Links we sent our friends #62
Short shorts, romance novels, and PUB WEEK (!) with cookbook author Caro Chambers
Hi! Aliza here. If you haven’t had a chance to see Twisters in theaters (me), don’t sleep on the 1996 original with Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Sam and I rewatched it last week and, I’ve gotta say, no notes.
Today, we’re thrilled to feature guest recommendations from .
Caro is a recipe developer and cookbook author who will tell you she got way better at both of those roles after having kids: She started taking shortcuts, finding kitchen hacks, and figuring out how to use fewer dishes — without sacrificing taste. As people who are often starving but don’t feel like cooking, we can say first-hand: Her recipes are incredible and quick and easy. It’s no surprise she’s Substack’s number-one food & beverage writer.
Starting tomorrow, you can buy Caro’s latest cookbook, What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking. It’s destined to be one Sam and I (Aliza) go back to again and again — not only are the recipes both delicious and approachable, the book is so thoughtfully designed. (Every recipe is a complete meal! Each one fits on a single page! The ingredients are easy to scan!) I’ve already earmarked the cheddar turkey burgers and any and all one-skillet recipes.
Caroline’s Links:
I am a huge fan of Buck Mason for basics, and every time I wear their boxy crew, everyone is like I need that t-shirt.
I’ve always been a big Olympic gymnastics gal (duh, aren’t we all?) but this year I have been completely obsessed with following… track! If you feel like you haven’t been logging enough Olympics time, watch this entire Cole Hocker upset clip and feel the patriotism/underdog energy reverberating through your body.
I loathe when little boys’ shorts are ill fitted and down to their knees — which brings me to my (and my boys’) fave short shorts. (Aliza: Same, same. I also love the rolled up look on Jude.)
I’ve been traveling a lot lately, and this August and September, I’ll be on something like 22 flights for my book tour.1 The Clear to Pre-Check security line maneuver makes me feel like I have things figured out. Clear is a private security service (that your credit card might pay for — my AmEx Platinum card does!) that basically zooms you straight to the front of the line. If you add TSA Pre-Check (which my AmEx also pays for), you’re zooming to the head of the TSA line, plus you don’t have to take your shoes off or your computer out of your bag! It’s the closest I get to flying private, lol.
I am 100% obsessed with these stretchy, pleated pants. They’re SO flattering and can be dressed up or down (pair them with that Buck Mason tee, or with a cute little croppy cardigan, or with a graphic tee, or with a nicer blouse…) I’ve worn them on planes, and I’ve worn them out to fancy dinners! I LOVE THEM.
I also love a light, sexy romance book. Honestly, I am not in a phase of my life where I’m reading anything that makes me think too much. I just want to feel happy and flirty during my one hour of free time per day! I recently devoured Enemies to Lovers, which takes place on a holiday in Greece and made me want to jump on the next plane and head straight to a pita shop on the beach! (Sign us up.)
Follow Caro on Instagram for excellent parenting and cooking tips, and, of course, check out What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking.2
Aliza’s Links:
Did you know that Obama is a doodler? (I did not!) Such a fun compilation by .
Desperately waiting for these pants (in brat green) to come back in stock before fall…
Inspired by ’s how I taught my kids to chat at dinner. Saving for later — for now, Jude’s just started counting to three and requesting his water is served “ice cold.”
Speaking of Judy, I’d be remiss not to share the sticker book that he currently adores. We keep it in the backseat so he can “read” and tat himself up on car rides. Anytime it gets super quiet back there, I know he’s “reading.” (Aja: This is Hall-of-Fame cute for me.)
Aja’s Links:
I can’t remember whose Substack I saw this whimsical bracelet on, but I bought it and love it. So fun for summer.3
Hearts of palm have been a favorite snack for a while now… but I only realized a few weeks ago how much salt and pepper elevates it (them?) Sam’s started keeping track of how many times per day I eat it (them??) I’ve tried all the brands and nothing beats this one (whole not salad cut).
Just started Hysterical, a podcast about a group of girls in upstate New York who develop Tourette-like symptoms, seemingly without cause. There’s a liiiittle too much repetition between episodes (my biggest podcast pet peeve), but the story is great, and I’ve been excited to keep listening.
Question we asked our friends:
If you’ve been around for a little while, you know that Aja and I love to exchange voice notes — sometimes, the topic is Platonic-Love-related; other times, it’s random and silly.
Last week, I got a message from Aja where she — very earnestly — asked me if I understood the Glen Powell appeal. (For the record, I do; she does not.) Which took us down a rabbit hole of discussing some of our favorite babes. Apparently I need to watch Daddy Daycare (Aja’s into Eddie Murphy), and we were in firm agreement about Ryan Gosling AND Rachel McAdams in The Notebook. (Swooon.)
We want to know… Who is peak babe in your book?
If you enjoy reading Platonic Love each week, there are a few ways to let us know: “like” this post, leave a comment, share Platonic Love, and/or upgrade to a paid subscription. Thanks for reading!
Aliza’s going to be at the tour stop next Monday in Boston. Anyone else?
Caro is the first person that I (Aliza) tell all my new mom friends to follow (if they don’t already) on Instagram (@carochambers). As a friend recently texted me, “Her insta is just endless inspiration.”
If you know, please let us know in the comments!!!
 | A guest post by
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This morning I texted Aliza saying JACOB ELORDI. HOW COULD WE FORGET JACOB ELORDI.
Ann Helen Petersen did a GREAT job of breaking down the Glen Powell appeal recently!