EDITOR’S NOTE
Happy Saturday. I’ve seen enough: After one miserable trek through a downpour on a 45-degree day, I’m getting my sweaters out of storage, switching from iced coffee to hot, and counting down to the day the sun stops setting before 5 pm. In a (probably futile) effort to stave off the impending seasonal scaries, I’ll also…
Whip up another round of this cozy sheet-pan dinner, which I tried for the first time last week and instantly knew would enter my regular rotation. Because (a) mini meatballs with crispy gnocchi and (b) less than 10 minutes of prep.
Add white jeans to my fall wardrobe after seeing how much cooler they look post-Labor Day. Even better, they’ll work with everything already in my closet, from my favorite red sweater to a silk cami.
Experiment with a subtler, less Y2K approach to my makeup guilty pleasure (lavender eye shadow), courtesy of a tutorial so simple even I can’t mess it up.
Make my casual outfits approximately “30% chicer” by trading my basic white tee for a punchier striped shirt. I’ve got my eye on this Madewell one, which reads more funky than preppy.
Test-drive the most important innovation in Caesar salad history: swapping the croutons for another crunchy (and frankly superior) carb. Trust me.
FEATURED EXPERT:
Julia Reinstein
Julia Reinstein is a culture and leisure writer at theSkimm. As the voice behind theSkimm’s full slate of weekend newsletters, she shares everything you need to know each week about what’s going on in pop culture, as well as recommendations for books, recipes, movies and TV shows, fashion, beauty, and all sorts of tips to make your everyday life just a little bit better.
She also curates the weekly etiquette advice section, where experts answer readers' real-life questions about navigating tricky situations involving friends, family, work, relationships, and more. (Have a dicey problem you could use some advice on? Shoot her an email, and your question might be featured next.)
Prior to joining theSkimm, Julia worked as a journalist at a number of different outlets, including The Cut, ABC News, and BuzzFeed News. Her work has also appeared in the Rolling Stone, New York Magazine, The New York Times, and The Independent. Her reporting has touched upon a wide range of topics, including breaking news, politics, internet culture, and features. Julia’s work has taken her to a number of high-profile court cases, including those against Kevin Spacey, Donald Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, and R. Kelly, the latter for which she appeared in the Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly: The Final Chapter. In 2025, she was selected for Loyola Law School’s Journalist Law School fellowship. She’s a graduate of American University, where she studied journalism.
Julia lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her boyfriend. When she’s not working, she spends her time reading, vintage shopping, trying out new restaurants, doing crossword puzzles, going to concerts, and birdwatching (a hobby she shares with her cat, Tomato). Contact her for unflinching opinions about the best seltzer brands, esoteric memes, or invitations to karaoke, where she will wow you and your associates with her flawless rendition of Third Eye Blind’s “Semi-Charmed Life.”
This One-Pot Bucatini Is Basically Hot Honey Pizza in Pasta Form
theSkimm
On the verge of ordering pizza for the third time this month? Put down your phone. Nora Singley’s Bee Sting Bucatini — from her new cookbook, One-Pot Pasta — is here to help. Inspired by the cult-favorite Bee Sting Pizza from Roberta’s in Brooklyn (think: soppressata, tomato sauce, globs of cheese, and a drizzle of hot honey), this fuss-free recipe takes all that sweet-and-spicy goodness and swaps the crust for pasta. Virtually everything happens in a large pot or Dutch oven: The soppressata crisps up, a pantry-friendly tomato sauce comes together, and the bucatini cooks right in the sauce. Top it with ricotta, fresh basil, and plenty of hot honey — and suddenly, we understand Winnie-the-Pooh’s priorities.
The Time Commitment: About 40 minutes.
Key Tips: To keep your bucatini intact, go easy on the stirring. Singley recommends using tongs and treating the noodles “as you would delicate salad greens.” No soppressata? Any salami works, or skip it entirely for a spicy, meat-free tomato pasta.
Other Takes: For more one-pot wonders, try…
Marry Me Chicken Soup. This absurdly comforting, 30-minute riff on the viral dish has sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and a healthy dose of Parm — no fork or knife required.
Roman Chicken Cacciatore With Potatoes. In the words of one fan: “This recipe makes me want to fling myself on the ground and flail around in sheer ecstasy.”
Skillet Lasagna. All of the layers of flavor, none of the actual layering. And it’s so cheesy, it might even convince Garfield he loves Mondays.
Roadshow by Nikki Ervice
theSkimm
Our sincerest apologies to Homer, but we’re hard-pressed to think of a more gripping odyssey than the one in Nikki Ervice’s Roadshow. The novel centers on Annie — a burlesque dancer who performs in a mask of her childhood dog — struggling to make rent in NYC. Then an unexpected letter arrives: Her mother, who abandoned her as a baby, is dying and wants to meet. So Annie sets off on a cross-country road trip to the remote Alaskan island where she was born, stripping in seedy clubs along the way to fund her travels… and stealing gas when her bank account dips too low. The journey is treacherous (picture wildfires, bad decisions, unsavory characters, and a bachelor party more dangerous than all of the above), but Annie presses on, racing to reach her estranged mother before it’s too late. We chatted with Ervice about what she’s reading and the condiment she’d take to a deserted island.
Q: What’s a corner of the internet you recently discovered?
Ervice: Maybe it’s because I wrote about a woman who dances in a papier-mâché mask, but I’ve recently encountered a lot of puppeteers who work on a large scale and artists who make giant wearable heads out of papier-mâché. They’re incredible.
Q: What’s your favorite unapologetic indulgence?
Ervice: Mayonnaise. I use so much, especially on sandwiches. It’s a little gross. Duke’s is the best.
Q: What’s the last social media post you sent to your friends?
Ervice: Heidi Klum in her severed-hand Halloween costume screaming “HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE.” It’s very good.
PS: The book Ervice can’t stop thinking about? Find out here.
Mark Our Words: This Mexican Beach Destination Will Be the Next Cabo
theSkimm
By our (very unscientific) observations, calling a place “magical” is almost always hyperbole. But in Loreto’s case, it’s official: The Mexican government designated it a “Pueblo Mágico” for its astonishing natural beauty, historic preservation, and exceptional charm. After one quick Google Images search, you’ll agree. Imagine white sandy beaches with impossibly blue waters teeming with more than 800 marine species; a town lined with colorfully painted homes and well-preserved buildings dating back hundreds of years; and some of the best Mexican food of your life. But above all? It doesn’t have the megaresorts and crowds of the better-known parts of Baja California Sur (looking at you, Cabo San Lucas). So go now, before everyone else catches on.
🐠 Sure, you could admire the Sea of Cortez from your beach chair. Or you could jump into what French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called the “Aquarium of the World.” One of the best places to do that is Loreto Bay National Park, encompassing some 800 square miles of protected waters and five uninhabited islands accessible by boat. Those include Isla Coronados (a favorite for swimming and snorkeling alongside tropical fish, sea turtles, and starfish); Isla Danzante (a popular diving spot, thanks to a 180-foot-long sunken ship); and Isla del Carmen (home to a ghost town with abandoned houses, buildings, and salt mines). Plus, there are many paddleboarding and kayaking opportunities back in town.
⛪ Need a break from the water? Thankfully, there’s plenty to explore on dry land. History buffs can discover ancient cave paintings in the mountains at La Pingüica or wander through the historic Spanish colonial missions dotting the area — like Mission San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó, with atmospheric gardens worth the 45-minute drive, and downtown’s Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, one of the oldest in the region. Active types, meanwhile, will enjoy a trip to Tabor Canyon, where the hiking trails include dramatic rock formations, desert flowers, and stunning ocean views. Or, for a more tranquil experience, indulge in Loreto’s burgeoning wellness scene: Book massages and facials at Spa Las Flores, or stay at the sprawling Villa del Palmar for paddleboard yoga, sound healing, and reiki chakra balancing.
🍴 Fuel up for a day of adventure at local fave Orlando’s, where you can enjoy excellent coffee, traditional chilaquiles, and/or a massive poblano omelet alfresco. For lunch, pop by El Rey del Taco, a no-frills spot with fish tacos so spectacular, you’ll be planning your return visit before you’ve even finished. And since mole is practically required eating in Mexico, make a dinner reservation at Mi Loreto, renowned for its authentic dishes (the mole almendrado and chiles rellenos are must-tries). Finally, if you’re in town on a Saturday, go to Hotel Oasis’s weekly beachfront clambake to sample the region’s famous chocolate clams (named for their color, not their flavor), which are cooked in the sand by local chefs.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
I’m copresenting with a coworker, and she leans on AI for everything. I don’t want my name on anything AI-generated, partly on principle and partly because it isn’t very good. How do I raise it without sounding judgmental?
“Using AI for a presentation and calling it ‘original’ isn’t professional unless you take the time to fact-check, cite sources, and then write and present it in your own words.
Try using a (non-AI-generated) script like this to bring it up with your coworker: ‘I’m looking forward to collaborating on our upcoming presentation, and I want to share my view on using AI. I know it can be a great tool for inspiration, but I’m not comfortable generating material and passing it off as original. When I put my name on a professional document, I’m careful not to use any resource without noting it. Since we’re collaborating, I’d like us to produce only original material and cite the sources we use.’”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Diane Gottsman
National etiquette expert and owner of the Protocol School of Texas
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
This One-Pot Bucatini Is Basically Hot Honey Pizza in Pasta Form
theSkimm
On the verge of ordering pizza for the third time this month? Put down your phone. Nora Singley’s Bee Sting Bucatini — from her new cookbook, One-Pot Pasta — is here to help. Inspired by the cult-favorite Bee Sting Pizza from Roberta’s in Brooklyn (think: soppressata, tomato sauce, globs of cheese, and a drizzle of hot honey), this fuss-free recipe takes all that sweet-and-spicy goodness and swaps the crust for pasta. Virtually everything happens in a large pot or Dutch oven: The soppressata crisps up, a pantry-friendly tomato sauce comes together, and the bucatini cooks right in the sauce. Top it with ricotta, fresh basil, and plenty of hot honey — and suddenly, we understand Winnie-the-Pooh’s priorities.
The Time Commitment: About 40 minutes.
Key Tips: To keep your bucatini intact, go easy on the stirring. Singley recommends using tongs and treating the noodles “as you would delicate salad greens.” No soppressata? Any salami works, or skip it entirely for a spicy, meat-free tomato pasta.
Other Takes: For more one-pot wonders, try…
Marry Me Chicken Soup. This absurdly comforting, 30-minute riff on the viral dish has sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and a healthy dose of Parm — no fork or knife required.
Roman Chicken Cacciatore With Potatoes. In the words of one fan: “This recipe makes me want to fling myself on the ground and flail around in sheer ecstasy.”
Skillet Lasagna. All of the layers of flavor, none of the actual layering. And it’s so cheesy, it might even convince Garfield he loves Mondays.
Roadshow by Nikki Ervice
theSkimm
Our sincerest apologies to Homer, but we’re hard-pressed to think of a more gripping odyssey than the one in Nikki Ervice’s Roadshow. The novel centers on Annie — a burlesque dancer who performs in a mask of her childhood dog — struggling to make rent in NYC. Then an unexpected letter arrives: Her mother, who abandoned her as a baby, is dying and wants to meet. So Annie sets off on a cross-country road trip to the remote Alaskan island where she was born, stripping in seedy clubs along the way to fund her travels… and stealing gas when her bank account dips too low. The journey is treacherous (picture wildfires, bad decisions, unsavory characters, and a bachelor party more dangerous than all of the above), but Annie presses on, racing to reach her estranged mother before it’s too late. We chatted with Ervice about what she’s reading and the condiment she’d take to a deserted island.
Q: What’s a corner of the internet you recently discovered?
Ervice: Maybe it’s because I wrote about a woman who dances in a papier-mâché mask, but I’ve recently encountered a lot of puppeteers who work on a large scale and artists who make giant wearable heads out of papier-mâché. They’re incredible.
Q: What’s your favorite unapologetic indulgence?
Ervice: Mayonnaise. I use so much, especially on sandwiches. It’s a little gross. Duke’s is the best.
Q: What’s the last social media post you sent to your friends?
Ervice: Heidi Klum in her severed-hand Halloween costume screaming “HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE.” It’s very good.
PS: The book Ervice can’t stop thinking about? Find out here.
Mark Our Words: This Mexican Beach Destination Will Be the Next Cabo
theSkimm
By our (very unscientific) observations, calling a place “magical” is almost always hyperbole. But in Loreto’s case, it’s official: The Mexican government designated it a “Pueblo Mágico” for its astonishing natural beauty, historic preservation, and exceptional charm. After one quick Google Images search, you’ll agree. Imagine white sandy beaches with impossibly blue waters teeming with more than 800 marine species; a town lined with colorfully painted homes and well-preserved buildings dating back hundreds of years; and some of the best Mexican food of your life. But above all? It doesn’t have the megaresorts and crowds of the better-known parts of Baja California Sur (looking at you, Cabo San Lucas). So go now, before everyone else catches on.
🐠 Sure, you could admire the Sea of Cortez from your beach chair. Or you could jump into what French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called the “Aquarium of the World.” One of the best places to do that is Loreto Bay National Park, encompassing some 800 square miles of protected waters and five uninhabited islands accessible by boat. Those include Isla Coronados (a favorite for swimming and snorkeling alongside tropical fish, sea turtles, and starfish); Isla Danzante (a popular diving spot, thanks to a 180-foot-long sunken ship); and Isla del Carmen (home to a ghost town with abandoned houses, buildings, and salt mines). Plus, there are many paddleboarding and kayaking opportunities back in town.
⛪ Need a break from the water? Thankfully, there’s plenty to explore on dry land. History buffs can discover ancient cave paintings in the mountains at La Pingüica or wander through the historic Spanish colonial missions dotting the area — like Mission San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó, with atmospheric gardens worth the 45-minute drive, and downtown’s Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, one of the oldest in the region. Active types, meanwhile, will enjoy a trip to Tabor Canyon, where the hiking trails include dramatic rock formations, desert flowers, and stunning ocean views. Or, for a more tranquil experience, indulge in Loreto’s burgeoning wellness scene: Book massages and facials at Spa Las Flores, or stay at the sprawling Villa del Palmar for paddleboard yoga, sound healing, and reiki chakra balancing.
🍴 Fuel up for a day of adventure at local fave Orlando’s, where you can enjoy excellent coffee, traditional chilaquiles, and/or a massive poblano omelet alfresco. For lunch, pop by El Rey del Taco, a no-frills spot with fish tacos so spectacular, you’ll be planning your return visit before you’ve even finished. And since mole is practically required eating in Mexico, make a dinner reservation at Mi Loreto, renowned for its authentic dishes (the mole almendrado and chiles rellenos are must-tries). Finally, if you’re in town on a Saturday, go to Hotel Oasis’s weekly beachfront clambake to sample the region’s famous chocolate clams (named for their color, not their flavor), which are cooked in the sand by local chefs.
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