What are you up to this weekend? We’re hosting family to celebrate our daughter’s high school graduation, plus sneaking in a fun show. (But it’s been a busy week, so first I have LOTS of getting ready to do! If you have a favorite easy and crowd-pleasing recipe, drop a link in comments?)
I hope you have something to look forward to these next few days, and that this collection of interesting reads and favorite things helps ease you into that weekend frame of mind.
The 2023 Summer Reading Guide is here!
Yesterday we shared our 2023 guide with 50 new-for-2023 titles and hosted our Unboxing parties! What a delight.
Visit our Summer Reading Guide HQ page to get yours now, along with the Unboxing replay available to watch anytime.
We LOVE summer reading around here: I sincerely hope our 12th annual guide helps you make the most of your reading life this season.
My favorite finds from around the web:
30 Books Written by Celebrities-Turned-Fiction-Authors. (Goodreads) I didn’t know about a couple of these!
How two friends sparked L.A.’s sushi obsession — and changed the way America eats. (Los Angeles Times) Very interesting food history.
It’s okay for libraries to be loud! Take it from me, a librarian. (Washington Post gift link) “All of this, of course, just adds to the happy hubbub in the library.”
My current lipstick faves have actually been in my drawer for a while, but summer weather has me reaching for fresh shades: I’m enjoying layering Charlotte Tilbury’s Walk of No Shame (I got a small sample size and fell in love) with my longtime favorite Sexy Sienna. This combo was my choice for yesterday’s Unboxing.
Bad Manors. (The Baffler) For anyone else who wants a deep dive into McMansions.
I’ve been searching high and low for a brass pharmacy lamp and was delighted to find this one at Target for just $50!
10 Books for First-Time Literary Fiction Readers. (Shondaland) I’ve only read half of these! Now I’m thinking about what would be in my Lit Fic Starter Kit.
Why Ted Lasso’s Shoe Game Is So Strong. (New York Times gift link) Is it strange to say I hadn’t noticed? But I very much want to see what happens next in season 3!
How to (Ethically) Get Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff. (Wired) Helpful to keep in mind.
Last year I kicked myself for not getting in on the Rifle Paper Co. x Summersalt collaboration while I could, but now some styles are back! Some are only available in limited sizes, but this darling floral is stocked in sizes 2-22. (They also have adorable Rifle floral pajamas, and this is my favorite Summersalt suit of all time.)
Time Is The Best Killer: 8 Taut Thrillers Set Over Three Days Or Less. (CrimeReads) “There is nothing better than restricting time to really get the heart beating.”
Recipes Your Grandma Always Took To Church Potlucks. (Southern Living) This was a serious nostalgia trip.
Van Gogh Painting Gets a New Name Thanks to an Eagle-Eyed Chef. (Smithsonian Magazine) Talk about bragging rights!
Here’s How Much the Homes on Your Favorite TV Shows Would Cost Today. (Apartment Therapy) Whoa!
From our archives:
14 books about endearingly quirky families. They’ve got to be both quirky AND endearing.
Two favorite summer drink recipes for summer reading season. The perfect mocktail and cocktail for this summer!
20 novels that will transport you to the shore. If you can’t spend all summer at the beach, why not try a novel that will take you there?
Have a great weekend!
16 comments
Good morning Anne, I have made this over and 9vee for years. Never lets me down, doubles nicely for a crowd, easy ingredients. Enjoy and happy graduation! https://www.marthastewart.com/318209/slow-cooker-chili-chicken-tacos
Laurie, thanks so much for this recipe! I was thinking of something along these lines and this could be perfect.
Congrats to your graduate! When people are staying over, I think it feels very reassuring to have a baked breakfast ready and waiting in the fridge when you wake up in the morning, whether it’s a sweet french toast or a savory egg bake (or both!)
I missed ordering the 2023 summer reading guide yesterday in time for the unboxing events. But I’m hoping I can still get it. I tried the link you provided above but it doesn’t work. I also tried going to the MMD site and couldn’t find it either! Help!
Sorry about that! I updated the post with the correct link. Here you go: https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com/2023-unboxing/
This recipe for Spring Roll Bowls has been a big crowd-pleaser. It’s my favourite! (I don’t use the fish sauce, but add some soy sauce instead, so it is friendly for vegetarians.) I triple the sauce recipe, and that’s the right amount for our family of 11.
https://pinchofyum.com/spring-roll-bowls
Hi Anne! I so enjoy this Friday email and all the interesting links and book recommendations! Happy Weekend everyone!
Brooke
The TV show homes articles are so fun! I was obsessed with the apartment in Mad About You and could never figure out how they could afford one of that size in NYC (though I guess Jamie’s salary in PR paid well until she went back to school). That’s the one I’ve always wanted the costs for 🙂
I really “get” the criticism of McMansions. Our daughter lives in Sweden, you know, one of those Scandinavian countries that have the happiest people on earth living in them. They do NOT try to compete with each other. They live in houses or townhomes similar to and in the same neighborhoods as their bosses and their bosses’ bosses. They gag at our excess.
On instagram Diane Morissey site her cheesy sausage tortellini bake is fabulous, easy and feeds armies. Every time I make it everyone asks for recipe and it’s embarrassing as it’s so easy. Enjoy the special weekend
That sounds delicious!
Diane Morrissey definitely knows how to feed a crowd. I love her IG, have tried a few of her recipes (all delicious) and can’t wait for her first cookbook!
I love Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks and while I really like “Walk of No Shame” (I own it) I LOVE “Pillow Talk Intense”. I just prefer the darker shades. They both go on so smoothly and stay on. I had never owned Charlotte Tilbury until I talked with a work colleague over Zoom who has coloring like mine. I really loved her lipstick and asked her about it and voila – two new lipticks!
Interesting! I have a small Pillow Talk which is a little bit subdued for my coloring, but I didn’t know about the “intense” version!
I just joined last week, and while I was watching the “Unboxing” all I could think about was how gorgeous your lipstick was! I’m so excited to be a part of this group – thank you!
Surely I can’t be the only person who misses quiet libraries, right?
I mean, as a parent, I love that we’re not shamed for kids making noise. But at the same time, the world is a noisy place, and the library used to be the one spot where you were assured silence (at least somewhat).
Our library has two study rooms, but even in there, you can hear all the library noise. Also, sometimes I want to sit by the big windows and look outside rather than being stuck inside a small room. *sigh*