I’ve never really loved the month of August because in the past, it felt like that last ringing bell of summer. The “Sunday Scaries” of months because it’s the last slow month before the busy season of work and the pressure to change my life ramps up. And yeah, I know fall technically doen’t start until Sept 22nd, but in the fashion world & Corporate America, LDW is pretty much the last hurrah of the season. I am so happy to report that this year, I’m so excited fo August. 

Why? Because I’m keeping promises to myself and romanticizing the f*ck out of my days! I refuse to delay my joy just because of current circumstances cuz the reality is, in a capitalistic society, the flag post always moves. There’s always more to achieve and more to do but I want to be present and enjoy life now. 

In summary, August is the month we water our souls & our dreams instead of watering fear & anxiety - ah I can’t wait!!!!

The August Edit 

I am sooo excited for my next relaxing beach getaway. I just want to wear cute matching lounge sets and play board games and sip on rosé with ice cubes (ice makes everything taste better in my opinion). These are the items in my shopping carts!

I snagged this affordable navy lounge set for the airport because I know LGA airport is gonna be a zoo this LDW! And I want to look cute at the airport. It’s kind of like my dream place to find my next love because traveling is one of my favorite hobbies. I’m planning to pair the lounge set with this navy cashmere wrap because I’m always cold on the plane - and I enjoy pairing my frugal fashion finds with at least one high-quality item. I feel like it adds balance to the look. 

I have this floral pjs tank & pants set and this cherry print tee & shorts lounge set in my checkout carts. I’m waiting until I hit one of my weekly financial goals before I make any more purchases, but I cannot wait to sip fancy coffee on the rooftop that overlooks the beach in one of these sets. When I think of soulful East Coast Summer, I immediately envision myself walking to a cottage coffee shop while wearing these buttery-soft lounge sweats & cardigan with a matching top (that has a built-in bra) because real bras with underwire are off-duty this summer!  

Now this last piece has been on my mind for dayyysss! I’m in love with this feminine polka dot mini dress. I have no practical reason to buy this dress because I don’t have chic plans on the calendar. But…. I might force my friends to do something fancy with me or go on a solo date. This dress inspires me to go to high tea, museum hop, play hookie and be a lady who lunches on random Wednesday. 

 Summer 2025 Muse Challenge 

Summer tends to promise us laid-back luxury. But 2025 has been pretty freaking rocky so far. And I fully admit that I’m constantly in a state of wanderlust, longing for a leisurely, slow-paced, beautiful retreat to a land far far away. But since my bank account is not equipped for a jet-setting summer – I'm determined to create the exciting and rejuvenating experiences from traveling sans the travel.

Now I’m not going to go overboard, but I HAVE to make a change and ebrace the season I’m in. Being terrified of never having the life I want is honestly keeping me frozen in time. So I’m going to create the reality I want little by little. And I’m going to do so without spending a ton of cash.

This is the summer of innovative and frugal fun in nyc with a few splurges here and there. Living in the NYC area is already brutally expensive, so it’s time to make the most of this incredible city and get outside and live instead of watching everyone else live out my dreams on social media. And I’m excited to plan these little weekly adventures and share them with you.

My therapist always asks me “tell me one thing you’re looking forward to each week”, and I’ve come to realize that having even the smallest delight on your calendar to look forward to is what helps me keep going when life doesn’t feel worth it. So I’m challenging myself to the following weekly schedule for 4 weeks to rekindle my zest for life.

My Summer Muses Challenge:

Daily:

• At least one quiet, 15-minute break OUTSIDE (unless it’s raining)with a soothing drink. This can be a tea, ice latte, glass of wine, cocktail, mocktail. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m taking a moment for myself to slow down every day – ESPECIALLY when I’m in the office.
• One fun active or creative activity: on weekdays that will look like a dance class, workout class, reading in the park, going to a painting class or painting outside, cooking dinner & eating on my rooftop, etc. 

Weekly:

• One solo date! I already have a mindful paint & sip class booked later this month. Other solo date ideas I have planned are:
• A trip to the reopened Frick Museum
•  Friday night Jazz at the Morgan Library
• A trip to the Cloisters
•  Pottery painting at Happy Medium
• Finding a new exotic low flow instructor since mine moved away
• One destination-inspired activity a week. Destinations that are calling my name are the South of France, Tuscany, Puglia, Anguilla, Egypt (sailing the Nile to be exact)

It’s not so much that I need to do these activities solo – it's more like, I will do them whether or not someone accompanies me. I’m sooooo tired of delaying my happiness and refuse to waste another summer wishing for what I don’t have.

There is so much more out there in this world for us. We were not meant to just work, pay bills, eat, sleep, repeat. We deserve MORE out of this life.... but no one is going to just hand us a fulfilling life – we have to create it. And we can do so by adding small, budget-friendly delights into our every day. Because we deserve to experience as much healthy joy in the lifetime.