Summer's hottest tips from my hot + chic friends
Le Hot Tip summer guide!!!
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Welcome back to this very special edition of Hot Tip, the summer guide!!!!!! As always, I polled some of the coolest, smartest, and hottest people I know to give you their best tips, tricks, and recommendations heading into June + July, because the world may be bad (politics, general vibes, White House Cage Fighting Match™️) but there are also many, many good things to do and try (tomato sammies, Meryl Streep-narrated audiobooks, Edinburgh Fringe, Philly water ices, etc.)
TOMATO GIRL SUMMER
Capitalize on tomato season by making vat of gazpacho! If you love hot soup on a cold day, you're gonna love cold soup on a hot day! I like to riff on this NYT times recipe, and will sometimes add whatever veggies call my name—a red pepper, some avocado—into the mix. — Zoe, Copywriter
My favorite things to splurge on in the summer are giant beefsteak tomatoes from the farmer's market to make BLTs—a perfect sandwich, imo. The key is a thick, salted tomato slice and a generous heap of mayo (on both sides). Good bacon helps but isn't necessary, as it should be secondary to that gorgeous tomato. I am extremely passionate about this, and my love of summer BLTs get me through our most abysmal, sweltering days in New York. — Jennifer, mom friend
Tomatoes! TLDR: make a bunch of tomato sauce, soup, etc. and can/freeze it. Tomatoes in the summer are amazing, and the rest of the year they suck. AND if you care to know why this is the case, listen to the “Tomatoes: A Love Story” episode of Gastropod. — Aaron, Self-described “produce snob”
Another sneaky way to get your tomatoes: Vandell’s Smoky Tomato Mezcal Cocktail, which only takes about 12 hours if you want to make it yourself. A not-groundbreaking-but-hits-everytime, 3-for-1 summer tip: an al fresco lunch break with iced coffee, heirloom tomato on toast, Elin Hilderbrand novel on lap. — Carly, Illustrator, Carly Martin Studio
OTHER SNACKS + BITES
For the perfect light summer appetizer try these Dilly Snap Peas from Eating Well Magazine. Everyone always asks for the recipe! So easy to prepare, just delicious, and so pretty, too. Just make sure you use dill seed and not dill weed. — Annette, my mom!!!!
I can’t believe I’m done gate keeping this, but my go-to “bring to a summer gathering” treat is a cobbler. Sounds simple!!! And here’s the secret… it is. I combine the filling from this recipe (could be anything—I use peaches and blackberries) with the topping from THIS recipe, a simple shortbread that is truly so good that you’ll be eating it from the bowl. I promise this is the way, the truth, the light. Summer is for cobbler. — Michelle, TV Writer + Producer
(Philly) John’s Water Ice!! 10/10. Always worth waiting in line for the storefront, or follow @johnswatericetruck to see where they'll pop up around the beautiful city of Philadelphia! — Jordyn, Veterinarian
I love a summer BBQ, but here is my pitch: vegetarians do not want to eat Impossible Burgers. Give us VEGGIE burgers or BEAN burgers. We love beans! The floppy veggie burgers that fell apart at the shiver of a spatula are mostly a thing of the past. They adhere now! Food science is a marvel. But the meat substitutes scare us and leave us hovering over the grillmaster, worried that our franken-burger is going to be swapped with the real deal and send us into a poolside existential crisis. Save the substitutes for the cholesterol-conscious carnivores, and the veggie freaks in your life will thank you. — Jill, Development Executive
After being pregnant for nine months, I'm ready for a raw bar summer. Leaning into seafood in all of its forms. — Ali, Extra Credit
The perfect summer lunch is a snack plate. Bonus points if you eat it outside! My favorite snacks to include right now are fresh mozzarella (preferably the kind packed in water), peaches or apricots, and these lemon-stuffed olives from Trader Joe’s. — Skylar, Room to Grow
IN YOUR BAG
When I tell you that I cannot live without my Bink, I am not actually speaking hyperbolically, because it’s the only reason I drink any water, which we apparently “need” for “survival.” I love the Day Bottle and I LIVE for the Lounge Straw Cap. Their color selection is primo, as is the chic, functional, and dishwasher safe combo of silicone and glass. 10/10. — Grace, Writer
This tip is for my fellow migraine girlies! Do you get headaches from bright sunlight? Theraspecs sunglasses are here for you. Created by a husband and wife who both suffer from migraines, these sunglasses have changed the game for me. Now I can go for super sunny hot girl walks in the middle of the day without fearing neurological punishment. Wishing everyone a headache-free summer!!! — Azza, Documentary Filmmaker, Split Screen by Azza Cohen
Allow me, if you will, to talk about the bags themselves. I recently purchased this ludicrously capacious (compliment) Calpak carry-on bag for my upcoming Eurotrip, knowing I wanted something that could fit my laptop, my toiletries, and the dress for my friend’s wedding in Sicily—just in case my luggage doesn’t make it right away. It’s made in part from 27 recycled water bottles, and who doesn’t love a purchase that makes them feel both chic and like a good person at the same time? For daytime excursions with enough room for my camera + wallet, I remain obsessed with the baggu loaf bag, which weighs .03 lbs (estimated purely based on vibes), is super cute, and lies flat in my suitcase. Also: Have a friend getting married in Sicily. Huge win for me, personally. — Alex, Hot Tip Curator-in-Chief
ON YOUR BOD
If you’re traveling to Europe this summer, buy sunscreen there & bring it home! I find the quality and the protection is much better. Stock up! — Courtney, EVP Client Services
Coco and Eve Self-Tanner (currently on big time sale!) — Caroline, Actor
I keep a tin of Fat and the Moon Lip Salve in every important corner of my world: bedside table, bathroom drawer, desk, backpack, car. Running out is not an option. Support this beautiful small business of good-smelling, healthful tonics and potions. (I am also a huge fan of their Bod Cleanse and Bod Oils.) — Lex, Writer
Get a good tinted moisturizer. You want something to even out your skin tone while allowing the evidence of summer—your sun-kissed cheeks and freckles—to shine through. I recently grabbed a bottle of Make Up For Ever’s Super Boost Skin Tint after seeing Devon Lee Carlson rave about it. I can confidently say it lives up to the hype. — Rebecca, Scream of Consciousness
If reading this newsletter makes you feel even more chic and funny than you already are, consider supporting Hot Tip for just $30/year—and get extra goodies, too. Or you can buy me a coffee.
SUMMER SCENES
Got summer travel plans? Download some audiobooks to get you through long flights/drives. I just finished my annual re-listen to the best audiobook of all time: Meryl Streep reading Nora Ephron's Heartburn. — Brennan, Writer + Journalist
It is a truth universally acknowledged that THE OTHER BENNET SISTER is set to be your next summer obsession. Six episodes of this warm, delightful, moving, and utterly charming show have already dropped on Britbox (and yes, it’s worth the subscription!), with the finale coming out by the end of June. Starring the absolutely endearing Ella Bruccoleri and the world’s soon-to-be Irish boyfriend, Dónal Finn (my fellow musical theatre girlies know him as the West End’s original Orpheus!), this show has already captured my heart and will be summer hyper fixation. — Brenna, Performer
One Day by David Nicholls. Emma and Dexter first meet on July 15th, 1988, the night they graduate college—or “uni” I guess, since it’s the UK 🙄. The book follows their lives over the next two decades, but we only see them on July 15th each year. Whether they’re together, apart, or not even on speaking terms, their love for each other remains strong—even if it’s not always evident on the surface. One Day is about a relationship, but I wouldn’t say it’s a romance, definitely not a romcom. The Netflix show is incredible as well, and—though I can’t believe I’m saying this as a person who loves books more than life—I’m actually glad I watched the Netflix show before reading the book?? Enjoy, but don’t blame me for any strong emotional response you may have to this book! — Megan, weird pasta by Megan Gilbert
IS GOD IS by Aleshea Harris (it was a play, is now a movie in wide release, maybe avail for VOD by the time you read this). It's a contemporary Greek drama, tinged with Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, and a singular perspective all Aleshea's own. If you're craving a new and fully realized cinematic voice, complete with bulge and butt shots of Sterling K. Brown, look no further. — Chase, Writer + Photographer
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
My friend Emma just introduced me to this one (shoutout Emma!) If you live in California, you can rent a state park pass for free from the library! I went into a branch to rent one thinking, “This is too good to be true...” but guess what? It was smooth as heck! I got my free pass, and I’m going hiking tomorrow. — Mary, Screenwriter
If you live in the LA area, I grew up going to R.A.T. Beach in Palos Verdes, which stands for Right After Torrance. Parking is plentiful and because it’s a sandy beach set adjacent to a dramatic cliffside, if you squint, it feels like you’re in Italy. It’s my happy place. Also, this bathing suit is stupid expensive, but I’ve been waiting for them to get this color back in stock for a YEAR. — Leah, Fluid Form
(LA) I can’t believe I’m going to blow up my spot but there’s nothing lovelier than sitting outside at Village Pizzeria on Larchmont with a slice of pizza, a glass of wine, and a good book. You don’t need Great White or Max & Helen’s. — Lily, Extra Special
(Chicago) Pizza Portofino’s patio when they open at 11. Super kid-friendly while still a little vibe, multiple types of spritzes for mom, watch all the boats pass by, bonus if you take the CTA home for a fun toddler adventure. — Anna, Finance Manager
THE GREAT INDOORS
(NYC) Shameless plug: Check out Oberon, the restaurant opening in the expanded New Museum this summer. The OMA-designed restaurant is made primarily of carbon-storing cork and features commissioned works by artists Ian Cheng, Laurie Anderson, + Minjae Kim and an approachable, seasonal menu by Julia Sherman. Post-lunch and dinner services, the space transforms into an after-hours culture destination for premium cocktails and late-night bites with access through Freeman’s Alley. — Larry, Restaurant Operator
This is for my wfh hotties who don’t have access to a pool: Run a cold bath and then hop in and out all day. Even for just 5-10 mins, you can relax and really cool down without wasting a bunch of water or time waiting for the bath to fill. When London had a May heatwave (not great, not normal), I got into the same cold bath four times in one day. And I fully intend to beat my own record by September. — Amy, What's Left?
(LA) The local watering hole I will be frequenting to stay ~cool~ and to stay COOL is Tap with Howard in Silver Lake. You will NOT find a better spot for a thirst TAP ;) — Rachel, Nurse
(LA + Edinburgh) Come see my clown show Boyoyoyoyoing at The Elysian in July and at Edinburgh Fringe all of August! CRANK IT. — Matt, Actor
When things start to warm up in LA, I like to take in the cool air conditioning of a classic movie palace. Now that you can ride the D all the way to Wilshire/Fairfax, the Tedd Mann Theatre at the Academy Museum—feat. green velvet seats and superior sound—should rise to glory. — Benzi, Architect
Previously on Hot Tip:
It’s going to be an incredibly hot summer! Thanks for featuring my snack plates! 🫶🏻💛
Very important reporting!!! Thank you for the feature - I love this!!