11 Summer Essentials We Swear By
The best bronzer, beach tote, recipes, sundress, swimsuits and more
Dear friends,
We’re taking a break this week from the Big Question to share our most asked about summer staples. Of any season, this is the one we enjoy the most and overthink the least—partly because we long ago sorted our uniforms, beauty routines and entertaining styles, freeing us up to luxuriate on (mosquito-free) patios with our favorite people, linger over delicious F+B, and converse into the wee hours as often as possible. Our best advice for summer is less is more, and our wish for you is let it be easy. Now please pass the sunscreen.
Cheers,
Kate & Elizabeth
BRONZER
The true test of a beauty product is what happens when it’s gone. Do you replace it, or revel in the excuse to try something new? I didn’t know just how much I belong to Benefit Hoola Bronzer until I reached the bottom. Mind you there’s a gorgeous Bobbi Brown number in the drawer right next to it, but it pales in comparison to this stay-put, buildable matte formula that mimics what my naturally tan face looked like in the 90s. I wear the original shade, but Benefit has since come out with a range—and a jumbo size! –Elizabeth
BEACH TOTE
A few years ago, I spent an ungodly amount of time researching beach totes. The brief: must carry supplies for two adults (including an outfit change for me) while presenting as an actual accessory versus a reuseable logo tote someone “forgot” at our house. I love a structured straw bag for a proper pool day, but this sucker needed to survive a sandy beach or boat; bonus if my husband wasn’t embarrassed to schlepp it. The Steele Canvas Waterproof Beach Tote checked every box. It’s also huge, and I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. –Elizabeth
COCKTAIL
Summer is what we affectionately refer to as “G-Ton Season.” I’m happy to sip any trendy cocktail du jour, and will no doubt love it, but you can’t beat the crisp, refreshing zing of a lovingly made G&T. Squeeze the lime wedge over a tumbler full of ice (crucial first step), pour a shot of St. George Terrior Gin, then finish with a heavy splash of Fever-Tree. Who knew I was such a traditionalist? –Kate
DRESS
It’s been a minute since this diehard pants girl has had a go-to summer dress, but reader, I found one! After months of eyeing Jenni Kayne’s Cove Dress I finally bit the bullet because I needed something neutral, light and easy to dress up or down. The cotton is a little heavier than I expected, but that’s actually perfect because it lends a little more structure. I’m seriously considering a second one in Natural Stripe. –Kate
NAIL COLOR
Listen. There are people who track nail trends for sport. I am not one of them. From June to September, give me Essie Clambake, Olive & June CV—or nothing at all.
–Elizabeth
PLAYLIST
Summer jams make life worth living! When it’s hot and sticky, and the cornhole boards are on blast, we’re going full Americana with Tom Petty’s Breakdown. We’ll then want Tom and Stevie to wail it out together before artfully transitioning to yachtier tracks such as Right Down the Line. When it’s time to go uptempo, any playlist built around this GOAT summer anthem is pure fire. –Kate
RECIPE FOR ENTERTAINING
If you’re coming to my house for dinner, which I hope you are, chances are we’re having this soy-scallion-hot sauce marinated flank steak. This simple-yet-flavorful crowd-pleaser never misses the mark, which is probably why Dinner: A Love Story recipes are some of my most heavily rotated. I’ll also serve Cookish’s pasta with sage, walnut and parm pesto on the side. It’s unexpectedly earthy and so, so good. –Kate
SANDALS
Please do not @ me for dedicating this otherwise refined space to rubber slides, but the real MVP of my summer footwear collection is Freedom Moses. For walking the dog, running errands, hitting the beach, pretending to garden, or going to the dentist at 8am while trying to look like I didn’t just roll out of bed—these are it. I love a nude shoe for versatility, but the brand’s color ways are super fun, too. –Elizabeth
SHORTS
In my experience, there are public shorts people and people who only wear shorts in private. I am the latter, except when it comes to pull-on paperbag denim shorts—pull-on being the polite way of saying they feel like pajamas but look like you’re wearing an actual outfit. –Elizabeth
SUNGLASSES
Why is a good pair of sunnies so hard to find? I’ve cycled through more pairs of Wayfarers than I care to admit. As much as I love them, I finally had to accept they simply don’t flatter my face. On a lark I grabbed these Le Specs Thirstdays from Bluebird Boutique and I’ve never been happier. They’re cute, snug, and transition seamlessly from boat to baseball field. –Kate
SWIMSUIT
I’ve never met anyone who enjoys shopping for a suit. Have you? This is why we all need dependable basics that help a sister out instead of letting her hang out to suffer. I’m currently digging Andie’s Tulum and twinning with my friend Kelly S. in Robin Piccone’s Amy. –Kate
P.S.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Don’t need but definitely want for the packaging alone. Listening to on repeat: Life Tips For All of Us. (reader reco!) One of each, please. The best $10 we’ve spent all summer. Better late than never to the John Mulaney party. These are fun—and they work! Glad to see this article on girls and social media making the rounds. Good timing, because the patriarchy is even more insidious than we thought. (another reader reco!) If you invested that 30k instead of spending it on a wedding, well, shit.
Got a pressing question you’d like us to tackle or something you think our readers would love? Drop us a line at lesfemmesq@gmail.com.
Too much perfection! Summer will have to be extended to try, use, buy and relish everything in your delightful post!
Per above!
Pasta with Sage, Walnut and Parmesan Pesto
Serves 4-6
2 3/4 ounces Parmesan cheese (without rind), chopped into rough 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup walnuts
1/3 cup lightly packed fresh sage, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1/3 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Leaves from 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1 pound rigatoni or paccheri pasta
In a food processor, pulse the Parmesan to the texture of coarse sand; transfer to a bowl. Process the walnuts, sage, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. Add the Parm, ricotta and half the oil, then process until smooth. Add the parsley and remaining oil; pulse until creamy. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain. Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding cooking water as needed to help the sauce cling. Season with salt and pepper.
xoxo