The June Edit
Monotype printmaking, three great summer reads, velvet-slippered gondoliers, and strawberry meringue.
The Monthly Edits are a casual curation of my consumptions from the past few weeks including: books I read, delicious eats, fun finds, and personal experiences. Buon appetito!
three great books, and camped in the backyard—boring girl summer is well underway. It’s been a fun month of trying new things, challenging myself creatively, and starting to enjoy the bounty that surrounds us. Summer is the season of abundance after all, and I’m endlessly grateful for the variety of goodness it provides. Like the big pink pom poms in my garden (above), silently cheering me on from the backyard.
It’s Canada Day long weekend over here! We’ll be beating the heat with fresh fruit and drinkable shrubs (more on that below). Adding things like mint, cucumber, and cherries to the mix. I made a batch of this pesto and it didn’t last long—looks like I’ll be making more this weekend. Seasonal eating is something I would like to be more intentional about moving forward. I’ve struggled with my fair share of digestive issues and wonder if staying more in rhythm with my environment might help to ease my system. I’ll keep you posted, and if you’re interested to know what’s currently in season in your area, I found this regional guide really helpful.
Alright, here’s how the month went:
The backyard is officially my favourite campground. There’s something about having a fancy duvet all exposed to the elements that feels so….right.
Have you tried shrubs (aka drinking-vinegars) yet? I came across these a few weeks ago and they might just be the most refreshing beverage I’ve ever had! They’re a concentrated and very simple combination of vinegar, fruit, herbs, and (sometimes) honey. You can use them at a 1-to-6 ratio with sparkling water for a delicious mocktail, or mix them with olive oil for salad dressings and marinades. I’m in love with this peach and cardamom shrub that’s made here in Victoria. Sideyard Shrubs (for those of you in the US) also looks yummy.
Earlier this month I put together a digital art gallery based on layered cakes and buttercream ruffles. I also mentioned I would be baking my husband Scott a devil’s food cake for his birthday. This fudgy coffee-filled delight with cream cheese frosting and fresh blackberries turned out even better than I imagined! We feasted like kings and played a new board game—sitting around the table laughing like children. A couple friends texted me the next day asking for the cake recipe—I used this one, which you might want to bookmark.
Fantastic TED Talk: Let Your Garden Grow Wild
Lemon bars with strawberry meringue.
Salvador Dalí’s rarely seen floral works.
What Italian job should you have? I could see myself happy as a velvet-slippered gondolier.
The organic cotton tees I’m always wearing.
These glass ice-cream spoons + this silver sofa.
Made me laugh.
We just tried this chocolate and it was divine.
The butter yellow camping mug on my wish list.
Polly pocket was the OG small space pioneer.
Can you imagine being able to rent one of these?
This month in reading:
We Were The Universe by Kimberly King Parsons. A sarcastic, funny, weird, emotional, and...horny(?) read. A young mother navigates her desires, guilt, and grief after the loss of her younger sister. I wasn’t certain at first, but the lyrical text and shameless honesty of this story grew on me. By the end, I was hoping more pages would write themselves so I could continue my time in that world.
The Cook by Maylis De Kerangal. This scrumptious little novella was an absolute joy to read. A coming-of-age story centring around a self-taught chef in Paris and Berlin. Translated from French, the text is poetic, vivid, and emotional. A glimpse into the struggles of starting a business, working in a kitchen, and following your passions.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This was my third book by this author and hands-down my favourite. The world’s best tennis player comes out of retirement in an attempt to reclaim her record. With her father as her coach, and a lifetime of sacrifices behind her, she gives us front row seats to Wimbledon and an unforgettable story. A fantastic summer read, especially if you enjoy tennis!
Monotype Printmaking Class
We drove up to Qualicum Beach for a fun and unique art class with the lovely Alexa Johnston. It was our first time making monotypes. Have you heard of this type of printmaking before?
It’s a unique technique made by applying watercolours onto a flat sheet of metal, glass, or plastic. Once the painted image fully dries, it is transferred onto wet cotton paper by using a printing press. Unlike other forms of printmaking, a monotype is only produced once and is entirely unique.
It was so rewarding to come home with four original artworks (two each) that we can hang on the walls and remember this lovely afternoon by. The textures and colours turned out really cool. This technique is very forgiving, you don’t need to be a talented artist to create something beautiful. Having the art pressed directly onto the paper also gives a very professional look—as someone who has zero painting skills, I was really impressed when I revealed my pieces. Pop these babies into a nice frame and I bet I could convince someone we bought them at a fancy gallery—hah.
I hope you’ve had a fun June. Thank you so much for reading and as always, I would love to hear from you!
What are you excited about right now?
Best meal you’ve made yourself lately?
Ciao,
Footnote: Boring Girl Summer made it onto the “good stuff on the internet” section of this New Yorker article! I’m a big fan of their publication so even the small mention feels like something worth celebrating.🍾
Thank you so much for being here.
It means a lot. xx
Archie’s been asking to camp in the backyard this summer. You’ve inspired me, once we dip below 90’s here, we’re doing it!
I’ve added all those books to my TBR list. That print making class 😍😍😍
I HAVE to make my way to Victoria. That picture is so beautiful.
So incredibly hyped for you being in that New Yorker article. What an amazing moment 🌟
First off, HUGE congrats on The New Yorker shout-out. That's incredible and must be celebrated (perhaps with another fudgey cake?) Second, thanks for putting The Cook on my radar! I've been devouring both cooking memoirs and novels centered in France lately, so this seems like the perfect combination.
I recently made leeks from the farmers market with sauce gribiche from a dog-eared Food & Wine article I've had since... I don't even know how long... and devoured it. I went out and bought cod to slather it over the next day because I couldn't bring myself to toss the leftovers!