Summer Edition – Top 10 June Favorite Product Finds to help you cope with the unusual summer days (& beyond) this year!
If you have been following me on Instagram then you know that the past month has been extremely eventful in my life, nothing short of LIFE CHANGING!
So I will skip the recap in this post but you can read all about it here and here.
It is also why I hadn’t been publishing many blog posts last month. I wanted to be laser-focused and go all in to meet my own (high) standards and deadlines. Anything less than 99% is just NOT acceptable to me when I feel HIGHLY PASSIONATELY about something! In a way, this is also how I test the level of my passion and desire for something (the hubs keeps joking that I am always testing theories, technology, or people, and he bears the brunt of it the most, the poor guy ;)).
In short, I am soooo incredibly thankful for this new powerful beginning!
Also, between the time I drafted this post and published it, THIS HAPPENED, I am still reeling in excitement and quite overwhelmed (in the most amazing way) by all the love and encouragement! If you have been one of those cheerleaders now reading this post then sending you extra warm hugs right now.
So without further ado, let’s jump right in and talk about my Monthly Favorite Finds.
*Affiliate links used, incredibly thankful for your support.
RELATED POSTS
Loving these June Favorites? Then check out my past monthly favorites post.
TOP 10 JUNE FAVORITE FINDS – SUMMER EDITION
1) START WITH WHY
“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
As someone who is a fan of Simon Sinek (one of the most popular TedTalk speakers) and someone who has asked WHY way more times in the last 4 years than I have my whole entire life, I had to give Simon’s Start With Why a read.
The idea at the core of the book Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action is that not many people/companies know or have the clarity about WHY they do what they do, but they are more focused on what they are doing and how they are doing it.
My WHY is truly what keeps me going as I work on building my brand and business (even when things are falling apart and don’t go as planned). And now that I have completed the Life Coach Certification Program that simple WHY feels even more powerful to me.
In short, WHY is the single most powerful word/question and is at the core of everything we all do! When you, as the name suggests, Start With WHY you will in fact really do what you set out to do!
You can read my other book recommendations in my previous monthly favorites posts and here.
2) AT-HOME HAIRCUT
For your significant other and kids.
The quarantine restrictions may have been easing/lifted but I am not sure how many are brave enough to go to a salon for a haircut!? I certainly am not one of them, in this case, I choose to err on the side of caution.
Quarantine or not, I have been doing Vinay’s haircut at home since we moved from New York to Seattle about 5 years ago. These haircut accessories are to thank for that, makes it so easy to get the job done!
Not just that, when you have kids who hate to sit in the hot seat or allow anyone else but you to touch their hair, then you gotta wear the hat of a hairstylist too (I mean, what’s one more hat for a mom/dad right!?). Case in point, my little one, he caused such a ruckus at the salon the first time that I decided to cut his hair at home next time around. But for now, we are just letting his hair grow cuz it is so dang gorgeous and I hate to cut it, oh those baby curls.
3) DEAR GROWN ASS WOMAN
A diverse membership community founded by Cyndie Spiegel (she is half black and half white Jew, stating it explicitly here because I want to showcase more POC on my platforms). She is a powerhouse and I love her, her work and the incredible energy she brings, and the kickass community she has built/is building!
Below is why you need to join the Dear Grown Ass Woman community and us… In Cyndie’s words…
“I believe that we change the world when we commune with folks who are different than we are: socio-economically, experientially, racially, and honestly, in all ways. We have to get out of the comfortable boxes and default communities that we’ve allowed ourselves to stay in as grown ass women.
I know the power of community and I also understand the value of surrounding yourself with women who have different experiences: you get uncomfortable, you learn, you grow, you teach, you have fun and you become an even more powerful, empathetic woman because of this.
And that, sisters, is what happens with our members in Dear Grown Ass Women.
Here in DGAW™️, we don’t really give a shit what you do as long as you do it FOR YOU because you chose to freely and sans judgment. We have intellectual conversations and ridiculous ones, too. A lot of laughter, sometimes tears, continuous learning, and genuine friendships.”
In DGAW, diverse women come together online and in-person, attend masterclasses, and facilitate gatherings – all created to equip them with the tools to develop personally & professionally.
4) BRAIN HEALTH ASSESSMENT
With everything that is currently going on in the world, we are seeing a huge negative impact on one’s mental health, and there are various things that contribute to it! And I can’t stress enough how crucial it is for us all to take care of our health and guard it, not just physical health but also mental.
The Brain Health Assessment from Dr. Daniel Amen will determine your brain type to help you improve overall brain health.
I follow Dr. Amen’s work and he certainly helps you get a better understanding of how we can take better care of our brain. I also love some of the concepts he has introduced along the same lines.
You can take the assessment here. Also, be sure to check out more health & wellness related posts here.
5) PINK BLAZER, SUIT UP
The pink blazer that I am wearing here is both chic and fun. Every time I wear it I get a ton of compliments cuz it’s such a girly color (not that I care much for girly colors ;)) and it instantly elevates any look.
While this pink blazer is more than 5 years old, I am linking a few budget-friendly pastel blazers that are perfect for summer or a fun event (when they do begin to happen again that is 😮 ). You can pair it with a variety of different outfits to dress up or dress down your look.
Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5
6) CAMP KHAN BY KHAN ACADEMY
I have talked about how much we, as in, our little one loves Khan Academy. And of course, you can count on Khan Academy to come up with some fun and educational content for the kids this summer, especially given the current circumstances. The hubs was the one who saw this first and sent it to me. Exact details from them below.
“As we slide into summer, we know many people have concerns about whether they’re ready for next school year. We’re determined to do everything we can to help students keep learning.
As a mission-focused non-profit, it is Khan Academy’s duty to support parents and students to the best of our ability. We’ve created a summer schedule with learning activities that are meant to be templates that can be used as is, or modified to better suit the needs of your children.
Khan Academy has self-paced, interactive content–exercises, videos and articles–for students in every grade and in most major subject areas. It is all free and non-commercial and is made possible by philanthropic support from people like you.”
Check out other parenting hacks, kids related products, and ideas here.
7) SO DELICIOUS VEGAN DESSERT BARS
Summer is here (even though it seems as if Washington missed the memo) and who could resist some tanda tanda (cold cold) ice cream!? Especially when they are healthy-ier 😉
SO Delicious is hands Down one the best vegan ice cream we have had. These SO Delicious bars are double chocolate flavored and made from cashew milk. And honestly, these bars are so delicious and taste better than dairy ice cream, so rich and creamy.
And I will bet that you can’t stop at just one!
Speaking of vegan dessert, I really need to make this 4 layers Neapolitan cake again, holy yum!
8) MANTRA – DAILY AFFIRMATIONS APP
In keeping up with trying (as well as bringing you) more health and wellness related apps, this is a new find for me.
You have heard me talk about affirmations and the importance of it over and over, but if you struggle to come up with affirmation ideas then the Mantra – Daily Affirmations is a great app to get you started.
You get daily fresh affirmations from 10 different categories. You can try it for FREE to see how you like it and the impact it has on your day(s).
“Unleash your subconscious mind power and hug the universe!”
Find other health & wellness related apps in my previous monthly favorites posts.
9) FESTIVE GAL PARTY CROWNS
Ain’t I rocking the fun and festive crown in the first photo!? 😉
It’s not me but it’s all this talented friend of mine, Kevlyn (in the photo below), the creative mind and skillful hands behind Festive Gal who makes unique, colorful, and sassy party supplies.
Whether it is a bachelor party or a birthday party (or anything else in between), you can count on Festive Gal to make sure that you and your gorgeous gang look your best in the most fun and sassy party crowns!
Well, Festive Gal is not featured in Oprah Mag, Today Show, & Buzzfeed for nothing!
10) MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS
MHN’s art and words speak straight to my heart and soul. You might have seen me use her creations in my previous blog posts (check out more here and here).
You should totally check out her page and follow her for that daily dose of inspiration – for your mind, body, and soul!
“I write poetry and make digital mixed media art as a daily creative practice. My practice consists of making new art series every day using both digital and handmade elements on creative consumer applications like Adobe Sketch, Adobe Fresco, and ProCreate. I like to include both abstract and figurative elements in my work, as well as both conversational and poetic language.
For me, this is about learning to hold what is known and unknown, in grace. My work is inspired by real-life and in-the-moment experiences, including my interactions with others. At the heart of what I share, I believe art and creativity are valuable ways to connect with others about matters most.”
“Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly.”
Namaste,
Kusum
Leave a Reply