Hello, friends!
How was your summer? I became the Scottie Pippin of summer by launching a friendship tour across our beautiful nation, catching up with friends from various stages of my life. It was an incredible exercise in reconnecting with some of my dearest people + parts of myself that had fallen to the wayside over the past few years. So I’m urging you to start your 2024 Summer of Friendship itinerary right now because I promise promise promise you won’t regret it.
August links are below and have a fabulous weekend!
Xo,
Toby
• When I started a new job last week, I texted my mom, “Do I have to wear a bra AND makeup?” We compromised on just the bra. But I have been swiping this on my cheeks & lips real fast every morning and appreciate the extra dose of color + sun protection. (Amazon)
• This vid came out months ago, but I swear at least half a dozen friends have DM’d it to me with some variation of, “This reminded me of you!!!!” Let me tell you something: I get the hint. (Twitter)
• Let’s help the people of Maui by supporting this food bank. (MauiFoodBank.org)
• Since enjoying a funnel cake at the fair a couple weeks ago—then almost feeling it return to sender on the rollercoaster—I appreciate Lyz Lenz’s post on the agony and ecstasy of the state fair. (Men Yell at Me)
• An inspiring teacher’s take on why she’s staying in education: “We’re staying not just because our kids need us, but because we need our kids, and we’re going to stay with them as much as we can.” (Teen Vogue)
• When y’all almost canceled me last month for linking to a big ol’ racist (whose name I won’t dare mention again) I decided to listen to this Emily Nussbaum pod on the country music culture wars taking place in my beloved Nashville. (New Yorker)
• Adding Joy’s One-pot Hamburger Helper w/ Veggies to my weeknight rotation next week even though deep down in my heart I know I’ll be the only one in my crew eating the veggies. (Joy the Baker)
• I’ve followed Kiko’s Closet since the dark days of the pandemic ‘cause her posts always make me smile. And I finally sprung for a 1960s mini. Zero regrets. (Instagram)
• This kid-friendly mix was a hit at our last party so I made it public. Lemme know if you have any songs to add! (YouTube)
• I’m going to Vegas next weekend for the last leg of my Friendship Tour so I’m adding this short vid of Hunter S. Thompson’s alter-ego, Raoul Duke, to my moodboard. (YouTube and Pinterest)
• Finally, what are you watching now? I kinda liked Happiness for Beginners, a fun Hallmark-adjacent rom-com that *almost* inspired me to go camping. (Netflix and Joy the Baker)
Sara
Hi Toby, do you have any food recommendations for Vegas? Going with a few friends myself, despite it being 100 degrees and staying mostly by the pool…. Will likely get hungry at some point!
Toby
No, sorry. We have a group of 10 so we just made a res at the least expensive place in the hotel bc u have to drop major coin for the top spots. Have fun!
Alison
I watched Happiness for Beginners last night…I realized I read the book. I enjoyed it.
akbright
Who are the ones who decide if women need to wear bras, at work, or anywhere, and WHY?
toby
Oh, you should meet my MOTHER.
Sloane
Loved your take on so many topics! Would you please tell me the brand of that perfect black and white dress you’re wearing,I have to find a black and white little dress for an event and that one looks perfect, thanks so much!
toby
thank you, i love it so much and it’s comfy! Sezanne has the best dresses :)
akbright
:)
Sue
This friendship tour you are on this summer sounds like a lot of fun. You get to take in the atmosphere of the different places and you get to talk About past times together, catch up on what’s going on and talk about future plans going forward. Are you going by motorcycle or other means?
Jody Bitzel
First, I wanna tell you something! Loved it!