The July Edit
How to make your home smell like a strawberry patch. Plus, 20% off Big Salad subscriptions!
Hi! What were you up to this month? We’re happy to welcome you to The July Edit. Here are a few issues we’ve sent recently:
I shared what it felt like to have sex for the first time post-divorce (!) and the parenting question I always come back to, in our second ‘Ask Me Anything’ issue
national treasure Catherine Newman revealed 12 things for a joyful life, including icy swims, Paul Rudd, and what to do right before friends come over
the wonderful author Chanel Miller told us about her favorite pants of all time, hilarious things kids say, and the life advice Oprah gave her directly.
We’re also offering a 20% off discount on subscriptions this week, if you or any friends would like to upgrade to paid. You’ll receive new issues and get to read all the juicy archives. Thank you so, so much for your support! xoxo
We asked our Big Salad editors and friends what they’ve enjoyed recently…
“My favorite summer treat will always and forever be this strawberry cake. As Deb Perelman from
said, “Your apartment will smell like a strawberry patch.” — Joanna Goddard, Big Salad founder“I’m a huge fan of Patagonia Baggies shorts — for kids, and honestly, for the entire fam. They’re lightweight, wear hard, and last forever, and they can double as swim trunks, beach shorts, tennis shorts, whatever.” —
, product advisor and writer
“I never buy myself nice jewelry, but this year, I decided to treat myself to these Eclipse earrings as a reward for finishing my latest cookbook. I am always on the lookout for everyday earrings that feel as good with a sweatshirt and jeans as they do with a cocktail dress. When I saw a friend of a friend wearing them one night at dinner, I fell in love with them instantly.” — Jenny Rosenstrach, cookbook writer and Cup of Jo food columnist
“My kids and I have been going on early morning walks. Our neighborhood smells like freshly watered lawns, a scent that always takes me back. I’m so grateful to re-experience the joy of a childhood summer with my toddler and baby.” — Jannelle Sanchez, Cup of Jo editor
“Aperitivo!!! I spend every summer taking advantage of the evening light by ending my workday with a snack in the sunshine. Potato chips, Castelvetrano olives, pan con tomate, and an amaro spritz. Just add a good playlist and a cute tablecloth and voilà!” —
, creative director“We’re following the Olympics (and loving the memes!!) and also watched the Simone Biles Rising doc. The story makes her return to the games all the more awe-inspiring. She is absolutely thrilling to watch.” — Kaitlyn Teer, Big Salad editor
When we interviewed
, she told us her family plays a game called Song Pickies to catch up on road trips. Kaitlyn’s five-year-old has just reached the age where she loves to request songs from the backseat. Her current favorite? Alicia Keys’s Girl on Fire. Which has us thinking about the first songs we learned by heart, like Hold On by Wilson Phillips (Kaitlyn’s childhood favorite).
We asked a few friends about the first song they fell for…
: “In high school, I had a crush on a guy at the restaurant where I worked, and when Waterfalls by TLC came on during a shift, it felt like the sexiest moment of my life to date.”
: “When I was little, Patti LaBelle’s 1997 album Flame was in rotation in my mom’s Mazda Millenia, and I’d play it on the stereo system at home. I’d choreograph dances to When You Talk About Love and perform them on our fireplace. I still remember every inflection, every ad lib! I interviewed Patti LaBelle a few years ago, and it felt surreal. She was everything I wanted her to be.”
Ruth Chan: “Popsicle by New Kids on the Block. It came up on my Spotify just the other day, and, gosh, I still love that song!”
: “The first record I ever bought was Andy Gibb’s Love Is Thicker than Water. It cost 95 cents, and I was nine. I had such a big crush on him that the sound of his voice made me feel all liquid-y and strange.”
Jannelle Sanchez: “In fifth grade, my cousin Daniella made me a mix, and the one song I played nonstop was Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. I lip synced in my mirror all the time. To this day, one of my daydreams is finding a karaoke partner who will perform it with me! (My husband would never.)"
Your turn! Tell us about your first favorite song in the comments, if you’d like.
Here are the three top links Big Salad readers clicked on this month:
Joanna’s best beauty buy of the year.
Catherine Newman’s favorite drinking glasses in the world.
The work pants so comfortable that Chanel Miller wears them in every color.
Says Rachel on What It Felt Like to Have Sex for the First Time Post-Divorce: “I am also navigating post-divorce dating and had a terrible fear of the sex part. And the love part. And the trust part. And the whole I couldn't survive that kind of hurt again part. Other than that, all good! 😬 But after a few dodgy dates, I found someone lovely. Thank you so much for providing a safe space to talk about this stuff.”
Says Kathleen on Catherine Newman Shares 12 Cool Things for a Messy, Funny, Joyous Life: “What a relief it is to hear ‘this part of parenting is my favorite’ from anyone with kids older than me. It helps me unclench.” Adds Denise, “I read Sandwich and felt seen. Menopause rage, empty nest, aging parents, all of it.
is a truth-teller in the best way.”Say Chiara on How Great Is This Life Advice: “I can’t even put into words how much I love everything that Chanel Miller puts into the world. Another Big Salad banger!”
Three Flirty Summer Looks. You guys told me to spice it up!
Welcome to Cronehood. Menopause may be different from what you expect.
A Week of Outfits: Erika Veurink. “Would someone in a J.Crew catalogue in the year 1993 wear this?”
My Vacation Confession. Here’s
’s guilty admission.Five Pick-Me-Ups. Including a funny way to hang out with friends.
What’s Something Popular You Just Don’t Get? I went on a date that started off well…
(Opening photo by Christopher Ryan/Unsplash.. Menopause photo by Eloisa Ramos/Stocksy. Erika Veurink photo by Yumi Matsuo. Kid on vacation photo by Holly Clark/Stocksy. Woman thinking photo by Lucas Ottone/Stocksy. Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission or have a sponsored relationship with the brand, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like and use ourselves. Thank you so much.)
Thank you so much for reading Big Salad. We’re so grateful you’re here. Coming up this Friday is an issue with Yowie founder, Shannon Maldonado, that’s chock full of fun finds and film recs. Lots of love xoxo
As a child I loved Tina Turner and especially „What‘s love got to do with it“ - my mom is still telling me that I used to sing it with a hairbrush in hand dancing in the living room.
As a teenager I had a huge crush on Mark Owen of Take That (the band was really big in Germany!) and was listening to „Babe“ over and over again! My poor parents! :)
I memorized - and wrote out - all the words to Vogue by Madonna instead of writing essays in high school English...