Welcome back to Summer Fridays! Let’s make it feel like a mini vacation, shall we?
Creating
My ideal summer morning is one I’ve been imagining for a while. I’m naturally a morning person and love setting a calm and joyful tone for the day. Beyond morning pages, exercise, or lemon water—although those are part of it—I focus on what happens right after: intentional, present time with my family. I picture sunshine, fresh fruit, smoothies or pancakes, and eating outside before it gets too hot, without checking my phone every few minutes. It sounds simple, but those small rituals make a huge difference. I’m trying to slow down time, savor moments with my kids, and be fully there instead of distracted by work or screens. I’d love to hear what your perfect morning looks like.
Snacking
The melon and mozzarella board pictured above is my favorite summer snack right now. Think watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber, marinated mozzarella, and prosciutto. Some items are skewered, others are plated and finished with balsamic, pesto, or fresh herbs. It’s colorful, fresh, and easy to scale up for guests or keep small for a light snack.
Sipping
Tomorrow is National Rosé Day, so if you enjoy rosé, consider making a watermelon frosé. It’s bright, fruity, and perfect for summer sipping.
Eating
I’m craving the white clam sauce pizza with chili oil I developed after a trip to Brooklyn. It was a flavor I wanted throughout a tricky pregnancy phase, and it remains one of those dishes that feels decadent yet surprisingly light—comforting and indulgent at once.
Baking
Cherry and peach are in season, so I’m making a cherry peach crisp with an oatmeal cookie crumble. If peaches are scarce, frozen fruit works great. The topping is everything to me—crispy, buttery, and slightly crunchy. I’m also planning to make cobbler bars with fresh-picked strawberries.
Planning
For Sunday dinner I’m thinking of a simple menu: a house salad to start, flank steak with chimichurri, a bacon-blue potato salad with soft-boiled eggs, and spicy roasted broccoli. I’ve been oddly obsessed with broccoli lately, and this lineup feels balanced and satisfying.
Listening
I’ve been playing the Summer Fridays kitchen playlist while cooking and baking. It’s mellow and upbeat—perfect for warm-weather meals, cocktails, and easy entertaining.
Reading
I recently devoured The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in a single day during travel and it stuck with me. It’s the kind of novel that lingers—rich characters and a story that keeps you turning pages. I’ve also started Wish You Were Here and am curious to see where it goes next.
Writing
I’m trying to outline a novel I’ve dreamed of writing, though I’m not naturally an outliner and life is busy with two kids and a business. Instead of diving straight in, I find myself watching productivity videos—an all-too-relatable avoidance tactic. Still, I’m determined to keep chipping away at it.
Dreaming
I’m dreaming of renting a place for a full month next summer. It’s a stretch with our current schedules, but I’m inspired by friends who’ve taken longer stays and the idea of settling in somewhere for an extended, relaxed rhythm. Nantucket or a cozy coastal town would be ideal.
Craving
I’m itching for a short trip to Cape May. I grew up spending summers on the Jersey Shore—Wildwood and Cape May—and it feels nostalgic to think about taking my kids. The logistics are tricky because many beach rentals require week-long stays, but a long weekend on the sand would be perfect.
Wearing
I’m loving a soft tank from lululemon that I’ve been tying at the side. It’s comfortable, stretchy, and looks great knotted for a casual, effortless summer look. Small styling tricks make favorites even more wearable.
Making
Today’s plan includes a Trader Joe’s run. Share your new favorite finds and I’ll probably post my picks on Instagram stories.
A watermelon cheese board might be the only board I need this summer.