mindholiday: june edit

All of the things I loved + bookmarked last month

Jun 03, 2025

Hi hi! Welcome back to the the monthly Mindholiday edit, the corner of the internet where I share my newest finds and current favorites, places I’m dying to visit, and travels I’ve booked. May was delicious—no travel or crazy plans, just four uninterrupted weeks of exploration and spontenaity in NYC, the city I call home.

Highlights included:

Coney Island with Quinn! He’s at the age now where he loves rollercoasters, and we did them all. The Cyclone was terrifying. I ate a Nathan’s hot dog for the first time in years, and it honestly delivered. The weather over Memorial Day Weekend was shit, which meant no lines!
Plenty of trips to Brooklyn Botanic Garden (aka my home away from home). The wisteria was crazy this year.
Ferry rides as a mode of transportation, but also as a main activity. The ferry is so underrated!
Trying tons of restaurants, and visiting old favorites! Highlights included Bernie’s, L’Artusi, Kellogg’s Diner, Gjelina, and Fausto. Flops of the month were Bar Bete (once a fave but I declare it has gone downhill) and Pasta Night (pasta was actually hard to chew through because it was so undercooked). You lose some, you win most!
Throwing parties and gatherings in our little garden! Making friends with the neighborhood cats and naming them.
Seeing my friend HAI-LIFE perform an unbelievable DJ set at Elsewhere. I’ve never seen the Zone 1 room so packed. People were there to DANCE.

Note: This month’s post is a long one and might get cut off in your email, so head here to read it in its entirety.

May finds: all of the things I loved + bookmarked last month

For less than $20, you can custom make a baseball cap with anything you want on it and I think people forget that! I’ve been absolutely abusing this knowledge lately.
My favorite sunscreen holy trinity: the Father (body sunscreen), the Son (face sunscreen), and the Holy Spirit (lip sunscreen—the only kind that doesn’t make me want to claw my lips off).
Finally bought the red Nike Cortez sneakers I referenced in my summer packing list newsletter. I’ve danced two half marathons in these at the club the past two weekends, and my knees haven’t been in shambles, which is a win! These will be my default city walking shoes for my summer travels to London and Copenhagen. I also just bought a yellow pair off of Poshmark for $40! Worth searching there if you want a deal.
Embarrassingly late to the party here, but I recently downloaded Beli and I’ve been loving it to track all of the restaurants I’ve been visiting.
This adhesive tape for scrapbook journaling has changed my life. My friend Dawson recommended it, and I can’t believe I was using dusty crusty glue sticks before.
I’ve never sought out Smorgasburg in Prospect Park, but we stumbled into it last weekend while on a walk. I got an insane pink pineapple shaved ice that I can’t stop thinking about... it wasn’t too sweet, and it was perfectly tangy and refreshing. There’s also a killer lobster roll scene there.
How cute is this Loeffler Randall travel tote? I love that it’s nylon/easy to clean, packable, and has a trolley sleeve. If I didn’t have a closet full of luggage, this would be on its way to me.
I’ve broken 3 anklets this year (big ass ankles? just reckless? idk) and am on the hunt for a sturdy replacement because I LOVE THEM. I just ordered this paracord one and this pearl one one to test next… obviously I’ll let you know how they hold up!

Answers:

Mostly A’s: Beachside bliss
Your love language is sunshine and turquoise water—maybe an overwater bungalow at Cheval Blanc in the Maldives? Or for something more budget friendly, try the Ayana in Bali.

Mostly B’s: City romance in Paris or Venice
You thrive on art, culture, and late‑night strolls. Cobblestones, candlelit dinners, and iconic sights await. Check in to Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin in Paris or Al Ponte Antico in Venice—both romantic options with tons of charm and the most gorgeous interiors.

Mostly C’s: Adventures in Patagonia
You crave shared thrills and epic landscapes—mountains, waterfalls, and cozy nights under the stars. Perhaps a stay at Awasi is in the cards? It would be a total dream.

Mostly D’s: A cultural escape in Kyoto or Marrakech
You connect by diving into new traditions, flavors, and colorful markets. Temples, spice markets, and unforgettable rituals are calling you! Answer. In Kyoto, The Shinmonzen is a must. La Mamounia is a very chic option in Marrakech.

Send this quiz to your cutie + then compare answers :)

ICYMI, the U.S. Dollar is weakening, obviously. Travel experts are recommend booking trips sooner to lock in favorable rates and exploring off-season destinations or midweek flights to mitigate rising travel costs. Gotta plan ahead!
American Airlines is offering status matching through June 30. Their program offers eligible elite members from Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest an Instant Status Pass, granting immediate AAdvantage elite status for 4 months. To retain or elevate this status, participants must meet specific Loyalty Point thresholds during each of the three consecutive 4-month phases. Successful completion of all phases secures elite benefits—such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and free checked bags—through the end of the membership year.
United and JetBlue are launching a partnership, pending regulatory approval. If approved, travelers will be able to earn and redeem miles across both airlines and enjoy reciprocal elite perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. United will return to JFK with up to seven daily flights, while JetBlue will gain additional access at Newark. Both carriers will sell each other’s flights and services but remain independently operated.

In flight entertainment

Stuff that I enjoyed last month and think that you should read, watch, and listen to on your next flight…

Read

Tore through The Woman by Kristin Hannah—I had a really hard time putting it down! Her portrait of Army nurses in Vietnam is searing, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable.
I absolutely loved this post by Viv Chen. She interviewed her new 80 year old friend, Raymond, on how he approaches his daily journaling and why he’s been journaling every single day for the past 57 years without fail.
Raymond originally started his journal in college, using it as a “date, tax record, phone, and scrap book.” He believes that the longer journals are maintained, the more valuable they become to your loved ones, especially “after you exit this life.”

Watch

Was actually blown away by the new Lilo & Stitch tbh? It was my favorite movie as a child—my mom had to repurchase the DVD on three separate occasions because I watched it so much I’d wear through the discs. The new iteration was just as enjoyable to me, maybe because of how nostalgic it was.

Listen

Going to a Lane 8 show this month with a big group of 20 friends, so this will be on repeat in preparation. Lane 8 also makes the best airplane music for takeoff/landing. Do what you will with that information.