Kelly’s July Monthly Edit: Summer Fun, Family Celebrations & Must-Have Favorites
Welcome back to Kelly’s Monthly Edit! Each month, I open up my world to share the little joys, unexpected discoveries, and sparks of inspiration that make up life at Just a Taste. From delicious, must-make recipes and smart grocery finds that get the Mom-seal of approval, to my latest obsessions in kitchenware, skincare, fashion, and beyond – consider this your exclusive, behind-the-scenes look. There’s no gatekeeping here, just a sharing of good taste and honest experiences.
July holds a truly special place in my heart, cementing its spot as one of my absolute favorite months of the year. This isn’t just because it’s peak summer, but because we celebrate not one, but two of my wonderful children’s birthdays! This month, my sweet Mia turned 3, and my growing Julian celebrated his 9th birthday. It’s a cherished tradition in our family that each child gets to pick their restaurant of choice for a very special birthday dinner celebration. Mia, with her sophisticated palate (or perhaps just her innate desire for the best mac and cheese money can buy), chose a local upscale favorite: Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Because, let’s be honest, why pay $6 to watch your child not eat mac and cheese at home when you can elevate the experience and pay $36 for the same joyful outcome at a fancy restaurant? The logic is impeccable, really.
For those brave souls wondering how one navigates a fine-dining establishment with four small children and a strict no-iPads policy, allow me to share my hard-earned secret. It’s elegantly simple: one drink per child (meaning, one for the parents, to maintain sanity). Armed with this wisdom, absolutely nothing will faze you. There I am, captured above, serenely sipping my fourth Cosmo. Cool as a cucumber, I was perfectly prepared to read Daniel Goes to Preschool for the 237th time in what felt like precisely 11 minutes. It’s all about perspective, and a little bit of liquid courage doesn’t hurt when you’re balancing sophistication with spirited toddler storytelling.
Beyond the restaurant adventures, we also uphold a beloved birthday cake tradition that has been in place since my eldest son was born. Each child eagerly chooses their preferred birthday cake flavor and theme, and then I, as the designated family baker, get the delightful challenge of bringing their sweet dreams to life. It’s a creative and often chaotic process, but always filled with so much love.
- Mia, in her adorable three-year-old wisdom, chose a classic chocolate cake, specifying “lots of sprinkles,” and a beloved Daniel Tiger theme to match her current obsession.
- Julian, a distinguished nine-year-old with a clear vision, opted for his favorite red velvet cake, paired with a dynamic baseball theme.
Say no more! With their visions firmly in mind, I got busy in the kitchen, embarking on my annual cake-baking marathon. The result? Two of my favorite cakes I’ve ever created. Mia’s cake came together rather seamlessly, a true joy to decorate, including a charming homemade sprinkle number 3 – a simple yet effective trick where you pipe melted chocolate onto a wax paper stencil of the number and let it harden over sprinkles for a custom, edible adornment! Julian’s baseball-themed cake, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. It was, quite literally, a hot mess. Everything that could possibly go wrong, did go wrong, from crumbling layers to icing mishaps. The kitchen looked like a flour bomb went off, and I questioned my sanity more than once. But fear not, dear readers, for all was not lost! Stay tuned for Saturday’s video reveal on my Instagram account to witness the hilarious journey and remarkable transformation. Despite the doozy of a process, both cakes ultimately ended up looking and tasting absolutely great, proving that even kitchen chaos can lead to sweet success.
Summer Entertaining Made Effortless
Speaking of partying and celebrating…
It’s hard to believe that summer, with its long, sun-drenched days and spontaneous gatherings, is already starting to wind down. While the temperatures here may still be wonderfully warm, signaling late summer’s embrace, my crew of four is preparing to head back to school in just a few short weeks. We’re doing our absolute best to soak up every single second in the sun, embracing backyard barbecues, poolside fun, and everything in between. This means I’ve had the immense pleasure of doing a lot of entertaining al fresco, making the most of these beautiful evenings.
To help you savor these last precious weeks of summer and make your gatherings stress-free, I recently shared all of my go-to party tricks, clever hacks, and favorite recipes in our comprehensive Ultimate Summer Entertaining Guide. This guide is a treasure trove of inspiration, featuring an incredible 15 different themed menus, ensuring there’s a little something for literally any occasion you might dream up – from casual backyard BBQs to elegant cocktail soirees. I invite you to head on over and explore the guide to see what inspires your next celebration. And whatever you do, please don’t miss discovering the Electric S’mores Kit! It’s an absolute game-changer, allowing you to bring the quintessential s’mores experience indoors, year-round, without the need for a campfire. Imagine cozy s’mores nights even when it’s raining outside!
Beauty Products I’m Absolutely Loving Right Now
When it comes to my makeup routine, I am, at heart, a simple routine kind of gal. My approach to looking presentable is rather binary; I truly only have two distinct “looks”: prom queen or troll. There is no subtle grey area, no middle ground to be found. You won’t catch me saying, “Oh, I’ll just wear some lipstick and mascara today.” Over here, baby, it’s all or nothing. I’m either fully committed to a polished appearance or I’m embracing the fresh-from-under-a-bridge aesthetic. No in-between.
So, on those rare but celebrated occasions when I do manage to show up to school drop-off not looking like I’ve just emerged from my mythical dwelling, I can almost guarantee I’m wearing the same trusty lipstick. And yes, you guessed it, it was a TikTok discovery. A very fashionable and undeniably chic friend of a friend posted about Muzigae Mansion lipgloss a while back. Apparently, this Korean beauty gem is all the rage with the K-Pop stars, known for its unique texture and stunning colors. Intrigued, I decided to test it out for myself, and honestly, I’ve never looked back. It quickly became my holy grail lipstick, seamlessly fitting into my “all” look.
My absolute favorite hue from their collection is aptly named Softie. To me, it’s the quintessential pale pink – effortlessly chic, universally flattering, and boasts a matte appearance that feels incredibly modern and sophisticated. Yet, despite its matte finish, the texture is silky-smooth, gliding on like a dream without any dragging or drying sensation. What truly sets it apart is its incredible longevity; it not only glides on beautifully but genuinely stays on. It has been my long-time go-to lipstick for both day and night wear, and even holds up perfectly on-camera while filming for Just a Taste, proving its mettle under bright lights and long days.
And speaking of being on-camera, I would be utterly remiss not to share two more of my coveted beauty secrets, cunningly “stolen” from the stars themselves. For achieving the whitest teeth on the planet – a brightness that truly makes a difference – I place all my trust, and I mean all my trust, in Crest White Strips. Do I wear them more frequently than suggested on the packaging? Absolutely. Are my teeth perhaps the exact color of Wite-Out correction fluid? Perhaps. But the results are undeniable, and I stand by their power.
Since we’re already deep into the realm of oversharing my beauty hacks, the LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops are an absolute non-negotiable must-have if you aspire to achieve that flawless celebrity red carpet look, especially when your eyes are feeling tired or dull. I diligently use these drops any time I’m preparing to be on camera, as they miraculously make my eye makeup really pop and give my eyes a bright, awakened appearance. Now, are they powerful enough to completely distract from the inevitable layers of bags that have taken up permanent residence under my eyes after years of parenting? No chance, unfortunately. But hey, if they can make a tired mom feel even just a little bit more refreshed and confident, even for a few hours, then I am all for it. Every little bit of self-care helps!
Effortless Back-to-School Prep
Believe it or not, the back-to-school prep is already in full swing at our house! And to be completely honest, it feels like it never truly stopped swinging from the moment the last school year ended. All four of my incredibly active kids have been diligently attending various camps and engaging in a multitude of programs all summer long. This continuous stream of activities has meant that our school lunch routine, a year-round staple, has stayed very much in motion. There’s been no real break from packing lunches, which, in a way, makes the transition back to school a little less jarring.
If you, like many parents, find yourself in desperate need of fresh school lunch inspiration as the new academic year approaches, then you’ve absolutely come to the right place! Over the years, I’ve packed literally thousands of lunches for kids of all ages, catering to a wide array of dietary needs and picky preferences. I understand the daily struggle to keep things interesting and nutritious. To make your life easier, everything I’ve learned, all my best tips, tricks, and recipes, are conveniently rounded up in my comprehensive School Lunch Guide. This invaluable resource includes detailed answers to the most common questions I receive from fellow parents, helping you navigate lunch packing with confidence:
- What’s truly the best lunch box to invest in, considering durability, ease of cleaning, and compartment functionality?
- How do I effectively keep apples from browning, ensuring they stay fresh and appealing until lunchtime?
- What creative and delicious options are available if my kid absolutely hates sandwiches, a common dilemma for many parents?
All these answers, along with countless innovative ideas and practical advice, await you over in our extensive guide. From pancake PB&Js to muffin tin pizza pockets, you’ll find plenty of non-sandwich alternatives. If you still can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, or have a unique lunch-packing challenge, don’t hesitate to send me an email. I’m always happy to help and I’ll get you an answer ASAP!
Ensuring No Steps Go Uncounted (Literally!)
No surprise here to those who know me, but my Type A personality is utterly obsessed with counting my steps each day. Staying active is a priority for me, and most of the time, that involves chasing around my energetic kids, running errands, or bustling around the kitchen. So, I absolutely need to know that these efforts count towards my daily fitness goals and can officially be logged as my workout for the day. Every step matters, and I want credit for them!
Enter my trusty companion: the Apple Watch. It has been a constant fixture on my wrist for the last six years, diligently keeping me on time for appointments and precisely timing my baked goods in the oven. It’s truly indispensable. However, I recently started incorporating “working while walking” (or even rucking) into my daily routine on my treadmill, a fantastic way to multitask and boost my activity levels. I quickly noticed a significant problem: because my hands were constantly resting on my laptop or phone, my arm wasn’t swinging naturally. And as any Apple Watch user knows, a stagnant arm equals a missed step count. This realization was quite frustrating for my step-counting obsession!
The solution, of course, was ingenious in its simplicity: an ankle strap for my Apple Watch. Yes, you read that right! Now, there is absolutely no step uncounted, much to my Type A delight. The only minor side effect is the occasional, slightly questionable glance I receive when people spot what looks suspiciously like an “ankle monitor.” But it’s a small price to pay for accurate data! My next task, however, is to find a Peloton Tread desk that actually fits properly and is functional, so I can finally ditch my current makeshift setup involving precarious pool noodles and a spare cabinet shelf that currently serves as my “desk.” Wish me luck on that mission!
Cherished Tuesdays at Noni’s: A Weekly Family Tradition
I could quite honestly write an entire book on the subject of “Tuesdays at Noni’s.” If you follow along on my Instagram, you’ll already be familiar with this incredibly special weekly tradition: every Tuesday, my entire family and I gather for dinner at my beloved parents’ house. It’s a welcome and much-needed break, especially after what I call “Test Kitchen Tuesday,” when I typically spend anywhere from 8 to 10 hours straight on my feet, tirelessly cooking, styling, photographing, and videoing all of the delicious creations you see right here on Just a Taste. By Tuesday evening, I am usually utterly exhausted, making Noni’s dinner an absolute lifesaver.
My mom, affectionately known as Noni, is nothing short of a legend in our family. She is the entire reason I pursued a career in food, having instilled in me a deep passion for cooking and entertaining from a young age. She embodies the ultimate hostess, is hands down the best home cook I know, and truly the most incredible wife, mother, and grandmother anyone could wish for. Her kitchen is the heart of our family, and her food is pure comfort and joy.
Every single Tuesday, Noni lovingly cooks dinner for my whole family, including all four of my hungry kids. And 9 times out of 10, that cherished dinner is her famous chicken cutlets (which my kids lovingly refer to as “Little Guys,” a tradition stemming from a mispronunciation of Hungarian Wienerschnitzel) accompanied by an epic side dish. These sides are often culinary masterpieces in themselves, like perfectly crispy duck fat fries or her truly award-winning basil pesto pasta, bursting with fresh flavor. Noni often expresses a desire to switch up the menu and try new things, but my kids absolutely won’t let her! Their protests are firm and immediate: “It has to be Little Guys, Noni! Noni’s Little Guys are epic!” And truly, from the mouths of babes, comes such profound wisdom.
Tuesdays at Noni’s are simply the best. They are a vibrant tapestry of shared moments. We sip sparkling Champagne, leisurely snack on her addictive cheesy zucchini chips, gather fresh, sun-ripened tomatoes and fragrant citrus straight from her bountiful garden, and just generally revel in the joy of all being together mid-week. This is especially precious when work and life are reaching a fever-pitch for everyone. Tuesdays at Noni’s are, as my kids would so enthusiastically say, truly epic. They are undeniably chaotic, filled with the loud, joyful sounds of children playing and adults chatting. They are always delicious, leaving us utterly satisfied. And yes, they are inevitably full of dirty dishes, a testament to the feast that was consumed. But above all, they are the invaluable moments where the best memories are made with my kids and my beloved parents. For these cherished gatherings, this unwavering family tradition, I am forever, profoundly grateful.
As July draws to a close, I’m genuinely looking forward to getting back into the rhythm of the school routine. This year marks a significant milestone for our family because, for the very first time ever, all four of my children will be in school all day long. It’s a huge change, and I have so many thoughts and emotions swirling around this new chapter – a mix of excitement, a touch of melancholy, and a lot of anticipation. But we’ll save all those reflections for next month’s edit! And as always, I warmly welcome your feedback, your burning questions, and any suggestions you might have for anything related (or even unrelated!) to Just a Taste. Please know that I’m only an email away, always happy to connect and hear from you!