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June 2021 Recap + Favorites

Clothes, College, and Catch Ups

Webster’s dictionary defines wonder as a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time wondering what my life would be like if it wasn’t for my younger self.

In middle school, I made a makeshift desk with a fold-up tray. It was below my bedroom window, where the light so beautifully pours in each night, making the perfect nook to sit with my thoughts. Purple sticky notes lined the wall above it, reading cheesy sayings like “dreams don’t work unless you do.” The tray was what you’re given when fed at a hospital, but the memories attached to it are ones I think of often.

That version of myself was so ambitious—so frantic to chase her dreams, to do everything all at once. She dove headfirst in everything she did, with more fear of disappointing herself than anyone else.

I see a lot of that McKenzie in my present self. There is so much I want to see. So much I want to do. So much I want to share. And I feel… stuck. Is stuck even the right word? Lost, confused, perhaps curious? How is it possible to do it all? To capture it for later yet live in the moment? To be responsible yet know when to take risks?

And yet I feel alive. For once I feel comfortable being uncomfortable. I’m doing things I never dreamed possible. I’m changing lives. And you know how I’m doing it? Because I listened to those sticky notes, and I dove headfirst, and I frantically chased something that once felt so out of reach. It’s a vicious cycle because it is one I know works. If I can dream it I can do it—and what a scary yet beautiful thought that really is.

I can’t help but wonder how different my life will look next June, and the June after that, and the one after that. It’s scary and unfamiliar, inexplicable, or as some may say beautiful. However, I trust that things will shift in ways they are supposed to and that God will give me the courage to open new doors with my passions. Ones I never dreamed possible.

But for now, I’m holding onto these moments. Because that ghost of me spent a lot of time wondering about this version of her. And oh how proud she would be. Let’s chat about favorites, life, travels, and more from the craziest, most chaotic month yet. Let’s chat about a season of life I’ll carry with me forever.

OUTFIT OF THE DAYS

: loving this casual look

: wheels up baby

: walking fit

I was living out of a suitcase for a good chunk of the month so my usual mirror style outfit of the days are a fewer and further between these days. However, I still managed to sneak in a few good outfits. My favorite trend of the month was by far tennis skirts! Spanx sent over three new colors for me to try and I’ve been wearing them left and right. They are great for traveling, trips to the driving range, and lounging around. Their longline sports bras are also favs of mine. I’ve found a few new pairs of sandals that I love but admittedly am stuck on my gold lace-ups from two years ago. Other than that I’m sticking to my summer roots- bright prints, happy colors, and summer silhouettes.

FASHION

I was feeling so stuck in my styling this past spring but traveling has really made me re-fall in love with it all. Between all the cow print and fringe from Nashville and bright prints of Charleston, I packed in some of my favorite outfits to date. I had a huge batch of Dolce Vita + Franco Sarto shoes come in and have been wearing them non-stop. I’ve also been wearing more Fashion Nova pieces than ever—I swear they have the best pieces for vacation!

BEAUTY

Hero Cosmetics deserves an honorable mention this month for their Serum Stick. I’m not one to switch up my skincare (like ever) but this moisturizing stick has gladly made its way into my everyday routine. It’s a cooling moisturizer-like stick that has a no-mess application and a hydrating finish. It’s perfect for lazy skincare peeps like me, lol!

I also tried out a few new makeup products for an Elf collaboration that I fell in love with-

CC Cream- I’d never tried a CC cream before this but I don’t think I’ll ever go back! The coverage on this stuff is unreal. It’s a little pricier for Elf but one pump goes a long way. Not only is this product super buildable but it’s great on its own or with a full face of makeup. Plus it has SPF which is always appreciated!

Setting Spray- I go through phases with setting sprays and I’ve been on a big kick with this affordable Elf one. It seems like a dupe for the Urban Decay All Nighter which was an old favorite of mine!

Brow Pencil– I’ve been using the Maybelline Brow Pomade for years now but wanted something a little lighter + more natural for the summertime. This pencil paired with their clear brow gel is the perfect combo!

ENTERTAINMENT

I’ve been too busy to even think about a TV series or YouTube this month. I’ve truly spent every free moment editing videos and cranking out blog posts. I did however watch one movie this month, The Age of Adeline with Madison and Connor and it was so good. Blake Lively was incredible as always and this was the perfect mix of sci-fi and romance.

I have been adding lots of new music to my Spotify playlists. It’s summer so the My Country Jams playlist is thriving. More on those favs below…

This Month’s Top 5: Whiskey and Rain by Michael Ray // The Great Divide by Luke Combs // I Don’t Care About You by Cody Johnson // I Don’t Want This Night To End by Luke Bryan // Lonely Eyes by Chris Young

JUNE REFLECTIONS

Well friends, turns out you can’t do it all. In fact, some months you can’t do anything. In June I did not hit 20K on Instagram. Or 15K on Tik Tok. Or 55K on YouTube. Or post four times a week to the blog. Or start prepping back to school content.

And you know what—I’m (sort of) okay with it. Because this month I lived. I worked with two hotels and one Airbnb—seeing Nashville, Charleston, and Chicago in all new lights. I dabbled into the travel industry, something I’ve been working (really fricking hard) towards for months. I met new internet friends, created life-long relationships, and stuffed my face full of dang-good food.

And for the first time in a long time, I created content that brought me so much joy. The kind where I stayed up until two in the morning typing, lost in my thoughts. That my friends is all the growth I ever could have asked for.

JULY GOALS & MANIFESTATIONS

I’ll admit, it would be really nice to reach all of those June goals, even a month later. However, like I just said all the growth I can really ask for is to continue creating content that I truly love.

July has always been my busiest month of the year. Between traveling, enjoying summer, and cranking out the back-to-school content it’s hard not to get overwhelmed by it all. Content overload is real and it’s something I’ve struggled with in many years past. I want to continue to challenge myself this month without burning out. We’ll see how that goes… lol. On a positive note I’ve landed a handful of pretty big brand deals this month so there’s lots to look forward to + keep me accountable.

LIFE LATELY

As you can imagine life has been pretty chaotic these days. And yet It’s been really good. Admittedly, I’m having a really hard time with “work-life balance”. I know it may seem like I’m jetting off every other day, and don’t get me wrong I am (I was away 14/30 days this month!) but I’m creating triple the content than I usually would during this time. It allll centers back to Styled by in the end. But I’ve truly felt so lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to do so. These days I have to pinch myself to remember that this is my real life.

: me and my girls

: lunch time with my bestie

This month’s adventures included a trip to Nashville with my mama for Mother’s Day (we Ade the best memories), Charleston to see Molly (my oldest blogging friend!), and Chicago with Sydney (a new YouTube pal). It’s been loads of fun and I truly haven’t smiled this much in a long time. I’m so comfortably uncomfortable with all this “newness”.

: shrimp taco time

: morning hike!

The time I have been home has been spent resting and recharging for my next trips + hanging out with my sissy + the boys. We’ve been attached at the hip to our karaoke machine (courtesy of my 20th birthday) and have spent our fair share of nights out on the deck. This is our fourth summer hanging out together and it still hasn’t gotten old. I’m grateful for these slow evenings with all of my family together in one place. It’s made me realize how much of a homebody I truly am.

I have three trips planned for July—one of them already complete by the time I’m getting this up. As you can tell, I’ve been a bit busy leaving me a little behind on the uploading schedule. We’re working on that. But we’re also working on being a little more in the moment because after all, life’s too short not to take it as it comes. Make sure to check in every Sunday for my Weekly Wrap-Ups so you get the full scoop on what I’m up to. Until then…

With love, McKenz