Giant spring rolls, friendship styles, and the 100 best movies of the 21st century

Links we sent our friends #108

Hi! It’s Aja. How was your weekend? Sam and I debated a few different destinations for the Fourth but in the end decided to stay in Boston — and that might be my new favorite tradition, because it was glorious. We played mini golf (Aliza: Where??), took a few long walks, picnicked, got dinner with our friends, celebrated Sam’s mom’s birthday, and watched The Sopranos. My dream weekend.

Sam and me (Aja) eating our giant spring rolls at the park.

Aja’s links:

1. Some great reads from the last few weeks: The Compound, which I stayed up late to finish; The Other Bennett Sister, which I’d recommend if you’re an Austen fan; and The Names, the plot of which I’ve managed to tell at least four people about. Have you read any of these? What have you enjoyed lately?

2. These giant spring rolls were fun to make and delicious to eat. We added jalapeños for a little heat. (Aliza: Yummm, good idea!)

3. I’m surprised I haven’t mentioned the Ninja Creami on here yet, because I am obsessed. Like: Talk-about-it-all-the-time, eat-two-pints-a-day obsessed. My current go-to recipe is frozen mango and half a Fairlife protein shake… It tastes like mango lassi ice cream.

4. I want to know everyone’s friendship styles! (Gift link). I’m a Firefly. (Aliza: This was sweet — and feels so accurate! I’m an Evergreen.)

5. I love this brand’s pants, and they’re currently 20% off. If you’re short, like me, try the cropped version.

Aliza’s Links:

1. How many of the 100 best movies of the 21st century have you seen? (Gift link.) I’ve seen 64 — but what’s even better is that I now have a list of 30+ movies to watch this summer. (Aja: Wow, I’m impressed. I’ve seen 39.)

2. Toddler toy of the summer. (h/t

   Kaylee Opatich
   )

3. MERIT sent Aja and me some makeup, and lately this is the only thing I’ve been wearing. (Aja: The hype is so real!! Their tinted moisturizer has replaced my beloved Supergoop. It makes me glooow.)

4. Finally read

   Catherine Newman
   ’s gorgeous novel about friendship. Warning: it will make you ugly cry.

5. The Fourth of July can feel heavy right now — so I was grateful to spend it with family, friends, and joyful toddlers. Nikole Hannah-Jones, domestic correspondent for The New York Times Magazine and founder of the 1619 Project, explains in bitter detail the devastating unraveling of American freedom that we’re watching unfold: “The efficiency with which Trump has collapsed the civil rights and equality infrastructure of the federal government has stunned the nation’s veteran civil rights leaders.” (Gift link.)

Two of my favorites from the 100 greatest movies of the 21st century

General check-in: How are you doing right now? How’s your summer going? Anything you’re looking forward to before it’s over? We want to know.

Toddler toy of the summer.

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