The June Edit
What we watched, read, and wore this month. Plus, summer dresses.
Hi! Welcome to The June Edit. This month, we sent five issues:
A reader asked how to talk dirty in bed, and I told her what I do
12 friends shared their go-to summer shoes — so cute!
Novelist Barbara Kingsolver showed us around her magical Appalachian garden and tells us about writing routines, talking to a ghost, and three favorite books
And we kicked off our new midweek series of quick finds:
The $30 pants I wear all the time
On Friday, we’re doing an Ask Me Anything (here are our first three), so please submit your questions on this short form, if you’d like.
“We’re visiting family in England right now, and the other night, we all smushed onto the sofa for a West Side Story viewing. I remember watching it with my cousins growing up, and the movie is still just as gripping, beautiful, and relevant. We all loved it, and today my boys can't stop clicking their fingers.” — Joanna Goddard, Big Salad founder
“When traveling, I always pack three pouches — one for makeup, one for skincare, and one for chargers. These striped numbers look cute together and are easy to clean.” — Joanna
“These pants are my go-to for summer dinners. They look great with a white button-up and denim jacket, or just a plain tee.” — Maureen Heffernan, Cup of Jo partnerships director
“Some recipes feel like the essence of summer, like Smitten Kitchen’s zucchini and ricotta galette and Jenny’s corn and tomato stew with sausages. I serve the stew with a baguette and salted butter to create the ultimate comfort meal.” — Jannelle Sanchez, Cup of Jo editor
“My daughter loves her felt fruit sewing kit. Their little faces are so cute! It’s a fun way to pass the time on a weekend.” — Kaitlyn Teer, Big Salad editor
“The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans is a picture book we’ve been reading on repeat. A family takes a night walk through the woods and finds many quiet moments of wonder. I’m now planning to wake our kids for a surprise walk one of these evenings!” — Kaitlyn
For years, J.Crew has been our go-to for lovely clothes you can wear all the time. Wouldn’t you love to pull on this crinkle dress for a leisurely dinner with friends? And I’d pair this red shirtdress with sneakers for an afternoon walking around a museum. (My fashion friend’s advice: always pack something red because the color looks so good in photos.) Finally, this breezy pajama set would be the perfect thing for reading in bed with the fan on.
Plus, here are a few pretty accessories…
(This issue is sponsored by J.Crew, a brand we’ve loved and worn for years. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo and Big Salad.)
A French Instagram account with inspiration for sending flirty pics
The knitting pattern that novelist Barbara Kingsolver designed herself
The funny sweatshirt I gave to a friend on our trip to the beach
Says Katie on How Dreamy Is Barbara Kingsolver's Appalachian Garden: “I’ve been loving interviews with older women. It’s so comforting to hear about women who have done a lot of cool shit in their life. So much about Barbara’s life is aspirational — knitting, gardening, writing, all of it.”
Says Claire on Reader Question: "I Want to Talk Dirty in Bed, But I'm Nervous": “A year ago I was on a date with my husband, and during the conversation I threw out this little hook: ‘In the books I've been reading, the characters talk to each other in bed’ and then just looked at him. It was something we'd never done, but this gave us an opening to talk about whether we might like it. Fast forward: now we do!”
Says Megan on Found! The Most Adorable Beach Cottages Near NYC: “Lamb pistachio meatballs?! If you don’t marry him, I will!”
Everyday Clothes I’ve Worn a Million Times. Six things I always reach for.
I Cannot Stop Making These Instagram Beans. Do you have 10 minutes?
Five Pick-Me-Ups. Like, a funny, food-y memoir.
What Are Your Dad's Rules for Life? “Everyone should get a Honda Fit.”
9 Women on Sharing Joint Custody of Their Kids. Highs, lows, and surprises.
Are You a Watch Person? Here are a bunch of good ones.
(Opening photo by Jametlene Reskp/Unsplash. 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.)
Have a restful week and stay cool! I’m also excited to answer a bunch of questions (and hear your thoughts) in our Ask Me Anything issue on Friday. Talk soon xoxo
When I zoomed in and showed my pre-teen artist daughter the felt fruit, she asked where I’d seen it, and I told her “in a newsletter.” Immediately, she replied, “Oh, Cup of Joy?” I love that she was a little bit off, and yet also so spot on! 🥰