Ate It Up l 11
June recap, summertime, love and tears.
June was filled with a lot of tears—happy, sad, and everything in between. Feeling deeply brings everything into full throttle. Relentlessly, a good part of June was spent back home in Ohio. It was beautiful, much needed, emotional, and lovely. Home always feels like an interesting recurrence. After moving away, I still find myself curious and unsure about visiting. It's a feeling that’s in my blood. In the meantime, writing has felt sticky. Overthinking has taken a new seat in my mind. Even when I’m away from work, I can feel it lingering. It’s frustrating to deal with and has made me avoidant despite working on several new ideas. Being too tired to write also annoys me. June is my first month without anything school-related—strange. And it’s the first time in almost two years that I’ve been able to sit still actively. Little to nothing needs to be done. Stillness is something I rarely get to experience or handle well. Plus, this country has been draining me more than I can put into words. I’ve been trying to scroll my problems away, but it’s not working. Here is a direct link to Kerr County donations to help with the recent floods in Texas. Heartbreaking. I also found this link with a list of resources. I hope you’re checking in on yourself, friends, and loved ones. June was a long and quick one. Love ya!
Notes From June
Celebrated my family getting married, Congrats to Naomi and RJ, I love you with all my heart! <3 This was my first time being a bridesmaid, and it truly brought me so much joy. The day was sunny and bright with love. Fell in love with the other bridesmaids <3. The day went above and beyond! It is always so special to experience love.
While Fred got his suit altered, I popped next door and sporadically went cowboy boot shopping and loved it. I spent almost 2 hours there and got caught up in so many different styles. Learned about the stretch boots solicit and the different toe names and styles. Love a cowboy boot down frfr.
Spent quality time with my family and friends. <3 Got ice cream, obviously! I truly miss them so much. This was maybe the first trip home, and it didn’t feel like I was dissociating. Not sure what that’s about. But I was so thankful to feel really present with my loved ones.
Celebrated Juneteenth! I attended a few artist talks and lectures, which got me excited to get back into the classroom. I went to talk about surveillance in the U.S. Scared the hell out of me, but also has me alert and conscious of high access to one another. How it affects our perceptions of one another, and how quickly we have adapted to being used to it. FREAKY.
Got back officially on my fitness grind. In the gym 2-3 times a week! Loving it! Working out always helps my mental health tremendously.
Showed up for myself when I needed it. June was a social month, but quite a bit of solitude as well. Found a lot of peace in getting to focus on myself and doing what I wanted to do.
Teeter-tottered!
Started crocheting and having so much fun! Making this Egg Bag pattern, so far it’s been pretty straightforward, but I am glad I had Nat to explain quite a bit because the beginning was confusing.
Hung out with my bestie boo and celebrated her birthday a little early. Got to see so many friends in Ohio. Love them so much. It made me emotional getting to spend quality time and just being in the same room together.
Shows
Overcompensating(Prime)
I heard about this show while listening to one of my favorite podcasts. Let me say this: I was vaguely familiar with Benito Skinner, but I was unfamiliar with his game! This show follows Benny as he discovers his sexuality, goes to college, and makes great friends along the way. It’s like American Pie meets Hacks meets Camp Rock. I think it’s a pretty perfect show—over the top, campy, genuine, tender, and funny. I laughed out loud often and loved all the characters and their development. I hope there’s a season 2, because I’ve already rewatched season 1 and miss it!
Adults(Hulu)
Similar to overcompensating, this show is for millennials! The jokes and humor are over the top and funny. It took me a bit to get into it as I found Samir and Billie annoying, but they grew on me. The show follows a group of twenty-something friends living in Queens as they navigate adulthood and responsibilities. Anton and Issa's characters cracked me up the most. I see myself in both of them. But I really liked this show, and fingers crossed for season 2!
The Rehearsal(MAX)
Everything Nathan Fielder does stresses me out. This season was no different! Following Nathan as he researches pilots and their relationships with each other, highlighting his curiosity about how pilots relate to themselves and their co-pilots. As usual, he becomes obsessively focused on studying this idea. Each episode explores a new angle of solving this pilot problem and suggests a solution. Absolutely bonkers. I couldn’t stop my mouth from dropping open in shock, having nothing to compare to Nathan's behavior and humor. I don't think I will ever get over his dedication to studying Sully… Let me know if you’ve watched.
Love Island US(Peacock)
This season has my head spinning. I’m all caught up for now, but this is definitely the messiest season of the show so far. On and off the screen! It's a lot to handle, and it’s been exhausting trying to keep up. I don't know who’s supposed to be vetting people, but they need to get it together! I also think Love Island should start paying for individual PR or find some way to make the chaos less messy. The season has brought in more viewers, but the poor treatment of some people is obvious. The season is full of haters and characters. ACE, don’t get me started hahaha. Despite all the drama, I’m watching and still kind of absorbing this season. Nicolandria hive rise!!!
Movies
Straw(Netflix)
One of the most over-the-top movies I’ve seen in a while. But I wasn’t mad about it at all. I sobbed on the plane in front of my seatmates. The woman next to me passed me a tissue. Taraji played that role; I loved seeing Teyana Taylor and Sherri Shepherd on screen. The film follows Taraji, a single mom to a sick daughter, trying her best to keep it together and provide, but facing obstacles everywhere. Coming from a single mother, I think about my mama every day—the things I know and may never fully understand about what she did for us. So, this movie was unexpected and made me quite emotional. Of course, there were gaps! One thing I appreciated about this film was the development of each character individually. I also appreciated the display of sisterhood in the spaces Taraji occupied and the safety it created for her, despite the lack of support in her environment. I felt it!
Materialists(In Theatres)
UMMM?! I wouldn't say I feel very strongly about this movie. I watched it with my friend Kels (the most patient person), and with 30 minutes left, she was like, "Wrap it up," if that tells you anything. The film was much different what I expected, especially coming from Past Lives, so my expectations were different. One thing that rarely helps a film is having a “star-studded” cast. For this film, the big draw was the lineup, compared to the storytelling. The movie follows Lucy, a matchmaker, as she meets Harry but stays connected to her ex, John. It explores the idea of getting what you want and being unhappy—things often sound better than they are. In today’s world, that’s always top of mind—6’5”, finance, blue eyes, that kind of thinking. Celine does make me appreciate some subtleties in her storytelling, but something about this film fell flat for me. It was another one of those movies where I couldn’t tell if it was meant to be funny, but I was laughing quite a bit.
Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
Still absolutely not over this book. So far, my favorite read of the year, and I am going to have to reread it before the year ends. I raved about it on Instagram and had to throw my phone across the room because he responded. Which I am also still not over at all.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
This was my first Emily Henry, and I found it super sweet and liked the writing and characters. This book had a special place in my heart, taking place in the Midwest. It was predictable at times, but also so fun to read on the go and on my Kindle.
Currently Reading/Recent Pickups
I'm currently in a bit of a reading slump. I can't quite figure out what I’m in the mood for or what to scratch my itch with. So far, I started *Sula* by Toni Morrison but had to pause while traveling; I'm getting back into it. I also picked up *Monsters* by Claire Deder in London, but I'm not really into it. I randomly tried to read *Butcher* and *Blackbird*—I don’t hate them, but I think the writing isn't really for me. Plus, I’m about 40 percent in and thought the spice would be here already. I’m impatient. I’m not sure what I’ll pick up next, but I’ll keep you updated.
Food/Recipes:
Been getting into CBD drinks. Loving them. The taste isn’t the best for some, but so far my favorite has been this one by CANN, the grapefruit rosemary flavor.
Mochi donuts, I took a nibble of from Dduk Dduk. Churro and Raspberry <3
Soft serve! Ice cream is year year-round treat, but in summer it’s time to fiend. The dairy bar is hit up multiple times anytime we are in Ohio during the summer. TO US!
GF English muffins from Trader Joe’s, officially having one a day.
Lots of Avocados ;)
Music
Don Toliver
Honestly, bumping anything and everything by him right now, I loved his HARDSTONE PSYCHO album so much, no skips! And have been curious about his older albums, so I’ve been bumping them heavy at the gym.
kwn - with all due respect
Some of my friends have been posting clips of kwn, and the vibe stopped me in my tracks. Been missing R&B that sounds like this. Gave this new album a listen and really love it. It is moody, velvety, and sexy. Kwn has a new fan in meeeee!
BigXthaPlug - TAKE CARE
Safe to say I'm the biggest, the largest
Been steppin' on shit since my mama stayed
In them apartments, regardless
That’s my song for real! I’ve been a fan of BigX for a while and really vibing with the latest album. I like his mixes, and his lyrics often make me relate and wonder about him. I feel like he also sets a tone and vibe that I admire. Shoutout to BigX.
I’m trying to set my summer time vibe/outfit, as of now it’s whatever I want and what keeps me cool and not sweating my ass off in this Texas heat.
Wishlists/Pickups
Shopping, I have been trying to keep to a minimum…lol we’ll see
Wishlist:
Louise Carmen notebook
These Ikea frames
These wall shelves , for our bedroom. Or something similar, I have a vision for getting our bedroom cozy and organized.
Always looking for new pants other than denim, loving these from Le Bon Shoppe.
Pickups:
Cowboy boots copped from my local boot barn. On sale and had to get it before going to see Beyonce soon! Loving them and having fun styling them in the summer, and living somewhere where people are rocking boots!
Crochet Hat from Juneteenth celebrations. This was hand crocheted by TeeHookedIt. <3 . She was so sweet, and I loved her color combos and style. Had to cop. Check out her IG she does customs.
Bought a sewing machine! My sweet bestie Nat has a few and fixes them up, and she saved this one for me. I am so excited to finally have one and be able to sew at any and all times of day! EEE!
Not a purchase, but Nat also gave me some of her Block Party pants. Designed and made by her, and I love them and have been wearing them after the pool. Check out her pants pattern! Love you Nat a tat!
That’s it for now! Thank you so much for reading as always!
Lots of love, talk soon.
Ya Little Mama <3
