For the GRLS

Better late than never

Sep 08, 2024

Hi! Welcome to my first Substack. Those who have followed me since the start have seen me go through A LOT haha. I used social media as a public journal for many years, sharing unfiltered photos, thoughts, and experiences I had as a girl going through her 20s. Sometimes they were quite unusual situations like becoming best friends with my boyfriend's baby mamma or helping raise a child at 20 years old and other times it was just your typical girl crisis we all inevitably experience, like getting over heartbreak or figuring out how to balance our hormones.

Fast forward to a few years ago, I got tired of how toxic and curated social media had become. I missed the unfiltered conversations I used to have with girls who read my OG Blog “ohsomaika” So I decided to create a private girls-only group using the close friend feature on Instagram. It quickly turned into a group of almost 1k incredible girls (that I added and vetted one by one) from all over the world who give advice, share stories, and ask questions, ALL ANONYMOUSLY. The messages go through me and I post them after blurring out the names. Sometimes they are prompts I come up with and other times it's just a sweet girl reaching out for advice on something she's going through. It's like having hundreds of older sisters ready to help you with anything you need!! It's pretty frikin cool.

I thought Substack would be a perfect extension of that community. I will be sharing more stories, things I’m currently loving, interviews, product recommendations, recipes, travel guides, wellness tips, and more. ALL THINGS GRL.

And of course, I will post some of our close friend conversations here as well. That way, we can keep an archive of all the best GRL talks and share this special community with more people.

To kick things off here is a recap of my favorite products from August and a “GRL talk” we had on close friends about what it means to be “a Girls Girl.”

AUGUST FAVORITES

Humic & Fulvic acid drops: Filled with trace minerals and electrolytes. I add these to my water every morning and sometimes in the afternoon as well. It helps with cellular hydration and mitochondria support.
Silver gel: A calming antibacterial gel. I brought this with me while traveling and I’d use it anytime I’d get a bit of a skin irritation anywhere. When I get off long flights I sometimes get what I think might be a dermatitis flare up because my skin gets so dried up and irritated. This gel COMPLETELY cleared any rash/irritation on my face instantly. I can’t live without it now.
Magnesium face/ body cream: Organic lotion made with Raw organic apple cider Vinegar from a brand called Oak Creek Apple Company that I discovered at my favorite coffee shop in LA (Longevity Coffee). It’s a small women-owned brand based out of Sedona Arizona and they make these heavenly creams infused with 5k milligrams of magnesium, apple cider vinegar(amazing for skin), and other yummy ingredients. It smells so good and I love to put it on before bed to help me relax. Click here to learn more about the benefits.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Everything Eye Patches: Definitely on the pricier side but I have to admit they frikin’ work. I keep mine in the fridge and use it almost every morning. They depuff and brighten so well and feel amazing. Plus they are translucent so I keep them on even if I run out to grab a coffee or go for a walk. You can barely see you have them on.
Almond syrup: To add to an iced espresso. I’m not a flavored coffee girl, especially in the morning BUT while I was in Berlin a few weeks ago my best friend's mom made me these little iced espressos in the afternoon and would add just a splash of almond syrup. It’s a very popular drink in Italy. I have zero idea where one can find the Italian-made brands in the U.S without any added bullshit but it seems like this link here is promising. Maybe I’ll experiment with creating an almond syrup recipe for us to try at home.
Evolvetogether Natural Deodorant: Discovered this brand in a cute little shop in Santa Monica. This deodorant is a much better / safer option for your endocrine system than the typical toxic BS on the market. You can look into the brand a bit more and shop it here. I love the mini sizes they have as well. I keep one in my purse at all times and the smells are AMAZING. Right now my favorite is Havana.
The Book “Notes To Myself” by Hugh Prather: Its a collection of observations and thoughts from Prather's journal. Was the perfect travel companion especially after I went through a bit of an existential crisis at the start of summer. Highly recommend.
Officine Universelle Buly Hand Cream: About 4/5 years ago in Paris, I discovered their products (it is now a very viral brand because of their customizable chapsticks that I’m sure you’ve seen on Tik Tok) but they have been around since 1803!!! Anyways yes their little chapsticks are cute but they have much more noteworthy products I don’t see anyone talk about. Like their hand cream! It’s super thick so if that’s not what you’re into keep scrolling but I add a little dollop to my hands and feet before bed. It’s like the OG l'occitane or Nivea cream but 10xs better. Truly the perfect consistency without an aggressive scent. Plus I’m a sucker for some cute packaging…..