Summer Fridays, Vol 3.
It’s the first official day of summer AND a Friday! Things can’t get better than this.
FEELING
All the summer feels! And like this is the first real weekend of summer for us, which is funny because it technically IS the first day of summer! I know. We haven’t had a full summer weekend as a family yet and I’m so excited to sit on the patio, sip some rosé, grill a ton of food and just enjoy the weekend. We have had TONS of rain this month and not one pool day.
EATING
Last weekend I made my root beer BBQ ribs and if you haven’t made them before… oh my you are missing out. Make them with a side of crispy smashed potatoes, parmesan roasted broccoli and this summer panzanella and you will be set.
SIPPING
On all the aperol spritzes because I am so hooked. I made a winter version here, but the go-to classic recipe I make is this one. I’m also loving this spicy watermelon sangria. Also, still going through bottles of rosé over here. My go-to rosé guide for 2019 left us fully stocked up and prepared for every occasion this month.
MAKING
A batch of lavender mint lemonade to have for the weekend! Oh my gosh, I love this stuff. Also, for Sunday dinner this week: gorgonzola crusted steak salad. It’s excellent.
CRAVING
This roasted strawberry milkshake with pistachio brittle. YES.
LOVING
My skinnytaste air fryer! I wrote about it earlier this week, but I cannot get over how much we are LOVING the air fryer. I almost bought my brother and his fiance one as an engagement gift, but I went with the Instant Pot instead. They love that, but now I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get them an air fryer. You know how much I love crunchy roasted vegetables? WELL. They are the bomb in the air fryer. And so quick to make!
READING
Summer of 69 by Elin! I only started it Wednesday night so I’m not very far into it. Last week I finished Mrs. Everything and I absolutely LOVED it. Jennifer Weiner’s writing was incredible. I was hooked instantly and while I did not find the story to be light whatsoever (it made me emotional many, many times), I couldn’t put it down. And it really is just the story of two sisters’ lives. I loved it so much and would love to hear your thoughts on it too. I can’t wait for my mom to read it since it’s based on women her age. What are you reading right now?
WRITING
Out our summer bucket list, even though it’s a little late. I love some of the ones I’ve seen on instagram that are illustrated, and I want Max to pick things that he can’t wait to do. We kicked things off with strawberry picking last weekend and I have a few other things on our list. I’d love to hear your top three! For me, it would be making sure we eat dinner outside at least once a week, heading to a local winery and do a movie night outside with lots of amazing snacks.
LISTENING
To this flashback friday playlist on repeat! Love it.
LIVING
In this sun visor. I am crazy about sun protection and Lacy got this hat first… then I followed suit. It covers up your entire face and it’s comfortable too. It’s a must have for any time I’m out in the sun, walking and I don’t care what I look like in it. And speaking of, if I’m exercising/sweating outside, the Lululemon visor is what I’ve been using. It’s awesome! I love how it adjusts.
WEARING
I bought this dress to wear in Nantucket (if you can’t wear Lilly in Nantucket, where CAN you wear Lilly?) and I absolutely love it. And I am dying for this floral maxi dress! Also, for all my Wildfox sweatshirt obsessed friends… I am loving this flag one. I have such a love/hate relationship with those because you can only get one wear out of them in public and then they look like trash, but they are literally the most comfortable sweatshirt in the universe. I wear them as pajamas!
PLANNING
A wedding! Not for me, of course. But if you follow me on Instagram, then you know that Lacy got engaged a few weeks ago! And you guys always have the best recommendations, so if you have any local Pittsburgh recs for hair, makeup, photography and florals, leave them alllll below.
Can’t I just live in that hydrangea?
25 Comments on “Summer Fridays, Vol 3.”
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My mom is obsessed with her IP and she just bought an attachment (I realize I don’t know how to describe it!) that turns the IP into an air fryer! It’s called the Mealthy Crisp Lid. Hers was literally just delivered 2 days ago so I have no idea how well it works but for anyone who has an IP and is interested in an air fryer but doesn’t want another appliance, it might be worth checking out.
As for our summer – it’s been so cold and rainy in VT that everything is soooooo late. I’m taking my daughter (and probably a million other people) to pick strawberries tomorrow! Bring on the summer!
wow that is so super cool!! two in one!
Jae Lee Paredes for makeup is the best in Pittsburgh!
thanks carly!
I just finished “The Southern Side of Paradise” by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Book 3 of 3) (which I had messaged you about that I think you’d love). I’m anxiously awaiting my turn at the library for Elin’s new book and in the meantime will read “Becoming Us” “More News Tomorrow” or “The Alice Network.” I don’t know if any will be good – I’m a sucker for requesting all of the new books at the library!
Thank you, Simone! I’m so happy you enjoyed The Peachtree Bluff Series 🍑
thank you so much for this rec!! :)
Yay, happy summer Friday!
Just wanted to say that we loooooooove the spice rub for your Baby Back Ribs. We make ribs every summer for our Memorial Day BBQ, and we’ve used your recipe for the rub and cooking instructions for 3 years running now, lol. The only change we make is that we use Maple BBQ sauce from Dakin Farms (https://www.dakinfarm.com/Maple-Barbecue-Sauce,3120.html?b=s*sauce&s=b&p=3&c=6) instead of your root beer one, because I am lazy and don’t want to make the sauce myself, haha. But, the ribs come out AMAZING!! Your spice rub is the true foundation of the flavor, and your recipe cooking instructions are excellent. Our ribs come out perfectly every time, and they are a huge hit.
Reading: THE FAMILIARS by Stacey Halls. Great historical fiction, with an interesting “twist” on witch hunts — it focuses on the Pendle witch trials in England, not the usual Salem witch trials. I also just got Jane Green’s THE FRIENDS WE KEEP in from the library, and I am so excited for that one! Jane Green is one of my favorite authors. I’m going to try to save it for my trip down the shore next weekend, but we’ll see how long I can hold out. :-D
I love the idea of a summer bucket list. I feel each season flies by without me doing half of the stuff that I want to do. Making a bucket list for each season sounds like a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
you leave the best comments CJ!!! thank you!! xo
Aww, thank you! I’m glad you’re not totally put off by my incessant need to respond at length to your posts, hahaha. :-D
I’ve been trying to resist getting an air fryer but you are making it difficult!
Alison Mish Photography! She’s doing my wedding next summer and is so sweet and easy to work with!
awesome thanks for the rec!!
my client, Carla Pressley is truly DA BOMB with hair and makeup. She is a hair and makeup stylist for couples! She travels for weddings from the DC area! http://www.carlapressley.com
thank you!!!
I’m reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (audio in the car) and so far i like it. i love the english/scottish accident of the reader and the other day found my self saying things in a scot-ish ahhk-sent :)
Im in NE Ohio and also super rainy. Im going to a baseball game tonight with fireworks in CLE so to me that is a great summer bucket list kick off. I also feel like a good concert is good on a summer bucket list. also wine night outside by the fire (also good with chocolate!) and early morning walks when its light out but still a little crispy in the AM.
love!! xo
Love the Summer Fridays posts!! It isn’t officially summer until you’re drinking wine barefoot.
Local gal Megan Sutherland (Pictory Productions) is such an incredible video storyteller and amazing human being. http://pictoryproductions.com/weddings/ She flew down with us to catch my hubby’s and my elopement to Savannah, GA. Our family and friends still talk about our little video! Also a GIANT fan of Farmer’s Daughter and Green Sinner for florals. Enjoy the planning- it’s half the fun! <3
thank you so much!! :)
Yay Lacy! I loved all my vendors for those categories: Hair: Shari at Tease Salon, Makeup: Beauty by Joy, Photographer: Hot Metal Studio, Flowers: Curly Willow
I also have a clutch spreadsheet example to manage guests!
Tell Lacy she knows where to find me :)
yay thanks girl!! :)
I second Hot Metal Studio for photography!!!
thanks kate!!
Check out Roxanne’s Dried Flowers in Pittsburgh! If you want to go dried, that is. But the people are lovely and the flowers are gorgeous!
thank you! i love that place!