off limits — candy and snacks, such as gummy bears, Cheetos and peppermint pieces are also transformed into necklaces, chokers and rings. I myself picked up a pair of kiss candy studs and a lemon bracelet, and I’ve never gotten so many compliments! They’re fun, they’re unique and they’re conversation-starters — everything I look for in a new piece.
2. Halsey, “Nightmare”: It’s no surprise that this is quickly became my new summer anthem — it was specifically designed to become every woman’s summer anthem. Unlike Taylor Swift (whom, as most of you know, I typically love dearly!), who worked her social beliefs into her new song, “You Need to Calm Down,” in the most contrived, commercial way possible, Halsey wrote this banger about her own raw feelings about what it’s like to be a badass chick in 2019. Wise beyond her young 24 years, Halsey touches on everything from her struggles with body image (“I’ve pinched my skin in between my two fingers / And wished I could cut some parts off with some scissors”) and her shitty ex-boyfriends to being told to “smile” by men on the street (barf), and honestly? It’s pretty great. I particularly like the lines, “‘Come on, little lady, give us a smile,’ / No, I ain’t got nothin’ to smile about / I got no one to smile for, I waited a while for / A moment to say I don’t owe you a goddamn thing.” *Slow clap.*
3. Viseart Petite Pro Palettes: I’m always on the lookout for the perfect eyeshadow palette (I’m partial to creamy-yet-luxe formulas with high-pigmentation). Thanks to my college friend Maria Chung, who has a serious obsession with makeup (for real, check out her Instagram —it’s basically swatch Heaven), I just may have found one in “it” brand of the moment, Viseart. While it’s definitely on the pricier side (a full-size palette will run you around $80), these little mini guys, dubbed Petite Pro, offer up a mix of eight matte and shimmery shades that check all of my shadow boxes. The mattes aren’t quite as impressive as the shimmers — they go on a bit chalkier than I would prefer — but they’re still plenty wearable, and the shimmery hues alone make them a worth-while purchase. I ordered the pictured Apricotine and will likely be going back for the other colors at some point.
4. Lauren Moshi Everything: If I could afford to have a closet made up solely of wares by L.A.-based designer Lauren Moshi, I absolutely would. Her edgy, hand-painted pieces are right up my alley — there’s even a section dedicated to all my favorite bands (yes, I WILL take that studded AC/DC sweatshirt — swoon)! Every piece is a work of art — literally — making it well worth the upscale price tags. If anyone reading this wants to donate to my lust for this brand so I can look perpetually awesome, I’m a size XS, thanks.
5. Waze Sesame Street Voices: I’m not sure I would’ve made it through this month without my directional app of choice’s decision to temporarily introduce Sesame Street characters as its voice. Do you have any idea how fun it is to hear Cookie Monster telling you to “turn left, nom nom nom?” while driving? I’ll give you a hint: VERY. And we’ve only scratched the surface! I’ve still got Oscar AND Elmo to test! The day they change these out will be a very, very sad day for me, indeed, friends.
