— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
3 Reads That Are Perfect for the Beach — Or, Really, Anywhere
theSkimm
As we make our way through the dog days of summer, we’re all about getting lost in books that are light enough to read at the beach, yet heavy on the entertainment. That includes these three delightful reads, all of which pass the end-of-summer vibe check...
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center: Emma’s been a full-time caretaker for her dad, so her life (and dreams of becoming a screenwriter) have been on hold. When she gets the opportunity to rewrite a script for famous-yet-broody screenwriter, Charlie Yates, she jumps at the chance. The catch? The screenplay is supposed to be a rom-com, which Charlie hates with a passion — and Emma loves.
Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum: Caitlin Levy leaves her successful-but-boring position as a TV producer to step in as head of events at an illustrious tech firm — which comes with a $3 million paycheck. Her inaugural event, a high-profile team-building session in Miami Beach, quickly goes haywire when an executive turns up dead…and puts the company’s merger in jeopardy. Corporate intrigue 🤝 murder mystery.
Just for the Summerby Abby Jimenez: When Justin realizes he’s stuck with the curse that any woman he dates will find the love of their life after dating him, he posts about it on Reddit. Emma, a travel nurse, reads his post and is shocked to discover that someone else deals with the exact same thing. She messages him, and the two decide to “fake date” in hopes that by dating each other, they can cancel their curse and break the pattern.
This Honey Mustard Chicken With Peach Salad Is the Solution to Tonight’s Dinner Problem
theSkimm
We’re officially in the homestretch of summer, so if you’re running low on easy, breezy dinner ideas — and, let’s be real, energy — we get it. Thankfully, this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken with Peach Salad by The Modern Proper is here to pull us through. Of course, it follows all the unwritten rules of summer cooking (it’s bright, almost too easy, and full of fresh produce), but what really sets it apart is a homemade honey mustard sauce that acts as both a marinade for the juicy chicken thighs and a dressing for the peach and cucumber salad. You’re welcome.
The Time Commitment: Just over an hour. But keep in mind, the chicken is marinating for half of that time, which requires little to no attention.
Key Tips: No grill? No problem. According to The Modern Proper, you can bake the chicken at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. Also, if you don’t have perfectly ripe peaches (we swear by the “brown stem” rule when shopping), use apricots or nectarines instead.
Other Takes: Need more dinner inspo? We have plenty of other winner, winner chicken dinners (sorry, had to). Starting with this Sheet Pan Chicken with Crushed Olives — which, no exaggeration, may be the most impressive sheet pan dinner of all time. Or, consider these crispy Thai Chicken Thighs, which are marinated in “a bath of all the best Thai flavors” (think: Thai basil, fish sauce, ginger). And for an equally flavorful recipe, try this Grilled Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce, which “prioritizes speed and ease,” making it simple enough for weeknights. Same goes for this Lemon and Garlic Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes, which is perfect if your farmers market is still bursting with local tomatoes.
What’s new in food & home:
Forget grated Parmesan — we should all be topping our food with grated pickles, apparently.
To confirm what you probably already knew: Yes, you’re using plastic wrap the wrong way. Here’s what you should do instead.
Just when you thought brand collabs couldn’t get any more chaotic, in came Hellmann’s mayo-inspired…fragrance.
For an Easy Beach Vacation Without the Crowds, Curaçao Is the Answer
theSkimm
If you’re looking to book an easy Caribbean getaway with white-sand beaches, dreamy sunsets, and turquoise water, you’ve probably got the usual suspects, like Aruba, on your radar. But what if we told you there’s a lesser-known destination that’s just as picturesque and isn’t overrun with tourists? Enter: Curaçao. The island — which was colonized by the Spanish, Dutch, and British, but is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands — is conveniently located outside the hurricane belt and is known for its candy-colored buildings, vibrant culture, and perfectly blue coves. Not to mention, its signature blue liqueur, which can and should be enjoyed in the form of a delicious cocktail on the beach.
🛏 If you’re the type that likes to have options — and, honestly, who doesn’t? — check out Avila Beach Hotel. Located 15 minutes by foot from downtown, the beachfront property feels like its own private oasis, with a charming Dutch colonial facade, a unique history (it was formerly a boarding school and private hospital), a luxurious spa, a lively alfresco restaurant, and not one, but two private beaches.
🌈 To get a feel for Curaçao’s rich mix of culture and history, stroll through Willemstad, its colorful capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start in the buzzy Otrobanda district, where you’ll come across eye-catching murals and the Kurá Hulanda Museum, considered to be one of the most comprehensive exhibitions on the Caribbean slave trade. Then walk across the scenic Queen Emma Bridge to the historic Punda district, where in addition to tight alleyways packed with boutiques and galleries, you’ll find what’s believed to be the oldest continuously used synagogue in the Americas and Handelskade (the Instagram-famous strip of sherbet-colored homes).
🌊 Curaçao is home to more than 30 beaches, many with hidden caves and coves. So one of the best ways to explore the island is by beach hopping: Playa Forti is popular for cliff jumping; Grote Knip is known for its white sand and pristine water; and Playa Santa Cruz is a local fave close to the famous snorkeling spot, Blue Room Cave. If and when you need a break from the beach, visit Shete Boka National Park (expect stunning views from limestone bluffs, massive waves crashing into rocky inlets, and lots of iguanas) and nearby Christoffel National Park to hike to the island’s highest point.
🍴 Given Curaçao’s location, it’s no surprise seafood is everywhere (make sure to get the freshly caught, whole fried fish at Purunchi Koredor). But there’s also plenty of local specialities on menus across the island, including keshi yena (a cheese casserole stuffed with spiced meat) and karni stoba (a braised beef stew). Try these and other traditional dishes at Gouverneur de Rouville or Plasa Bieu, a no-frills, covered food court. And, of course, no trip to Curaçao is complete without sipping its famous blue liqueur, so stop by Mood Beach for a Blue Vintage cocktail with a sunset view.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
Q: Whenever I hang out with my friend, we always talk about her career, her relationships, and her problems. She never asks about my life. How do I tell her that our friendship feels one-sided?
“Simply say to your friend, ‘I’m so excited to hear about you, but I’d really like to tell you about what’s going on with me and include you in my life’ … Then share whatever [updates] you have. [As you’re doing so, ask yourself], Are they really listening to me? If they’re not, you can say, ‘I want to be a supportive friend, and I’m happy for all the good things in your life, but I’d love it if you could do the same for me.’ Most of the time, people will say, ‘I didn’t have a clue I was doing that’ or ‘I appreciate you bringing that to my attention.’”
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PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram.
Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.
Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them here.
Skimm’d by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson
Photos by St. Martin's Griffin, Forever, Flatiron Books, Gayle McLeod for The Modern Proper, Tim Drivas Photography via Getty Images, Flavio Vallenari via iStock, Brothers91 via Getty Images, courtesy of Heidi Dulebohn, Brand Partners
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