Things I'm Loving Lately Volume 6.0
Everything I’m loving lately—jumpsuits, friendship, espresso martinis, a standout indie artist, and one very emotional toy closet.
A little joy, a lot of opinions, and at least one wildly specific obsession.
Welcome back to another edition of Things I’m Loving Lately—a curated (but not over-curated) list of what’s been bringing me joy, keeping me inspired, or just making me feel more like myself.
Sometimes it’s a product. Sometimes it’s a moment. Sometimes it’s a capybara. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.
PS: Some links are affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no cost to you. I only share things I genuinely use and love.
Now, let’s get into it!
⭐ Kiley’s Pick of the Week
If you only check out one thing from this list, make it this.
Without You - Appleby
Why I’m obsessed: The beat? Instant mood boost. It’ll turn your frown upside down and have you smiling before the first chorus hits. Check it out—and don’t be surprised when he’s sharing a stage with THE Flavor Flav, singing Without You for a sold-out crowd. Don’t say I didn’t warn you: it’ll make you happy, and it’ll be on repeat.
🛍 Something I Bought (and Loved)
Lucy and Yak Ragan Cotton Jumpsuit in Maria Print
Where to find it: Lucy & Yak Ragan Jumpsuit
Quick take: I’ve known for a while that I’m a jumpsuit person. Not everyone is—but I absolutely am. I randomly came across Lucy & Yak while scrolling Pinterest, saw a photo of this exact jumpsuit, and instantly knew I had to have it. When it arrived, it was even better than expected: gorgeous colors, a quality zipper, and the fit? Adorable.
The best part? The brand is just as good as the product. Lucy & Yak is a UK-based, independently owned clothing company rooted in ethical production, fair pay, and sustainability. They’re best known for their signature dungarees (in the most fun colors and prints), and they use organic and recycled materials while ensuring living wages across their supply chain.
They’ve also launched Re:Yak, a pre-loved program that lets you buy, sell, or rehome secondhand Yaks—keeping great clothes out of landfills and in loving closets.
Plus, while I was writing this, I ended up buying two more jumpsuits. What can I say? I have a soft spot for great brands that value sustainability. Whoops.
And if you’ve been following my Everything I Wore This Week posts, you’ve definitely seen this one pop up—so expect to see my two new favorites rotated in soon.
🎧 Something I’m Listening To
Without – Appleby
Why it’s on repeat: Okay, I’m not a music expert, but the beat of this one? Just. So. Fun. I heard it once and immediately added it to every playlist I have.
Appleby himself describes it best:
"hi my name is appleby (🍎🐝) i'm an indie artist based in CA. i make music meant to lift spirits. this song is called ‘Without You’.”
And now for the very Gen Z-meets-millennial way I discovered him…
I’m on Bluesky (obviously), and so is Flavor Flav—yes, that Flavor Flav—who has kind of become the unofficial welcome wagon of the app. Anytime a notable person joins, he’s the one confirming “this is the real deal” with his #Flaverification.
So, when Appleby joined, Flavor Flav welcomed him with a post, and I reposted it with my own message. Flavor Flav liked my post. Then Appleby commented on it. And yes, I have the receipts—see below. 🙃
So of course I had to check out his music after that, and wow. I’m obsessed. He’s incredibly talented, and I fully believe he’s going to be huge. Start listening now so you can be the cool friend who knew Appleby way back when.
📚 Something That Stuck With Me
The 10 Steps I’d Take To Start Working For Myself by Erika Veurink
What it’s about: Erika provides a very practical, personal guide for anyone considering the leap into freelancing or consulting. Drawing on her own journey—from part-time freelancing to full-time self-employment—Erika shares ten lessons she wishes she’d known from the start.
Her advice covers everything from foundational steps like creating a website and separate bank account, to defining a clear niche, building passive income streams, and navigating the realities of tough clients. She emphasizes the importance of community, referrals, financial boundaries, and setting up systems that scale with your growth. The tone is friendly, encouraging, and refreshingly honest—perfect for anyone “consulting-curious” or looking to build a sustainable solo career.
Why it matters: Erika’s tips gave me the exact nudge I needed to make a few long-overdue updates to my own Substack (which you’ll start noticing over the next few weeks—if you haven’t already). One big shift? I’ve finally started integrating affiliate links. I’d been resisting it for a while, but the reality is: it takes a lot of time to pull together my weekly outfit posts, link everything, and find alternatives for pieces that are sold out—or from brands I no longer support (especially those that have walked back their DEI commitments). Thanks to her referral link, I was able to get onto ShopMy more easily—not having a social media presence makes that a little harder.
Bonus tip: Erika knows her stuff. If you haven’t read her post yet, or you’re not already following Long Live on Substack, now’s the time. She’s paving the way for secondhand fashion in such a smart, intentional way. I have a lot to learn from her—and honestly, I think most people do. Highly recommend subscribing.
✨ Something Unexpected
The One Where the College Friend Comes to Visit
The backstory: Kacie and I met the summer before our senior year of college… back in 2009 (vomit—how has it been that long?). We’d known of each other for years, seen each other at parties, but never actually talked. Then one scorching summer afternoon, we were day drinking with a mutual friend and—like most great college-origin stories—we got drunk and, without really discussing it, just locked in. From that day on, we were friends. No big moment. It just...happened. Instantly and absolutely.
After college, I went to the Ozarks with her family, and our favorite story from that trip is still how we’d get drunk at the pool clubs and then her grandpa would have to come pick us up—by boat. We’d stumble down the dock, sunburned and tipsy, endlessly grateful for the ride (and the break from the sun and tequila).
Over the years, we always made an effort to visit each other, though she mostly came to me—because I lived in Arizona, and we were both partial to the desert vibes.
Why it mattered: This past weekend, Kacie came to visit—honestly, probably at a time when I needed it most. If you’ve been reading any of my Childfree posts, you know I’m genuinely happy for my friends who are stepping into parenthood. But it’s also been a huge adjustment for me—one I didn’t see coming. And like I’ve said before, I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m not the one raising a child. I just didn’t expect things to change so much for me, too.
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my four favorite women: Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte. Watching Sex and the City reruns has been comforting in that nostalgic, “I miss this kind of friendship” way—endless cocktails, girl talk, and brunches that last all afternoon.
After a particularly long ramble to Kacie about the umpteenth episode I’d watched, she booked a ticket.
And it was the best weekend. Yes, there were cocktails and plenty of catching up, but we also had dinner and drinks with my husband—because he’s fun, and obviously I want him there. It’s not like he’s a Berger (if you know, YOU KNOW, ugh!).
Plus, we met up with a few of my other girlfriends in the Valley—for cocktails and gossip one night at Bar Bambino, and brunch with amazing views at The Global Ambassadors rooftop restaurant, théa, the next. It felt like the Sex and the City energy I’d been craving, but with less chaos and cheaper Ubers.
Enjoy a few photos of the weekend….
🎁 Something Worth Sharing
Volunteering at The Singletons
In an effort to meet more like-minded women in the Valley, I recently joined Women for Good – Valley of the Sun, a giving circle that brings women together to support local nonprofits through shared time, resources, and connection. Members contribute $50 per quarter and vote on which organizations receive funding—turning individual generosity into something much bigger. Since joining in March, I’ve attended a few happy hours and recently participated in my first volunteer event: Scrub the Hub at The Singletons.
We spent the morning touring their space, learning about their mission, and pitching in to help clean and organize their facility. It was such a meaningful way to give back—and a great opportunity to connect with other incredible women in the group.
“The Singletons is a homegrown, Arizona based, nonprofit devoted to meeting the needs of single-parent families battling cancer by providing strength, hope, resources and community. Here at The Singletons, we are a family.”
Their mission is deeply impactful, and I feel incredibly grateful to have had a small hand in supporting the work they do. As someone who was closely affected by cancer as a child, this experience hit home in a way I didn’t fully expect.
For those who don’t know, my mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was five. She fought hard—won once and went into remission—but when it came back, she wasn’t as lucky. She passed away at 37. I was ten.
While my mom wasn’t a single parent, she had my dad—and we were surrounded by an incredible community of family and friends who rallied behind us. They picked me up from school, cooked meals, and drove me to the hospital to visit her. Even with all that support, it was still unimaginably hard.
That’s why The Singletons’ mission feels so powerful. I cannot imagine the strength it takes to parent while also facing a cancer diagnosis—especially alone. This organization is a true gift to those navigating that kind of unimaginable hardship.
When I stepped into the toy closet at The Singletons, I teared up. I could immediately picture what it must mean—not just to the parents who get to light up their child’s face with a special surprise, but to the kids themselves. For a few hours, they get to feel something like normal.
And that kind of joy? That kind of relief? It’s everything.
I’m already looking forward to the next event
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That’s it for this volume! If something made you smile, feel free to reply or comment—I love hearing what you’re loving lately, too. 💛
Until next time,
Kiley
I hope you enjoy this mix of things and experiences I’ve been loving lately. Each post, I try to curate a collection of what’s bringing me joy—whether it’s a small business find, a thought-provoking read, or a moment of nostalgia. It’s never just about stuff—it’s about the experiences, ideas, and little things that make life richer.
Read More
Things I'm Loving Lately Volume 5.0
Just a heads-up—I don’t use affiliate links. Everything I share here is purely for fun, and I don’t make any commission if you click a link. It’s just me sharing things I love and where I found them!