My new persona and a must-have summer dress

Sunday Saves 6.11.23

Back in college, all my friends called me Mom—a nickname that was, admittedly, well-earned. Before we left to go dancing, bar-hopping, or grocery shopping I always made sure everyone had 1. gone to the bathroom, 2. grabbed their keys/purse, and 3. had a plan for getting home. I’m comfortable in this role; I’ve grown into this role. Driving a mini van feels like the final step in my maternal transformation. Was I forced into the mini van life because a deer totaled my beloved CR-V? Yes. I mourned her loss, and now I am prepared to move forward in my new identity: Mini Van Mom.

Mini Van Mom always packs snacks, has a rubbermaid container with extra towels and swimsuits in the trunk, reminds you to wash your hands, and happily drives you to your destination because, after all, she has the passenger space. I am now Mini Van Mom. Behold my final form.

When I wasn’t in negotiations at the car dealership (what a time to buy a car, y’all), I released Recipe for a Summer Romance! Opened the Novel Pairings Shop with Sara! Read Very Good Hats by Emma Straub fifty million times! It was a big, exciting, exhausting week.

I have just a couple of Sunday Saves to share today, and next week I plan on using the Substack podcast feature for the very first time to discuss the nuance of romance novel spice ratings.

• I’ve documented my plans for a summer uniform/capsule wardrobe here and here, and today I have an addition to share: I pulled my black rib knit t-shirt dress from my closet and paired it with my white linen shirt and sneakers for a slightly more dressed-up look. Cute, comfy, classic.

• I am ALL OVER these Fall 2023 romance titles, even though my spouse told me I should take a beat before launching into more book previewing. Just because he’s right doesn’t mean I’m going to listen to him…

• I’m loving Olivia Waite’s romance recommendations. There’s a bit of crossover between her Best of 2023 and Summer Romance articles, and you’ll spot a few familiar titles if you browsed my list this week—her collections are well worth a read.

• Just in case you missed it:

Thank you for every like, share, and comment you sent my way last week after the release of Recipe for a Summer Romance. It means so much to me. See you soon for spice ratings, summer capsule chat, and seasonal recipes.

Chelsey

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