Nine Favorite Things.

You all, it’s been such a good week! So many things came together this week! We finished up multiple big projects and started a couple of new ones. I’ve been to Austin, Chicago, and New York, and by the time you all read this, I should be home!

Austin was my first stop this week. We threw together a very last-minute photoshoot for a project we’re sharing this fall. I’m so happy and excited we got this shoot in. It was perfect, and I had the best team supporting me, whom I’m so grateful for!!

Austin really is such a fun city! I love how walkable it is. It’s really cute to walk around downtown, I love it! I was only in town for one full day and two nights, but I was still able to enjoy the city!! I stayed at the Austin Proper, which is such a stylish hotel. The vibe is great, and the staff is super nice!

From Austin, I flew to Chicago for another shoot. This time, for a different project that we’ll have more details about a little later in the summer. Sorry, I know it’s annoying that I can’t share more, but you can get excited about multiple new and fun things coming in the months ahead! We’ve been doing a lot of things behind the scenes, and I’m so excited to share them all with you soon!

And you guys! I miss the Midwest so much. Chicago was really showing off. The weather was perfection, and all of the green stole my heart. I spent my morning running along the lakefront. It reminded me so much of being back home in Cleveland. I’m sorry, but I don’t think anything will beat a Midwest summer for me. The humidity, the luscious green trees, the flowers, the lake…and the people. I really love it all. I’m hoping to get back to Cleveland at some point this summer, I really miss it. Might sound a little crazy to some, but home is home, and I will always consider Cleveland home. At heart, I’m a Midwest girl.

We had dinner at the Ralph Lauren restaurant in Chicago, which, of course, had a great vibe and was so good. We ordered multiple salads, salmon, and the filet mignon. And we inhaled the bread—so good! If you go, make sure you get dessert. Coconut cake is the favorite, but the brownie with hot fudge is not to be missed either.

Next, New York! I was not planning a trip to the city, but we had an important meeting pop up, and I knew I needed to make the trip. So I flew from Chicago to New York, took my meeting, and then flew home. It was all busy, busy, but so fun. I was able to do dinner with friends and work on the most exciting things. And I got one glorious Chicago day.

As we often do, we worked with Emily Lutz at Lutz Travel. I wanted to mention her because Emily is amazing and so helpful when planning travel. She’s worked on many of our awesome trips, including my family’s Mexico and European trips!

I’m finally back home and back to cooking. I’ll be home for a week and then off again, this time out of the country to a very new place. Who can guess where I’m heading?

And guys, that’s all I have to share update-wise for today. I hope everyone is enjoying the first month of summer, the sun, and all the green! We’ll have more yummy summer recipes to share this week!

Have the best Sunday!

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.

watching…Take a Peek Inside Shay Mitchell’s Mary Poppins Birkin. I always enjoy watching these Vogue videos. This video with Shay is cute and fun.

baking…Strawberry Caramel Muffins. All summer long, I love these!

everything in my cart (low)…some new Zara pieces, a perfect knit sweater (on sale for $23), cute silk tank, and this tiny rigid handbag. And I’m obsessed with this cute fish necklace.

Jenny Bird has some great summer pieces. This pendant necklace, summery bracelet, adorable matching anklet, and summer huggie set are all fun for summer.

listening to…Beyond the Mat. I really love following Bryony on Instagram and I’m so excited she launched a podcast! I’m also listening to her interview with Lauryn Bosstick: The ultimate wellness and business Icon.

dreaming of going to…Little Palm Island Resort. What a sweet Florida weekend getaway! My parents are in Miami for a conference, I think they should go here after the conference! Their Instagram account is cute.

Testing…Nature’s Gold: Unflavored Colostrum. From what I’ve read, this brand is the purest source of colostrum, which I think is essential to a woman’s daily routine. After taking colostrum for over a year, I can confirm that it has so many benefits, including improved immunity, skin health, hair health, and muscle recovery. I just ordered the unflavored and will keep you all updated!

ordering…new socks for summer. These cute tube socks from Free People are in my cart, and I will be wearing these wool & cashmere socks as my “comfy” socks at night (they are on sale for $30!).

loving…this H&M metal pendant lamp. You could spend thousands on a lamp of this style, but it’s on sale for $30. What a score.

shopping…these cute and affordable leather sandals from JCrew. These could definitely pass for designer. Wear them with this cute bikini that’s also on sale.

summer reading…I Used to Feel Insecure in a Bathing Suit–Here’s Exactly How I Changed That. I think everyone, in some way or another, can relate to this.

wanting…this pretty gold-plated porcelain tea pot and gold-plated porcelain coffee pot. I just think these are so sweet. I wouldn’t spend the money on them, but love the concept. I’m on a mission to find something more affordable. Also, I love this butterfly pitcher. So pretty, and I am a sucker for butterflies.

everything in my cart (beauty)…loving the peach summer vibe, so I want to re-order the Rhode glazing milk, and try the Dolce Glow contour self-tanning sculpt + glow, the Hourglass eyeshadow in natural rose, the Rare Beauty blush in peach pink. Lastly, the Patrick Ta powder blush duo in radiant finish.

and also for summer, the Chanel healthy glow foundation, Westman Atelier baby cheeks blush, Rhode peptide lip tint, Gucci bronzing powder, and Make Up For Ever HD skin face essentials.

watching…The Most Anticipated Movies of Summer 2024. Such good ones on this list. I want to watch A Family Affair, and It Ends with Us. What are you watching?

read this if you plan to entertain this summer…I Own a Store Dedicated to Dinner Parties—Here’s What I Do to Fight Pre-Company Stress.

everything in my cart (high)…the new Louis Vuitton nano speedy bag is fun for summer.

2. Summer Recipes – 7 to Make this Month.

If you’re looking for even more recipes to make in June, make sure to scroll through my latest monthly recipe collection, 30 Recipes To Cook in June.

best summer salad: Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

favorite pool snack: Summer BBQ Snack Mix

the best sandwich for a picnic: Picnic Style Pesto Turkey Avocado Bacon Sandwich

the ideal summer skillet dinner: Skillet Creamed Street Corn Chicken

my favorite go-to summer party dessert: Easy Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

something icy and nostalgic: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

the best use of summer watermelon: Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frosé

3. The new Laura Kim for Crate & Barrel.

Without a doubt, this Laura Kim for Crate & Barrel collection is my favorite designer collaboration Crate & Barrel has done. Every single piece is stunning. I added so many to my summer shopping cart. Here’s what I ordered!

4. My favorite summer candle must-haves.

5. Favorite summer swim.

especially cute for the 4th

6. Austin/Chicago/New York in Photos.

(mornings in Austin)

(nails from That Russian Girl in Austin)

(shooting something special in Austin with Kristen & Ashleigh)

(Kristen)

(Chicago for another shoot coming soon!)

(dinner at Ralph Lauren Chicago)

(I miss the midwest)

(landed in New York)

(Hermes night)

(everything I travel with)

(my childhood)

7. Favorite links I’m loving.

32 Trader Joe’s Summer Essentials to Grab on Your Next Grocery Run

Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Olympics

The 30 Greatest Life Hacks of All Time

13 Countertop Ideas That Aren’t Marble

9 Easy Plant Care Tricks to Keep Your Houseplants Alive and Thriving

20 Ideas to Bring Your Dream Backyard to Life (and a Backyard Tour Video!)

10 Game-Changing Travel Hacks We Learned From a Flight Attendant

The Latest Hermès Collection Brings Together French Sophistication and New York Grit

This 4-Minute Exercise Snack Can Help You Get Toned

10 Items to Buy Now to Make Summer Travel + Packing Easy

These Clean Mascaras Trick People Into Thinking You Got a Lash Lift

The 19 Best Theater District Restaurants in NYC, According to Vogue Staffers

8. All things summer fashion.

yellow dresses

affordable sunnies

summer accessories 

9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.

Monday: Greek Tahini Chicken and Feta Orzo Bowls

Tuesday: Grilled Buffalo Ranch Chicken Tacos

Wednesday: Crispy Honey Ginger Salmon Bowl

Thursday: Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad

Friday: Picnic Style Brie and Prosciutto Sandwich

Saturday: Granny’s 7 Layer Dip

Sunday: Honey Garlic Parmesan Biscuits