Happy Friday!
Summer is in full swing over here! The kids have been running wild with neighborhood friends, staying up late, catching fireflies after dark, bingeing episodes of Malcom In The Middle, and squeezing in evening swims. It’s been summer chaos in the best way.
We’re also deep in sleepaway camp prep – pulling down the camp bins, inventorying all the gear, panic-buying last-minute essentials, writing letters to send ahead, and labeling approximately 482 things. We drop the kids off this weekend, and they are so excited – and honestly, we are too! Matt and I are planning a little getaway while they are away (more on that in this weekend’s newsletter)!
Let’s get down to it!
In Case You Missed It
This week I shared…
- My first Catch Up with Christina, a NEW weekly newsletter where I’m sharing exclusive content, and a roundup of everything I posted that week—perfect if you’ve missed anything!
- I updated my list of local Charlotte date night spots — from low-key hangs to fun splurges, this guide has you covered.
- This week’s dinner line-up, including a fresh summer salad recipe you need to try.
- A recap of my mahjong pool party featuring a summer spritz bar, perfect poolside snacks, and a whole lot of mahjong — this was such a fun summer hangout with the girls.
- Heading to the coast? Don’t miss this round-up of our favorite spots to eat in Wrightsville Beach, NC!
Recipe Spotlight: Orange Creamsicle Margarita
This margarita tastes exactly like a creamsicle – creamy, citrusy, and perfectly sweet with a hint of vanilla. It’s refreshing, fun, and Matt was so excited when I surprised him with this poolside cocktail for Father’s Day.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1/2 oz Cointreau (or your favorite orange liqueur)
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz coconut cream
- 1/2 oz vanilla simple syrup (see below)
- Orange zest + salt for the rim
Instructions:
- Rim your glass with a mix of salt and fresh orange zest.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add lime juice, orange juice, coconut cream, Cointreau, tequila, and vanilla simple syrup.
- Shake well and strain into your glass. Garnish with a orange slice.
To Make the Vanilla Simple Syrup:
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Cool completely before using. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week.
My Top 5 Favorite Items This Week
- This continuous spray bottle for my Dawn Powerwash that looks a lot prettier on my counter.
- These statement earrings from Amazon!
- Technically, these are Matt’s favorite purchase this week. Yes, I think he now owns 5 pairs!
- Packing TONS of these for the kids sleepaway camp.
- A new set of Cozy Earth pool towels…because we can never have enough pool towels. Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off!
On to the 5…
1. Father’s Day Rewind
Matt’s Father’s Day wish was exactly the same as last year – a Snooze Day spent floating in the pool, watching the US Open, and enjoying lots of good food and cocktails made by me! Honestly, I love this lineup because it’s simple, low-key, and really fun to pull off.
We all spent the day outside together as a family, swimming in the pool and soaking up the sunshine.
For our menu, I kicked things off with breakfast sandwiches, followed by BBQ chicken wings for lunch, a homemade spinach artichoke dip for an afternoon snack (see #3!), and the most refreshing Creamsicle margaritas (he’s a sucker for a cocktail that makes him feel like he’s on vacation).
For dinner, I made something I don’t cook often: ribs. But since they’re his favorite, I went all in with two full racks using the Smitten Kitchen recipe – and they were falling off the bone good after slow cooking all day.
We wrapped up the day with a few fun gifts and angel food cake piled high with whipped cream and grilled peaches. Matt gave the day a solid 10/10!
2. Breezy Outfit For Hot Summer Days
Wore this breezy little romper last weekend and it’s officially my go-to for melt-your-face-off temps. It’s lightweight but not see-through, has pockets (!!), and just feels like a warm-weather win. It does run short!
I paired it with my favorite platform sandals—cute, comfy, and pool-ready. Oh, and the cutest heart earrings from Amazon!
3. Summer Goal: One book and one puzzle a month.
Caroline and I finished this pretty puzzle over the weekend and had the best time doing it together! It’s 500 pieces…or technically 499 thanks to Mabel, who ate the final piece. Highly recommend this one – it’s colorful, relaxing, and so satisfying to complete (even if you don’t get to snap in the very last piece).
4. Afternoon Snack on Repeat: Spinach Artichoke Dip
I’ve made this spinach artichoke dip a few times this week for an easy afternoon snack, and it seriously hits the spot. It’s creamy, packed with protein, and comes together fast: mix ½ cup diced artichokes, a handful of fresh chopped spinach, ½ cup blended cottage cheese, 1 tbsp parmesan, 2 tbsp mozzarella, plus salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake at 350° for 20–25 minutes and serve with crackers, carrots, cucumbers, or sweet peppers — so satisfying!
5. The Perfect $2 Summer Cups
These $2 acrylic stripe tumblers are our new go-to cups for outdoor sipping — they’re cute, durable, and perfect for everything from water for the kids (and their friends) to poolside cocktails for me and Matt. I grabbed a few in each color, and they’ve already gotten a ton of use. Such a fun and affordable summer find!
June Promo Codes
- Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription. Love using this subscription for summer or vacation dresses I wouldn’t normally splurge on.
- Coco & Eve: I am so obsessed with the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam. I love the shade dark and it’s honestly the prettiest tan I’ve ever had—super natural, glowy, and even (zero streaks, zero orange vibes). It smells good, gives a little instant glow when you apply, and develops into a deeper, gorgeous bronze over the next few hours. Tip: You must use a mitt—I usually skip it, but trust me, you’ll regret it if you don’t. Use code CHRISMAR15 for 15% off if you wanna try it!
- Dagne Dover: Matt loves his Monaco Garment Duffle for traveling with suits, and I’m a huge fan of my Dakota Backpack and Landan Carryall for travel! Use code CHRISTINA20 for 20% off full price items.
- ShopMy: The affiliate platform I love for linking products. If you’re a creator looking for an affiliate platform, I have a referral link that can help get you in the program!
- Avaline: My favorite Rosé! It’s made with organic grapes and free from unnecessary additives such as sugars, colors, and concentrates. And it tastes delicious – very light and refreshing, not too sweet. Save 15% off with code ROSEALLDAY.
- Skin Pharm: My go-to for skin treatments, but my absolute favorite? The Moxi laser. I just finished a series and WOW—it’s completely transformed my skin. My complexion is brighter, smoother, and more even, and I’ve been getting so many compliments! If you’ve been thinking about a treatment to refresh your skin, this one is so worth it. Use code CHRISTINA-322793 at checkout to get $50 off your first visit!
- Seed: The daily probiotic I’ve been using for more than a year now! Seed initially stood out to me with their capsule technology which protects the probiotic from stomach acid so it makes it all the way down to your lower small intestine where it provides the greatest benefit.
- Greenlight Card: The debit card we use for Caroline! If you’re interested in getting a Greenlight Card for your tween or teen, I’ve got a referral link that earns you $30.
- Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off! Don’t sleep on the pool towels!
