The Sunday Scoop - Issue #17
This week: An Americana hat I can’t stop wearing, watermelon mojitos, nursery progress, and an Emily Henry podcast ep you need to queue up.
Hello!
This week was a good one—like, actually good. The biggest highlight? We rang the bell with my mother-in-law after her last chemo treatment. She’s been fighting two types of cancer this past year, and standing beside her as she rang that bell… I don’t even have the words. So I’ll stop before I start crying all over again.
In lighter, less mascara-smudging news, we also got some of our maternity photos back (!!) and made real progress on the nursery closet. I don’t know why I’ve become unreasonably obsessed with this closet setup—but I have. We (and by “we,” I obviously mean my husband, while I supervise and nest) ripped out the old shelves, painted, wallpapered, and installed new rods and shelves that actually make sense. Now we’re adding some IKEA cubes and hampers for maximum organization, and honestly? I’m thriving. Give me labeled baskets and I ascend.
Anyway, let’s get into the scoop…
Here’s what I’ve been reading lately:
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston - This was so heartwarming and whimsical. Sometimes magical realism just hits—and this one totally worked for me. A hit songwriter with writer’s block and a grumpy musician discover they’re telepathically linked by a half-written song in both their heads. When the voice in Joni’s mind turns out to belong to a very real (and very irritating) man, they meet up to break the bond… or maybe fall in love. Either/or. (Goodreads | Bookshop.org | Amazon)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - Yes, I’m late to the party. Yes, I now understand the hype. I’m only about a third of the way in, but already loving it. It’s cozy, quirky, and kind of feels like a hug in book form. Linus is a rule-following caseworker who’s sent to evaluate an orphanage for magical kids—including a gnome, a wyvern, and the literal Antichrist. Also: the audiobook narrator is phenomenal. (Goodreads | Bookshop.org | Amazon)
Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club - Emily Henry & Yulin Kuang Talk Romance
Such a fun kickoff to the new podcast. If you didn’t know, Yulin Kuang (author of How to End a Love Story) is writing the screenplays for Emily’s upcoming adaptations (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation), and the two of them had the best on-air chemistry. I devoured every minute—there are Easter eggs for EmHen fans and some great takes on the romance genre.
New Music I Loved
On the music side, I’m kind of obsessed with this new song by Alex Warren & ROSE, On my Mind and the latest Teddy Swims song, Need You More.
F1 The Movie (In Theaters) - I saw F1 in ScreenX this weekend and had an absolute blast. The film leans into this vintage, grainy aesthetic that I really vibed with, and the driving scenes? Genuinely immersive. Brad Pitt (my magnetic, charismatic love) plays Sonny Hayes, a retired racing legend coaxed back into the game to mentor a rookie—and yes, there’s even a romance subplot. Is it a bit formulaic? Sure. Did I care? Not even a little.
(If you're on the fence about ScreenX: it’s fun for the big racing scenes, but not essential. Save your extra $$ for popcorn.)
Ginny & Georgia (Netflix) - I know this show is a chaotic drama and probably definitely problematic… and yet, I love it. It’s part teen coming-of-age, part Desperate Housewives, and I binge every season like my life depends on it. If you haven’t watched, it follows 15-year-old Ginny and her unpredictable, secretive mom Georgia as they move to a new town and try to finally settle down (lol). Morally gray characters I can’t help but root for.
Espresso & Honey Cupcakes
Inspired by Joni’s go-to coffee order in Sounds Like Love (a double espresso with honey), I finally tried the combo in cupcake form. Espresso base, honey buttercream. So. Freaking. Good. I’m mad it took me this long to think of it. I made the buttercream up from scratch, so here is the recipe:
✨ Honey Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup honey
3 cups powdered sugar
¼ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp vanilla extract
1–3 tablespoons whole milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions:
In a large bowl, cream the butter and honey together for about 1 minute until smooth and light.
Slowly mix in the powdered sugar on low speed, one cup at a time.
Add the vanilla extract, salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Beat on high for 2–3 minutes until fluffy and creamy.
If the frosting feels too thick, add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired texture.
Strawberry Pop Tart Cupcakes
These were for our book club pick and were so fun to make—even if they were a little high-maintenance. I’ll be sharing the recipe with the book club crew first, but just know: strawberry filling + vanilla icing + pop tart garnish = cupcake magic.
A few little things bringing me joy this week:
From Rifle Paper Co. It’s giving vintage Fourth of July and I’m obsessed with how feminine it feels.
This Watermelon Mojito
I’ve been testing a few watermelon mocktails/cocktails lately, and this one is a winner. Refreshing, easy, and perfect for a summer party or Fourth of July bash. Planning to make a big pitcher with a spout and live my best garden party life.
This Notes On 💌 Substack
Discovered this dreamy Substack and I’m hooked. Hannah’s newsletters include playlists, books, recipes, and monthly moodboards—and they’re so romantic, it’s like Pinterest and a handwritten letter had a baby.
This Summer Shrimp Dish
Think shrimp scampi meets summer garden—complete with tomatoes and basil. Comes together in 30 minutes and tastes way fancier than it is.
These Faux Flowers
I finally spruced up the porch with faux flowers (because let’s be honest, I can’t keep real ones alive). I think I saw the rec from ourwinstonhome on instagram? Anyway, I used cut-up pool noodles in a basket to hold them in place, and I have to say… they look shockingly good.
This Patio Umbrella
Found this cute, budget-friendly boho umbrella on Amazon and it fits the backyard vibe perfectly. Total win.
Thanks for reading this week’s update! What have you been loving, reading, or watching? Let me know—I'd love to hear from you. This post may contain affiliate links.
Take care and stay cozy,
Danielle
