Issue #59: road. trip. ROMANCE.
new obsession with Pinterest collages, a healthier PINK drink, SUMMER season + the menstrual cycle, women + ADHD, PERIOD swimwear for teens and tweens, and ROMANCE bookstores.
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“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.”
~Bernard Williams
17 hours in the car in route to Maine (and New York to see my in-laws after) with my (Rebecca’s) parents, hubby, and daughter had me searching for a way to pass the time. Did some work, some reading (see below if you missed the social post on my library road trip grabs;) and didn’t want to scroll but do something creative. Enter Pinterest Collages… we shared this last year in one of our newsletters when we found the addition to the platform, but TBH forgot about it.
As of late, we have been talking about transitioning our social and leaning into Pinterest more so thought I would hop on and decided to create a summer–inspired road trip collage! I had so much fun finding beautiful images and creating a vibe for the way I wanted to approach this trip while also reflecting on what brings me joy.
Traveling with a group can be challenging (especially with a 7 year old and aging parents when it is your husband’s 50th birthday trip). Creating the collage allowed me to envision what I wanted the trip to look like for me before focusing on trying to make sure everyone else’s needs got met. I then had my daughter make one for herself (which included a lot of dolphins that likely have not arrived in Maine given the cooler temps;) but still. She also got to do this fun exercise. The energy of summer can be chaotic and pausing to set intentions for what we need from it can be so grounding. So whether weekly, monthly, or seasonally, we would highly recommend it!
Speaking of summer, on the Summer Solstice today, we step into the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle’s seasonal arc—full of light, energy, and connection. Just as summer draws us outward, ovulation is our most expansive time: communication flows, confidence rises, and we naturally seek community and celebration.
This is the body’s summer—ruled by the Heart in Chinese medicine, linked to joy, vitality, and relationships. It’s a time to be seen, to share our gifts, and to enjoy the buzz of being with others. But even in this fullness, tending our energy is key.
Shine bright—but stay rooted in what truly nourishes you.
PS- next time we share a collage, we will credit the images and items where we can- sorry I didn’t think about that until after it was finalized and couldn’t go back to find the sources.
NEXT WEEK on…
women + ADHD
In next week’s episode, Theresa sat in as Clara Healing Institute founder and therapist Kristin Belkofer chatted with a group of incredible women about life with ADHD. Kristin breaks down the diagnosis and experience lived by many women, easing the stigma through greater understanding. Our circle of women shares what ADHD means to them as mothers, entrepreneurs, and women in middle life. Join us next Wednesday for this important conversation.
TASTE: The Lost Kitchen. Have you heard of the restaurant that takes reservations via lottery by postcard in the small town of Freedom, Maine? While dining there was not in the cards for us (it requires you send in a postcard in the spring to even be considered for a reservation;), it sent me down the rabbit hole of learning more about the restaurant and its founder Erin French. She is featured in two shows, The Lost Kitchen and Getting Lost with Erin French, and has two cookbooks that we are eager to check out.
The Lost Kitchen: Recipes and a Good Life Found in Freedom, Maine. A cookbook featuring recipes and stories from her restaurant.
Big Heart Little Stove. Focuses on recipes and the story behind her first restaurant location.
BONUS TASTES: Wild Maine Blueberry Pie. My dad and daughter tore up the blueberry pie in Maine so going to try making some when we get home! Healthier Pink Drink. We made some Starbucks stops during the long travel days and Everly is at that age where Pink Drinks are all the rage, but I don’t love the caffeine and sugar so wondered if we might make a healthier at home version for a treat now and again.
SEE: MKE Romance Bookstores. Nothing says summer or vacation like a good beach read and romance... the kind of story that keeps you turning pages long after the sun sets. That’s why we’re excited about the opening of these indie bookstores that are focusing on the genre. Thirst opened in May and The Well Red Damsel has their grand opening this weekend!
We spent last season on the podcast exploring sexual health, intimacy, and connection—from the stories we tell ourselves to the ones we share with others. Bookstores like these are such important spaces for expanding those narratives, celebrating love in all its forms, and making room for joy and pleasure. With a carefully curated collection of romance titles, they’re offering more than books—they’re creating a space where everyone deserves a happily-ever-after. We can’t wait to visit soon and pick up something swoon-worthy.
SMELL: Do Phermones Affect Fertility? Around ovulation, the body isn’t just shifting internally—it’s also sending out subtle signals through pheromones, chemical messengers that influence attraction and reproductive behavior. Pheromones, though more obvious in animals, do seem to play a quieter role in humans by signaling fertility and ovulation. During this fertile window, these scent-based signals may subtly affect partner preference and sexual interest, helping guide connection at the optimal time for conception. While the science is still evolving and it’s unclear how pheromones might be harnessed to improve fertility, the evidence suggests that smell is an important, if often overlooked, part of the reproductive process. SEE MORE BELOW for ovulation cycle synching tips!
BONUS SMELL: Mosquito-Repelling Bracelets. I grabbed a 10 pack of these for the trip and they seemed to work!
HEAR: Music Playlists that We Were Rockin on the Road. We haven’t seen the new summer rom–com yet, but the Official Materialists Playlist is worth a listen!
This one was my husband’s pick for the trip! Great mix:)
And YES! They have a playlist and it is SO good!
TOUCH: RedDrop’s new period swimwear. We’ve shared RedDrop before for their mission to make periods less overwhelming for tweens and teens—offering practical, age-appropriate products that center comfort, confidence, and care. Their latest launch—period swim bottoms—is made for her summer, giving young people the freedom to swim, play, and enjoy the season without period worries. Designed specifically for growing bodies (not just scaled-down adult styles), these bottoms are stylish, discreet, and real-life ready—perfect for everything from camp and swim lessons to last-minute lake days and vacation adventures. With a soft feel, leak-proof lining, and PFAS-free, non-toxic materials, they look and feel like regular swimwear—so no one has to know, and she doesn’t have to miss a moment.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
cycle SUMMER synching…
While menstruation gets all the attention, it is ovulation that drives the hormone cascade of our cycle. Around this time, estrogen peaks and triggers a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which prompts the release of an egg—marking the fertile window for those trying to conceive. This hormonal shift also brings a boost in energy, mood, and libido, thanks to elevated estrogen and testosterone, and prepares the body for the rise of progesterone post-ovulation. In the lens of cycle syncing and Chinese medicine, ovulation aligns with the energy of summer—expansive, expressive, and full of life—making it an ideal time to lean into social connection, creativity, and pleasure. When we tune into this rhythm, we can use it as a guide to better understand our needs, harness our vitality, and feel more at home in our bodies. Here are a few tips from our Cycle Synching Guide:
For more on fertility, download our Fertile.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide.
And we leave you with…
and 29 ways to romanticize your life this summer.
Have a great weekend!
