This Substack is in partnership with Dove.

1. I never cleanse in the morning

Your skin did its repair work overnight — why strip it first thing? I like to preserve my natural oils and microbiome instead of resetting it to zero every morning.

2. I treat my body like my face — and this is the product that finally made that easy

Everyone spends hundreds on face skincare, then uses the harshest body wash they can find. Your body has a skin barrier too, and lately this has become a full-on ritual for me, not just a step I rush through.The brand-new Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash is not just “a body wash” to me anymore — it’s the two minutes at the end of a long day where I actually slow down. I light a candle, turn the water to lukewarm, and use it like a mini spa moment instead of a chore. That’s the whole difference between skincare that feels like maintenance and skincare that feels like self-care.

It’s infused with a 50% glycerin serum plus jojoba oil and monoi flower, so it goes on like a rich oil and rinses into a soft lather — no tight, squeaky, stripped feeling after. My skin looks visibly glowier within the first few uses, which is exactly the “radiance” part of the name.

This is brand new, and I wasn’t expecting to feel this strongly about a body wash, but here we are.

Shop it here → Dove Serum+ Radiance Oil Body Wash

3. I only use lukewarm water (never hot or ice cold)

Extreme temperatures stress the skin. Lukewarm water keeps circulation stable without triggering sensitivity or broken capillaries. Same thing goes for the temp of water you drink.

4. I use more retinol on my body than my face

Your chest, arms, and stomach show aging too — but people forget them. Body skin can tolerate more, and this is my secret for smooth, even tone. Two options I like: one for $10 that gets the job done and one for more at $58 that is also great for those with KP/uneven skin.

5. Rice water

Never throw out your rice water from cooking — it’s liquid gold!! It’s rich in amino acids and vitamins that help with brightening and strengthening the skin barrier over time. How to make FREE rice water for your skin & hair.

6. I do my own extractions (not recommending)

I’m very controlled and minimal with it — but the theory is: if done properly, you reduce prolonged inflammation vs. letting something sit under the skin for days. I love using this blackhead liquid first to let it “melt” and soften, so that it reduces the chances of inflammation.

7. I love masking in the shower

Steam = better absorption. Your pores aren’t “opening,” but your skin is softer and more receptive, so masks just hit differently. I'll put on a clay mask, hop in the shower, and let the steam do its thing while I shower. It's basically multitasking for my skin.

Now the “weirder” ones:

8. I tug and massage my ears daily

Your ears are full of acupressure points connected to circulation and lymphatic flow. I use this to depuff, wake up my face, and subtly lift. If you only have 30 seconds to depuff, massage your ears. For a more targeted version, some people also like using ear seeds — they add gentle, continuous pressure to those same points, which some find helpful for a deeper depuff.

9. I literally say “WOW” to relax my masseter muscles

It looks ridiculous, but it works multiple muscles at once — jawline, lower masseter, and even lifts the corners of the mouth. It’s like a mini face workout + excellent for tension release. Here’s a tutorial.

10. Foot acupressure

Your feet mirror your entire body, just like the ear. Stimulating certain points helps with stress, digestion, and overall balance — which always shows up on your skin. Use a sturdy acupressure tool to stimulate these points.

11. Spoon in the freezer / cold green tea bags for eyes

I never dunk my face in ice water because it can be too much cold at once for the skin — constricting blood flow. But if I need to depuff swollen eyes, a spoon from the freezer will do the trick. For something gentler, try placing green tea bags (soaked) on your eyes for 5-10 minutes. The caffeine can temporarily constrict blood vessels, which may help reduce the appearance of puffiness — basically an eye treatment you already have sitting in your kitchen.

And with that, I’m off to put on another mask. Xo, Ava

Along the way, we were both surprised by how healthy my milk supply turned out to be. We’d both braced for very little, if genetics has anything to say about it…

If I had to point to one thing that made the difference, it’s what she’s been feeding me. My very first meal after giving birth was seaweed soup — 미역국 — which she fed me spoon by spoon on the hospital bed. She’d pre-prepared it days before and packed it into our overnight bag, because to her, that first bowl mattered as much as anything else that happened that day. I didn’t fully get it then. I do now.

Even weeks after, I’m still reaching for these soups and they’ve since been a staple of my postpartum diet. I like to think of them as soups with superpowers— not just for flavor, but for what they can give to nourish your body holistically as well– particularly suited for times our bodies need extra support. So today I’ll be sharing the top 5 soups from Korean tradition that have been on my daily rotation to help my energy and body regenerate.

Why Korean postpartum care revolves around soup

In Korean culture, soups go far beyond comfort food. They provide the same emotionally comforting benefits as regular soups, but are simmered with ingredients that have been used for medicinal properties with the intention of helping the body rebuild and recover. That’s why it has an essential role in the Korean tradition of a postpartum diet.

As a baseline, they fall in line with the rule for mothers to keep to foods with warming properties. But more than that, they’re an easy way to pack a lot of nutrients into one yummy bowl. A single easy-to-eat elixir becomes a meal that contains: calcium and iron to support bone health, antioxidants and fiber to support gut health, iodine and tyrosine to support thyroid function, and an overall great source of iron and vitamins A, B ,C, E, K (you can go down the alphabet).

I’m not sick by any means, but my body is going through a delicate stage where it needs as much support as it can to regain its strength properly (at the risk, some traditionally believe, of missing out this window and suffering from occasional pains for the rest of your life).

And these soups are especially helpful if you’re breastfeeding like I am—so much so that grandmas have always said to “drink more liquids and soup to boost the milk supply.”

In all seriousness, even if there’s not one magical “milk-boosting” ingredient for lactation support, breastfeeding requires more energy, fluids, and nutrients from the mother’s body. A warm bowl of soup makes it incredibly convenient to get more of all three into your day.

I know it can be hard to filter out the noise of thinking about getting your body “back,” but the focus should be on giving it what it needs after carrying another human for 9-10 months and undergoing childbirth.

My top 5 Korean soup recipes

Even as a new mom, I still take time to read your comments and I know you are all curious about these recipes. I promised that I would share these with you, so here they are!

1. Seaweed Soup 미역국

1. The rite-of-passage postpartum soup in every Korean household. My mom's recipe, with mussels.

2. Egg Pollack Soup 황태국

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried shredded pollack (황태채)

• 4 cups water or anchovy-kelp broth

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (국간장)

• 1–2 scallions, sliced

• Salt, to taste

• Optional: Korean radish, sliced

Directions

1. Lightly rinse the dried pollack and squeeze out excess water.

2. Heat sesame oil in a pot and sauté the pollack and garlic for 1–2 minutes.

3. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add radish if using, then simmer for 10–15 minutes.

4. Season with soup soy sauce and salt.

5. Slowly drizzle in the beaten eggs while gently stirring to create soft ribbons.

6. Finish with scallions and serve piping hot with rice.

3. Radish Soup 무우국

Ingredients

• 6 oz thinly sliced beef, such as brisket

• 3 cups Korean radish (무), cut into thin slices

• 6 cups water or Korean beef/anchovy-kelp broth

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce

• 2 scallions, sliced

• Salt, to taste

• Optional: black pepper

Directions

1. Heat sesame oil in a large pot. Add beef and sauté until lightly browned.

2. Add the radish and garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes.

3. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the radish is completely tender and the broth is flavorful.

5. Season with soup soy sauce and salt.

6. Finish with scallions and a little black pepper.

   

4. Cod Soup 대구탕

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh cod fillets, cut into large pieces

• 4 cups water or anchovy-kelp broth

• 1½ cups Korean radish, thinly sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce

• ½ small onion, sliced

• 2 scallions, sliced

• ½–1 tsp salt

• Optional: zucchini or tofu

Directions

1. Bring the broth to a boil with the radish, onion, and garlic.

2. Lower to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, until the radish begins to soften.

3. Gently add the cod pieces.

4. Simmer for another 7–10 minutes, until the cod is opaque and flakes easily.

5. Season with soup soy sauce and salt.

6. Add scallions at the very end.

5. Korean Chicken Soup 닭곰탕

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, about 3–4 lb

• 10 cups water

• 6–8 cloves garlic

• 1 small onion

• 2–3 scallions

• 1 piece Korean radish, optional

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper

• Cooked white rice, for serving

• Optional: shredded scallions and sesame oil

Directions

1. Place the whole chicken, garlic, onion, and radish in a large pot and cover with water.

2. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

3. Cook for about 60–90 minutes, until the chicken is very tender and the meat easily pulls from the bone.

4. Remove the chicken and shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones.

5. Strain the broth if desired and season simply with salt.

6. Return the shredded chicken to the broth and serve over or alongside warm rice with lots of scallions.hee

So since having my baby, you can say I’ve been eating a lot of soup. Not necessarily because it’s one of those weird pregnancy cravings, but because in Korean postpartum care, soup is so much more than a meal… it’s nourishment, warmth, and recovery.

And, for me, it’s also one of the ways my mom has been taking care of me from the moment I became a mom myself.

Now I hope it will be one of the ways you take care of yourself or a loved one, too. Follow more on my postpartum journey at @glowwithlahee.

Xoxo, Ava

I was sure I was going to end up with troubled skin throughout my pregnancy. The first trimester was just about survival mode—forget a put-together routine, I was bedridden and only had it in me to slather thick cream or ointment on my face. It wasn’t until around week 13 that I regained enough energy to start incorporating a simple skin routine and at least 30 seconds of guasha.

To be safe, I wanted my approach to be a lot more conservative on what I put on my skin. So with many things I used to rely on out of reach, it felt like I was going to have a lot of things taken away from me.

The microneedling, the chemical peels, the microcurrent, the next best retinol. My holy grail makeup staples and fragrances.

I thought I would miss a lot of things pre-pregnancy. But honestly? I don’t.

Okay, maybe I do miss a good turkey cheese sub… and oh, not going to the bathroom every 10 minutes. But that’s really about it.

Sure, I’m not using as many “fun” products. But I’ve really grown to love my “boring” skincare routine. Instead of a cutting down mindset where I am pressuring myself to eliminate this or subtract that, I embraced this journey as a mindful introduction to new and safe ingredients that led me to ultimately adding products.

Here are ways I became more intentional about what I put on my skin.

Swaps for simpler skincare:

• If you’re missing retinol/tretinoin, use azelaic acid which has similar clearing capabilities

• If you’re missing chemical sunscreen, use mineral based sunscreens.

• If you’re missing laser treatments, do a buccal massage instead to stimulate circulation. I love going to Eve.

• If you’re missing botox or injectables or even microcurrent devices at home–practice consistent lymphatic massage, herbal ear seeds, and guasha.

• If you’re missing glycolic acid, use enzyme powder based cleansers for a similar yet gentler exfoliation.

• If you’re missing fragrances– try fragrance-free makeup, perfume, body wash, body lotion.

• Here is an example of my pregnancy morning routine

Wellness I didn’t swap out:

• I didn’t live without caffeine–however I kept my intake to around 20-30mg a day. This is much lower than the recommended 400mg as cited by the FDA.

  • I often made this “matcha latte” by stacking other nutrients like collagen, protein, and barley grass into the morning drink

  • If I got matcha out at a cafe, I’d always ask the barista to put less matcha powder

• I didn’t go crazy with supplements– I actually cut back on almost all of the supplements I was taking. My lineup consists of Perelel health, iron, and sometimes vitamin C and magnesium.

  • What I really focused on was getting more of my vitamins and minerals naturally occurring from real food. I ate for my baby’s brain and body development

• I didn’t avoid dying my hair– I trusted a service that was ammonia-free and out of range from my scalp

  • I preemptively started with scalp serums and used the byAVA massage tool, and fragrance-free shampoo for upkeep

• I didn’t avoid dairy or fats– I had a plethora of dairy and butter during this pregnancy! I would actually gulp down whole milk straight from the fridge, and starting at week 25, my daily dairy intake included ice cream too…

  • I’ve had many of you ask how I have kept my body lean even until the very end of my 9 months. More on this soon!

Rapid fire section:

• Go-to breakfast to eat your skincare, pregnant version?

  • Sourdough toast with a thick slab of butter, strawberry jam. Two soft boiled eggs with lots of salt. My pregnancy matcha latte. Lots of fruit.

• Most-used moisturizer or sunscreen?

  • Probably this one from Tatcha.

• Hyperpigmentation– how do you deal?

  • Honestly you don’t haha. No dark spot serum is powerful enough to fight your hormones. I gave up in the middle and embraced my newly formed freckles.

• Favorite compliment received?

  • “You’re glowing more than pre-pregnancy!”

• Product you stopped using immediately?

  • My retinol.

• Biggest myth around pregnancy?

  • That a big belly means a big baby. I had a relatively small bump my entire pregnancy, and my baby was over 7lbs. Belly size can look so different from person to person depending on things like your body shape, baby’s position, and how you’re carrying.

• Item you discovered during pregnancy that you plan on continuing to use after giving birth?

  • My pregnancy pillow LOL. Even Ben uses it. and will continue to use post birth.

• What treatments do you already have booked postpartum?

  • I’m following a confinement period so not going outside for 2-3 weeks but I do have a Korean postpartum nanny whose giving me boob massages at home.

• What you stopped believing after having experienced pregnancy yourself?

  • She’s just being moody.” No, pregnancy hormones are REAL. I would go from completely fine to crying over something so random, sometimes without even knowing what triggered it.

• Anything a part of your old routine that you won’t want to reintroduce after birth?

  • Honestly, heavily fragranced perfume. I don’t see myself going back to it for a long time, especially now that I’m going to be cuddling a newborn 24/7. And gel nails! I started going bare around week 24 and never went back. I didn’t realize how relieving it would be to just have my natural nails—and honestly, I kind of love them now.

Notice that I didn’t stop much cold turkey, or there are at least swaps for everything–there isn’t anything that was missing entirely that I couldn’t find a better alternative.

Of course, follow what is comfortable with you and your doctor. Many women stick to using their fragranced perfumes, body products, makeup, and chemical sunscreen. To each their own! Even though I was more hesitant on skincare products, I am still happily eating raw sushi every now and then. But by learning to find alternatives I’ve really enjoyed a pregnancy routine that I can plan to continue postpartum, especially since I’m also planning to breastfeed.

So despite the dark armpits, microscopic bladder, heartburn.. come to think of it now, I LOVE MY PREGNANCY SKIN AND HAIR!!

They say in Korea that daughters typically “take their mom’s beauty away” during pregnancy, but apparently I am raising a kind daughter because that certainly hasn’t happened to me. Or, maybe it was because through these ways I was kind to myself.

After all the stories I heard and read, I was scared that pregnancy would put a halt to my glow.. but turns out it has just polished my relationship with clean, intentional beauty.

So for my baby mamas out there, bookmark this if you’re currently in the journey with me or send this to a friend currently expecting as a reminder that this isn’t a time to dread but to show your body and skin more love!

Because here’s the thing — no one needs more stuff. Not for the sake of stuff. If I’m going to put something into the world, it has to be good, it has to be what I’d actually want myself, and it has to mean something.

I was naive when I started. I didn’t know much, and looking back, there’s something kind of nice about that. I made all the mistakes you’re supposed to make. I was learning at the exact same speed I was growing the business — which is a stressful way to build something, but also the only way I knew how. Three years in, I know what I know now. More importantly, I know what I don’t know. And the goal from here is to surround myself with people who fill in those gaps — not to have all the answers myself.

That’s the byAVA story. Now there’s a second one.

This video truly depicts how I feel:

@glowwithava@mimitime is launching 8/8 on our website (bc ofc we had to for the good luck) and 8/16 at Targets EVERYWHERE. your new favorite korean beauty snack! #mimitime #konjacjelly #beautysnack #collagen

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Enter Mimitime

On August 8th (yes, the 8/8 was very intentional even though it landed on a Saturday), a beauty snack company called Mimitime.

I started Mimitime with my Co-Founder, Priscilla Tsai, Founder of Cocokind, because we both are obsessed with Asian konjac jelly snacks and always felt like there was an opportunity to bring a version to the U.S. After almost two years of working on this with our Korean manufacturing partner, we’re finally launching (and in a really big way).

Mimitime is your daily K-beauty snack. We’re launching with four delicious konjac jelly pouches with marine collagen. If you’ve had them in Asia, you know the appeal: juicy, chewy, weirdly satisfying. We kept coming back to the same thought — why isn’t there a real version of this in the U.S.? We wanted ours to keep everything we loved, but skip the sugar alcohols (and that lingering aftertaste 😬), while adding even more beauty functionality with marine collagen.

A few things we designed with our first Mimitime beauty snack:

• Just 3g sugar and 30 calories

• No sugar alcohols

• 1500mg of marine collagen

• Tasty and satisfying. I eat them EVERYDAY around 2pm, which is when I usually crave something sweet.

We’ll be launching nationwide at Target tomorrow (8/16/26) as the first k-beauty snack ever in this beauty department!!!

I also wanted to address my most asked questions on being a founder.

Solo vs. co-founder

byAVA I built alone. Mimitime I built with a partner. Both were the right call for what each brand needed, and the difference has taught me a lot about when to do which.

Going solo means the vision stays entirely yours — every decision, every tradeoff, every “no” is yours to make, which is either freeing or exhausting depending on the day. Going in with a co-founder means you have a partner in crime to share all your thoughts with and/or you’re building with someone who has already solved problems you haven’t hit yet. Priscilla had already lived through building and scaling Cocokind — manufacturing relationships, retail conversations, the operational stuff that no amount of research replaces. Having a partner who’s already been through the fire on things I hadn’t faced yet made Mimitime move faster and smarter than it would have otherwise. The tradeoff is you’re building in true partnership — more voices, more alignment required, less unilateral control. For me, the right question wasn’t “solo or partner,” it was “what does this specific brand need, and do I have that, or does someone else?”

Finding the help nobody hands you

Neither brand happened because I had it all figured out. It happened because I asked. A lot. Manufacturing partners, retail contacts, people who’d done the thing before — almost every real connection I’ve made came from someone introducing me to someone else, or from just reaching out cold and being specific about what I needed. Priscilla’s network from Cocokind opened doors on the retail side that would’ve taken years to build from scratch.

The unsexy decisions: quantity and pricing

This is the part nobody asks about until they’re actually doing it, and it’s the part that actually determines if you survive. Quantity and pricing aren’t creative decisions — they’re math and risk decisions. How much can you commit to a first production run without overextending. What margin do you need to actually support the business once a retailer takes their cut. What price makes sense to the customer and still leaves room to survive if the first run doesn’t sell through as fast as you hoped. I don’t get this right by instinct — I get it right by leaning on people who’ve done the math before, which loops back to the same lesson as everything else: know what you don’t know, and go find the person who does.

Balancing two brands

Right now I’m Founder/CEO of byAVA and Co-Founder/Chief Brand Officer of Mimitime — two different roles, two different muscles. byAVA is mine to run end to end. Mimitime is a true partnership, which means my job is less “decide everything” and more “bring the brand vision and let Priscilla and I build off each other’s strengths.” Honestly, the biggest shift has been learning to protect focus — knowing which brand needs me in the weeds this week and which one needs me a level up.

If you’re thinking about starting something

The through-line for me, across both brands, is the same: don’t build something just to have built something. Know your why before you know your product. Be honest about what you don’t know yet, and go find the people who do — through cold outreach, through partners, through anyone willing to give you fifteen minutes. And if you’re choosing between going solo or bringing someone in, ask what the specific thing you’re building actually needs, not what feels more comfortable.

Ava

Founder/CEO of byAVA

And now…

Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Mimitime!

When my mom saw me happily eating chocolate-covered dates, she looked at me and was like, “I don’t think that is actually going to help you…”

The next morning, she pulled out a bag of dried jujubes and started simmering what she called a proper pregnancy drink. For the week leading up to my due date, every morning started with a steaming cup of homemade jujube elixir. After giving birth, she brought me this elixir along with homemade seaweed soup. It’s what I will continue to drink postpartum.

Jujube is one of those Korean pantry staples every woman should know about— traditionally used to support fertility and nourishment from preconception through postpartum.

In Korean and Chinese tradition, especially after childbirth, there’s a huge emphasis on warming the body. It’s believed that recovery isn’t just about resting— it’s about what you feed yourself every single day. There’s even a saying in Korea: 산후조리가 평생을 간다, which roughly translates to how you care for yourself after childbirth stays with you for a lifetime.

Whether or not you believe every old wives’ tale, I love the intention behind that. It reminds you that postpartum isn’t something to “bounce back” from. It’s a season to be nourished.

My mom slowly simmers pitted Korean jujubes with cinnamon, roasted black beans, roasted brown rice, and goji berries for hours until the kitchen smells sweet and comforting. The jujubes become so soft that she presses them through a fine mesh sieve into a thick puree, then stirs a spoonful into hot water whenever we want a cup. You can also make a version with just jujubes.

I’m avoiding caffeine while I breastfeed and somehow this elixir makes me not crave my matcha lattes. This sweet warming drink reminds me that postpartum deserves just as much care as pregnancy.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 250g (about 1½ cups) dried jujubes

• 8 cups filtered water

• 2 sachets Hormone Balancing Elixir

Method

1. Rinse the jujubes well. Remove the pit.

2. Add the jujubes and hormone balancing sachets (cinnamon stick, black beans, roasted brown rice, goji berries) to a large pot.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 2½–3 hours, until the jujubes are extremely soft and beginning to split.

4. Strain the liquid if making a tea concentrate.

5. Press the softened jujubes through a fine mesh sieve to make a smooth puree, leaving the skins behind. Eat the puree by the spoonful or stir a spoonful into the tea for a richer elixir.

Five Korean Postpartum Rituals My Mom Won’t Let Me Skip

1. No cold drinks are allowed!

This can be anything - jujube elixir, seaweed soup, ginger tea, or just plain warm water. The point is — the cold orange juices hospitals serve you post birth? Absolute nono.

2. Never let your feet get cold.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know how much my mom believes warm feet equal better circulation. Only time your warm socks should be off is when you shower lol.

3. Eat foods that nourish, not just fill you up.

This is not the season for dieting or “bouncing back.” My meals have been built around seaweed soup, warm broths, fish, beef, pumpkin, cooked vegetables, and nourishing grains.

4. Protect yourself from cold air.

No blasting the AC directly on your body. Or at all for that matter. New moms and newborns should be avoiding all unnecessary chills.

5. Accept the help.

In Korea, postpartum isn’t something you’re expected to do alone. Mothers, grandmothers, and family step in because recovery is considered just as important as pregnancy itself. Watching my own mom care for me has reminded me that being taken care of is part of healing, too.

Whether every tradition is backed by science or not, I love what they all have in common: they’re gentle reminders that postpartum deserves care, patience, and warmth. And now, back to my newborn bubble with my princess… xo, Ava

I was so sure I was going to deliver before 40 weeks that giving birth in August never even crossed my mind. In fact, I always told everyone I’d love to go past my due date because I loved being pregnant so much. At 35 weeks, I was telling people I could happily be pregnant for another six months, and everyone thought I was crazy.

I guess my baby could feel my energy too.

For most of my pregnancy, I avoided anything that could potentially induce labor: pineapple, dates, raspberry leaf tea, okra water, acupuncture points, you name it. I didn’t want to do anything to rush her out.

But once I hit 39 weeks, I started incorporating all of it. I knew the longer I went past my due date, the more likely it was that I would eventually need to be induced or have a C-section.

And then August came.

I was sick of eating dates, but more than that, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional toll of waiting for your baby to come. No one really talks about that part. Every morning you wake up wondering, is today the day?

By then, I had started thinking it would be so meaningful if my baby and my mom shared the same birthday: August 4th. So on August 4th, I went ham on curb walking, acupuncture, and basically every old wives’ tale I could find.

Nothing.

The day before, on August 3rd, I had been told I would need to be induced at 41 weeks. I felt completely dejected. I had so many emotions around the idea of being induced, which I wrote about here.

Slowly, I accepted it. And when August 4th came and went, I finally let go of trying to control when she would arrive.

That night, we celebrated my mom’s birthday with the most wonderful homemade meal. I went to bed full, happy, and at peace with the idea that I would be induced a few days later.

Lo and behold, at 5:30am, I woke up with intense stomach pains. I blamed it on the copious amount of food I’d eaten the night before.

But then my legs started feeling like jelly. I could barely stand. Something felt different. I didn’t want to wake anyone up, so I endured it for another hour until I couldn’t anymore.

At 6:30am, I woke Ben up. “I think I’m in labor.”

The next hour was a blur. We started timing my contractions, trying to figure out when we should go to the hospital. By 7am, they were less than three minutes apart and lasting about a minute each. Our OB told us to come in immediately.

The car ride felt like a movie. Me yelling at Ben to go faster while simultaneously panicking about him driving too fast. Him trying to get us there as quickly and safely as possible.

By the time the doctors checked me at 8am, I was already 7cm dilated.

It was time for the epidural!!

My entire birth plan had been to wait until 7cm to get one. And somehow, it all happened so quickly that I was exactly where I had planned to be without even realizing it.

The epidural was a godsend, but it also meant I couldn’t really feel when or how I was supposed to push. All the breathing techniques I’d practiced went completely out the window.

I remember feeling so bad for the doctors and nurses waiting for me to figure it out. I kept apologizing and telling them, “I’m so sorry. Should we take a break so you guys can go eat?” They all laughed.

Meanwhile, I had no concept of how long labor could actually take for a first-time mom. I thought I was taking forever but apparently I was super fast!

Six hours total from the very first contraction to meeting my baby.

My doctor told me that one day, I can tell my daughter that I smiled my entire way through labor and delivery.

So that’s my birth story.

After all the dates, curb walking, acupuncture, worrying, waiting, and trying to control the exact day she would arrive, she came when she was ready.

On August 5th, one day after my mom’s birthday, Parker Lahee Lee entered the world.

I’ll be documenting more on motherhood & everything postpartum here!

She is still very comfortable in my belly. But at the same time, we had to start talking about the other possibilities: induction and even a C-section.

After checking me, the doctor told me I’m still less than 1 cm dilated. If nothing changes, I’ll be induced in a few days at 41 weeks.

I felt like my world was crashing.

I had never really considered being induced. Honestly, it wasn’t until last week that the possibility even crossed my mind. I’m someone who lives for real experiences, whether they’re joyful, heartbreaking, or painful. Experiencing labor from beginning to end has been something I’ve looked forward to for so long.

I imagined my water dramatically breaking. Losing my mucus plug. Going into labor in the middle of dinner at a restaurant. Calling my husband in a panic. Timing contractions. Calling the hospital to tell them we were on our way.

None of that has happened for me. Well... unless you count the Braxton Hicks that have been teasing me for almost two weeks now.

The unpredictability of it all was what excited me most. Not knowing when she would come. Wondering what my birth story would be. It felt like one of the only experiences in life you truly can’t plan for.

Now, with an induction date on the calendar, I can’t help but feel like I’m being deprived of that experience. I know that probably sounds dramatic, especially because so many women are induced and have beautiful birth stories. But this is just how it feels in this moment. I feel empty. Upset. Dejected.

There’s another layer to this that I haven’t really admitted out loud.

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Here’s the thing — she’s not using some expensive routine. For most of her life, it was just drugstore shampoo. It’s only recently that she’s started using a hair-growth shampoo.

So what actually keeps her hair this healthy?

I’ve come to believe it’s not just what she puts on her hair — it’s what she’s put in her body. Growing up, our meals were full of the same ingredients over and over: black beans, black sesame, black rice. The “black foods” that Korean and Chinese traditional medicine have pointed to for generations as nourishment for the kidneys — and in TCM, your kidneys are what govern your hair.

It’s easy to overlook because it’s not flashy. There’s no packaging, no before-and-after. But watching my mom, I’m beginning to realize — real beauty from within isn’t a quick fix, it’s a habit repeated for years.

So today I’m sharing three of her easy beverage recipes she loves making.

1. Korean Black Bean Water (검은콩물)

This is my mom’s answer to hair thinning — and it’s just two ingredients!
In Korea, moms have been making this for generations — it’s called black bean water. You take Korean black beans, the ones with the green inside, boil them, soak them, then blend it all into this milky drink. It sounds simple but it’s one of the most trusted hair and scalp remedies in Korean households.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Korean black beans (검은콩)

• 4–5 cups water

Method

1. Rinse the black beans thoroughly. Soak 1 hour.

2. Bring water to boil. Then add beans and pinch of salt. Boil for 2 minutes.

3. Let the beans cool slightly, allowing them to continue soaking in their cooking water.

4. Transfer the beans and cooking water to a blender and blend until completely smooth and milky.

5. Serve warm or chilled.

Tip: Adjust the amount of cooking water when blending to make it as thick or light as you like.

2. Black Sesame Banana Walnut Smoothie

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The acids that are actually safer than what you were using before. The meals that are doing more for your baby’s brain than your prenatal alone. The sugar swap that isn’t a punishment.

This isn’t a list of what to fear. It’s a list of what will work for you while pregnant — skincare, food, supplements, movement — reframed from restriction to purpose. Nothing is grounds for a nervous breakdown!

Let’s add, not cut.

🧴 SKINCARE & BEAUTY

• Not cutting acids out of fear, just swapping smarter — PHA instead of high-strength glycolic acid

• Azeleic instead of retinol/tretinoin — same clarity, none of the risk

• Mineral-based sunscreen, not chemical — zinc oxide sits on skin instead of absorbing into it

• Fragrance-free makeup, perfume, body wash, shampoo to still enjoy the sweet things

🍽️ FOOD

Things can get controversial here but truly you know your body best, so eat what YOU feel comfortable eating. I was OK with eating high quality raw sushi 2-3x a month after my first trimester, while I kept my caffeine levels to under 30mg a day. To each their own!

• Not cutting sugar out of fear, just cutting the spikes — so I stay steady, not restricted. That being said, the fetus doesn’t need cheesecake everyday. As the French say, pregnancy isn’t the culinary ‘free for all’ you’ve been saving up for.

• Not avoiding fat, chasing the right fat — omega-3s, grass-fed butter, the kind that’s actually building something

• Eating in a way that supports my baby’s brain development, not just my own cravings

💆 BEAUTY TREATMENTS

Not everything gets a swap — no botox, no laser, no injectables. But that doesn’t mean beauty takes a backseat. If anything, I’ve learned to embrace my features even more!

• Focus on gentler upkeep — lymphatic / gentle facials doing the work without the risk

• Not laser, buccal massage instead — find someone you trust (they are putting their hands in your mouth afterall…) and let bone structure do the talking

• Not deep tissue, but prenatal massage — circulation and swelling support that also just feels like self-care

+ surprise giveaway! enter if you’re in nyc this summer - I want to give you the opportunity try the byAVA Guasha facial with my fav girl at Haus of Ritual. Subscribe & comment on this post + follow her on IG.

🏡 AT-HOME BEAUTY TREATMENTS

• Herbal ear seeds — my biggest hidden gem & life saver before/during pregnancy. These little seeds help depuff your face, help with lower back pain, and improve circulation. Currently 39 weeks pregnant and have zero swelling face & body!

• Guasha — gentler now, but still an everyday habit. lymphatic focus over sculpting

• 5 lymphatic moves, daily — only takes 2 minutes. Follow along here.

• Pregnancy safe baths (after first trimester) at lukewarm water (not too hot!) with prenatal salts that ease muscle tension

🏋️ WORKOUTS

• Pelvic floor work and pilates instead of crunches and intense cardio — building the muscles I’ll actually need

• Lots of walking!!! Even at 9 months pregnant, I maintained my 10k steps a day routine. My form of cardio.

🗓️ ROUTINES

Setting up a new routine that works for you!! I’m learning that I don’t always have to be productive and fill my calendar to the brim.

• City days for meetings, calls, anything that needs full energy — home days for slower, deeper work

• Not cutting productivity, just cutting the guilt — tasks sorted by weekday and hour instead of by how I feel that morning

• 3 tasks a day - one for baby, one for me, one for work. This has worked well for my Virgo mindset so I still feel accomplished.

With this, i plan to emerge from pregnancy with my allure intact.

As if eating a warm bowl of rice or wrapping it in kimbap wasn’t enough, somehow rice gets even better.

Rice toners, rice cleansing foams, rice sheet masks — rice water is everywhere in the beauty scene right now. The "secret ingredient" is probably already sitting in your pantry.

Before it became a hot skincare ingredient, rice water was already a beauty staple in Asian households, passed down through generations by moms and grandmothers. Rich in amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, it helps brighten uneven skin tone, soften the appearance of dark spots, provide lightweight hydration, and support the skin barrier. Beyond skincare, it can also add softness and shine to your hair — or even give your houseplants a nutrient boost. Literally everyone wins.

My grandma and mom passed down this simple remedy and I’ll be sharing with you:

This post is completely free but it gives you a taste for the kind of content / beauty rituals I share with my paid subscribers each week.

How to Make Rice Water at Home

1. Place 1-2 cups of uncooked rice into a bowl

2. Cover the rice with water and massage it with your hands

3. Drain and discard the water. Repeat this process one more time to wash away any dirt or impurities

4. Add fresh water to the cleaned rice and swirl with your hands for a few minutes until the water turns slightly milky (this is usually the 3rd or 4th rinse)

5. Strain the milky rice water into a clean glass jar or bottle

6. Your rice water is ready to use!

   

   @glowwithavastep by step tutorial on how to make the best #ricewater 🍚 #kimchifridge #ricewaterforskin #beautytipswithava #jelloskin #asmrbeauty

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Additional tips:

1. Use it as a facial toner, cleansing rinse, face mist, or mask. My favorite is soaking it into cotton pads like a sheet mask and leaving on any part of your face for 10-15 minutes

2. Store your rice water in the refrigerator and use it within 4 days to retain freshness

3. Use it in the shower to rinse your hair– it can add shine and a protective layer especially for damaged ends

You can use it anytime, everyday, making it so safe and easy. Personally, I’m here for another reason to love rice besides it going straight to my belly (although, let’s be honest, I never needed much of an excuse to buy more).

Subscribe for the next beauty recipe. Love, Ava 🍚💛

It is tradition for South Koreans to enjoy a steaming bowl of samgyetang, made from a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, garlic and jujube on this day. You may ask…

Why hot soup on the hottest day?

The logic comes from an old Korean saying: 이열치열 (iyeolchiyeol) — “fight heat with heat.” Sambok marks the three hottest points of summer by the lunar calendar: Chobok (today), Jungbok ten days later, and Malbok around ten days after that. Historically these were brutal stretches — heat that sapped appetite, energy, and stamina, in an era before refrigeration or air conditioning, when a bad summer could genuinely wear a body down.

The idea behind eating something hot and nourishing on these days isn’t to fight the heat outside — it’s to work with it. A steaming bowl of chicken and ginseng raises your internal temperature and gets you sweating, which is your body’s actual cooling mechanism. At the same time, you’re getting a dense hit of protein and restorative herbs right when heat and humidity drain you the most. It’s to give your body real fuel precisely when it’s most likely to be running on empty.

My mom’s samgyetang recipe

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Forget the jet lag. Forget the 100 lbs of food, postpartum supplies, and baby gear she hauled over — for her firstborn, and her first granddaughter.

Her mussel miyeokguk (seaweed soup) symbolizes her outpouring motherly love. Miyeokguk has as many versions as there are Korean families — all-veggie, beef, fish, tofu, even abalone for special occasions. This one’s pollack and dried mussel, my mom’s postpartum go-to.

Recipe: Pollack & Dried Mussel Miyeokguk

Serves 2–3, ~35 minutes

Ingredients

• Dried seaweed (미역), 1 handful

• Dried mussels (건홍합), 1 handful, soaked

• Dried pollack, cut into small pieces

• Garlic, minced, 1 tsp

• Sesame oil, 2 tbsp

• 국간장 (guk-ganjang, Korean soup soy sauce), 2 tbsp

• 참치액젓 (tuna fish sauce), 1 tbsp

• 미린 (mirin), 1 tbsp

• Water, 4-5 cups of water

• Coarse salt, to taste

Prep — soak everything first

1. Soak seaweed in water 20–30 minutes. Rinse at least 3 times, drain, cut into bite-size pieces if needed.

2. Rinse dried pollack twice, then cut into small pieces.

3. Soak dried mussels 15–20 minutes in warm water. Save the soaking liquid — it goes into the soup.

Cook

4. In a mixing bowl, combine the seaweed, mussels, pollack, garlic, tuna fish sauce, guk-ganjang, mirin, and sesame oil. Toss to coat and let sit 10 minutes to marinate.

5. Transfer everything to a pot and sauté over low heat 2–3 minutes.

6. Pour in 1 cup water plus the reserved mussel soaking liquid. Bring to a boil, then drop to low heat and simmer 10 minutes.

7. Pour in the remaining 3–4 cups water. Bring back to a gentle simmer.

8. Season with coarse salt to taste.

Important notes from Jellomom!

1. The mussel soaking liquid is where a lot of the flavor is — don’t toss it.

2. Always cook on low heat. A hard boil breaks the seaweed down too fast (turns slimy instead of silky), toughens the pollack, and clouds the broth. Low and slow keeps the seaweed tender, the fish delicate, and the broth clear.

3. More of her skin recipes in an ebook here for $10!

*A lot of these ingredients can feel foreign to some of you. Your local asian mart should have most of these ingredients. Weee also has most of these (at often better prices, get $20 off here).

Going to be posting a lot more postpartum content + recipes here so subscribe here. xo, Ava

Here’s what’s absolutely delighting me right now:

1. Slowly packing my hospital bag

   you guys all told me I need to start packing at 35 weeks so I’ve slowly started to pile things up. I’ve been watching lots of hospital packing videos and asked close mom friends the essentials I NEED - here’s the list I’ve put together so far.

2. I’ve reading 5 books at once

   I’ve always juggled at least two — one fiction, one non-fiction — but pregnancy added a whole third category. Just finished Atmosphere, started reading up on postpartum books, and somehow got sucked into the Elle Kennedy series — finished book one in under 2 days. Who was going to warn me these are this addictive?

3. Pregnancy baths

   I was so paranoid early on (something about raising your body temperature) that I avoided baths entirely. Now, in my final month, I’ve loosened up — and summer baths hit different than winter ones. Pregnancy salts that ease muscle tension, moisturizing bath stones (+ exfoliates as you soak!), a mask, my Kindle - my favorite way to unwind lately

   

   

4. To still be that girl 9 months pregnant.

5. I’m a flower girl now

   Pregnancy has turned me into a flower girl. I never used to care about flowers, but now I actually stop and smell the roses (literally). Ben took me to a flower market and one stopped me in my tracks — a lilac colored angelina, which has felt like my daughter's color from the start, so of course I had to bring her home. Now it's my job to keep her alive :)

6. Peach collagen popsicles + frozen grapes

7. Why is Zara so good right now?! Please make me stop browsing their baby stuff it’s out of control.

   

8. my daily “emergency” ice cream/froyo

   

9. This is the 'I have my life together' powder - bronzer, blush, AND glow in one swipe.

10. I need this biblically.

    

11. I leave you with some natural dopamine boosters:

    • morning sun on your face

    • listening to nostalgic music

    • getting hair colored

    • journaling with no pressure

    • a long hug

    • nighttime cups of tea

    

ps: we're in Mercury retrograde until July 23rd, so if this newsletter has a typo, don’t blame me.

Also delighted by: this month's beauty/wellness finds

This month, I saw Kristen at Onda Beauty, whose hands are as magic as her heart is warm. She introduced me to my new favorite cleanser — a manuka honey cleanser that's a steep $58 (I'd never normally tell you to spend that on a cleanser, but this one earns it). The massage she did with it, plus the coconut scent, sent me to another universe.

I also co-hosted a sound bath and scalp massage session with Sage & Sound. We invited an intimate group of friends to enjoy their sound bath, plus a scalp massage using the best scalp massage tool you'll find. I'd heard babies are very reactive to sound (it's why I try to play happy music for her when I can), but I wasn't ready for how much she'd kick during the session!! It was a wild, out-of-this-world experience. Need to find time to go back before she’s due!

@byava.cothis has set the new standard for events rip. sound bath with the byAVA scalp massager @Sage + Sound is what a perfect afternoon looks like 🌱 #soundbath #scalpmassage #scalphealth #healingera

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That’s it for now. Adios xo

Start at the Kitchen Table

The most important step isn’t a supplement or a tracking app — it’s breakfast. Warm breakfasts, earlier dinners, soups, black sesame, walnuts, jujubes. Your body needs nourishment it can actually digest, absorb, and turn into Qi and blood. Cold smoothies and rushed mornings don’t build that.

Rebuild Your Reserves

Late nights, constant stress, and running on empty slowly drain the reserves your body depends on. Give it time to rebuild. Go to bed before 11pm — in TCM, the gallbladder and liver detoxify your blood between 11pm and 3am, and you need to be asleep for that window to work for you.

Warm Your Womb

A warm womb is a fertile womb. Cold constricts blood flow, slows Qi, and creates stagnation in the uterus — making implantation harder. Warming practices bring circulation, vitality, and nourishment to your reproductive center.

How to do it:

• Skip the cold drinks and ice cream — even in summer. Cold cools the uterus and weakens digestive fire (spleen energy), which is essential for hormone production and nourishment.

• Add cinnamon and ginger to food and drinks to stimulate circulation and support digestion and uterine warmth.

• Eat warm, cooked meals — not just hot temperature, but warming in nature. Skip the cold salads, lean into stews, porridges, and bone broth to build blood.

• Keep your feet warm. Always. The kidney meridian starts at the soles of your feet and ties directly to reproductive vitality. Warm feet support Kidney Qi and indirectly nourish the womb.

The Fertility Menu

To rebuild blood, nourish yin, and build Qi — give this at least 3 months:

• tremella, jujube, and goji berry soup

• bone or veggie broth

• beef

• pomegranate

• black sesame

• black rice

• walnuts / almonds

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Three Recipes to Start With

Tremella, jujube & goji berry soup — this is the one my doctor said to drink on repeat. Soak a handful of tremella (snow fungus) until it blooms, then simmer it low and slow with 4-5 jujubes and a small handful of goji berries until the tremella turns silky and slightly gelatinous — that’s the collagen-like texture you want. I add a touch of rock sugar at the end. It’s sweet, light, and doesn’t feel like medicine.

Black sesame walnut porridge — toast black sesame seeds and walnuts, blend them down with a little water until smooth, then simmer with rice porridge (or oats) until it thickens. Or you can make homemade black sesame milk and have that be the base for your lattes/porridge.

Bone broth, the lazy way — I don’t simmer for 24 hours. I use a slow cooker, throw in beef or chicken bones, a few slices of ginger, some herbs and let it go overnight. By morning it’s rich enough to sip on its own or use as the base for other recipes.

Bonus — 3 pieces of pregnancy advice moms have told me:

1. Start your postpartum hair-loss prep early. Don’t wait until the shedding starts. Use a scalp massager to stimulate scalp circulation.

2. Start dark-spot prevention now. Postpartum melasma is real. SPF + vitamin C early.

3. Eat 2–3 eggs a day in your second trimester. Easy protein + choline for baby’s brain. 🥚

My Healing Journey

People always ask which TCM doctor I worked with — like there was one appointment, one trip, one piece of advice that fixed everything. It took me close to a year, broken into phases that built on each other.

Here’s what that year actually looked like — and the diagnosis I didn’t expect to be the real key.

Read more

Little luxuries (especially 8 months pregnant):

• watching the evening sunset from my balcony in a sheet mask

• the matcha latte my husband makes me at 3pm (often with a scoop of matcha ice cream)

• making my own black sesame milk

• been journaling way more in my leather journal + black pens (elite). it makes a huge difference.

• end-of-day scalp massages

• Sisley’s new bronzing gel might be just the thing to give you a quick sunkissed glow

• soft plush pajamas. no more sleeping in tight tanks like i used to!

• bare nails for 2+ months. never thought i could do this but seeing my nails the strongest they’ve ever been? recommend a try; it’s not that scary

• fresh flowers because my mom said i should look at pretty flowers and plants during pregnancy for a pretty baby lol

Hyperfixations

• my “botox” jellies - more recipes coming; here is my blueberry botox one.

• I’m having a love affair with my polka dot sun hat.

• polka dot everything, actually — including this zara dress

• wearing my one size fits all swimsuit as a top

• my baby prep spreadsheet (my excel skills coming into play)

• whole milk

• do I need jelly sandals?

• no-crease concealer. i repeat, it doesn’t crease!

• drumroll donuts

• My go-to summer scent — I stopped wearing fragrance almost entirely during pregnancy because of sensitivity, but this one is subtle enough that I can actually enjoy it. p.s. for the month of June, Elorea and byAVA are selling an exclusive peach lychee collagen drink inspired by the scent at their Soho store!

New discoveries

• beauty ice cubes made with my skin elixir. this way you get extra antioxidants delivered to the skin.

• this vitamin c serum literally reflects light off your skin. it’s got waterless diamond, enough said.

• a new mineral spf - might be the best I've tried in recent memory. non-tinted but with a slight universal pink hue

• Sulwhasoo finally launched an eye serum! You know i love ginseng…

• Emmetts pizza

Indulging

• Popcorn before bed

• once a month omakase

• the energy the Knicks are bringing to nyc. it’s going to be the best nyc summer!!!

• once a month prenatal massage. I love going to Sage & Sound

• Really loved Strangers - a memoir on how her 20 year marriage suddenly ended. currently reading: Taylor Jenkins Reid’s new book Atmosphere.

• just started a new C-drama - Pursuit of Jade - and it’s going to push my bedtime back…

• saturday morning pancakes my hubby makes me :)

and in honor of a Knicks victory, sending out a surprise & delight KBEAUTY BOX (some incredible gems in this one…) to one winner - leave a comment & IG handle here. ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

Keep loving the beautiful things in life!!! xoxo, Ava

Summer skin has its tell-tale signs. Makeup sliding off by mid-afternoon. Hyperpigmentation and redness making a comeback. A little extra congestion around the T-zone. Your skin is just reacting to heat, humidity, increased UV exposure, and the sudden shift in how we’re living — more movement, more sun, more sweat. It needs its own routine adjustment.

I find myself gravitating toward lighter textures, glowier finishes, and products that can withstand long days spent outside in the heat.

So here’s my annual advice for tweaking your skincare routine heading into what is shaping up to be a very hot summer.

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing in the summer is genuinely one of my favorite rituals — and honestly the season where I actually do it properly. No more frantically brushing for ten seconds before jumping into a scalding shower. I take my time, work through every area that needs that lymphatic boost, and it shows. It gently exfoliates, brings a real glow to the skin, and creates the perfect base so everything that follows — oils, lotions, SPF — actually absorbs instead of just sitting there.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen goes without saying, so I’ll keep it short: WEAR. YOUR. SPF. And reapply every few hours — or whenever you remember, because I forget too.

I’m sticking to mineral sunscreens this summer, and since I’m keeping makeup minimal, tinted mineral SPF has become my everyday go-to. It gives you sun protection and a little glowy coverage in one step. My all-time favorite is this one from Natura Bissé - honestly better than most skin tints I’ve tried. It’s an investment, but a little goes a long way.

LINK TO FAV SUNSCREENS »

LINK TO FAV MINERAL SUNSCREENS »

MOISTURIZERS

My moisturizer situation changes completely in summer. Heavy creams get shelved, and I switch to something that hydrates without the weight. The good news is there are so many great options right now, at every price point and for every skin concern. A few I keep coming back to: one at $16 that genuinely delivers, one that calms redness, one for cooling, and one that feels like a rich cream without actually being one. The last thing you want is your skincare working against the heat!

During the day, have a mist handy (also perfect for travel). This one is great for oily skin/enlarged pores, and dry skin for longer lasting hydration.

BODY

As we step out of hibernation and get ready for spontaneous weekend escapes and days of lounging in the sun, bodycare is quintessential.

If you’re worried about dark spots in the summer, consider incorporating this $7 niacinamide body serum from Dove to your bodycare routine.

With sweating, I tend to get more backne & texture on my skin so this glycolid acid body spray allows me to reach places I can’t reach. Great to exfoliate dead skin!

You also need a good body wash to wash off layers of sunscreen and self tanners. Love this pH balanced wash that foams up really nicely and helps to brighten/smooth the skin.

If you’ve seen a little too much sun, use this after sun balm. This is the first year I have this handy but i wish i had it earlier.

Self-tanner

I’m not much of a self-tanner girl, and I will never step foot in a tanning salon. I usually just go with my natural color the sun gives me. And while I usually prefer a more natural glow, sometimes a shimmer is appropriate. This bottle from Loccitaine is my favorite. If you want something more intense, go with Patrick Ta - It gives you the most insane glow without feeling too glittery. When you want your body to really glisten, you go with Tom Ford, no question.

HYDRATION

Skincare only goes so far — what you’re drinking matters just as much in summer. Some of my favorite summer beauty beverages:

• Cucumber & lemon water

• Chilled herbal skin elixirs. Boil these skin elixirs and leave them in the fridge - it tastes amazing and lasts in fridge for 3-4 days.

• Add electrolytes: plain water isn’t always enough in summer, especially when you’re sweating more. This is a two-in-one electrolyte and mineral powder; I love the pomelo flavor.

• Watermelon juice - just blend up some watermelon with either coconut water or sprite, add this tart flavored skin booster - just try it please!

More honorable mentions:

• May I suggest you have a jar of these cooling pads handy in the summer. These lower skin temperature by 9°F!

• Wont stop talking about this sunkissed bronzing gel. Mix a tiny bit with your summer skin tint and step out the door. Makes summer makeup so effortless!

• Everyone needs a good rattan bag and a pair of flip flops they can bring everywhere.

and now my favorite part… SUN HATS!

You can trust a Korean mom to find the best ones. We are, collectively, terrified of the sun, and that fear has produced some genuinely excellent hat technology. Asian brands especially do it right (linking options here): lightweight, actually protective, and somehow still cute.

That said, I still have a soft spot for a good rattan hat (my all time favorite), an XL one for statement, something polka dotted, something with seashells. Sun protection doesn't have to mean boring!!!

Now, let’s go have the BEST SUMMER EVER! xo, Ava

Second trimester was golden. I traveled to 9 cities with my girl, with zero nausea and zero food aversions. I had so much energy — she genuinely felt like a portable battery inside me, fueling me everywhere we went (while constantly demanding to be fed in return).

Three months flew by, but I also did a lot. Some highlights I never want to forget:

• Launched byAVA at Selfridges

  

  

• Flew to Korea — and my mom got to see me pregnant for the very first time (it’s a very weird feeling…)

• Oversaw the final production run for Mimitime in Korea (my new brand launching right after Jellobaby arrives!)

• Did my babymoon and maternity shoot in Mexico

• My sister threw me the most perfect baby shower at home

And then I hit week 28, and my body sent a very clear memo: things are different now.

The shift was immediate. My ribs started aching in ways I didn’t know ribs could ache. Breathing felt harder. I can’t eat as much in one sitting anymore. I had to get ankle protector bands. And I was running to the bathroom every 10 minutes (zero exaggeration).

I’ve also loosened up a little. First and second trimester me was very by the book. But somewhere along the way I stopped being so paranoid. I occasionally take baths now. I went in the hot tub during my babymoon for 10 minutes. I still eat good quality sushi. I wear chemical SPF on my body because some protection is better than none.

Everyone’s been asking me lately: “So how do you feel! Are you ready?!” and I’m like… genuinely not ready. I know that’s not what you’re supposed to say, but I think I could be pregnant forever lol. I love feeling her move. I love the autonomy I have while still growing a human. There’s something so safe about this chapter that I’m not in a rush to leave. But maybe when I’m 20 pounds heavier in a month in the summer heat, I will change my mind…

If there’s black sesame on a menu, I’m ordering it. Not only am I ordering it, but I will travel miles to get it. Black sesame lattes, puddings, oatmeal, soft serve, tang yuan, protein powder, pastries… I genuinely don’t think there’s a form of black sesame I wouldn’t eat.

But beyond just loving the flavor, black sesame has always felt deeper to me. Growing up, my dad was constantly traveling for work and cared so much about maintaining his hair and energy as he got older. For almost 30 years, my mom made him black sesame soups and drinks nearly every morning before work.

Honestly, it explains a lot — his hair is still incredibly full with very few greys, and even now in his 60s, he somehow has endless stamina for nonstop business trips and long days.

In our house, black sesame was never just food. It was nourishment for your skin, hair, energy, and vitality. I guess somewhere along the way, I learned to love it the same way my dad did. And the older I get, the more I find myself returning to these kinds of ancestral foods and rituals over complicated wellness trends.

In TCM, black sesame is often associated with:

• nourishing the liver + kidneys

• supporting blood and yin

• healthy hair growth + shine

• skin dryness

• recovery after depletion/stress

• aging gracefully

So this is my little love letter to black sesame and I want to share a few simple starter recipes so you can fall in love with this superfood too:

1. Black Sesame Silken Tofu Pudding

Ingredients (2–3 servings)

• 1 block silken tofu (300–400g)

• 3–4 tbsp black sesame paste (recipe below)

• 2–3 tbsp honey (to taste)

• 1–2 tbsp milk or plant milk (optional)

Instructions

1. Add everything to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

2. Taste and adjust (more honey for sweetness, more sesame for nuttiness, splash of milk if too thick).

3. Pour into cups and refrigerate 1–2 hours. Enjoy!

Black Sesame Paste (homemade)

Ingredients

• 1 cup black sesame seeds

• 1–2 tbsp neutral oil (or sesame oil for stronger flavor)

• Optional: 1–2 tbsp honey or jujube (if you want it slightly sweet)

Instructions

1. Lightly toast the black sesame seeds on low heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant.

2. Let them cool slightly.

3. Add to a blender or food processor.

4. Blend until it starts turning into a paste.

5. Slowly add oil until it becomes smooth and creamy.

6. Optional: blend in honey if you want a sweeter version.

2. Blueberry, Banana, Black Sesame (BBB) Smoothie

My most made smoothie!! I’ve been drinking this for almost a decade.

It’s simple, nourishing, and quietly powerful. Full of antioxidants, minerals, and healthy fats that support energy, skin.

Ingredients: blend everything until smooth.

• 1 banana

• ½–1 cup blueberries

• 1–2 tbsp black sesame powder

• Milk of choice or warm water (no ice cubes!)

Optional add-ins

• 1–2 jujubes (red dates), sliced

• 1 tsp maple syrup or raw honey

• scoop of collagen if you want extra protein or skin booster for extra antioxidants

3. Black Sesame Oatmeal

For something heartier than a smoothie, try this grounding, creamy morning bowl — designed for skin, hair, and hormonal nourishment.

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats

• 1-2 cups water

• 1/2 cup coconut milk (adjust for creaminess)

• 2 tbsp black sesame paste and/or black sesame powder

• 1 banana, sliced

• 2–3 jujube pieces, chopped.

• Optional: drizzle of honey or cinnamon, cereal/granola

Instructions

1. Add oats to a bowl and pour over 1 cup hot water. Let sit for 2 minutes until softened.

2. Stir in coconut milk until creamy and smooth.

3. Mix in black sesame paste or powder until fully combined and rich in color.

4. Keep adjusting water to get consistency you like.

5. Top with sliced banana and chopped jujube (or stir them in - I do both).

6. Finish with honey or cinnamon if you want extra warmth and sweetness.

PS: this can be modified easily into an overnight oats recipe.

A baby’s brain develops rapidly from the earliest stages of pregnancy, and key nutrients like folate, DHA, iron, choline, iodine, and protein play a vital role. I wish I had this information earlier on!

🧠 1️⃣ DHA & Omega-3 (Formation of Brain Cells)

• 1. Salmon – Rich in DHA, supports neural development

• 2. Mackerel (low-mercury types) – Excellent source of omega-3

• 3. Sardines – Helps form brain nerve cells

• 4. Flaxseeds (ground, in small amounts) – Plant-based omega-3

• 5. Walnuts – Healthy fats for brain health

🩸 2️⃣ Iron & Protein (Supports Oxygen Flow & Cognitive Development)

• 6. Beef (fully cooked) – Rich in iron

• 7. Chicken – High-quality protein

• 8. Eggs – Choline + protein

• 9. Tofu – Plant-based protein

• 10. Chickpeas & Lentils – Good source of iron

🌿 3️⃣ Folate (Spinal Cord Development)

• 11. Spinach – High in folate

• 12. Broccoli – Antioxidants + folate

• 13. Asparagus – Supports neural tube formation

• 14. Oranges – Folate + vitamin C

• 15. Kiwi – Protects cells

🧂 4️⃣ Iodine (Brain & Thyroid Support)

• 16. Seaweed soup – Source of iodine (avoid excessive intake)

• 17. Seaweed sheets (in moderation) – Supports thyroid function

🥛 5️⃣ Supporting Nutrients for Brain Development

• 18. Milk – Calcium + protein

• 19. Yogurt (unsweetened) – Gut health → better nutrient absorption

• 20. Avocado – Healthy fats + folate

🧠 1️⃣ Why Fetal Brain Development Is Important

1. Foundation for Lifelong Learning

• Builds the base for language, memory, and problem-solving skills

• Neural connections (synapses) rapidly increase during this time

2. Foundation for Emotional & Social Development

• Forms the structure for emotional regulation

• Stress-response systems begin developing

3. Neural Tube Formation Happens Early

• Forms around week 4 of pregnancy

• Nutrition during this time is critical

4. Impacts Post-Birth Development

• Nutrition and environment affect brain size and connectivity

• Early development influences future growth speed

📅 2️⃣ Brain Development by Trimester

🌱 First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)

• Neural tube formation

• Basic brain structure develops

• Folate intake is crucial

You might be thinking—what if you can’t keep anything down or eat “healthy” in the first trimester? That was literally me. The advice I got: just eat whatever you can tolerate. I still tried to sneak in some vitamin C whenever I could —mostly from oranges and juices. I even carried baby juice packs with me everywhere and they helped a ton!

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Reporting live from Korea: here’s skincare and beauty items Koreans are really into right now.

• This $14 bb cream is going viral right now for good reason. It truly lasts all day without the need for powder.

• This lip balm just proved so hard why you don’t have to spend more than $15 on a good hydrating lip product. Silicone & microplastic free.

• If you’re looking for a sheetmask that targets skin elasticity (recommend for those 30s & up), this is it.

• The ‘fine dust’ in Korea was so bad this time around I felt my skin tightening up mid-day. Picked this cream mist up out of desperation mid-day, and it’s never left my purse.

• Peel off caviar mask: I was so impressed by this mask that I even used it the night before my photoshoot for Mimitime this time around.

• No one in Korea uses the Tirtir cushion, these are what they actually use. The Fwee one was new to me this trip and the girlies were right, it really does give you glass skin.

@glowwithavano one uses tirtir red cushion in korea! Here’s what they ACTUALLY use. products linked in my Shopmy under IG/TT. #cushionfoundation #cushion #koreanmakeup #naturalmakeup #nomakeupmakeup

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• If there’s one product dermatologists and locals all agree on - it’s this from Zeroid. No fragrance, no irritation, just pure barrier repair. Very clinical, very effective.

• A cream I’ve been gatekeeping for few months and now I’m done gatekeeping. A hero cream for any post-procedure or blemish-prone skin - claims to provide rapid relief in just 24 hours.

What’s trending:

• Collagen PDRN jelly sticks: The PDRN craze has not stopped… in fact, I guess we are now eating our PDRN. These PDRN sticks are hot off the press and are… quite delicious.

• Pumpkin is having a quiet takeover. It’s been known for centuries as a natural lymphatic drainage food and it’s finally catching on in convenient formats - think tea bags, extracts, water… I’ve been mixing pumpkin tea with other herbal teas to make my own “lymphatic drainage blend” on flights and after heavy meals.

• Strawberries 🍓 are everywhere. Almost every café in Korea has a strawberry latte. Korea has spent decades perfecting ultra-sweet, premium strawberries grown in high-tech greenhouses, with peak season in winter. That’s why every year turns into a full-blown strawberry boom across cafés and bakeries. When the fruit is this good, it becomes a whole aesthetic. Substack coming on favorite cafes in Seoul…

• Dubai chocolate is over (well, kind of). Butter rice cake is the new trend. On a healthier note, bom dong (spring cabbage) bibimbap is also the latest trend - the perfect one pot meal option that is cheap and healthy. I made it with my mom and it’s a trend I am fully supportive of.

• Korea is catching onto the protein trend in the US and we are seeing it more in stores and cafes. High-protein snacks, drinks, even desserts. When the trend used to always be just “low calorie,” we are starting to see a double focus on low calorie and high protein.

• Are we eating our retinol? I’m starting to see more supplements with retinol in the form of vitamin A. It’s a brightening formula but would just be careful on dosage!

• EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) is becoming more prominent - now in body creams, sunscreens, and even daily basics. The focus: regeneration + long-term skin health.

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Where to Shop for Beauty in Seoul (The Real Guide: save for later!)

Olive Young (but do it strategically)

Yes, it’s everywhere—but here’s the insider trick:

• Go to non-touristy locations → these are stocked based on what locals actually buy. Especially in rich neighborhoods.

• Tourist-heavy stores (Myeongdong, etc.) = more curated for visitors, so you will see many more options

If you want the full experience:

• Seongsu = biggest, trendiest, with a strong wellness section. Plus so many amazing cafes to check out after

• Gangnam = polished, flagship feel, but not as overstimulating as Seongsu location

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