Happy Monday, sweet friends!
As part of my journal entries, I’m going to release a monthly mood board of things I am loving. I will be sharing books, tv shows & movies, usable items and more! The usable items will come with a link to the store where you can go to purchase. You can rest assured that I am sharing these items out of my own pure enjoyment, as they are not coming from an influencer/sponsorship position. I’ll also give a little description of why I am loving these things so that you might get to know a little more about me through my love for the things I surround myself with.
Monday Moodboard – August Edition
- May You Love and Be Loved by Cleo Wade
I remember finding Cleo Wade’s work around 202o when everything in our world started feeling uprooted and filled with uncertainty and loss. Her writing brings hope and light to the reader as she uses her poetry to expand the reach of love to all communities.
Last week, I found myself in the children’s book section at Target looking for a baby shower gift. I was immediately drawn to Cleo’s book – the title caught my attention. For some time now, my prayers have ended with “may I be loved and learn to love more deeply”, which feels so closely aligned with Cleo Wade’s title – “May You Love and Be Loved”.
There in the children’s aisle, I sat on the ground and read Cleo’s book. It felt like something I could read everyday to remind myself of the beauty of love and all the areas that it reaches in our lives. I also had visions of reading this book to a little one in the future of my family, just to remind them of how loved and cherished they are for simply existing.
While I ended up gifting Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the baby shower, I brought May You Love and Be Loved home for myself. Once I got home, I walked through the front door, sat down in a comfy chair, and read the book to my partner and our dog, Juno.
Oh, how deeply loved we are. (May those words sink deep into your breath today.) - Glassy Blush Balm Stick from Haus Labs
My makeup tip for feeling soft and strong? A bold cheek and soft lip liner (and maybe the occasional sparkle eyeshadow at the corner of the eyes, but nothing else). This summer, I have been LOVING the Glassy Blush Balm Stick from Lady Gag’s Haus Labs. It’s really easy to apply and stays on my cheeks for the duration of the day, but also layers well for a more pigmented look in the evening. The color choices are so beautiful and they have shades for all skin tones. I have the blush in Glassy Hibiscus and Glassy Cayenne and can’t wait to try the other shades!
Is anyone else’s favorite song of all time “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga, or is it just me? - Marceline the Vampire from Adventure Time
I’ve been watching through the Adventure Time series for the first time and I’m in loveeee with Marceline the Vampire. For anyone that’s watched the show, I just finished the “Stakes” 8-part miniseries that features Marceline fighting off the group of evil vampires with her best friends.
If you haven’t watched the show yet, I HIGHLY recommend.
Also – I’m hoping for more Flame Princess content, I love her and want to know everything about her. - Maileg
As a lover of all things cute and soft, Maileg is my all-time favorite company for stuffed animals and little toys. Maileg is a Danish brand with minimal details and materials and lots of love. I’ve been collecting their products for a few years now and have them in little corners all around my house. - Foldable Fans
The summers are really hard to get through in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s going to be an average of 110 degrees until late October and it can feel so exhausting to go outside of the house in the heat of the summer. I’ve been keeping a foldable fan in my purse for the past few months and have found that it’s a good way to mentally keep myself cool as my body heats up. Plus, I love the feminine touch of a foldable fan out in public. - The Incense of the West – Mesquite Cones
As a highly sensitive person (HSP), it greatly calms my nervous system when I’m in a place that smells good. My partner and I have been burning the mesquite cones from Incense of the West and they light easily and make our home smell soooo amazing. - Hoka Mafate Three2
I received the Hoka Mafate Three2 shoes for my birthday last month and I absolutely love them. They feel like a perfect blend of Hoka’s comfort and Salomon’s iconic style. I’m looking forward to trail running with them once it gets cooler in the desert! - Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman
I’ve been getting out of a 2-year long reading slump and was brought back to reading full-force with Sonia Felman’s Girl’s Girl. This book explores the relational dynamic between three best friends as they navigate their teenage years, mother-daughter relationships, and the unknown territories of love and admiration. - Oil Pastels
I’m loving the texture, the messiness, the pigment of oil pastels!! - Pink Keyboard from Nuphy
My partner gifted me a pink keyboard for the start of my website and it’s boosted my creativity, my love of writing, and my motivation to pursue my dreams! It is so satisfying to type on a keyboard that feels amazing to touch and sounds beautifully when pressed. I also think it’s motivated me to answer my emails and text messages in a timely manner? Highly recommend.
Thank you for reading my Monday Mood Board! In the words of Cleo Wade, may you love and be loved.
warmly,
meg