Big Batch Jalapeño Margs, Sirens and Target's summer finds

Big Batch Jalapeño Margs, Sirens and summer finds at Target!

Welcome to Friday Favorites! This quick glimpse of my week goes out to all subscribers (free and paid). I include a fan-favorite recipe, something I’m watching, reading, or listening to, a recent find, and a weekly win. We’re onto the summer version of this newsletter, which will highlight all my favorite beach reads and page-turners and endless musings on the best airplane outfit. I’m so glad you’re here.

What I’m Cooking

Pouring my margs at a dinner for Loeffler Randall I hosted with Courtney Barton. The blouse is Loeffler Randall and the woven towel is from KD Weave.

It’s the time of year when I hope you’re gathering with friends, planning potlucks, and having BBQs with neighbors. If you like spicy margaritas, I have a recipe for you! If you don’t like things too spicy, just be sure to remove the jalapeños from the tequila after about 4 hours. If you really like spice (like me), leave them in overnight, but strain them from individual glasses of margaritas. Also, don’t forget that the recipe calls for topping off every drink with some club soda or Topo Chico; otherwise, you’ll end up with a very potent and very spicy margarita. You can infuse any tequila or vodka with peppers, herbs or berries. Once, I made a homemade raspberry-infused vodka which took about a week to infuse. I had planned to use it for cosmos, but my husband mistook it for the finished cocktail. He poured all our guests straight raspberry vodka over ice and the dinner party ended with a fist fight (all in good fun) and a group swim, but that’s a story for another time.

You can find all the SITK recipes I’ve shared on Substack in my Recipe Index.

What I’m Watching and Reading

I binged Sirens, and it was… interesting? I’m not sure if I enjoyed it or was just in a Maycenber trance! I think I liked it. There were some weird parts I couldn’t figure out (what was up with the birds and what was the point?). And I also don’t really buy into Kevin Bacon’s character falling for the assistant; it felt a little out of the blue. No chemistry there, no? It was a fun watch, that’s for sure! I just finished food writer (and fiction writer) Ali Rosen’s book Unlikely Story. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited if you're a subscriber. I love how her books always end with an addendum of recipes that are either mentioned in the book or make you think of one of the characters. Unlikely Story had the best plot twist that you see coming early on, but it somehow felt fresh and, well, unlikely.

What I’m Coveting

Guys! Target is so good right now. I went with my youngest to find her a couple of inexpensive summer items, and we struck gold. Straw bags, cute slides in brown and rattan, workout tops, etc! These ankle tie sandals are the perfect Ancient Greek dupe! I couldn’t pass up this white gauzy button-down I grabbed to wear over swimsuits and the woven bag that I thought would be perfect with sundresses.

This Week’s Win

This felt like one of those weeks that went from Monday to Friday in a leap. It’s now officially summer break, and as a working mom, that’s always tricky to balance. It’s the dichotomy of: I want to be present, I have to return this email! My hope, or intention, for this summer is to enjoy downtime with family without that nagging sensation that I should be working, writing, planning content, finishing blog posts, completing travel guides, testing recipes or generally hustling. Is that a win? Not yet, but I hope to report good news in August.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Engaging with Substack writers by liking and commenting on their posts and notes, even as a free subscriber, is a valuable way to show your support. Your involvement makes a big difference!

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Retail Therapy

Check out my past Friday Favorite items on my ShopMy page or Amazon Shop. Using an affiliate link is an easy way to show your support, at no cost to you. It doesn’t add up to much, but helps “keep the lights on.

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GIFT CARD

Looking for a birthday or “just because” gift for your best friend, mom, sister, or aunt Sally? I have the perfect idea! You can gift a subscription to my Substack! The annual subscription can begin at any time.

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