Unpacking: August
A month of staycations, surprises, and small lessons.
August felt like one of those months that refused to stick to any script. It had a few curveballs and plenty of lessons in between. From anniversary staycations to family visits and even a couple of unexpected detours, it was the kind of month that reminded me how quickly plans can shift, and how much better it feels when you just roll with it.
Going into August, I had a rough idea of what the month would look like, but not much more. I already knew it would feel a little busy because it’s our anniversary month and we’d planned a few days at Atlantis Royal. That was the one thing that was set in stone…our staycation. Beyond that, I had no expectations. I’ve stopped trying to over-plan because every month seems to throw something at me, usually in the form of surprise visitors. It’s like clockwork at this point. I half joked to myself at the start of August that I’d probably end up with family showing up last minute again, and…surprise, I was right (but I was glad to see my cousin, niece and nephew). The one thing I did expect was that I’d have to be flexible, because nothing ever quite goes the way I map it out in my head.
Sure enough, my cousin and her kids ended up visiting last minute. I swear I talk about family visiting in every one of these newsletters, but it really does happen that often. Still, it was lovely to spend time with them since I only get to see them once a year. The downside was that we ate far too much. By the end of their trip, I was honestly over food, but I did my best to keep it clean where I could. Another thing that weighed on me this month was my hair fall. It’s been happening more than usual, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get me down.
Even though food was a constant feature while family were here, I’m glad I stuck to my clean eating as much as possible. It was a good reminder that even when you’re not in control of where you’re eating, you can still make small choices that feel better for your body. My go-to was a bunless burger with sweet potato fries. I also finally got my iron and ferritin levels checked to see if that could explain the hair fall. Strangely, my ferritin levels came back high but my iron was low, which didn’t make much sense. I’m waiting on my follow-up with the doctor to figure out next steps, but unless I go back on iron IVs, I’m not sure what my options will be since I’m already on supplements. On the brighter side, hubby surprised me with a Sunday roast lunch date at Three Cuts on the Palm. These are the little things I love about our relationship - we genuinely enjoy each other’s company and never feel like we need to fill the space with other people.
This month made me realize something: I don’t have room for new friends. Not because I don’t like meeting people, but because I can’t commit to constant meetups. I have a life I love and it doesn’t revolve around endless dinners and lunches. The thing is, boundaries can get blurry without you noticing. You say yes here, yes there, and before you know it, you have no ‘me’ time…or in our case, ‘us’ time left.
My husband and I often talk about this. We’re happy in our marriage, and we actually enjoy spending more time together than the average couple probably does. We work together, we have meetings together, we eat together, and we spend our weekends together. He’s my best friend. I know that’s not everyone’s normal - prior to meeting my now husband, I’ve been in a marriage where the thought of spending that much time together would have made me miserable, so I get it. But for us now, it works. That’s why I don’t feel the need to force friendships that demand more than I can give. It’s ok to say no.
The other thing that pushed me over the edge this month was unsolicited advice. I shared a ‘what I eat in a day’ and my supplements on Instagram because people have been asking about my fitness journey. I even added a note that I’m not a doctor and always recommend seeing your own. But of course, the DMs came flooding in…people telling me what I should or shouldn’t be taking. Were these people doctors? Absolutely not. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here with my actual bloodwork and advice from my actual doctor. I’ll never understand the confidence it takes to disregard that and try to play expert in someone else’s health. Makeup and skincare is my lane….so I stay in that lane. Rant over.
I fell back into my art supply obsession this month. I’m still working on my original piece, but in between I felt inspired to start something new, and ended up finishing it in an hour. I also invested in the DJI Osmo 7p, which, if you’re a creator, is a total game changer. It gives you super smooth footage and is surprisingly easy to use once you get the hang of it. On the fashion side, I picked up the Source Unknown Tova top. It’s knit but so lightweight and cool, perfect for Dubai heat. I also got another beautiful top from SU which is perfect for the summer - ruffle poet blouse. Oh, and the Freja chocolate brown mercer bag is a must!
Right now my cart is looking pretty uninspiring on the fashion side. I’m at that stage where I’m a little fed up with clothes shopping…I scroll, I add things, I take them out again, and nothing feels exciting enough to check out. Maybe it’s a sign I need to step back and actually wear what’s already hanging in my wardrobe instead of searching for something new. What I am certain about, though, is my need for the DJI mic set to go with my Osmo 7p. If you create content, you know audio is everything. Bad sound can ruin a video, no matter how good the footage looks. The Osmo has already been a game changer for me, and pairing it with a solid mic setup feels like the logical next step. It’s not the most glamorous thing to have in my cart, but it’s probably the most useful.
Here’s my confession for August: my husband and I acted like a couple of spoilt kids. We just got back from our anniversary staycation at Atlantis Royal, and instead of easing back into work and normal life, we immediately booked another one night stay at a different hotel on the Palm that same week. I honestly don’t even know why. Maybe it was denial. Maybe we just weren’t ready to return to routine. Or maybe, deep down, we just love indulging ourselves sometimes and don’t feel guilty about it. There’s something about being away, even just for one night, that resets me. I know it’s a privilege, and I don’t take it for granted, but I also think there’s nothing wrong with spoiling yourself now and again if it keeps you sane. So yes, we acted impulsively….but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every minute of it.
This one’s easy. Louis Vuitton finally launched into beauty, and they nailed it. I was lucky enough to try the range before launch, and it blew me away. The monogram cutwork packaging is beautiful, and the fact it’s refillable is a thoughtful touch. The eyeshadows, created by Pat McGrath, are buttery smooth, high in pigment, and blend like a dream. Yes, it’s expensive…more than other fashion houses who’ve moved into beauty, but the quality is some of the best I’ve used in a while. I’ve also been loving the Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow Palettes. The shades are universally flattering, the texture is velvety, and blending is effortless. Oh, and NARS sent over thier foundations…nothing new, just the ones that have been around for ages - but they sent it with a personalized Jenga set and it has the be one of the best PR gifts that you can actually use!
We randomly stumbled across Platonic on Apple TV and it’s been such a good find. The fact that both characters are in their 40s probably explains why I relate to it so much. It’s lighthearted, funny, and easy to watch. On the complete opposite end, I started Chief of War and wow — I was hooked from the very beginning. I love shows that are rooted in history, and this one has been gripping. If you have any recommendations for similar series, let me know in the comments because I’m definitely in that mood right now.
That’s a wrap on August. Another month of surprises, family visits, hair dramas, and a few too many meals out — but also little reminders that I’m more resilient than I give myself credit for. I’ve learned that boundaries matter, that clean eating is possible even when life is chaotic, and that sometimes spoiling yourself with back-to-back staycations is exactly what you need. Here’s to taking the lessons forward and leaving the rest behind.
Until next month…
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I come across so many people who tell me they avoid powder because of how much older and drier it makes their skin look. I think so many people are convinced its the thing making their makeup look dry, tired, and basically….older. But here’s the truth: it’s not the powder itself, it’s which one you’re using
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