May 2026 Check-In
Current reads, the garden of my dreams, and my pitch for you to start watching Summer House.
Happy June, friends!
I hope you soaked up all that May and the springtime had for you. And now it’s time for a summer full of sun kissed shoulders, farmer’s market strolls, and fresh peaches and tomatoes. My favorite time of the year!
Similar to last month, I hope that you’ll accept my apologies for this May’s check-in coming a little later than usual. Though I pride myself in showing up here on time and on budget (we have no budget), I am indeed a family gal first. We took our first real family vacation at the end of May, which wasn’t super conducive for getting this to you on the last Friday of the month.
Nonetheless, May was one for the books! I absolutely love doing these check-ins each month as a gratitude practice if nothing else. It always makes me so thankful for the good things each month had for us. And a big thanks to you for doing it with me :)
Without further adieu, let’s roll the tapes on May.
C- CREATED
The things I made this month: projects, writing, photos, meals, or anything I put my hands or heart into.
We’re nearing my girly pop’s first birthday and I am feeling super emo about it. HOWEVER, you know I love to plan a party, so birthday party prep is in full swing over here. I’ve been putting together a little vision board, storing away craft supplies, and scheming, scheming, scheming. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on it or go to big (I’m a huge advocate that kids’ birthday parties don’t need to be the insane ones we see on Instagram), but I can’t help but get a liiiiittle carried away celebrating our girl.
One of my absolute favorite creations of the month was the Among Friends Summer Book Club. If you haven’t read this article about it yet, I hope you do and I double hope that you join us for a summer of reading!
I finished stitching my first needlepoint canvas at the beginning of the month and took it to my local needlepoint shop to have it finished into an ornament. In the meantime, I started stitching my next canvas—a small one that says “Espresso St.” I have dreams of putting it in a beautiful frame by our coffee set-up when it’s complete. Anyway, you heard it here first: I love needlepoint.
H- HIGHLIGHTS
My favorite moments, little joys, and the things I was obsessed with throughout the month.
This was my first Mother’s Day with our little gal and we had such a great day. We started the day with a slow morning at home, church, and family brunch. After brunch, my husband took our girly home for a nap and I got in some solo shopping time and even squeezed in a pedicure. Mother’s Day isn’t about all of the plans and gifts—it’s about making moms feel seen and appreciated and I very much did.
We spent a week in Puerto Rico with my husband’s family this month and it was one for the books (in many ways). It was our first real vacation as a family of three and while we did have a ton of fun, I’ll be honest and say that it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. We had a blast, but being our first vacation with a little one, we also learned a ton (like the realities of vacationing kiiiiinda becoming parenting in a new location). Though it had its challenges (like losing running water and switching Airbnbs mid-trip), it was still such a highlight. We had amazing food, spent time on the beach and exploring, and our daughter swam for the first time.
E- ENJOYED
Books, shows, places, products, or experiences that I genuinely loved and would recommend.
Taylor Jenkins Reid got me out of a huge reading slump a few years ago with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. She struck again this month with Carrie Soto is Back. Carrie Soto’s confidence and dedication are contagious. Also, can I just say that I love an “unlikeable” Female Main Character? I’m about halfway through her book Malibu Rising as well and will report back (so far, so good)!
I’ve listened to this album almost exclusively this month after a friend sent it to me. It really speaks to the part of my heart that grew up on Avril Lavigne, Paramore, and Five Seconds of Summer. Though I am in a bit of a music rut? What are you listening to these days?
You know me—I always enjoy a healthy dose of reality TV. My favorite show, Summer House, is wrapping up, which means one thing. It’s time for you to go back and watch every season before the next one comes out next spring. TRUST me. And when you’re caught up, start the spin-off In The City. If you’ve ever wanted to get into a Real Housewives franchise, now’s the perfect time for that as well! Season one of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is coming out and I gotta say…it’s a good one. And while we’re on the topic, happy almost-love-island-season to all who celebrate! 🫶🏻
C- COOKED
Recipes I tried, tweaked, loved, or want to remember for later.
This month, I tried to keep our meals simple and whole food focused. I usually cook larger dinners Sunday-Wednesday so that it creates leftovers for lunches and a couple dinners later in the week. If you’re looking for a few days of dinners, here’s what we had on the menu one week this month: Crockpot coconut chicken curry with bell peppers and onions and brown rice; Crockpot honey garlic pulled pork with roasted brussel sprouts and potatoes; Balsamic blistered tomato salmon with green beans and sweet potato fries; Grilled burgers and zucchini with roasted potatoes (or leftover sweet potatoes!).
I’ve been absolutely obsessssed with this protein mug brownie from Audrey Coats lately. It makes for the perfect end of the day sweet treat. The evenings that I make it after dinner, I truly feel like the little protein boost before bed helps me sleep a little more soundly as well.
When it comes to making matcha, I’m usually an iced matcha latte girl. This month I tried making an iced matcha with coconut water and it’s such a nice summer bevy switch up! It feels a little lighter and I love knowing that I’m getting all of the hydration and electrolyte benefits that come with the coconut water. Pro tip: top it with Trader Joe’s cold foam.
K- KEPT THINKING ABOUT
Thoughts, reflections, conversations, or ideas that stayed with me long after they happened.
I got my hair done recently (the first time I’ve colored my hair in years!) and had a brief interaction with my stylist that I haven’t stopped thinking about. It went something like this: Her: “You have some sparkles in your hair. What do you want to do with them?” Me: “Is it crazy to say that I actually like them and don’t want to cover them?” Her: “Not at all. I wouldn’t recommend covering them unless you wanted to.” First of all, I’m obsessed with calling gray hairs “sparkles” and will be adopting that language immediately. But there was also something about that tiny exchange that felt unexpectedly hopeful. Maybe it’s small, but it made me wonder if women in my generation are starting to loosen our grip on some of the beauty standards we inherited. Less pressure to erase every sign of age, more permission to look like ourselves. There’s something so “fight the power” about simply liking yourself in today’s world. Consider this your official memo: we’re embracing our natural beauty, ladies. Sparkles and all!
As spring is fading away and summer is ramping up, I’m holding onto hope that this time next year we will have a yard of our own that I can transform into a beauuuuutiful oasis. In the meantime, I cannot stop thinking about all of the things I want to do with it. My husband has a vision of a pergola with a swing on each side (my version of it includes winding wisteria too!). My dream yard also has a cut flower garden, a produce garden with silly signs, a fairy garden (and mud kitchen) for our daughter, a whimsical bird bath, a bird feeder made from a thrifted teacup and saucer, a firepit, a little free library, and much more. I fear we’re gonna need a bigger yard (and budget) than planned.
I- INSPIRATION
What sparked creativity or motivation this month: people, posts, places, quotes, anything.
I’m not sure what, maybe it’s the summer rolling in or my daughter being a little older and my capacity recovering a smidge, but I’ve been rather inspired to get back into a good workout routine this month. I’ve been consistent with getting back to boxing for a few months now, but have been itching to get back to lifting and regain some strength that I lost during pregnancy. With the help of some “sticker charts” I made, I managed to stay consistent this month! I made you a sticker chart template too if you want to give it a go! :)
I have a Pinterest board where I save baby and kiddo craft ideas. I’ve been perusing it quite a bit recently and am hoping to get to work on some with our daughter. When she was born I had hopes of doing a cute craft with her every month or for every holiday her first year of life, but alas I am not supermom. BUT I’m feeling inspired to get back in the lab (craft bin) and give it another go. Let me know which one of the ones below you think I should do first!
N- NEW
New things I tried, learned, bought, discovered, or added to my routines.
You’ve probably seen me write the words “I’m not allowed to buy any new lippies!” But, unfortunately, I have a problem. I tried out Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tint in the shade Salty Tan at Sephora this month and couldn’t resist. Eadem’s Le Chouchou (I love the shade Guava Fresca!) is still my ride or die but this one is a very close second. I dream of someday ranking my favorite lippies for you, but I don’t know…is that silly?
I have a few new clothing items that I have to tell you about. First of all, these pants from Gap are my new favorite article of clothing. I’ve already worn them an embarrassing number of times. If you, like me, are skeptical of the barrel cut, let me assure you that it’s subtle. I also made a Land’s End order leading up to our recent beach trip and got this swimdress and coverup. They served me so well on our trip (as did my new favorite face sunscreen!)
That’s all for me this May, friends. I hope you had an amazing month. Take a minute to scroll through the photos on your phone, if nothing else, and reminisce on the memories made this month. I’m sure they were great ones 🫶🏻✨
Thank you so very much for reading Among Friends! I’m so grateful you’re here. Feel free to drop a comment below—I love to chat! Tell me about some highlights from your month! Also, if you made it this far and like what you read, would you consider subscribing and heart-ing this post? It helps Substack know that people like my writing, which means the world to me! See you next time!
Previously on Among Friends…
Will be trying the protein mug brownie!!
Love this! Your food sounds amazing! Your dream yard is similar to mine! I'm hoping we will have one in the near future as well. ☺️ I want to try the protein brownie!