Nine Favorite Things: Summer Drinks, Sales, and So Much More!

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An Easy All-American 4th of July Party Menu | halfbakedharvest.com

Summer is here! I was out on a walk the other morning, and the elementary school in our neighborhood had a sign counting down the days until summer break. It was so cute, and such a good reminder to think a little more like a kid this time of year.

Of course, as adults, we can’t completely let go of our day-to-day responsibilities, but a little more fun in the summer is good for both the mind and body. I LOVE these long days, the sunshine, and the carefree feeling summer brings—even while running a business and juggling all the things. Just like the holidays, there’s something magical about summer.

I bought my first watermelon of the season this week and served slice after slice to my little brother, Oslo. Watching him enjoy every last bite, with juice dripping everywhere, brought me right back to some of my happiest childhood memories. It reminded me how important it is to appreciate the little things and to find beauty in each day, even the hard ones.

Positive energy really is infectious, and I think that’s one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves—and the people around us.

On that same walk, I passed a USPS mail carrier. The second I stopped, she turned to me with the kindest smile and said hello. I asked how her morning was going, and she replied, “It’s been great, thank you for asking!”—then asked me the same. I was honestly caught off guard by her genuine happiness. I remember saying, “Wow, you are one happy mail carrier!” And she simply said, “Well, everyone’s been kind, and it’s just a great day!”

Such a simple moment, but it stayed with me. It felt so genuine, so light, and so full of gratitude. She was simply happy people had been kind to her. Happy to be outside in the sunshine. A deep appreciation for life.

That interaction really reinforced the way I’ve been trying to move through these past few months. With more gratitude and more awareness of how lucky I am.

I’ve always found it easy to notice the small things that bring joy. Sunshine, flowers, a sunset walk, lighting a new candle, cooking something special to share with the people I love (and all of you). These things cost almost nothing, yet bring the most happiness.

Of course, I do love a little splurge every now and then too. A beautiful hotel always makes a trip feel extra special. A gorgeous pair of shoes. A bag I’ve had my eye on. Or a unique piece of jewelry.

Right now, I’m just really excited for summer and everything it brings. I’ll be spending time in Florida on and off. I have some fun travel planned, and we’re already working on exciting collaborations for this fall—and even next year.

To recap the week, I returned from Austin and jumped right back into cooking and brainstorming recipes for the months ahead. We’ve had such beautiful weather lately, and it’s only been inspiring me more in the kitchen.

Dinners, desserts, entertaining ideas, cocktails, easy weeknight meals—all of it. Planning summer recipes is always one of my favorite times of year, and I can’t wait to share everything we’ve been working on with you.

1. Things I’m Loving.

drinking…the new Ballerina Farms Strawberry Crème Farmers Protein. Creighton, Oslo, and I are all loving this new summer flavor. It’s basically like a strawberry milkshake!

using…Branch Basics cleaning products and loving them. They’re plant-based, fragrance-free, and human-safe. I even got my mom hooked on their laundry detergent. She’s so picky about her laundry products, so she was surprised to find how well it works.

making…Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata.

also…loving the Flamingo Estate hand soap. I have it in my bathroom and love the look, but the formula is even better. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all!

everything in my cart (low)…the KAWS x Uniqlo + Warhol UT Graphic T-Shirt. This one is personal to me. Growing up, my mom would read me Grover’s Bad Awful Day anytime I was feeling anxious or had a hard day. It’s one of my favorite children’s books, and this tee is the cutest reminder of Grover.

listening to…What You Don’t Know About Brand Beckham.

travel…d’Angleterre in Copenhagen. The video on their homepage is so pretty! I explored their website and stocked the hotels Instagram, it is definitely the hotel to stay at. They have a Michelin-starred restaurant that sounds delicious and the rooms are gorgeous too. Copenhagen looks incredibly beautiful summer and winter. a holiday trip would be cute! I want to explore there soon!

travel…my brothers and cousins live not too far from Newport Beach. We visit them every so often. Next trip, we should all do a staycation here at The Resort at Pelican Hill, so peaceful and pretty!

eating at…Mandolin Aegean Bistro in the Miami Arts District. I’ve been wanting to go forever—we’re finally going to make it happen. I love their menu. It’s all authentic Greek cooking, set in a restored 1940s home with one of the most beautiful gardens and outdoor patios in Miami. The menu focuses on traditional Greek and Turkish coastal dishes, using local ingredients with Aegean techniques.

baking…Smashed Raspberry White Chocolate Layer Cake.

reading…Sense of Place. Interiors that directly echo their landscapes, with designers sharing how location shapes every choice. Such a beautiful design book. It’s all about making a house feel like a home.

planning for…4th of Julythe ! I want to do a fun spread this year! I am thinking a lot of burgers, easy sides and drinks!

shopping…at West Bourne and trying their Starter Pack. A set of Organic Extra Virgin Avocado Oil and Organic 100% Pure Avocado Oil for finishing and cooking. The packaging is so pretty too, made with 100% recyclable glass. I also just ordered founder Camilla Marcus’s book, My Regenerative Kitchen: Plant-Based Recipes and Sustainable Practices to Nourish Ourselves and the Planet!

everything in my cart (beauty)…I’m outside so much living in Miami, so I’ve been trying to be better about sunscreen (and finding a hat I actually love). I always question sunscreen ingredients, but I finally found three I really like: the Sofie Pavitt Face Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30, the Rejuvenating Moisturizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 from Eighth Day, and the U Beauty Multimodal Defender SPF 30.

I also love the Cyklar Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Spray for smoother summer skin. And if you haven’t tried the Osea Undaria Algae Body Butter, you have to have it for glowing summer skin. It’s wonderful. Oh, and the Agent Nateur Body Balm. Love this too!

also…Meet Maderoterapia: The Colombian Wellness Ritual that Banishes Bloat, Sculpts the Skin, and Stimulates Lymphatic Drainage. I dry brush every night, but I would love to do my own Lymphatic Drainage using De la Heart The Body Tool. Not sure I could really keep up with it though.

lastly…if you want to upgrade your skincare, every product from Dr. Diamonds Metacine line has been amazing. This is a big investment, so try one product at a time. None has ever irritated my skin. My favorites are the Hydr/o Bioactive Hydrolipid Barrier Moisturizer, InstaFacial Infusion Biomimetic Microcollagen Matrix, and InstaFacial Plasma Duo Bioactive Growth Factors.

everything in my cart (high)…The Chanel Spring Summer 2026Maxi Flapbag. Anything Chanel, always!

making…a lot of homemade granola.

2. My Favorite Summer Drink Recipes.

Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita | halfbakedharvest.com

Most Popular: Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita

Spicy Cucumber Margarita | halfbakedharvest.com

Runner-up: Spicy Cucumber Margarita

Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash | halfbakedharvest.com

Also have to mention: Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash

Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frose | halfbakedharvest.com

Fun Frozen: Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frosé

Easy Ginger Blackberry Peach Cobbler | halfbakedharvest.com

And if you are baking: Easy Blackberry Peach Cobbler

3. The Sales To Shop Today.

Anthropologie

Lulu and Georgia

Pottery Barn

Away

4. Photos – 10 things.

Back to Miami after a week in Austin.

The New Lauryn Bosstick x Pvolve collection is the perfect intro workout for building strength and mobility.

My candle collection is so good right now. This is a Poured New York Candle.

Morning walks.

Martha’s new book, The Martha Way, is your guide to creating a beautiful home.

Made with plain sheep’s milk yogurt, Jamagansett raspberry jam (amazon link), fresh apricots, strawberries, blueberries, Whole Foods 365 organic almond butter, sprouted pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds

The last bit of warm sun.

The stories you share with me are a constant reminder of my “why.” Please never stop sharing your stories, and how the recipes or words touch you and your families.