Things I’m Loving Lately

Amino acids, Publix roses, layered outfits, and little rituals that feel like care

Hello Style Pantry friends,

I’ve been moving a little slower this week—and honestly, it’s been kind of lovely. Some weeks are for charging ahead. Others are for noticing. What’s blooming. What feels good. What helps.

Mornings have been quiet, but steady. I start with a scoop of Kion Aminos in a tall glass of water. It tastes clean and citrusy—not sweet—and gives me the kind of lift that doesn’t crash. I usually sip it while prepping my smoothie, which changes by the day but almost always includes spinach, seeds, adaptogens, and coconut or almond milk. A little earthy, a little creamy, totally grounding.

Big thanks to Liz Plosser for introducing me to Kion Amino Acids. Her Substack is one of my favorite reads on health and wellness—smart, approachable, and always packed with useful tips. You can check it out and subscribe here.

After that, I take my Ritual multivitamin, a maca capsule for hormone health, and (if I’m feeling low-energy or sore) a capsule of NAD+. It’s not a big routine, but it helps me feel like I’m supporting myself in ways that matter. Especially during perimenopause, when energy and muscle tone don’t come as easily.

I’ve also been playing with what I wear. Not because I need new clothes, but because I want to reach for the things I haven’t worn in a while. I've been layering pieces I don’t wear often just to see how they feel. That denim dress I made (from this post)—it’s a little short on its own, so I’ve been wearing it over a longer skirt. It’s giving me a whole new appreciation for it. And the navy tank and cropped ivory pants I forgot I liked. It’s simple but feels fresh.

I love this lighter version of a denim mini, and for a similar dark wash, try this. I made the skirt with a raw silk remnant (love the texture of this style), and my buckle clogs are from my favorite shop.

An Elizabeth Suzann silk tank from a sample sale years ago. It’s so good! Can’t believe it has been hiding in my closet. These pants are so good for the season! And here is a style more like mine.

That kind of gentle rethinking has been showing up in other ways, too. I bought roses from Publix—bright red, full, and kind of dramatic. I let them open up in a large vase, then moved them into a shorter silver one on the kitchen island. They're sitting there now, reminding me that beauty doesn't have to cost much. You just have to look for it.

Food has been simple. Warm sautéed greens from the garden (these are Chinese broccoli greens, and they are delicious) and roasted sweet potatoes with butter and sea salt. Or big green smoothies. Or light, early dinners after tennis. I’ve been eating more for how I want to feel, not for rules or macros. Just listening. And that’s been working better than anything else.

One little joy I have to mention—this Garnacha. Mas de Mancuso. It’s so good. Structured but bright, with a little spice. If you’re grabbing a bottle this weekend, ask about it. It’s one of those wines you sip and immediately text someone about.

I snapped this photo in the bathroom after a round of drills at Sewanee Tennis Camp a few weeks ago—sweaty, tired, and totally spent. But honestly, it’s one of the few things that clears my head and recharges me at the same time. Playing, sweating, just showing up—it’s become a rhythm I really count on.

Creamy white Mykort pleated skirt, a shirt I modified to create a raw rolled hem, and the bag is also from Mykort.

And lastly—hair care. I’ve been experimenting with letting mine air dry more often. These are a few products I’ve been rotating: ROZ oil and milk serum, Lolavie leave-in, Odele’s air dry styler, Biolage strength spray, and the big orange bottle (BioKeratin) on frizzier days. Nothing too fancy. Just good formulas that help me not think too hard about it.

After years of frizz, fluff, and feeling like I had to choose between volume or definition, I finally landed on a hair routine that doesn’t stress me out — and actually works.

Here’s the flow I follow on wash day (whether I air dry or diffuse):

• While my hair’s still pretty wet, I mist Biolage Strength Recovery Spray to give it a little strength and structure.

• Then I layer in Lolavie Perfecting Leave-In — it gives me hydration and slip without weighing things down, and it smells incredible.

• Next comes the decision point:

  • BioKeratin Crème if I’m diffusing and want frizz control.

  • Odele Dry Styler if I’m letting it air dry and want softer, looser curls.

Once the curls are set and about 80% dry, I’ll warm up a tiny bit of Roz Styling Oil in my palms and gently scrunch it in — it’s the final step that locks in shine and keeps frizz away.

Sometimes, if my ends are feeling dry, I’ll add a pump of the Roz Milk Hair Serum as a refresher later in the day or the next morning.

I hope there’s something in this you needed. Not everything has to be optimized. Sometimes it’s enough to just feel like yourself again.

xo,
Ceri