Issue #73: June 2025 Favorites
Easy reads, a wild documentary, and my new favorite sweatshirt
Summer is off to a great start. I love how many birthday celebrations happen in May and June. As kids, it’s not the best time of year for birthdays because people are all heading out of town to cabins, family vacations, or summer camp. Now we can make up for lost birthday parties.
Seattle has had ideal weather, which helps the mood. We've had some much-needed rain days, but most days have been right around 70 degrees and sunny. The kayaks have been in the water, a new hiking trail has been explored, so much ice cream has been consumed, and my plan for the day is to clean out my closet and dresser. I’m really sticking to my summer plans.
I’ve been focusing on the delicate balance between staying engaged and maintaining some level of sanity. I watch the daily news segment, Five Things, which covers the main stories of the day and always finishes with a story that brings some light in (like a zebra rescue or the sandwich named after the new pope). Then I try to log off for a while and get some work done so my mind isn’t spiraling all day long. It’s a constant struggle, but necessary.
So now for the fun part, let’s dive into some favorites from the last month.
📚 Easy Escape Books
I kicked off my summer reading by flying through a couple of very easy reads. I’m not a huge consumer of romance, but I will always read an Emily Henry book. I haven’t loved them all, but most of them are entertaining and fast. I just finished Book Lovers, and I’m waiting for her new one to be available at the library. I also read my first Abby Jimenez book, Just for the Summer. Being from Minnesota, it was fun to read all the little local shout-outs.
Grab a copy of Just for the Summer (or the Kindle version here) or check out Book Lovers (Kindle version here).
🏔️ Paradise
This Hulu series captured our attention with a cast that includes Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden. The preview shows you that it follows the aftermath of the president being targeted, but the story was so very different from that. If you’ve been looking for a new show that will have you sharing your theories and questioning every character’s motives, give this a try.
👑 No Kings Protest
In mid-June, we gathered in Capitol Hill with 70,000 of our Seattle neighbors and marched to the Seattle Center for the No Kings Protest. The vibes were energetic and supportive. Everyone was sharing sunscreen, water bottle refills, and snacks. Every age group was represented, and the weather was beautiful. It was nice to be standing in a crowd of people who share many of my political and social views. Things have been so hard lately, and the news is honestly getting scarier every day. Being surrounded by so much love and empathy for a few hours made it feel a little less terrifying.
If you missed out or just want to smile about it for a minute, check out this great video recapping the day in cities and towns across the country.
🍊 Orange Wine
It took me a few years to branch out and try orange wine, but I’m a fan. I like the flavor, although the Trader Joe’s option pictured above is definitely on the sweeter side.
📺 The Studio
Apple TV rarely lets me down. The Studio is funny, clever, and the perfect show to turn on at the end of a long day when you just want to laugh. The cast is incredibly talented, and the show follows a Hollywood studio exec and his team. It has that Southern California vibe, where it feels both vintage and current. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I wrote a whole love letter about this phenomenon in California.
🧴 Vacation Sunscreen
I am pale enough to play a vampire in a Twilight spin-off, so I go through a lot of sunscreen every year. I bought this kind at Costco this spring, and it’s a big hit. It smells like vacation (the name is so clever) and has kept me protected in multiple situations so far this summer. I like having something waterproof for kayaking and the days that I want to put my feet in the water. I’m that friend who always has sunscreen and is happy to share, and this one gets lots of comments because of the magical smell.
🫶🏻 Taylor Merch
We might not get new music for a while, but there was a merch drop, and I bought myself the most comfortable sweatshirt, and I’m tempted to go back for the matching pants. I love a good pullover, and this one is incredibly comfortable. Just a bit of merch is bringing me a ridiculous amount of joy.
🛳️ Train Wreck Poop Cruise
This hour-long Netflix special was an excellent choice for a weeknight watch. It covers the cruise that experienced a fire, causing a complete power outage in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Passengers were stuck at sea for multiple days longer than planned on a boat without working toilets. You hear from crew members, passengers, and family members who lived through the experience. I wouldn’t advise watching if you are a cruise lover, but the biggest boat I’ll get on is a river cruise, so I was entertained.
☘️ The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
I love a quirky main character story. Clover is a death doula and documents each client she works with by honoring their final words. Sometimes it’s confessions or advice, but often it’s regrets. The story picks up with a special client and Clover’s attempt to help her find closure and avoid any big regrets. I flew through this book and loved the characters. Don’t let the death doula part keep you from reading this book.
Grab a copy of the book (or the Kindle version here).
I need to replace a few t-shirts, and I haven’t found the right fit yet. I’m tempted to try these, but maybe I should order two or three and see which one I like best.
Looking for a European city to visit that isn’t super crowded? Try one of these underrated gems.
My attempt to stop wasting any bits of produce has led me to smoothie cubes, and it’s working brilliantly. I’ve been throwing any kale and spinach in the blender with coconut water and then putting it in ice cube trays. They work fantastically. Here are a few ideas for DIY smoothie cubes.
Gen Z names everything. I kind of like it, but there are moments where it feels over-the-top.
I bought this to attempt to make lattes at home. In the meantime, I’m loving the strawberry matcha lattes available at all the coffee shops in our neighborhood.
We’ve all heard about the lore of “Karen,” but have you ever wondered if your name says something about you? This article about left or right-leaning names was interesting.
"You don't need a new personality or a European vacation to feel whimsical. You just need five minutes, a dash of delusion, and permission to treat your life like it's worth romanticizing—because it is." - Sabrina Molu - Read her whole piece on romanticizing your life and get inspired.
Let me know your favorite book for escapism or the type of orange wine you love. And wish me luck as I sort through and get rid of a whole pile of clothes.
Cheers!
Steph
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