May has been such an incredible month of growth and transitions, and I’m not just referring to the weather now that everything is fully bloomed and Spring – which feels like it only just arrived to the party – is already creeping towards the exit door to make way for the much more loud and rambunctious Summer season to take it’s place at the table.
I’m also talking about exciting career changes for some of my loved ones, the loss of someone near and dear to my heart earlier in the month, some much welcomed financial stability in a world that feels very unstable otherwise, and trying new things I’ve never considered attempting before!
But all of those things and updates will be discussed more at length this coming Friday when I do a full recap of all things May 2026 (and there’s a lot to talk about!) Before that, I wanted to share some of the finds, buys, splurges and movies I truly and wholeheartedly enjoyed over these past few weeks with another installment of my “Favorite Things!”
Anyone who has been reading ‘Coffee & Chiffon‘ for any length of time likely knows the drill by now. I’ll be sharing the things I could snap photos of before I get into some of the miscellaneous details I couldn’t quite capture clearly – or at all – with my phone.
That being said, I’m ready when you all are!
With Summer pretty much here and my previous (and very floral) bottle of body wash now on empty, I was excited to do a little restock this month to pick up one of my favorite body washes from one of my favorite brands with one of my favorite fragrances to enjoy during the warmer months and seasons. This moisturizing body wash from Sol De Janeiro in their signature caramel/pistachio scent always leaves my skin feeling super soft, but also super clean all day and well into the evening when it’s time for me to hop into the shower again just before bedtime.
And considering this is the time of year I’m showing more skin, I like to have it looking and feeling it’s best and healthiest!
I don’t know what it is, but every year around this time I become obsessed with all things blueberry or strawberry-flavored or scented, and start buying things like candles or lotions until I eventually start phasing into my mango, coconut and lemon obsession mid-Summer. It’s like clockwork. I can’t help it.
So when my lips were in need of a little extra TLC earlier this month during some cold snaps followed by super hot and humid days, I scooped up a tube of Marin’s Blueberry French Toast-scented balm treatment to slather on generously throughout the day(s). I love the ingredients and how I feel immediate relief with this product, but I especially love that they’re based in Maine! It’s a true “Local Love” for sure!
Speaking of Maine, during this past weekend’s overnight stay in Old Orchard Beach, I had to pick up this little guy for my apartment since I’ll be decorating for the Summer season within the next couple of weeks.
Although there were quite a few versions of the seagull holding different types of food in various shops around OOB – this beanbag plush – holding a crinkle French fry in it’s beak that I found at beachology & happynest, absolutely stole my heart and I knew I’d find a home for him amid the other little plushie gifts my friends and family have given me over the years.
I picked one up for my mother, too – and she already has hers on display!
It’s been a while since I’ve shared things that I’ve been reading/have read in a hot minute, but I’ve got a bit of an update on my Summer happenings this year – I joined a book club, y’all! I’ve never been a part of one before, so I’m very excited. Once a month during the Summer, I’ll be joining other reading enthusiasts at Kooks in Rye, New Hampshire to have some drinks, enjoy some snacks, and unpack the chosen novel that was voted for.
The first book, with our kickoff meeting scheduled within the next couple of weeks, was this gripping thriller from Charlotte McConaghy – and when I say I couldn’t put it down – I’m not kidding. There’s so many unexpected twists and turns in this one, and characters that simply stay with you even after you’ve finished the page – that I finished it in just a couple of days and immediately went back to visit certain chapters and pages to take notes.
It’s so compelling, and I can’t wait to talk about it more at length with everyone!
And finally, it wouldn’t be a “Favorite Things” post if I didn’t include something from Trader Joe’s! This month, I’ve been obsessing over this shimmery oil sunscreen with SPF30 that smells like a tropical island getaway and leaves my skin looking sun-kissed and glowing while simultaneously protecting it.
Given that I’ve got plenty of time out in the sun planned in the coming weeks – including some outdoor time during a trip to North Carolina early in June – I’m going to be stockpiling this stuff for the Summer! Best of all? It’s only $9.99.
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This month, there’s a couple of other “Favorite Things” I was excited to talk about – because I finally got to sit down and watch some movies in the theaters again!
– Movies/Music/Televison –
‘Obsession’ – Much like when I finished reading the ‘Wild Dark Shore’ novel I shared above, this movie stayed with me long after the end credits started rolling. I’ve been loving the influx of unique and often deeply dark horror that’s been coming out over the past couple of years, and I think ‘Obsession’ might be one of the most haunting examples of it. While there are a couple of jump scares to keep you on your toes throughout this one, it’s the unsettling and growing sense of dread that just builds and builds with every scene that makes it a modern day horror classic. I highly recommend checking it out for those who don’t mind being scared (or scarred!)
‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ – And the flip side to a horror movie is watching something a little more fun, silly and action-packed in theaters. I thought the latest ‘Star Wars’ installment was a true return to the earlier seasons of The Mandalorian season – with thoughtful storytelling, interesting characters, great action sequences – and plenty of Grogu being the cutest little thing in the galaxy. I saw this in a packed theater filled with kids and adults, and everyone had a great time.
And that just about does it for this month’s installment of ‘Favorite Things!” I’m looking forward to putting together my collection for June, which may or may not include a couple more movies that are coming out before the end of this month. We’ll have to wait and see!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 