Coffee Break #024: Butter yellow nail polish, summer pasta salads, and a murder mystery.
Your weekly roundup of inspiration and ideas to build your dream life.
Dear Friend,
I’ve been writing this roundup for like three weeks now, so it’s a real hodge-podge of things. As some of you may know, a couple weeks ago, my sweet, warm, generous, kind-hearted father-in-law passed away following an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
It was terribly heartbreaking for everyone, and I’ve just been in that grief bubble supporting my husband as best I can through the whole experience. This past week was the first one back in the “real world” after three weeks in our hometown so it’s all a bit disorienting and overwhelming, to say the least.
Thank you for your patience and grace as newsletters have been rather spotty over the past weeks. I’m hoping to get back to regular programming this week. In the meantime, tell someone you love them today. You never know how many more chances you’ll get to say it. ❤️
In Brief
📚 Reading
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune – I started reading this to be in the zeitgeist of a new show for once, though to be honest it seems like people are somewhat displeased with the adaptation and I’m not quite sure if this book is for me yet or not.
🍔 Eating
Trader Joe’s Dill-icious Salad Kit – this thing is INCREDIBLE. If you like dill, you’ll love this. It has this delicious creamy dill ranch dressing and Trader Joe’s dill pickle chips (a perennial favorite of mine) to use as a sort of crouton situation. I had two last week alone, and I may eat it every single day for lunch this week, I’m not sure yet.
🎶 Listening
This rom-com office job playlist on Spotify. That’s all.
📺 Watching
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). Gosh, what a film. I rewatched it for the second time this weekend, and it’s just so good.
📚 Books & Creativity
Weekly Task
Browse a used bookstore and let yourself buy one book based purely on the cover or blurb. No googling reviews or bestseller lists or whatever, just whether or not it sounds interesting to you.
Roundup
I just discovered the Quirky Cup Collective and I’m obsessed with all of their bookish products. I’ve got my eye on this forest green leatherbound journal and this gorgeous velvet Kindle pouch.
I was beyond flattered when Brittany Viklund asked me to be a part of her summer reading list, and the post is, of course, amazing. She’s broken down book recs based on a summer hits playlist. Go find a good book to read!
Who wants to go on a murder mystery weekend to the Six Bells Inn with me? It sounds so fun, and I’m dying to stay there anyway. Win-win.
I’ve definitely talked here before about how much I love Ban.do and their newest collection is no different – how cute is this “I’d rather be home reading” notebook?!
Camp Snap has a new screen-free digital camera in time for summer that comes in four incredibly Y2K-coded translucent colors. I need the Strawberry Splash one ASAP. Plus, they’re only $69 AND you can take 7% off with my code, LIZZIEC7. Win-win.
🧥 Personal Style
Weekly Task
Identify one wardrobe gap (missing a good blazer? need comfortable flats?) and prioritize filling it.
Roundup
How cute are these layered sports bra tanks?! I may or may not have purchased them in three different colors. They feel so 90s/Y2K coded and will be great for pilates this summer.
I’m getting a lot of joy from this butter yellow Essie nail polish lately.
I sort of forgot about Loft, but was reminded how dang cute their stuff is this weekend. I’m eyeing this gingham peplum tank, this Kelly green linen wrap skort, and these medium wash kick flare jeans (side note: Loft has great petite options for my fellow short girls!).
This weekend we happened to be downtown and stumbled upon a J.Crew Camp Crew popup on Michigan Ave. It was so cute (I’m such a sucker for anything camp-themed) and I had to snag this retro “Camp Staff” ringer tee.
Allure has published a primer on how to pull off a headscarf, and not a moment too soon. Every time I try to wear one, I look like Rosie the Riveter. A vibe, for sure, but not the one I was going for!
🏡 Home & Interiors
Weekly Task
Make your bedroom a true sanctuary space (blackout curtains, quality bedding, minimal clutter).
Roundup
How freakin’ cute is this tomato-print doormat from the new Ruggable x GrossyPelosi collection? Psst, it’s on sale for Memorial Day!
Loving this sunshine-y, butter yellow mug from Target for a whopping $5.
This pasta salad recipe sounds like the perfect refreshing bite for summer picnics or al fresco dining. (or for devouring while standing over your kitchen sink at 1am, I do not judge).
I’m obsessed with this adorable retro a-frame. I want a little a-frame cabin so bad.
The Apartment Therapy Best in Home award winners are live! I always love looking through these because I feel like their editors do a really great job with curation and I trust their reviews.
💌 Connection & Self-Care
Weekly Task
Send a "just because" text to someone you've been thinking about.
Roundup
In case you didn’t know, Father’s Day is next weekend. If you still need a gift, may I suggest this deeply chic burl wood frame from Framebridge?
Food & Wine rounded up 19 recipes for summer pasta dishes, ripe with corn, fresh garden tomatoes, herbs, and more. I’m eyeing that Green Goddess Pasta Salad, personally.
Spending just fifteen minutes outside, even in a city, can have a profound positive effect on your mental wellbeing, according to Time Magazine.
✨ Joy & Whimsy
Weekly Task
Plan a themed dinner party or movie night with friends.
Roundup
Just look at this insanely gorgeous and FUN camper renovation. I’m putting this in the joy category because it feels like pure joy, tbh. It looks a little like the inside of Jeannie’s bottle in I Dream of Jeannie, something I always coveted as a child.
I loved reading the comments section on Joanna Goddard’s recent post, “What’s On Your Resume of Special Skills?” For the record, I think mine would be an uncanny ability to quickly and thoroughly memorize rap songs. Largely useless, but fun at parties. My friend Becca calls these “Mundane Super Powers” and I remember discussing them often. Hers was always avoiding speeding tickets, even when she really should have gotten one.
A recent Gallup poll showed that a majority of Americans report seeing small acts of kindness in their everyday lives quite frequently, and it made me a bit emotional. Maybe everything isn’t always terrible.
I’m deeply intrigued and amused by this documentary about several businesses housed in what used to be Pizza Huts. You know how you can always tell when a building was a Pizza Hut, because of the weird shape? Yeah, that’s about it. Except the documentary is also about nostalgia, decay, and transformation.
This:
⏰ ICYMI
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Sending lots of love your way Lizzie!
I’m sorry for your loss 🖤 take all the extra time you need!