It’s been months since I’ve last done a Five Favorite Things post, so a little life update/ mindless shares post is in order! As much as I’m looking forward to all things fall and Gilmore Girls season, I’m still mourning summer. In fact, if you’ve been keeping up with this blog, you’re aware it’s still summer over here. I’ve been nonchalantly sharing summer recipes as if summer isn’t coming to an end, but hey if you don’t feel like baking a bright strawberry cake or a peach cake right now, just bookmark the new recipes so you can try them in a few months! Problem solved.
This was the summer I realized I really love knitting, I want to move to the beach, and go to more concerts. After 2 years without attending a concert – there was a pandemic going on I believe? – I finally got to see Wild Rivers live and it was so fun and incredible! My last concert before that was John Mayer, so it was obviously epic and I can’t complain but right now I’m just wondering how I’m going to afford tickets to see Taylor Swift when she finally goes on tour, because you know that’s going to be wild.
Anyway, so without further ado, here are Five Favorite Things I’ve been loving lately:
HANDMADE KNITS
I first started knitting during lockdown but then life got in the way and months went by without me so much as picking up a knitting needle. Then this summer, out of nowhere, I felt an urge to knit a vest and haven’t stopped ever since! I love working on new patterns and getting new colors. I love the entire process and it’s fascinating to see a ball of yarn transform into a brand new sweater.
I only work with 100% wool so they can get a bit expensive, but they feel so special and timeless. Right now I’m working on a little capsule collection and started an instagram account just for fun (follow me!) so send me a dm if you want a one of a kind, handmade knit!
PROSCIUTTO AND MELON
I cannot not share food for obvious reasons, so despite it not being anything groundbreaking, I have decided that prosciutto melon is the official summer snack. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s chic.
If you don’t feel like putting in any effort, don’t even bother peeling the melon. If you want to go the extra mile, add some freshly cracked black pepper and drizzle of hot honey. It’s the perfect side dish/ appetizer to a summer dinner, plus it’s so gorgeous!
I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED – JENNETTE MCCURDY
This book is not like other celebrity memoirs – as I’ve mentioned before, I really enjoy reading those – Jennette McCurdy so honestly and eloquently describes her career and relationship to her mother that it’s something hard and upsetting to read. It’s an incredibly brave book, she’s not afraid to get really vulnerable and talk about such hard topics. An incredible book by a talented writer, she offers powerful insights into Hollywood and child actors in a way that’ll really make you think and question things.
HUMAN DESIGN
This is such a fun and interesting one! I heard about human design listening to the What We Said podcast – a favorite of mine – and I’m so glad I gave it a try! I take any opportunity to learn more about myself so I’ve done a bunch of personality tests and read a bunch of self-help books.
Human Design Your helps you recognise your innate gifts and traits. Your chart tells you how your specific intuition works, what your personality is, your unique way of eating, manifesting, and so much more. I downloaded the app and listened to the audio version of my chart and for me it works like a guide and a way for me to better understand myself. Highly recommend!
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
When I first picked up the book I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. It’s long, vividly descriptive, and at times slow, but I found myself thinking about it all the time so I couldn’t put it down. The story is crazy if you think about it. It’s about abandonment and solitude, and the ending left me feeling so conflicted – but if you read the book it makes sense.
I’ve just watched the movie and it’s such a difference experience. It wasn’t as immersive and detailed as the book, of course, so it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I liked it nonetheless. The one thing that bothered me though, was Kaya’s costume changes. The amount of clothes she owns and the fact that she has such an impeccable sense of style was really distracting to me! I know the movie needs to be visually beautiful but I just couldn’t get past the fact that an abandoned girl who raised herself her entire life in the marshes of the deep South had such a vast and eclectic wardrobe.
Have you read the book or watched the movie? Let me know your thoughts!
Recipes Ideas To Try This Week
This Macedonian Kebapi with hummus and salad is a great end-of-summer dinner. It’s quick and easy, and great source of protein. You can make them in the air fryer or pan fried, but either way they’re so delicious.
It’s been a bit rainy around here and these Buttermilk Donut Holes are my rainy day comfort food. They’ll keep you warm and cozy, specially if you put on One Fine Day – the perfect movie for a rainy day if you ask me. The perfect rainy day combo you never knew you needed.
This Shrimp Ceviche is a great appetizer or snack, so bright, fresh and a crowd pleaser. You can make it ahead and add the avocado right before serving.
This Caramelized Zucchini Pasta is surprisingly my most popular recipe! Well, no wonder though, caramelized zucchini is so good and simple. If you happen to have leftover zucchini this is a great dish to make. The flavors get a chance to really develop and you end up with a really delicious, complex dish.
Some fun links
What We Said Podcast: if you enjoy listening to podcasts and you specifically like podcasts hosted by women for women you’ll really enjoy this one. The girls are fun and if you feel like you’re part of the conversation. They often read listeners’ submissions and each episode is so hilarious. Try this episode where they talk heartbreak and divorce in such a vulnerable way. It’s so good!
The Luckiest Girl Alive trailer came out and after reading the book, I’m very excited to watch it!
Maybe Baby Newsletter by Haley Nahman: I fell in love with Haley’s writing years ago when I found her articles on man repeller. She’s since moved to writing her own newsletter where she talks about pop culture and many different topics in a very thought-provoking way. Haley’s such a talented writer and her newsletters are always a pleasure to read.
