• 4 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

Prepare the Berries:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, combine the mixed berries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss until the berries are evenly coated.

Make the Topping:

• In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Stir in the melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.

Assemble the Cobbler:

• Transfer the berry mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Evenly sprinkle the crumbly topping over the berries.

Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the berries are bubbly.

Serve:

• Let the cobbler cool slightly before serving. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

This mixed berry cobbler is a perfect sweet treat to celebrate the end of summer. The combination of juicy berries and a crunchy topping makes it an irresistible dessert for any occasion. Enjoy with loved ones and savor the last taste of summer!

However, Sabrina’s recent public relationship with Barry Keoghan sparked controversy, reminding us of the delicate balance between personal and public life. As women striving for ambition and success, we often encounter similar dilemmas: When and how should we share the things that matter most to us, especially our relationships?

The Pressure of Public Sharing

In today’s social media-driven world, the pressure to share our lives online is immense. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok encourage us to showcase our achievements, adventures, and relationships. Yet, this can lead to a constant internal debate: Should we share more about our personal lives?

Sharing significant aspects of our lives can be empowering, but it also opens the door to judgment and unsolicited opinions. When it comes to relationships, this can be particularly challenging. Will people judge us or our partners? What if our exes have something to say? Do we want our partners to post about us? These questions can be daunting.

Embracing Privacy and Self-Love

Sabrina’s experience highlights a common fear many of us share: the fear of judgment and the potential for an “I told you so” moment if things don’t work out. This fear can make us hesitant to share our joy and successes with the world. But it’s important to remember that living authentically and confidently often means embracing vulnerability.

When Sabrina announced her relationship, she faced criticism, especially concerning her boyfriend’s past. This situation is relatable to many of us. We all have relationships—platonic or romantic—that attract opinions from others. The key takeaway here is to focus on what brings us joy and fulfillment.

Living Your Truth

Taking a page from Sabrina’s book, it’s crucial to live your truth unapologetically. Yes, you might face judgment, but those who genuinely care about you will support and understand you. Sharing your life, whether it’s a new relationship, a personal achievement, or a fresh start, should be about celebrating your journey, not fearing criticism.

Privacy is a form of self-love and protection. It’s okay to keep some parts of your life private, just as you wouldn’t disclose the location of your most treasured possessions. Cherish your privacy and share only what you feel comfortable with.

The Challenge of Public Relationships

Sabrina Carpenter’s relationship with Barry Keoghan became a hot topic not just because of her celebrity status but also due to the public’s interest with her personal life. The scrutiny intensified because Barry’s ex-girlfriend, Alyson Kierans, who looks somewhat similar to Sabrina, is the mother of his child. This led to questions and criticisms about his intentions and commitment.

This situation underscores a common dilemma: navigating the public’s reaction to our private lives. Many of us have faced similar situations where our relationships are subject to public scrutiny, even if that public is just our social media followers. The decision to share a new relationship, a personal achievement, or a significant life change is always fraught with the potential for judgment.

Celebrating Your Journey

Regardless of the opinions of others, it’s crucial to celebrate your journey. Sabrina’s approach to living her life openly, despite the noise, is inspiring. It serves as a reminder that our lives are our own, and the decisions we make should be based on what brings us happiness and fulfillment, not on the fear of judgment.

Embrace the confidence to live your life openly and authentically. Be inspired by Sabrina Carpenter’s boldness, and remember that your life is yours to live. Whether you choose to share your milestones or keep them private, do so with confidence and self-love. Your journey is unique and beautiful, and the right people will celebrate it with you.

Living with confidence and self-love means honoring your journey and making choices that align with your true self. So go ahead, embrace your moments, and let your light shine, just like Sabrina Carpenter does.

Many of us are ambitious, creative women who have spent the summer renewing our health habits, such as hitting the gym, focusing on our businesses and passion projects, or applying for schools and career programs for the upcoming fall. Some of us are finally embracing the present and prioritizing self-care, or at least trying to. However, there are those of us who feel stuck.

Recently, while scrolling through “Threads,” the new Twitter-like app created by Instagram, I came across a quote that struck a chord: “Anyone else feeling sad this summer?” It caught my attention because, typically, we tend to showcase our best, happiest selves during the summer. However, the replies to that comment revealed a different reality. Numerous users expressed a unanimous feeling of being trapped in a rut, experiencing sadness or loneliness, or being hurt by constant comparisons to friends or family members who have the privilege of traveling and truly enjoying the summertime.

In that moment, I realized I had found my place. I, too, have experienced this sense of summer dread. Despite everything appearing positive on paper (two internships, dedicated focus on growing Living By Bella, being back with family, and more), I still feel like I’m lagging behind everyone else.

Your One Thing

This led me to write “Summer Season Solace” to describe the shared sentiment some of us experience during the summer. So, here’s my task for you: focus on your ONE thing this summer. Identify the one thing that ignites your interest, motivates you to get out of bed, something you could talk about for hours, or an activity you would love to pursue if you had the free time.

To be honest, one thing that has been helping me regain my drive is contemplating the concept of death. My mom passed away in her early 30s, and it has haunted me how someone so full of life and purpose could leave this world with seemingly unfinished dreams, like starting her own nonprofit organization. While this perspective may seem somber, it serves as a constant reminder that each day is brimming with life, and the career I desire, the people I love, or the goals I set could be taken away at any moment. This reminder has pushed me to reach out to friends, focus on writing more, and apply for additional fall internships, because each of us has a purpose that we must pursue with determination.

– Bella <3