This summer has been full of writing, drafts of second-year assignments, early to bed, and moments of walking in the city. Through the weeks, these are the things I have found that have brought me joy.

On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loenen | Bookmark

Bought for a school assignment, I ate this book up. Elise provided someone like me, a white cisgender female raised in an evangelical mega church culture, words for how ‘sins’ were embedded into my psyche and personhood.

Army Green Palazzo Pants | LuluLemon

I loved my black pants so much that I splurged for summer and bought the green ones. I cannot promise I won’t feel the need to get another colour someday. They are just too comfortable for words.

An Anthology of Shells | DK

Purchased for my science and artifact loving pre teen for our summer vacation. She loves taking her time studying different life and natural forms, and if you listen closely to her, you’ll learn something you may never forget.

Cloudpulse Gym Shoes | On

I know it’s time to trash a pair of shoes when even my partner is commenting on how bad a pair I own are. Rather than replace my worn-to-the-bone outdoor walking sneakers with a new pair, I took my current gym trainers, which were the same as my outdoor walking sneakers, and graduated them for outdoor activities while I replaced them with this pair from On. My weight training sessions in our basement have been exceedingly more comfortable ever since.

Coastal Rocks | White Point Beach

Some people have family cottages; we have White Point. These are my Memory rocks from our 2025 family of three vacation.

Deluxe Bleachers Album | Taz

I have always enjoyed putting a Bleachers song in my playlists. It was the perfect time of year to add this album, featuring most of my favourites, to our vinyl collection.

Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | Bose

I caved. After years of my partner swearing by his noise-cancelling headphones and finally using his older set for meditation and high-focus writing, I figured it was time for me to invest in my own pair. If the only reason I bought these was to use them for focusing on my book writing and university assignments, they would be worth it. However, they have become a staple in my daily activities, even if only to help me reset my nervous system through a meditation playlist, etc.
*I invest in one item for my office or work life a year. This wasn’t the plan. But this usurped whatever it was going to be.

Palazzo Pant | Luluemon

I fell in love with these pants from Lululemon as soon as I laid eyes on them. The way they hug the waist and bum area while flaring out in comfort from there has me wanting to purchase more. Will pace myself. However, I can assure you that they are as comfortable and of high quality as they appear.
*I have paired it with Blazor and it serves.

Bubbly Soy Candle | Alben Lane

I have done my best to stop buying candles that are not locally produced or Canadian and not made with soy. I admit I have caved off and on, but Alben Lane makes it easy to keep to my values. Bubbly reminds me of the first time I purchased ‘Champagne Toast’ from Bath Body Works and currently sits on my desk during my birthday month, Mother’s Day and all the celebrations that May brings.

Holy Hurt by Hillary McBride | Hillary L. McBride

Hillary continues to write and create beautiful places for women and others who have grappled with what it means to recognize that one has been seperated from their mind, body and spirit and how to find alignment within all three without. This new book Holy Hurt is based on and a continuation of her podcast series Holy Hurt.

Orca Agate | Geologic in Toronto

Having a pre-teen who is deeply immersed in the hobby of collecting and learning about rocks and minerals, it seemed only right that we visit a store that sells and showcases a variety of stones, crystals, and rocks. My takeaway was this beautiful stone (mineral) from Madagascar, which resembles that of an Orca whale.

Slow Burn | Hobbry Puzzle at Indigo

I love supporting Hobbrys’ puzzles through Indigo. I don’t have the time to sit down and do one, but I do have the time to set one out and pick away at it over the months. This one was finished by a handful of preteens who puttered through my house. My daughter is the main culprit.

Charm Bracelet | Pandora

Admittedly, an indulgent gift to our pre-teen to celebrate her entry into the double digits. I had too much fun picking out her first three charms, which will hopefully be a fun experience for her to celebrate milestones and happenings in her life over the long term. I settled on her initial, a green gem to represent her birth month and an elephant to represent one of her most treasured items.
*I loved doing this for her so much, I realized that it’s I who wants a charm bracelet so bad—letting that desire sit until the new year.

Impossible á Aimer Vinyl by Coeur de Pirate | Bravo Musique

I don’t remember when I first heard Béatrice Mireille Martin, also known as Coeur De Pirate, but she was arresting from the first note. She marries old and new approaches to music within her vocals and style in a way that makes me weak in the knees.
Une Chanson Brisée is a favourite of mine.