July Was a Plot Twist: Here’s What Actually Worked

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Hi Friends!

I blinked and suddenly, July was gone.

Honestly? I’m not mad about it. It felt more like a long, drawn-out FaceTime call with the universe yelling, “Step into your spotlight and own it, or just don’t bother showing up.” So, you know what? I listened. I showed up, messy bun, cute outfit, daily magnesium for that extra boost, and my throat chakra wide open, ready to express everything I’ve been holding back.

Now, August is here, and for me, that means Birthday Month. Leo season is my personal Super Bowl. I’m turning the volume up on my self-worth, setting my boundaries like they’re a custom Birkin, and curating my energy as if I were styling for a Dior Haute Couture show. And guess what? You’re coming with me.

If you’ve been feeling stressed, scattered, or like you’re always playing catch-up... take a breath. You’re not behind. You’re not doing it wrong. This post is here to help you skip the stress and show up unapologetically stunning, inside and out.

Let’s catch up.

✨ QUICK TIP: One-Minute Glow Boost

Have you ever tried brushing your lips? Seriously.

Grab your toothbrush (or use a damp washcloth) and gently exfoliate your lips for 10 seconds. It buffs away dry skin and makes your lips feel ridiculously smooth. Then pat on a swipe of raw honey or your favorite balm.

It’s the fastest way to get that soft, flushed, “just kissed” look before a Zoom or a selfie. Bonus: honey is antibacterial, so it also keeps your lips healthy.

🎉 Milestone Moment: IG Growth + Newsletter Wins

We grew by over 86% in new Instagram followers this month, shoutout to London, our new top city! Newsletter subscribers also went up more than 10%, and we launched our first 30-Day Challenge. Over 100 of you joined already, and it’s still free if you haven’t.

Also… Jon and I are currently in third place for America’s Favorite Couple, and it’s all because of YOU. The comments? The shares? The drama?? Iconic. But we need to be first in our group to make it to the final round, so we need your help now more than ever.

🖤 VOTE HERE (daily!)

Ask your friends, cousins, baristas, manicurists, coworkers, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, exes, parents, in-laws, sisters, hairdressers, Pilates instructors, estheticians, brothers, aunts, dog walkers, optometrists, daughters, even your enemies. ANYONE. PLEEEEEASE.

🧠 Quote I Needed This Month

“Don’t water yourself down just because they’re thirsty for something bland.”
— Me, to me, in the mirror

Put it on a tote bag. Actually... should I? Comment if you want me to!

💌 Question of the Month

What’s one non-negotiable in your daily routine right now?

Mine: a glass of orange juice with magnesium glycinate and 3 minutes of silence before I touch my phone. If I skip it, I feel emotionally soggy all day. It’s my version of a mental reset button.

What’s yours? Tell me in the comments, your answer might make it into next month’s post.

Plan Your Year, Plan Your Life E-book
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🛍️ This Month’s Product Spotlights

✨ Plan Your Year, Plan Your Life – $27

This isn’t just an e-book, it’s a life reset. If you’ve ever felt behind, burned out, or like your goals are collecting dust in your Notes app, this is for you.

You’ll get:

  • My exact method for organizing priorities

  • Gentle structure without rigidity

  • A fresh way to reconnect with what matters to you

👉 Grab it for $27

✨ Goal Tracker (Digital Download) – $7

This minimalist digital tracker is the perfect sidekick to the e-book. Think visual accountability without the pressure.

Use it on your iPad, phone, or laptop, wherever you like to check in with yourself.

👉 Snag yours for $7

🌻 PSA: Don’t Get Duped by “Clean” Beauty

Just because a product says “clean” doesn’t mean it’s safe.

A lot of brands sneak in fragrance, seed oils, or nickel-heavy ingredients, especially in “natural” cosmetics. Always check the ingredients and stick to SkinSafe 100-rated if you're sensitive like me. My skin is already plotting against me, I don’t need my lip gloss turning on me, too.

💅 Top 5 Chronically Chic Articles From July

1. Why Magnesium Is the One Supplement Every Woman Should Be Taking Daily
Energy, hormones, sleep, stress—it helps with all of it. This post blew up, and honestly, I get it.

2. Clean Chanel Beauty Dupes: Exact Non-Toxic Alternatives You’ll Love
The exact clean, chic swaps if you love the look of Chanel but not the ingredients (or the price tag).

3. Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome Is Real and It Wrecked My Gut, My Skin, and My Sanity
This was the post I needed years ago. It’s validating how many of you said, “Wait… this is me.”

4. Is Amika Safe? The Truth Behind Their Best & Worst Products
Unfiltered, no-BS review based on real reactions, mine and yours.

5. No Planner Ever Worked for Me… So I Made One That Finally Did
A behind-the-scenes look at why I created my planning system and what’s inside.

💄 Review: TrueLips Lip Balm

What is it?
A minimalist, non-irritating lip balm made for super-sensitive skin. No fragrance, no preservatives, no seed oils. It’s gentle and clean without being boring.

What does it do?
Softens and soothes chapped lips with no stickiness, no fake shine, no flare-ups.

How is it different?
It’s rated SkinSafe 100, meaning it’s free from the top 100 most common irritants. There are almost no balms that meet those standards and still actually work.

What I Liked:
✔ No reaction, even on dry, cracked lips
✔ Great alone or under a gloss
✔ Lasts longer than you’d expect for a non-petroleum formula

What I Didn’t Love:
✘ Matte finish, don’t expect gloss
✘ Only available online

Would I recommend it?
Yes. If you’ve wasted money on “clean” balms that still burn, this one’s a safe zone.

Worth it?
Absolutely. It’s practical and trustworthy. Peace of mind is always worth it.

📣 Share This With a Friend

If this post made you feel seen, heard, or more organized, send it to your favorite friend who lives for a good system, reads skincare labels like novels, and has “chic but allergic” energy.

And if you’re new here?
🖤 Sign up for my newsletter here so you never miss a tip, product rec, or moment of Leo-level self-worth again.

Tell me in the comments:

  • What do you want more of?

  • What are you obsessed with right now?

  • What should I write next?

And if you made it to the end, you’re my kind of person. Let’s make August unreasonably fabulous.

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June Wrap-Up: Glow-Ups, Chaos & Everything I’m Taking Into July