Monthly Round-Up | May ‘25

A curated collection of the standout moments, meals, and little highs and lows that made this past month one to remember.

May was a doozy y’all. It’s always one of the craziest months of the year for our family, and this year was no exception. There were some high highs and some detrimental lows… enjoy our recap!

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Seester Spotlight:

We’re obsessed with our ZIIP Halos — and it all started when Ashley got hers. After one try during a visit to NYC, Alexa was instantly hooked and had to get one too. The results were undeniable: tighter skin, a noticeable glow, and fewer breakouts—after just one treatment. We both now use it regularly, about 3–4 times a week, and the improvements only keep getting better.

Unlike any other at-home device we’ve tried, the ZIIP Halo uses cutting-edge technology that truly delivers—and we’re excited to tell you why it’s worth the hype.

✨ Our top skin concerns:

Ashley was looking to tighten and tone while addressing early signs of aging—especially around the jawline and eyes. Alexa was focused on calming breakouts, improving texture, and boosting overall radiance. We’ve each customized our treatment plans using the ZIIP App, rotating between programs like “Instant Gratification” for an immediate lift, and “Problem Solver Treatment” when we’re breaking out or feeling puffy.

💡 Why the ZIIP Halo is different:

The magic lies in the electrical current technology—a combination of microcurrent and nanocurrent™ :

• Microcurrent tones, lifts, and stimulates facial muscles for immediate sculpting.

• Nanocurrent™ works deeper, at the cellular level, helping to repair skin, calm inflammation, and support long-term collagen and elastin production.

And unlike other devices, the ZIIP Halo pairs with specially formulated conductive gels that are packed with powerful ingredients for hydration, anti-aging, and skin barrier support. The device’s electrical currents help actively push those ingredients into your skin—enhancing absorption and delivering results that last. This duo of technology + skincare is what makes ZIIP truly unique.

We’ve used plenty of devices, but nothing has delivered quite like this. Its pro-level results in the palm of your hand—and yes, it’s already earned a permanent spot on our skincare shelf. If you’re gonna splurge on one device, we consistently say you should splurge on the ZIIP Halo. See our before and after pictures below:

✨ Click the link HERE to shop, and use our code “ASHALO” for 10% off. ✨

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Ashley’s Recap:

High: Chamber of Mothers DC Power Breakfast

I got a last minute invite to the Chamber of Mothers DC Power Breakfast and it was such an inspiring event. It was in the Library of Congress which I have been dying to go to and it was such a beautiful building! It makes me so sad that the current administration doesn’t even know what goes on there.

I got to network with so many amazing women like the creator of My Josie Inc and the Hilltop App! I heard speeches from Rep. Brittany Pettersen and Rep. Lauren Underwood! There were remarks from so many amazing CEOs from organizations like Willow Pumps, Chamber of Mothers, The Motherhood Center, Paid Leave for All, and Capita!

At a time when it feels like so much awful stuff is happening in DC - it felt like an act of resistance to get together with a diverse group of smart women who are working so hard to make change!

Low: Jackson dying

I mean do I need to elaborate on this? I always told my family that when Jackson dies that I would probably have to check myself into a hospital and I’m not lying when I say that I’ve honestly felt that way a couple of times over the last week. This grief has absolutely destroyed me and I truly lost one of my best friends. I’m not sure that I ever appropriately appreciated how vital Jackson was to my happiness and I have felt absolutely bereft at the loss of him. People keep telling me that it gets easier but I’ve cried pretty hard every single day.

Funniest moment: Jackson pooping on the stinky pipe

There is actually video evidence of this but it was honestly too heartbreaking to post although it did give us quite a laugh at the time. We brought Jackson to the stinky pipe about 15 minutes before Dr. O arrived to put him down. I was hoping so hard that it would be stinky one last time but Jackson didn’t even go near it. Instead he had a massive blowout of diarrhea all over the ground and the stinky pipe ensuring that it would be stinky on his last day. It felt poetic.

Biggest cry: Obviously Jackson dying but I have to say that I had a weekend of crying when Ali made me watch The Wild Robot and then the next night we went to see Maybe Happy Ending which might just be one of the best broadway shows that I’ve ever seen?

Proudest moment: Maybe just getting thru this fucking month?

Best purchase: Stainless steel cutting board and my Cuddle Clone of Jackson

I threw out all of my plastic cutting boards but I needed something for meat/poultry so I ordered this cutting board and I absolutely love it! It’s so easy to clean too - I just throw it in the dishwasher!

I never thought I would be the type of person that ordered a stuffed clone of their dog but here I am. The process was so easy - I just had to send pictures of each side of Jackson and it arrived in a week (I did rush shipping bc of depression). We love it so much and it honestly has helped to put him in spots that he always occupied. I also bought a stuffed Boston terrier that I sleep with because I’m crazy now I guess.

Best Gifted Item: Weezie bathrobe and the new Brooklinen sheets

My biggest complaint about bathrobes is that the sleeves are always too long so when I saw that this Weezie bathrobe had buttoned up sleeves - I was obsessed! I spent a lot of time in a bathrobe this month so maybe that’s why I’m so obsessed. But if you also hate the long sleeves on every single robe - try this one! You can get it monogrammed too!

I think all of the Brooklinen sheets are pretty great but their new Washed European Linen ones are SO NICE!!!! They feel very lived in, soft, and cool and I love that they feel so luxurious! Even Steve commented on how good they felt and said they were the best ones yet!

Best Read: The Ghostwriter (and it was released this week!)

It’s hard to talk about The Ghostwriter without spoiling too much but if you love Julie Clark’s previous books — you will love this one. I promise that you won’t see any of the twists coming!

Empties for the month: I honestly have so many from this month that I’m going to have to do a video on this! Look for it soon!

Social media posts you might have missed:

The cutest pizza Friday (and last one with Jax)

Happy 9th wedding anniversary with the best wedding video ever

A Nordace reel in case you need a discount on the best travel bags

A tribute to my Jax

Happy 32nd birthday to my hero!

Both my boys are home

Penny buys: I feel like we bought Penny a lot of books this month to deal with emotions or with handling Jackson’s death.

The Invisible Leash

My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers

Jackson and the Rainbow Bridge

Find Momo Everywhere (thank god we already had this book and had been reading it to her for a while)

Best things I ate this month:

Y’all know we do Pizza Friday and we tried a new place recently that deserves a lot of love if you live here or are visiting! Their vodka sauce pizza was AMAZING!

I wish I could tell y’all that I cooked more this month but meal planning was something I took off of my plate so that I could just relax with Jax a lot. The bbq meatballs with mashed potatoes (I did cauliflower) from How Sweet Eats Easy Everyday cookbook was definitely the best recipe I made all month!

Current obsession:

I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this product on here but I’m sure y’all have seen Ali talk about it a lot. The TheraFace Depuffing Wand has absolutely saved me this month with how much I’ve been crying. I wake up and immediately do this so that my eyes don’t look so bad. I equally love the heat function when I am applying my skincare. This device is truly a savor for anyone if your eyes are almost shut because you’ve been crying so much.

Sorry for this depressing issue 🫠

If you are looking for any bookshop links for the books mentioned here you can find them here.

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Alexa’s Recap:

Jackie:

To piggyback on what my sister said: thank you all so much for your kindness and patience as we navigate the earth-shattering loss of our Jackie Boy. We’re so sorry our content schedule hasn’t been consistent lately; we promise we’ll return to it as soon as we can.

Jackie meant the absolute world to us, and it’s difficult to imagine moving forward without him. Being in Europe has provided a bit of a buffer for me — it’s allowed me to compartmentalize his passing in some ways — but I know that once I return to the US, and especially when I visit my sister’s apartment for the first time, the full weight of this loss will hit me all over again.

We miss him so deeply already. Thank you for sharing your love, memories, and condolences — it truly means the world to us to know how many of you loved him too. He was the very best boy, and we are endlessly grateful that so many of you saw that too.

Europe:

As many of you know, I’m currently traveling through Europe with Kendell — and it has been so healing for my soul as an American. There are so many beautiful countries and cultures here, and I will always choose to celebrate and embrace them, not fear or reject them (unlike certain people… cough MAGA cough cough Trump).

Since preparing for and being on this trip has taken up most of my month, I thought I’d focus this issue on just that! First, I wanted to share some money-saving tips with y’all. Affordability looks different for everyone, and while this trip is a month long, I want to be clear: we had to budget carefully and pinch every penny to make it happen. It wasn’t effortless or lavish — just intentional planning and a lot of saving. I hope these tips help if you’re daydreaming of a trip too!

Buy the plane ticket first — just do it.

My #1 tip when planning a trip (especially if you don’t have points or airline status) is to buy the plane ticket first. There’s something about booking that flight — it flips a mental switch and suddenly the trip feels real. From there, the planning process just flows.

I also do this first because it forces me to save and plan the rest of the trip intentionally. Think of the plane ticket as the “bandaid” of the trip — it’s usually one of the biggest expenses, so buying it early helps spread out your spending and often saves you money.

And don’t be afraid of budget airlines or economy seats! Whether you pay $2,000 for first class or $200 for economy — you’re getting there either way. I’d rather save that money and splurge once I’m actually at my destination. Pack some snacks, take Dramamine or ZzzQuil, and sleep your way there.

Pro tip: Don’t book flights through Expedia or third-party sites. If anything goes wrong, it’s a nightmare to fix. Use Google Flights, and if you’re flying to multiple cities, take advantage of their multi-city option — you can often get lower “round trip” pricing even if you’re not flying in and out of the same place.

Regional budget airlines are your friend.

Once in Europe, Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, and Transavia are your go-tos for cheap regional flights. Just always check baggage fees first — that’s where they’ll get you!

Bring carry-ons only (if you can).

For this month-long trip, it wasn’t realistic — but if you can swing it, DO IT. Carry-ons save you time, money, and the stress of lost luggage. I love using a backpack with packing cubes (Nordace has great ones) for my personal item. If you do need to check a bag, just budget for it ahead of time so it’s not a surprise.

Airbnbs all day!

If you’re trying to save, Airbnbs were way cheaper than hotels when we were looking. My “Airbnb trifecta” is:

1️⃣ Price — filter down to your budget from the start.

2️⃣ Location — staying just outside the city center is often quieter, cleaner, and cheaper. Just make sure you’re near public transit or walkable to the things you want to see.

3️⃣ Filters & reviews — I always select: entire home, A/C or heat (depending on season), one bed/one bath, washer (for longer trips), WiFi, and “guest favorite.” Then I read the reviews. If they sound too similar or there are red flags, skip it.

Pro tip: Look for an Airbnb with a kitchen. Being able to cook at home saves so much money — we did breakfast in almost every morning in Antibes, which left us more flexibility for fun dinners.

Invest before your trip to save money during the trip.

Good walking shoes (or inserts) are worth every penny — they’ll save you from having to take taxis when your feet give out. Depending on the season, bring a rain jacket, puffer, or portable fan so weather doesn’t force you into an expensive Uber. And pack a reusable water bottle — tons of places in Europe have amazing tap water or public fountains. Save that money for wine instead. 😉

Public transit > everything else.

Last night, an Uber from the airport to our Airbnb would’ve been €40 — we took the train instead for €6. Europe’s public transit is so good — trains, bikes, scooters, you name it. Many cities offer 3/5/7-day unlimited transit passes that are 100% worth it.

Food tips:

• Cook at home when you can — breakfast is an easy one to do yourself.

• Eat your main meal at lunch — many cities offer prix fixe lunch menus (same food as dinner but cheaper).

• Avoid restaurants in main tourist squares — go one or two streets over and prices will drop.

• Skip the “English menu” trap — if you’re in Italy and the first menu you see is in English, you’re in a tourist spot. Look for local spots and use Google Translate to scan menus via their camera feature.

• Buy wine & beer at grocery stores — way cheaper than bars. In Antibes, Kendell and I found an incredible €5 bottle we kept buying — we’d drink a glass before going out and save on pricey cocktails.

Miscellaneous tips:

• Free walking tours — such a great way to see the city. Just tip your guide!

• Book activities direct — skip third-party fees by booking museums or tours through official sites.

• Look for city cards — in Copenhagen, ours covered tons of museums, Tivoli Gardens, and unlimited transit — huge value.

• Track your spending — use Trail Wallet or Trabee Pocket to stay mindful of your daily budget (without killing the fun).

• Plan 1–2 intentional splurges — whether it’s a fancy dinner, concert, or private tour, having a couple “treat yourself” moments makes it easier to be budget-friendly the rest of the time — and gives you something extra special to look forward to.

So far, we’ve been to Antibes, Monaco, Èze Village, Treviso, Venice, Copenhagen, and we’re now in Amsterdam. Let me know if during the next monthly round up, you want me to a break down of each city (including the Airbnbs we stayed at) plus, if you would like me to share my Google Maps folders or create Etsy guides for sale again! (I’m talking like $2).

Recipes:

Right before I left, I made two really yummy recipes! I had to share because I can’t stop thinking about either of them:

• I want to make these breaded chicken cutlets as soon as I get home again. We pounded them so thin and they were unbelievably seasoned and crispy. Just a perfect breaded chicken recipe!

• I also made the Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes from Broma Bakery’s Sweet Tooth Cookbook and they were truly so delicious and indulgent. Make sure you get some berries and/or vanilla ice cream to go along with them

Links:

All of you loved the dress I wore to my friend Sofia’s wedding — linking it here. You can also have it perfectly customized for no extra fee. Just make sure to add one to two inches to each measurement for comfort.

I got so many compliments on the bathing suit I wore in Antibes! It’s from Left on Friday — here’s the top and the bottoms.

These are my favorite jeans at the moment, and I’ve been getting so many compliments on them! Only thing is I had to cut them a little shorter for my 5’3” self. Use my code ALEXA15 for 15% off your first order on the Good American website.

Summer for me is linen season and I have a shirt, pair of pants, and shorts that I recommend every summer. They’re swamp ass approved and I’ve been reaching for them almost every day here in Europe! They’re also so Euro-chic and help you fit in if that’s the look you’re going for.

Lake & Skye just dropped some new Hair & Body Mists in time for summer and I’ve been obsessed with them while I’ve been in Europe. Linking my two favorite scents here and here. Plus use my code ALEXA_15 for 15% off the Lake & Skye website.

A lot of you were asking about the bags Kendell and I were gifted in Italy. They’re by the brand Pina Pì and the creator is named Roberta — she’s a friend of Cristina’s (basically my second mom in Italy). She currently doesn’t really ship to the US, but maybe if we give her enough interest she will! She gets her fabrics and designs from Morocco and she’s so talented and passionate about her designs! Please check out designs here, or at least follow her on Instagram!

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One Last Thing:

POV: Alexa runs off to Europe for a hot girl summer to escape US politics… but Trump & Elon make sure it follows her anyway.

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Love always,