It’s the return of summer Fridays!
If you’re new here, Summer Fridays are our weekly virtual coffee dates where we chat about what we’re doing, loving, craving, watching and more — and take a true summer Friday. This is the seventh year in a row for these posts, and I’m so glad they’re back. They’re meant to inspire your weekend and add a little fun to every Friday this season.
EATING
I’ve been repeating my strawberry crunch salad during strawberry season — I live for it. I’m also into my summer BBQ chicken chopped salad right now, and lately I’ve been making tortilla pizzas topped with pepperoni chickpeas for a quick, tasty meal.
DRINKING
I can’t quit my peanut butter iced lattes, and I’m still loving lavender vanilla iced lattes. If you want a fun cocktail for the weekend, spicy grapefruit tequila sodas are a standout — bright and refreshing for warm weather.
MAKING
S’more bites have been my easy, go-to treat — unbelievably delicious and embarrassingly simple to make.
BAKING
Strawberry cobbler bars are a personal favorite right now. They’re fabulous every time and always a crowd-pleaser.
CRAVING
I’ve been craving Smashburger fries and my Italian chopped salad served on garlic baguettes. Both hit the spot.
GRILLING
The grilled salmon club sandwich is perfect for summer grilling — crave-worthy and simple to put together.
LISTENING
Playing the Summer Fridays 2024 kickoff playlist a lot — great background music for a weekend vibe.
READING
I just finished The Paradise Problem and adored it. I’ll start How To End a Love Story this weekend. If you need more ideas, check out my summer reading list for extra inspiration.
LOVING
With the school year wrapping up, I have to shout out my favorite hulken bags. They hold a ton, are very lightweight and have wheels — perfect for sports, school gear, groceries, road trips and tailgating. They now come in hot pink, which I adore. The smaller size is great too for lighter outings.
SHARING
Bogg bags have been popular, but I’ve been loving the Simple Modern bag for its style and flexibility. It has the same useful features and comes in an extra-large size that’s perfect for hauling gear. I’m a fan of bold, neon colors — the “80s mix” is a favorite.
BUYING
Some summer essentials I’m using are organized into a few lists: summer must-haves, kid favorites and entertaining items. It’s also bag season — pool bags, travel bags and handbags — so I love pouches that transfer easily between bags. Neoprene pouches in particular have been ideal for summer; they’re durable and hold a lot.
WEARING
I’m still living in a lightweight button-down stripe shirt that’s great for layering or wearing alone. I love the colors, the fit and the fact that it hardly wrinkles.
SHOPPING
A few beauty favorites are running low and up for repurchase. I’ve enjoyed a bronzer I’ve loved, and I’m considering trying a new one. Some staples I keep reaching for are a reliable tinted moisturizer, a long-wear mascara I trust, and a finely milled setting powder that works well over tinted sunscreen.
CELEBRATING
We’re celebrating the end of the school year here — it’s our last day of school and the kids are thrilled. I’m looking forward to a change in routine for a while, though I’m a little sad because we had wonderful teachers and a great school year. It’s always a bittersweet transition.
