8 things

Some things I’m loving lately, and you might, too: Sunday night dinners, the best dessert ever, summer reading, accessories I’ve been using on repeat, and more.

Aug 10, 2024

*Quick note: If you’re not on the Substack app, this intro probably won’t make any sense, so feel free to skip ahead.*

I had originally intended to publish this newsletter yesterday but hesitated with all the discourse on the Substack app, stemming from an article questioning the quality of writing on the platform. I don’t usually like to get into these things, but I bring it up because one of the critiques the author made had to do with newsletters using lists and roundup-style formats (like this).

As a copywriter (I always specify “copy” because it’s a different kind of writing and I have incredible imposter syndrome when I read the works of other writers), words matter a lot to me, and I can be extra hard on myself about what I write. My hesitations came from a fear of not adding any value and sounding redundant because, as the author of the article pointed out, so many others are writing similar lists.

But when I reflected on why I started this newsletter in the first place, it wasn’t because I thought I had anything thought-provoking to share. It was simply to write about things that interested me and that I thought would resonate with others and facilitate a sense of connection. Like many on Substack, I view my newsletter as a form of creative expression. All I can do is be myself. Part of that is writing about things I love, no matter how mundane or repetitive they may be.

I hope others aren’t discouraged to put their writing out there. One of the things I realized being on Substack is that you don’t need to be a professional writer to write well. Some of my favourite Substacks are written by people who don’t come from writing backgrounds but who are true to themselves and share thoughtful points of view.

With that, thank you for letting me ramble. Like I said, I normally like to stay out of these things, but it felt right to address it before sharing my list with you.

The song stuck in my head

Even though it sounds like the kind of song they’d play for last call at my old university bar, my kids have been obsessed with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey. It’s been on repeat in our house and car, prompting us to have to explain what “tipsy” means to our 8 and 6-year-olds.

Aside from this, the other one that I haven’t been able to get out of my head and that gives me the summer feels (even though it’s a bit older) is Hozier’s “Too Sweet.” It’s catchy and a fun song to have playing while you’re driving around with all the windows down.

I love when music reminds me of a specific season—do you have a song of the summer?

Sunday night dinners

A few weeks ago,

Emily Schuman

posted about her cure for the Sunday Scaries:

This is something we started doing with friends last year, except we take turns hosting. As our kids get older and into more extracurricular activities, it’s harder to find time to get together. So, by setting aside a specific day of the week (Sundays seem to be the easiest for everyone), we make it happen instead of trying to coordinate calendars and flaking. As Emily mentioned, it turns Sunday into a day you actually look forward to rather than dread.

Our dinners are usually casual to take the pressure off for whomever’s hosting, although my husband has been known to whip up the occasional fancy meal. Lately, though, it’s been homemade pizzas in the backyard.

One of our highlights this summer has been getting an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven—my husband’s idea that took me a while to warm up to. We got very lucky with having a neighbour across the street whose company makes them and who sold us his old oven for a really good deal. Not only have the pizzas been unreal, but it’s also transformed our backyard from a space that rarely got used to a spot for entertaining and gathering.

The best dessert. Ever.

A bold claim, I know, but trust me on this. We saw this dessert while watching David Chang’s Dinner Time Live. It’s so easy and you only need three ingredients, including a glazed donut—preferably Krispy Kreme. We’ve tried others and they’ve turned out good, too, but Krispy Kreme really takes it over the top. Also, the original recipe calls for Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk Ice Cream, which we can’t get in Canada, so we just use regular vanilla with some cinnamon sprinkled on top, and it does the trick.

We get so excited to make this dessert for guests because the combination of melted ice cream, cold ice cream and a caramelized donut is mind-blowing.

Ingredients

1 glazed yeasted doughnut, preferably Krispy Kreme
2/3 cup vanilla ice cream
Cinnamon

Directions

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the doughnut in the pan, and cook for a few minutes on each side, until the sugar begins to pull like caramel, and the doughnut is crisp on both sides.
While the doughnut cooks, melt a couple spoonfuls of ice cream in the microwave. Place in the bottom of a bowl.
Top with the doughnut, then the remaining un-melted ice cream and sprinkle with some cinnamon.

Summer reading

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’m a slow reader unless it’s a book I’m really into. Right now, that book is Emily Henry’s Funny Story. A friend’s wife gave it to me after she finished it, and it’s been the perfect lighthearted, summer, beachy read. The characters are likeable, the writing is good and the plot is entertaining in the most rom-com of ways.

This has been my first Emily Henry book and definitely not my last. I recently stumbled upon

Clara

’s explanation for why everyone is loving EmHen (as she calls her) books and it’s got me excited to read more.

Currently watching

We were almost through season 3 of The Bear, but then started Presumed Innocent, which kind of took over our screen time. I won’t give anything away but will say that Jake Gyllenhaal is very good at playing the shady lead in this thriller that’s a bit of a murder mystery mixed in with courtroom drama. It reminds me of the Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant series, The Undoing (also highly recommend!), and every episode ends with a cliffhanger, which makes it very bingeable.

On another note, did you see the first teaser for the new White Lotus that dropped this week? I cannot wait for season 3.

The Longchamp Le Pliage Original Pouch

Is it the most practical of purses? Maybe not, but this mini handbag, which is apparently intended to be a cosmetics pouch, has been my go-to for those days when I don’t feel like carrying much. There’s enough room for the essentials, and then some.

Full disclosure, it’s not mine—I’ve been borrowing it from my sister-in-law to test drive if it’s something I would actually use, and so far, the answer is a yes. While I still prefer to use my Large Le Pliage Orange Tote I got in Paris on weekends and on days we’ve got kids’ activities (when I’m mostly likely hauling all their stuff), the pouch has been a nice and light option for the summer. It also makes me feel pretty chic carrying something so small.

Le Specs sunglasses

Another summer accessory I’ve been wearing on repeat is these Le Specs sunglasses in Toffee Tort (here’s the black version Gigi’s wearing.) I find sunglasses really tough to buy because everyone’s face shape is different, and what looks good on one person, may not necessarily suit me.

The other tricky thing about sunglasses is that price points can be from one extreme to the other. I’ve bought designer sunglasses in the past, but wouldn’t get enough use out of them because I was too afraid they’d get lost or damaged, especially if I was on the beach or at a playground with my kids. On the other hand, I’ve tried buying some on Amazon, but they always ended up looking—and feeling—cheap.

I bought these Le Specs ones on a whim (and on sale) after hearing others on Substack talk so highly of the brand. I think what sold me was reading one review on their website that mentioned they fit really well on Asian faces (lol). Considering their price, I was really impressed with their quality and how sturdy they are—they don’t feel flimsy or loose. I went for a more classic, 90’s minimal, rectangle style, which has made it easy to pair with a variety of outfits. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another pair and would consider trying something a bit trendier, like this oval-shaped pair, or these gold framed ones.

If you’re looking for more inspiration,

Joyce Lee

did a well-rounded, sunglasses edit worth the read!

Saved on Substack

Once you get there, will you be happy? by

toni bravo

, who wrote:

“the only way to guarantee happiness at the finish line is to pick up pieces of it as you’re running towards it.”

A reminder for me (and maybe you, too) that it isn’t necessarily reaching the end goal that brings us happiness but it can be the little steps along the way.