Dear June...
of chocolate sprinkles, summer reads and sketchbook spreads
The first half of 2023 is over, can you believe it? I can remember January like it was yesterday, crazy how time flies.
I started this month in the Netherlands and came back home after two weeks and now i am enjoying the sunshine and summer at home (and kittens!)
Since half of the year is over i think it is the perfect time to reflect on the months past and also think about the months to come, so i have added a few questions to use as journaling promts or inspiration down below:)
Just in case you are new here: welcome, i am very happy that you are here. This is my newsletter. Once a month i share a letter, filled with things that have inspired me this past month, things that i loved and some of my favourites. Just recently i started sharing some thoughts and feelings on different topics like overthinking and people pleasing.
If you are interested, why don’t you stick around and subscribe?
Food
I have had a few (food) obsessions this month two of them being:
Matcha Lattes ( i personally like mine with oat milk and i need a sweetener because i’m not good with bitter tastes).
Plain yoghurt with chocolate sprikles.
I’m that kind of person that needs to eat something sweet after a meal to clean my palate, yoghurt is a great way to do just that.
Broccoli and cauliflower are also still high on my list of favourite food, i could add them to almost everything.
I also made banana waffles and then made a berry sauce with rasberries, blackberries, strawberries and fresh mint and then some peach slices on top, delicious and summery.
Books
I had the urge to read some of the books that have been on my shelves for years (like, since 2018…) a bonus: they were cute summer romances.
Golden by Jessie Kirby
This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
and now i’m reading The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
For years, these kind of books were the only thing i would read during summer, light love stories filled with roadtrips, bucket lists and first kisses. I was reminded why i enjoy these books, a mindless way to relax and switch off from what ever is worrying me.
Music and Podcast
Listening to lots of Taylor (of course), old favourites and music attached to certain memories…
also Taylor Swift released international tour dates!!!!
I am going to be in the UK at that time and there are about 6 or 8 shows i could possible go to, so i am manifesting tickets!!!!
I’ve already mentioned the Pulling the Thread podcast on here, it’s one of my favourites and i listend to this episode where Elise Loehnen (the host) speaks to her editor about her newly releasd book On Our best Behaviour - The Price Women Pay To Be Good. I have had this book on my wishlist for a while and this episode finally gave me that push and i bought it! So excited to get into it! Elise has a substack newsletter as well by the way
Creative
This section is more about the creative things i have done then my favourite creative things, not so much inspiration more a round up.
I have been doing a lot of painting and sketching and want to keep focusing on that so i would also like to share more of my art work here. I’m not yet 100% sure in what way i want to share my work and maybe also some other art related posts, but i will defitely share two summery sketchbook spreads from the month.
I have been doing more crocheting than knitting, to me knitting is for cooler days or seasons and crocheting is perfect for summer. I started a granny square vest thing last year and have been busy adding more little squares and square by square it is taking up shape.
What Else?
Last weekend i invited some friends over, eveyone brought something to eat and clothes they no longer needed. And then we had a clothes swapping party! It was so much fun and we all got rid of old clothes and found new things to wear, for free. It is such a great and sustainable way to reuse old clothes, things you might no longer enjoy, somebody else might love!
I also had a lot of fun decorating the garden and table:)
Summer solstice was this month, did you celebrate?
I got up for sunrise, took my journal out into the meadow behind our house and reflected on the past 6 months and looked ahead towards the next six. It was such a special way to welcome summer and start the new season.
Journaling reflection prompts
What is a lesson you learned in the last 6 months?
What was something that was worrying you, seemed really hard or impossible to face, that you have overcome since January?
What are you manifesting for the next six months?
What little tiny thing could you do until the end of the year to make your dream life closer? (do you dream of having your own vegetable garden? Why don’t you buy some fresh herbs in pots and keep them alive to use them for cooking?)
Inspiration
@leamelcher on Instagram
@randilynnreedillustration also on Instagram
the Midsummer Retreat, it was gorgeuos.And in case you missed it: here's another post i wrote about the Chameleon Effect.
I hope you have a wonderful summer, let me know what your favourite things were this month!
Pippa xxx
Sounds wonderful 🤍
Absolutely love your solstice activity, and what fabulous journal prompts! Will be sharing your page in my Notes section!💕have a beautiful upcoming July, my friend!