Hello my friends!
Welcome to the weekend!
I spent a few days in Philadelphia last week (it’s been a minute since my last visit) and the city has exploded in overgrown green and off the shoulder dresses and just some very fine summer living. Good on ya, Philly. I thought seriously about bringing home some long hots (these are peppers) so I could make my own roast pork sandwiches in New Orleans. What stopped me was feeling self-conscious with a bunch of peppers on a plane, but as I sit here, back in New Orleans distinctly without long hots, I see the error of my ways.
This coming week I’m off to Los Angeles and Denver for some solid work and play times. If you know a thing or two about Denver, I’d love your suggestions!
Here’s some of the links that resonated with me this week. I hope this finds you well and rested and ready to enjoy this beautiful day.
• This week’s long read is really worth the time and I’ll just leave it here for you. How The Death of a Muslim Recruit Revealed A Culture of Brutality in the Marines. Life is a lot of grays.
• A life; a home. This is a beautiful read: The Joy of Reading About Cooking. Also, have you ever had the language in your dreams change when you’re learning a new? Trippy.
• Begin anew: Chef Sean Brock puts down the bourbon.
• Do you listen to Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast? It’s very thoughtful, investigative stories you didn’t know you needed to know.
• Let us remember the neurotic hilarity that was Elaine Benes: 90’s Icon, amen.
• News that does not surprise us: Women In Tech Speak Frankly About Culture of Harassment
• The Chocolate Chip Cookies That Rewards Laziness by using cold butter. High proportion of salt and flour and a curiously small amount of brown sugar but I’d give this a try! Twist our arms, right? Cookies!
• A very satisfying recipe for Homemade Franks and Beans which, strangely enough, might be my favorite food.
• We’ve entered a strange place. It’s overly rainbowed, or full of sprinkles, or somehow a doughnut and sushi, combined. Photographed and filtered. It’s Instagram Food and really, let’s all just know that we don’t have to do this. Real food is actually exciting enough (and tastes better).
• My maj Tracy is creating healthy eating habits (and likely it’s Instagram-worthy because vegetables are beautiful.)
• Not necessarily summer vibes but, here’s what I want to listen to on audiobook: No Country For Old Men.
• I’ll tell you now that I’m a sucker for a summer night sweater dress.
• I either love this romper or hate this romper. It’s really hard to tell and it’s really not the most important thing in the world.
• Two things in my summer travel bag: this insulated Klean Kanteen because it keeps my water at the perfect chill-ish temperature and this loose cotton cocoon dress for breezy summer comfort.
That’s all for today, yea? Enjoy the rest.
xo Joy
Jenna
I checked out that romper in Anthropologie. I saw it in the window and made a beeline straight for it, thought it was so cute.
I touched it, turned it around, tested the zipper, and just could not decide how to feel about it after that.
So I totally get it.
Katie
I live in Denver! Check out the amazing social activist exhibit at the Denver Art Museum called Shade. It’s beautiful-only around for 6 more days! The DAM is right near my fave restaurant, Cuba Cuba, with the most lethal mojitos
https://denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/shade-clyfford-still-mark-bradford
Molly Rose
I’m in Denver – so maybe coffee on my front porch? Hey, a girl can dream.
Maggie
Go to Jelly Cafe in Capitol Hill! Soooo good. https://www.eatmorejelly.com/
Megan
In Denver, I recommend William’s and Graham for a weeknight beverage and Axios on Tennyson St for delicious Greek food (and you can stop by Denver Cat Company a few store fronts down for a cat fix!). Denver Biscuit Co is amazing. Beatrice and Woodsley is good for a happy hour drink and appetizer. Enjoy!
Alexandria Cole
So many things to say, but most importantly…LOVE THE ROMPER.
Morgan
JUST tried on that same romper this weekend! The commenters on the Anthro website are 100% correct, it’s super big and it just didn’t do me any justice. (I’m super short and curvy, so you might fill it out a bit better). I found a super cute romper at TJMaxx for $15, so yayyyy.
joythebaker
You know… we all deserve romper justice and I’m glad yours came for $15.
Vanessa Klett
Denver Stops:
High Point Creamery
Commonwealth Coffee Roasters
Enstroms–the BEST toffee
Have fun!
Kaitlin Shimizu
For Denver: Los Chingones (Rino) – check out the roof on a sunny day for great cocktails and tacos! Also Crooked Stave for delicious sours (and while you’re there – might as well grab a meal at Acorn!). Enjoy!!
Devon
Joy – so awesome to know you’re coming to Denver! Some of my faves and regular haunts here in Mile High (a few of which are mentioned above) are: Rolling Pin Bakery for amazing pastries, Port Side in RiNo for great coffee and quick yet good breakfasts; Denver Central Market, which has beautiful design + a smorgasbord of great eats; Cart Driver (fab pizza + oysters + prosecco and negronis on tap) or Hop Alley for dinner (Chinese food + 90s R&B, da best); Mercantile for breakfast, lunch, or dinner + a pop into Union Station; Kachina Southwestern Grill for Navajo tacos + Poka Lola afterwards for a great cocktail; and El Five for an amazing view of the skyline + some great Spanish dishes, like the mazze platter. The list could go on and on, hope you have the best time! xo
P.S. made your cherry pie bars the other day, and they were fab!
Tara Tubb
For breakfast: rise and shine biscuits on 29th and Sheridan, eat them as you walk around sloans lake. bar dough is a must in the highlands, and top notch coffee at hunter bay in olde town Arvada (plus ice cream from scrumptious which is right next door!).
Susan
https://www.confluence-denver.com/features/rich_grant_092816.aspx (Yea, I did it!) Rich was the communications director at VisitDenver since he graduated from college in the 60s. This particular article may take you to some interesting spots….”walking and drinking beer” is a good one to click on. I’m terrible at this linky stuff, but I’m really old!
Susan
All the suggestions you’ve been given sound great, but If you need some assistance while there – or before- our VisitDenver does an incredible job of charting a course for visitors. I worked in the sales office for many years and I know how hard they work. If you call (303) 892-1112 and ask for the Visitor’s Center they’ll fix you right up.I think there’s an 800 # but I don’t have it. I wish I could remember where the crowd from Top Chef dined while here a few months ago…you might even be able to Google it. It’s beastly hot right now, so pay attention to the sunscreen suggestion – we’re closer to the sun and it can take a toll, but it’s a wonderful place to visit and to live. Enjoy!
Melissa
I love Revisionist History! Another suggestion for podcasts in the same vein: Home of The Brave
As for Denver… the Green Solution. If that’s something you want to do. And if so, Girl Scout Cookie. xoxo
Heather
Hi Joy!
I definitely agree on visiting the Botanical Gardens, Linger Restaurant in Denver, and on staying hydrated! I would also recommended visiting the Denver Art Museum. It’s amazing! If you have time after the museum, go across the street to the public library and head to the 7th floor. They have a gallery of local artists. You can also get some great pictures of the city up there. Beet Box Bakery has delicious vegan baked goods. My favorites are their vegan apple walnut doughnut and avocado melt. Enjoy your trip! :) xo