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.
💌 Want insider tips + product picks every month? Join the Chronically Chic newsletter (it’s free + fabulous).
✨ 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.
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.
You don’t need more motivation. You need a way to see what actually matters, without turning your life into a personality project.
This workbook is for the moment when you know you need a plan, but the idea of spreadsheets, color-coded systems, or “goal hustle” makes you want to close the tab.
Planning should make your life quieter, not louder. Clearer, not heavier.
This is a structure you can return to without starting over.
What this is
A 60-page printable and fillable PDF that helps you map a year you can realistically live inside.
Not a daily planner.
Not a productivity system.
Not a vision board that looks cute and then disappears.
It’s a big picture container. One place to think, decide, and stop second-guessing.
You can start at any time. January, April, October. It still works.
What it feels like to use
You sit down once.
You answer the questions honestly.
You see patterns you already suspected but hadn’t named yet.
Instead of “I should be doing more,” you get “this is the lane I’m actually in.”
Instead of vague goals, you get decisions.
You walk away knowing what to focus on and what to stop carrying.
What’s inside
• 60+ printable and fillable pages for instant download
• Reflection prompts that cut through noise and mental clutter
• Goal setting that does not assume you want a hyper-optimized life
• Monthly, seasonal, and yearly planning pages that work together
• Simple wellness and routine tracking without obsession
• Creative idea pages that keep thoughts from floating away
• Vision mapping that connects desire to action without pressure
• Weekly check-ins designed to keep you honest, not perfect
• Space for personal notes, lists, and workspace setup because environment matters
Why this works when other planners don’t
• It’s undated, so you don’t “fail” it
• It works digitally or on paper
• It supports personal goals, creative work, and business planning equally
• It balances structure with softness, so planning doesn’t feel like punishment
• It respects that energy, health, and capacity change
This is not about becoming a different person. It’s about organizing the one you already are.
Who this is for
• Women who want their life to feel intentional without being rigid
• Creatives and business owners who hate boring spreadsheets
• Anyone who’s done making vision boards that never move past the wall
• People who want structure that feels grounding, not controlling
If you like being told exactly what to do every hour, this is not for you. If you want clarity without being managed, it probably is. If you’re tired of thinking about planning and just want a clean place to put your thoughts, this is the tool.
You download it once.
You use it as often as you need.
You stop reinventing the wheel every time you feel off track.
Instant digital download. You’ll get access immediately after purchase!
🛍️ 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
This is what you use when your to-do list is 20 things long, and you still end the day feeling like you did nothing.
Enter: one dramatic little page that says, “Pick a lane, babe.”
It helps you pause, choose one thing, and actually get it done.
It’s one page for when you keep restarting instead of finishing, or when you need one clear win today, not a new system.
Most people use it once, feel better, and move on until they need it again. Lucky for you, you only need to buy it once! Just print one out or fill it in on your iPad whenever you need to get it together.
Stop lying to yourself. Decide who you’re becoming.
✨ 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.
🌻 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.
Big plans? Brilliant ideas? Random 3 AM genius? They deserve better than your phone’s chaos. This notebook’s here to cheer you on while you make things happen.
Hardcover strong, smooth pages that love your favorite pen, plus a strap and pocket so the little stuff doesn’t slip away. Made to order, because what you’re creating is worth the extra thought.
✨ Solid hardcover that’s going everywhere with you
✨ Smooth, easy-writing pages — no scratch, no skip
✨ Elastic strap + inside pocket — stay organized, not scattered
✨ Made to order — ships in 4 to 11 business days.
You’ve got the ideas. This keeps them safe until you’re ready to run with them. Keep it on your nightstand, in your bag, or next to your laptop. When the idea hits, it has somewhere to go.
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.
FAQ’s
Q: How did you grow your Instagram followers by 86% in one month?
A: Consistency, Reels, and posting content that actually solves problems for my readers. I leaned on authentic daily tips (like my lip brushing hack) and shared personal wins/losses. This combo drew in the right audience instead of random numbers.
Big plans? Brilliant ideas? Random 3 AM genius? They deserve better than your phone’s chaos. This notebook’s here to cheer you on while you make things happen.
Hardcover strong, smooth pages that love your favorite pen, plus a strap and pocket so the little stuff doesn’t slip away. Made to order, because what you’re creating is worth the extra thought.
✨ Solid hardcover that’s going everywhere with you
✨ Smooth, easy-writing pages — no scratch, no skip
✨ Elastic strap + inside pocket — stay organized, not scattered
✨ Made to order — ships in 4 to 11 business days.
You’ve got the ideas. This keeps them safe until you’re ready to run with them. Keep it on your nightstand, in your bag, or next to your laptop. When the idea hits, it has somewhere to go.
Q: What’s the best way to start a morning routine that sticks?
A: Start with one non-negotiable ritual, like my orange juice with magnesium glycinate. Pair it with a grounding habit (three minutes of silence, journaling, or stretching) so your brain locks it in. Once that’s easy, add more.
Q: Are “clean beauty” products always safe for sensitive skin?
A: No. “Clean” is a marketing term, not a safety guarantee. Many brands sneak in fragrance, seed oils, or nickel-heavy ingredients. I always recommend checking SkinSafe 100 ratings before buying.
Q: How can I tell if I’m sensitive to nickel in beauty products?
A: Watch for recurring rashes, itching, or irritation that flare up after certain makeup or skincare. If your skin reacts even to “natural” products, nickel could be the hidden culprit. I wrote more about this in my post on Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome.
Q: What’s the difference between your Goal Getter Tracker and your Plan Your Year e-book?
A: The e-book teaches you my full system for organizing and resetting your life, while the tracker is a lightweight daily tool to hold yourself accountable. Think of the e-book as the roadmap and the tracker as your daily check-in.
