June Obsessions
Everything I can't get enough of this month, and a few things I can live without.
If you’re new here, then you don’t know that I grew up a magazine girl. In my teenage years I was ruled by the pages of Seventeen Magazine, Vogue, and Teen Vogue; my obsession was so intense that my parents lamented to one another that they couldn’t convince me to do anything unless it was in a magazine. What I loved about those publications is that they told me what was cool - fashion, beauty, and pop culture trends were all round up and shared with me every month. As someone who grew up in the center of the middle of nowhere, it was a godsend.
This new series, “Obsessions” pays homage to the height of the magazine era. I felt that as a publication, If I’m Being Honest was missing that connection to bigger cultural conversations, and also, desperately needed something a little more fun. As much as I love a heartfelt story, I am a multi-faceted individual who also loves pop culture, fashion, beauty, and cracking a good joke or two. You will find a mix of everything I’m currently into in “Obsessions” at the end of each month. Enjoy!
Current Obsession: Love Island USA
My mom and I are die hard Love Island fans, so much so that we have the custom water bottles. We’ve watched many of the older USA seasons, Australia (highly recommend!), and one UK season (way too many episodes for my liking). For those of you that just started watching USA last season, I’d recommend heading to Hulu to watch seasons 3-5 as well. This show has always been good, but what made season 6 stand out, in addition to great casting, was Ariana Madix. There had been a couple other hosts prior to Ariana, including Sarah Hyland who left a lot to be desired, but Ariana was born for this role. First of all, let’s just start with the looks - Ariana eats the girls up EVERY TIME! Her outfits, hair, and oh my God, BODY, are out of this world, I live to see Ariana walk into that villa. She also is a genuine fan of the show and that’s clear in how she shows up for the contestants. Also, Ariana’s ability to keep a straight face is second to none.
What’s made the viewing experience of seasons 6 and 7 special for me, has been watching them in real time. As corny as it sounds, I truly feel like I’m a part of something because I’m watching along with the rest of America and getting to do one of my favorite things - talk shit. Last year, I was deeply engaged with the Love Island USA Reddit thread, but this year Tik Tok has been my go-to destination for Love Island deep dives. The show itself also does a great job of engaging viewers with both the option to vote for our favorite contestants and couples, and the Aftersun episodes. Now, I have seen some Aftersun slander on the internet, and I would like to personally vouch for this segment of Love Island. In addition to being entertaining, Aftersun gives viewers inside scoops of upcoming happenings inside the villa (like an early warning about Casa) and answers to the internet’s burning questions like what happened to Nic’s lip (Charlie busted it in a game of “American football”). Seriously, so worth checking out.
Back to season 7…I will say this season has not been my favorite so far. With season 6 blowing up the way it did, it’s obvious that production is trying to create, and milk, as much drama as possible. For example, having everyone recouple in Casa Amor and then having a fake out elimination IN CASA, it’s just too much; though I am sat for Niclandria finally becoming a couple. The format of the show, as it was, works. Call me a purist, but I think the Love Island USA production team needs to get back to basics. And this cast…do they even like each other for real? Also, these ELIMINATIONS are some of the worst choices I’ve ever seen made #justiceforjeremiah. Regardless of my gripes, I’m still obsessed with Love Island USA, and will be faithfully watching every episode until the season ends.
Honorary Mention: America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
In a period of 3-4 days I binged season two of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on Netflix, I literally could not stop watching. I am an OG fan of DCC reality television, having watched them back in their CMT days on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. I will say that the new Netflix series is more emotionally captivating and culturally relevant than the CMT one.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried several times during this show (mostly because of PMS, but I digress) like when the rookies made the team, Victoria’s mom dropped her off in NYC (I have lived through this moment many times), and Armani danced without her wig (she has alopecia). In addition to being a real tearjerker, this season of America’s Sweethearts was very grounded in reality, particularly when it came to the issue of pay. NFL cheerleaders are notoriously underpaid including the DCC, though the revenue they bring to the Dallas Cowboys organization is God knows how much. In addition to cheering on the sidelines at games, the cheerleaders do appearances, a calendar, community work, etc. Despite all of the work they put in with DCC, these women are working multiple jobs, or full time salary roles, to supplement their DCC income, and some are still struggling financially!
This season I was proud to watch a group of veteran cheerleaders come together to fight for more pay, and (spoiler) it ended up going their way! They stood together and fought for what they wanted, and it actually paid off. Talk about women empowerment. Special shout out to Jada for leading the movement and being a wonderful example of a revolutionary queen! Even though Jada herself, and a couple other veterans, didn’t benefit from the 400% pay raise, they left their team better than how they found it and created a powerful legacy for themselves in the process.
Each month I’m sharing things that are “in” and “out” for me right now.
Ins:
Hiking - Admittedly, hiking is NOT something I’d recommend doing during this heat wave, but when the weather is right, I can’t get enough of it. One of the perks of being in Tennessee, is that there are no shortage of hiking trails to explore. I highly recommend the AllTrails app for anyone who is looking to spend more time hiking, but is unfamiliar with local trails. This app has downloadable trail maps for hiking destinations all over the country, and they’re easy to follow even for someone directionally challenged like myself. Hiking every week is such an awesome way to ground, reconnect with nature, and bond with the people you’re with.
Summer Manifestation List - I don’t know about you guys, but my spring kind of sucked, and I’m desperate to bring some new, fun energy into summer. I took some extra time to write a list of summer specific manifestations with this goal in mind. I kept my list short and just focused on the things that have been top of mind for me. If you’re looking for an energy reset this season, then consider writing a little manifestation list of your own.
Being Financially Responsible - Towards the end of last year, I got to the point where my financial struggles were literally manifesting in the form of back pain. When this happened, I knew I needed to take real action to get control of my finances, so I took a baby step and watched How to Get Rich, created by Ramit Sethi, on Netflix. This show gives an honest glimpse into people’s financial lives, and we watch Ramit teach them how to live a rich a life. I was so impressed with the show that I bought Ramit’s book, I Will Teach You To Be Rich, and it has not disappointed. Since reading the book, I’ve actually learned what I’m supposed to be doing with my money, and have set up a financial system that’s much less stressful and easier to manage then whatever I was doing before. I would recommend this book ten times over for anyone serious about managing their money correctly.
Outs:
Press On Nails - In my effort to be more financially responsible, I decided to abandon my bi-weekly manicure - big mistake, huge! I did my best to become a press on nail girlie, but I just can’t commit to it. For one, the press ons I like, Chill House, are expensive at around 15 dollars per pack. In addition to the expense, the packs also feel like kind of a waste, with over half the nails being waaayy too big for me to use meaning many just end up going to landfill. ALSO, if the nails have any kind of transparency you can see the glue, which I hate! Lastly, they pop off all the time and there’s nothing worse than being caught in the streets down one nail. In short, when I want my nails done, I’ll be going back to my nail guy. Some things are just worth the money, and a properly done manicure is major part of my rich life.
Doing My Own Eyebrows - I took a new passport photo recently and all was well until I looked at my eyebrows. They were over-plucked and crooked, and I was appalled that it was my own hands that did this to me! I’ve been doing my own brows for years, but after seeing that passport photo, that era is officially over. I’m growing out my brows at the moment, so I can have a professional thread them and get me right again. If my outs are an indication of anything, it’s that some things need to be left to the professionals.
In / Out:
Dating - If there’s anything I’ve learned from Love Island, it’s that you have to take risks, go on chats, and test connections if you have any hope of finding love and winning the game. As difficult as dating is in this landscape, especially in Chattanooga, I’m open to the challenge because some romance would be nice! I’m currently on Hinge swiping for my life and hoping for the best. I will say, there is an epidemic of ugly straight men terrorizing these streets, which is partially why dating is an in and out for me; the attractive ones are also terrorists because their egos are way too inflated for what they’re “bringing to the table.” Send help!
P.S. I am accepting any and all dating tips because I have been out of the game for a while. Siri cue Someone To Call My Lover by Janet Jackson.
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This post was light and upbeat. As always, you write well. Who knows? I might even give the shows about love Island and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders a look. Fun post, and we can only use some fun, especially in the summer!