EDITOR’S NOTE
Happy Saturday. And happy Fourth of July. Most importantly: Happy Taylor Swift’s wedding weekend (probably) to all who celebrate. I’m coming to you from the Jersey Shore, where I’m spending as much time as possible submerged in the ocean. But every moment I’m on dry land, I’ll be obsessively tracking updates about what’s happening at Madison Square Garden. More on that tomorrow. As a certain singer once said, “You don’t know the life of a newsletter-writer girl, babe, and you’re never gonna wanna.” Or something like that. Here’s what else is on my mind…
If you’re too impatient to press your tofu, try this genius trick that mostly replaces that step. I do this all the time and it’s so much easier (and a lot less precarious) than stacking all my cookbooks in a tower on top.
I can’t decide how I feel about this reimagining of the Gap sweater I desperately wanted when I was 7. (If they really want to heal my inner child, they’ll rerelease the original piece in time for winter.)
Turns out you can DIY an Etsy-worthy piece of home decor, and practically all you need is that old tomato paste tube sitting in the back of your fridge. New craft project unlocked.
As a certified Tuna Girl™ (don’t @ me), I’m dying to try this unbelievably easy recipe that begins with the best ingredient in the freezer aisle.
Boldly coming out as not completely hating this divisive jewelry trend. Thank you for your support as I process this.
— Julia Reinstein / Writer, Culture & Leisure / Brooklyn, NY
The Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad Your Cherry Tomatoes Deserve
theSkimm
We’ve seen enough: We’re officially declaring it pasta salad season. And if you ask us, there’s no better way to kick it off than with What’s Gaby Cooking’s Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad. The recipe brings together what we love about caprese salad (read: everything) with a perfectly al dente orzo base, a smattering of fresh herbs, and a balsamic vinaigrette that’s good enough to drink. The real magic of this recipe comes from the cherry tomatoes — half of them get roasted into a sweet jammy oblivion, while the other half get tossed in raw, giving the dish variety without extra effort on your end. At last, a salad that says tomato and tom-AH-to.
The Time Commitment: About 40 minutes.
Key Tips: To make sure your orzo is flavorful, you’ll want to salt the pasta water quite heavily. Then, once it’s cooked, drain it and dress it right away — the pasta will absorb the dressing way more when it's warm than it will after it cools down.
Other Takes: If you’re someone who takes orzo salad very seriously, might we recommend…
Zucchini, Corn, and Basil Orzo Pasta Salad. Seasonal veggies and a four-ingredient lemon-pesto vinaigrette come together to make a pasta salad that just tastes like summer.
Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad. With two kinds of olives, crumbled feta, and sliced peperoncini, this one’s for the briny girls.
Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad with Honey Mustard Bacon Dressing. What do you get when you combine lemon-herb chicken with avocado, bacon, honey mustard, and blue cheese? A salad one commenter called “a party of flavors.”
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
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Respectfully, we believe the best beach reads lean a bit more dishy than they do feel-good — what can we say, we love mess. If you agree, we’re betting you’ll love Jenny Jackson’s The Shampoo Effect. The novel follows Caroline, a 28-year-old writer, who, upon moving to a town in coastal Massachusetts, falls hard and fast for local dreamboat Van, a 34-year-old environmental scientist. She quickly becomes enmeshed in his tight-knit circle of childhood friends — which includes his on-again, off-again ex-girlfriend, Bailey. Shortly after Caroline and Van get together, Bailey reveals she’s pregnant…with Van’s child. This Jerry Springer–worthy news tests the friend group’s long-held dynamics, and secrets threaten to emerge as Caroline nurses a broken — and furious — heart. We asked Jackson a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch?
Jackson: Colin from Accounts. It’s an Australian rom-com featuring a dog named Colin.
Q: What’s your shortcut to relaxation?
Jackson: Pour a shot of tequila into a Spindrift, change into pajamas, turn on Bravo for background, and search Etsy for the weirdest thing you can have customized. (Bedazzled pill case! Stamps with your own face!)
Q: What is your most prized possession?
Jackson: My collection of signed books by authors like Joan Didion, Cormac McCarthy, Anne Tyler, Michael Ondaatje, and Kazuo Ishiguro.
PS: To find out where Jackson stands on the indoor vs. outdoor clothing debate, read our extended author interview here.
This Charming Seaside Town Might Make You Move Across the Pond
theSkimm
We’re willing to bet that when it comes to dreamy beach vacations, Cornwall isn’t the first — or 10th — destination that comes to mind. But England’s southwestern tip is dotted with rugged cliffs, largely unspoiled shores, sparkling blue water, and picturesque seaside towns — including St. Ives, often dubbed the area’s crown jewel. The appeal is obvious: At least seven breathtaking beaches, cozy coastal retreats (stay at the Lifeboat Inn), charming cobblestone streets lined with cottages and boutiques, impressive museums and galleries, and next-level seafood. Whatever you do, don’t leave without eating a piping hot Cornish pasty.
🎨 The light in St. Ives hits different — and has been drawing artists for decades. At the heart of this creative enclave is Tate St. Ives, an outpost of that Tate, featuring pieces by local artists, rotating international exhibitions, and dazzling views of Porthmeor Beach. Continue your art tour at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden (for a peek into the modernist sculptor’s leafy former studio) and the Leach Pottery (a working studio renowned for its blend of British and Japanese traditions). Then, hit the town’s gallery-lined Fore Street, where you’ll find paintings, sculptures, and jewelry from established and emerging talent at the New Craftsman Gallery and more contemporary pieces at Porthminster Gallery.
👟 Cornwall is filled with dozens of other small villages and towns, many of which are within driving distance of St. Ives. Head to Penzance, a historic port known for its thriving food scene, art deco Jubilee Pool, and close proximity to St. Michael’s Mount (an ancient tidal island with a straight-from-a-storybook castle). You could also go down the coast to Porthcurno, home to one of Cornwall’s most unforgettable beaches and the open-air Minack Theatre — which is dramatically perched on a cliffside and hosts over 200 live performances a year. Finally, adventurous types shouldn’t miss St. Agnes, a popular North Coast surfing spot where, by law, you must try Chapel Porth Beach Café’s Hedgehog ice cream.
🍴 If you’re also a pastry connoisseur, start at St. Ives Bakery to pick up traditional Cornish pasties, sourdough bread, and jam-packed cruffins (that’s right, a croissant-muffin hybrid). For fresh seafood with a side of sublime ocean views, try the tapas-style plates at Porthmeor Beach Café (the fried hake is a nonnegotiable) or Porthminster Beach Café’s elevated Asian- and Mediterranean-inspired menu, which has included garlic-butter king prawns, locally caught squid, and yes, fish and chips. Or, return to Fore Street to enjoy Ardor’s standout Spanish-accented dishes, like seafood paella or pork ribs with quince and rosemary glaze.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
A few years ago, I had a falling out with my best friend, and we haven’t spoken since. I recently heard through a mutual friend that she lost her mom. Is it OK to reach out with condolences, and if so, what’s the least awkward way to do it?
“If your desire to reach out is from a genuine place of concern, you should do it — regardless of the state of your friendship, most people would appreciate an earnest show of empathy during such a hard time. If you’re nervous that your former friend might not appreciate hearing from you, you can acknowledge that in the message to minimize any misunderstanding and emphasize your sincerity. Considering sending a message like, ‘I heard that you recently lost your mom. I know we’re no longer friends, but it’s important to me that you know I’m so sorry for your loss and I’m thinking of you and your family during this time.’”
Skimm’d by: Julia Reinstein, Kylie McConville, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone.
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