July 2026
Month in Review
July was full in all the right ways.
We kicked off the month in New Buffalo for Fourth of July weekend. Charlie declared that she wanted to go to the sand beach, so naturally, we did. That little girl is a fish. If there's water nearby, she's in it.
As always, I made my pilgrimage to all of my favorite spots: Skip's Farmers Market for soaps, soups, and lotions, Farmette for sourdough focaccia, Black Currant for donuts and an iced coffee, and Paperboy for what has become one of my favorite meals anywhere: the maple tandoori chicken thighs with raita and roti paratha. It was also where I discovered the Paper Plane cocktail, which has quickly become my new favorite. (I'm late to the party, but what a party it is.)
Back home, I hear from my mom that we've unintentionally started a savory crepe revolution in the neighborhood. I couldn't be prouder.
Work took me to Boston for a big client presentation, a true pinch-me moment to be sitting across the table from a company I've admired for years. Naturally, I celebrated afterward with clam chowder and a lobster roll at Row 34, which continues to live up to the hype.
When I got back, my best friend, Tasha came to live with us for a week. We co-worked during the day and we hung out after hours, it was the most incredible visit.
Later in the month, Toronto introduced me to something that has completely taken over my personality: a strawberry matcha from Ivy Coffee Shop. If you've seen me with a pink-and-green drink lately... now you know.
We also had Tess, Dave, and their kids stay with us for the weekend. Whenever friends visit, I immediately start planning the menu. We fired up the Gozney pizza oven (one of our favorite souvenirs from our babymoon in Santa Barbara), spent an afternoon making homemade pizzas, and the next morning wandered over to the French farmers market for flaky croissants and iced coffees.
The rest of the month was filled with exactly the kinds of summer memories I hope my girls remember someday: afternoons on the boat, floating down the river, birthday parties, our neighborhood's annual summer celebration, and a quiet Sunday morning date with Ronnie at one of our favorite local spots.
Nothing particularly extraordinary. Just a whole lot of ordinary moments that felt pretty extraordinary while we were living them.
Looking Ahead to august
August looks a little lighter, which feels like a gift. We're heading back to New Buffalo for the Mahan Family Wines Harvest Party, one of our favorite summer traditions. Work will take me back to Toronto (yes, I will absolutely be ordering another strawberry matcha) and likely Boston again, which conveniently means another excuse to visit Row 34. I'm soaking up every bit of summer before sweater weather and soup season makes its return :)
Favorites & Finds
What I Read
What I Bought
New on my vanity
I decided I had to try the K-beauty hype, and so I got a smattering of the medicube products at Target.
New in our home
A new West Elm chair that somehow made the entire room feel finished.
New Quince luxe goose down pillows for our bed.
This Sundream blankie for Charlie to cuddle up under.
What I put in our fridge/freezer/pantry
JohnnyPops. Every flavor. No notes.
Recess strawberry rose mood drink
Memories I kept with Archie this month
Family photos we had taken at our home, all thanks to Taylor Good
Margaux’s first steps and some cute baby babbles
Charlie’s trip to the “sand beach” and her time in the pool with Yaya and Papa, oh and of course her face covered in Justin’s Guac!!!
