July 2025 favorites
July July July I loved you so much! Can’t believe it’s August already. This summer feels like a bomb pop melting in my hands. But, let’s get to it.
What are you reading?
Okay now I can talk about The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. This book was really really good. I tore through it. If you’re into historical fiction, this is a great pick. The characters pull you in quickly, and I cried at the end. I don’t know if I’ve cried over a book since The Hunger Games (Mockingjay) obviously.
I finished up My Brilliant Friend and am about halfway through Wuthering Heights. That one has been a little hard for me to get through, but I’m pushing.
I’m on 14 of hopefully 25 books for this year. I’m gonna make it.
Me after finishing 25 books
What are you watching?
The Summer I Turned Pretty is back and the house is watching it with cringing faces. It’s so bad it’s good. But, I do want to kind of read the books now.
Been telling everyone and their mother to watch this Tour De France doc on Netflix called Unchained. It’s been covering the Tour for the past 3 years, but got cancelled (worst news ever). I had no idea how the race worked before watching this and wow. It’s so well done. I want a polka dot jersey.
I think finishing the show might lead me down a Lance Armstrong rabbit hole.
Frances and I matching in a bomb pop sort of way
Where’d you get that?
Still wearing that blue skirt (it’s in like half these pictures).
Went to J.Crew and got a super cute blouse that makes me feel like a princess. Also in that picture are the Free People pants that I always get compliments on.
This outfit (also pictured below) was one of my favorites of the month. Cute cardigan and skirt, made me feel a little Molly Ringwald esque.
What are you listening to?
Summer is all about the festivals, so we’ve been bopping around street to street. Last month was Wicker Park Fest and West Fest. I caught Letters To Cleo one night and it achieved all of my 10 Things I Hate About You dreams.
At West Fest, we danced to Les Savy Fav and hung out at Cleo’s. These nights are so fun. I love a closed street.
In terms of streaming…
“Look The Part” by Belair Lip Bombs. I’ve been obsessed. It’s so simple, catchy, and gritty.
Throwing it back to to 2016/2017 and listening to Rostam (former member of Vampire Weekend). “Bike Dream” is kind of a perfect song. And, he’s just an insane, prolific producer. He was behind a lot of Haim’s albums, Dora Jar, Vampire Weekend, Solange, Frank Ocean, Clario, etc, etc. If you haven’t heard of him you’ve heard his work.
My Kathleen Hanna obsession never dies, and I’ve been bumping The Julie Ruin record Run Fast. “Run Fast” is obviously a great song and “Just My Kind.” It’s a very B-52’s esque sound with her gravely punk voice, just the perfect cherry on top.
Indigo De Souza released her album Precipice and as usual, she did a great job. This record feels more polished and clear, while still holding her own on tracks like “Crush” and “Heartthrob.”
Sici’s checkerboard masterpiece
What are yall doing?
Big month for activities. But, it started on the weekend of the fourth. I went to Thomas’s in Michigan (bf reveal on the blog). I had such a beautiful time on the water, lighting fireworks, playing connections in the sand, and went paddle boarding for the first time. Pictured is Thomas’s beautiful portrait of me.
Cece had a birthday trolley, which was so fun. Trolleys foreverrrrr.
Savannah had a birthday dinner in her backyard, and Sici made this beautiful checkered watermelon salad. Came home from work to her locked in at the kitchen island.
Photoshoots at work. Epic. Carley and I look like sisters.
Had an Oak Park day with Thomas and we took a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house. It was so incredible. If you love a guided tour, this one is so worth it. I was obsessed with his bed. Fun fact his son invented Lincoln Logs.
July I loved youuuu. I will miss the lake and sleepy hot days.
Also before I go…Glitzy is releasing their next zine in August so stay tuned for that :).
