We’re back with this month’s edition of Five Things! We’re sorry we missed our June & July updates, but with our covid-friendly birthday celebrations & increased work + school stresses, we took some time to focus our attention on the tasks at hand. Regardless, we’re back & happy to have you all here!

Take a look below to see what we’ve been loving the past couple of months & what we’re looking forward to – and please do share your own monthly musings with us!

Credits (clockwise from top): Public 311 Design; TomGirl Travels; Showpo; Brighten-Made; Veuve Clicquot; Real Food - Whole Life

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING…

Has anyone else been watching the I’ll Be Gone in the Dark docu-series about the Golden State Killer based on Michelle McNamara’s book by the same name? The HBO docu-series is only six episodes & the finale just aired the other weekend. The content about the Golden State Killer is good & the victim interviews are chilling. We recommend watching it if you’re into true crime – and buying window locks…

While we had heard Jeffrey Epstein’s name in the news the past few years, we never looked that far into what he had done to be arrested & put on trial. That being said, we were incredibly impressed with Netflix’s docu-series, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, and at the same time horrified by the huge web he built & the fact that stuff like that likely happens more than we even know. In the same vein, we highly recommend watching Blake Lively’s speech for the Child Rescue Coalition (& taking action) if you haven’t yet.

We’ve loved Andy Samberg’s comedy ever since we first saw him on Saturday Night Live & we’re so happy that he keeps making us laugh year after year with the movies he’s involved in. Palm Springs on Hulu is a play on a Groundhog’s Day-esque time loop, but with great comedic timing from both Andy Samberg & Cristin Milioti. Although we’re still partial to Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, even though critics don’t agree with us.

We also started re-watching Lost & Breaking Bad because why not? If there are any shows that have been keeping you company during these crazy times, please let us know in the comments!

WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO…

We finally took the leap & became Spotify members! No more ads! Please share all of your favorite playlists with us – we’re still very much obsessed with all of Ashley Kane’s choices.

Like everyone else on the internet, we’ve also been listening to quite a bit of Taylor Swift’s new album, Folklore. Our favorite song right now is Exile with Bon Iver.

WHAT WE’RE READING…

We have been reading so much this summer – whether by carving out time before bed to wind down & read or enjoying the weather outside with a book in hand.

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher was recommended to us by one of our best friends & it did not disappoint. It was full of twists & turns – the perfect summer read. We went into the book reading only the main summary & suggest you do the same.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover definitely isn’t a beach read, but we can’t stop thinking about it! The author shares her experience growing up in a survivalist household with no public/private education and her journey to becoming educated - even earning a PhD from Cambridge University and attending Harvard despite her family’s objection. It’s a good one!

Our book club is reading The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett this month & we’re big fans. We knew we’d like the book because it’s about twins & we’re twins, but this book is written so well & it’s hard to put down. The story is about Black twin sisters who grew up in a small Southern community but end up leading very different lives. One sister moves back to the hometown they tried so hard to leave & the other sister lives in California passing as Caucasian. Will their paths cross again? We’ll let you find out yourself!

WHAT WE’RE EATING & DRINKING…

We got together a few weekends ago to make this Creamy Skillet Mac & Cheese recipe we’ve been eyeing from Spoon Fork Bacon & it was so good!! We used our mini cast iron skillets & watching the cheese bubble around the edges made it that much more delicious. We also tried Fruffalo wings for the first time & put them on top (Nashville hot chicken + mac and cheese style) – highly recommend!

We’ve also been having THE BEST sandwiches for lunch & they’re so easy to make. We’ll be sharing the recipe soon - it definitely will make you feel like you’re getting a restaurant-quality sandwich while staying home.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN BUYING…

We’ve been trying to make a conscious effort to convert to clean beauty products when our non-clean favorites run out. Our first switch was to the Herbal Essences bio:renew Aloe & Hemp sulfate-free shampoo & conditioner. We knew we wanted sulfate- and paraben-free haircare & we were so happy to find an affordable option that is also EWG Verified – and for only $5.99! Moving onto foundation, we were super nervous about switching since we’ve been long-time users of NARS Radiant Longwear foundation, but we’re so glad we did! We now use KOSAS Tinted Face Oil Foundation for everyday makeup at home since it’s not very much coverage & Lawless Woke Up Like This Flawless Finish foundation when we want better coverage. We think Sephora is having a clear-out sale for Lawless because the shades that are left are only $23, but if you need another shade, check out their direct website. The Lawless foundation is definitely most similar to NARS & we highly recommend it!

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO…

We should have been looking forward to trips to Costa Rica (Kelcy) & Cabo (Brooke) last month, but due to Covid-19, those travel plans have been postponed. Instead, we’re making the most of our California summer by spending long lengths of time outside, going to the beach (social distance style) & planning fun at-home activities like making a new recipe or having a movie marathon day complete with themed food & drinks.

Brooke also got engaged on August 1st!! So exciting! We’re really looking forward to all of the fun activities & wedding planning that goes along with that. Would you like to see wedding content on the blog? Let us know in the comments!

We’d love to know what you’ve enjoyed watching, listening to, eating, drinking & what you’ve been eyeing and are looking forward to. Let us know in the comments section or send us a DM on Instagram!

Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest to see what inspires us daily! Also, be sure to check out our e-design packages if you’re looking to build out your work from home office or spruce up your living room, bedroom or any room!