We made it to May and Eloise’s house was in full summer mode this weekend-kids swimming in the pool while the adults learned how to stain their outdoor teak furniture-fun for all, haha! Staining our outdoor furniture was no joke, but thanks to the power sander that my friend Jami lent me and three different trips to the hardware store to get three different colors of stain, we finally got everything right and the results are so worth it-it looks like totally new furniture! We’re also starting construction on our master bathroom and closet and today is demo day, which is nerve-wracking and exciting and I’m just crossing my fingers that we’re able to get all of the supplies ordered and here in time.

Dinah took a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts over the weekend and in addition to some witchy tourism and drinks by the water, also saw the coolest “open air” Urban Art Museum. It was all in the Punto neighborhood of Salem and featured 75 large scale murals by 30 world renowned and 25 local artists within a 3 block radius. We had so much fun walking around to see all of the amazing murals and how they were integrated into the neighborhood.

Monday Missive: May 3

What We’re Reading and Watching

• I’m still watching the new show Cruel Summer and the final season of Younger and getting so into both of them! On Younger, I’m really wondering what’s up with Charles this season and when Diana is ever coming back?! And the mysteries on Cruel Summer continue to rack up and stress me out in a good way.-E

• I read The Second Wife this weekend and guys, it was not good. I don’t normally say that about a book, but I was excited to read it based on the description and the cover, but the story is told from a mix of voices-John the husband, Kate the first wife, Ashlyn the daughter and mainly, Trish the second wife, but I just felt like the character of Trish was written so strangely that I just couldn’t get into it. -E

• In addition to copying Eloise and watching Cruel Summer and Younger (seriously, what is up with Charles and why is there so much Lauren!!), I also went even lower brow and started watching season 2 of The Circle on Netflix, one of the silliest reality shows out there, but so entertaining. I’m especially obsessed with the woman who is Lance Bass’ assistant, but pretending to be Lance in the game. - D

• I took on a lighter YA romance this week, picking up You Have a Match by Emma Lord, which is about a teen girl that takes a DNA test and discovers she has a sister she didn’t know about! Add that into her academic struggles and unrequited crush on her best guy friend, and it turns into a very interesting summer. It was a fun, zippy read where they stakes were low and a happy ending was guaranteed - just what I needed, and very appropriate for adults and teens! - D

What We’re buying

• My friend Jami of the power sander also gave me another amazing gift this weekend-a sampler pack of Loverboy Spritz. If you’re a fan of Summer House like we are, then you know what I’m talking about, and wow they did not disappoint! Lots of flavor, but none of the sugar or weird sweeteners that can give me a headache. I loved them-especially the Blueberry Lemon flavor. -E

• I also got influenced by Grace Atwood to try to this smocked midi dress by Madewell which looks like perfect thing to run around in on hot summer days. It’s suppose to arrive this week, so I’ll let you know how it goes. - E

• I bought this sweater last summer in the white/navy/red stripe version and I love it so deeply that I’m getting the multi-stripe version for this year. - D

What We’re Making

• My big plan for this week is a closet clean out! I am going to get rid of some of my winter clothes that need to finally be put away or thrown away, and audit my spring/summer styles so that I know exactly what I need and can make space for it. I’m excited to take a look in my storage and remember all of the warm weather clothes that I have! - D

• I made this Mexican-inspired Avocado Slaw salad from Valerie Rice this weekend. It was fresh and yummy, but I did end up doubling the dressing because it was a little too lightly dressed for me. I also didn’t do the best job slicing the cabbage thin enough, so I might go ahead and buy pre-shredded cabbage next time because I loved the mix of lime and jalapeno and cilantro-it was light and fresh and summery. - E