It’s our final summer Fridays post of the year!
EATING
All the labor day weekend recipes are on my radar — think a slider bar or a hot dog bar for easy entertaining. I’m also planning lighter vegetable-forward dishes like a zucchini ricotta galette and my zucchini lemon puff pastry, plus a fig burrata caprese that feels special but comes together quickly.
DRINKING
I’m sipping on my September sangria these days. I also love the red apple cider sangria for a slightly autumnal take — it’s one of my favorite seasonal cocktails.
MAKING
Perfect dips and cozy mains are on repeat: the bourbon caramel mascarpone apple dip is always a hit, my melted zucchini baked ziti is comfort food with vegetables, and salted honeycrisp fritters make a sweet, crisp treat worth sharing.
BAKING
If you’re craving pumpkin already, try the chai pumpkin crumble bread. It’s warmly spiced and perfect for mornings or a relaxed dessert.
CRAVING
I can’t get enough of the caramelized onion dip lately — it’s truly top tier and great for gatherings or a solo snack with veggies and chips.
GRILLING
Grilled chicken vodka pasta has been a go-to for weekend dinners, and loaded grilled potatoes with guacamole are ideal for serving a crowd or rounding out a summer meal.
SNACKING
I’ve been snacking on apple oatmeal breakfast cookies for something portable, slightly sweet, and satisfying between meals.
LISTENING
There’s a cozy autumn playlist I’ve been playing on repeat — it sets an easygoing mood whether I’m cooking, driving, or winding down in the evening.
READING
I started My Favorite Lost Cause yesterday and have been enjoying the pages during quiet moments.
PLANNING
Back-to-school dinners are top of mind — I love the fresh-start energy of meal planning as the season changes.
WEARING
I’ve lived in the We The Free cardigan all week because the weather finally felt cool. It’s cozy like a blanket — tip: size down with this brand for the best fit.
SHOPPING
Once September arrives I slide into espresso and chocolate tones. I’m loving the new sequoia color from lululemon, and Varley’s chocolate pieces are doing that color justice too. Even Naghedi’s chocolate bags are calling my name — apparently the season knows me well.
LOVING
I’m into the Dedcool Xtra Milk fragrance right now; if you like unisex, skin-like scents, it’s in that beautiful, understated lane. I’m also appreciating a glowy-finish Innisfree sunscreen — anything that doesn’t migrate into my eyes is an instant win.
SHARING
I put together my August favorites and shared them recently. I also keep curated lists for skin-care essentials, fall entertaining items, and seasonal must-haves for easy reference.
BUYING
I just picked up the Crown Affair overnight repair hair serum. I’ve loved other Crown Affair products, so I have high hopes for this one too.
CELEBRATING
We’re wrapping up another summer Fridays season, and I’m a little stunned at how quickly the months flew by. It feels like I just wrote the first post and then suddenly we were here at the end of August. If you’ve enjoyed these posts, I share a similar Friday newsletter each week and a monthly letter on my Substack — it’s the same cozy, curated vibe. Thank you for being here and for reading along — I appreciate you more than words can say.
