Add to cart: summer staples
On cherries, coming-of-age shows and joyful pieces for your wardrobe.
Cherry on top
Every summer, the cherry tree in my backyard is lit up like a Christmas tree with bright red fruit glistening in the sun and bobbing in the wind. Last year, I didn’t get a chance to eat any since I was pregnant and couldn’t stomach most foods. This time around, I’m hoping that I can put the cherries to good use. These are the recipes I’ve saved to try.
No-Temper Chocolate-Dipped Cherries
On a related note, this is a handy guide on how to freeze summer produce like berries, okra, tomatoes and herbs.
Add to cart: summer wardrobe staples
I love a good midi skirt in the summer, paired with a t-shirt and sneakers. It’s an easy and effortless way for me to dress and depending on the tee or skirt, it usually equals instant outfit happiness. I asked three supremely chic stylists about what piece of clothing is bringing them the most joy this summer. If you’re looking for some summer shopping inspiration, take note!
The versatile handbag: ela x Sasha Exeter - Sasha zipper saddle tan pebble, elahandbags.com
“I love it for so many reasons. I love the saddle shape, the design is sleek and looks good with so many different outfits. The brown colour is perfect and goes with everything. What makes it even more special is that you can remove the strap and make it a chic handheld purse. So one day you rock it as a crossbody, and the next it's handheld, or hanging off the elbow. Bonus points is that it's vegan leather. I reach for this treasure often, and it really brings me joy.” - Renée Lindo
Discount code: RENEE15 to receive 15% off your purchase of ela handbags.
The just-right denim shorts: Demo jean short, aritzia.com
“Denim cutoffs have been a summer staple of mine for as long as I can remember. This year, though, I’m swapping my usual sun-washed, cropped options for this boxier, ’90s-leaning pair. Its deep indigo hue lends a bit of polish, while the roomy cargo cut means I can bike all season with abandon.” - Jillian Vieira
The wear-anywhere boiler suit: Quincy denim jumpsuit, ba-sh.com
“Right now, I am finding joy in clothing I can just toss on without so much thought. Having a five-month-old means I have less time to overthink what I am wearing. I love maxi dresses and boiler suits like this denim one from ba&sh.” - Talia Brown Thall
Two great coming-of-age book-to-screen adaptations
If you’re looking for something to binge-watch this long weekend, it took me less than two days to finish Heartstopper on Netflix and The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime respectively. The first is a British coming-of-age story adapted from the graphic novel by the same name. I don’t know how else to describe it except that the show felt like a warm hug and the moment the final credits rolled, I knew I would rewatch it, just to feel that way again. The latter is an adaptation of Jenny Han’s YA series and captured the nostalgia of summers as a teenager when you’re bursting with all kinds of heady emotions. Team Conrad (for now).
Speaking of coming-of-age adaptations, I'm also watching Disney’s Ms. Marvel and will probably write about it in a future newsletter!
From my bookmarks:
Nancy Meyers’s L.A. home
There’s nothing hopeless about being a romantic (“Being a romantic means that heartbreak doesn’t mean your hope breaks.”)
Fan-girling out with Ms. Marvel’s Iman Vellani
The secret to true joy online is to embrace your most cringe-worthy self
Chris Evans and the long-awaited puppy interview