I’ve Been VERY Busy - Newsletter #5

I’ve been very busy letting the sunlight scrape my skin, drinking cold beverages that warm the back of my throat, and luxuriating in the summer heat. While I cannot tan (my genetics couldn’t pull through on that one) freckles are beginning to dust my arms and my skin reeks of the amalgamation of sunscreen, self-tan, and Beach Walk by Replica. I always say I was not built for warm weather as I point out the sweat stains developing on my t-shirt, but there’s a joy in the air that I can feel permeating through the city as palpable as the sun hitting the back of my neck. Everyone seems to be more alive despite battling the humid air armed with nothing but tower fans ordered on Amazon. While I still yearn for summers spent by the sea, there is actual magic in a London Summer. In a few weeks’ time, you will undoubtedly be reading a moody newsletter fueled by the unstoppable stream of sweat dripping down my back, as I type furiously about London’s extreme lack of air conditioning, but for now, I am soaking it all in. Sweat stains and all.

Things that are tickling my fancy

Baked eggs. I’ve been baking the HELL out of my eggs recently. Shakshuka? An all-time fave. Turkish eggs? That garlicky yogurt goes CRAZY. My mom’s “frittata” that’s really more of a Spanish tortilla? A go-to for the beginning of the week, as I can reheat it for the following few breakfasts. Eggs in the morning keep me FULL and therefore my entire day is instantly improved. Eggs for breakfast are obviously NOT revolutionary, but I urge you to experiment with your morning eggs and maybe - stick them in the oven. I am well aware that no one wants to turn the oven on in the summer - but the morning is the best time to do it before the heat of the day really sets in. So go ahead, bake some eggs in the morning, and report back with what I can expect will shower of “Thank you Mikayla” “You changed my life Mikayla” and “I am forever indebted to you, and also you’re super hot Mikayla” and “please kiss me on the mouth Mikayla” OK I’ll stop.

SPF. As previously mentioned, I cannot tan, and I do not even try. I am the queen of sun protection so I feel extremely confident dishing out my sunscreen recs. It’s extremely important to take care of your skin health and not so fun-fact: getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer. YIKES! I have searched high and low for the best options for keeping sun protected in a semi-low-maintenance way and I am here to gift you the full scope of how I - the palest woman alive - make it work. 

A good face sunscreen will change your life. I have heard many complaints about feeling “oily” and I understand that many face sunscreens can BURN when they get in your eyes, but your face skin is so SENSITIVE and who wants premature wrinkles? I think the one place to splurge slightly is face products. My all-time favourite? The La Roche Posay Invisible Fluid. This stuff feels like absolutely nothing on the skin, doesn’t break me out, and never makes my eyes sting. It’s also SPF 50+ which is perfect for really protecting the face. If you’re a face sunscreen hater - I truly think this will be a game-changer for you.

Get yourself a sunscreen stick. This is the easiest way to reapply on the go, it’s compact, easy to apply, and doesn’t count as a liquid if you’re traveling. This is particularly important to me for getting all the little bits on my body (ears, hairline, hands) but I ESPECIALLY recommend this for all of my fellow tattooed friends. It is SO important to make sure your tattoos are protected from sun damage so they can continue to look their best for years to come. It’s a forever commitment, so act like it! A stick is great because you can apply and reapply directly to your tattoos super easily and ensure you’ve got them covered. Even if I apply sunscreen all over my body, I will still go over my tattoos with the little stick as a way of showing some love to the artist who put them there. I’ve been using this one by Hello Sunday and I enjoy that it’s invisible and hydrating, but any stick will work!

Body sunscreen is the biggest pain in the ass. I am so with everyone on this one. Now, I think cream vs. spray is ultimately a personal preference, but if you’re going for ease - before you get dressed for the day, get naked and start applying. Even to the places covered by clothes! This way, you’ll never miss a spot, and you don’t have to dodge whatever clothes you’re wearing. I promise you it ends up being a pretty quick process when you’re not tugging down your t-shirt to get the back of your neck. Let it all soak in for a minute, then put your clothes on. For cream, I’m partial to the Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion, especially the one bottle that comes with a pump, and for a spray, I recently went on holiday with the Boots brand clear and cool suncare mist and it worked a treat! It’s great for lazy people because the spray is so fine you don’t have to do ANY rubbing in. Plus it’s only £7 which is the real win here.

What I’m Sipping…

I love a glass of Gavi in the summer. It was my go-to last year and it’s making its grand return into my rotation. Gavi is a White Wine made from the Cortese grape in the Piedmont region of Italy. It shares similar qualities to your classic Italian Pinot Grigio but is slightly more aromatic and typically more complex. It’s still very approachable and Pinot Grigio fans will still appreciate this wine as it is bone dry and has that crisp acidity one would expect from a classic PG. However, the style of this wine, in particular, is probably more comparable to a Chablis, or Sancerre, due to the minerality and depth. You can expect crisp apple and pear notes, floral qualities like honeysuckle, and often hints of almond. I love it because I am all about the high acid wines in the summer, and a Gavi gives me the tongue-tingling bright, zesty, acidity that I’m looking for. It’s a super refreshing summer drink, and Waitrose’s own Gavi is honestly really delicious if you’re looking to dip your toes into this style of wine. Let me know what you think!

IN:

Saying “I Love You”

Going to war for concert tickets

The colour Yellow

Sexy murder mysteries and love triangle romances

Denim

OUT:

Lack of routine

Keeping secrets

Hot coffee

Sweaty hair on the back of your neck

Picking a singular aesthetic