The Edit: June 2025
Patio inspiration, a book I can't stop thinking about, "fish girl summer" (?!), garden notes and more.
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that I know the world is on fire and all of the below is extremely frivolous. But I’m also a big believer in finding joy where you can—that famous Mary Oliver line that “joy is not meant to be a crumb.”
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Growing up in Florida, I never realized how absolutely wonderful summers can be in a more temperature climate1. I’m currently in the process of making our patio hangout-worthy—think lots of herbs and flowers in terracotta pots, a vintage lounge chair with a navy-striped pillow, etc.—and the photo above is my forever inspiration. (Also, if you can swing it, highly recommend subscribing to the print edition of House & Garden UK, it is glorious.)
Amanda Hesser—cofounder of Food52—featured this incredible kitchen on her Substack last week. The dream. So well-loved—built for living and cooking in, not just posting about, you know? I ave thought about this kitchen every day since I read about it.
I keep seeing fish- and seafood-themed clothes and accessories everywhere. Just look at this seafood tower T-shirt or this adorable (but eye-wateringly expensive) raffia fish bag. I also love this shrimp roll tee. And if you don’t feel like shelling out tons of money on something new and trendy, eBay has a plethora of vintage sea-inspired T-shirts. Look at this!
That said, “fish girl summer” doesn’t quite have the same ring as last year’s “tomato girl summer,” does it?
I’m on the board of Bunker Projects (read my interview with Bunker’s amazing co-founder and creative director Jessie Rommelt here) and if you’re local, there are two really amazing events happening or coming soon.
The first is Room Party: Furry Art at the Beginning of the World. I love the description of the show: “The first-ever large-scale group exhibition of contemporary and experimental furry art, featuring over 50 artists working in drawing and painting, comics, photography, installation, video, and new media. Room Party [puts] furry artists in conversation with the fine art world, the broader queer community, and the contemporary moment.” It’s open now through July 20. Read more here.
The second is Fruit of the Dirt, a block party celebrating local artists, local small businesses and summer. Bunker Projects is producing the event in partnership with ‘77 Club—run by Brittani and Dustin Boutillier, two of the coolest people around who make some of the best pizza in town—and there’ll be music, art, vendors, a raffle, food and excellent vibes. It’s June 21 from 12-7 p.m. on Coral Street in Bloomfield-Garfield. Info here!
I read this book in 24 hours when I was in Florida last month—my mom had it on her nightstand and I swiped it, started it and couldn’t put it down. I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s the story of Ruth, a single mother and teacher, who adopts her drug-addicted daughter Eleanor’s baby, Lily, and raises the Lily as her own—but it’s also one of the most beautifully written novels about mothers and daughters and families I’ve read in ages. Susie Boyt, the author, humanizes Ruth and Eleanor—and later Lily—in such kind, judgment-free ways while also acknowledging both the (metaphorical) stab wounds and the tiny paper cuts they’ve inflicted on each other over the years.
Like I said, this is not a happy book. The ending is gut-wrenching. But at its core, it’s about love and the ways it changes us. I’ve never read anything like it and Boyd’s writing style adds to the joy and heartbreak of reading it. I’ve been thinking about it almost every day and want to buy a copy for my own house. Highly recommend (just keep Kleenex nearby if you’re a crier).
I’m thinking about making this a regular series, but let’s wrap up with a garden update. Peony season has come and gone, and while my plants flowered like crazy, the rain we had caused them to shrivel up/de-petal more quickly than usual, I think. The good news: a new variety bloomed for the first time (pictured above!) and all my dahlias are growing now, too. I’m going to try this method for making rooted cuttings when they get big enough to pinch.
Bulbs I’m thinking about for fall: foxtail lilies (they’re otherworldly!), Peony ‘Do Tell’ (look at it!), and some kind of wild-looking spider lily like this to get that potted look in the photo at top. I also want to plant a bunch of purple perennial salvia around the peonies in our front yard interest. (I don’t do well with annuals. Also, contrary to what it sounds like, I don’t love lilies—at least not the readily available kind; the smell is overwhelming to me. But the foxtails and spider lilies are stunning.) I also want to divide our hostas and plant more of them along our fence line—we have some huge ones and the bigger they grow, the cooler they look.
Finally, our Rambo apple trees—yes, we got this variety for our beloved dog!—are fruiting, but a squirrel or chipmunk has already started feasting, so I’m getting little mesh bags—like the ones wedding candy or makeup samples come in—to protect them. Quite the look!
Thanks for reading! Do you like this random round-up or do you prefer just interviews? Would you like to hear more about garden stuff? Food stuff? Pittsburgh? Writing? Travel? Leave a comment and let me know.
That said, Pittsburgh has been raining buckets lately. The sunny days have been glorious, though.
YES to all of this, but also to fish girl summer, which I initially came across as "sardine girl" summer! I'm not mad about it.