The DM | Issue Seventeen
Or the one where we'd really just prefer to be dining al fresco
a. Happy Friday!
b. Happy Start of the Tokyo Summer Olympics!
c. Happy Season Two Premiere of ‘Ted Lasso’ Day!
d. All of the above!
Since it’s obviously a jam-packed day up in here, we’ll keep this intro short (like a billionaire’s jaunt into space) and sweet (like mint chip ice cream sandwich cake).
Whether you plan on doing some gold-medal-winning-worthy TV watching by tuning into the fan-less Summer Games or binging all the episodes of Jason Sudekis’ heart-warming return, or are opting outside, chasing beachside or poolside dreams, far away from any screen - just do us a favor and have a super fly weekend, okay?
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From Meg
Cheers to the D
D, for Devon. Obviously.
Devon is the kind of person who always seems to be on the verge of a spontaneous dinner party. She taught me the ‘never come empty-handed trick’ at other people’s homes. She’s taught me to be thoughtful about my charcuterie selection and not just haphazardly pick out cheeses. She’s inspired me to be more aware of what kind of wine I’m drinking beyond the label (... sometimes).
Basically, if there is a six-step plan to becoming closer to how I envision Gwyneth Paltrow lives, Devon is like a 5.1 on that scale and I’m hovering around a 3.2. But no more! In an effort to improve my score, I’m putting on a virtual cocktail hour in my section and we’re starting with three rounds of drinks.
Let’s begin with Zuzu, which is all glitter and no gas, a light sparkling cocktail concoction that I haven’t actually tried but I keep almost buying an entire case of because gosh, that website is that compelling. Also 16 bottles for 5 dollars each? Just floating that out there.
Next up, some herbal wine which sort of makes me think of tea which means we definitely won’t have a hangover after drinking this whole bottle because this isn’t a real cocktail hour, it’s an email so drink three of these and Cale me in the morning.
And why shouldn’t we finish up with something spicy? What about some mezcal… on fire? Agua Magica is the IT mezcal of the moment which means Devon definitely already knows about it and now, you do too. Bonus: Try the Una Noche from this super cool cocktail list to really put it to work.
Please table that cloth
Now that we’re all buzzed and excited about what the rest of the evening contains, please join me at my beautiful outdoor party setting. It looks something like this.
Ok actually, all I want to talk about is how cool tablecloths are. Have I lost you? Why do you think I had you drink three beverages before you got here? Because tablecloths are the new going out top and if you don’t believe me, you can take your drunk ass home. ANYWAY as I was saying, take a seat at my table. We got options.
Easy access: the perfect french dinner party companion
A statement piece that won’t break the budget but may MAKE the evening.
Aspirational but attainable maybe: Do you even summer if you don't know Heather Taylor Home?
If you’re rich and perhaps also crazy: GP definitely has this guy as her backup set.
Bug don’t kill my vibe
And finally, there’s nothing quite like being at an outdoor event while slowly being eaten alive by mosquitos. Ah, nature. FTR, I am a 2 on this scale.
But good news! No more do you have to sit around and ruin the ambiance of your delightful aesthetic evening with something that looks like it was bought out of the REI clearance aisle. Put away the plastic citronella sticker covered lantern looking thing. The world is changing and so are your citronella options.
THE cult candle presents an incredibly classy citronella remix
I have this beautiful glass brand’s french press and this citronella candle. The word choice you’re looking for is hubba, hubba.
From Devon
Olive you
Quick editor’s note: I’m quite flattered by Meg’s first section, and in a grateful and on-brand vein, I’m starting off with - you guessed it! - a cocktail for your consideration!
I’ve expressed my love for martinis here many a time (i.e. in at least three issues, zero shame in that game), and while I’m firmly Team Gin, Pineapple Collective**’s new olive oil-washed martini recipe has me considering going the way of the vodka ‘tini contingent (albeit temporarily). Peep the video below, and then let me know when you’re free - I’ll come over with all the fixings and we’ll mix up a few in the name of “R&D”, alongside some radish butter bites for good measure.
**Unsure of what Pineapple Collective is? In the era of fancy olive oils, this women-founded olive oil brand is my fave. Their pretty tins are one thing, but their liquid gold is worth the hype in my opinion, as is their apple cider vinegar (which I use in salad dressings and in my morning lemon water if I’m feeling *cRaZy*).
It’s all Eighties, babies
Very late to the trend, but I recently embarked on a quest to decide whether or not I should continue to ignore bike shorts once and for all. Well, reader, I chose to take the red pill and, thanks to this pair, I’ve opted in on our collective cultural attempt to achieve a revamped 80s aerobics/vintage cool girl Princess Diana lewk all summer long.
Blame it on the bike shorts, but suddenly, I’m noticing nods to the 80s all over the place. First, it was stumbling across this nifty remastered music video of a classic synth-pop jam (fun fact: it has 1.3 BILLION views); then John Mayer’s 80’s-tinged marketing; and lastly, Igloo’s ‘totally rad’ Retro Collection featuring their OG coolers (as well as a new duffel bag cooler), beverage jugs, and fanny packs in bodaciously bright color combos that are sure-to-be-standouts at your next tubular park hang.
In translation
If your small talk game needs a refresher, a hot tip: memorize some of these untranslatable words from other countries. I’m partial to ‘sobremesa,’ a Spanish word describing the period of time after a meal when both the conversation and people happily linger with no real agenda, and ‘komorebi,’ which is Japanese for when sunlight filters through the trees.
Just lay down
Like many of us, I’m embracing post-vaccination “return to normals” with great enthusiasm and vigor. Yes to parties! Hugs! Restaurants at full capacity! Dance floor makeouts in crowded bars (a story for another time)! Planning trips! Getting your ass kicked in a sweaty, jam-packed Barry’s Bootcamp class with no mask! You get the gist. Nature is healing (the Delta variant or the fact that there’s still no ice cream store samples notwithstanding).
So, yes, I might be in a serious relationship with this new-lease-on-life feeling - however, trying to do all the things, while also working and being an adult and attempting to be healthy(ish) is, unsurprisingly, exhausting. I hit a wall in-between plans this past weekend, and in an effort to get in a *self care* quickie, I took some recently read advice to heart and - just laid down. Though the article suggests lying on the floor, I chose my bed, put on the aforementioned new John Mayer album, placed my phone out of arm’s distance, and stayed horizontal, doing nothing, for about ten minutes. And as simple as it all was, it really did make me feel better.
This “practice” is in no way revolutionary, nor am I trying to preach some cutting-edge wellness advice here. As someone who packs her days real full, I only offer this as a simple testament to the power of just stopping, even if just for a minute, to take a pause, take a breath, and try to recalibrate, all the while attempting not to let the rest of 2021 fly by at warp speed.
Call it a comeback
If you’re looking for that little nudge to take the first step, pivot, find some new inspiration, or simply go YOLO for a bit, this one’s for you (once you get up from lying down^^ that is).
And, before you go, a snapshot of what I’m currently:
Remembering: to twirl like Zaila
Listening to: a lightly moody bop, ‘I’m Not Your Lover’ / a boppy bop, ‘Honeybody’ / and a dance-y bop, ‘Real Love x Sunchyme’
Donating to: The Birthday Party Project
Reading: Actress Casey Wilson’s new book and her equally as entertaining Grubstreet Diet
Wanting to try: Trader Joe’s latest summer snack drop