Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T: August 19-25, 2024
Alison Pegg
I was talking to a gentleman at the farmer’s market tha week ago about this time of year. These last few weeks of August where summer is lazing along, seemingly never ending.
But our conversation got me thinking - should we be cherishing this time of summer more?
Without school or classes to go back to, these dog days of August are just that - hot, humid and numerous in nature. A hint of fall last week got me excited and looking forward, but with the return of the heat and humidity, my dread of it has now somehow turning to longing. Longing for walks after dinner when its still light out, bike rides to the market for snacks and frose, and the slower pace that late August brings.
Here’s to the upcoming holiday weekend and last of the summer. May it be long, lazy and full of lounging, just as summer should be.
Here is this week’s Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.
Reading
Just for the Summer (Abby Jimenez)
Speaking of summer days, Just for the Summer was a perfect summer read. Abby Jimenez’s stories are always some of my faves, and her latest was exactly what I wanted it be. Unputdownable, heartwarming, and completely satisfying. I’m not sure if this is my favourite book of hers, but her male lead was totally swoonworthy in all the best ways.
Just for the Summer by Abby JimenezMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
Eating
Frose (Littleton’s)
Frozen drinks on a sparsly populated Littleton’s Market patio is my new fave. There’s something about a breezy summer day and an ice cold drink that chase all the worries away, Littleton’s frose couldn’t be icier. It’s a frozen treat worth savouring - for its not-to-sweet taste, and for the way it makes you slow down to enjoy it. 10/10.
Playing
2024 has seen some stellar kdramas this year, but it’s also been a year where I’ve given Chinese dramas another shot. Modern dramas have definitely been more my style, I just can’t get into the historical ones, but its tricky to find one where the female lead isn’t a total pushover. As Beautiful As You had a strong female lead, a kind, but badass male lead, and a second lead couple that was super adorable (but watch out, the third and fourth couples were super annoying). It also introduced me to the phenomenom that is Xu Kai, I had no idea he’s one of the most popular Chinese actors today. Give this drama some patience, it does take a minute to get going, but once it does, you’ll appreciate all the little “things” from the beginning.
Obsessing
Dalium Leather Flower (Polene)
You know those objects you come across when you first see them that take your breath away? That’s how I felt when I spotted Polene’s Dalium leather flowers. I’ve been styling bookshelves recently, and know that these come absolutely complete a shelf perfectly. The price has me a little gun shy, a few more rounds of Etsy searches might have me coming back to purchase these. They’re GORGEOUS.
image courtesy of Polene
Recommending
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen (Vichy)
The last thing I want to put on my face in 90 degree heat and humidity is foundation. Ew. Thank goodness for tinted sunscreen, especially this mineral one from Vichy. A lovely Shoppers Drug Mart rep tipped me off to this one the last time I was in Canada, and I love how non-greasy and mattifying it is. It’s definitely not a dewy finish when it goes one, which I love, because it give my face room to breathe during the day without becoming a greasy mess. I don’t think I can pull this shade off in the winter, but for summer, it couldn’t be better.
image courtesy of Vichy USA
Treating
Black & White Classic Tray (Vitra)
Those flower I mentioned earlier? This midcentury modern tray from Vitra got the same visceral reaction from me a few weeks ago. I let it sit in my Ssense wishlist for weeks, hemming and hawing over whether I really needed a tray at this price. One tax-free week and a generous return policy later, and this tray now anchors the bookshelf in all its mid-century glory. It’s perfect.
image courtesy of SSENSE