Monday Missive: March 29
Easter is almost here and we’re both excited for the first signs of spring and to have a long weekend and celebrate with family that we haven’t been able to be with in a long time. We’ll be able to wear some new spring clothes this weekend and have time to catch up on our book lists and candy eating. If you need any last minute Easter basket ideas, definitely check out this post. Right now, we’re excited about all of Easter themed desserts that we’ll get to make and enjoy-it’s going to be one delicious, sugar-filled weekend!
What We’re Reading and Watching
Anxious People by Frederik Backman is a good read but it’s also very stressful. A parent who has recently had their whole world knocked out from under them, just wants to provide a stable home for their children, and as a last resort, ends up attempting to rob a bank. After bungling that completely, they end up accidentally taking an apartment full of people hostage, who are there for a real estate open house. Nothing goes as expected and as a father-son police team try to piece together exactly what happened, we learn the stories of everyone involved. There are a lot of heavy topics but it’s also written in a humorous way, so I feel like I’m always one minute away from laughing or breaking down sobbing. -Eloise
The British press is really coming out swinging with long reads after the Meghan/Harry drama, and I loved this piece in the Telegraph Magazine written by their royals associate editor, Camilla Tominey, about what the experience of covering the royals has been like for her. Much of their Oprah interview was about how abusive the British press was specifically, and Camilla really pushes back on that idea while also revealing juicy tidbits about her process. - D
Like everyone, I love a good cult documentary, and finally finished The Vow on HBO Max over the weekend. It’s about the NXIVM cult in upstate New York, and is mainly told from the perspective of 4 former members who were pretty high up, but got out, and how they reached out to other people who had left and managed to bring down the leadership. The documentary does a really good job of drawing you into the cult and showing how they recruited people, then slowly reveals some of the truly horrific stuff that went on. - D
What We’re Buying
I’ve been doing a lot more shopping for the kids than for myself lately-suddenly it’s a new season and nothing from last year fits and we’re all in a panic. Vineyard Vines has so many cute but sporty kids options right now that we’ve been loving.- E
I did get myself one new top from Tucknernuck that’s bright and happy and will go with anything. It has lots of little details, like the ruffles in the stand up collar that I love. -E
It’s not quite warm enough in Boston for full spring fashion yet, but I did treat myself to a pretty pastel nail polish! I really wanted a pale pinky/purple and could only find my dream color, which is called “Orchid-ing Aside,” in the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel, so I’m hoping this also means that it lasts a little bit longer with all of the handwashing and santizer! - D
What We’re Making
I was looking for a new salad to make when we were doing a little al fresco entertaining last week and decided to try this one with farro and lots of herbs from the Barefoot Contessa. It was huge hit and so delicious, We added more arugula and at the leftovers for lunch the next day. -E
For our Easter celebrations, it will surprise no one that I’m most excited about the dessert! I gave up sugar for the past two months to really reset my health, and I do think it worked, but now I’m so excited to bake and basically roll around in Easter candy. The kids and I are going to try to recreate one of my mom’s signature Peep Cakes and we’re so excited about it. I’m going to take a page from her book and use the Barefoot Contessa Coconut Cake and as my base. Then we’ll make the frosting and dye it green before we put it on the cake. Next, you take the extra shredded coconut and dye that green before sprinkling it on top to look like grass. Then you apply Peeps around the outer edge of the cake and on top to look like they’re nesting in the green grass. Just the kind of decorating/baking that the kids love! My mom also does a more tasteful yellow version, which is equally delicious! - E
I’m also planning to assemble the dessert board that we talked about here, and make some gluten-free carrot cake cupcakes to go with it. I feel like Easter practically requires carrot cake! - E