Eat, Read, Go: Almond Croissant Blondies, “Our Perfect Storm,” and New Hampshire

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. You’ve probably seen the viral “top 5 horror movies” trend — which has nothing to do with horror movies. Instead, people share the things, places, and situations that still haunt them. So here are mine from this past week:

• Millennials, you’re not hallucinating — the shirt that defined 2010s fashion is having a big comeback. Thankfully, it’s nothing like the aggressively business casual version we all remember.

• The bag you only brought to weddings and black-tie events? According to stylish women everywhere, it’s now the one you should carry daily. RIP to my hands.

• If the Met Gala is any indication, it’s only a matter of time until we’re all cosplaying as this animal. Good luck to us all.

• The color I haven’t touched since overdosing on Lacoste polos in seventh grade has quietly become spring’s most unexpected denim trend. Stay tuned to see if I cave.

• Costco just dropped an exclusive Pillsbury Cookie Dough trio — and as one fan put it, “I fear these would never make it to the oven.” Too bad I already did my monthly Costco run.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

Almond Croissant Blondies May Sound Fancy — But They’re Actually Dangerously Easy

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Let’s be honest: Making almond croissants from scratch is utterly laughable. But Lifestyle of a Foodie’s Almond Croissant Blondies? You can handle these. The Greatest Pastry Mash-Up of All Time™ (apologies to crookies) starts with a buttery blondie base, followed by a thick layer of almond frangipane — which, despite the fancy-sounding name, is basically a mix of almond flour, butter, sugar, and egg — and sliced almonds on top. Dust with powdered sugar and you’ve got a dessert that’s impressive enough for Mother’s Day and easy enough for an ordinary Sunday. But be prepared: As one commenter warns, “they disappear in the blink of an eye every single time.”

The Time Commitment: Just under an hour.

Key Tips: Another reason these blondies are, dare we say, better than actual croissants? They don’t go stale the next day. In fact, store them in an airtight container at room temp and they’ll last four days. Or keep them in the fridge for up to a week.

Other Takes: Now that you’ve overcome your fear of frangipane, try…

• Chocolate Almond Croissant Bars. Store-bought puff pastry is the secret here, giving you a shareable version of the French pastry — with no lamination required.

• Almond Croissant Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. The only thing better than boxed cake? Boxed cake topped with a custardy, cream cheese layer — resulting in something so decadent, it truly lives up to its name.

• Almond Croissant Cookies. Close your eyes, bite into one of these chewy, frangipane-stuffed sugar cookies, and suddenly you’re in a French patisserie.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune 

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Remember when Ross almost took Rachel on his honeymoon in Friends — then bailed after she got on the plane? In Carley Fortune’s Our Perfect Storm, we find out what happens when both friends actually make it on board. The novel follows Frankie and George, best friends since childhood, who’ve been fighting recently. When Frankie’s fiancé dumps her during their wedding weekend, George — who was supposed to be her best man — proposes they take her honeymoon together, traveling to the ruggedly beautiful Canadian coastal town of Tofino for a week. But as they navigate lush rainforests, misty beaches, and, oh right, their romantic honeymoon suite, Frankie and George must reckon with unspoken feelings, long-buried secrets, and the possibility that their friendship could be something more. That is, if it doesn’t fall apart entirely. We asked Fortune a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Fortune: Bad Words by Ríoghnach Robinson. It’s a debut romance novel coming out in October, about a book reviewer and the author whose novels she’s panned. It’s absolutely brilliant.

Q: What’s a corner of the internet you recently discovered?

Fortune: Jack Savoie’s red carpet analysis on Instagram. It’s so joyful.  

Q: What’s the one place everyone needs to visit?

Fortune: Canada. Prince Edward Island for seafood lovers, Ontario cottage country for the pinnacle of Canadian lake life, and Tofino for the ancient rainforests and moody beaches.

The Rumors Are True: Spring in New Hampshire Just Hits Different

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Sure, New Hampshire gets all the hype for leaf-peeping in the fall and skiing in the winter. But a spring trip? Seriously underrated. As the snow melts across the Granite State, waterfalls hit their peak, trails start to reopen, and the crowds haven’t caught on yet. The White Mountains region — located just a few hours north of Manchester — delivers fresh mountain air, wide-open spaces, and easy access to icons like Lake Winnipesaukee. Bottom line: There’s a lot to explore — and with features built for changing terrain and the confidence to handle whatever the road brings, the Jeep_® Grand Cherokee L makes it easy to focus on the views.

🍬 Start by bopping around Littleton, one of the area’s many storybook-like towns. Stroll along Main Street, filled with charming boutiques, antique shops, colorful art, and restaurants serving New England-style classics (beans and franks, anyone?). As you mosey, pop into Chutters (home to the “World’s Longest Candy Counter”) for a sugar fix then swing by the Littleton Public Library to spot the famous Pollyanna bronze statue — a nod to the town’s literary roots.

🥾 Lace up — or don’t. The White Mountains are a hiker’s playground, but you don’t need to summit anything extreme to get the payoff. Trails like Lower Ammonoosuc Falls offer an easy trek with a major reward: a cascading waterfall that’s especially powerful in the spring melt. Not in the hiking mood? Hop aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway, one of the steepest railways in the world, for panoramic views without the legwork.

⛰️ Take the scenic route (literally). Cruise along the Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile stretch known for sweeping mountain views, scenic overlooks, and stop-worthy photo ops at every turn. With shifting terrain and plenty of ground to cover, having multiple drive modes and confident 4x4 capability means you can focus on the views instead of the road conditions.

Spring in the White Mountains is calling and the Jeep_® Grand Cherokee L is ready to take it on. With seating for up to seven (yes, everyone fits) and intuitive tech that helps every drive feel smooth and in control, it’s built for wherever the road leads next. Ready to see what it can do? Visit Jeep.com to find what drives your adventure today.*

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

I recently visited a bakery where the payment system automatically defaulted to a 15% tip. Am I wrong to think that’s a little much for someone handing me a baguette?

“Not at all. Of course, if you encounter exceptional service, a nominal tip is a lovely way to show it — $1 per drink, 10% of the bill, and so on. But the default tipping phenomenon is partly a feature of regional norms. City and state labor practices vary widely, which has contributed to the surge in automatic tip prompts. This implied expectation to pay above the listed price is, if not exactly unjust, bad form. Consumers shouldn’t feel solely responsible for ensuring fair wages — that’s on business owners to get right. Your 15% tip on a baguette is much appreciated, but it’s never a requirement.”

Skimm’d by: Jamie Feldman and Melissa Goldberg. Fact-checked by Barbara Kean.