August favs

What I’m reading, listening to, and enjoying this month.

Where I went to eat

Start with a glass of natural wine at Sauvage, and then take a quick 5 minute ride downtown to First and Last. Get the cacio e pepe...trust me!

*Cacio e pepe at First and Last, Phoenix*

What I’m reading

Get Out of Your Head – I just finished this book with my friends in a bible study group, and I loved how Jennie Allen combined neuroscience and Biblical analogies to provide tactics to take control of your negative thought patterns. We all struggle with spiraling thoughts and after reading this, I became more aware of just how often my mind starts to think negatively. I think this is one of those books I will re-read once a year to remind myself of the power of prayer, positive thoughts, and community.

Too Late – This one took me less than a week to finish, and it’s such a page-turner! If you are looking for a lighter, happy read, this probably isn’t the book for you right now. The story hits on topics like addiction, physical and psychological abuse and follows three different character’s perspectives who are all involved in different ways with a dangerous drug lord. Add in a love triangle and deep rooted trauma and you’ve got yourself a complicated web that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

You Can Heal Your Life – I am re-reading this book and have been reminded about the power of your thoughts (see Get Out of Your Head above). Louise Hay was a motivational speaker and author who healed herself from ovarian cancer by practicing visualizations, nutritional cleansing, psychotherapy, and affirmations. The premise of the book is that all dis-eases in the body are created by our negative thoughts and unresolved trauma, and by using the tools and affirmations in the book, we have the power to heal our ailments. Whether you are into this kind of “woo woo” stuff or not, it really is a powerful read and I often reference the index when I’m having certain symptoms to see how my thinking may have contributed to this.

What I’m watching

Manifest – A lot of my books and TV shows this month are on the darker side lol. It’s been out for a few years, but we just discovered Manifest on Netflix a few weeks ago and have been flying through season 1! It’s about a plane that disappears for 5 years, and how the passengers are navigating their lives back after their loved ones have moved on after thinking they were dead. The passengers all band together and try to figure out how to stop the government conspiracy that they believe had something to do with their flight going missing. It’s a wild ride!

What I’m listening to

Oatmeal is NOT a health food – This one was triggering for me because I love my oat milk lattes and oatmeal in the morning. Dr. Paul Saladino goes on a deep dive on how oats may be doing more harm than good for the body. He’s got the data to back it up and I understand how oats shouldn’t necessarily be labeled as “health” food, but I still am going to enjoy my organic oats every once and a while and I don’t see myself completely giving up my oat milk lattes. If you give this one a listen, let me know where you stand on the oat debate and if this surprised you too!

What I’m adding to cart

Abercrombie activewear - Anyone else loving the resurgence of Abercrombie? I recently got myself some new activewear from their YPB activewear line and it is SO comfortable and flattering. I am eyeing some of their tops and jeans too. The 13-year-old Makenna never thought I’d be still wearing Abercrombie 20 years later!

Smile Spa – I’ve been wearing a retainer every night since I got my braces off (probably since my Abercrombie days ha!) and have never had a great way of cleaning them. I used to use those tablets that dissolved in hot water, but I started to get sketched out by the chemicals in the tablets and found this smile spa on Amazon. All you do is fill up the device with filtered water, and it uses the ultrasonic vibration to clean your retainers and get rid of bacteria. I even clean my tongue scraper and toothbrush in the compartment.

Any good recs for September? Always looking for new finds!

Disclosure: every product I mention is something I have personally vetted, purchased, or been gifted. I will always provide my honest opinion. If you make a purchase via the affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.