Oh man, she’s writing about music again.

I grew up in the late-nineties/early-2000’s, meaning I was born just as the peak of the (lazily labeled) “grunge” movement was cresting and falling by the wayside, giving up the ghost and surrendering to an era of star-studded, Y2K pop. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m never mad at listening to some old school Britney (free her!) or Aaliyah (RIP), but my older, then teenage, brothers always lamented about how music just wasn’t the same anymore.

These aren’t bitter old guys, mind you. My brothers were 13, 14, and 15 when I was born (respectively), and they had lived their pre-teen and budding adolescent years listening to The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, and later KoRn, Deftones, and the like. And, when I asked them to show me what they meant, they did.

I’ll never forget being barely seven years old and sneaking into my brothers’ room to watch MTV 2 on the tiny television perched on the incense-burner laden pine entertainment stand, and seeing music videos like “Freak on a Leash” for the first time. As cringey as that likely sounds to most of you, it was a really eye-opening experience for me; opening my *NSYNC-filled eyes to the realization that there was, to use the overused and over-generalized term, an alternative available.

That said, I was more recently, as a now near-30-year-old woman, riding in the car with my husband on a long trip. As we often do to beat back the roadtrip boredom, my husband I began discussing what album we should put on and play through to pass the time. He looked at me and said, “Do you remember Nine Inch Nails? Were you ever into them?” — my mind went, “Oh, yeah. I used to love Trent Reznor,” and the “used to” stuck out.

Why “used to”? Why hadn’t I listened in a while? My husband and I agree to put on an album that was more commercially successful, NIN’s fourth studio album ‘With Teeth,’ and we discussed each track in depth. We talked about how great Trent Reznor is; how effective a lyricist, how unapologetic a person, and I experienced a sudden flash of memory back to an even more iconic album (and time) in NIN’s discography — my brothers’ era’s seminal, end-all-be-all Industrial Rock masterpiece, ‘The Downward Spiral.’

I look at my husband as the final track of ‘With Teeth’ plays out, and ask if we can play ‘TDS’ next. He of course agrees, with an “I love that album” thrown in, and we’re off to the races.

‘The Downward Spiral’ Turns 30, But its Message Hasn’t Aged a Day

The opening track of NIN’s ‘TDS,’ “Mr. Self Destruct,” is a favorite of mine — so I selfishly always revel in the fact that it plays first when doing a proper run-through of this rather hefty album. Trent’s disjointed vocals echo through an odd, liminal space for a few moments, before the synthesizers come roaring through with a stunning, instant force, as if to say “notice me, now.”

That’s really what this entire album says, in a way, which fits the cultural and emotional milieu of not only its time, but of now. Today. Right now. That is, for me and the folks I observe on a daily basis, at least.

The Internet has expanded into a vast wasteland of echoing voices, all clamoring for a brief moment of attention in the oddly crowded-yet-empty virtual space we’ve all created and thus, try and contribute to in our own, unique way. That’s not much different than how someone in their 20’s tends to feel, well, all the time.

Trent Reznor recently posted, via the Nine Inch Nails’ website and various social media channels, about this album, and (to my point about “how people in their 20’s tend to feel”) had this to say:

“SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME LOOKING BACKWARDS FEELS DANGEROUS TO ME, BUT THIS DAY ON THE CALENDAR CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. HAS IT REALLY BEEN THAT LONG, OLD FRIEND?
I JUST SPENT AN HOUR LISTENING TO THIS TIME CAPSULE OF WHAT 28 YEAR OLD ME HAD TO SAY, AND IT STILL EXCITES ME AND BREAKS MY HEART. BE KIND TO YOURSELVES. HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.“

– Trent Reznor

And I believe that sums it up pretty well. A 28-year-old Reznor, the same age as I am at the time of writing this near-novel, felt the need to be heard, the need to voice his hurt, and the need to ask “what’s wrong with me?” in this crushingly beautiful, daring, masterpiece of an album. ‘March of the Pigs’ challenges the comfortable, and comforts the “challenged” with its pointed lyrics and in-your-face thrashing, noisy-yet-melodic uptempo beat. ‘Hurt’ screams to be felt, to be internalized and not just listened to. ‘Heresy’ asks uncomfortable questions, and tries to apply meaning to the chaos. And, of course, ‘Closer’ leans into the desire we all have to crawl out of our own skin (and, somehow, into someone else’s) for a while.

Perhaps some folks can’t relate to these raw and often uncomfortable impulses — but, considering this album’s long-lasting effect on culture and sheer playing power, I think most of us can relate.

So, if you’ve never given NIN a chance, this isn’t a bad place to start (not that ‘Pretty Hate Machine’, its predecessor, isn’t also extremely important) and will set you up for a wild ride full of finding meaning in the chaos that is modern, industrial life — or, will at least attempt to.

Xoxo,

MM.

Last year, I wrote an anxious girlie’s guide to surviving a music festival. This year, I have a lot more knowledge around what was causing my anxiety (and fatigue, and constant “blahhhh” feeling), and it turns out it was a sneaky (and severe) vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Though the anxious girlie hacks still stand (and have helped me for many, many years), I find that since fixing my vitamin deficiency I have a lot more mental energy and capacity available to focus on the other parts of festival survival — ya’ know, the physically being able to make it to the end and actually enjoy it.

By “actually enjoy it,” I mean “not being so tired you’re falling asleep at 10 PM before your favorite headliner even comes on stage,” or “waking up so sore you can’t make the walk between camp and the million-miles-away stage.”

So, how does someone (especially someone with a history of vitamin deficiency anemia, or other chronic health conditions) survive a 4-day long camping festival? Try these hacks to keep the party going all weekend long:

How to sustain your energy at a music festival

First of all, let me state the extremely obvious — EAT. DRINK WATER. FUEL YOUR BODY.

It seems like it should go without saying, but often I see folks head to a camping festival with lots of thought around what outfits they’re planning to wear, but absolutely no idea of what they’re going to live on for four days in the forest or desert. Please, PLEASE, bring enough food (both non-perishable and, if the festival campground you’re staying in allows, perishable food that can be kept on dry ice and cooked over a small propane grill), as well as rehydration solutions like Pedialyte (more on that later).

In addition to making sure you’re doing the basics to fuel your body by eating and drinking, you should also keep an eye on your vitamin and mineral intake (yes, even when you’re just trying to spend four days partying like it’s 1999). I suggest the Good Patch brand’s vitamin-infused patches, specifically their B12 Awake patch, to sustain you through your wild weekend – they’re small, simple patches you press onto your wrist that last up to 12 hours, stay adhered to your skin even when you sweat (which you likely will at a summer fest; IYKYK), and you don’t even have to think about them (or remember to take an oral vitamin).

These patches actually saved my ass when I was in the throes of fixing my wacky B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia issues, so I highly recommend them for their safety, potency and ease of use.

Also, remember how I said bringing something like Pedialyte might help you through a camping festival weekend? Well, that’s because water alone doesn’t always hydrate you best, and at a festival you’ll be losing hella electrolytes by sweating, dancing, and doing other fun-filled activities. Let me explain —

How to stay hydrated (and balance those electrolytes!)

Electrolytes are literally defined as “the ionized or ionizable constituents of a living cell, blood, or other organic matter,” meaning all living things are actively composed of them. That said, water alone doesn’t always contain the right concentration of these little life-giving fellows (which include compounds like Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and the like), and you may need an oral rehydration solution to do the trick.

If you’re like me, though, and you cringe at the thought of downing a full-sized bottle of sickeningly salty-yet-sweet-somehow(?) Pedialyte, there’s a better solution. Like, literally, a solution, made by the brand LyteLine — the LyteShow Concentration for Rapid Rehydration. Just 3mL of this tasteless, calorie-free solution mixes with 32 oz. of regular water to give you a pretty impressive dose of your daily Magnesium, Zinc, Sodium and Potassium intake, and it’s only $20 (and lasts a longggggg time, since you take so little at once).

Plus, LyteShow literally comes with an adorable travel-size bottle for ease of use, so why not bring it along?

How to sleep when the bass is bumping

If you aren’t already using earplugs at festivals (I know, I know, here comes the fun police), you probably should be. Not only is it good for your ears in the long run, but it can actively help you shut out the noise and catch some shut eye when the bass is bumping just a stone’s throw away from your tent and you’re, ya’ know, trying to sleep because the sun is starting to rise above the sea of cars in your wake.

Additionally, packing enough blankets, pillows and additional clothing to keep yourself warm on those somehow-chilly-even-though-it-was-hot-as-Hades-all-damn-day camping nights is so important. I know it’s more fun to think about packing your most fun, festie-friendly two pieces and rompers than it is your cozy PJs, but you won’t get much shut-eye if you’re shivering all night long, ya’ feel me?

Over all, music festivals are supposed to be fun — that’s the whole point, really. So, don’t waste your time and ticket money by not taking care of your body throughout the weekend. Stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy this summer’s best festivals!

Xoxo,

MM.

It’s about time I shared the things I love with the folks in this community, yeah?

I’ve often thought about joining a book club, but I never seemed to find one that really fit my vibe. For as cliché as that sounds, I’m being sincere — I don’t really enjoy reading modern romance novels, nor do I really get down with the latest trends in the Young Adult genre. I do, however, find myself diving deep into classics like As I Lay Dying, or full-on literary series like Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, or Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy quite often, as well as loads of non-fiction works centered around true crime, self help, wellness and the like.

I also happen to enjoy wine tasting; experiencing different wines from different regions and eras and learning about their food pairings, their “body” and mouth feel, and so on.

So, a thought occurred to me — why don’t I start my own wine and book club? — and I dashed to Instagram to poll my followers to gauge interest… annnnd the folks in this community are, much to my chagrin, quite interested!

All that said, can I get a little drum roll, please?

The Miranda Muses Monthly Wine and Book Club

Welcome to the first official month of the Miranda Muses Monthly Wine and Book Club! Here’s a brief rundown of how the Wine and Book Club works, how to become a member, and what we’ll kick off this series by reading (and drinking!) this May —

You can sign up to become part of the Miranda Muses Wine and Book club here. All you need to do is provide your name and email address, then I’ll send you an email itinerary that includes links to buy the book and wine of the month, as well as details (location, time, etc.) about the monthly meeting to drink and discuss. In the email, Miranda Muses will also ask for a $10 monthly donation to cover the cost of hosting the event (as the community and I really want this to be an in-person club, if possible!) if you’re able. If not, no worries! This club is open to all who want to explore not-so-run-of-the-mill books and some fun, fresh wines with a group of friends in a safe space, so if that sounds like you, I urge you again to SIGN UP and keep your eyes peeled for this month’s email!

I can’t wait to see you all this May for the first Miranda Muses Wine and Book Club gathering!

Xoxo,

MM.

Some say blue light and SAD lamps can mimic the effects of sunlight on our bodies and minds — but nothing compares to the real deal.

If you’re like me and you’d do just about anything to avoid the icy grip of seasonal depression over the winter months, you may have invested in a SAD lamp, or tried to manipulate blue light to keep yourself, well, energized and alive when the sun is seemingly nowhere to be found… but does any of that actually work?

Well, researchers are divided on the effectiveness of SAD lamps and the like, but one thing is for certain — nothing compares to the real deal.

So, why is it so important to get some actual sunshine in your daily life (and what can it do for the modern mind)? Let’s slap on some sunscreen (gotta protect that skin barrier, babes!) and dive in:

The benefits of sunlight on the body and mind

If you’re one of those folks who doesn’t like to go outside much, I have some bad news — you’re likely putting yourself at major risk for Vitamin D deficiency, as a lack of natural sun exposure is the leading cause of this critical vitamin deficit in many adults. Wondering what Vitamin D deficiency does to your body? Well, research continues to support the link between Vit. D deficiency and its contribution to many major illnesses, in addition to this lack of vitamin causing fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain and beyond. So, if you want to get a natural boost of a very essential vitamin, make some time in your day to step out into the sun at least once a day (with your sunscreen on to protect your skin from excess UVR, of course).

In terms of the modern mind, how is our move to working primarily indoors (during almost, well, all of the daylight hours) affecting us? Well, it’s a mood killer, for one. If you’re stuck in the office all day long (and you aren’t making some time to sun yourself, even if only for 20 minutes a day), you’re likely losing out on some key opportunities for natural serotonin production. Often nicknamed the “happy chemical,” a healthy level of serotonin is essential to mental wellbeing and stability, and sunlight is a great, free and natural way to amplify your brain’s serotonin producing power. So, if you want a natural mood boost, sunlight is the easiest (and the most effective) solution.

If you get a moment today, it’s a good idea to step outside and soak up some sunlight. Your body and mind will thank you.

Xoxo,

MM.

Take it from someone who drinks a lot of water and still wasn’t doing enough to keep up with my busy lifestyle — you might be more dried out than ya’ think.

Most folks know that drinking water is important — it supports basically every life function on the planet, and our bodies are roughly 60% water. That’s a huge amount, and a huge amount of water to maintain in our bodies requires, well, a huge amount of water intake daily.

You may think you’re drinking enough of this essential elixir of life, but if you’re experiencing some of the following symptoms, you may want to add another glass or two of H2O to your daily routine:

Sneaky symptoms that may indicate mild dehydration

1. You’re tired all the time. Believe it or not, fatigue is one of the leading indicators that you might be mildly dehydrated.

2. You have hella brain fog. The BBC states that even losing 2% of your body’s water content can cause cognitive impairment; so, if you find you have a foggy brain, try drinking a big glass of water before making any big decisions.

3. You’re more irritable than usual. Like the above states, a loss of even a littttle bit of water can go a long way in making your brain “glitchier” than usual. If you find you’re more irritable or anxious than usual, it may be a sneaky dehydration problem!

4. You get frequent headaches. Probably the earliest (and most annoying) sign of mild dehydration, headaches are a pretty clear indicator that you need a drink of water, stat.

Note, I’m obviously not a doctor, and symptoms of dehydration can often coincidence/overlap with symptoms of many other common vitamin deficiencies and health issues. However, it’s never a bad idea to increase your water intake moderately to improve blood flow, boost brain power and hydrate those glowing skin cells!

Though severe dehydration should always be treated in a professional medical environment, drinking a little more water each day may significantly improve your life when it comes to solving issues related to mild dehydration (which we all experience from time to time).

Xoxo,

MM.

If you’re tired of “shallow” interactions, like I’ve been lately, try these tips to go beyond surface-level in your friendships, romantic relationships, or even in those micro-interactions you have with strangers.

I realized I was real sick and tired of “shallow” interactions after a late night out this winter. I was craving a deeper, more intimate (or at least honest) conversation with someone, and a level of emotion that can only be created through genuine human interaction … and I bungled it. My social anxiety got the best of me. I made stupid jokes, yucked it up with everyone else, and just let my brain go into “auto-pilot” mode.

Not once did I ask how anyone had been, or how they were feeling. They didn’t ask me, either, but that’s my point — all conversation remained as shallow as a kiddie pool, perfectly surface level, with the tension never being broken by a single sincere remark.

I know I’m also to blame here. Like I said, I was an active contributor to this problem in that moment during a late night out with friends, too, and in many other moments on those frivolous weekend nights out. And sometimes we need that, and that’s okay. But the next morning, I felt a little sad — so I dove into the “why”.

Why don’t we do “late night talks” anymore?

Blame it on social media; blame it on our shortened attention spans; blame it on the ever-anxiety inducing state of the world — but something has seriously changed when it comes to interpersonal communication.

What ever happened to the “late night talk,” for example? You may say, anecdotally, you still enjoy many a late night talk with your pals (and so do I, from time to time), but research suggests that Gen-Z is on par to be the highest self-reported “lonely” generation. And I think we’ve all felt that, in recent years, social isolation and shallow interactions have become more normal.

Interacting with a friend by DM’ing memes on Instagram isn’t the same as interacting with that friend face-to-face and having a coffee talk, for one thing… and, again, I’m to blame here too, as that’s how I interact with a lot of my friends (then go long stretches without seeing them in person, as the break-neck pace of modern life keeps us all running around 24/7).

However, I notice that when I do take time to genuinely chat with a friend, over coffee or even on the phone if we can’t be face-to-face, I feel an immediate and sweeping sense of relief. I feel good. I feel more present, more whole — I feel more human and connected to the shared experience of existence, rather than just watching vignettes of life playing out on social media.

SO, all that to say — how can I (and all of us) cultivate more of those genuine interactions in our life? I began brainstorming, and here are some ideas that came to mind:

How can we become more present with our friends?

After taking some time to think (i.e., thinking about times I’d felt I genuinely interacted with a friend, versus a time I hadn’t), I realized there are a few factors that affect the level of engagement experienced in social settings:

• Where are we? If we’re at a restaurant or coffee shop, a place where we can sit and chat, more genuine talks seem to occur organically, without even trying. Shopping, hiking, all of that also works — moments where an activity isn’t completely distracting us from one another, but encouraging all participants to begin a conversation/engage in a shared experience. Rather than staring at the TV (or worse, our phones) together on the couch, or going to an extremely loud club together (which can be fun and def has its time and place, don’t get me wrong!), what activity could we do that encourage us to talk to our friends?

• Have reached out in a while? The old saying “it goes both ways,” comes to mind here. If you feel there’s been some distance from a friend or romantic partner lately, maybe it’s not all them. Have you taken a moment out of your busy schedule recently to even attempt to make plans with someone, or even just ask how they’re doing? If you haven’t, that’s a great place to begin.

How can I become a better communicator?

The two ideas stated above I’ve actively put into practice this week — and guess what? By reaching out first, and making plans that allow for genuine engagement, I’ve caught up with two very good friends this week that I haven’t had a “deep dive” with for a while — and its felt amazing.

Sometimes, being a better communicator simply boils down to making more of an effort. Send that first text; make that call out of the blue; invite a friend out to a spontaneous dinner (rather than lie on your couch all night and doom-scroll).

A little effort can go a long way, and if you’re craving more genuine interaction, it’s typically just a call, text, or little drop-in visit away.

Xoxo,

MM.

TW: Trauma, mental health, and a general warning that shadow work can trigger the recollection of sometimes unpleasant memories, thoughts, or feelings.

If there’s anything I’ve learned after taking an unfortunate dip back into the seasonal depression pool last late-October to this March, it’s that sometimes, things aren’t all rainbows and sunshine and, despite our best efforts, we can all be toxic. That’s where a healthy dose of shadow work can come into play —

What is “shadow work”?

“Shadow work” may have a slightly different meaning to everyone, but I like to think of it in simplistic terms when it comes to activating it in our own lives. One Reddit user described it as, “(…) like trying to figure out or rediscover parts of your mind/memory that you’ve subconsciously repressed or hidden from yourself,” and I really like that simple (albeit slightly over-generalized) explanation, especially for purposes of discussions like this one about its practical — read, not so “woo-woo” — uses and effects.

What is a “shadow work prompt”? How does that work?

How does one even engage in this kind of internal “work”? Well, typically through being prompted. Sometimes these are simple questions you can mull over and try to answer for yourself when you have a moment or two to think; or, perhaps they’re longer prompts that require additional meditation and a few rounds of thought. Either way, these prompts challenge us to look at parts of ourselves that we don’t love to bring to the light; thus, the “shadow” element of the term “shadow work”.

So, how have I, personally, been applying “shadow work” prompts to my life? Let me explain —

How “shadow work” challenged my point of view

This winter was hard. Seasonal depression always brings up some dark thoughts and feelings for me, and I tend to turn to suppression as a form of (not) coping. I push my thoughts and feelings down; I try to bury myself in work or play or anything that can be something of a distraction; I stop engaging, generally, with my true emotions because… well, I become afraid of them.

However, this always (and I mean always) blows up in my face. My emotions always come bursting out in one way or another, so I decided this spring I had to find healthier ways to cope. And that’s where “shadow work” journal prompts came into play for me.

I began by asking friends who were more experienced in this work — how does it feel? What is it like? Is it helpful? Does it work? And they responded in kind – it doesn’t always feel great. It’s hard but necessary. And yes, it works. And that was enough for me.

I next took to the Internet (as we all do) in an attempt to find some legit (no offense, TikTok spiritual girlies) shadow work prompts and, fortunately, I found a wealth of legitimate and helpful information around practicing such deep, sometimes even triggering, introspective self-discovery prompts as a curious beginner. Though I’ve become slightly more experienced (and thus, in tune with myself) lately, these tried-and-true prompts are a great place to start for those who’re just dipping their toes into the pool of the “shadow self” —

1. Have you ever treated a person in a way you regret?

   1. Oh, yes. I’m sure we all have, but there have been a handful of times I can remember that I truly regret how I treated someone. Most recently, I feel like in a few interactions with friends I’ve been too selfish. Sharing all of my “problems,” without really taking the time to hear them out in response. This makes me feel like my interactions have been ego-centered and don’t reflect the heart I truly do have for my friends, and that hurts. I want to be a less selfish, less ego-absorbed better listener/steward to my friends (as they’ve often been for me).

2. What are some things you’ve been holding onto that you need to let go of?

   1. So many things. Lately, though, it’s mainly been guilt. Guilt for things like I said above. Guilt for even being guilty. Guilt for a lot of things, really — and it helps absolutely nothing. So it’s about time I let go of it.

3. What is the worst feeling?

   1. Feeling like I disappointed someone or let them down. That I didn’t live up to some expectation — whether real, or something I’m unconsciously projecting — and that I somehow failed myself, or, more hurtfully, that I failed someone I love. THAT is by FAR the worst feeling of all the feelings I’ve ever experienced, only next to grief in its significant negative impact on my psyche.

4. What do you need to forgive yourself for?

   1. All of the above! I need to forgive myself for being a work in progress. For having a “moment.” For not giving myself the grace I’ve always deserved. I could go on and on, but I really need to (ironically) forgive myself for not always being super forgicing of myself!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is difficult stuff, but I believe it’s wholly necessary for our growth as human beings. We’ve all made mistakes — that’s life, baby! However, the great thing about life is that it’s never too late until it’s too late, and we can change anytime we want. This is a good first step in that direction. Just know I believe in you, in all of us, and our collective ability to heal our wounds and, in turn, heal the world a little bit and make it a better place.

Xoxo,

MM.

Recently, I got the invite to one of Philly’s most exciting, electric underground events — Departed Together Season 3, Episode 1 — and it was a riveting way to ring in my 28th year.

Want to know more about this exclusive EDM community event? Let me recap my experience (so you know just how much fun to expect!) —

Departed Together Season 3 Episode 1: More Than Your Regular EDM Show

Departed is, at its core, a bustling creative community and labor of love (founded by local artist Ben Arsenal) wherein local musicians, visual artists, and EDM community members come together to immerse themselves in an ever-evolving (and truly unique) audiovisual experience.

When I arrived at The Ave Live (the home of this season’s Departed event), I was immediately floored by the beautiful visuals all around me — from the incredible fashions being flaunted all around, to the stunning decor and lights encapsulating the stage, to the vendor booths all decked out in pins, pashminas and trinkets galore, it was an absolute visual feast.

As far as the music goes, you know that, of course, did not disappoint. With performances from Dev, Bloodshot, Ben Arsenal and, all the way from the UK, JOSHWA.

Each DJ brought their own unique energy and sound to the event, with the dancers and aerial performers adding an absolutely electric air to the evening that’s hard to put into words — and I was blown away. It is rare that I describe an evening as “magical,” but Departed Season 3 Episode 1 was truly a night to remember.

Want to learn even more about my Departed Together experience? Follow along on my Instagram to catch the exclusive content I captured at Season 3, Episode 1!

Xoxo,

MM.

Anyone who knows me well (or even tangentially) knows that I. Love. Music Festivals. EDM culture became a large part of my life beginning around 2014, and I’ve been addicted to the Bonnaroo’s, Coachella’s, Okeechobee’s, local raves, and festivals in general ever sense.

So, what do your do for your early-March birthday after a long winter of waiting for spring (and thus, festival season) to come around? You throw a festival themed birthday party, of course! Here’s the deep dive on my festival themed joint-birthday bash with my husband (and fellow Pisces) Andrew, formally called MirAndroo Fest, and what I’ve learned since turning 28 —

Festival themed birthday party ideas — how we bought MirAndroo Fest to life

From themed charcuterie (thank you to our friends Grace and Matt!) to disco decor and flashing lights, we brought allllll the festival vibes to our little get together for less than $100. Utilizing simple elements like holographic table cloths (to make the lights really “pop”) and relying on lighting (and a banger of an EDM-themed playlist) to really set the mood was key. Also, asking attendees to come in festival fashion attire added another layer to the ambiance, without anyone having to break the bank — after all, festivals are known for their attendees’ eclectic mix of styles, right?

Right. So, we really leaned into those simple-yet-effective elements that make festivals truly unique! The lights, colors, sounds and clothing you see that create a fun, buzzing sensory experience.

It wasn’t difficult at all to throw a festival themed party, and in fact it’s a theme I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for something out-of-the-box yet affordable.

What I’ve Learned by Year 28

I could go on and on about the “things I’ve learned” in my (now) 28 years of life, but I think the older I get the more I realize it can all be distilled down into a few basic, simple principles for me:

1. Not everyone is going to like you. That’s okay!

2. Life is painfully short — so you might as well get real weird with it.

3. To that point, do some good while you can.

It’s not easy to keep it simple in such a wild world, but I find that if I try and remind myself of those three essential pillars, I get along just fine. I mean, it’s worked for the last 27 years, anyhow; so let’s keep on keeping on in year 28!

Xoxo,

MM

Fashion Week officially came back to Philly this February, and there were a lot of looks being served. If the spring/summer runway styles I saw this past weekend are any indication, it’s going to be a hot one, Philly.

Here are the top trends I spotted at Philly Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 —

Spring and Summer 2024 trends

Denim-on-denim

A lot of denim-on-denim looks persisted from last spring, and I’m not mad at it tbh. I will say this spring’s denim-on-denim looks seemed to play around more with distinct shapes and cropped cuts (instead of the straight-up “Canadian tuxedo” denim shirt or jacket on jeans look), and I’m about it. Denim crop tops and bandeaus, for example, seemed to pick up in popularity on the runway this season.

Leather edge

Leather jackets, pants, and even leather dresses aren’t going anywhere in spring 2024. Even in the summertime, leather hot pants are a certified look, and the runway was full of edgier, leather styles this season.

Pastels

A springtime staple, pastels are definitely still in. However, pastels weren’t all-over (i.e., pastel dresses or overcoats), but rather paired with bolder colors, like a pair of pastel slacks with a daring black bandeau and blazer, or a pastel t-shirt with striking black leather pants.

Want to see for yourself? Check out my recap reel of Philly Fashion Week on Instagram.

Xoxo,

MM.