I’m so glad you’re enjoying Summer Fridays! Chat with me below and tell me how your June is going so far.
EATING
With peaches finally coming into season, I’m adding my one-pot peach basil chicken to the menu. It was a surprise hit last summer — simple, flavorful, and perfect for warm evenings. Last night I also revisited my creamy Cajun chicken penne, which remains a huge favorite in this house.
DRINKING
I’ve been making sparkling rosé Pimm’s cups for pool days — they’re so refreshing in the heat. I’ve also been loving a quick faux Paloma: grapefruit Spindrift, silver tequila, and a squeeze of lime. It’s bright, fizzy, and easy.
BAKING
Definitely planning a batch of firecracker cupcakes again — they were such a hit. I might also make chocolate chip cookie s’mores bars because I’m really in the mood for something s’mores-y and indulgent.
MAKING
All the Fourth of July recipes are coming together. Are you celebrating early or on the day? I’m planning a hot dog bar, plus either smoked gouda smash burgers or an incredible veggie burger option. On the sides: my favorite bacon and blue potato salad with soft-boiled eggs, a grilled corn pasta salad tossed with fresh herbs, a strawberry Caprese with pistachio pesto, and summer crostini with whipped roasted garlic goat cheese that everyone always raves about. There will likely be buffalo bacon deviled eggs, too — because what is a summer party without deviled eggs?
READING
I just finished Summer of ’69 and enjoyed it. I hesitated because I’d recently read Mrs. Everything and loved it, so I worried about overlap, but Summer of ’69 stood on its own. I think my mom would really like it. Now I’m deciding whether to start City of Girls or Ask Again, Yes next — what are you reading this week?
LISTENING
We put together a 4th of July playlist for the holiday — lots of USA-themed favorites. I like to combine it with a couple of my other go-to playlists for the ultimate party soundtrack that keeps energy up without too much fuss.
LAUGHING
I laughed out loud at the Patricia from Southern Charm episode on the Skinny Confidential podcast. I haven’t been that into this season of Southern Charm, but if you love Patricia as much as I do, this episode is a treat.
SHOPPING
I found a pair of leggings through a Facebook ad that I can’t stop thinking about — they were like a 2019 Lisa Frank throwback, but sadly they sold out in my size. I also heard my favorite Halogen T-shirts are on sale for $16, and I’m still wearing the soft Madewell tanks nonstop. Also snagged another Cerastone skillet while it was $5 off — it’s become one of my kitchen staples.
LOVING
I’ll share my June beauty favorites soon, but two bronzy products I’m loving right now are the Charlotte Tilbury Healthy Glow Moisturizer and the NARS Laguna liquid bronzer. The moisturizer gives a natural, dewy glow, and the Laguna liquid bronzer is unexpectedly easy to wear — lighter and less orange than the powder, so it feels like a bronzing fluid more than a heavy product. Both are perfect for a subtle summer sun-kissed look.
JOINING
I’m part of the Pretty Dish book club on Facebook and we’re in the middle of a summer recipe challenge. If you have the book, consider joining — it’s motivating, fun, and full of recipe inspiration. The last challenge we did in March was a blast and got everyone cooking more creatively.
SHARING
There’s a new video for my mom’s veggie pizza — scroll down to the recipe card to see how to make this nostalgic ’90s favorite. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing option for a holiday spread or a casual summer dinner.
Make it a bright one! xo