May Faves
cropped shirts / I was wrong about Mahjong / a giveaway!! + MORE!
Hello friends! Not gonna lie it feels like a week ago I was doing the April faves and here we are, already starting June. It’s been 1 year of writing these monthly faves newsletters (a whole year!!! find my first one ever here) and I decided it’s time to get some of the team involved. Jess and Hannah are in different seasons of life than I am and therefore trying different things, cooking different things, wearing different things, and like different things. They are such a large part of what makes NTK function and (like me) love all things both fun and practical. We hope you enjoy May Faves!!
June is Acne Awareness Month, and Skin Clique offers incredible products designed to treat acne at the source. I spent years dealing with acne before finally starting Accutane at the end of 2024 (you can read more about that here; TLDR: best thing I ever did). After finishing Accutane last May, my dermatologist suggested I use SkinBetter AlphaRet because it’s an effective yet gentle retinol. I used to only be able to get it from the dermatologist…until Skin Clique!! Honestly I wish I had discovered Skin Clique earlier because they’re true experts when it comes to acne care and treatment. Right now they’re having a 15% off their acne collection. Since it’s Acne Awareness Month (and I deeply sympathize with anyone dealing with acne), I wanted to do a GIVEAWAY to allow someone the chance to try the Complexion Clearing Program ($224 value) AND AlphaRet!! Simply leave a comment on this post and we will choose a winner next week! These newsletters remain free thanks to our generous sponsors. Thanks for sponsoring this one, Skin Clique!!
OK, NOW LET’S GET INTO IT!
(To shop my May Faves in one place, click here. If you missed April faves, go back and read it here.)
Kate
FLYING!!
I couldn’t let this faves newsletter pass without sharing something that I hope gives some of you hope: I now rarely have anxiety when I fly. The biggest victory by far happened this month when Nate and I flew to London. Last time we flew overseas back in 2019 I was a total wreck; it did not go well. This time, I was completely calm and really not the least bit stressed. I brought medicine in case I needed it, and ended up taking something to help me sleep on the overnight flight, but didn’t need anything for anxiety. I could cry because this is not who I was, and I genuinely think it’s an area in my life where God has done the most work. I wrote about this in the control chapter of my book, and continue to see so much growth here. I’m so grateful, because I really love travel, especially the hustle and bustle of airports.
Something practical I do: years ago my friend Teresa told me when she would fly she would literally visualize the hand of God under the plane. I really liked that. Now, as the plane is taking off, I put my left hand out in front of me, palm side down. I then take my other hand palm side up and slowly bring it from my side until it’s below the other palm. In this, my left palm is the plane, and my right palm is the hand of God. As the plane takes off, I visualize the hand of God coming up underneath our plane, guiding it to where it needs to go. It might sound woo-woo, but it’s a small thing that really helps me and reminds me that I am not in control, God is.
Mahjong (and our fake league!)
I cannot believe it’s taken me until May to put this on my favorites list, but I absolutely love playing Mahjong. I love what it does for my brain!!
When everyone was playing it last year, I figured it was a trend I didn’t care about. Then I started sitting behind a friend while she played just for the social aspect. Next thing I knew, I was buying tiles and a mat, sending out the “bat signal” to neighbors, the whole thing. A group of us had paid to do a Mahjong league that ended up getting canceled. Since we had already blocked off Tuesday nights in May to play Mahjong, we decided to move forward with our “league” — all we needed was a location. I asked my parents if I could host the people who had signed up on their porch, so every Tuesday in May we played Mahjong on my parents’ porch! It was a highlight of the month for me! My friends coming over to my parents, setting up card tables, getting to chat with them, mom setting out an appetizer, and playing mahj as the sun set.
A note on why I think this matters: Mahjong, while amazing, is such an easy excuse to hang out with people. I think it’s taking off because it’s fun, but more so because women are looking for real, in-person relationships. Like men get together to watch sports, it’s an easy way to spend time with someone. So if you get invited to play, even if it feels intimidating, try it out. Who knows, you might make some great friends (or at least have an easy excuse to hang out with the friends you already have!!)
Carly Fortune Books
I read One Golden Summer last month and now I’m reading Every Summer After. I need to figure out what category these books fall into because they don’t quite feel like rom-coms. There’s definitely romance, but they feel a little deeper than that. Whatever you call them, I’ve really enjoyed Carly’s books.
The Brick Scheduling Feature
I have shared before that I love the Brick (essentially, it’s a device that allows you to block certain apps on your phone.) One thing about the Brick is that you can brick your phone when you’re not near it, but you can’t unbrick it until you’re back next to the Brick to physically tap in. That’s kind of the whole point.
What I recently realized, though, is that you can create schedules in the app that brick your phone for certain periods of time and then automatically unbrick it when that period is over, and that has proven to be way more effective for me.
During the school year, I had my phone automatically brick from 3:30–5:30 p.m. So during those two hours when the kids got home from school, I couldn’t be distracted by apps. Now that we’re in summer mode, I’m trying to think through some new rhythms. Maybe bricking it every other hour just to cut down on how often I check it. Maybe blocking mornings for productivity. I’m not sure yet, but I really, really like the scheduling feature.
Finding My Shirt Silhouette
This one is kind of funny, but figuring out my silhouette in shirts has been incredibly helpful. Over the last few years, I’ve realized that I love a cropped, boxy shirt (and if not boxy, at least cropped!). Now when I’m shopping, I can usually pull something off the rack and immediately know if it’s too long. I recently found a gingham button-down (also comes in white and the cutest red stripe), and finding a button-down that isn’t long is harder than it sounds. When I saw this one and realized it was cropped and boxy, it was an immediate yes. I also get asked all the time about my favorite T-shirt. It’s this one. Again, cropped and boxy. At this point, whenever I find that length, I know I’m going to like it. Very often when I buy a shirt that’s longer through the torso, I end up not wearing it.
Also on this note: Abercrombie recently offered to send me a few shirts and all 3 they sent were winners!! This crochet one, this scalloped one with a fun tie-back, and this white blouse. 2 of the 3 perfectly fit the crop length I love, and the third is slightly longer than I would like but still so lovely.
Survivor 50
We have never been Survivor watchers, but I think after watching Beast Games (which was a favorite in a previous newsletter), we realized how much we enjoy the game aspect of shows like that, so we jumped into Survivor 50. I know there’s already a winner (we do not know who it is, so please no spoilers!)
It has been really fun to watch with the kids. My biggest complaint is the Paramount+ commercials are insanely long and some are inappropriate for the kids. I know I could probably pay for the commercial-free version, but the thought of paying for yet another subscription to watch one show makes me want to scream. For now, we just mute the commercials.
Sleeping in Dry Shampoo
I have shared my love of powder dry shampoo before, but I can’t remember if it has ever officially made a favorites list. Sleeping in powder dry shampoo has been one of the biggest game changers for my hair, and I got the idea from y’all years ago! Multiple followers told me to put powder dry shampoo in before bed because while you’re sleeping it has hours to work into your hair and absorb oil. It has made a huge difference in how many days I can go between washes. I like the Acure Brunette Powder Dry Shampoo. I tap it into my roots at night, look a little bit like George Washington, and then go to sleep.
Fruit Salad (Random, I know)
And yes, you can make fruit salad any time of year, but there is something about taking that very small extra step of mixing raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, or whatever you have on hand that tips it into actual fruit salad territory and my kids will squeal with delight when they see I have made a fruit salad to go with dinner. Now, they can even help make it!
Sidenote: ChrisLovesJulia has a fruit salad recipe with a minty syrup that goes on top. If you’re looking to be a little extra with your fruit salad, I really enjoy it.
The Weighted Vest (but not for walking?!)
We have a 12 pound weighted vest that I thought I would wear more when walking but have actually found it to be an easy way to add weight to workouts. Squats? Add the vest! Push ups? Add the vest! Side planks? Lay the vest on my hip to add some extra tension. It’s been great and very versatile.
Oval Sunglasses
I have been a staunch wearer of these and these for years, and on a total whim when Molly came to visit I put on an oval pair of sunglasses in Anthropologie. INSTANT LOVE. I have worn them constantly. I ordered a second pair from Amazon but they were too narrow? I looked funny. I then went to Target and found this cream pair for $17!!! Again, instant love.
Jess
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
I read the book everyone is talking about and WOAH. I flew through it in 36 hours because I could not put it down. It follows a ‘tradwife’ influencer who wakes up in the 1850s and quickly learns that the reality is much harder than the aesthetic. Part satire, part social commentary, this book was SO thought-provoking, and had me thinking about how easy it is to romanticize a season of life from the outside and the traps of social media. I want to note that I share many of the values associated with the main character— faith, family, and homesteading are all pillars of my life. I was still able to enjoy the narrative without centering myself and taking offense but I can understand how it could be interpreted as a criticism of that lifestyle.
Wearing a nightgown to bed
Specifically this nursing friendly nightgown from Solly Baby. I don’t know if I can ever go back to a pajama set after this. It’s comfy and cute without being as matronly as a typical muumuu. Hot take: dresses are comfier than shorts or pants and the same goes for sleeping. Now that I’ve converted to the nightgown life, I need more! Does anyone have any recommendations that fit this same bill? Must be nursing friendly.
P.S. The irony of me reading this book while wearing what can only be described as a tradwife nightgown is not lost on me.
(Kate here — I loled at the coupling of Jess’s trad wife read paired with the nightgown and then laughed even harder when she too recognized it)
Hannah
The Calm App
My husband recently changed jobs and one of his company’s health benefits is an annual subscription to this app (but I would pay for it now that I’ve seen how great it is). It has peaceful playlists, guided meditations, stress management tools, and breathing exercises. I have started playing music or listening to it every night as I wind down to get ready for bed and it’s been so helpful in transitioning my brain and body to rest.
Chobani Creations
When I crave something sweet at night, these do the trick every time. Inspired by classic desserts, this product line from Chobani feels decadent but is still around 200-ish calories and 10-ish grams of protein! My favorite flavors are the cherry cheesecake and mocha tiramisu.
Lady Tremaine
How do I accurately describe that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. If I could reach through this screen and hand each of you a copy, I would. This book is a retelling of the classic story of Cinderella through the lens of the ‘evil stepmother’ as the protagonist. If you think you know where the story is going, I promise that you don’t. It is a battle cry for a mother’s love, a social commentary on women who support themselves financially, and an expose on the golden handcuffs of social class & status.
Well that was fun!! And now I (Kate) have two new books to read and have added tiramisu chobani to my grocery list. Woo hoo!
Until next month,
The Naptime Kitchen Team
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Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! My daughter would LOVE to try these products!