I think we can all go ahead and be a tiny bit jealous of anyone who lives by the beach. That is, unless you’re somehow not a fan of endless ocean breezes, seafood that actually tastes like the sea, and a view that looks a little something like this. (I didn’t think so.)
In any case, whether you’re headed for the coast any time soon or not, a beach-inspired table setting can work for any summer get-together. The shades of blue, textures of coral and shell, and sandy, sun-bleached hues manage to be elegant and low-key at the same time. If you have any seashells lying around, they’ll add undeniable dimension to your centerpiece, while the menu can be kept as simple as you’d like.
| Menu | Lobster rolls (mini ones would be adorable – as an appetizer!), Fish Fillets with Tomatoes, Squash and Basil, Balsamic Grilled Vegetables with Basil Quinoa, Homemade Ice Cream Cake
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Images: table, crab cakes, coral, shells, jars
Clara // VB6: I can’t help but snatch up anything by Mark Bittman. I really respect his philosophy on food, so when a friend alerted me of VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00, I immediately downloaded it on my Kindle. As much as I love dairy and meat from time to time, I wholly support many of the tenets of a vegan diet. Though you might not know it from the recipes I post, I make a point of not eating too much meat, stay conscious of the way heavy amounts of dairy make me feel, and try to make vegetables present at every meal (still working on breakfast). If you’re aiming to have a more plant based diet, but don’t want to give up meat and dairy entirely (like me!), this book is a great tool for making simple but significant changes in the way you eat.
Sarah // Lean In: Apparently I couldn’t help but to jump on the Lean In bandwagon. You’ve likely all heard of it, but have you had a chance to pick it up yet? While it’s not the sort of book I would normally gravitate towards, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. I loved getting glimpses of Sheryl’s life and hearing about her mistakes and successes along the way to becoming Facebook’s COO. Plus, it’s incredibly well-written, and might just be the perfect balance to all those beach novels you’ll likely read this summer!
Lauren // Gilded Age: My current read, a modern-day spin on the Edith Wharton novel “The House of Mirth,” was kindly sent to me by author Claire McMillan herself. Though a huge classics reader, I never read Wharton’s original story so I can’t directly compare the two. If you haven’t either, it might even be interesting to read them together. Set in contemporary Cleveland, Gilded Age follows Ellie Hart, a socialite who returns to her hometown after a scandalous divorce and period in rehab, and her misguided attempts to remake herself. It’s an engaging tale that keeps you turning page after page to find out what happens next–perfect for an easy, summertime beach read.
