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The Hidden Gems Summer: A Style Challenge


We’ve all been there, staring at a closet full of clothes and feeling like we have absolutely nothing to wear. Meanwhile, beautiful necklaces are tangled in trays and "someday" investment pieces are gathering dust.

This season, I’m changing the narrative. I’m embarking on The Hidden Gems Summer, a season-long journey to unearth the treasures I already own and turn my closet into a slow-fashion discovery rather than a chore. Instead of buying new, I’m committing to a total Accessory Audit and pairing those overlooked fashion and statement pieces with a different "back-of-the-closet" outfit every week. To keep track of it all, I'll be using my trusty Stylebook app to log what I own and monitor what actually gets worn.

2026’s Biggest Makeup & Beauty Trends

                       

It feels like we spent the last few years chasing an impossible, wet-looking glow with nothing but sheer skin tints and regular lip balms. But lately, things are starting to shift. We are officially moving away from that hyper-dewy minimalism and stepping into a more polished, flawless look. This year is all about sophisticated satin finishes, innovative cream-to-powder pudding textures, and velvety cushion compacts that make application effortless. From the return of matte skin to advanced skincare tech, here is exactly what is worth adding to your bathroom counter right now. I constantly say I'm on a no buy but when these new formulations come out I can't resist! 

The Vegetarian Guide to Turkish Cuisine: 20 Must-Try Foods

When most people think of Turkish cuisine, their minds immediately go to kebabs, but the true heart of Turkey’s food culture is an absolute paradise for meat-free eaters. From flaky street pastries and rich, artisanal cheeses to sun-ripened produce and decadent, centuries-old sweets, the flavors here are incredibly diverse, vibrant, and delicious comfort food. To prove just how spectacular the non-meat side of the menu is, this curated guide offers a completely vegetarian look at the 20 absolute must-try dishes, street foods, drinks, and desserts you need to experience. The pictures are all from my solo trip to Istanbul last month, my third time to Turkey. 

Summer Mocktail Edit


Choosing not to drink alcohol on weeknights shouldn’t mean you're stuck with plain tap water or sad flavored sparkling water. I love saving my alcohol consumption for the weekends, but I still crave the ritual of a weeknight wind-down. There is something so satisfying about the process, shaking up a beautiful blend of flavors and pouring a gorgeous drink into a fancy glass after a long day.

If you are looking to enjoy the complex flavors and elevated experience of a cocktail without the alcohol, you don’t have to settle for less. Mocktails aren't boring. With the right ingredients, you can make them incredibly fun, delicious, and deeply satisfying.

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about building your alcohol-free home bar. Here are the tools, fresh staples, non-alcoholic spirits, and craft syrups I always keep on hand to mix things up.

Summer Bucketlist 2026

 


Summer always passes in the blink of an eye; August rolls around and you're left wondering where the time went. so I've been thinking about what to look forward to between now and the end of the season. There is a ton of research that says that if you have something in the future that you're looking forward to, you can borrow the anticipation of that thing to make you feel better now. 

But after a spring that was an absolute whirlwind of travel from Savannah, and Disney World, to an unforgettable trip through Istanbul and Uzbekistan I’m ready to slow down and stay local. I love the simple freedom of this season, with its longer days and warmer nights. Life is better without a cardigan ruining my outfit.  After so much time spent packing suitcases and sitting on airplanes, my goal for the next few months is to play tourist in my own backyard and fully embrace everything my city has to offer.

 I even took Friday off to guarantee a extra-long Memorial Day weekend to kick things off. Thursday I went to Zumba class, Friday caught the 10am Star Wars showing, then went to the Great Gatsby musical in the evening, Saturday morning I had yoga class, then later went to Orchestra Noir, Sunday I had Zumba class then hung out with my mom, Monday was my rest day to read and declutter. 

In the past, creating a good old-fashioned summer bucket list was the perfect excuse to get out, discover new events, and intentionally enjoy the season. This year, I want to do it again. It’s all about finding small, simple ways to maximize the good stuff, create sweet memories, and ensure that when September hits, I actually have a great answer to, "So, what’d you do this summer?" Without a little intention, it’s far too easy to fall into the usual seasonal trap: July pressure, August panic, September regret. If you’re looking to build your own, here is exactly what is on my list this year. But I have a feeling the moments that will actually stick might not even be on the list. They’re the random Friday nights.