Beat June gloom by catching up with my favorite things from this spring, including my current signature scent, a fiercely funny and feminist TV show, and a pair of earrings that never fail to garner compliments.
Disclosure: This post is not sponsored. I have disclosed any gifted items and some links may be affiliate links. If you like my work and want to support me, please consider shopping through my links!
1. This clean perfume might be one of my favorite scents ever!
This perfume makes me feel like a spring breeze. Inspired by the cherry blossom festivals of Japan, Phlur Hanami smells warm and a little sweet, but not overly so, with floral notes and a hint of spice. The fig and white florals give it a light botanical sweetness while the hazelnut and sandalwood ground it with a warm earthiness. Phlur makes “clean” perfumes without the hormone-disrupting chemicals of traditional perfumes. They gifted me this perfume but this is not sponsored.
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2. I fell in love with this animated show for women, by women
An animated show two female bird-people living in a technicolor, wonky world where physics and logic don’t seem to apply, Tuca and Bertie tackles issues of sexual harassment and assault, female friendship, sex, and so much more. The animation is beautiful and the humor fresh and imaginative, but it’s the character development that had me hooked. Tuca and Bertie are voiced by Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong (two WOC comedians), respectively, and was started by Bojack Horseman animator Lisa Hanawalt. If you’re not convinced, read this review.
3. These updated pearl earrings always get me compliments!
I’ve never been a huge fan of pearls; they’ve always seemed a little stuffy to me. But Mejuri dropped their organic pearl collection and I’m a changed woman! The unique shape of each pearl gives the jewelry an ~expensive~ feel. I have the large organic pearl hoop earrings and love what a statement they make. These earrings were gifted to me, but this post is not sponsored.
Use my link to get 10% off at Mejuri! >>
4. brb, these sunglasses and I will be OOO all summer
This spring, Warby Parker invited me to their Seattle showroom to pick out a pair of glasses. I was so excited because I’ve been a longtime fan of Warby Parker and already own two pairs of prescription glasses from them. I fell in love with this fun pair of sunnies that make me feel totally glam. I love that they’re polarized so they actually protect my eyes. Warby Parker gifted me the Slyvie sunglasses, but this is not sponsored. I can’t find the exact color online but I’ve linked the same style in black!
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5. This short story collection tells the stories of Vietnamese refugees with profound humanity
Admittedly, the first time I tried to read The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen, I forgot about it and then had to return it to the library. I finally gave it another chance and discovered that boy, was I missing out. In this short story collection, Viet Thanh Nguyen writes profoundly human characters with precision, inhabiting the psyches of those affected by the Vietnam War and its aftermath—Vietnamese American refugees, those left behind, and veterans. Nguyen’s characters are depicted with love and intimacy, as if they are family members, and that’s so important when Vietnamese American experiences are so often obscured or told through only the lens of American saviorism.
6. Bye pants; hello (eco-friendly) bike shorts!
I love any trend that lets me maximize the comfiness of my outfit while still being considered fashionable. Pairing a crop tee with bike shorts and a fannypack is one of my favorite easy, comfy outfit pairings for those days when you want to be cute but also can’t be bothered to put on real pants. Girlfriend Collective came out with bike shorts in a couple of fun, springtime colors (also made with recycled water bottles) and I snagged a pair in Apricot. They fit just like the compressive leggings in the waist and hips. I actually did wear them biking as well and they were so stretchy and comfortable.
Shop Girlfriend Collective bike shorts >>
7. This Asian American rom com made both me and my bf cry
I’d been eagerly awaiting Ali Wong and Randall Park’s Netflix rom com, Always Be My Maybe, and it didn’t disappoint. As a collaboration between two hilarious Asian American comedians, the humor was expectedly on point; however, I didn’t expect to actually have my heartstrings tugged by the earnest, if a little cheesy, moments of emotional depth. Also, it’s worth watching just for Keanu Reeves playing a weirdly pretentious and aggro Keanu Reeves (just in case you forgot he’s Asian, too—he’s part Chinese and Hawaiian!).
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4 Comments
I always liked to try bike shorts, besides beign a ‘weird fashion trend’ they clearly aren’t going away and I can understand why. Long enough to not be uncomfortable, but not as unflattering and dumpy as cargo shorts…and comfy, I can imagine! Unfortunately, they aren’t really available where I live (simply because it is a ‘weird fashion trend’: a lot of european conscious brands are very momsy, normal and classic.
You can buy Girlfriend Collective bike shorts at Nordstrom and Reformation and they both ship internationally!
My husband and i LOVED Always Be My Maybe! Such a smart movie and so many nuances!
Haha yes! So glad you both liked it too!