Welcome to the unofficial start of summer! Memorial Day weekend in Chicago feels… electric and alive. It feels like you’ve made it to life’s weekend. Everyone is itching to get out and do anything, anything at all, and you do. It’s time to watch your uncle throw a little something on the grill in his huarache sandals and signature turning tongs.
In other news, I worked this week, y’all. I mean, I WORKED, okay? Like I really put all efforts in and I’m mildly upset about it because I truly do not dream of labor. But it’s okay! I am on the small team of folks working to bring you Camp Joy, in all its glory. Can I just say, without revealing any spoilers, it’s fantastic. Joy put her whole, beautiful heart into its creation, and I am so excited for you to see it. Soon! So soon!!
I hope these links start your Sunday off right. Not too many, I want you to enjoy the long weekend!
• My late grandmother always said Memorial Day to Labor Day was the only appropriate time to eat watermelon, and I will never stray from this advice. In honor of the weekend, you should definitely make this salad and/or this sangria (heavy on the and not the or). (Joy the Baker)
• While you’re at it, please wish Joy the happiest of birthdays! She made her own birthday cake, because she is a Gemini and a baker, there was no other choice. (Joy the Baker)
• Queen Oprah is producing a remake of one of my favorite (and one of her best) movies, The Color Purple. I sob like I’m seeing it for the first time, every time I watch it. I cannot wait to see Halle Bailey and Fantasia absolutely dominate their roles. (Instagram)
• I’ve decided I’m not wearing a bra this summer. I am liberating my chest from the ache of underwire, period. And that’s on Gloria Steinem. It’s cami bras and bodysuits from here on out! That particular bodysuit I wear backwards because I like the v-neck situation it has going on. (Old Navy, Target)
• Tina Turner, a true legend, passed away earlier this week. It felt like the internet gasped together. NPR’s Brittany Luse talks about Tina’s unique ability to merge and warp musical genres. May her memory forever be a blessing.
• Have you discovered Miss New York on Instagram? I follow her on TikTok and proudly claim she is my best friend (figuratively). She’s hilarious, relatable, and recently exploded by posting videos of loved ones making it to the reception desk of Heaven. You will laugh and be confused when you burst into tears seconds later.
• There are two reading lists I look forward to every year: my father, Barack Obama, and this one, specifically made for the summer. It’s broken down into categories so you can really live your best summer reading life. As a kid who relished summer reading challenges and still wishes BOOK-IT was around, this deeply satisfies my adult brain. (Instagram, The New York Times)
Kay
Hi! Does anyone have a gift link for the NY Times summer reading guide they’d be willing to share?
Abby Mallett
Hi there! Let me know if this works for you!
Kay
Thank you!
Hailey
Fully embracing the “brami” lifestyle this summer as well –– I have a few of the supima cotton lace versions from O.N. and love them! :)
Patti Morfeld
LOVE LOVE LOVE making my own bday cake and I am a Scorpio, but even more I absolutely love the Miss New York videos at the pearly gates :)
MaggieToo
That’s quite a deal on those cami bras. I just ordered two of them, and with the half off sale the whole thing came to only $23, including the tax and shipping. Liberated summer chest, here I come.
Abby Mallett
Yes! I LOVE a deal!!
MaggieToo
Just checking back in after receiving the two cami bras I ordered. They’re amazingly good quality for the price, and even run a little large. I normally need a 42 band size, so I ordered 2X and could have actually been fine with a 1X. Good recommendation, Abby!
MaggieToo
The Abby entries are in a tight race with the cinnamon roll entries for being my favorite JTB columns of all.
Dottie
I love Miss New York (aka Heaven’s Receptionist) and just mentioned her in one of my weekend posts. I want to watch everything she does.
What is it about a summer reading list? I’ll be checking out the lists. Just started reading Verity, which was on last summer’s list, but I’m not worrying about being late. It’s a pleasure to catch up.
This weekend, I’m thinking of those who made it possible for us to be here and write about summer reading lists.
Jen
I suggest Decent Exposures for non underwire bra alternatives – made to order so there’s a wide range of sizes and colors – so those who can’t fit in a cami bra can have a non underwire bra too
Abby Mallett
*runs to google* thank you for the suggestion!
Alexis
All I can say is yes to cami and bodysuit summer!
Tiberia
I didn’t know what BOOK IT was….so I looked it up!
https://www.bookitprogram.com/about
Kristiana
Oh my GOSH I haven’t thought about BOOK IT in forEVER!!!! So many memories – Pizza Hut anyone?
Abby Mallett
Listen. I will absolutely meet you there I am putting on my shoes RIGHT NOW
Jaclyn D Levy
Spoiler: BOOK IT is still around. ?? At least where I live in Tennessee.
toby
I can confirm this!