April has been about finding things that actually make life easier—not just things that look good on Instagram. From travel essentials to early morning fuel to a book that tells you you’re probably not as much of a mess as you think, here’s what’s been working for me this month.

protein water

Like everyone else at the moment, I too am obsessed with protein. Protein is really having a moment—you can’t scroll through social media without someone telling you about their protein intake or their high-protein cottage cheese hack. There’s no denying how important this macronutrient is, and there’s no shortage of ways to get more into your diet. The best way to hit your protein target is through whole foods, but sometimes you just need to get what you can get. This is where protein supplements can be great additions to your diet.

I’ve been really into protein water lately. I’d never heard of these until I was shopping in the health food aisle at Coles and found them lurking in the protein shake section. It’s a refreshing take on drinkable protein supplements, because I don’t always feel like a milky drink. Sometimes you just want your protein to taste like fancy cordial instead of a melted milkshake.

I’ve tried a number of flavours and brands and have enjoyed them all: Coles PERform Raspberry Lemonade, Muscle Nation’s Mango and Passionfruit, Tropical, and Raspberry, and BSC Watermelon Chupa Chup. There’s definitely an artificial taste to them—like sugar-free jelly—but I really don’t mind that. You can also taste the collagen, so if you’re not a fan of that distinctive flavour, these might not be for you.

I generally have these in the morning around breakfast time. I go into the office pretty early and really don’t feel like eating at 5:30-6:00am (who does?), so having something quick and easy that I can take in the car works well for me. It’s either this or eating a protein bar while driving, which is significantly less dignified. They have roughly the same amount of protein as my regular protein smoothies—around 20-25g protein per serve—and sit at around 100 calories.

Price-wise, they vary between $35-40 for 10 serves, so they can be a little expensive if you buy them when they’re not on sale. I like to get them when they’re 50% off, making them under $2 per serve. The Coles version sits at around $19, so it’s a more affordable option. These are available at Coles, Woolworths, Amazon, or online through the brands’ websites.

mastering my messy life: my journey from chaos to clarity by steph pase

Does it sometimes feel like the manual to your life came from Temu and smells funny? Steph Pase does too.

Steph is a multi-hyphenate: YouTuber, podcaster, owner of a wildly successful stationery brand, mother, and self-proclaimed hot mess. I’ve followed Steph since 2020, and at every step of the way, she never veers away from relatable self-deprecation. Her first book, Mastering My Messy Life: My Journey from Chaos to Clarity, is no exception.

This book is a good combination of self-help and memoir. She talks about her life growing up in the Illawarra, her myriad of failed ventures (her words—none of them sound like failures to me), her experience with mental health issues and ADHD, and how she became the mogul we see today. Throughout, she sprinkles in tips and hacks for making your life just a little less chaotic.

This isn’t a preachy self-help book about how she has everything perfectly figured out. She’s the first to admit that her systems and routines aren’t bulletproof. The reality is that you’ll have seasons in your life that no amount of highlighting and millennial pink planning can overcome. But that’s okay.

Steph is so genuine and charming. Her most valuable assets are her candour and humour. She’s had an enormous amount of success, but at no point does she trick you into thinking any of it was easy. She’s open about her struggles and how she constantly feels like a failure—which I think we can all relate to. This book is the perfect read for someone who feels like they’re behind in life. Babe, you’re probably not.

You can buy Steph’s book in all good book stores, in hard and paperback, online in e-book form, and in audio book.

paire travel lipstick underwear

In order for me to talk about undies on my blog, they have to be special.

If you know anything about me, you know I like to travel as light as possible. I only take what I need. Underwear included. It can be tempting to pack a pair of undies for every day of a trip, but why take 10 pairs when you only need two or three?

The Paire Lipstick underwear are your best friend when travelling. These are lightweight, travel-friendly undies that come in a range of styles and colours for both men and women. They’re ultra skin-friendly and super antibacterial. The fabric is made from recycled nylon with a silk gusset. They’re size-inclusive, coming in two sizes: XS-M and L-XXL. And they’re very comfortable.

My favourite features are how small they pack down to and how easy they are to wash and dry. You can quickly wash them in the shower, roll them in a towel and blow-dry them. Within 60 seconds, you can put them back on and be on your way.

The Paire Lipstick underwear can be bought in packs of three or seven and work out to be about $18 per pair. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth it. These are so integral to my travel that I will now never travel without them.

the comeback

One of the most beloved cult favourite TV shows is back after 11 years, and I couldn’t be more excited.

The Comeback is a mockumentary-style sitcom centred around B-list veteran actress Valerie Cherish, played by Lisa Kudrow, making her TV comeback. The first season aired in 2005, then the second season followed nine years later in 2014, and the third season aired in March 2026. You’ve got to give enough space between seasons to allow for a proper comeback, right?

In Season 1, we follow Valerie, who was a huge star back in the early 90s, on her journey back to stardom when she’s cast on a hot new sitcom, Room and Bored. The problem is she hasn’t been cast as one of the sexy singles who frolic and flirt in bikinis and bars. She’s Aunt Sassy, the frumpy middle-aged buzzkill. We watch her reconcile with being part of something she’s not entirely satisfied with while still wanting to be a team player and win over the writers, who show immense disdain for a woman they don’t want to sleep with. Season 2 shows Valerie nine years later, after the humiliation of the Room and Bored situation. We watch her try to regain some dignity and critical success and work through a grittier HBO miniseries titled Seeing Red. The problem with the scenario? It’s been written by one of the Room and Bored writers, Paulie G, and it’s based on his experience working with her. Valerie is basically playing Paulie’s version of her, and he really puts her through it.

Season 3 brings us back to Valerie encountering a new industrial opponent: AI writers. The whole show has been written by AI. We see Valerie navigate this new frontier and hilarity ensues.

As always, Lisa Kudrow is a complete genius. The humanity she brings to a temptingly unlikable character is astounding. You really root for Valerie’s success, even though she’s out of touch and maybe a little entitled.

You can watch The Comeback on HBO Max.

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