The Mondays: August 11, 2025

February lasted 1,872 years. March dragged on for another decade. But the summer has flown by like the Concorde. I can hardly believe that it’s mid-August. I need to take a deep breath before the quick slide into the holidays overtakes me.

Yes, I said holidays. I know, I am also nauseated. So what should I discuss today as my mind has left me to wonder how I wasted the first eight-months of this year…how about things I’ve purchased or been gifted recently that I (mostly) liked? That sounds easy.

Usually when a brand discontinues a product, I have warning. I learn about it weeks in advance on Instagram or from an influencer and I can rush to eBay and buy in bulk, ensuring that I don’t run out of my favorite product for months (or years). That did not happen with my beloved Ouai volume spray. I went to order a replacement one day and it was just gone, like a dream. I’m still salty about it.

Over the course of almost two years, I tried every light volumizing product out there — kissing every frog and catching salmonella every time. Some made my scalp breakout. Some were oily. Some were sticky. Some were using a mediocre white man’s definition of success to liberally use the term “volume” while providing nothing. It was brutal.

Then, Mary Orton reminded me of a product that I used in the early 2000s when Aveda was all the rage — the Aveda Volumizing Tonic. The volume is soft. The texture isn’t sticky or tacky or oily. It even offers a little bit of hold. Maybe the Gen-Z littles are right and everything old is new again.

I’ve also been using their Texture Tonic to create more of a piecey look when I use my hot rollers. It’s been giving my hair more movement and less of that helmet hair look that takes a few hours to melt out. If you have wavy hair, I would definitely give this one a look.

Let’s take a moment to discuss suiting. One of the hardest parts of gaining weight over the past three years has been sizing out of all of my suiting. Because when you lose a beloved suit, you lose not only the emotional connection to that garment (won my first trial, passed this bill, etc.), you lose the ease of getting dressed for big moments. Suddenly you own a closet full of nothing to wear.

As I’ve started replacing those pieces, the suiting brand that has filled the gap for me isn’t Ann Taylor or J.Crew or Banana Republic or BOSS or Theory — those brands all make a fantastic suit — but the brand that has saved my life is Nordstrom’s in-house line.

I bought this collarless blazer at the Anniversary Sale and it’s bliss. I ordered the ivory and wish I had also ordered the black, but I am happy to pay full price for it. I also own the Ingrid blazer in two colors, which is more oversized and modern, but still a great suit once it gets a little tailoring from the capable hands of Nordstrom alterations. I love that these blazers are <$200, come with multiple options for bottoms, and are offered in a selection of neutral colors. I love a unique suit as much as the next woman (maybe more), but I am restocking basics so I need neutrals.

We need to start meal planning. I don’t know why this feels like such a daunting task, but it does. I’ve tried every app and they all just gather dust on my phone. Finally, I spotted this cute meal planning notebook on Nordstrom’s website and it’s awesome. You write out the meals you plan to make and then add ingredients to the tear off grocery list next to it and all that’s left is to cook the food. I bought a few to gift to friends this Christmas.

LOFT is having a big sale right now, and some pieces that I bought this summer are included, so I wanted to make space to share them. LOFT has become the place I go for casual clothing that is comfortable, looks good, and is well-made enough to last a couple of years.

This oversized poplin maxi shirtdress is the thing for when you need a dress to put on your body and you don’t want to think too hard about it. You can wear it for the next 2-3 months, and it’s classic enough to bring out again next summer. This <$30 crochet yoke dress goes from the pool to lunch with ease. Also, this paisley print top looks much more expensive in person, the print gives Ulla Johnson vibes for $16.

Planned obsolescence finally came for my six-year-old iPhone. No amount of updating could keep the battery charged or the apps running smoothly, so I had no choice but to upgrade. The first thing I did once the new phone was ordered was pick up a new case from Bandolier.

Even as a Mom, I like to travel light. I prefer to leave my house with only my emotional baggage. I don’t want to carry a purse. I want to bring as little as possible. This wide strap Bandolier lets me bring my phone and a card case and keep everything hands free. You can add extras like pouches, sunglasses cases and other items to haul a little more.

Have a big event and need a clutch alternative? This metallic case comes with a long chain, but you can also add the wristlet chain.

During the pandemic lockdown, Kyle got really into pour over coffee. He spent hours grinding different beans, trying different filters, and altering water temperature. Since I didn’t start drinking coffee until Sloane was born, the fruits of his labor were wasted on me. After he went back to the office, he swapped out pour over coffee for double shots of espresso to save time, but every now and then, he would break out the pour over and make coffee for sipping on holidays or lazy Sunday mornings.

Fast forward to last month when Ratio offered to send me one of their Eight Original Coffee Machines to try. When I accepted the coffee maker, I told Ratio that I would try it and if we didn’t think it was worth the money, I would send it back at my cost. They agreed and asked that if I thought it was good enough to keep that I write this post. I genuinely thought I would be mailing it back by the end of week three. But here we are still using it almost every day six-weeks later. Here’s why.

First, the Ratio makes perfect coffee every time. Not good coffee. Great coffee. We grind our favorite beans, place them into the wire mesh filter (no more forgetting paper filters at the store), push the button and walk away. Upon return, a full pot of perfectly brewed pour over coffee is ready to enjoy. The thermal device also keeps the pot warm for hours so just like in the office, you can grab refills without starting from scratch. The machine gives you the ease of drip coffee and the flavor of pour over, while making enough for a crowd.

Second, the machine is beautiful and extraordinarily well built. Lifting it out of the box, you immediately realize how much better constructed it is than most fancy coffee machines, which are primarily made of plastic. I hate having appliances out on my counter, but the Ratio has its own designated spot, atop a silicone mat because it fits in with the decor.

Honestly, I’d have shipped this thing back in a heartbeat if we weren’t using it enough to make a dent in my coffee budget. At this price point ($699-$999), the Ratio needed to live up to every claim it was making and get near-daily usage to not wind up on a FedEx truck home. But here I am, writing this post, encouraging you to add it to your wedding registry, buy it for your parents who still drink drip, or upgrade your office coffee machine. It’s that good.

Have a smaller kitchen or want something more affordable? Their six-cup coffee maker is the best choice for you.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author; as mentioned Ratio gifted me the coffee maker, but no other money changed hands, and I only take free items with the understanding that they will be mailed back if they’re not good enough to keep, and I’ve spent more on FedEx this year than I care to mention}