The weekly Friday post is a delightful round-up of fun/useful recs and things noted from the week. Consider it a little dose of joy for your inbox.

Here are a few things I noted this week…

• Watching: Bridgerton, season 3 part one is out now on Netflix! Who else is watching? This show never fails to put me in a happy, cozy mood. Season 3 centers on Penelope and Colin’s relationship. (And apparently, Netflix is trying to make the hashtag #Polin a thing...). I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and they are the cutest together.

• What I cooked this week: This lemon orzo asparagus dish (NYT gift link) was so easy. The garlic breadcrumb topping made the dish. I served it with salmon and made extra salmon for rice bowls the next day.

• Snacking on: Avocado wedges with a nori-peanut crunch. (Speaking of avocados: This was a great read on the booming avocado industry. Did you know that Mexico’s avocado industry is worth $2.8 billion?)

• My favorite purchase from April: Was this pair of red ballet flats. The lovely team at Margaux, whom I’ve gotten to know over the years, gave me a code you can use: “ALISHA35” for $35 off! Their wrap sandals are also worth noting for their comfort if you need a workhorse summer sandal — I’ve easily walked miles in them while on vacation.

• Thrifting: I’ve been really into browsing Etsy for home goods lately. This beautiful woven basket reminds me of this $95 version from Aerin. This book clutch is also from Etsy, and many of you bought it last year; it reminds me of the $1600 Olympia Le Tan clutches. I’ll have to do a roundup of other good finds soon…

• Summer reads: Michelle Martin shared a comprehensive guide here of 27 great summer romance books. I trust her book recommendations wholeheartedly, and I’m excited to add Nora Goes Off Script to my list.

• Fun sized: Just the perfect little summer bag.

• Discussing in my group chats: I was scratching my head as I watched the now-viral clip of the Chiefs kicker who gave a commencement speech in which he tells women graduates that motherhood is the thing they are likely most excited about. Yes, that happened. In 2024. What is happening?!? Thanks to previous newsletter guest and author Jo Piazza for doing an explainer on her podcast this week — and sharing how this intersects with the unsettling “tradwives” phenomenon. What did you make of this? This man needs to listen to Lavender Haze…

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@nahoney_Im so excited icl. This will either be the best season or the worse #CapCut #bridgerton #bridgertonscandal #season3bridgerton #polin #bridgertonnetflix

Looking for more recs? There are 47 other issues to flip through in the archives. You can also give and receive recommendations in our subscriber chat. 💬

Previously on Downtime

Weekend Recs #43: Big Sicilian Energy and Cannolis For All Alisha Ramos · Apr 5 Read full story

Weekend Recs #46: Good pajamas and summery books Alisha Ramos · May 3 Read full story

Bookmarked with Yulin Kuang Alisha Ramos · Apr 9 Read full story

A personal life catch up (a ramble, really!) on what I’ve been up to lately and what’s on my mind…...