May Fixations: protein lattes, fresh blooms, and my favorite book of the year
Plus a summer color palette I'm loving
Happy first day of June everyone!
With another month passing it means it’s time to share some of my monthly fixations. May was a big month at Mostly Sunny. The newsletter got a new name (same vibes), and a gorgeous logo courtesy of my dear friend who runs House of Pins that makes the cutest Bangtan merch.
Outside of the name change, the month of May went by in a blink of an eye! We celebrated my hubbies birthday. Two of my best friends welcomed their bebes into the world. My niece turned two! We got a new car, and finally stopped discussing what car to buy... We set a bunch of fun summer plans and some much needed financial guardrails, too.
I’ve got some great recs for you this month so pour yourself an iced (protein) latte and let’s dive in.
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Protein lattes
This was a new, delicious discovery. For years I’ve listened to Allana Davison rave about her protein coffee concoctions. I’ve been interested but skeptical. I don’t typically like the taste of protein powders and they usually give me bad gas (the burping kind, just so we’re clear 😂). Then I stumbled upon Fairlife Core Power shakes replacing milk in lattes. It’s upped my afternoon coffee game, and let’s me keep on top of my protein intake which is definitely lacking.
I’ve tried both the vanilla and chocolate options, and I’d recommend both.
Here’s my recipe (lol if you can call it such): ice, double nespresso pod of choice, 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Core Power. That’s it! You could also sub out the espresso for cold brew or iced coffee.
Fresh blooms
Specifically, peonies, because yes, I’m that girl, and my decks planter box! I like nothing more than sitting on my deck in the summer, hiding from the sun with a summery read, and admiring my planter box. I’ve perfected the filler, thriller, and spiller technique and my ideal color story: magentas, orange, cornflower blues, white with lots of green in between.
Now, it would be wonderful if the weather could stop pissing rain so I can sit on the deck to admire my plant babies.
A summer color palette that has me in a chokehold
I placed a recent H&M order (something I haven’t done in years) and realized everything I bought was either crisp white, picante orange, or cornflower blue. My package arrived and I couldn’t stop drooling at how beautifully the pieces went together. It’s giving Greece or coastal vacation vibes, and something about the colors together tickle my brain. Apparently there’s a psychological impact for that: blue can evoke feelings of peace, serenity, and stability, while orange can create a sense of warmth, enthusiasm, and excitement. The combination can create a dynamic and balanced mood. Who knew??
Possibly my favorite book of the year
The Road to Tender Hearts swept me in and took me on a wonderful, wacky ride. I’ll go into a deeper review of this one in my May Monthly Reading Round-up next week, but know that I Loved it. Harnett managed to create the most oddball, endearing cast of characters plagued with some serious past traumas and one cat that has a knack for sensing death. You’d think this book would be depressing but it ended up being one of the most joyful books I’ve read since The Wedding People.
The only workout sets I’m buying anymore
Over the years I’ve tried numerous activewear brands—Lululemon, Aerie, Outdoor Voices, Spiritual Gangster, Athleta, Beyond Yoga, I’m sure I’m missing a few. Excessive? Sure. But take ~four hot yoga classes a week plus I teach two hot yoga classes a week. I need my activewear to hold up, not stink, and be comfortable.
I’m over not wearing comfortable workout gear. And that goes for uncomfortable workout gear to get on, too. Out of all the activewear I own, Beyond Yoga tops and leggings are the ones I feel the best in, and feel the best on. The Spacedye range is my favorite (specifically the biker shorts and racerback crop tank) and IMO is softer than Lululemon or any other brand I’ve tried. I have no boobs so I don’t need compression, and I love the colors they come in! Bonus there are a ton of Beyond Yoga NWT (new with tags) on Poshmark and eBay for a good discount!
Watched & Read
Shows:
At this point I feel like a broken record because you’ve already heard me bang on about the same shows all month! Alas we finished Daredevil Season two (the old Netflix one) and Your Friends & Neighbors! I’d highly recommend Your Friends & Neighbors if you love watching rich people behaving questionably and/or Jon Hamm. Another runaway hit from AppleTV.
I also managed to watch The Four Seasons. I liked it okay. I’d consider this more casual viewing and a good palette cleanser type show, but nothing wowed me. Ooh, and then we watched the first three episodes of the final season of You—all I can say, if Joe doesn’t wind up dead or in jail, I’m out.
Books:
Keep your eyes peeled for my Everything I Read in May post this Wednesday.
A few more links before we go
💄 The recession indicators you might’ve missed that are widely odd (and hold their weight).
🛁 Turns out there is a right time to shower.
🎤 A conversation with Carley Fortune that has me re-considering picking up her books.
📚 Are cartoon covers the new Fabio?
That’s it for me. What were you hyper fixated on in May?! Drop a note in the comments. And if you liked this post please like, share, comment, do all the things—it means so much 🤎
Until next time,
MacKenzie
Omg I just started The Road to Tender Hearts last night! You are so right; it’s amazing! I’ve been in a reading slump and this book is def going to bust it.
I want to read The Road to Tender Hearts, I added it to my watchlist a couple of days ago, sounds amazing