#15: The Weekly Rundown

A book I loved, new recipe, and lots of shopping finds

Aug 14, 2024

Happy Wednesday! The AC is blowing, and my back is mostly healed. We’re on the up. We’ve had weather in the 80s (and dipping into the 70s!) over the past few days, and it has been absolutely delightful. While it doesn’t fix everything, some fresh air does wonders for the mind, so it’s been great to be able to walk and run outside again.

Today, I’m thrilled to feature Monica Ascioti. She and I also go way back to my earliest days of blogging … I think we met 10 years ago for drinks on the patio at Zero George! We recently reconnected when she created the eudaemonic logo (!!), though I’ve enjoyed keeping up with her life and work via Instagram all along. She’s the founder of The Berkshire Press, a creative, branding and stationery company and also writes a Substack you can find here. She’s a talented creative with an eye for design, and I’m so happy to share a peek into her life today.

What is eudaemonic for you lately?

MONICA: My daughter is five months old, and I've been in awe of how much she's grown in such a short amount of time. I know they say "babies don't keep," but experiencing that firsthand and seeing life through her eyes as she's started taking in more of the world has been more special than I ever imagined!

What’s your go-to non-recipe recipe?

MONICA: Egg wraps on a tortilla are an easy lunch I make often!

Warm your tortilla up for a few seconds in a nonstick pan on medium-low heat. Remove and set aside.
Beat 1-2 eggs and spread them as thinly as possible in the pan with a little oil or butter. And add diced red onion or any other veggie, plus cheese, as the egg cooks. (1 egg is ideal but 2 works if you have a larger tortilla or wrap!)
When the egg is done, gently transfer it onto the open tortilla and add thinly sliced avocado to the middle. Add a little salt + pepper.
Gently fold the wrap into thirds so it looks like a flat burrito. Ideally serve with homemade spicy mayo (mayo with paprika or sriracha mixed in) but salsa works great, too!

What’s your best latest purchase?

MONICA: The AGOLDE Parker Long Shorts. They didn't work for me a couple years ago but I tried them again this spring and have worn them on repeat. The length is great and they go with everything! Also, this nightgown. I wanted it last summer and held off, and only wish I'd bought it sooner! It's great if you run hot and the fit is really nice. (AA: Could not agree more about this nightgown!!! I want a second color.)

What’s always stocked in your fridge or pantry?

MONICA: Frozen edamame (from Trader Joe's) to pair with takeout sushi. Red onion because I use it in everything. Trader Joe's coconut whip because it's the best addition to fruit (with chocolate chips) or an impromptu mini skillet brownie.

If there’s someone you’d like to see featured or a question you’d like to see answered, please let me know! You can reply directly to this email or use the comments.

READING

I finished The Wedding People, and it was so good that I had to come back and formally recommend it. I had a huge smile on my face when I got to the last page. I thought it was so well written, lighthearted yet thoughtful, and just generally fun to read. It does have some infertility/IVF themes (background, not forefront of the story), which made me hesitant to start, but I loved the way it was woven into the writing (like it is in real life). I actually felt like I could relate to the narrator’s references, which made it more cathartic than triggering.
This article made me laugh.

EATING

I don’t know where to include this — shopping, eating or reading! — but Caro Chambers’s cookbook is officially out. I love her recipes for a multitude of reasons, but one is that they are full “meals” instead of side dishes, mains, etc. Also, every recipe is confined to one single page in the book. Thinking about adding this to our cookbook collection.
I made “The Most Adaptable One-Bowl Cornmeal Poundcake” this weekend, and I’m already looking forward to the next iteration. For this one, I used lemon zest, olive oil, sour cream, vanilla extract and added frozen blueberries. It was delicious toasted with butter. Next time, I think I’ll go orange zest, olive oil, almond extract and maybe yogurt. It’s fun to try out the options. Plus, it’s really simple — no mixer necessary.
Planning to make Alison Roman’s “the best tomato tart you’ll make all year” ASAP!!

SHOPPING

Away released a new line of bags: The Featherlight Collection. I love the idea of swapping to a backpack for travel, but I also really like the large tote.
Just discovered Feldspar Studios dinnerware and serveware, and I’m ogling over it all. This shallow serving bowl is beautiful, and the footed bowl is so good. Oh and the striped butter dish!
Obsessed with this set — shorts / shirt. With the long sleeves, it can transition into fall (especially in the Nashville heat).
Bagel socks!
Barrett Ervin’s Bluebell Collection has so many beautiful pieces. I absolutely love her artwork, and I am sad I missed out on this one that would be perfect in our bedroom.
This suede jacket is so good. Someone on Substack (cannot remember where I saw it) wore it super oversized, and I can’t get it out of my mind.
It may be a little late for sandals, but the Fisherman sandal trend has really grown on me.
I love a good H&M find — this cotton blouse is cuteeee for $19.
I fell in love with these Nick and Nora glasses in Chicago at dinner our first night. Promptly found them and added to my wishlist!