Hello from Highland Park! Welcome to all my new subscribers (and thanks so much to all of you who have continued to stick around for all my nonsense).
This is how loud the cicadas are right now. It’s like someone is shaking a rain stick inside my ear. What’s worse, Pippin (my dog) is getting a taste for them. He caught one in midair last night and ate it whole.
No bra, no problem
I’ve been part of the no-bra club since 2019. I just hate feeling confined. This is a highly personal decision. Not every person wants to be part of the club and that is AOK. This also goes for sports bras and workout tops, which always make me feel like a human sausage.
But recently I was feeling like there had to be some kind of workout support in between human sausage and a huge tee-shirt. Here’s what I found.
Lululemon Ribbed Softstreme Cropped Tank Top: A Lululemon top that doesn’t squeeze you into oblivion? Why, yes. This top is just lightly lined, so it’s comfortable to wear for the whole day, for a workout, or errands, or whatever else you have going on. They say it’s “office appropriate” but I would say that is generous. I bought it in black, purple, and blue. It’s on sale online in taupe and purple.
Larken Nursing Bra (pictured): When I was visiting my friend Jess in Wimberley, TX, she was wearing the cutest top around the house. I asked her about it and it was actually a nursing bra. (She’s a new mama!) Well, I’m not nursing, clearly, but I bought a few of them and they are buttery soft and hold everything in place without feeling constricting. I have black and navy, but am eyeing that sage color and waiting for a sale. The linked version is more of a crop top, but they make a longer version, too, if you want more coverage.
Accidental crispy white beans
Crispy chickpeas are great, but have you tried crispy white beans? I hadn’t until yesterday. I grabbed the can, opened it half way and was like, “noooooooo……..they’re white beans.” The cans look the same when you aren’t paying attention.
But because I’m stubborn, I went with it. I drained most of the liquid, dumped the can onto a sheet tray, drizzled with olive oil, topped with my favorite Vermont Seasoning, and put them on air fry in my toaster oven for about 10 minutes.
Canned white beans are so much starchier than chickpeas. Since I didn’t rinse them, all that starch caramelized and got all lacy and crispy, while the beans were still chewy and soft, with toasty brown bits where the olive oil caught in the heat.
Crispy chickpeas they were not. But I will definitely be making them again.
Down to business
If you’re new and you like what you see, subscribe! And please consider becoming a paid subscriber, if you are able and want to. It helps me do, try, cook, and rec new things. (It also gives you access to all my archived content — and there’s a lot of it.) No matter what, I appreciate you!
And don’t forget: I’m always here if you need a rec! Feel free to DM me, text me, email, or comment. I love the deep dives, whether you need a new pill box, a good muffin recipe, or a slew of <$100 gifts.
Xo,
Rel
Proud member of the no bra club over here as well and Rel! The last time I tried to make chickpeas they were ALSO white beans but I chickened out and just made them into a dip. Going to go for it next time!