There are many words that I can use to describe August, but plainly and most simply: it was busy. With the uptick of work (especially from my events job) and my panicked last minute booking of accommodations for my Japan trip later this year, I felt so out of breath. August had been a whirlwind of todo lists, appointments and meetings to attend, and, a persistent dread of never having enough time to clear the ever-piling workload.

I lament but I also recognise what a privileged thing it is to be employed and to earn my keep (plus some). It is a privileged position to hold two jobs, to be able to hustle and to be self sufficient. So, I also want to express my gratitude.

And so, without further ado, these are the things that kept me happy, filled my heart and helped me get through my August – in other words, here are my August’s favourites (and just thoughts in general).

Section 1: Skincare Products

At the start of 2025, I made a resolution to have a no-buy skincare edition with the goal of intentionally consuming all the skincare products I own. Happy to say that I finally did it! Finally cleared through my random products and finished all that I could. But… due to some poor planning, it also meant that I had spent the last week of July and the first week of August with literally no skincare products. My skin barrier was beyond damaged, I had so many whiteheads and my rosacea was so prominent.

When I was in JB (start of the month to celebrate my boyfriend’s brother’s birthday), I caved and broke my no-buy. I’m happy to announce that this impulsive purchase was actually so worth it.

I had purchased: Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask by Kiehl’s

Now, I wouldn’t say that this product singlehandedly fixed my damaged skin barrier but it did significantly speed up the process. In the first week of this purchase, I was using this every other day, in part because I was using it to substitute for my moisturiser (which was still shipping from Korea). It works. Then as my skin barrier improved (when my skincare products finally reached Singapore), I use it to keep my rosacea at bay, maybe once or twice a week.

Rating: 7.5/10 – may not repurchase if my skin condition maintains as is, but when I had needed it, it helped.

The second time I broke my no-buy was to buy a sunscreen.

Previously when I had consistently used sunscreen, my favourite was the Anessa Sunscreen Milk. So good, but also so ridiculously expensive – even now, as a working adult.

For sunscreens, generally I lean towards Japanese brands.

So I picked up: Senka’s Sunscreen Milk

Not sure why no one is talking about it but it’s so good. For a quarter of Anessa, it performs – dare I say – identically. It dries down to a satin-matte finish with no white cast. Chef’s kiss.

Rating: 8.5/10 – will repurchase!!!!

Section 2: Books

In August, I decided to recommit to reading. I borrowed 5 books from the library.

Digressing just a little, but I’m so grateful for the efforts of my government to invest in education of the nation. Libraries are so easily accessible here in Singapore and it’s consistently updated with new releases. I’m eternally grateful for this service that so many people take for granted.

Okay, back to the topic at hand: I had borrowed 5 books, and I finished reading 3.5 of them, majority of them on my commute to and from work. I will say that the joy and experience of cracking open a book, flipping the pages and (don’t judge me for this) the smell of a book is definitely one of the most relaxing experience – much needed respite in this month.

Book 1: Notes to John by Joan Didion.

This book was not supposed to be published and it was to be a collection of diary entries/notes to John (her late husband). And… it definitely read like so. Ethics aside, I’m definitely not in the position to judge the contents of this book. But I’ll just say that it was not the best introduction to Joan Didion’s work.

Book 2: Slouching towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion.

(Can you tell that I was in a bit of a Didion phase? )

This book is a collection of essays by Didion regarding various topics such as her journalistic endeavours, and, personal musings and reflections. As with any collection of works, some were hits and some were meh.

My favourites were:

• Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream (4/5)
• Goodbye to all that (4.5/5)
• On Respect (4/5)

The rest of the work took some effort to get through. My thoughts were that her writing though poignant was hard to comprehend. I left this book feeling that Didion’s works were not for me.

Book 3: Six Stories by Stefan Zweig.

Third book that I finished this month. Once again, another collection, this time of stories. Fiction has always been a soft spot for me.

The story of why I picked this book up goes like this: I had dropped another one of Zweig’s books previously – Beware of Pity – because I was reading it on my phone and laptop which made the art of reading so tedious. I wanted to borrow the book and read it physically. Unfortunately the library I was at did not have it, but they had this. So, I borrowed it.

My favourites of this collection:

• The Invisible Collection (4.5/5)
• Leporella (4/5)
• Burning Secret (4/5)

Book 3.5: Burning Questions by Margaret Atwood

I had read this in rotation with the other two Didion’s books and while I personally had found Didion’s writing a little too tedious to read, I loved Atwood’s writing. Easy to digest though not lacking the depth.

I’m not entirely done with this book yet, but I will finish it in September (fingers crossed). So far, I’m thoroughly enjoying her writing style.

Section 3: Miscellaneous

In this section, we’re going for a rapid-fire style ramble:

• Unexpected find: Gotcha Matcha (4/5 – nothing beats Lazy Morning but I love my nutty matchas and they did it well!)
  • Only found out about it at a local food market recommended to me by my student.
• Favourite memory: JB Day Trip with my boyfriend’s brother and sister-in-law
• Thing I was proud of: running 9K
• Favourite tea: My student’s form teacher’s Instagram Following List (I will not be elaborating further on this)
• Fashion item: New Levi’s Jeans – finally a pair of jeans that fits me!

With that, it’s with excitement and anticipation that I usher in the new month.