395: Nine Favorite Things.

Hey everyone! Happiest Sunday—here are my Nine Favorite Things!

I’m home from Miami and already missing my family so much! They’ve continued on with more summer travels, and I’m so excited for them. I love that they’re taking time to bounce around this season. I’ll meet up with them again soon, but for now, I’m off to Texas!

Tomorrow is our Dallas event at Williams-Sonoma, and I’ve been looking forward to it all week. This is our second summer tour stop, and I know it’s going to be even better than the first! We’ll be cooking up delicious recipes, serving strawberry margaritas and mocktails, doing a Q&A, signing books, snapping tons of photos—it’s going to be such a fun night. Then on to Houston Tuesday evening! Both events are going to be amazing, and I can’t wait to see you there!

I got home Wednesday night, unpacked, did laundry, repacked, and now I’m flying back out again. It’s an on-the-go kind of summer—and I’m loving every minute. Between lifestyle shoots, events, work meetings, and spending time with my family, it’s full in the best way.

Miami was so special. My mom and I both decided we need to take more time like that—together. We were still working while there, but we took breaks for walks, had fun dinners outside, and stayed up late just talking. It was a really memorable week, and we’re already dreaming about doing it more often.

While in Miami, we shared our Summer Cookbook Dinner Party Menu and our Easy All American 4th of July Party Menu—our first real entertaining-style stories! They were so much fun to put together. I’ve received such positive feedback already, and your constructive ideas have been so helpful. A big theme? More tips and more video! I’m saving everything you’ve shared and using it to shape the upcoming posts. I have so many ideas brewing and can’t wait to keep improving this content for you!

This week, I’ll be sharing recipes for the 4th and everything you’ll want to cook throughout July—so keep an eye out! And I’ve got the most delicious new appetizer recipe coming too. No cooking required, just three steps, and totally delicious.

That’s all for today. Wishing you the best Sunday and an amazing 4th of July! We’ll skip posting on the 4th, but I’ll see you back here next Sunday as usual. Enjoy the holiday!

1. Things i’m Loving, Wanting, and Excited to Try.

loving…Oya Wellness. Treated both my mom and myself to in-room massages from the lovely team at Oya Wellness. I’ve only had a handful of massages, but both my mom and I agreed that this one was our best ever. Their approach is very unique. We had lymphatic massages and truly felt amazing after. If you’re in the Miami area. You have to book an appointment.

everything in my cart (low)…I found this very pretty lace midi dress to be perfect for summer nights. I think I would get the yellow, but all the colors are cute. I can see my mom loving this Skirt Set from Free People. It would be a great travel set to pack for Europe! 

I wrote about this bra a few weeks ago, but I’m now obsessed. The FORM Layered Bra is so good. I wore it every day in Miami. Great for outside summer workouts. 

Speaking of travel, I do not travel without a bag for white tees. I keep them in a gallon-size Hold ON bag. I use them to carry all my favorite Eterne tees. It the warmer months I carry the Short Sleeve Baby Tees in white and black, the 90’s Tank Top, also in white and black, and the Short Sleeve Boyfriend Tee too. In the fall and winter months, I often carry this Fitted Crewneck Long Sleeve Top in both white and black. Trust me, you’ll use these every single trip. You always need a good white tee, and the Eterne tee is worth the price. Even my mom agrees. Best basics.     

listening to…Unlocking Optimal Health with Dr. Mark Hyman.

shopping…at The Six Bells. It’s a new hotel in the Hudson Valley with cute and unique kitchen finds!

burning..the Trudon Under the Trees Candle. These are a splurge, but I have this burning now, and it’s really nice for summer. For a clean option, I can’t get enough of the Flamingo Estates candles. Currently, I have the Prinsesstårta Candle burning and it’s lovely! 

everything in my cart (beauty)…I always have this Lip Stain in my bag. The shades are all so pretty.

For the body, I’ve been using this Milky Essence before my body cream every night. It’s been leaving my skin very moisturized! Also, since we’re talking body care, everyone needs the Mutha Body Butter and Body Melt. I use these two religiously and always have them with me at home and when traveling. Same with the Josie Moran Whipped Argan Oil Firming Body Butter – the unscented travel size comes on every trip! 

wearing…hats for summer. I have my eyes set on this Felix Hat from Janessa Leone. I need to protect my face from all the sun. 

everything in my cart (high)…The Louis Vuitton Key Pouch. My Nonnie always had one of these in her purse. She’d keep all her cards inside and then just switch it from purse to purse. 

I really love these Lace-Trimmed Silk Shorts from DÔEN. They’re on sale, so snatch them up, because they’re sold out everywhere else. If you can’t find these shorts in your size, I recommend this Lace Set instead. More bang for your buck too!  Also, the Doen Traveler Top is adorable in ALL colors. Great summer pieces!  

This Hammer Bandeau Bikini Top and Bikini Bottom from SAME is very cool. 

The new Prada Jardinière striped cotton canvas mini-bag is a great summer bag and fun for the 4th of July too. It comes in pomegranate red (in mini size) and ivory blue (in large size).

following…Guy Goodfellow. Not my usual follow, but just check out some of the kitchens he’s designed. They are pretty!

2. Go-to 4th of July Recipes.

Easy Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

Watermelon Peach Salad

The Italian Salad Sandwich

Granny’s 7 Layer Dip

Easy Ginger Blackberry Peach Cobbler

Chipotle Cheddar Chicken Burgers

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake

Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake

Mexican Street Corn Dip

BLT Pasta Salad

The Best Simple Vegan Potato Salad

Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frosé

Toasted S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches

3. The American Summer Home. 

outdoor

4. Favorite 4th of July Looks.

5. Miami – favorite photos.

6. Inspiring Me.

(things that bring joy)

Leave your answers for me in the comments!! PLEASE

7. Favorite Links I’m Loving.

50 Really Good July Fourth Home Sales

Experts Say Eating More Might Actually Help You Lose Weight—Here’s How

11 Easy Activities to Try for a Martha Stewart Summer

Everything We Know About the 2025 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

The “Cortisol Cocktail” Isn’t Just Delicious—It Also Works

European Couples Use This Sleep Method – It’s Saving Their Relationships

These Are the Top Trending Travel Destinations for Summer 2025

11 Classic Summer Movies That Bring All the Feels, Every Time

Oral Hygiene Routine

8. This Week’s Favorite Summer Style Finds.

summer dresses 

flip flips

9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.

Monday: Dill Pickle Salt and Vinegar Chicken Salad

Tuesday: Queso Steak and Elote Tacos

Wednesday: BLT Caesar Pasta Salad

Thursday: 20 Minute Sesame Basil Beef Stir Fry

Friday: Easy All American 4th of July Party Menu

     featuring Cheeseburger Slider Skewers 

Saturday: Toasted Marshmallow K-Bars

Sunday: Frozen Peach Rosé Slushy