Things I Can't Stop Talking About (July R.E.P.O.R.T.)

summary: i love a silly bev + bite

Welcome to my first R.E.P.O.R.T.! Unsure who popularized the trend (I will update should I find them), but R.E.P.O.R.T.s (which stands for Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing, Recommending, and Treating) are a way to pause, reflect, and take in the small trends and patterns of my interests that sometimes are too small to notice say months or even weeks out. I love yapping about the things that I love so this was only a matter of time: so lets dig in!

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READING - All Things Kennedy Ryan

This summer I read both “Before I Let Go” and “This Could Be Us”, two romance novels and if you know me, you know I’m very particular about those because this genre can get really champ really quick—BUT these books were masterpieces! Between the two, I have to say that Before I Let Go was my favorite as the second half of the book had me in legitimate tears several times mainly because it was so incredibly real and Earth-shattering (BRB wiping my brain and re-reading so I can experience Yasmen and Josiah’s love for the first time). The sequel was good just not as monumental in my opinion, but just know a Kennedy Ryan book hates to see me coming *shrugs*

EATING - Grain Bowls

The grain bowl is iconic because she gives you the euphoria of eating salad + the sensation of actually being full because of the carbs *chefs kiss*. This isn’t new for me, but I noticed this summer I’ve been ordering the bowls at restaurants, which is fun, fresh, and flirty. My ultimate recommendation is ordering a grain bowl for lunch + a spritz if it’s one of those days :)

Favorite Fast Casual Grain Bowl: Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowl (Just Salad)

Best Grain Bowl of July: Jo Bowl (Baba Cool, Williamsburg NYC)

PLAYING - The Pop Girlies

Billie. Charli. Tinashe. Chapelle. Normani.

I thank you for your service. I thank you for giving the girls something to DANCE to this summer. To strut down the street to. To bop to as I send my little emails each day. July was a pop-heavy month for me as I let my hair down and enjoyed the rain on my skin (word to Drew Barrymore). I’m not in that same mood as I write this post (you’ll see), but I couldn’t let my pop obsessed chapter come to a close without sharing some of my recent faves.

My Must Listens for the Ultimate Pop Summer 2024:

Tinashe - Talk to Me Nice + Needs

Charli XCX - Von Dutch + Girl, So Confusing (ft. Lorde)

Normani - Little Secrets + Tantrums

Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Song of the…*mic cuts out*) + WILDFLOWER

Chapelle Roan - Femininomenon (word to Kamala) + HOT TO GO!

OBSESSING - Wash and Gos

I’ve been natural for more than 10 years and the wash-and-go is something I’ve never been able to master. For years I thought when people did a wash and gos it was their natural hair texture, so it’s clear that I had very little understanding of what was going on, but thanks to TikTok University I now understand the hype and I’ve joined the crew. I’m still playing with different product combos (so suggestions are welcome), but I’ve determined I’m team volume vs. team definition so I was getting into the mousse-only technique. Also, get a diffuser, that part is #key to being able to actually wash and then go without losing all the hard work. My #1 favorite thing about this style however, is how it feels to just let my hair BE! No tension, no pulling, just hair out my head—so empowering!

Definition Routine: The Doux Crazy Sexy Curl Honey Setting Foam (FIRST; APPLIED IN THE SHOWER) + Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic (SECOND)

Volume Routine: The Doux Crazy Sexy Curl Honey Setting Foam

RECOMMENDING - Kodak Camera PIXPRO Z55-BK

Heavy is the hand that holds the digital camera, but I am one of the strongest soldiers so what can I say? When I’m not hurrying home to put my memory card into my laptop, you can find me telling my friends to smile, orchestrating a selfie moment, or handing my cam off so I can hop in front of the camera and join the fun. She’s cute, she’s small, and she’s only $120…you can’t go wrong!

Pro Tip: Cameras are also conversation starters…and can be used for a little flirty intro. Please use this tip responsibly.

TREATING - Anything with Matcha

This is not a new addition to the arsenal of Ianthe drinks, but last month I found myself treating myself to more matcha treats than usual. For a coffee hater like myself, matcha is always my saving grace for 1) any in-office day off anything less than 6 hours of sleep 2) being in a a mood for a silly bev moment. My go-to is a matcha lemonade (mainly because I’m not totally on the latté wave), but seeing as it’s been a Spritz Girl Summer™️ I worked in a few matcha spritzes that were cute to sip on.

Favorite Matcha-Based Drink: Mango Passionfruit Matcha/Watermelon Matcha Spritz (Blank Street Coffee)

• Iconic limited edition summer flavors that I need to get one more time before they leave the menu!

Least Favorite Matcha-Based Drink: Yuzu Elderflower Matcha Spritz (Joe Coffee)

• The flavor had SO much potential, but their matcha powder is oddly gritty and sticks to my tongue (TMI) and I lowkey feel weighed down after drinking it which…is totally the opposite effect it’s supposed to have

so what now? try something new. talk to me about something we both already love. because at this point…you already know the drill

from me to you,

Ianthe