Hey hey, summer Fridays — so glad you’re here.
EATING
I’m on repeat with my summer chickpea salad; it’s the easiest thing to prep at the start of the week and keeps well for lunches. I’m also hoping to grill a whole fish this week for an easy, flavorful dinner that pairs perfectly with a simple salad and chilled rosé.
DRINKING
Rosé sangria is at the top of the list for weekend sipping. I also want to make a big pitcher of fresh mint limeade for daytime refreshment, and some rainbow coconut water spritzers to celebrate Pride — light, hydrating, and festive.
MAKING
This weekend I’ll make a batch of grilled guacamole, which is smoky and bright and perfect for sharing. I’m tempted to try salted watermelon margarita popsicles, too — you can use straight watermelon juice to make kid-friendly popsicles — and I’ll prep a smoky summer chicken salad for easy lunches throughout the week.
BAKING
I want to bake the black raspberry lavender cobbler again. It’s floral, sweet, and exactly what summer baking should be.
CRAVING
I can’t stop thinking about chili-lime watermelon — it’s incredibly refreshing with the best little bite. Also: another watermelon treat is coming next week just in time for the Fourth of July.
READING
I just finished 28 Summers and am now reading The Lies That Bind. If you haven’t joined our book club yet, consider joining — we just had our June discussion live and it was wonderful. I also keep a running summer reading list that’s full of easy and engaging picks.
LISTENING
I’ve been playing my summer country playlist on repeat for the last couple months — it’s quintessential summer listening and perfect for driving with the windows down or cooking outside.
LOVING
If you’re not following Tabitha Brown on Instagram yet, do it — she’s uplifting, funny, and wise. She recently got her own show on Ellen’s digital network and she’s just a joy to watch.
WEARING
I’m obsessed with KNC Beauty retinol-infused eye masks right now. They stick well under the eyes and feel like a little moment of quarantine self-care; I’ll share more in my beauty favorites this month.
BUYING
I picked up a new workout tank that I really love. It’s more workout-focused than last year’s favorites — the fabric is sweat-resistant and the fit is flattering. It’s become my go-to for at-home workouts and walks.
SHARING
If you haven’t tried my banana cake with coffee frosting, now is a great time — it’s been a quarantine staple and I recently added a new video to the recipe page that walks through the process. The cake is rich, simple, and surprisingly easy to make.
PLANNING
I switched to an academic-year planner last year and ended up loving it, especially now that the family calendar is busy. I’ve ordered a new Passion Planner for August — the largest size with the week starting on Monday — which has been the most useful planner I’ve tried.
WANTING
I might be developing a pandemic-only signature scent. Scents are powerful for me — one whiff can bring back a specific moment in time — and I’m tempted to reserve a summer 2020 fragrance for the memories this season will hold.
xo