This week, Coastal Spritz hosted an exclusive, invite-only garden party at Philly’s iconic Independence Beer Garden, and I obviously had to get in on the fun!

As a long-time Coastal Spritz fan (the classic rosé spritz has my heart), I was so excited to try all the various flavors and variants Coastal has to offer, as well as check out the adorable garden setting and meet and mingle with other Philadelphia lifestyle influencers. If you want the scoop on the best spritzers to drink for every season (and want to know what us influencers really do in the wild), keep reading.

Coastal Spritz Garden Party: How it went

The Coastal Spritz event began with a beautiful booth dripping in pink— an entrance into the event and an adorable photo op with your complimentary can of Coastal rosé.

We were then directed to tables full of spritz tasting opportunities, swag bags, and fun giveaways to enter. Local Philadelphia influencers and food and beverage influencers mixed and mingled, and I got to catch up with one particular Philly influencer that I struck up a fun conversation with, @whatbritlikes!

My favorite Coastal Spritz varieties and how they taste

My personal favorite Coastal Spritz flavor is the Classic Rosé spritz— it has a crisp, off-dry finish with just enough carbonation to make it a fun, tantalizing sip.

I also enjoy the Coastal Watermelon Rosé, which is a close second in my book. Perfect for summertime, the Watermelon Rosé spritzer is sweeter (but not too sweet), and tastes like the iconic Harry Styles line— watermelon sugar, high!

Shop Coastal Spritz

You can shop Coastal Spritz at Independence Beer Garden and other select Philly locations, as well as on GoPuff and on the Coastal Spritz website.

Spring, summer, or September, Coastal Spritz is fun to drink all year ‘round. Cheers!

Xoxo,

MM.

Recently, I went to see Fall Out Boy perform live at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, and though I’ve always been an FOB fan, I forgot just how many great songs they’ve charted over the years.

This led me down the pop-punk, early-2000’s musical rabbit hole, and I just had to share some nostalgic faves I happily (re)discovered during my jam sesh.

Without further ado — here are some of the best throwback songs you may have forgotten even existed:

The best pop-punk songs from the early 2000’s

“Dead on Arrival” — Fall Out Boy

This song had slipped my mind, as I mostly remember the ‘Take This to Your Grave’ album for songs like “Grand Theft Autumn,” — however, when Fall Out Boy played this song at the recent show I attended, I was snapped back into 2003, forreal. And in the best way. The catchy pop-punk hook and upbeat-tone-with-sad-boy-lyrics combo hits just as good as it did back then, and you should give it a listen if you haven’t in a while.

“Shake It” — Metro Station

You likely (or, hopefully) didn’t forget this one; but Metro Station’s “Shake It” is one of the most nostalgic, “we’re young and dumb and in love” bangers of all time, and it’s hella catchy to boot. This is also a great song to dance to, so go ahead and crank it up (and dance like no one’s watching.)

“Closer” — Ne-Yo

Those who know me well know that one of my first, legitimate celebrity crushes was none other than the original “certified lover boy,” Ne-Yo. I mean, his lyrics alone make you believe in love again— yeah? Okay, maybe that’s dramatic; but this song is the perfect blend of amazing opening riff, gorgeous lyrics over a melodic beat, and a catchy AF chorus that will get you moving on the dance floor. This slow-meets-fast paced jam is one of my all time faves, and it should be one of yours, too (just sayin’!)

“Anonymous” — Bobby Valentino

Ah, sweet summertime. This MySpace-era banger makes me feel like it’s 80 degrees outside, the windows are rolled down, and I’m well on my way to frolicking on the beach with my “crush”— ya feel me? This song (lyrically) is about Bobby V. seeking his dream woman, but the calm melody and layered-track effect creates a dreamy soundscape that makes this song sound like the epitome of young love in the summertime. 

“Girlfriend” — N*SYNC

Speaking of young love— “Girlfriend” is one of my all-time favorite N*SYNC tracks (which is a tall order, as I’ve been obsessed with N*SYNC since 1999), and it’s a certified “girl, I’ll treat you right” anthem. Every nineties-era dream of innocent “love” is realized by this song’s sweet lyrics, and that paired with JT’s voice? Come onnnnnnn. 

Do you remember these absolute bangers? I, for one, will be screaming them at the top of my lungs in the shower for the next few weeks.

Xoxo,

MM.

Stay with me, this’ll make sense— I promise.

As you may have seen in the news recently, aliens are apparently… real? Well, maybe. According to a government whistleblower, David Charles Grusch, and a handful of others who agreed to testify alongside him before Congress in an open session, they just might be.

The internet took the news as expected— some people were stoked, while others said, “who cares? Life is hard enough here, on earth,”— and it’s that question that intrigued me most.

We live in a world in which self care is popular to proselytize but difficult to practice in our own lives, and that makes sense. Life is hard and the endless rat-race of a capitalist existence makes it increasingly hard for regular, working folks to scrape by and live comfortable lives. That creates a lot of environmental and societal stress, which isn’t great for setting the scene when it comes to encouraging others to practice self care. 

But, all that said, I had a thought— what can aliens teach us about ourselves, and about self care? It was a humorous thought, at first, but once I pondered it for a while I actually found some (silly, but true) examples of how the urban myth of the “alien,” as we think of them, can help guide our self care practices. Let me give you some examples:

They teach us to prioritize exploration

If aliens are real, and they’ve been here, that means they’ve learned how to travel great (and I mean, like, impossibly great) distances, which is wild. That tells me something about aliens— they must prioritize exploration over, well, almost everything else. 

If aliens (who would have to be hyper-intelligent to figure out interstellar travel across literally lightyears of open space) take time to make travel and exploration a priority, why shouldn’t we? Maybe life isn’t all about meeting that deadline or rushing around to see who can make the most money; maybe it’s more about exploring the vast, beautiful universe around us. Even if that means exploring more of your own neighborhood on a peaceful afternoon walk, or traveling to a new place to taste the unique cuisine, or beyond, maybe we should be making exploration a top priority for our mental health and wellbeing.

They stay in their own lane (mostly?)

Though they seem to enjoy exploration, it seems like aliens mostly mind their business, right? If they have been here, they certainly haven’t tried to make a fuss. They seem to be fine just passively observing us, learning more, and not involving themselves in drama that doesn’t concern them (like, for example, our earth politics). 

So, what self care tip can we take away from this? Perhaps it’s that we should stay in our own lane, and not put ourselves in the middle of dramatic messes that are truly beyond our control. Maybe we should just set some boundaries, and mind our own business? I guarantee you, that alone will make a major difference in your mental health and wellbeing. 

They reach for the stars

You may have heard the old, cliché quote, “Don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon; you might just land among the stars,” and rolled your eyes at the overly-optimistic (and kind of corny) tone of such a statement. However, maybe the sentiment of the statement is true? 

It seems like aliens, and our infatuation with their existence, proves that there’s something inherently built into us all that wants to reach for the stars. In that way we’re a lot like aliens, I suppose— for our own mental health and wellbeing, we want to seek out more. 

This could be more in the spiritual realm, the scientific realm, or whatever sets your soul particularly alight; but there’s truly nothing more fulfilling than chasing a passion and prioritizing reaching for what matters to us most.

They promote curiosity about the Universe around us

And, in that same vein, aliens remind us to stay curious. If we ever feel stuck, there are wonderful little reminders all around that there’s always so much more to explore! There are millions of moments happening to us every day that can inspire us to create more, learn more, or simply pause and find awe in the present. So, maybe take some extra time to be curious today, okay? 

As farcical as this all may seem, the modern myth of the “alien” can actually teach us a lot about ourselves, and how to care for our own very familiar, human vessels while we navigate this crazy world, solar system, and universe we’ve found ourselves taking up a little bit of space in.

So, how will you incorporate this “alien” self care into your life? Let’s discuss,

Xoxo,

MM.

Nikki (@nikkisilveraxoxo) and I took the town by storm for the Barbie movie premiere weekend, and we’re here to share how it all went down. If you live in Philadelphia, PA, and want to celebrate the release of Barbie with a Barbie Day yourself, you definitely don’t want to miss these Barbie-themed pop-ups happening now!

Barbie Pop-up at Blondie

Now until July 28th, Blondie is having a Barbie themed pop-up featuring a Barbie room (their “pink room”, which works perfectly for the purposes of a Barbie event!) and Barbie-themed cocktails and desserts. The Malibu Barbie was my favorite of the drinks we tried, which was a nice play on a traditional Bay Breeze cocktail, and the atmosphere was super exciting. People in pink came through the event in throngs and everyone had a blast. I definitely recommend checking this pop-up out for all the photo ops and delicious drinks in store!

Barbie Pop-up at Taqueria Amor

Feeling hungry? If you’re looking for dinner (and maybe another Barbie-themed cocktail… or two!) you can head from Blondie right across the street to Taqueria Amor to catch their Barbie pop-up, too! Taq has done a Barbie pop-up before (in February of this year), so they’ve definitely perfected the art of craft cocktails with a pink twist and Ken’s Cajun Salmon tacos (which are BEYOND delicious, by the way)! 

Catching the ‘Barbie’ Movie on Main Street Afterwards

Ready to actually go see ‘Barbie’? If you’re out and about in Manayunk, there’s a Regal Cinemas location right on Main Street (located next to Bark Social) that’s easily walkable or a short ride away from the pop-up locations. 

If you want to have a perfect, walkable Barbie day, you can try these spots on Main Street, Manayunk out for a size. We hope you have as much fun as we did on your Barbie day, too!

Xoxo,

MM.

Earlier this week I was invited to experience Soundroom, an exclusive, immersive “secret show” style art and music showcase— and it was everything I’d hoped for and more. 

What is a Soundroom show?

A Soundroom show is a secret show curated by the brand Soundroom, featuring local emerging musical artists and local vendors, hosted in a local venue pop-up style. The excitement comes from all sides; starting with the exclusivity and secrecy surrounding the show (invites are exclusive and all event information comes via email after you’ve been enrolled and added to the guest list), and the show itself is focused on an immersive, intimate musical experience.

Once I received all the information via email (a couple of days before), I headed to The Maj Hotel just off the Ben Franklin Parkway. Here’s how the show I attended went down:

How it went

The evening began with complimentary drinks and light bites from Deep Eddy Vodka and Philly Bagels. The Soundroom resident DJ was spinning everything from current hits to classic tracks, keeping the mood elevated as attendees began to mingle over cocktails and appetizers. The refreshments and hip atmosphere made the evening feel elevated from the start, and by the time we stepped down into the Maj’s lower level into the show space, I was already enjoying myself quite a lot.

From there, the show itself did not disappoint. The artists, @findingkels_ and @mnysmusic had a lovely set up and ample space to play an expansive yet intimate show, with the audience settling in around the floor and enjoying the beautiful, dimly lit evening.

But, before I reveal too much about this exclusive event, you may be wondering…

How can I attend a Soundroom event?

For more information on how you could potentially get invited to an exclusive (and secret!) Soundroom event, you can visit hellosoundroom.com. 

If you get invited, I suggest you go. It’s well worth it, super exciting, and a truly immersive experience like no other. 

Xoxo,

MM.

As someone who used to be a certified plant killer (but isn’t anymore!), I never used to understand the point of collecting fresh plants and flowers in the home. Sure, they were beautiful— but they make some pretty convincing fakes, right?

I mean, sort of. Turns out, once I began learning more about plant care and taking it more seriously, there were tons of health and mood benefits associated with growing live plants and collecting fresh flowers in my home. I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment when a new sprout bloomed, and a sense of calm as happy, vibrant flowers filled up my kitchen with their sweet smells emanating from various vases all about the room.

So, is it just me? Turns out it’s not— here’s what the science has to say about keeping fresh flowers and plants in the home:

Why live plants and fresh flowers are good for your home (and your health)

According to an article published on the Society of American Florists website, “A behavioral research study conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph. D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, reveals that people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when fresh cut flowers are present in the home.”

Next time you want to treat yourself, buy some fresh flowers. Or, invest in a plant, which can also bring feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment to burgeoning botanists. 

Have a great, flowery summer!

Xoxo,

MM.

My bestie Nikki Silvera (Instagram: @nikkisilveraxoxo) and I did a four-styles-for-summer content shoot to inspire your summer shopping and I just had to share. Check out these summer outfits, styled four ways and leaning into four different summery aesthetics, and check out our Instagram Reels for more:

Four summer styles trending now

Barbie Girl Summer

Y2K

Natural Elegance

Edgy Girl Summer

Check out the full gallery of our looks below:

Xoxo,

MM.

(Or any large, crowded event.)

As many of you know, I recently attended Bonnaroo 2023. Though I’d been to many festivals in years past, both camping festivals (like ‘Roo, I’ve been to Okeechobee many times, Firefly, Camp Bisco, etc.) and hotel, off-site festivals– but this year felt a little different. 

I’ve been pretty open about how my mental health took a turn for the worst around a year ago when a surprising hormonal health issue cropped up for me unexpectedly, so for the last year I’ve been working extra hard on getting back to my most optimal mental and physical health. That said, festivals are something I’ve always enjoyed, but I knew getting back into them after a year of on-going anxiety attacks and health issues wouldn’t be easy.

But, you know what? I’m so glad I did it. I’m so glad I decided to get back to something I love, anxiety and all still somewhat present with me– I’m glad I felt the fear and did it anyways, because it felt (and still feels like) a step toward reclaiming my life from a year of near endless panic and worry. 

If you’re someone who also used to enjoy festivals but haven’t been in a great place lately, or if you’re someone who struggles with an anxiety disorder but would love to attend more festivals and other large, hyper-stimulating events, here are some tips to “feel the fear and do it anyway,” and how to not only survive, but thrive, and enjoy yourself– anxiety be damned.

First off, don’t push yourself too hard

One of the first nights at Bonnaroo, Friday night, I decided against pushing myself to see a couple additional sets I felt I physically (and as such, mentally) wouldn’t be able to handle after a day spent in sweltering sun and large, loud crowds. And guess what? I’m glad I turned in early that night and didn’t push myself too hard, because the rest of the weekend I had a renewed energy and enthusiasm about the festival and felt rested up and ready to rage (which, erm, I *especially* did at Korn’s set).

That said, “feel the fear and do it anyway”

Was I worried my anxiety might creep in during the festival? Yep. Did it try a couple of times to break through? Yep. But guess what? I did the damn thing anyway. I went, I had a fantastic time, and I took it at my own pace and leisure– because, after all, festivals are about good music and good fun, and it’s your own journey to navigate however you see fit (as long as you aren’t hurting yourself or anyone else). 

Be prepared

Similar to what I do in the office to beat back sudden waves of anxiety, I brought some of my essential anxiety busting tools, vitamins, and other hacks along to the festival with me. Having that extra layer of preparation “just in case” really paid off in the end, IMO. 

Bring your support system

Don’t go it alone. That’s a pretty generally sound rule when dealing with any mental illness, but at festivals it’s especially important to attend with people you can trust and depend on. You’re in the wilderness among thousands of strangers listening to music and dancing all weekend long, likely without any cell service, so it’s always best to use the buddy system and go with friends or other loved ones who will truly show one another some support to survive and thrive throughout the festival. 

Additional tips to cope if anxiety creeps in

Sometimes, anxiety creeps in seemingly for no reason. When that happens, use your tried and true tips that can help (even at a festival)–

• Find a quiet, cool place to decompress if you get overwhelmed. Yes, even at festivals these can be found– it’s okay to step out of the crowd from time to time to go reset if you need to!

• Eat well and stay hydrated. Dehydration has been scientifically proven to compound and worsen anxiety– so drink a lot of water, y’all.

• Use the buddy system. Again– I would never recommend going solo to a festival. Bring at least someone, if not a group, of people you love and trust along with you to share in the fun and support one another when needed.

Last but not least, don’t ever do something that makes you truly, viscerally uncomfortable. Festivals aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Don’t push yourself too hard– but also try not to let anxiety keep you from doing things you truly want to do, and truly enjoy (like, in my case, going to festivals). It’s been a rough year, but I’m glad I’ve taken steps to aid myself in coping with my panic disorder, and reclaimed bits of my life I missed the most. 

It’s a daily battle (and some days are better than others), but it does get easier with time, self-care, and practicing your coping mechanisms regularly. And, most of all, just remember– you don’t have to deal with anxiety, it has to deal with you, and you’re stronger than you know.

Xoxo,

MM.

Okay, we’ve all done this– woke up and said something like, “Ugh, I’m dead,” or, “I’m such a dumb b*tch.” Like this Poosh article points out, these phrases can be funny, metaphorical (if not exaggerated) ways to express our emotions in a moment, but words have real power– and that’s the rub.

Our brains literally can’t tell the difference between something we think and something that’s real– did you know that? Yep. When my therapist dropped this truth bomb on me I was *shook* (to say the least), because, like, damn– have I really just been playing myself this entire time when I tell myself I can’t do something, or that I’m not good enough, or I’m too tired, etc. etc. etc?

Turns out, maybe I have been. And maybe you have been, too! And that’s okay, but once we know better, we have to do better. So, next time you find yourself practicing (even playful) negative self talk, here are some phrases to break it up with, instead.

Positive self-talk to break up all the noise

Next time you find yourself saying the phrase on the left, try switching it up to the phrase on the right:

• “I’m dead” – “I’m doing my best”

• “I’m so dumb” – “I’m learning as I go”

• “I hate my (insert body part here)” – “My body does so much for me”

• “Everything sucks” – “Everything is going to work out for me”

… so on and so forth. This small change in our language can alter our entire perspective, and that’s what it’s all about. Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but we can stop being our own worst critics and give ourselves a little more grace (because we deserve the same compassion we give others.)

Xoxo,

MM.

As all of you should know by now (since I use this blog to primarily talk about my mental health and ongoing battles with OCD, GAD and chronic depression), I have anxiety. Like, mad anxiety. I’m talking, “I’m-going-to-die” anxiety– and it often comes at the worst, most inconvenient times.

Of course there’s never a convenient time to suffer from anxiety and panic symptoms, but you can bet your bottom dollar that some times are far more inconvenient than others. For example, when you start having a full-blown, “OMG” panic attack in the office.

Yep. Been there, done that, won the T-Shirt; however, throughout the years of working in corporate America and just so happening to be a life-long anxiety sufferer, I’ve developed some tips + tricks and found some handy hacks to help when my anxiety comes out to play at these most inconvenient of times. Let’s discuss–

Tools for quick anxiety relief

When anxiety strikes, remember it’s not the end of the world as you know it. It might feel that way, but anxiety is a liar (and a clever one at that). If you start to experience panic attack symptoms in the office (or any inconvenient place, public or not), here are some of my go-to hacks for quick relief:

• CalmiGo. This little device has saved my metaphorical *ss on many occasions– because it’s so simple to use, yet so effective. It’s drug-free, easy to use, and super compact so you can take and use it anywhere. It’s basically a breath-tracking device that helps you practice rhythmic breathing in order to calm your central nervous system. It’s a bit steep at first, but you only have to buy it once, and for me it’s been well worth the investment.

• The Good Patch – Relax. These bad boys are tiny patches you can slap onto your wrist (or any veinous area on your body) and wear for up to 12 hours, and they provide some serious all-day relief when I need it most. Infused with Ashwagandha and L-Theanine, the Relax patch by The Good Patch always helps provide some consistent calm on days when I’m feeling particularly anxious.

• Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that comes in many forms (and is one of the key ingredients in the patches I mentioned just before), and on my particularly anxiety-ridden days I opt to take it in capsule form. NOTE: NEVER, EVER take any supplements without discussing potential side effects and drug interactions with your doctor, first. 

Longer-term anxiety busting solutions

I must preface this by stating the obvious– I am not a mental health professional, nor am I a doctor. I’m just a person sharing my own objective experience with my personal mental health struggles. Now, all that being said, here are some things that have helped me cope and experience more long-term relief from my worst anxiety symptoms:

• Therapy. There’s nothing more cathartic than a good therapy session with a mental health professional you can truly trust. My current therapist is a life-saver. I recommend finding the right therapist and not just settling– i.e., make sure it’s the right fit when entering a therapist/patient relationship– because it truly makes all the difference. 

• Medication. I’ve been on Prozac since I was 19, and my only regret is not opting to take it sooner. Seriously. It changed my life for the better. 

• Exercise. I’ve spoken about this at-length, but study upon study shows that exercise (even just 30 minutes a day) can do wonders in easing anxiety symptoms over time. 

• A good night’s sleep, nightly. Your brain can’t function optimally without optimal sleep! It’s that simple. Build out a better nighttime routine now, and you’ll thank yourself later. 

• Building out a support system. For the love of all that is good– let someone know you need help! It’s not embarrassing or shameful to say to someone, “I’m not doing so well right now,” and to build out a support system full of point-people you can go to when you’re in moments of need. In fact, that’s what humans are supposed to do for one another– create and cultivate community to aid in one another’s survival. Period. Dot.

These are just some of the anxiety-busting tips I’ve built into my regular routine, but there are plenty others out there to try. It’s all about finding what works best for you, and sticking to a routine so you can ensure you’ll be able to cope when the dreaded anxiety moments come a’calling. 

Trust me– if I can overcome this anxiety stuff, you can, too. There’s hope for anyone suffering, so don’t give up (and take care of yourselves.)  

Xoxo,

MM.