TOP 10 JULY FAVORITE FINDS

JULY FAVORITE PRODUCT FINDS – SUMMER EDITION

I know, we are already halfway into August and I am just now getting around to publish the July Favorite Finds blog post, but hey, we are still in August (so that counts) and it is all still very much relevant!

Personally, for me, July seemed like a month of finding that eternally sought after ‘BALANCE’…

Just when I think that I have got a better handle on all.things.life and have mastered the ‘art of balancing’ right then I sign up for something new and disrupt the whole equation.

I sure seem to have a knack for it!

If you have been around here for a while then you must remember these words about which I wrote in detail a couple of years back?

BALANCE . EVOLVE . DISCIPLINE -> seems like the 3 main themes of my life!

Not that I am complaining, at least not entirely, it is a good problem to have if finding the right BALANCE is the ONLY real big challenge in my life (right now)…

This time around, this disruption comes in light of me launching another business, Life Coaching. Read more about it here, here, here and here (whew, how do I already have so much going on within this space? Again, another good problem to have!).

Between figuring out (62901) logistics to launch a completely new business and trying to keep up with my existing blogging business while also doing life amidst an extended COVID-19 circumstance with a hyper-energetic toddler in tow, the word BALANCE has a whole nother meaning right now.

But I am coming to terms with the fact that I should be even more OK with saying NO to a lot more things than I did before.

In any case, we hit the trails again in July (much later than we usually do each year), that is a HUGE deal for our family given how much we love the outdoors and hiking. Shared details about it on Instagram Stories, saved under Highlights ‘Hikes’. A separate blog post on it is coming soon, stay tuned.

*Affiliate links used, incredibly thankful for your support.

Loving these July Favorites? Then check out my past monthly favorites post.

TOP 10 JULY FAVORITE FINDS – SUMMER EDITION

1) Productivity Tools

Given that I just started talking about balance, these two productivity tools are at the top of my mind right now.

Trello and Asana – make them your best friends and your life will be 10 times easier (if not more)!

Now we won’t get into the argument of which is better?

It totally depends on what you are looking for and your needs. I use both and like each over the other for certain features. However, not many still seem to know the benefits of these tools so figured I’d share them here.

In short, they both help you to manage your tasks, projects, and even LIFE. Track priorities, progress, deadlines and stay organized.

Give both Asana and Trello a try and see which of these two works best for you!

2) Motorcycle Ride On Toy

This Electric Battery Powered Motorcycle Ride On Toy (with Headlights & Music, Pedal and Training Wheels) was my little ones’ 3rd-year birthday gift from his uncle and aunt.

If you watched my IG stories from earlier this year, our little one was spoiled, yet again, by his uncle, with this motorcycle.

Ours is a motorcycle obsessed family, by that I mean my dad and little brother are. Dad still owns and uses his Royal Enfield from 1981 (which my brother too rode until he lived in India) and my brother bought a motorcycle here in the US a few years back.

Given that love (inexplicable) and obsession (100% real), both for motorcycles and my 3-year-old, my brother wanted to introduce my little monkey to motorcycles too.

While there are mixed reviews about this particular motorcycle, we haven’t had any issues with it and our little one loves it! He became quite proficient in using it within minutes of putting it together, catch more on IG story highlights ‘Baby Boy 3’.

A perfect and special gift indeed!

Related Posts: Kids Toys Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

3) Keyboard & Mouse Wrist Rest Pad

Probably the best $10 I have ever spent!

Honestly, I would have never bought something like this if the hubs weren’t persistent that I get my s*** together as I work longer and longer hours on the computer.

I didn’t think that these keyboard and mouse wrist pads would make any difference and I couldn’t be more wrong. Given the skeptic user and tester that I am, I spent hours at the computer both with and without these rest pads and could clearly tell what a huge difference these made!

These two wrist rests provide soft support to relieve the pressure, fatigue, and pain of the wrist. The curved design of these two wrist rests fits perfectly on the wrist. Thus effectively avoiding damage and other wrist problems caused by friction between the wrist and the desktop.

4) STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE & UTENSILS

This is one of the most frequently asked questions every time I talk about something related to the kitchen on IG stories. So resharing here again.

When I was growing up, my mom (perhaps every mom) only used stainless steel until nonstick became a big thing, but little did we all know how toxic & harmful using nonstick cookware is. But as I learned more about its damaging effects I got rid of all my nonstick cookware 5 years back & completely switched to the old ways aka stainless steel.

When we moved to Seattle, I invested in a big stainless steel set. My stainless steel cookware set is from Costco and I love it (so do my mom and MIL as they are the ones doing all the cooking when they visit, yes, they both spoil us silly and I will take it ;)).

My mom has taken it several steps further and now uses clay pot cookware. I am for sure getting my hands on a few of them when we can finally make a trip back home. ⠀

There are many stainless steel cookware options available out there, just look for a set that makes it easy to remove tough stains/burnt food (hey, accidents do happen) and is also easy on the wallet. The below options have great reviews and look good too.

Option 1, option 2, option 3, option 4

5) Supergoop Sunscreen

Whether it is sunny, cloudy or even raining, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your sunscreen (read more about it here).

And with the current soaring temperatures and heat outside, it is essential to reapply that sunscreen quite frequently too, especially with all the hikes and outdoor activities, even if it is only playing in the backyard.

When it comes to sunscreen, no one does it quite like Supergoop. It is my absolute favorite sunscreen as it feels like a moisturizer and also doubles as a base/primer for my foundation too (always a sucker for double-duty products), and is NOT at all greasy or looks all white-ish when applied (and hence also hubby’s favorite sunscreen).

Given that the Nordstrom Anniversary sale is currently happening, it is also the best time to stock up on some Supergoop Screen, the best bargain ever!

6) Motivating Water Bottle

This isn’t just any ordinary water bottle but one that inspires and motivates you to drink enough water in the day, which apparently is not an easy goal to reach!?

I guzzle water by gallons (my absolute favorite drink) and so does my 3-year-old toddler. But turns out that it isn’t as easy a task for many to keep up with how much water we need to consume daily. Now that the summer heat is upon us it is even more important to stay hydrated at all times.

So this daily time marked water bottle should certainly help you keep up with your goal of drinking enough water daily. The raving reviews and just how many people have bought + reviewed this product is proof enough.

“You’ll be inspired to want to drink more water with the encouraging quote reminder of the daily benefits – with every sip, you’re nourishing your skin, your hair, your mind and your body.”

7) 4-Hour Work Week

Let me start off by saying, if you are going to read this book from a ‘scarcity mindset’ then you will NEVER get it, but if you go in with a ‘growth mindset’ then you will walk away with some thought-provoking questions and some really good practical tips.

Many people claim that this book, The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris has literally changed their lives, and that is freaking fantastic!

Though I am not entirely sure how and if that will be the case for me/us too (hubs and I read this book last year) but certain strategies, tools, and out of the box thinking have certainly had the hubs and me thinking/talking about certain aspects of life in a completely new way.

“This book DOES teach that wealth isn’t all about money, it’s about creating time to do the things you love. There’s an example of a fisherman in this book. He doesn’t have much in the way of material things, but every day he gets to hang out with his friends and family. He fishes a little. He takes an afternoon nap with his wife. He plays in a band in the evening. He’s living like he’s retired while he’s young enough to enjoy it.

This man is NOT a millionaire, but he’s rich in the things that matter. This is the “New Rich.” They are everyday people who are getting out of their comfort zones in order to enjoy life NOW, rather than waiting until the end of their days.”

Related Post: Buddha and the Badass, my take on the book I read last month.

8) Loungewear and PJ sets

Pretty much the only ‘fashion’ shopping I have done in the last few months, loungewear and PJ sets. And with the heatwave hitting us real bad this year, it is $ well spent.

If you know me you know that I have no shame in my game of being out and about and even doing grocery shopping in my PJs.

And that game has only gotten stronger given all the current #maskup situation, i.e. when I do go into the store these days, cuz most of my grocery shopping has moved online (haven’t been more grateful for home delivery and curbside pickup options, though I terribly miss anxiety-free in-store grocery shopping ).

Anyhow, whether you are chilling at home (aka working, managing your kids, cooking, cleaning, etc, etc, and at times doing all at the same time), heading out for a walk or hitting the stores, these are some of my favorite comfy and cozy loungewear and PJs set for the occasion this summer.

Option 1, option 2, option 3, option 4, option 5, option 6

9) Divorce and Mental Health

I recently discovered Jigna_madeup ‘s Instagram page (as did many of you, I hope, if not, here is more) and blog, I applaud that she is sharing her story with the world to inspire other women (and men) like her.

Whether you are in the process of getting a divorce, thinking about it or divorced (and need some encouraging words cuz you are not alone!) or if you are someone who knows another person who is going through this process (so you can be empathetic towards them and offer them the right kind of support and much-needed love) then hear from Jiggy (a divorcee) who is shining some light on this topic.

“Yes I’m divorced, no it doesn’t define me.

Jiggy is an avid mental health awareness advocate having faced her own struggles for a number of years and feels passionately about raising awareness of this topic in the South Asian community which she pursues as a Time to Change champion for mental health charity Mind.

Being a divorced woman in the South Asian community is unfortunately still met with never-ending judgement and criticism. But why should divorce be viewed as a negative? My divorce showed me that when everything around me is falling apart, I have the strength within me not only to get through it, but to rebuild an even better life afterwards. I’ve lived through my darkest days and that’s a feat no amount of judgement will take away from me. The Asian community would have you believe that being a divorcee is a weakness. But they’re wrong. It’s your superpower.

The stigma attached to being a divorced woman in the Asian community is something that needs to change, and it’s a topic that isn’t spoken about enough! Let’s not be so quick to pass judgement on people who are going through their own struggles.”

#beatthestigma #divorcedwomen #divorceadvice

10) BollyX Dance + Fitness Workout

Love Bollywood numbers but hate working out (though you know you really want to rather have to)? Then this is exactly what you are looking for – BollyX. They have about 400+ dance routines (combined with workouts) to choose from.

You know I love my home workouts, and since COVID I had been trying quite a few workouts at-home until I hurt my back in April. Getting back into a workout regimen after a break is forever a challenge for me. And my hack has always been to ease into it with some Bollywood Dance workouts, and that’s when I discovered BollyX.

BollyX has helped me/us take home workouts and dancing to a whole other level of fun, watch this to see what I mean.

“Bolly X featured on ABC’s SHARK TANK! earlier this year, is a Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program that combines dynamic choreography with the hottest music from around the world. Its 50-minute cardio workout cycles between higher and lower-intensity dance sequences to get you moving, sweating, and smiling.

We embody the infectious energy, expression and movement of Bollywood and aim to expand the reach of fitness to more people worldwide.”

“The tans will fade but the memories will last forever.”

Namaste,

Kusum

TOP 10 JULY FAVORITE FINDS

JULY FAVORITE PRODUCT FINDS – SUMMER EDITION

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