Hey hey summer Fridays! You’re the best.
CREATING
I’m mapping out the ideal remainder of 2018. I hadn’t looked closely at the goals I set at the start of the year until recently — I’ve been chipping away at some of them, but now I want a clear plan. I’m thinking through what my perfect day looks like, which routines and habits I want to build, and what I want to accomplish next. Releasing a book felt a lot like having a baby: now that a few months have passed, people keep asking, “So what’s next?” and I want to be ready with a thoughtful answer.
MAKING
Planning to bake chewy oatmeal zucchini cookies this weekend and maybe caramelized peach and lavender scones. I also have a bag of frozen sour cherries that I’d love to turn into a cobbler — sounds like the perfect summer project.
EATING
The same seasonal favorites have been on repeat: sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, and simple, fresh meals. An embarrassingly easy grilled sourdough topped with buttery herbs and heirloom tomatoes is always welcome, and a smoky heirloom tomato and grilled peach pasta salad has been a standout — it’s incredible and very summer-forward.
SIPPING
I’ve been enjoying blueberry mojitos made with lavender syrup. Local blueberries are everywhere right now, and they make a delightful, floral twist for cocktails.
READING
From my summer reading list, I’m moving on to either Mrs or Ever After this week. Have you read either of them? I’m excited to dig in and see which one grabs me more.
LISTENING
We put together a Broadway playlist this week — perfect for belting out in the car. It’s fun, theatrical, and full of energy if you need a pick-me-up during your commute or while doing chores.
SHARING
Over at Sweet Peas Meals we shared a free back-to-school lunchbox guide this week. It’s a handy resource if you’re planning lunches and want simple, kid-friendly ideas for the new school routine.
BUYING
Currently obsessed with Zephyr plates in sky and mint — they’re the kind of dishes I reach for for both food styling and everyday use. I want a full set of each color; the matte finish is beautiful and they feel like “life dishes” that are pretty enough for photos but practical enough for daily meals.
WEARING
On the last day of the Nordstrom sale I picked up a pair of booties and I’m loving them. They’re flattering and cute, and surprisingly wearable now — probably more so in this transitional weather than in deep winter.
OBSESSING
I’ve been watching Mel Robbins’ YouTube channel and keeping replays of her short, straightforward videos in rotation. Her “parent yourself” clip was on my mind a few weeks ago and led me to a few others; the advice is simple but often exactly what I need to hear, and the short format makes it easy to revisit.
Popsicles taste that much better after a champagne bath. xo