Summer Things

Food things, fun things, sparkly things ✨

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Hi and thank you again for the heartfelt welcome back after my brief hiatus. The reason for my heavy heart is this post is still awful to type out: my husband’s little brother Joe (and one of THE BEST people I know) was diagnosed with ALS in May. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. This is a terminal diagnosis with no known cure. If you’d like to support Joe, his wife and their four children, you can read his story and donate here. Also, half of my affiliate income through the end of the year will go to them, so if you’re thinking of adding anything below to your cart, please pile it on.

And now, because life IS measured in summers, here are some of my favorite summer things.

Food Things

Pan con Tomate with summer tomatoes that actually, finally, magically taste like tomatoes: drizzle sourdough or whole wheat bread with olive oil and toast it — broiler or frying pan, either works. Rub with a garlic clove. Grate your best tomatoes on a box grater, season that pulpy goodness with Maldon salt and a splash of red wine vinegar or squeeze of lemon, and spoon onto the bread. More olive oil on top.

For dinner: a Manchego omelet and arugula salad with Dijon-lemon dressing if it’s just me; skirt steak and roasted vegetables for a crowd (my family).

Fruit Floats are adjacent to Root Beer floats. Douse a scoop of the best-you-can-find vanilla ice cream (I’m partial to Jeni’s Sweet Cream or Van Leeuwen Vanilla Bean) with a citrusy soda like one of these. We tried grapefruit and tangerine, both perfect. Coupes make everything a tiny bit better.

Portobello mushroom caps for snack/lunch/dinner with endless possibilities: mozzarella & marinara // brie and fig jam // ricotta, garlic & fresh herbs // goat cheese red pepper & basil

Brush caps with olive oil (both sides)

• Air fry gill-side up at 375° for 5-6 minutes first to get some moisture out

• Pull out, add your toppings

• Back in for 3-4 more minutes until things are melted and bubbly

Beauty Things

My summer hairdo is a slicked-back low ponytail that I then braid and tie a second elastic around the bottom. I use this* for frizz/flyways. On the weekends, a small silk scarf gets braided in. Tory Burch has some stunning options: white silk bandana, pool-print tie, fun logo.

Supergoop! gave me this giant pump bottle of sunscreen and there is something about having the biggest quantity of something that just feels really luxurious. I put it outside so it feels a little like we live at the Ritz. We don’t, but whatever. Also these sticks go in every single bag.

Buying some fancy product from Fara Homidi is the beauty equivalent of ordering something from Donni or maybe even Khaite?! I don’t know why this is true but you know it is. This eyeshadow is the prettiest sheerest shimmer, and her makeup brushes are insane.

This lip-gloss* (in “mosaic”) looks purple but, it’s not, it’s the ideally flattering mauve-y shade and also very sheer.

Try this body scrub, then this oil after very shower and this body makeup (you’ll also want the purple metallic brush) if you want your legs, arms or back to look flawless (Jess Graves has the advanced seminar).

Wearable Things

I briefly considered writing an open letter to my friend (frenemy?) Lindsay Sword but I quickly remembered she’s the greatest, and friends can disagree without being disagreeable. My issue is with her hot-take on jean shorts. (THE MOCK OUTRAGE) I’m having a jean shorts summer and here are three pairs I like and why I like them:

• The Essex Long Baggy Short ($88) at 5’4” these hit just above my knee. They have no stretch, and they have a Bermuda shorts “eff you” energy but are surprisingly easy to style. I like them with a slinkier tank or a cool t shirt.

• Buck Mason should not be going around making denim this great ($138) and then running out. Arragh. I got these true to size and they have that perfect baggy / relaxed fit. Please restock, it’s early June. Ppl can’t live like this.

• I love this AYR version ($225), but my normal size is way tighter than I would want a short, so they went back, and I am actually going to try these which have a folded cuff ($235) because even though I am now carrying the jorts torch, I don’t need three cutoff varieties.

Are there much more reasonably priced versions of these jelly flip flops? Yes, but I can get pretty caught up in wanting the thing. I am who I am. (Also a solid choice)

Airy, beautiful, white things: easy pin-stripe shorts, mini skirt, long skirt (in the prettiest barely-there summer plaid) ivory slides. Lord knows if Donni releases a skort then skorts must be IT (so crisp).

Sparkly things: this sunburst charm bracelet has me in a chokehold (here’s one with a better price tag). I’ve developed an affinity for all milky, opal-esque things that look like they could glow in the dark (phone charm) milky pink beaded necklace, this pearl anklet, and this rose-colored baguette tennis bracelet* is so freaking casually glamorous, I’ve never received more compliments on a bracelet.

LIP GLOSS // PIN STRIPE SHORTS // SKORT // PHONE CHAIN // LONG SKIRT // MILKY-GLOWY FLIP FLOPS // OPEN WEAVE SWEATSHIRT // BAGUETTE TENNIS BRACELET

Fun Things

Small flying frisbee disc: I try to remember to take this everywhere: baseball / softball games, outdoor concerts, BBQs, etc. Very simple, very fun, very stay-off-device-y. PS: Father’s Day

We learned about these laser cut, wooden jigsaw puzzles in Boulder. These are beautiful and spendy, and it’s tough to go back to regular puzzles after spending an afternoon on one of these. PSSSST: Father’s Day

Swimming was the one sport I was pretty good at as a kid, and I love returning to it in the summer. Swimming laps is meditative once I condition myself enough to be able to complete 1000 meters without drama. Do I need smart goggles that track my progress? No. Underwater headphones? Perhaps.

If you have kids, like gardening, like Zach Galifianakis, or just love to laugh (I’m casting a very wide net, I know) — you will definitely want to watch this show. My son gives it five stars.

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