June Favorites

Puppies, Crackers with RHORI, and expanding my vocabulary. 

• Having a puppy dog

• Doing photoshoots

• My Lululemon water bottle

• Taylor Swift and the Haim sisters are making shirts for the Knicks game

• Using big words

• Real Housewives of Rhode Island

Summer never really started this summer... or did it? Honestly, I have no idea, because I'm not in school anymore. I think "post-grad" has officially become my whole personality, lol. This month, my favorites have been pretty simple. I needed some time to focus on the little things that make me happy, like…

Getting a puppy! As some of you know, my family had a dog named Abby for 15 years, and she was my ride-or-die. I literally wrote a book about our relationship. Since she passed away a couple of years ago, it's been hard for my whole family to make the change and get another dog. Abby wasn't like most dogs — she went to work with my dad every day and wasn't really into cuddling. But what made our relationship truly one of a kind was that we were trauma-bonded. When I was little, my house got robbed, and Abby was taken along with everything else.

We eventually got her back, but I think that experience changed things — she became more than just a dog to our family.

So when my parents finally decided to get another dog, I felt like an older sibling being told there was a new baby on the way. A little unsure, a little guarded. 

I missed Abby every day, and I didn't want to feel like we were replacing her.

Then my parents came home with Poppy, and my heart skipped a beat. It was like seeing an angel sent straight from heaven. I was instantly in love and full of happy tears. Poppy feels like a gift from Abby, and we're so thankful to have her in our lives — even if she has chewed through half of my flip-flops.

Creative directing photoshoots has been another highlight this month (a.k.a. my actual job). I've been loving being behind the camera instead of in front of it. Through my work, I've finally had the chance to put my creative eye to professional use.

Turns out I've been creative directing my whole life — from photoshoots in middle school, to AP Art in high school, and now in my 9-to-5. It's something I can finally put on a resume and call my own.

This next favorite is a little unserious, but I'm owning it: my Lululemon water bottle. 

I never thought I'd be a "carry my water bottle everywhere" girl, but here we are. 

It's the little dopamine hit I didn't know I needed — and yes, I do think it's helped me drink more water, or maybe I just like having a cute accessory in every photo.

Speaking of things I'm obsessed with: Taylor Swift and the Haim sisters designing shirts for a Knicks game. I just love a creative way to show off merch — like, sure, you could sell a plain t-shirt, or you could turn it into an actual moment. But what really gets me is that they're not too cool for it. 

They're out here being corny, cheering like everyone else, fully committing to the bit instead of doing the detached celebrity thing where you can't tell if they even like what they're promoting. It's giving "we're just like you," and honestly, I respect the lack of chill.

Using big words is my other favorite this month, which is a bold claim for someone who still can't spell "definitely" without spellcheck. 

But post-grad brain apparently wants to feel smart, so now I'm out here saying "ostensibly" in group chats.

And then there's Real Housewives of Rhode Island — where do I even start? 

I am cackling at my TV. These girlies are so fucking funny, and I mean that as the highest compliment. I don't know how a show about a state I couldn't find on a map three months ago has me this invested, but here we are. Also, unrelated but relevant: I love crackers. And a horse. No further context, just felt like that needed to be said in the same breath as this show, because that's the energy it gives me.

I love you, slam pigs.