Well, friends! Chapter 1 of the warmer months have arrived! Usually not my vibe, but I'm gonna embrace it (hopefully not complain too much in the process; if I do, please just yell at me). Anyways, I've got a good slew of things to share with you all for this month! Let's get right into it, shall we?
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| A round-up of the monthly favorites featured... |
Favorite Music (had a good round of all the rock- pop-punk, alt rock, etc.):
Real Good Swimmer by Briston Maroney: https://youtu.be/OmMfXCbi2MA?si=a7-Hjnk-YFaMht1e
So Happy by Daisy Grenade: https://youtu.be/CC1rTGb2C_c?si=T8MqwIWHVb1f-gpu
Better Days by Yellowcard: https://youtu.be/JnNjrV1OnHs?si=Ab0IhV9QHhL2ph5S
I Want You (Fever) by Momma: https://youtu.be/WG0mAzP165o?si=xUIBF_RSKX1JjSkX
SUCKERPUNCH by All Time Low: https://youtu.be/l40E9iBa-Ss?si=QAy7aIg-Q1vZApeX
Favorite Coffee and / or Tea:
Peace Coffee Morning Glory Light Roast Ground Coffee: This coffee was such a nice, bright light to my coffee rotation- lush & uplifting for a light roast. I'll link it: https://www.target.com/p/peace-coffee-peace-tree-morning-glory-light-roast-ground-coffee-12oz/-/A-79551570#lnk=sametab
Favorite Body Care and / or Skincare product(s)- had a good mix of wonderfully, smelling items:
Athena Club Sea Splash Body Wash: https://www.target.com/p/athena-club-skin-replenishing-body-wash-sea-splash-18-fl-oz/-/A-92410616#lnk=sametab; notes: lime peel, fresh water accord, lily of the valley and clean musks
Being Frenshe Salty Body, Linen & Hair Spray: https://www.target.com/p/being-frenshe-hair-body-38-linen-mist-salty-5-fl-oz/-/A-91980492#lnk=sametab; notes: sea salt, creamy sandalwood, and airy musk
Finery Sweet On The Outside Body Spray: https://www.target.com/p/fine-39-ry-hol24-sweet-on-the-outside-mini-body-mist-2-5-fl-oz/-/A-92295694#lnk=sametab; notes: Madagascar vanilla, smoked vetiver, and cacao wood
Favorite Workout Videos:
33 Min. Arm Workout w/ Active Rest via Tracy Steen: https://youtu.be/hYjvxbOSpt4?si=dDZd4nyeJot6oc5M
30 Min. Daily Feel Good Yoga Flow via Move with Nicole: https://youtu.be/5TzqqPJFHeQ?si=7yzjrFsgIYgBLqPK
30 Min. Strong Back & Core Workout via PS Fit: https://youtu.be/8C0kfHoXYKQ?si=gMmTO3HzchvGuquB
Mood Boosting Yoga via Arianna Elizabeth: https://youtu.be/v7fD_CmodfU?si=kHwfWrebdoryjx8j
Both of these videos are by Audrey Koomar: Part 1- All Standing Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/GB5uLqsjPCQ?si=YLp4eX20Ckrr-0c0; Part 2- Out of the Woods (Taylor's Version) ab workout: https://youtu.be/Qa39muizaMQ?si=4oyQLgPYcsDKa3Tf
Full Body Pilates- Relax, Reset & Re-Energize via Keel Pilates: https://youtu.be/jB2JP5bpwgk?si=Lg8vWV4VIFr-ISin
Cozy Yin Yoga Flow to Let Go via Caitlin K'eli Yoga: https://youtu.be/M7YJq46u6jc?si=F3Q4hY2E39fhCJ1A
30 Min. Dumbbell Sculpt workout via fitbymik: https://youtu.be/a1t_oGr62Yc?si=kZMedsRlj3afK3W3
30 Min. Cozy Girl Pilates Workout via Callie Jardine Gualy: https://youtu.be/_nyIBge9CkY?si=9ozR63caM7VdJA2b
Flow Into Stillness 30 Min. Yoga Practice via Yoga with Adriene: https://youtu.be/PeWuJY7J2Gs?si=htbpEtQFgrQhr_Fk
Favorite Book(s) I've Read and / or listened to as an audiobook via Spotify:
Bury Our Bones in The Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab (my June 2025 BOTM pick): This book didn't disappoint! It told the tale of three women over the course of different periods in time- did I forget all of these women were vampires? Should've mentioned that and they weren't your average vampires. Anyways, this tale was about hunger, love, rage and most importantly, feeling free from things that were holding any of them back. The writing in this book was so good, too. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bury-our-bones-in-the-midnight-soil-v-e-schwab/1145782127?ean=9781250320520
The Unwedding by Ally Condie (library pick): I wasn't too sure in the beginning of this read if I was going to like it but to my surprise- I liked it! It was a suspenseful thriller with an added unexpected murder mystery layer- the setting made for a nice backdrop to the story as well. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unwedding-ally-condie/1144153510?ean=9781538757581
Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie (picked out as add-on from my BOTM app): This was such a well-done classic murder mystery book! Couldn't put this one down- read it one sitting; it was that good! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-on-the-nile-agatha-christie/1013985548?ean=9780063015708
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen: This YA read is one of my sister's favorite reads and I really liked it! The first half of it was slow (to my liking it was), but it gradually kept building up to be a well-rounded story. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/along-for-the-ride-sarah-dessen/1100043376?ean=9780142415566
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley: This was by far the most interesting & unique (in a good way of course) from Foley. It wasn't as slow of a build-up (which I appreciated) and gradually picked up very well towards the latter half of the book. I had the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition with three bonus scenes- which helped connect to other scenes from the previous chapters in the book well. All of the characters' were interconnected in some way, some how. Did also appreciate the backstory (ie: summer journal) of things, too. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-midnight-feast-lucy-foley/1144221013?ean=9780063414662
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones (library pick): Out of all of the reads this month, this was one read I really did like! Learned about a 17 year old that has a weird thing for slashing (killing people really)? It wasn't too gruesome for me (only in the beginning not as much near the end), and surprisingly funny (even with it being a horror book). I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-was-a-teenage-slasher-stephen-graham-jones/1144227292?ean=9781668022245
The Surf House by Lucy Clarke: This was a wonderfully done mystery / thriller book! First one I have read from this author- the story was woven very well, the setting in this book was amazing, and wasn't expecting the bit of the romance subplot plus it didn't lack in twists too much (from my POV that is). I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-surf-house-lucy-clarke/1145666762?ean=9780802166456
Beach Read by Emily Henry: This is my 2nd read of Emily's and I ended up enjoying it to my surprise- the romance bits were there and it had also touched on grief (both of the male & female main characters lose people important to them in the book) and betrayal (it was bit of a theme with our female main character in her own life). Really funny, too (even made me cry in one of the chapters- hate to admit it)! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beach-read-emily-henry/1133410994?ean=9781984806734
The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor (library pick): This book was surprisingly good! It was a nice balance of mystery, thrill and even a romance subplot, too. I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fiction-writer-jillian-cantor/1142651719?ean=9780778334187
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda (library pick): A small town is set for the back-drop of this multi-layered mystery-thriller read. I really did enjoy this one! Kept me interested, engaged & connected. My second read of this author and this didn't disappoint one bit! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-house-guest-megan-miranda/1129770216?ean=9781501165382
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle (library pick): This was such a wholesome read- made me laugh, cry and made want to book a trip to Italy and eat all of the yummy foods referenced in the book! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-italian-summer-rebecca-serle/1139747172?ean=9781982166793
The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore (library pick): Very good character driven story in an wonderful island setting. Enjoyed it so! I'll link it: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-islanders-meg-mitchell-moore/1128811677?ean=9780062840073
Favorite TV Show and / or Movie(s) I've Either Watched or Streamed:
Along for the Ride (based on Sarah Dessen's book) via Netflix: https://youtu.be/A1PTIxYrTVw?si=xXKmwoiPcdoSlE74
Death on the Nile (based on Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery novel): https://youtu.be/dZRqB0JLizw?si=k4y7ibtb1MyrtRhN
