Happy July! I love July. It’s hot enough to get in the pool at any hour, the days feel long and languid, and we are in the sticky slowness of summer. I’m doing my best to savor it.
Savoring feels extra important this summer. The last time I was here, I shared that I was promoted to vice principal. This time, I’m happy to share that I graduated from my Master of Fine Arts in Writing program with a degree in fiction and nonfiction. I’ve spent the past two and a half years reading and writing and submitting new work, and while it’s been a joy, I’m also really thrilled to be done and proud of what I accomplished.
Both a change in job and the end of a degree program mean that my life has shifted significantly in terms of demands on my time, my habits, and my routines. Typically, that sort of change leaves me feeling unmoored and stressed out. My tendency is to rush into the next thing and set a bunch of new goals. Don’t worry — I’m doing that, too — but I’m also taking a moment to slow down and delight in this in-between without rushing and worrying about it all.
Thankfully, July is the perfect time of year to slow down and revel. I hope you’re finding ways to enjoy the big and the small things without worrying too much about what’s next.
• One of my favorite summer traditions is keeping our chest freezer FULL of ice cream treats. In the summer, ice cream is an acceptable dinner, so these three storebought ice cream treats will be going in my rotation for sure. (Joy The Baker)
• Sometimes, self-censorship is actually good. (Bad Faith Times)
• Are you tired or truly burnt out? (Time)
• I’m forever chasing the perfect tomato leaf scented candle, and this list from Bon Appetit has some new options I want to try! (Bon Appetit)
• I am going to be making this Strawberry Malt Icebox cake immediately and trying not to eat it all (Joy The Baker)
• Somehow, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill turned 30 this summer and it remains a perfect album that encapsulates female rage. (Elle)
• I’ve been really into PACT clothing lately, specifically this linen dress, this button-down dress, and this perfect crochet cover-up (which is on sale! Run, don’t walk!). (Pact)
• A friend and I talked about corn cookies and I finally made Christina Tosi’s recipe this week and they were delicious. Recommend! (Milk Bar)
• 20 summer dinner recipes that don’t require turning on your oven. YES. (The Everygirl)
• I really love hearing about women’s thoughts on aging — especially when they’re slightly older than me. Here are 17 famous women’s philosophies on aging. (Harper’s Bazaar)
• I’ve been living on stone fruit this week, and this peach crisp seems like a perfect way to enjoy more of it! (Joy The Baker)
• My obsession with LAKE’s pima cotton pajamas continues to run strong. Nothing keeps me cooler while sleeping and they are SO SOFT. (LAKE)
• After having curly hair my entire life, my hair is suddenly straight? It’s very strange. (Substack)
• How Britney, Taylor, and Beyoncé defined the 2000s and changed pop culture forever. As an elder millennial, my current summer playlist in the year of our Lord 2025 includes all three of them. (Los Angeles Times)
• 53 healthy summer dinners that are NOT a salad. (Bon Appetit)
• Are you having a frazzled English woman summer? I don’t know that I want to have a hot girl summer or any other sort. I just wanna have a summer. (Bustle)
• I don’t need another summer dress, but this Madewell number is on sale and it looks perfect. (Nordstrom Rack)
• I’m hosting a party that includes a DIY charm bar in a few weeks, so I’ve been perusing HonestlyWTF’s amazing DIY projects in preparation. I also ordered this amazing kit from Bauble Bar to use. I’m excited! (HonestlyWTF, Bauble Bar)
