EDITORâS NOTE Happy Saturday. Itâs been nonstop Olympics in my house this week. But instead of channeling my inner athlete like this woman, Iâve decided to hand out some Best Dressed medals. Gold goes to, obviously, Simone Biles for wearing a very blingy necklace that only the GOAT could pull off. Jessica Chastain wins silver for making the American flag look unexpectedly chic. (Unfortunately, the same canât be said for Jason Kelce and his beret.) And Natalie Portman takes bronze after cosplaying as one of Franceâs best exports: Dijon mustard. Plus, Kendall Jenner gets an honorable mention for doing the impossible â aka, making Team USAâs closing ceremony outfit look cool. Now, as for what should have been in medal contention? The BeyoncĂ©-inspired leotards that Jordan Chiles wore earlier this year. Which, in my opinion, are even better than the ones in Team USAâs current lineup. Câest la vie. â Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC |
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Liars by Sarah MangusotheSkimmJane and John seem like a perfect match. Both are creatives who want the same things, including a happy, fulfilling life together. But over the course of their 14-year marriage, motherhood and domestic duties force Janeâs successful writing career to take a backseat â all while Johnâs filmmaking aspirations propel forward. When their marriage collapses, John seems like the obvious culprit, but as the title of Sarah Mangusoâs sharp and âbeautifully wroughtâ novel implies, Liars is about two people. Meaning, thereâs more than one side to the story. We asked Manguso a few questions. Hereâs what she had to say⊠Q: Whatâs an unpopular opinion you stand by?Manguso: Brunch is bad. Q: Whatâs your most prized possession?Manguso: My divorce ring, which is a rainbow moonstone set in gold by Lola Brooks. She also made my engagement ring, but this oneâs better. Q: Whatâs your shortcut to relaxation?Manguso: A bath, as long as the tub isnât too rectilinear. An ovoid tub pleases me, but a squarish one I find depressing. |
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A Supremely Good Summer Steak Salad to End All Other SaladstheSkimmNot that anybody asked, but weâve officially declared it Steak Salad Summer. Now, to be clear, weâre not talking about salads with overcooked meat and wilted greens. Weâre talking salads with big, bold personalities, like this Steak & Peach Salad with Sizzled Scallion Chimichurri by Carina Wolff (aka Kale Me Maybe). Featuring perfectly seared steak, grilled peaches, pickled red onions, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and peppery arugula, the recipe bursts with flavor and texture. And thatâs before you add the real star: an herby dressing thatâs part Chinese scallion sauce, part Argentine chimichurri, and altogether delicious. The Time Commitment: About 35 minutes, according to Wolff. That includes 15 minutes prepping and 20 minutes cooking. Key Tips: If the idea of searing steak sounds like a job better suited for Ina Garten (or literally anyone else) we get it. Our advice? Invest in a decent instant read thermometer (we like this one), which will eliminate any guesswork. Also, if you donât own a grill pan, you can use a skillet instead. Other Takes: As we mentioned, weâre all about steak salads doing the most â in the best way possible. Just take this Thai Beef Salad, which can be made in under 30 minutes and is sweet, spicy, and above all, zingy. And this Loaded Grilled Steak Salad, which combines all the seasonal produce (peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and corn) for what tastes like summer in a bowl. Plus, this Grilled Steak Panzanella Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette is a reminder that any salad largely made of bread is one you should make ASAP. Same goes for these Gorgonzola Steak Lettuce Cups with Herby Vinaigretteâ which are, essentially, handheld salads. |
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This Charming Wine Town Is Californiaâs Best Kept SecrettheSkimmSanta Barbara may get all the glory when it comes to getaways on Californiaâs Central Coast. But thereâs a lesser-known destination thatâs, dare we say, even cooler and more magical than where the âPrincess of Montecitoâ resides. Located about 45 minutes inland, Los Olivos is a charming small town in the increasingly popular Santa Ynez Valley. And while it may not have beaches, it has renowned restaurants, Old West charm, plenty of ways to take in the pure pastoral setting (think: biking, hiking, horseback riding), and a tasting room every .01 square mile. Really. đ You could rent one of the adorable (and affordable) Airbnbs in and around Los Olivos. Or, you could stay at the family-run Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. In addition to the boutique hotelâs heated pool, library, and fantastic on-site restaurant, each of the 19 rooms feature cozy fireplaces, high-quality bedding, and spa-inspired amenities. đ· The ânew Napaâ is home to dozens of wineries â many of which have tasting rooms downtown in Los Olivos. Start at Stolpman Vineyards, popular for its small-batch natural wines (worth noting: its Fresh Garage Patio has more experimental offerings). Then head across the street to Liquid Farm (known for its chardonnay and pinot noir), before visiting the female-owned Story of Soil for spectacular gamay. When you need a break from sipping, pop into nearby boutiques like Los Olivos General Store (for chic candles and kitchen accouterments) and Global Eye Shop & Studio (for homemade tableware and decor). đïž In addition to Los Olivos, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to five other equally picturesque towns â all of which are within a 15- to 20-minute drive. So itâs easy to do a day trip to one or more. We recommend stopping in Santa Ynez, a âsophisticated cowboy town,â to shop for everything from custom hats to designer clothes, learn more about the local history, and listen to live music at an old-school saloon. And donât miss Solvang, an excessively whimsical Danish village that looks straight out of a fairytale. (Pro tip: Before leaving, pick up a kringle from 50-plus-year-old Olsenâs Danish Village Bakery.) đŽ Los Olivos is surrounded by farms, so make sure to stock up on fresh produce and other tasty souvenirs at one of the local stands (Finley Farms and Summerset Farm are both excellent choices). Then for something more substantial, check out Nella Kitchen & Bar, where any of the five pinsas (think: pizza but with light, fluffy bread) are a must-order. And you canât go wrong with a reservation at Bar Le CĂŽte. The French-inspired, California cool seafood spot is âthe crown jewel in the townâs dining scene.â |
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We asked you to vote on an etiquette question youâd like answered. The winner was: Q: I never know when itâs acceptable to send an email thank you note instead of a handwritten one. Does it still matter in 2024 as long as youâre expressing your appreciation?âIt really depends on [the recipient], their age group, and the industry [or situation]. Letâs say you had an interview in tech or finance. Usually, you want a thank you [to be received] within 24 hours. But if you handwrite one, itâs going to be a couple days [until they get it]. Also, for those industries, handwritten notes are considered outdated. ⊠Weddings are more traditional, so for gifts from someone older, I would handwrite. But if itâs a friend or someone younger, then itâs acceptable to call or text. Birthdays are less traditional than weddings, so sending a digital thank you is acceptable ⊠And of course, if itâs a personal meeting â letâs say you met an old family friend or your grandma treated you to a lovely meal â then you can write a thank you note. It doesnât matter if it arrives a little late.â |
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Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week? |
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Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently. These comfy and stable earbuds have a cuff-like, open-ear design that make it easy to hear the world around you while youâre on the go â without pressing pause.* Looking for an easy home upgrade? Mitzi has some of the chicest lighting we've seen. You'll find plenty of styles under $200, including this cute Barbie Table Lamp. đšThis is officially your last call to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Here's our guide to all the deals worth buying before it ends tomorrow. | PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram. |
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Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them here. |
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Skimmâd by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson | Photos by Hogarth, Carina Wolff, S. Greg Panosian via Getty Images, George Rose via Getty Images, courtesy of Sara Jane Ho, Jamie Grill via Getty Images, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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