Happy SUMMER FRIDAY! Enjoy the long weekend.
MAKING
This time of year calls for a simple, incredible tomato salad made with tomatoes at their peak. Toss ripe heirloom tomatoes with lemon juice, good olive oil, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and shaved Parmesan. Serve the tomatoes over a bed of mixed greens or peppery arugula for a bright, fresh side or light meal. The combination is vibrant, juicy and utterly satisfying.
SIPPING
I’ll be sipping plenty of chilled rosé this long weekend. I’m pulling from favorite bottles and trying some new options for the rest of the season—rosé is perfect for warm afternoons and casual gatherings.
EATING
So many excellent options for Labor Day weekend: smoked gouda smash burgers, crispy bacon pasta salad, mini zucchini pizzas, a summer cheese plate with goat cheese and figs, and a spicy watermelon sangria. These recipes are crowd-pleasers and easy to scale up for backyard barbecues and cookouts. What are you making this weekend?
SHARING
I’m launching a beat-the-boredom dinner series at Sweet Peas Meals in the next few weeks—three meals that take 30 minutes or less to prepare, designed to bring flavor and fun back to weeknight cooking. I’ll share launch details on Instagram, so follow along for updates.
WEARING
My go-to basic tee right now is an affordable, well-made staple that’s under $20. These shirts are soft, flattering and hold up better than many similar options. I wear the white and black constantly—perfect for casual summer days.
LISTENING
On repeat: a summer playlist full of upbeat tracks and easygoing favorites that soundtrack long afternoons and late evenings. It’s a great mix for entertaining or relaxing outdoors.
READING
I’m juggling two books: I’m starting Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and I’ve also downloaded an audiobook about finding more happiness in parenthood. Both are perfect for different moods—one for quiet evenings and the other for listening while doing chores or driving.
BUYING
Decor-wise, I’m already thinking about transitional fall pieces. I love MacKenzie-Childs’ courtly check pumpkins and a few iridescent blue-luster pumpkins that catch the light beautifully. These small touches update the home for the season without going overboard.
CELEBRATING
College football returns this weekend, and we’re excited. I have a collection of favorite football-food recipes that make game days better—everything from sliders and dips to hearty mains and easy sides. We’re rooting for Notre Dame this season (Eddie’s longtime favorite), though we both grew up cheering for Michigan, so there’s plenty of game-day excitement in the house.
GOING
I’ll be going live on Instagram soon. Do you prefer evenings after work or midday during lunch? Tell me what time works best so I can plan a live session that’s convenient for most people.
LOVING
I’ve loved sharing Summer Fridays over the past months, but with Labor Day here I’m pausing the series until next year. Fall is my favorite season for new recipes, and I’m excited to bring back Friday recipes for the next few months. I have plenty of seasonal dishes I can’t wait to share—so many that it feels like there aren’t enough days left in the year to post them all. If you miss these updates, I post similar content on Crumbs, especially in my Tuesday Things and monthly favorites features.
The best of the best.