the roundup #025
we’re officially leaning into a summer refresh with Free People, must-have beauty favorites, and everything currently shaping our june cart.
Between an urgent care visit for a swollen foot courtesy of falling down the stairs at work while carrying boxes destined for influencers with follower counts in the millions, still mentally recovering from the chaos that was the Met Gala, Everlane entering its confusing new era through Shein’s reported $100 million deal, Mango blatantly pushing AI-generated model campaigns in-stores, finally diving int othe mess of the awaited Summer House reunion, and finding out one of my parents has been diagnosed with cancer, it’s safe to say the past few weeks have been anything, but peaceful.
Truthfully, this was never supposed to be the opening of today’s roundup. This issue was meant to land in your inbox many Mondays ago, but life — in the way it often does — had other plans that kept stacking themselves on top of each other until suddenly we ended up here instead: a late Friday letter written somewhere between exhaustion, reflection, and trying to find normalcy again.
I know I’ve been quieter than usual this month, especially if you’ve noticed the missing Good Pairings or the sporadic posting schedule lately. To be honest, my mind just hasn’t been in the healthiest place, and for good reason. I debated whether or not I even wanted to include something this personal here because if you knew me in real life, you likely would never know any of this was happening. Very few people around me do. But over time, this newsletter has quietly become one of the only spaces where I can put parts of my life into words and send them somewhere that still feels real, understood, and safe.
So if you’re new here — or simply returning after a few missed weeks — hi. Welcome back to The Roundup, brought to you by me (@theseptember18), where we talk fashion, beauty, culture, internet chaos, and occasionally whatever else life decides to throw into the mix.
And while we’re still closing out the month of May, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that it is Mental Health Awareness Month. I usually try to keep this newsletter relatively light and airy, but this month especially has reminded me how important it is to have conversations around mental health, support systems, and access to care. So instead of glossing over it, I wanted to spotlight a few organizations I’ve personally worked with and others that are doing meaningful work in this space and genuinely deserve your attention and support if you’re in a place to give it.
Active Minds: A youth-led nonprofit reshaping the conversation around mental health through peer-to-peer advocacy, campus programming, and community-driven education.
The Jed Foundation (JED): A nonprofit helping schools and universities strengthen their mental health and suicide prevention support systems for young people.
The Trevor Project: The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization providing free, 24/7 confidential support for LGBTQ+ youth.
Project Healthy Minds: A modern mental health nonprofit using digital tools, storytelling, and culture-driven campaigns to make mental health care more accessible for younger generations.
I hope these resource can help to provide you or maybe someone you know the great care they need and with that I hope you enjoy today’s roundup.
In less than three days, we’ll officially be stepping into a new month and a new season — which, naturally, means it’s time for a fresh round of additions to cart. As a certified summer girl heading home this weekend to the beaches, sunshine, and slower Gulf Coast days of Mississippi, my saved tabs have quickly started piling up with everything I want to live in this season: bright playful prints, earthy textures, breathable fabrics, and the kind of accessories that feel made for warm nights, salty air, and long drives along the gulf coast with the windows down.
What’s been sitting on my beauty tray this month has felt very reflective of where I’m at right now: products that bring me back to center, make me feel a little more put together, and genuinely earn their spot in my routine. May has been all about hydration, softness, and returning to formulas I forgot how much I loved.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Brown Sugar has quietly become my everyday essential. I’m usually someone who gravitates toward clear balms because tinted lip products can easily feel overpowering on me, but this shade gives the perfect sheer wash of warm brown that actually complements my natural lip color instead of covering it. It’s effortless, comfortable, and somehow manages to make me look more awake with minimal effort. Plus, the formula keeps my lips soft for hours and smells just as good.
Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil found its way back into my routine this month after spending way too long neglected on my shelf. I had been testing other products for my thick, wavy hair, but returning to this reminded me why I loved it in the first place. The scent alone feels luxurious, but what really stands out is how lightweight it is. A small amount goes a long way, leaving my hair noticeably softer and smoother without ever feeling greasy or weighed down.
Osea’s Undaria Algae Body Oil has also been a rediscovery for me recently. I started reaching for it again after showers and quickly remembered why it became such a staple in the first place. It leaves my skin feeling deeply moisturized with that healthy, lit-from-within glow without feeling sticky or overly heavy. Especially heading into summer, it’s become one of those products that makes everything feel a little more elevated.
Rhode’s Peptide Eye Prep Depuffing Eye Patches were a pleasant surprise this month. I finally tried them after a few too many late nights, and they genuinely made me look more refreshed than I felt. They give that instant cooling, depuffing effect while helping soften the appearance of dark circles — exactly the kind of quick fix I’ve needed throughout a very busy May.
Pattern’s Treatment Mask has easily been one of the biggest standouts in my wash day routine lately. I used Pattern years ago back in college, so reconnecting with the brand after meeting the team at Ulta Beauty World felt very full circle. Since adding the mask back into rotation, I’ve noticed such a difference in how hydrated and defined my hair feels. There’s noticeably less frizz, more moisture retention, and my waves feel far more manageable overall.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is another product I’ve recently worked back into my routine — specifically for helping with dark spots under my arms. I’ve been using it consistently at night paired with Nivea Cream after showering, and over time I’ve genuinely started noticing a visible difference in brightness and texture.
DIME’s Dewy Recovery Mask completely exceeded my expectations. I received it while attending Ulta Beauty World in Orlando back in April and initially reached for it out of pure necessity after long event days and very tired skin. The first time I used it as an overnight mask, I woke up with skin that looked incredibly hydrated, glowy, and noticeably calmer. Since then, it’s become part of my routine two to three times a week depending on how dry my skin feels, and every time I use it, my skin looks noticeably more refreshed by morning.
As someone who fully believes there is no better feeling than finally packing away winter layers in exchange for breezy fabrics and effortless dressing, Free People’s latest spring-to-summer pieces could not have arrived at a better time. Between soft linens, lived-in denim, utility-inspired cargos, and the kind of easy silhouettes that somehow always feel equal parts nostalgic and cool, the brand continues to understand exactly what people want to wear once the weather starts warming up.
This season also feels especially exciting with Free People tapping French creator Lena Mahfouf as the face of its Spring/Summer 2026 campaign. Her style has always carried that effortless balance between polished and personal, blending classic French ease with a more playful, globally influenced approach to dressing that feels incredibly aligned with where fashion is heading right now.
A large part of what I’ve been gravitating toward lately comes from We The Free, Free People’s heritage-inspired in-house label known for its perfectly broken-in denim, vintage-inspired textures, and pieces that feel like they’ve already lived a little life before landing in your closet. Consider this less of a seasonal refresh and more of a blueprint for dressing through the months ahead — easy, breathable, slightly undone, and ready for summer.
Flirty, airy, and ready—honestly the only way I can describe how these feel on is especially now that the temperatures are finally starting to climb. The Playa Party Balloon Pants soft, semi-sheer cotton balloon pants strike that perfect balance between effortless and intentional, with a silhouette that moves easily but still feels styled.
While my wallet firmly said no to Euro summer, my wardrobe with a little assist from my girls at Free People clearly did not get the memo. Enter the Day’s End Linen Striped Pull-On Pants, playful, easy, and just the right amount of I summer in Europe energy without ever leaving the city. They have quickly become my most complimented piece whether I am weaving through work days or out and about in the city.
For this look, I was loosely channeling my Parisian influencer queen, Lena Mahfouf, with the Fable Low-Rise Twisted Bow Jeans paired with the Make Me Yours Cami. The result feels very much like that effortless French-girl balance of undone and intentional, where the denim does the talking and the cami keeps everything soft, simple, and just a little bit romantic.
If you know me, you know I am not really a layers girl. I am very much a one-and-done, easy-breeze, throw-it-on-and-go kind of dresser. So stepping into the Silverland Wide-Leg Ching Trousers felt like my kind of compromise, polished but still effortless, with just enough structure to feel intentional without overthinking it.
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i love your style! thank you so much for including my post 💗