lovin' lately: august transition, magic crystals, & olive hyperfixation

a collection of things bringing texture, color, and atmosphere to my life lately.

Aug 11, 2026

A roundup of the tiny things bringing texture, color and comfort to my life this week. The outside world is a bit much right now, so today we are keeping things light. Grab and iced coffee and let’s dive into the current loop.

🎧 August Playlist: Golden Hour Traffic Jam

Not sure if its because I am ready for autumn, or because these triple digit temperatures are worse this year than any other. But this playlist feels like it belongs between August and September. It carries the emotional transition of those two months. Let me know what you think.

🚿 A Summer Shower Essentials

I had to run back to LUSH this week to restock on the Magic Crystals body scrub, I am obsessed. I cannot get enough of it, and honestly, we went through our first jar so fast. I guess I shouldn't be surprised the weather has been hot, so we are leaning heavily into mint scented anything to feel refreshed. If you try anything this summer, make it this one.

I made the mistake of taking Dylan with me to LUSH. A Leo and a Taurus shopping together is never a good for the wallet, which means we bought way more than we needed.

Dylan is such a kid at heart and they had the new Super Mario Galaxy collection on display. He completely lost it! If I hadn’t reasoned with him, he would have bought every single item.

Last year we tried the Mario and Luigi shower gels, so this year he got Protect the Galaxy shower gel (which has heavy notes of blueberry and lots of glitter). While he loves it, it’s a bit too sweet and overpowering for me. However, he also got lumas shower jelly, and I love it. Its has a grapefruit and raspberry notes, and the jelly texture makes it such a sensory experience. I don’t know why it took me so long to purchase one of their jellies, if it wasn’t for Dylan, I don’t think I ever would have ventured out!

🎮 InKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories

First, lets talk about the graphics, they are so nostalgic. One of the reasons I was drawn to this game. Second, the music delivers unmatched lofi vibes. Japan just gets it; they know exactly what people want, and it feels like the creators listened to the masses and leaned entirely into it.

The game pairs soft visuals and warm cozy lighting with an ASMR-like soundscape filled with subtle, everyday sounds which help you relax and sort of escape into its universe. Gameplay is only seven days long, which has some people complaining but I really enjoyed it. Its such a chill game, a must try if the world feels a bit heavy (which August always seems to do to me). I’m even thinking of getting the collector’s edition from Japan.

Does anyone else get completely consumed by a hyperfixation? This past month, for me, it has been OLIVES. I don’t know why, but I see them everywhere: in paintings, in decor, and specially in jewelry, I must have that bracelet of a fork poking an olive, and the ring with stacked cocktail olives, screams my name. I will not link the ring, because it is an outrages price. But I am definitely a taurus.

I would love to know: what tiny things are helping you get though the week or surviving the rest of the summer? Are you hyperfixating on a specific song, binge-watching a new show, or leaning into specific self-care ritual?

Let me know, I am always looking for new recommendations to add to my list!

-Lily H

check out some of my other post:24