Summer Fridays, Vol. 2.
Welcome back to Summer Fridays! Let’s make it feel like a fun day of vacation, k?
Creating
My perfect summer morning. I’ve always been a morning person and am obsessed with creating a great start to the day. But here, I’m not talking about waking up and doing morning pages or exercising or drinking lemon water. Well yes, I would include all that, but what I’m talking about is right after that. I’ve been writing down what my perfect day would look like in hopes to create it for myself so I’m more present. And in LOVE with every single day… at least to the best of my ability. I’m so worried about time flying by (because, hello – it does) and missing moments with my kids because I’m working or on the computer or just generally spazzed. I want our mornings to be filled with sunshine and fresh fruit and smoothies and maybe pancakes and I want us to eat it outside before it gets super hot out and I don’t want to open my phone every 64 seconds. I realize that sounds so easy but it’s a small part of the perfect day and what I want to do! Since I love to hear others’ routines (read: I’m obsessed), I’m excited to hear what your ultimate morning would look like!
Snacking
On the melon mozzarella board above! This is my favorite summer snack board so far. All variations of melon: watermelon, cantaloupe. honeydew, cucumber, some marinated mozzarella. Everything is made into skewers or paired with prosciutto or drizzled with balsamic or pesto or all of the above! It’s a really fun and colorful snack idea and you can make a huge one or a small plate depending on your current summer sitch.
Sipping
Or should I say… slushing? Tomorrow is National Rosé Day so take a look at my rosé guide and then make some of this watermelon frosé! Pretty sure it’s what I’m going to make tomorrow too.
Eating
This white clam sauce pizza with chili oil. Remember when I created this after being in Brooklyn last spring? The thing is that I was in that iffy stage of pregnancy where nothing sounds good and I’ve really been wanting it ever since. It is SUPER delish. Very decadent but also light, if that can be a thing. It can. Trust me.
Baking
This cherry peach crisp with oatmeal cookie crumble. Cherries are great right now and peaches might be iffy – so you can use frozen ones! Fight me for the topping because honestly that’s all I really care about. Also making the cobbler bars from The Pretty Dish with all the strawberries we picked!
Planning
A little menu for Sunday dinner. I’m thinking my house salad, flank steak with chimichurri, bacon blue potato salad and spicy broccoli. Having such a weird, weird thing for broccoli right now.
Listening
To the Summer Fridays Summer Kitchen playlist! Oh yes, here it is for all of your chill cooking, baking and cocktailing enjoyment. I freaking love it.
Reading
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. OMG. Get down there in the comments and talk to me about this book. I read it in 24 hours from the time we took off for Nashville until we landed back in Pittsburgh the next night. I LOVED IT. I’m still thinking about it. So many of you said it was fabulous on my summer reading post, but honestly, I was afraid I wouldn’t get into it. A novel about someone writing a story about someone else seemed too confusing to me but it was unreal. It was SO good. Exactly the kind of book that I love. And I can’t stop thinking of the characters Evelyn and Celia. And Harry! It was one of those books that was so good that I didn’t want to start a new book, you know?
But, I did start Wish You Were Here last night. We shall see.
Writing
And outline because I want to get my freaking dream novel written. Except I’m not an outline person. And I have two kids. And a buisness. And about 128 other excuses that is keeping me from getting it done. So because of that, instead of just ACTUALLY DOING IT, I’m looking up videos on youtube about how to be productive. Makes loads of sense in my brain.
Dreaming
Of staying somewhere an entire month next summer. It can’t really happen for us with Eddie’s job but I am so intrigued (and envious!) following Bev’s month in Connecticut that I want to somehow make it happen! Now if only I could make that month happen on Nantucket like I was wishing last week…
Craving
A little trip to Cape May! That’s more doable. If you’re a longtime reader than you know that I grew up going to the Jersey Shore (Wildwood + Cape May – there are even blog posts on it!) but we kind of scrapped it the year my brother got married and we haven’t been back since. I’m dying to take my kids there but it’s so tricky to find a spot that allows you to rent for just a few days (most of them want a one week commitment) right ON the beach. Also, obsessed with this Tuckernuck shoot in Cape May. So nostalgic for me.
Wearing
This lululemon tank that I’m obsessed with. It’s so stretchy and soft. And I don’t so much love it all flowy and loose but tying it into a knot on the side? OMG. I love it. Kelly Kapowski knotted tops for life. I’ll never stop.
Making
A Trader Joe’s run today! Tell me all your new favorites below and I will most likely (over) share mine on insta stories.
A watermelon cheese board might be the only board I need.
49 Comments on “Summer Fridays, Vol. 2.”
I also loved, loved, loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It was so satisfying and just, good. I read it last weekend and didn’t want to put it down. Great read. I’m picking up An American Marriage at the library today. After all of the hype I can’t wait to dig in to it.
i can’t wait to read that one!
Thank you for the book recommendation! Desperately needed a book, was too lazy to find one on my own, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was available at the library! Win. I’m halfway through and cannot stop turning the pages! (I’m refusing to read any more comments in case there are spoilers.)
I’m so glad you liked it. It was such a page turner- interesting without being too heavy. Now I’m reading The Female Persuasion which I am liking although it is a bit of a denser read. I’m only 100 pages in but I still think I would recommend it. I think that was on Jess’s summer reading list too- she always picks good ones!
Just finished. HOW GOOD WAS THAT BOOK?!?! omg loved it.
Ooooo! Loving the idea of writing down what you want your day to be…genius!!!
:)
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I read Evelyn last year and I still get goosebumps thinking about the last line of the book. If that’s not a sign of a must read I don’t know what is.
YES it is incredible!!
Sandpiper Beach Club is a great place in Cape May right on the beach! It’s part of the Cape Resorts group (Congress Hall, the Virginia, if you are familiar with them) but it’s more kid friendly, and they have a pool. Most of the rooms are extended stay style with a separate living room so there is space for your family. I think they have a 3 night minimum.
thanks lindsay!
Ah, I grew up in Cape May! I hated living there at the same (because hello, teenager) but I miss the beach SO MUCH. When you grow up living about 10 mins away, would go 4-5x a week, and even have gym class next to the ocean, you can’t help but miss it! Enjoy your time in Cape May!
omg you grew up there?! that sounds dreamy!!
Cape May!!!! My favorite place!! I’ve stayed in the Chalfonte Hotel right on the beach for a few days during the week in the summer. I loved Evelyn Hugo today and am counting down the days until Elin’s new book!
it is the best!!
We went to Maine this past year for vacation (I am OBSESSED with the rocks) and we did Cape May last year. Cape May was the cutest darn little place and I would go back in a second. We don’t have kids and since we were doing multiple stops on our trip just got a hotel (Hotel Alcott). Apparently their room sizes are super small – we didn’t seem to notice because we were outside 24/7 but we went at the most perfect time – before all of the tourists – so they actually upgraded us at no cost! I am also following Bev’s CT journey and that is our trip on the books for next year (not influenced by Bev, but so glad I have so many recommendations now). And that book is IN MY CAR. I have it from the library and just haven’t started it.
you must start it!!
Girl, WRITE THAT BOOK!!!!
Happy Friday!
hahaha THANK YOU!!! xoxoxo
OMG I loved Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!!!! I just finished The Marriage Pact…you MUST read it if you haven’t already!
i have read that one!! loved it!
I just went to look this up and saw two books with the same title that couldn’t be more different- who is the author of one you are suggesting?
The soft strawberry licorice twists from TJ’s are EVERYTHING. I also heard they have watermelon kombucha which I haven’t tried but am going to look for! And their cheap and gorgeous peonies.
omg i need that kombucha!
My favorite place on this Earth will always and forever be Wildwood and Cape May <3
yesss they are so wonderful!
I just bought The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a few days ago and can’t wait to dive in!! Also, love the idea of creating your perfect morning/day. I love the idea of routines and obsessively watch morning/night routines on YouTube, but my current routine is still in the “cuddle with my pup while scrolling through IG until I realllllly have to get up” phase haha. Working on it!
On a related note, can I just say you have the best outlook on life?! I love your attitude toward everything!!
thank you so much! xo
I want to get Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi. The last time I went there, they were out!! 😥
i got some! haven’t tried it yet.
As a fellow writer (novels not cookbooks because this is why I need you!) I highly recommend the #amwriting podcast.I’m also a mom of three six and under and my oldest has cerebral palsy so I totally understand the demands in all directions! But this podcast is a great motivator.
-Jamie
thank you so much jamie! going to look into this! also you are superwoman oh my gosh.
My perfect morning: I haven’t hashed out all of the details but I know it would start with waking up at least an hour before my toddler and being able to sit down with a cup of coffee, wake up and go over my planner/journal before our day. Like I did pre-kid. The days (okay that one day) I actually do this really sets the tone for our day. Plus I am quite grumpy when I first wake up and would love for him to wake up to an actually awake mommy.
i could not agree more!!
Loved, loved, loved seven husbands!!! I am reading “When Life Gives You Lululemons” now- it’s cute so far!
i’m hoping to start that this weekend!! how was it?
I loooooooooooved Evelyn Hugo! One of my most favorite books I’ve ever read. After that, I read Educated (fantastic, engrossing story)…then I needed a palate cleanser and am reading the Selection series (basically, the Hunger Games but with princesses. It’s kind of amazing).
i really want to read educated too!
LOVE Cape May & Wildwood! Grew up going there on a family trip every year (I’m from Upstate NY) but haven’t been back since moving to New Orleans – almost 17 years ago. Well that changes this September! I’m taking my NOLA born husband up with me and meeting my family there for a lovely Indian Summer long-weekend away. Ferris Wheel on Morey’s Pier here I come!
how fun!!
Congress Hall and all of the hotels affiliated with that, Sandpiper Beach Club and The Star are great in Cape May, and you dont have to rent for a week. Sandpiper is good for going with kids..but the pool area is a tad cramped in the hot summer! but Congress Hall is soooo cool!!! We love Cape May. Hope you and your adorable fam get to get this summer!
thank you!! xo
Love Cape May! I grew up going to Stone Harbor and we are going in September for TWO WEEKS! I can’t even wait. I highly recommend going in Sept – the weather is still good and there are less than half as many people and you can get a place for half the price.
i am so jealous!! my parents also always went in september and always talked about how we ruined it when we had to go to school, haha. i’ve heard september is the best time!
Devoured that book while on vacation and now I want to die my hair blond and buy a dreamy emerald green gown. LOVED that book! Heart eyes for Harry!!!
I started The Secen Husbands a while ago but could not get into it at first, the concept of someone random writing a memoir was hard to grasp at first. But I picked it back up when you said it was so good and I am SO glad. I read it all in a day after that. It was such an interesting read! You’re right, big concepts but still fun and easy to read. Thanks for making me give this one another try!
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