12 Things I Loved in June
Including my favorite magnesium supplement, what TV show I recently loved & the dress of the summer!
Welcome to the very first installment of 12 Things I Loved in [Insert Month Here], a monthly ritual where I get to do the opposite of gatekeeping. Think of it as a little roundup of what’s genuinely been lighting me up lately… whether that’s skincare, supplements, TV shows, books, podcast episodes, or recipes. While 99% of my articles are reserved for my paying subscribers who support me in offering all the education I pour my heart into, these monthly roundups will be available for free to all.
Did you know? July 2nd officially marks the halfway point of 2025, which… what, excuse me?! I live in LA, so the year started off literally in flaming fire, then I launched Elham’s Liquid Gold, blinked twice, and suddenly I’m here—in July—eating yellow mangoes like it's my full-time job.
If you read my recent Substack article,
then you know I’ve been on a journey of reclaiming joy through color, especially ones that fit my color palette. I used to wear so many dark, muted tones that drained me… and now? I’m out here flirting with pink, orange, and butter yellow. Also, I know, I told you not to overhaul your wardrobe all at once (because that’s ridiculous, expensive, and unsustainable)… and then I proceeded to do exactly that. These end-of-season sales (you know, the ones where everything is 40-70% off and then you can add another 20% off at checkout?) are way too tempting. It’s okay, I’ve found some gorgeous new tops and dresses that I love, and I’m feeling like a refreshed and new ME… A version I am getting to know and loving.
Anywho, summer is meant to be enjoyed… Heck, life is meant to be enjoyed. Savored. Not rushed through. Hustled through. Stressed through. So, here’s our little reminder to take it slooow and have gratitude for the small joys in life, like…
Here’s your reminder to slow down and find magic in the micro-moments. Like…
that tree bursting with flowers you passed on your walk
ripe & juicy yellow mangoes
writers on Substack who make you feel safe and seen
the scent of something baking in the oven
belly laughs with people you love
sunshine on your bare skin
Gah! Wait—how could I forget to tell you this?!
I found my wedding dress!
Honestly, I wasn’t overly excited or disinterested in the whole dress search. I was just… neutral. I wasn’t the girl who grew up dreaming about her wedding day. No Pinterest boards of rings, florals, and silhouettes. No vision of the “perfect” gown. I had friends who had their whole wedding mapped out before they even met their partner, and meanwhile, I never even gave it a second thought.
Maybe it’s because I had a complicated view of marriage for a long time. I witnessed two divorces in my family. I internalized a lot from that—stories that love wasn’t safe, that commitment meant eventual pain. But thankfully, I’ve done some deep healing work on all of that. (Maybe I’ll share more in a separate post.)
So, back to the dress.
I visited two bridal shops. The first one had plenty of beautiful gowns. I tried them on, admired the lace, drape, and shape, and thought, Okay, I guess I’ll pick the one I liked the most.’ But my heart wasn’t all in. I didn’t feel it in my body. So I paused. I held off.
And then… the second shop. The very first dress I tried on—before I could even finish stepping onto the pedestal—the feeling I had was different! I teared up a little! It felt like me. It looked like me. It was the one. Eeee!
Would love to hear from you in the comments—how are you feeling at this halfway point of the year?
If you're planning to have kids someday—whether soon or years down the line—it’s well worth taking the time to support your body beforehand. Fertility starts way before conception. Think of it as tending to the soil before planting a seed. The healthier and more nourished your body is, the more supported your future baby will be.
And can we just say it louder for the people in the back? Men are half the equation. It’s not all on you, mama. Their sperm health matters. Their nutrient levels matter. Their lifestyle choices matter. This is a team effort.
I take Optimal Prenatal from Seeking Health and have been doing so for a while now—it’s one of the cleanest, most thoughtful formulas I’ve found. And my fiancé takes Optimal Man.
Quick note: the serving size on the bottle is a suggestion, not a prescription. I don’t take the full 6 capsules a day because I follow a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet and adjust my intake based on what my body needs. Some people will need all 6. That’s the beauty of being in tune with your own body.
Additionally, prenatal vitamins aren’t just for pregnancy. They’re essentially high-quality multivitamins, so even if you’re not trying to conceive yet, they can still be an amazing foundation for energy, detox support, and overall wellness.
Use code HEAL10 at checkout for a discount on your Seeking Health order
Ok, I know this is pricey. However, it lasts forever and works so well, so it is definitely worth it in my book. I really didn’t think it would be this effective when I first purchased it because I’ve never had a liquid deodorant that really worked. And you know those crystal deodorant sticks? I despise them, lol. Apparently, they work well, but I’m not a fan of the texture. The Keeping Abreast of It Deodorant spray contains mineral salts, but in liquid form. Also contains Organic Whole-leaf Aloe Vera, Angstrom Silver and Zinc, Essential oils of: Tangerine, Lemon, Clove, Lemongrass, Lavender, Marjoram, Thyme, Cedarwood, Ginger, Juniper, Rosemary, Myrtle, Clary Sage, Nutmeg and Helichrysum (all great for your lymphatic system), Co-enzyme Q-10, Vitamin E, and 24kt Gold. Fancy. Love it. Big fan.
Weird-looking? Yes. But they’ve become an unlikely favorite. I came across an ad for these little round flossing thingies—basically a hands-free floss loop that you pop in your mouth and glide from tooth to tooth. The guy in the ad was vibing, wobbling it around as if it were second nature... no hands needed. At first, I was like… is this a choking hazard?! However, the design is actually quite clever—it’s open in the middle to prevent blocking airflow, which was reassuring.
I ended up ordering them because I’ve been wanting something purse-friendly for when I’m out at restaurants. You know those moments when you feel the arugula and you know it’s there, but you’re stuck smiling through it like a green-toothed gremlin? Yeah. Not the vibe.
Anyway, I tried one and it was surprisingly intuitive. Easy, clean, and dare I say… fun? My WaterPik is still my number one for at-home dental care, but Glfloss has officially earned a spot in my on-the-go kit.
Also: no PFAS. I cannot with conventional floss that’s coated in mystery “glide” chemicals and fake mint flavoring. Why is it so hard to find simple things without extra junk?
Over half the population is believed to be deficient in this essential mineral… and yet not all magnesium supplements are created equal.
A lot of the common forms out there aren’t well-absorbed, and worse, they can cause digestive upset (hi, bathroom emergencies). That’s why I’m so picky about the kind I take.
Optimal Magnesium is one of my go-tos because it combines two highly bioavailable forms that are actually easy on the gut. The malate form is excellent for natural energy support, while the lysinate-glycinate form helps with relaxation and is gentle on the digestive system.
Use code HEAL10 at checkout for a discount on your Seeking Health order
How could I not talk about my own brand?! My mom and I just launched Elham’s Liquid Gold in April, and we’ve felt every emotion under the sun: proud, exhausted, grateful, and fulfilled. This brand is a labor of love and a reflection of lived experience. We’re not just founders, we’re connoisseurs of castor oil.
We’ve both used castor oil as a foundational part of our healing journeys.
For my mom, it helped regrow her eyebrows and lashes (after ditching toxic Latisse), supported her healing post-explant from Breast Implant Illness (BII), and even played a role in shrinking her fibroids. For me, it helped resolve ovarian cysts, supported my liver and lymphatic drainage, and became a key tool in my root-cause healing approach.
We created Elham’s Liquid Gold because we couldn’t find a brand that fully aligned with our values: purity, sustainability, and beauty. It had to be 100% organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free, and bottled in amber glass, never plastic.
But it also had to look as good as it feels to use. Something elegant. Elevated.
Not something you hide in the back of your cabinet and forget about until a month or two later. It’s medicine from Mother Earth, bottled with reverence.
I love a summer glow, but I’m not about that toxic self-tanner life.
So many conventional tanners are loaded with synthetic fragrance, questionable preservatives, and ingredients I wouldn’t let anywhere near my lymph nodes—let alone slather all over my body, which is why I’m officially a fan of Beauty By Earth’s Self Tanner Body Lotion.
It gives you that effortless, sun-kissed glow without the nasty stuff. No orange streaks. No weird smell. No guessing game about how it’s going to turn out. Just a natural-looking tan that builds gradually and actually hydrates your skin thanks to ingredients like organic aloe vera, shea butter, and green tea extract. I also really like their tanning drops for the face!
I don’t use it too often because I think self-tanner can be a bit tiring to maintain, but it’s nice if I’m planning a trip or a weekend where I want a little more glow without the UV damage. PS I use the lightest option because I am as fair-skinned as they get.
Use code CLAUDIA at checkout for a discount on your Beauty By Earth order
This one’s a game changer.
I’ve been using the Fringe Red Light Wrap, and I’m truly obsessed with it. I have a red light panel that I also love, but this one is different… It’s soft, flexible, and wraps around your body like a warm hug that also happens to be deeply therapeutic.
Red light therapy supports mitochondrial function (also known as cellular energy), reduces inflammation, encourages collagen production, and promotes circulation, hormonal balance, and nervous system regulation.
My personal favorite way to use it? I place it along my thoracic spine—right in that upper back area where we tend to hold tension—once in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, and once right before bed. It’s one of my favorite tools for calming my nervous system. When I feel overstimulated, anxious, or stuck in fight-or-flight, this helps bring me back into my body. I’ll be sure to write a more in-depth post about how this works soon.
This show is sharp, funny, sometimes infuriating, and I couldn’t stop watching. It’s one of those rare series that doesn’t try to make you like anyone. Instead, it holds up a mirror to the dynamics we don’t talk about: performative friendship, emotional detachment, repressed rage, and quiet manipulation —the stuff simmering under the surface of perfectly decorated homes and passive-aggressive dinner parties.
It’s not a “feel-good” watch. But it is brilliant. The writing is unnervingly real. The performances are great… painfully human.
If you’ve ever been the one in a group who sees too much, feels too much, or senses when something’s off even if no one else is saying it, this show will hit you right in the gut.
It’s messy. It’s dark. It’s art.
Let me know if you’ve seen it. PS Apple TV+ has some great shows (like, Severance!! omggg my favorite)
I never even thought to use brown mascara. I always thought black would make my eyes look more dramatic… in a good way. Well, it turns out that brown does that better for me!
I switched to Tower 28 MakeWaves® Mascara in Drift (Rich Espresso Brown). It gives you that soft, fluttery, wide-awake look without screaming I’m wearing mascara. The espresso shade is rich enough to define the lashes but subtle enough to keep things natural, which I love, especially when I’m in my no-makeup-makeup era (aka always).
Formula-wise? It’s a clean mascara. No flaking. No crunchy lashes. No raccoon eyes by noon. Just lifted, lengthened, and separated lashes.
It’s also safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers (like myself), and, of course, is formulated without silicones, parabens, or other questionable ingredients. Bonus: it comes off easily without tugging at your lashes (bless).
If black mascara feels too harsh on you, or you want a softer, more dimensional alternative, Drift is the perfect in-between. I feel like it enhances my eyes without overpowering them, which is the sweet spot I’m always looking for
If you’re acne-prone or breakout-sensitive like me, you know how hard it is to find products that look good and don’t clog your pores. Every single product in their line is formulated to be non-comedogenic, allowing you to wear makeup without compromising your skin.
Enter: Rose Inc.!
The Foundation is light, breathable, and gives a healthy, dewy glow, without congesting your skin.
The Bronzer blends seamlessly and warms up the face without triggering breakouts.
The Lipstick is creamy, wearable, and matte, but not drying.
Everything is thoughtfully formulated, high-performance, and safe for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
If you haven’t yet heard, butter yellow is the color of summer. It’s soft, sunny, and unexpectedly flattering, like a warm glow you get to wear. Not too bright, not too beige. Just the perfect in-between that makes your skin look alive and your whole vibe feel a little more radiant.
The silhouette of the Everett Linen Dress is effortlessly chic. It drapes in all the right places… relaxed but still feminine, with a flowy shape that moves with you. It's the kind of dress you throw on when you want to feel beautiful without trying.
It’s giving “I spend weekends at the farmers market” meets “yes, I’m the main character” energy. Pair it with sandals and a woven tote during the day, or add a red lip and gold jewelry to take it into the evening.
Bonus points: it’s 100% linen!!
I wore this dress to a bridal shower, and I felt it. Bright, happy, effortlessly main character vibes without even trying.
The moment I slipped the Nataly Knit Dress in Citrus on, this color worked. It’s one of those hues that lights you up from the inside out, like you’re glowing before you even leave the house. Talk about entering a room and leaving an impression.
The cut is breezy yet elevated: flowy where it should be, fitted where it counts, and totally comfortable for an afternoon of mingling, sipping, and gifting. Plus, it moves with you, swaying in all the right ways as you laugh, hug, or dance your heart out.
It’s giving “sunlit garden party meets radiant you.” I paired it with orange block heels and gold hoops, and I felt like a million bucks.
Bonus points: it’s made up mostly of organic cotton!
I hope you enjoyed this first installment. I can’t wait to share again next month!
Cristina was just asking about a clean self tanner. Sent her your link! 🔗
This is my second article you wrote ❤️❤️