Fake cake, real cravings. Image source: @fake_cakess
 

Curated this week by Aliza Abarbanel
 

READ: I’m scared to admit this, but since this is a safe space: I’ve never read Elena Ferrante before! I’m finally easing into the cult Italian novelist’s oeuvre with The Lying Lives of Adults and the coming-of-age-in-the-Neopolitan-sunshine of it all has me hooked. 10/10, bringing it to the beach this weekend.

EAT: Are you a tinned fish girlie? If so, you might be into this flaky, fiery smoked salmon spiked with Sichuan chili crisp from Fishwife x Fly By Jing. I mixed some with my favorite Kewpie mayo and a squeeze of lime, then served over sushi rice for a quick and satisfying lunch. 

COOK WITH: We whip up everything from scrambled eggs to crispy tofu in Caraway’s naturally slick, ceramic-coated aluminum pans. The non-toxic line is free PTFE or single-use plastic, and sturdy enough to use for many meals to come. Get 10% off now. *Sponsor 

DANCE: Top-shelf producer Kaytranada and rapper Aminé teamed up for a bouncy, groovy collab album that brings all the summery long weekend vibes. It’s not even June, but your song of the summer might be on there.

DIVINE: I’m coveting this new, lush large-format tarot deck from printmaker Sophy Hollington. Her folkloric-inspired imagery has long been one of my favorite follows on Instagram, and I’ve never seen tarot illustrations quite like this.

SWAP: A quick endorsement for all the plant parents: Swap propagations with your friends! It’s the growing season for many plants, meaning you’ll quickly have a free new friend to add to your collection. I just planted a Ficus Audrey that I scored at a dinner party after a few weeks of sprouting in water, and my bedroom never looked greener.

SCORE: Channel your inner AFC Richmond player with the Nike x Ted Lasso Collection, a range of jerseys and other merch to rep your love of the game (or shortbread biscuits). Shop the show. *Sponsor 

SUBSCRIBE: I’ve been wanting to learn more about home bartending, and Al’s Cocktail Club is my favorite resource so far. Each issue from drinks historian/bartender Al Culliton blends craveable recipes with deep cocktail history—perfect for all my fellow history geeks who want to learn while we drink.

WATCH: Queer Eye is back, and yes, the first episode did make me cry. If you’re looking for a feel-good inspirational watch, it still hits hard.

GLOSS: I like a lip product for every mood, and lately, I’ve been reaching for this new-to-me juicy gloss from Tower 28 to imbue my vibe with some laid-back shine. It feels like a cross between chapstick and lip stain, almost “natural,” if it was possible to be this naturally glossy.

“Long time reader, first time responder, but heck yeah on including Dr. Becky! I'm an aging millennial, the mother of an almost-4yo, and Dr. Becky is the only parenting resource I've found that makes me feel confident I can raise my daughter to trust that she's loved, capable, and able to bravely face the world—without making me feel shamed or shitty about myself along the way. She's a generous, brilliant, compassionate wizard, her resources are so effective and helpful, and I recommend her to all new parents my age.”—Emily A., in response to the article “Welcome to the Era of Earnest Parenting" linked in Issue #318

The goodest boy. Image source: @lolita via @unreliable.narrators 
        

 

The Tyranny of ‘the Best’ (New York Times *gift link*). A great opinion essay advocating against the endless “best toasters of 2023” roundups online these days.

Nextdoor Has a Misinformation Program (The Atlantic). As elections heat up, community moderators are seeing the popular neighborhood social network get exploited for political gain.

Everything You Need for a Car-Free Picnic (Eater). Tips and tricks for packing a satisfying, refrigeration-free meal al fresco.

We’re All Shopping Addicts Now (The Cut). Haul videos are everywhere. How much should we actually be buying?

The Death of Fancy Ketchup (TASTE). Grocery shelves used to abound with artisanal ketchup—but it turns out, we all want Heinz.

Please note: Some of these reads may be under paywalls depending on your reading habits! We believe quality journalism is worth paying for, and strive to offer gifted links when available.