marbled chocolate banana bread

make this banana bread or else...

“Make this banana bread or else” — Samah Dada

Glad we started this newsletter off right, with a threat. :) You know things have gotten bad when you start quoting yourself. Anyway…

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hi + pop-up.

Hi everyone! I hope your spring is treating you well. It’s getting warmer in New York which means… summer is almost here, and I could not be more excited. Though I historically hate the heat and mostly prefer to be inside with A/C than at a park in the grass (which I am also very allergic to LOL…. this letter is a place for my grievances), I am rebranding. Buckle up!!

Part of the issue is that I never know how to dress for summer, but luckily I already experienced summer in Australia this year, so I am equipped with the appropriate wardrobe already, and I love that for me…

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I announced on Friday that I have a pop-up coming up in New York on June 6th at Hav & Mar, which sold out so quickly (I am honored…🥲), but if you’d like to come, we just opened up a few more seats at the bar. I’ll come keep you company! Link to book is here. Pop in June 6th, party of 1, and book! If you’d like a larger party, don’t forget to hit “notify me” + plug in your information so we can let you know if seats become available. So excited to see you :)

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reminder of the day: stop waiting

I wish that people would stop waiting for things to feel just right in order for them to take a step toward something they want. There’s no world in which we can ever truly feel 100% ready for something — readiness is a choice, not a feeling. I was speaking to a friend about this over the past week, and it frustrates me so much to see people I love holding themselves back from the things I know they want, deep down.

If I had ever waited to feel “ready” or fully sure about the outcome of a situation before I even decided to wade in, I would have probably never started anything, period. It’s so easy to let fear of failure take the reins, but when it’s keeping you from something that is undoubtedly going to take you further in the first place, whyyyyy wait!?

We create so many false scenarios in our head that aren’t even rooted in reality just to keep ourselves safe. But what keeps us safe, may also be keeping us stuck, stagnant, and in the same place. What is life without adventure & risk? I don’t want it. I’m working on practicing this in my own life, professional and personal, and I hope this reminds you to take a step toward something you want, too. ♡

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loving!

these are some things that I have been obsessed with recently and wanted to share in case you might want to become obsessed with them too...

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1. I got the new Chance fragrance by Chanel and it is???? The perfect scent for summer. It’s light and sweet but not too sickly floral (I detest those ultra-sweet notes that make you feel lightheaded). I am SO particular about my perfume, so I was honestly a bit nervous that I wasn’t going to love it, but it is sooo divine, especially given that I usually go for muskier fragrance. Makes a great gift, too.

2. A lot of people have been asking me about the blush I’ve been wearing and all I have to say is that I am trying to give sunburnt but in a cute, chic way (lol) and it delivers on this very particular, niche assignment? Basically I’ll use this Merit blush in Fox on cheeks and bridge of nose, and then pop on some of this MILK jelly tint in Burst for some more color. In the summer, I try to wear as LITTLE makeup as possible so I think a couple swipes of my favorite mascara and blush is the most I’m going to do.

3. These are my go-to, baggy, menswear fit jeans. I’ve been wearing them since January, and can’t get enough. They’re under $200, amazing quality, and look effortlessly chic even though you kind of feel like you’re wearing sweats. I seriously do not care if skinny jeans are back in fashion, you will never, NEVER catch me wearing them ever again for the rest of my life. Thank you.

4. In my Sézane era for summer. The t-shirts, tanks, and embroidered tops are all I will be wearing, period. I bought my mom this jacket and my own go-to button down shirt from Sézane for Mother’s Day and they never miss.

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vegan marbled chocolate banana bread!

Before this letter becomes a total breeding ground for no-bake desserts because you know I hate to turn my oven on in the summer, I thought I’d hit you with a new banana bread I developed when I was at home in California last month. I’m finally getting around to sharing the recipe.

It’s a marbled banana bread, that’s melt-in-your-mouth, easy to make, and made with minimal ingredients. The chocolate banana bread is swirled throughout the regular with chocolate chips and it is truly a dream experience, not that I’m biased or anything. ;)

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recipe.

2 ripe bananas