Hello from Freeman Beach Week!!! We opted to stay local for our annual family beach week and it has been so lovely. As I have posted on Instagram this week, I have gotten a lot of questions about how we go about planning this and how we make it happen. It’s funny because I actually talked to a few of my siblings about this, and the biggest thing I can say is that everybody is very committed to making it work. There are 21 of us: 10 adults, 11 kids. So far, we have always been able to find a house big enough to all be together, which is ideal for late-night chats and cousins being together. Sometimes you get the larger room, sometimes you get the smaller room. Sometimes you get to sleep kid-free, sometimes you sleep in a room with three kids. Do we all leave well-rested? LOL. I’m currently sharing a bathroom with my little brother Albert, his wife, and the collective seven kids we have between us. But we do not care! It’s one week. Last night I scared the crap out of Albert at 3 a.m. when he needed to use the restroom and I was already in there. When else do I get to do that?!
When it comes to food, we make a spreadsheet ahead of time where people can fill in what they are bringing and what night they want to cook, and then from there multiple grocery runs take place throughout the week. Every year I am blown away by how generous everyone is when it comes to groceries. If I notice we are out of something and add it to the grocery list, whoever goes to the store gets what is needed. I think you could also easily do this by having a collective money pot that people use to buy groceries and I know many families that do a big grocery order upon arrival and then split the bill.
When it comes to the evening meals, because it’s my parents + their four kids, that takes care of five of the nights. We usually do pizza one night and a final night of leftovers. On your night, you are in charge of thinking for and making the meal. This is one of my favorite parts of the entire week! I love enjoying what people cook, and I am only in charge of one meal! I feel like everyone tries really hard to do something delicious on their night because it’s just one night out of seven. Personally, I stick to something in the chicken category because you are not going to catch me cooking red meat for my brothers. They’re simply too good at cooking it!!
I know this is a short answer and not everyone has this same ability to get with their families be it from a geographical, scheduling, financial, or relational reasons, but I am really grateful for it. The biggest thing I think we do well is to remain flexible and not sweat the small stuff because the goal is being together.
Quince continues to knock it out of the park while still remaining affordable and high-quality. This matching European linen set is SO LOVELY! The top is the same one I’ve been wearing all spring and summer with the cute buttons on the back, and there’s a matching maxi skirt to wear as a set. I love that the skirt has a small slit and comfy waistband. Depending on what pattern/color top you choose, there’s also a wide leg pant and shorts option. Another favorite Quince item this month has been this high-neck tank top for hot days. It’s a super soft cotton and I love the crop length. Lastly, how fun are these sunglasses!? I shared in my May Faves that I’ve realized I love oval sunnies and these are perfect! The Power Nap is free each week, and sponsors like Quince help make that possible! Thanks for sponsoring this Power Nap, Quince!
The Prime Day Sale runs through tomorrow and I really see a lot of good deals, especially on everyday things I use often. Jess made a list of the top deals that overlap with items you already know and love from NTK! Note: these deals will ebb and flow so if you click the link and you don’t think it’s a good deal, the deal might be over. Also remember (I have to reminder myself of this every year, too): buying something you don’t really want or need simply because it’s on sale is not saving you money!!!!
PERSONAL FAVES: The sunglasses Jess and I agree are universally flattering are on sale! What Jess gave me for my birthday that I then gave to my sister is on sale (I wear whimsical)! If you are not yet using these mesh bags for, well, everything, what are you doing?! My Kindle Paperwhite is on good sale, and I promise it will pay for itself tenfold if you use the Libby app to rent books from your library and have them sent to your Kindle (Hot Tip: if you rent a book and are not finished by the time you need to return it, go into Airplane Mode! The library will take the book back, but it won’t leave your Kindle). The Skylight Cal is on a legitimately great deal. (Last Black Friday, I had a $40 off code, and that is what the frame is selling for on Amazon right now. I have the 15” $269 option, called the Cal 2).
REFILLS: I bought both a large and small of my miscellar water (I use this before the Elemis cleanser, which is also on big sale — 40% off!), the sheets for my fly trap, the GOAT stick for eczema and chapped faces, as well as almost all Supergoop suncreen (The PLAY everyday lotion is my favorite body sunscreen; sadly the Play Stick is not on sale, but Unseen Stick is!) If you get bumps on your arms or thighs, you gotta try this lotion. I reordered yesterday, as well as the shampoo and conditioner that works like a salon but at 1/10th of the price.
KITCHEN: This is a very good price on the veggie chopper that makes chopping tiny things a breeze. The Vitamix is on KILLER DEAL!!! I really swear by this as the best blender and to get over $100 off is amazing. Of course the pre-cut parchment sheets (I ordered more of these today; 12x16 size), and what I have and then gifted to my mom and my brother is a great deal! My silicone spatula set is also half off — under $7.
TRAVEL: Please if you don’t have one get yourself a portable charger. I like this one because it plugs directly into the wall to charge. Also, the retractable charger with 3 different heads is also on sale as well as my beloved travel extension cord with built in USB-C. The packing cubes we use are on sale! I have two sets.
CLEANING: The Tineco is on major sale (this allows you to vac and mop all at once!) as well as the new steam cleaner I have been using in my bathroom. Yesterday I polled my audience on more of an everyday vac-mop (though many people also messaged they use the Tineco daily) and this one was suggested 20x more than any other. Apparently it has a cult following!
I had my annual OBGYN visit and you know I had to make a parody video. This might be my favorite use of the dryer vac ever.
Here’s the easiest 4-ingredient no-churn ice cream. Recipe here.
My favorite beach/pool bags are on sale for Prime Day! Here’s a video comparing the two.
East of Eden — John Steinbeck — Whoa. Now this was a proper book. Aron looks pure, but he’s fragile because he depends on keeping the world clean. Cal knows too much and his struggle feels more honest, and strangely more redeemable. And real goodness has to wrestle; it has to see clearly what it’s capable of and choose differently anyway. And then there’s Lee, the servant. Steinbeck hides the wisest man in the room in plain sight. For me, strong contender for “The Great American Novel.”
1929 — Andrew Ross Sorkin — Big ARS fan. I met him at a restaurant in Charleston one time. This book chronicles the market crash and Great Depression of the 20’s and 30’s. Enjoyable if you like history. Dovetails nicely with House of Morgan -- a lot of the same players show up.
Guns of August — Barbara Tuchman — This history book, which won the Pulitzer in 1963, re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict. The writing is wonderful -- it was funny, which is not often said of a history book. But it got a little too deep into the military intricacies for me. I made it about 3/4th of the way through.
School of Night — Karl Ove Knausgård — One of my favorite authors, this is book four in his “Morning Star” series. But you do not have to read books 1-3 to understand it. A very dark book about a Norwegian photographer in London who makes a Faustian bargain. A supernatural tale of ambition and its consequences. Like all of his books, not much seems to happen and yet I cannot put them down.
A Perfect Spy - John le Carré — Spy novel about a high-ranking British intelligence officer who disappears, triggering a manhunt that uncovers his complex, deceptive life shaped by his con-man father. This was highly recommended, but I could not get into it. Maybe it was because I listened (not read), but I could not keep up with all the backstory.
Jess here. I made this Mediterranean Bean Salad at the beach and I am obsessed! I’m trying to eat beans every day for the fiber and easy protein. I love anything mediterranean themed, but this with some pita chips takes you to another planet. The recipe notes tell you kalamata olives and parmesan cheese are optional to add, but let me tell you, they are NOT optional. The celery and cucumber add the perfect crunch. I think this would be delicious as a side for a Mediterranean Gyro Night, or great on its own for a fancy lunch, which is what I have been doing at the beach!
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