Mid-summer check-in: bucket list, travel & more - Ep 113
Grab your iced coffee and settle in. It’s been a crazy busy few weeks, and to be honest, I’ve felt like I’ve been moving at a million miles an hour.
We were long overdue for a check-in, so in this episode, we’re taking a beat, slowing down, and breaking down everything happening right now—from travel recaps to apartment shopping and summer pop culture obsessions.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating: did some wedding makeup that I loved this past weekend, I will link all the products I used (Haus Labs foundation, Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow, Rare Beauty blush)
What Austen is consuming: Jury Duty presents: Company Retreat, I was a little delayed on watching this but Andrew and I decided to watch recently and it was so much fun
In this episode:
Nantucket trip recap
Nantucket was an absolute dream, but three specific moments stood out above the rest.
Attending the Elin Hilderbrand book tour on the island was such a full-circle moment.
We also spent a peaceful morning in Sconset doing the famous Bluff Walk and stopping by The Chanticleer, which had such an idyllic energy and became one of my favorite parts of the whole trip.
Of course, we couldn't skip the food. We had incredible meals throughout the trip, but our dinners at Ventuno, Lola41, and The Proprietors were hands-down the top three. If you're planning a trip anytime soon, put those straight to the top of your list!
The apartment breakdown: what I bought vs. what’s next
Summer has kicked my home organization hyperfixation into high gear. I’ve been on a spree trying to make every square inch of the apartment functional.
We did a closet overhaul, adding extra shelves in both closets, plus dedicated hat hooks and belt hooks to keep accessories off the floor.
I finally gave my clips, ties, and headbands a proper home in a hair accessories drawer.
Plus, large zipper bags have been a game-changer for storing extra throw pillows without taking up half the closet space!
As for what's next, I still have a few big items on my wishlist to round out the apartment. I'm actively shopping for a new coffee table to anchor the living room and a multi-functional storage bench for extra seating.
I also want to set up a dedicated entry station by the front door with a shelf, hooks, and a basket to catch keys and mail, along with a sleek new kitchen utensil holder to clear up counter space.
The summer content syllabus
We built the ultimate media syllabus on the pod this week for anyone needing inspiration for lazy summer afternoon!
On the reading and watching front, Elin Hilderbrand’s The Five Star Weekend and Emily Henry’s Happy Place are my top book picks, while a rewatch of the Hamptons episodes of Gossip Girl provides the ultimate nostalgic comfort.
I've also been tuning into the Let’s Get Dressed "in between outfits" episode and Bad on Paper’s "July 3 Things."
We had to talk about Love Island USA Season 8, too. It’s my very first time watching the show live as it airs, and we spent some time discussing its massive cultural impact and how it has completely taken over social media this season.
To wrap up the syllabus, music has been on heavy rotation lately.
I can't stop listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love—specifically "Maggots for Brains", "u + me = <3", and "The Cure"—as well as Harry Styles’ Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally, with "Aperture" and "Carla’s Song" playing on repeat.
What I’ve been buying & summer bucket list check-in
Between wedding season and mid-summer sales, my wardrobe got a much-needed refresh.
I loaded up on essential basic tees and tanks from H&M, grabbed some classic denim from Abercrombie, and scored big during Macy’s Black Friday in July sale with a pair of Levi’s shorts, a New York Giants cap, and a cute En Saison romper.
Finally, a check-in on the summer bucket list. While we've crossed off quite a bit already, there is still so much to look forward to before autumn rolls around.
We are heading to the mountains soon for our trip to Banff, and my birthday is right around the corner—though honestly, I am 100% embracing a low-key, relaxed vibe and just looking forward to chilling out this year.
Oh, and of course, counting down the days until the Harry Styles concert!
Summary:
Summer is moving right along, and I can’t wait to see what the next half has in store! Let me know what’s left on your summer bucket list, maybe I’ll have to add it to mine.
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