Nine Favorite Things.

Last week I was in Cleveland with family. This week I was in The Hamptons (for the very first time) for work. If you’ve never been to the Hamptons, it’s a little hard to understand. The perception given by media outlets is very high-end. While there are many exclusive areas (East Hampton, North Hampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk, and more), there are over 20 hamlets and villages located along this east end of Long Island.

In contrast to the swanky locations that are mostly portrayed, there are also very rural parts with beautiful rolling hills. A lot of what I encountered was very laid back. From what I saw, it was more horse country than anything else. Each town within the Hamptons seems to be 20 to 30 minutes between each other. Or at least this is what I gathered from those I spoke with and my drive in and out. Having spent only two days there, I’m certainly no expert. I’m still trying to figure it out as there is SO MUCH to explore. But it certainly was gorgeous.

If there was ever another place I’d live, it could be somewhere within the Hamptons, but definitely on a farm. Ideally, with horses and stables, because wow, it is so magical. This would be my dream home. Maybe someday!

Our dinner with Wölffer Estates was beautiful. The entire winery was stunning, and everyone there was so kind. It certainly is a beautiful place. I was lucky enough to be invited to stay on the property in one of their cottages which was perfectly cute and quiet. The frogs sang every night, and I heard the horses almost all day long, which I loved.

The dinner we hosted was so pretty, and the food was delicious. The menu was inspired by the winery’s summer Rosè, which they’ve become known for. We enjoyed a grilled peach, watermelon, and burrata salad with local New York peaches. There were also seared scallops with corn, lemon herb steak, and strawberry ice cream for dessert. It was so nice! I hope to do more events like this as we get close to the book launch!

The following day I quickly signed books at BookHampton. Then I walked around East Hampton before heading back to sneak in some work ahead of dinner.

Friday followed with a drive back into the city, a meeting, and then a late flight. I’m now settled back home. The trip was a quick three-night trip. I’ll be home for a couple of weeks with my family before all the fall madness begins!

Hopefully, we’ll have some nice weather. For us, the weather tends to be nicer as we get closer to September (my favorite time of the year here!).

The only big thing on our calendar for August is a mid-month photoshoot. Asher’s birthday is at the end of the month, I can’t believe she’ll be sixteen! It’s a big birthday!

So many good things to look forward to. Here’s another round of favorites!

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try

loving…the new Khaite for Home collection. It’s very expensive, but I’m excited designer brands are finally getting into home decor, especially the tabletop space.

wanting…the Beis Compression Packing Cubes. Do I need to use packing cubes? Also, what about compression socks, does anyone use them for travel?

everything in my cart (low)…a great striped tee is perfect for warm August days. Speaking of t-shirts, I’m going to try this cotton t-shirt from Flore Flore and this adorable checker baby tee from Guest In Residence.

I really love this rope-handle Should bag from Zara. Also, I need new socks. The Polo Ralph Lauren women’s cushion sock seems nice and is on sale. 

listening to…Shea McGee: Interior Designer and Co-Founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co. I enjoyed learning more about Shea and how she and her husband Syd started Studio McGee. Also French Beauty Philosophy: Violette’s Journey to Inspiring Creativity, Embracing Feedback, and Building Your Dream Career. I love to learn how different founders started their brands.

dreaming of going…the Grand Hotel Miramare in Santa Margherita along the coast of Italy.

I’m laughing at these four Zodiac Signs, which Are the Most Misunderstood. I don’t know about any other sign but my own, but this description fits me (a Virgo) to a tee.

shopping…the new Icon Watch from Heaven Mayhem. These are such cute, sleek watches at a reasonable price point. So excited the brand is diving into a new category!

shopping…the Trader Joe’s organic jalapeño limeaide. I want to recreate this as home.

exploring Vogue’s Official Guide to the Hamptons. Now that I’ve spent some time in the Hamptons, I’m reading this in detail!

wanting…a good travel steamer. I just added this G3 Steamer Iron for travel and home. I will report back if I like it. No more wrinkled looks! 

everything in my cart (beauty)…would love to try the Dae 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand after reading such good things. I could certainly use some help taming those flyaways!

I just added the Chanel le lift creme riche to my cart. My skin has been acting up with some kind of flare-up, so I need a rich cream. I love the Necessaire body lotion, but Chanel is great for the face. The ELEMIS  pro-collagen marine cream is also great. It has SPF 3o and is a lightweight Anti-Wrinkle Daily Face Moisturizer. 

Always looking for a good lightweight face tint, going to try the Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint and the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint.

The Goop dry brush is my favorite, and I always travel with the Dr. Barbara Strum body brush so I never miss a day!

cooking…this Charred Cabbage With Cashew Cream. Sounds so yummy! I’d pair this with my herb lemon garlic steak and rice. Or the garlic butter creamed corn pork chops would be nice too!

traveling…Vogue’s Guide to Charleston, South Carolina: Where to Stay, Eat, and Shop.

everything in my cart (high)…been loving this 90’s small leather shoulder bag from the Row.

I am following…Backdrop. Backdrop is a premium, green-certified paint and wallcovering brand made in Downtown LA. I’ve seen them around, but I came across their Instagram account and found it very interesting. They share a lot of home decor photos and design-focused content. Additionally, it has been a fun account to follow. I want to use their paints for some of our renovations.

shopping…The 2024 Olympic Fashion Collaborations. Having such a close connection to the Olympic games through my brother, Red, I love to see so many brands partnering to create cute pieces. So many fun collaborations for the summer games, I hope the winter games will be the same! The Ralph Lauren collection is the best I have seen in a while. Get the Team USA Flagbearer Jacket, Opening Ceremony Oxford Shirt, Closing Ceremony Polo Shirt, and Ralph’s Coffee Flag Twill Ball Cap.  Gap x US Team Shop (ordering the baseball cap). The Skims for Team USA collection is great too.

Finally, the collections with Nike x Jacquemus are also kind of patriotic (I’d get the women’s bra and matching skirt).

2. Favorite peach recipes to celebrate the season

Watermelon Peach Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

3 Cheese Prosciutto Peach Pizza

Peach Thyme Smash

Frozen Peach Rosé Slushy

Blackberry Peach Galette

Brown Sugar Peach Shortcakes

Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita

Peaches and Cream Pretzel Pie

Nonnie’s 5 Ingredient Peach Dump

Peach Pretzel Ice Cream Cake

Peach Burrata Parmesan Crostini with Hot Honey

3. New fall decor I’m shopping.

4. The 2024 Summer Olympics.

So excited the Olympics are seeing so much attention in Paris. I’m keeping up to date with everything via Vogue! They have so much coverage! I hope the Winter Games a year and a half from now will be covered in the same way.

The opening ceremony highlights are so amazing.

So, what events are you most excited for?

5. How has life (or what experience) deepened and softened you?

Spending time with family in Cleveland was certainly amazing. I missed home and getting back to my midwest roots made me so happy. Furthermore, I had time to think and just be bored for a bit, it refreshed me. It gave me time to brainstorm and reflect, so I’m thankful for that. I’m looking forward to a very busy end of summer and fall. The new cookbook is out on November 19th. We’re planning so many fun events, signings, and campaigns around the launch. Not to mention all my usual holiday content for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (my favorite), it’s all coming! So I’m the happiest!

6. A trip to the Hamptons in Photos.

(getting ready for our dinner with Wölffer Estates)

(our new Snif candle coming soon)

(Chanel in East Hampton)

(Chanel flowers)

(the beautiful Wölffer Estates flowers)

(straight out of a Pottery Barn magazine)

(the look for the night – dress, shoes, bag)

(I loved meeting so many of you at the dinner)

(our table)

(the menu)

(watermelon peach salad – with local grilled peaches) 

(buttery corn)

(the main house at Wölffer)

(meet Body)

(the most stunning local dahlias from Montauk)

(the sunset from Crows Nest in Montauk)

(dinner at Crows Nest – the appetizers)

(the Lobster Tagliatelle + espresso martini’s)

(horses back at Wölffer)

7. Favorite links i’m loving…

The Absolute Best Snacks at Trader Joe’s

The Most Charming Weekend Getaways From Washington, DC

The 20 Best Glamping Resorts in the US

12 Rom-Com Movies That Give Glen Powell Energy

Preview the Delightful New Outfits From Emily in Paris Season 4

Your 9-Step Guide to Mastering Dewy Makeup

The New York Fashion Week Spring 2025 Schedule Is Out

What Actually Happens To Your Skin When You Drink Enough Water

5 Boundaries That Successful Women Practice Every Day

8 Money Hacks That Will Help You Make It to Payday

18 Fun Things to Do When It’s Too Hot to Go Outside

8. I’m still shopping the Nordstrom Sale.

clothing

shoes

bags

beauty

accessories 

9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats

Monday: Sheet Pan Green Chile Chicken Taquitos

Tuesday: 30 Minute Ginger Peanut Chicken Bowls

Wednesday: Italian Orzo Stuffed Peppers with Burrata

Thursday: Jalapeño Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Creamed Corn

Friday: Everything Cheddar Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese

Saturday: Frozen Watermelon Spritz

Sunday: Old School Easy Brown Sugar Peach Cobbler