WHIMSY MAGAZINE - 06/09/2025
Issue 1 - Digital Magazine Spread
Welcome to the 1st official issue of WHIMSY Magazine. I will be releasing mini magazine spreads every Tuesday followed by a brief newsletter articulating some of the specifics within the mini mag. I’m so excited that I finally have the opportunity to create this. Over the last few months I have been steadily building an audience on a various social platforms, and I’m at the point now where I can truly commit to putting out consistent and beautiful content/writing for everyone to enjoy.
Now, without further ado, here is the magazine spread for the first official weekly issue of WHIMSY.
In conjunction to releasing regular longer-form articles, I thought it would be enjoyable to discuss some of the things I notice trending, current favorites, seasonal ideas, hot takes, and beauty routines. This entire list is curated by yours truly and will be written as more of a blog style rather than my usual editorial style. Sit back, grab a sparkling beverage, and enjoy!
The first time I tried a blueberry coffee was over at a Philz Coffee in the Bay Area (Piedmont, specifically). We were house-sitting for my sister in law last summer, and thought we would order in some morning coffee and bagels. Of course, as I skimmed through the list, a hot blueberry syrup oatmilk coffee caught my eye immediately. It immediately sounded like everything I’d ever wanted in a coffee. Without hesitation, I ordered it and loved it dearly.
Unfortunately, their beverages come and go with the seasons, and we live near, not in the Bay Area, so I never had a chance to go back after those first few times. I actually saw someone online last week walking though a step by step routine on how to make your own iced blueberry latte at home and was intrigued. I was instantly reminded of that perfect drink at Philz, which is why I was so excited to share the recipe. The only part to prepare is the syrup, and it’s literally just blueberries and sugar. That’s it. So incredibly easy I wonder why I hadn’t thought of it before.
Similarly, I am a person who’s always searching for the right sandwich. Some time ago, I was on vacation in Napa and wandered into a “Starbucks” at the hotel we were staying at. It wasn’t actually a Starbucks, just had the name plastered across the outside, but was actually a gift shop and sandwich/coffee store.
It was at this “Starbucks” that I had the best sandwich of my life. I don’t even know what was in it, only that there was pesto and ham. I’ve spent the last few years searching for a similar replica, and I found a few that seem to cross all the boxes. Behold, the ultimate summer sandwich.
Every year Love Island promotes specific products and brands throughout the show. It’s always been the same few brands usually, but the products tend to change out with the times. I actually spent a lot of time closely zooming in on a screenshot I took from the show and Google search-matching each product with it’s actual self. I made a Tiktok video on it and did a full article on it as well, if anyone is interested in viewing it.
Some of the products really stood out to me, including Maybelline’s Lifter Gel Lip Oil and their Cloudtopia Lip and Cheek Mousse. The mousse I’d previously known about and have been dying to try, but the lip oil was one I hadn’t heard about yet, and if you know me, you know I’m always dying to try a new lippie. Consider me influenced. I also love a good blemish patch, and am really looking forward to trying the new ones from Cerave. I don’t love most brands patches, but Cerave has been my all-time favorite skincare brand for the last few years. Their AM Facial Moisturizer/Sunscreen is top tier, by the way. My Holy Grail of sunscreen.
In other places of the beauty world (more specifically, grocery store beauty), there are some slept-on products that I’m in looooove with. Trader Joe’s almost never makes any product that disappoints me, and they’re well known for their almost-exact dupes of expensive products. Their scents for body butters and body washes are some of the best on the market, but my all-time favorite and limited-time-spring-sale-only Brazil Nut Line is THE best.
This was another product I discovered last minute and had to wait a year to buy again. Last summer I thought I’d give the body oil a try, loved it, and went back for more. To my dismay, it was GONE. Seasonal only. AS an avid and independent Trader Joe’s shopper now, I know what to expect for limited time products, but at the time I was so shocked that they wouldn’t sell such a beautiful scent year round. Anyway, it’s back now and I stocked up. Recommend to the max!
I’m on Tiktok (yikes, I know, so embarrassing * hides behind hands *) so I’ve seen a lot of Grand Prix and Monaco content lately. Wow. I didn’t know everyone owned a yacht. Or maybe everyone who owns a yacht is in Monaco right now. Either way, there is not an inch of ocean left in the bay out there — the waters are swimming with billionaire boats. I’ve seen girls talking about spending 6000 dollars a night for a hotel room on the hairpin (a regular hotel room, mind you, nothing glamorous, just bed and shower). I saw a rich millionaire going out to party on a yacht (looked dry and boring anyways, but maybe I’m just bitter).
This stuff is just crazy. Most people will never see anything like this in their lifetime. Why do these people need so many boats, and why are they so huge? This really ties into my article I wrote about their mansions. Check it out here. It’s called Why Do Rich People Live Like That? No explanation needed, you all know what I’m talking about.
Either way, stuff IIIIIII love right now includes watching silly shows and youtube videos about rich people (mansion tours and middle aged adults taking incredible vacations and finding drama in their lives). Also been getting into vlogs again and loving the new and old methods these people are coming up with for filming.
Another online trend I’ve been seeing is people not knowing how to utilize their balcony even though they had previously thought it was a non-negotiable when apartment hunting. I’m not sure if people are simply too busy to hang out outside, or what is going on, but I do know this; I use my porch EVERY DAY!!!!!!! I don’t even have a fancy outdoor set (whoops, can’t afford it). I have a couple lawn chairs and a random bar stool I use for a table. I set up my chairs along the wall, and when the evening sun hits that spot perfectly — boom, it’s giving Napa winery.
Sometimes I take my morning coffee out there. Sometimes I film content out there. Every day, though, my son and I play water activities as the weather allows. Since we’re first floor, I was able to secure him a water table that he can splash around in, and we also do other water activities (car wash, color-changing cars, bubbles, etc). There are literally endless things to do with your balcony if you’re creative and whimsical enough.
I also dyed my hair and started putting more effort into my appearance again. My hair was taking me too long, so I stopped doing it for a while. Recently though, I discovered how to properly use my curling iron to mimic a bouncy blowout. The key is to aim the iron up and away from your head as if you’re using a roundbrush. If you’re interested in a video tutorial, I have one up on my Tiktok account (link in bio).
Here’s another cool/cute graphic I made to advertise the release of my digital weekly magazine. Can you tell I’m excited about it?
That’s a wrap for this time, but I’ll see you all with another issue next Tuesday! Thanks for reading! (If you’re interested in video breakdowns of all my essays on here, please check me out on Tiktok, link in bio).
This is super cool! I love this mini substack zine! Congrats on your first issue! 🥹🩷