Summer Fridays, Vol 4.
Welcome to Summer Fridays! Where it feels like we’re jetting off for the weekend, even if we aren’t!
CELEBRATING
An amazing party that we had last night for The Pretty Dish at Room & Board in DC. It was sooo fun – there were cocktails from the book, the bourbon burgers made into mini sliders, avocado toasts and balsamic watermelon feta skewers. I’ll share lots more photos and a post over on Crumbs, but aside from meeting you all, my personal highlight was when Max escaped Eddie’s grip, ran up to the microphone and told everything that “he eats pizza,” he “drizzles the honey” to help me cook and that “we have a baby.” I died.
MAKING
Everyday? Summer breakfast tacos on repeat. Also some grilled cherry salsa to put on all the other things. And to use as a blanket for tortilla chips. You know.
SNACKING
On a few snacks that I prepped for our DC road trip this week. If you’re looking for something fun, easy and delish, my faves are these peanut butter oatmeal energy bites, my pistachio macaroon granola bars and this zucchini coconut chocolate chip snack bread.
BAKING
Blueberry slab pie. I’m about to go nuts on blueberry season, much like I did with strawberries!
SIPPING
These fresh peach gin and tonics. It’s that time of year! I’m tempted to make a frozen version too. Hmmm.
READING
Finishing up The Last Mrs. Parrish. I am torn on this book. While everyone is like OMG IT IS SO GOOD, it really took me awhile to get into it at the beginning. It just seemed too one dimensional or simple or something (and I mean, I love light reads!). What did you guys think?! Super excited because tonight, I’m starting Elin Hilderbrand’s newest, The Perfect Couple. Eeeeep!
LISTENING
To the newest playlist… the How Sweet Eats Road Trip playlist! We were going to save this one for later this summer when we head to northern Michigan, but I wanted you to enjoy for the next few weeks. SO here you go!
DISCOVERING
A new podcast, The RFK tapes. If you’re into anything Kennedy-related and anything American history? You’ll love it. Also listened to the Tom Brady episode of Oprah’s Supersoul podcast and it is so good. So so good.
BUYING
The Drunk Elephant D Bronzi Serum! FINALLY! It’s from my favorite brand and this is the serum that you can add to your moisturizer for that bronzy glow. I’ve been waiting for it to come out!
WORKING
On a post on how I’ve been blogging for ten years. Almost ten freaking years! WHAAAT. Okay technically I’m still at nine years but that’s basically ten so we should round up. If you’re interested in a post like that, leave a question down below! Many of you have asked questions over the years, but I’m going to finally get to it.
EXPLORING
Philly – for a day! We’re headed there today for my event this weekend for The Pretty Dish. Hoping to get my hands on a Philly cheesesteak while I’m there too. Tell me your favorite place. Ready set go!
Here’s to a s’mores packed weekend. xo
70 Comments on “Summer Fridays, Vol 4.”
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Lifelong Philly resident here, and my favorite cheesesteak place is a little stand in South Philly called John’s Roast Pork http://www.johnsroastpork.com
Be aware it’s cash only and there is usually a line, but it’s amazing! Hope you enjoy your visit!
thanks lauren!
Best place in Philly for a cheesesteak is Geno’s. Hands down. Also, I am SOOOOO SAD because I can’t make it to your signing tomorrow. UGH. The last time you were in Philly for your other book, I was giving birth. Hahaha. So. It doesn’t seem meant to be! But I would so be there if I could be! Xoxo!
GAH!!! how do we keep missing each other, haha!
Wow.. Delicious. It’s a great summer tip
Excited about your blogging for 10 years post! IMO, you are superwoman, posting every freaking day (sometimes multiple times per day), and I’m constantly amazed that your creativity never staggers.
thank you love!! xo
Enjoy Philly!! Definitely head to Reading Terminal Market. Grab Beiler’s doughnuts while you’re there…you won’t be disappointed!! So many good things all under one roof!
thanks claudia!
Omg second the suggestion for Redding Terminal Market. Get the pork and broccoli rabe sandwich from DiNic’s. It’s amazing!!! I would actually say better than a cheesesteak… We also really like Monk’s Bar which has an amazing beer selection and really tasty food.
thanks robyn!!
Would love to know your inspirations, strategies for recipe development, and how you plan your posts – just basically, how you do it all! Absolutely love your blog!
thank you amy!
My husband is from Philly! Dalessandro’s is THE best, but it’s a little out of the way and very tiny so you wouldn’t be able to eat there unless one of the like three tables outside is open. So Geno’s is right on South Street where lots of other fun stuff is!
Can’t wait to read your 10 years post!
thanks kate!!
I would love a post about how your blog has evolved into what it is today and how balance it ALL. I always try to appreciate all that goes into the behind the scenes of a blog. I am so excited for fresh blueberries, they are best this time of year. Although fresh strawberries are hard to beat. Have a great weekend in Philly, I am so happy for all the success you have had with the book.
thank you so much courtney!
If you’re looking for something other than a cheesesteak, which is practically blasphemy (but things happen), Tony Luke’s has a great variety of hot sandwiches. Most famous for their hot roast pork with broccoli rabe or hot chicken sandwiches. Its by the sports complex, so a little out of the way.
But Pat’s Steaks is a classic! Can’t beat it.
thanks brianna!
I also have loved the RFK podcast. have you listened to the Ted Kennedy one from People? Its so good!
omg i haven’t!! i will add it to my list.
John’s Roast Pork has the legit best cheesesteak. It’s an off the beaten path location. Their roast pork is really good too but they don’t have broccoli rabe which is my fav topping. DiNic’s in reading terminal has a great roast pork with broccoli rabe. Reading Terminal is such a good stop, you’ll love the doughnuts at Beiler’s! Skip Geno’s and Pat’s, so damn touristy.
Take Max to Franklin Square for fun activities and the Tasty Cake Shake! Or head to Franklin Fountain, an old timey ice cream shop in Old City which has the best hot fudge.
thank you sara!!
Last day of school, sending my oldest off to URI in August, painting the house, hopefully building a she-shed and trying new recipes from your 2nd cookbook. Yes!!!!!!
sounds wonderful! xo
Forgot to mention Spruce Street Harbor Park would be great place to go with the kids and you can hit up multiple great food locations. Franklin Fountain has a pop up there and so does Village Whisky (amazing burgers).
One thing I have always wondered is what you do with all this FOOD? Because I know sometimes you test a couple of times, post multiple recipes a week, and you’re also cooking other stuff AND going out to eat. Do you just have, like, the luckiest friends and neighbors ever?
Oh, yes, and congrats on 10 years!!!
haha thank you!!
it totally depends on the day and what i’m making. i make most things to photograph in one day (they are tested on other days when natural light doesn’t matter). i rarely make things that serve more than 4 (other than cakes or something, you know?) so some things, eddie can finish off for dinner, take for lunches, etc. leftovers may go to my family (who all mostly lives here) – i also answered this in my first behind the book post! :) https://www.howsweeteats.com/2017/01/behind-book-testing-single-recipe-shots/
S’mores packed weekends = successful weekends in my book! Love that about your son on the mike, lol! My son would 100% do that!! And great tips on the books, I will check those out!
:)
So great to see you at the DC event last night! In the few years I lived in Philly, I was always told that Pat’s & Geno’s were more touristy and not really worth it… one of my friends recommended Jim’s on South Street for cheesesteak :) I also DEFINITELY second the recommendations to check out Reading Terminal Market, and Beiler’s donuts in particular! (There’s also Mac Mart in Rittenhouse, which was a food truck that graduated to a brick & mortar — the mac is to die for.)
thank you so much for coming lily!!!! xoxox
Your hubby’s playlists are the best. Totally feeling them so far this summer!
I cannot believe you’ve been blogging that long, but then again it seems like I’ve been following you for more than half that already sooooo… I have no idea how that much time has gone by? Your work is amazing. So much fun content and the food/ recipes ? Always Work
thank you love!!
Love these posts! Thanks for recommending the Tom Brady episode on Oprah’s podcast. I subscribe to the Oprah podcast but deleted that episode without even giving it a chance thinking I couldn’t learn anything “spiritual” from Tom Brady. I must have been very close minded that morning, anyway I just redownloaded it and am interested in listening. Thanks!!
i actually loved the part 2 better than the part 1! it was so good!
I love your summer playlists!! I live on the central California coast (recent transplant) and it’s currently foggy and like fifty degrees out…doesn’t look or feel much like summer, but it sure sounds like it at least! :):)
(that may have sounded complain-y but it wasn’t, we spent the last eight years in the desert so this is kind of like heaven!!)
thanks katie!
I absolutely hated The Last Mrs. Parrish! I powered through thinking – man, something has to make this book redeemable for so many people to like it. Nope! Oh well – can’t win them all!
ugh right?! the twist was sort of interesting (though predictable for me) and it was just… blah!
You MUST stop at Tony Luke’s in South Philly. Get a cheesesteak with American cheese (trust me and skip the whiz!). AND you have to get a Roast Pork Italian – Philly’s even more tasty sandwich! It’s so good you may never want another sandwich again. Get it with broccoli rabe..
Yes!!! I just mentioned the roast pork, too!! I could take or leave the broccoli rabe, but I feel like you must get it for the experience!
thanks dana!!!
Haven’t read that one yet but I read “The Family Next Door” (really liked this one and FLEW through it. I appreciated that it was “clean”) and “When Life Gives you Lululemons” (which overall I liked, but I can’t help wondering if people are truly like some of the people and if so, I want to stay far away from them).
both of those are still on my list!
So excited about your post on blogging for almost 10 years!! That’s amazing. I’ve been reading your blog for I think 7 years, and I absolutely love your voice and just how much fun you are. :)
I’m a blogger too, and I would love to know your ideas on growing your audience and finding a niche! I think as a blogger I struggle to keep my momentum going when I don’t see my followers grow etc. It can be super discouraging, but you are so inspirational! Any tips would be wonderful!
thanks sophie!! post to come!
If you go to Redding Terminal(which you should!) There is a chocolate shop in the back corner that sells Hope’s Cookies. Best cookies you will ever eat. They were a staple in my college life!
oh YUM!
I remember when we talked about the old days of blogging, when you came to town :) So my question(s) for you, to hopefully include in that blog post: What do you miss about blogging back in the “olden days”? What do you think is better/improved in blogging nowadays?
i will add that in. :)
I am visiting Pittsburgh in August and would love any restaurant recommendations if you have any! Thank you so much <3
I was bummed to miss Thursday – we were on the last person (my husband) getting through a family bout of a virus. :-(
It will be fun to hear anything you want to share about ~10 years blogging. I’d love to hear if there was a point that you wanted to throw in the towel on the blog, and why you kept going/if you made changes/etc.
so bummed you had to miss it!! xo
OMG, when you’re in Philly you *MUST*MUST*MUST* go to Goldie and get a Tehina Shake!!!!!!!!! Seriously, check out Goldie Falafel on Instagram and peep these beauties. They are EVE 👏 RY 👏 THING 👏. My favs are banana and coconut. They totally live up to the hype- the whole city is obsessed for a reason!
D’Allesandros for the cheesesteak, they make a buffalo chicken one I gobble up!
Oh man! It’s probably too late, but I swear the BEST sandwich, and I mean THE BEST sandwich I have ever eaten is the roast pork from DiNic’s in the Reading Terminal Market. Google it. OMG, I still think about that sandwich All. The. Time. And I had it almost two years ago!!
Just finished Elin Hilderbrand’s, The Perfect Couple – like all her books it’s a great summer read.
I just “liked” The Last Mrs. Parrish. Not s bad book at all, but it didn’t involve a ton of thought. I wish It was a bit more in depth or complex.
When you come to Rehoboth Beach, are you eating anywhere special? We’re coming to meet you and I’m super excited!
ah YAY!!! i can’t wait to see you! no idea where we are eating – i’m taking my kids so probably not anywhere too special!! we are researching now. :)
Arena’s Deli is just around the block from the bookstore in Rehoboth. It’s a local favorite and the food is great! Great sandwiches and huge beer selection. There’s also a great ice cream shop just below the boardwalk that have over 100+ flavors including some really interesting ones.
Hi Jess! I was at your book signing, probably the 4th or 5th person in line with my bright red rain jacket! I’m almost done The Last Mrs. Parrish too and I felt the exact same way in the beginning! I’m now 81% of the way done and I’m excited to see where it goes! I hope you enjoyed your time in Philly. Next time, I would love to see you do a demonstration or talk!
thank you so so so much for coming kaitlin!!! xo
Reading Terminal Market has a wide variety of great philly foods.
Another podcast to try: In the dark season 2. OMG so good and interesting.
I really want that first photo blown up to hang in my kitchen!!
amazing recipe!! loved it!!!
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