Welcome, I’m happy you’re here. My name is Steph. I created Sending Smiles to spread the joy I found on the other side of healing. Thank you for taking the time to read.
Happy July!
I work for a company whose busy season hits hardest in the summer. As a lifelong Phoenician, someone well-acquainted with the brutal desert heat, I’ve learned to hibernate from May through September. In that sense, the timing suits me. I’m lucky: I work from home, tucked away in air-conditioned quiet, so I don't have to brave the sweltering commute. Still, this summer has been busy. When I get the chance to pause, breathe, and be still, I hold onto those moments with both hands.
How do you unwind?
Ins & Outs
Ins:
Haagen-Dazs Cookies & Cream Flavor
Massages
Quality time with family
Riding bikes
Astrology
Outs:
Self-doubt
Consuming art that I do not enjoy
Steph’s Suggestions
Music, television shows, films, and books I rated 4 + stars.
Outrageous
Genre: Historical Drama
Medium: Television Series
“You can’t just sit by and do nothing. You can’t condone it.”
Outrageous is a gripping BritBox drama that chronicles the Mitford sisters' scandalous lives and sharp ideological divides as they navigate life in pre-WWII Britain. Told through the eyes of writer Nancy Mitford, the series explores how family loyalty fractures under the weight of fascism.
What I liked:
Strong, complex female characters
Fascinating glimpse into the real-life Mitford family
Charming vintage outfits and period style
The Unmaking of June Farrow
Genre: Fantasy
Medium: Novel
Author: Adrienne Young
“I couldn't stop thinking that where we stood was the center of something, a place that created the kind of gravity that made galaxies.”
June unravels the Farrow family mystery that bends time and challenges reality.
What I liked:
Despite being outcasts, the Farrow family forms genuine, trusting relationships.
Each character is unique, layered, and deeply engaging.
Compelling premise
Sending Smiles,
Steph
Beautiful pictures 🥰🥰🥰