🍋 The Lemonade | April 16, 2025

Good Morning! Spring is springing—with a side of summer. We hit 90+ degrees this weekend here in Texas, and honestly? I’m not mad about it. I love the sunshine, the blooming bluebonnets, and the long days that feel like a fresh start.

But how is it mid-April already?! That means the school year is almost over, and my senior has just a month and a half left of high school. WHAT. The. What. 😭

The end of high school is such a weird time—for moms and kids. It’s full of exciting new beginnings, but also a lot of looking back as everything winds down.

If you’re also feeling that push-pull between “let’s reset everything” and “is it summer yet?”—you’re not alone. Today’s newsletter has a little of both: a wellness nudge, two blog reads, what’s happening in the world, and a few fun things just for you.

Let’s get into it.

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✨ Wellness

Is Stress Messing with Your Sleep? Try a Cortisol Cool-Down.

When your stress hormones are stuck in high gear, your body can’t fully rest—even when you’re exhausted. A few simple things that help bring cortisol down:

🍵 Sip a sleep-supporting, calm-inducing herbal tea before bed (like lemon balm or chamomile).

💊 Take magnesium before bed—this powder mixed with water is my favorite, or capsules work too.

🧘‍♀️ Wind down for 5 minutes: dim the lights, take 10 slow, deep breaths.

📝 Do a quick brain dump and list 3 things you’re grateful for in your journal.

Tiny habits like these cue your nervous system that it’s safe to power down. Life is busy—give yourself permission to recharge.

📚 From the Blog

Let’s Get Some Balance, Please!

I’m so over fad diets and nutrition trends that leave you tired, cranky, and back where you started. Can we just go back to real food and real advice?

A balanced diet is the only thing that actually works for long-term health and weight loss. No gimmicks. No B.S. So I broke it all down in this post:

→ The Balanced Diet for Weight Loss

9 Trendy & Cute Outfits for Women Over 40

I’m always hunting for style that feels good and looks cute—and I figured you might be, too. These outfits are flattering, fun, and totally wearable.

→ Check out the outfits

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🗞 In the News

📰 Consumer Sentiment Is at an All-Time Low

An 11% drop this month brings it to the lowest point since 1952. And honestly? Yeah, I feel that.

📰 Harvard Says “No Thanks” to Trump Admin Demands

Harvard is refusing to comply with new policy demands and the freezing of $2.2 billion in grants. “The University will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights,” said President Alan M. Garber.

📰 A Lawful Permanent US Resident Was Deported—Now What?

El Salvador’s president announced he won’t return a Maryland man with legal status who was mistakenly deported. After a Supreme Court order to bring him back, the Trump administration is saying… they can’t. I mean—what?! This is some scary stuff!

📰 Microplastics Are Everywhere (Literally)

A new study found them in our organs, GI tracts, and even brain tissue—at levels that shocked researchers. Time to reduce where we can.

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🌿 What Else!

🧘‍♀️ Cut Back on Plastic

Plastic is sneaky and everywhere—but small swaps help. Try glass or stainless water bottles, silicone cups, wooden spoons, and glass storage containers.

🛍 Kate Spade + Target = YES.

It’s bright, it’s fun, and it’s giving spring. I’m obsessed with the green eyelet set, the plaid midi dress, and that strawberry-seat bike?! They even have quirky home goods and a very adorable ceramic pitcher. Love it all.

🕶 Get Your Sunnies Out!

Your future is bright—so your shades better be cute. I always grab a few new pairs at the start of spring (because let’s be honest, I’ll lose one and sit on another). I’m into retro vibes, bold lenses, so cute pop of color and oversized everything. Also: the 90s East-West frames are back, and it’s giving high school flashbacks.

📚 What I’ve Been Reading

A hodgepodge, per usual!

• Finished the first 3 Everflame books—not life-changing, but fun enough to keep me going.
• The Privatization of Everything—eye-opening and infuriating. Spoiler: privatization doesn’t really benefit us.
• Lady Macbeth—almost quit it early on, but it picked up and now I’m hooked. It’s Macbeth through Lady Macbeth’s eyes, and she’s not as black-and-white as Shakespeare made her out to be. It’s gotten gooooooood! I will report back!

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💛 Something to Think About

“Just because you’re in the fire doesn’t mean you’re being destroyed. You might be getting forged.”

— Unknown

Hard seasons shape us, not break us. You’re not the same person you were before—and that’s the point. Keep going.

That’s it for today, friend. Stay grounded, stay informed, and always look on the bright side! 🍋

Until next time,

Sally

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