EDITORâS NOTE Happy Saturday. Weâre deep into the dog days of summer, and Iâm racing to tick off everything on my warm-weather bucket list. First up is trying out this funky, beach-worthy hibiscus manicure, followed by investing in the summerâs hottest accessory â a chic portable fan, if such a thing even exists. Of course, Iâm also making my favorite summer recipe: Wishbone Kitchenâs viral Sungold Tomato Pasta (words canât express my feelings for this dish). And I have to admit, Iâm not ready for fall. Iâm certainly not prepared to wear stuffed animals, as seen on the runways of Copenhagen Fashion Week. For now, Iâll ponder whether I can pull off the upcoming seasonâs âpaper bag bootâ trend. At least for the next few weeks, Iâll be sticking to flip-flops⌠â Alex Carr / Editorial Director / New York, NY |
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The Pairing by Casey McQuistontheSkimmCasey McQuiston has a knack for writing steamy queer rom-coms (see: the bestselling book-turned-movie Red, White & Royal Blue) â and their latest novel is no exception. The Pairingfollows estranged exes (and former childhood best friends) Theo and Kit, who unexpectedly find themselves on the same European food and wine tour. Stuck together, they challenge one another to an international hookup competition â after all, thereâs no spark between them, anywayâŚor so they think. Fun and juicy, The Pairing is a delightfully bisexual enemies-to-lovers story you wonât be able to put down. We asked McQuiston a few questions. Hereâs what they had to say⌠Q: Whatâs one thing you canât stop listening to?McQuiston: The Last Dinner Partyâs album Prelude to Ecstasy. My partner once described it as sounding like âABBA but satanic,â which I think sums up why I love it. Q: Whatâs one thing that makes you laugh without fail?McQuiston: That one tweet about Barry Keoghan explaining the Joker to Sabrina Carpenter. Q: Whatâs a corner of the internet you recently discovered?McQuiston: Kenji LĂłpez-Altâs YouTube channel. I absolutely adore the zero-production chaos of his cooking tutorials, from the dogs popping into frame to sniff for scraps to the latest color his kids have painted his nails. And Iâve learned a lot! My partner and I love to watch while we eat dinner. |
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This Easy Croissant Breakfast Bake Wins Brunch Every TimetheSkimmThanks to the Olympics, it seems like everyone (at least, everyone on social media) is enjoying croissants in Paris. But for those of us who couldnât make the trip, this Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Bacon & Gruyere by Well Seasoned Studio is the next best thing. Loaded with buttery croissant dough, crispy bacon, gooey gruyere, and a creamy egg custard, this easy, make-ahead dish is perfect for Labor Day weekend brunch or any lazy Sunday morning. Either way, it tastes almost (emphasis on almost) as good as a summer day spent in France. The Time Commitment: This recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep work, before baking for 45 minutes. Key Tips: Well Seasoned Studio recommends using slightly stale croissants as âthey hold up better with the added liquid, whereas fresh croissants can end up a bit mushy.â And brioche, challah, and French bread are great substitutes if you donât have croissants on hand â just tear the bread into bite-sized pieces so the egg mixture soaks up evenly. Other Takes: Thereâs nothing like a warm, flakey croissant and a cup of coffee, but if youâre feeling inspired, there are endless ways to get creative with this perfect puff pastry. Sweet and slightly tart, this Overnight Breakfast Berry Bake with Caramel Syrup has a melt-in-your-mouth âcustard-likeâ texture. But if you prefer savory, try this equally satisfying Savory Croissant Casserole with Mushroom, Spinach, and Cheese. For a non-casserole option, consider these Killer Maple Mustard Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches, which, as their name implies, are killer. Or, go the dessert route with these Sâmores Croissants â which, yes, you can and should eat for breakfast. |
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The Popular Ski Town Thatâs Just as Magical in the Summer theSkimmSure, Aspen has a reputation for being over-the-top â ahem, âBillionaire Mountainâ â but the majestic Colorado mountain town is more than just a bougie vacation destination. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Aspen offers lush, otherworldly views (hitch a gondola ride for some of the best), every outdoor adventure imaginable (rock climbing, paragliding, and ziplining, to name a few), and, for the non-adrenaline junkies, a vibrant downtown area filled with top-notch dining and shopping. But donât take our word for it â everyone from Rihanna to Goldie Hawn to the Kardashian-Jenner clan loves Aspen. Talk about something for everyone. đ Named one ofEsquireâs best new hotels of 2024, MOLLIE Aspen is the chiller, boutique cousin to Aspenâs five-star resorts. Guests are greeted in the stylish lobby with vintage-esque furniture, a crackling fireplace, and thoughtful blend of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design. And since MOLLIE is right on the edge of town, guests are a five-minute walk from the townâs shops and restaurants. Though, considering the hotelâs bar was created by the same team behind the famous Death & Co speakeasy in New York, we donât blame you if you donât want to leave. đ Hiking is one of the best ways to absorb Aspenâs natural beauty â especially the Maroon Bells and its iconic wine-colored twin peaks. To see the postcard-worthy landmark, consider walking the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, which is an easy, one-mile loop. Thereâs also Crater Lake Trail next to the Bells â a 3.6-mile hike with spectacular views thatâs slightly more challenging. And for something closer to town, try the 1.5-mile trek up Smuggler Mountain Trail. Pro tip: Stop by Las MontaĂąas for a post-hike margarita. đ¨ Soak up some culture by perusing Aspenâs many museums and art galleries. And while the Aspen Art Museum (designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban) and the Baldwin Gallery (check out the myblackisbeautiful multimedia exhibit) are worthy visits for viewing contemporary works, in recent years, Boesky West has grabbed attention as the âworldâs most interesting art gallery youâve never heard of.â When youâre done gallery-hopping, be sure to stroll through Aspen Saturday Market for crafts, jewelry, and other goodies made by locals. đ´ Aspenâs dining scene rivals some of the best cities in the country. For lunch, hit up local favorite White House Tavern (get the crispy chicken sandwich â trust us) or Meat & Cheese, which is a deli-restaurant hybrid. But if youâre looking for something more elevated, make a dinner reservation at Clark's Oyster Bar for delicious seafood (oysters, of course, are a given) or Casa Tua for upscale Northern Italian cuisine. Finally, end the evening with a cocktail at J-Bar, the cozy, sophisticated saloon at the historic Hotel Jerome. |
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We asked you to vote on an etiquette question youâd like answered. The winner was: Q: Iâm terrible at remembering peopleâs names. Whatâs the least awkward way to ask someone to remind me of their name â especially when Iâm introducing them to someone else?â[When you forget someoneâs name], honesty is the best policy. In a gracious manner, [say]: âIâm so sorry, Iâm terrible with names. Please remind me of your name again.â ⌠Youâre smiling, sweet, and apologetic. Those are the keys to making someone feel special and memorable. The next time, you need to nail it. You cannot forget someoneâs name more than once because then it starts to hurt. If you have two people that youâre introducing [and] you remember one personâs name but forgot the other personâs, all you need to do is let them do the work. You introduce them to each other: âIâm sorry, have you two met?â You set it up. The best result is that they introduce themselves to each other.â |
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Skimmâd by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson | Photos by St. Martin's Griffin, Cambrea of Cambrea Bakes, SeanXu via iStock, krblokhin via iStock, Maskot via Getty Images, courtesy of Lisa GachĂŠ, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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