Mess Recs: July 2025
A recap of the gluttonous month of my birth.
Helloo, Messketeers far and wide!
Hope you are all thriving. I’ve returned from a deeply indulgent week celebrating my birth to report upon the many deeply indulgent things I purchased during my birth month. That’s right — it’s time for me to once again report upon my pedestrian shopping habits because many of you seem to be intrigued by my acquisitions for some reason! I was gratified to see that last month’s OxiClean White Revive endorsement seemed to rock many of your world as much as it did mine.
I can’t promise another such game-changing revelation, but I still think you’ll find a few gems below. Let’s check it out!
Shop:
First, I must deliver on some promises from last month. I revealed to paid subs that my birthday cake would be crafted by the fine people over at Buttah Bakery and I am now returning to report back that reddit once again did not lead me astray — it was absolutely out of this world. I got the blackout cake and the chocolate pudding in place of frosting situation is now a must moving forward. Outrageous. 10/10, I will be returning.
My second update is that since informing you all that I do not have a preference in coconut water, I have since developed an incredibly strong preference in coconut water to the point that I straight up ordered a carton of it because I realized it would save me major money compared to buying them from the bodega. My bev of choice? Vita Coco Pressed which they sometimes call “extra coconutty.” The extra coconut is key!!! It makes it way more delicious. Please give it a try and let me know your thoughts.
Dunton Ellerkamp Shell Necklace
I’ve been coveting something special from Dunton Ellerkamp for a minute. All of their jewelry is incredibly my speed. So when I met the designer Owen, I was not surprised to learn that he is a fellow Mainer and suddenly our shared aesthetic sensibilities all made sense. I also promised myself at the beginning of the year that if I achieved any major goals I would celebrate appropriately by purchasing myself a piece of jewelry I love, and this month I hit two of those goals! I added the usual initial pendant from Wolf Circus that I wear to this chain, and I’d love to add one more little glamorous trinket if anyone has any suggestions.
Prismatic Stickers
I’ve gone prismatic sticker crazy as evidenced by the photo of my laptop above. No one over the age of 12 is currently using more prismatic stickers than me. Clearly, I have a maximalist vision I’m attempting to execute here. I’ve purchased this assortment from art shops and vintage stores across this great nation, but it looks like Etsy also has a very solid assortment. I do think my masterpiece is nearing its completion, but there’s definitely still room for some choice additions. Specifically, I’ve got my eye on these vegetables, rainbows, bears, sharks, dogs, cows, dolphins, and shooting stars. Please let me know if you come across any other exceptional examples in your travels.
And don’t think this fixation is limited to my laptop! My most recent sticker purchase was this winking cat icon from my childhood which I plan to display prominently on my new water bottle (more on that next month, probably).
I also have more of these I <3 Mess bumper stickers if anyone wants one lol
Dazzle Dry Manicures
Maybe like a year ago, I recommend this Dazzle Dry at-home manicure kit and I do still recommend it. But I’ve also since discovered that this is a nail polish system I can get professionally applied at the nail salon and I am now doing that and thrilled with the results. It strengthens my nails so I can actually grow them out without breakage, and the polish lasts almost as long as gel without wildly damaging my nail underneath like gel does. This might be what finally turns me into a perma-manicured gal.
Teddy Fresh Hot Mom Tee
I bought this crop top for my best friend who is about to go into labor literally any second now and is, in fact, a hot mom. I love a top with a bedazzled anything and this one was on sale. I was also very pleasantly surprised by how well-made it is. These rhinestones aren’t going anywhere. This specific top is currently sold out, as is the “Tired Mom” one tragically, but they regularly restock stuff so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
Ruggable Tomato Doormat
Ruggable sent me this tomato doormat for free, but I have been surprisingly charmed by it. I love that I can wash this top part and the no-slip mat thing has been a game-changer. It has lifted a psychic burden from me I didn’t even know I was carrying. Our old mat would get kicked all over our little hallway foyer and I’d always have to move it back which was slowly driving me insane. Now it just stays exactly where it’s supposed to be. Imagine! And it looks cute doing it!! Even though I do think tomatoes and sardines are to Gen Z as bacon and pizza are to Millennials.
Dash Rapid Egg Cooker
I have finally succumbed to the cult of rapid egg cookers. After seeing people rant and rave about their love for this little gadget for years now, I finally took the plunge and, yeah, ok, whatever, everyone is completely right. Although I do not love the way this thing is inflating my weekly egg budget. Why is this psychologically so much easier than boiling water? It doesn’t really make any sense. I will say though, I’ve never had regular hard-boiled eggs peel as easily as these do.
Behind the paywall you’ll hear all about a spray-on stain remover recommended to me by TWO mothers (you clean freaks!!!), all the fashion books I got for my birthday, the washable scrub rag that is revolutionizing my kitchen, and my reviews of Eddington and Too Much. Otherwise, see ya Friday with the classic slop you know and love! <3