EDITOR’S NOTE
Happy Saturday. If you’re reading this, I’m outside, in the sun, burning my winter coats. Luckily I got my scrolling done while it was still raining, so allow me to share some highlights:
First and foremost, the scathing Daryl Hannah essay I’ve been waiting for since Love Story started finally dropped (if I were Dree Hemingway, I’d simply cease to exist).
This extremely cool, extremely unexpected person attended Zach Braff’s bar mitzvah. Zach, I was unfamiliar with your game.
The quintessential Tumblr-era jeans are making a comeback. Here’s how to style them so they feel 2026, not 2012 (the matching set has my name all over it).
Not only did this ’90s child star sit front row at Paris Fashion Week, but he also wore his love of one of my all-time favorite children’s books on his sleeve — literally. This is the kind of nostalgia I’m (very) hungry for.
Costco has a new “next level” bakery treat that I need to get my hands on before breakfast tomorrow. I’ll pop one in the air fryer and pretend I’m in France.
— Jamie Feldman / Writer, Culture & Leisure / Brooklyn, NY
Chicken Piccata Meatballs Are the Best Thing to Happen to Weeknight Dinner
theSkimm
Welcome to this week’s episode of Can It Meatball? Today’s subject: chicken piccata — which, spoiler, absolutely can. In The Modern Proper’s Chicken Piccata Meatballs, ground chicken is combined with panko, capers, garlic, and Parm, then simmered in a lemony, buttery sauce loaded with more garlic and capers. The result? All the bright, punchy flavors of the Italian-American classic with way less fuss — and no dredging required. And while nobody would fault you for eating these perfectly browned meatballs straight from the pan, we recommend serving them with buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or orzo, for a dinner that’s, in a word, magnifico.
The Time Commitment: About 35 minutes.
Key Tips: No panko? No problem — Holly Erickson and Natalie Mortimer (aka The Modern Proper) say regular breadcrumbs will work in a pinch. Same with chicken stock instead of wine. Also, lightly wet your hands with water before forming the meatballs, to prevent sticking.
Other Takes: To keep the (meat)balls rolling, try...
Easy Egg Roll Meatballs with Sesame Slaw. This meal-prep-friendly twist on the viral egg roll in a bowl is savory, satisfying, and ready in 20 minutes.
Lemon Herb Meatballs. Packed with herbs and topped with a basil vinaigrette, these meatballs will make you forget it’s still winter. And a surprising ingredient makes them impossibly tender.
Harissa Meatball Bowl with Feta Red Peppers & Lemon Tzatziki. Spicy, tangy, and way more interesting than whatever basic dinner — or sad desk lunch — you’d planned.
Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer
theSkimm
Are you there, God? It’s us, still not over Forever. Judy Blume — the woman who introduced us to birds, bees, and breasts — is finally getting the biography she deserves, courtesy of journalist Mark Oppenheimer. Through extensive interviews with Blume herself, plus access to her personal correspondence and unpublished works, Oppenheimer paints an intimate portrait of the 88-year-old literary icon, from her New Jersey upbringing (Madeline was her gateway book) to her adolescence-defining titles to her role leading the fight against book bans. But the real revelations? All the stuff that happened in between. Think: how being an unhappily married stay-at-home mom pushed her toward writing, publishers’ rejections of her children’s picture books, and her three marriages. We asked Oppenheimer a few questions. Here’s what he had to say…
Q: What should be required reading for every human being?
Oppenheimer: We all have different tastes, which is a good thing, so there’s no one book that should be required for everyone. But if more people read Dave Hickey’s essay collection Air Guitar, the world would be a somewhat better place.
Q: What’s your favorite unapologetic indulgence?
Oppenheimer: Coca-Cola. My parents felt soda was required at certain places: the movie theater, the ballpark, the pizzeria. I carry that philosophy with me to this day. I’m baffled by fellow middle-age [parents] who’ll chase [any] craft beer but have decided Coke is unhealthy. Coke is divine.
Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?
Oppenheimer: Goose’s single “Madalena.” Right now, there are two hot bands with avian names: Geese and Goose. [I find] Geese unlistenable. But Goose warms my soul, and “Madalena” is the best this feathery flock of jam-banders from suburban Connecticut has to offer.
Start Planning the Summer Trip That Looks Like a Planet Earth Episode
theSkimm
If you’re the type who plans their summer vacations in advance (in which case, congrats), allow us to make the case for Juneau, Alaska. Because despite its association with snow and sled dogs, summer is actually when it shines. Tucked between mountains and sea, this one-of-a-kind coastal gem is only accessible by boat or plane, adding to its off-the-grid charm. After checking into Silverbow Inn, brace yourself for striking natural beauty (two words: Glacier Bay), sweeping panoramic views (the Goldbelt Tram delivers), outdoor excursions galore (zip-lining, salmon fishing, glacier hiking), ghostly gold rush ruins (don’t skip Treadwell mine), and wildlife straight out of Nat Geo. Book your trip now — and brag about it later.
🐋 Missing Mendenhall Glacier is like flying to Athens and ignoring the Acropolis. This spectacular Ice Age relic is the city’s crown jewel — and you can raft, kayak, hike (start at Nugget Falls Trail), or even fly around it (with the help of Coastal Helicopters). For other “how is this real?” moments, hop aboard Harv & Marv’s whale-watching tour to catch majestic humpbacks and orcas showing off. And for serious wildlife lovers, take a short floatplane ride to Admiralty Island — better known as “Fortress of the Bears” — where the only thing between you and Alaska’s grizzliest residents is a zoom lens and a guide who (thankfully) knows what’s up.
🎨 When you need a break from the wilderness, spend the day exploring downtown and dive into the city’s artsy, historic side. Start at the Sealaska Heritage Institute (walk the impressive Totem Pole Trail) or head to the Alaska State Museum, home to over 23,000 artifacts, contemporary Native art, and exhibits that dig into the state’s complex past. When it’s time to shop, stop at local fave Rainy Retreat Books (shop dog Mabel is basically a celebrity), pick up glacial silt-infused bars at Glacier Silt Soap, and pop by Kindred Post — a unique post office–meets–gift shop that stocks art, jewelry, and souvenirs from Indigenous artists.
🍴 When in Juneau, do as the locals do — meaning, start your morning with a plate of outrageously good Cereal Killer Toast (made with caramelized cornflakes) at The Rookery Café. Given the city’s waterfront perch, it’s no surprise the seafood is top-notch — so around midday, swing by Deckhand Dave’s, a taco truck slinging fresh-off-the-boat halibut and rockfish. And if you’re in the mood to dress up, make a dinner reservation at Salt, where the locally sourced menu is matched only by the dessert lineup (order the caramel apple butter cake, thank us later).
It's our duty to mention that you don't need to pay full price for a place to stay on vacation. We've been using Whimstay to find vacation rentals that are cheaper (and easier to book) than the big-name sites, and they can accommodate last-minute bookings. Time to take that girl's trip you've been talking about for years.
Your kitchen does a lot. Cooking, hosting, catching up — repeat. So it deserves a centerpiece that can keep up. The Audrine™ kitchen sink collection by Kohler x Studio McGee blends classic design with everyday functionality, striking that just-right balance between beauty and performance. Think: a sculpted silhouette, smooth fireclay finish, and integrated accessories that make prep and cleanup feel effortless. Timelessly designed, it's proof that even the hardest-working space in your home can look (and feel) put together.*
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
Q: I covered something big for a friend who’s been struggling financially. Now I’m watching her drop money on fancy bags and dinners. I don’t want to be the money police, but it’s hard not to keep score. How do I bring this up without blowing up our friendship?
“Avoid calling her out directly — she may have a reasonable explanation. Instead, the next time you’re alone, say, ‘Before too much time goes by, when will you be able to start paying me back for the loan?’ She may pour her heart out and provide a logical explanation for the purchases. In which case, listen and make a determination. Do you come up with a payment plan? Does she apologize for not taking care of this sooner? But if she gets upset, claims it was a gift, or lists multiple excuses why she can’t pay you back, ask yourself: Is this ‘investment’ worth saving your relationship? Will you really feel the same about her? Every time you go out to dinner and she asks to split the check, how will your gut react? If you choose to forgive the loan, you can say something like, ‘I hope this helped you through this financial situation. Maybe one day I’ll need the same favor.’”
Skimm’d by: Jamie Feldman and Melissa Goldberg. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone.
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