+A CHARMING GUIDE TO MY BOOKSHELF: I can relate to (almost) all of these! While talking books, I thought this carousel post on literary award-winning reads by Goodreads was a helpful place to start if you’re looking for something substantive to dive into next. Note Orbital was included! And has anyone else started next month’s Magpie Book Club pick?! OMG – it is excellent! I opened it one night and had finished almost a third of it in one sitting (way past my bedtime). Sally Rooney vibes, but a bit more cinema.
+THE BEST NON-ALCOHOL PARTY DRINKS?: Landon and I try to avoid alcohol most weeknights, but we always miss the ritual of happy hour — less about the booze, more about the sense of demarcation between our work selves and home selves? It’s such a handy way to draw a line between those parts of our lives. We’ve been testing a couple of no-alcohol options this summer; Landon likes the Athletic N/A beers and we both enjoy Ghia’s no-alcohol aperitivi and the zero-proof cocktails from Aplos (Ume Spritz is my favorite). A few Magpies have recommended Wolffer Estate’s Summer in a Bottle N/A wine. Any other suggestions?
ABOVE: GHIA COCKTAILS // FURBISH COCKTAIL NAPKINS // TUCKERNUCK PLACEMAT
+EXTRA 20% OFF STAUD SALE: I know a lot of us are Staud fans, and they are currently offering an extra 20% off their sale! I am trying to resist the urge to order this swimsuit. I do not need another swimsuit…I do not. I do not! But I love their swimwear and this one is so me! All my picks here and below.
LINEN TANK // LINEN SKIRT // GINGHAM BAG // ELLISON DRESS // GINGHAM SWIMSUIT // SANDALS
+OUR HUSBANDS HATE DRIVING WITH US: I shared this Instagram post this week on social media and a lot of us related. LOL. Sorry Landon. This is one of his biggest pet peeves. I included it in my “Marriage Is” post months ago…!
+FOR MY FELLOW RILEY GREEN FANGIRLS: Yes.
+A FAVORITE MID-SUMMER POEM: By Morgan Harper Nichols.
+NEW SHOPBOP HEARTS: Lots of great finds entered the chat this week! This dress ($154) is my vibe for a peak summer music concert.
SEASHELL NECKLACE // CROCHET DRESS // HAT // CROSSBODY // SUEDE FLIP FLOPS
+INSPO FOR MOVING THE DIRT: Let’s go, Magpies!!!
+BESTSELLERS: These AYR pants (recently restocked and selling fast) FLEW this week. I ordered a pair, too. The intel from Magpies is that they are very comfortable but maybe read a touch more casual than they are styled on the site. Will report back when I get my hands on mine!
01. AYR PANTS // 02. HEDLEY AND BENNETT APRON (GREAT GIFT) // 03. PATTERNED SKIRT // 04. BOMBAS SOCKS 3-PACK // 05. STAUB BAKEWARE SET // 06. DR. DIAMOND METACINE PLASMA TWO PACK VALUE SET // 07. ALEX MILL RILEY PANTS // 08. J. CREW DRESS // 09. ANDIE ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT // 10. SPLENDID GAUZE PANTS
Big fan of athletic’s NA beers – especially the summer shandy! An ice cold shandy just hits on these sweltering DC summer days. Big fan of the Ghia lime and salt as well.
Other favorites in our house include Stappi red bitter and Lurisia Chinnoto.
I love when my husband suggests happy hour at home! Like you, I try not to drink alcohol during the week. You should try Curious Elixirs—they taste like a real cocktail (not just sparkling water and not too sweet),and highly rated by NYTimes. My favorites are the spicy ginger margarita (no. 2) and the spritzy rose (no. 9). BTW, love reading your posts and can’t wait for your book!
Mocktail Club is delicious, especially the Bombay Fire flavor. It is DC local and you can buy at Whole Foods near the soda. Perrier also has mocktails now, located in same section at Whole Foods.
Second a shrub- seems like something you and your husband would get into making
I also like a non-alcoholic drink that signals to my brain that work is done, time to engage with self, spouse, family, friends. My go-to is a shrub (fruity/vegetal drinking vinegar) mixed with soda water garnished with a piece of fruit/veg/herb (on ice!). Food 52 explains how to make a shrub if you are inclined, there are so many interesting flavor combos to try (I love celery/mint/lime in the summer- or strawberry basil). But you can buy bottled shrubs, too. On Friday night add a shot of your liquor of choice and it becomes a cocktail 🙂
My husband and I have popsicles on the porch when we’re both off work. It’s a great way to shift gears.