Summer is finally summeringgggg. Yes, the drone of my AC is gently knawing at my sanity, BUT this heat is giving quintessential summer: late-night ice cream trips, tank top chilling, anything-could-happen vibes.

Though I’m finding the 30s version of nostalgic summer is more about watering my garden at sunset, grilling a pile of fresh vegetables, and planning ahead.

I really felt the summer vibes this past weekend when Kelli and I met up to see Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s Restless Leg comedy show.

They were so so good. They ran around the stage in crazy outfits, said everything we were thinking. They even did WEEKEND UPDATE! We giggled for two straight hours.

After the show, everyone spilled out onto the street in front of Prudential Center. It was maybe 8 pm (gotta love an early show). The sky was pink. Music was playing somewhere. The humidity was arresting. It felt like summer.

In today’s newsletter, you’ll find:

• My favorite flea market (this weekend)

• The best hair stylist in all of NJ

• Where to shop for second-hand home decor

• Garage sale tips you need this summer

• Simple sushi when it’s too hot to cook

Of all the types of thrifting out there, a true down-and-home flea market is my favorite. You know the kind. People laying out random items on a blanket in a park. Pop-up tents. Cars in the grass.

Give me allll the randomness. The knock-off designer jewelry. The $1 shirt bins. The packs of off-brand Hanes socks. The pile of purses on a tarp. Trinkets. Old tools. Piggy banks. Ed Hardy.

And this weekend, one of my favorite flea markets is happening in West Millford!

When: Sunday, June 29th @ 9am - 4pm

Where: 65 Lincoln Ave, West Milford, NJ

Details: Free to enter, parking is $5

Go have fun, girliez! Maybe I’ll see you there!

During the last swap, I got endless compliments on my hair. Yes, I finally figured out the blessing of a blow-dry brush, thankyouverymuch. (All my curly girlz know that feeling of straightening your hair. It’s a real Princess Diaries moment.)

Truly, though, I have to shout out my long-time hair stylist, Alia, who has been with me through the greys, the bobs, and now the balayage. She’s so incredibly talented at coloring and a literal expert at working with curly hair.

I trust her so much that I send my mama to her, too! And guess what? After working for a salon for years, she opened her own salon called Glossary Studio in West Caldwell! We love this community of business Jersey Girls.

If you love iced coffee, need help with your curls, or want to work with an experienced colorist, follow her on Instagram or set up a consultation call!

So my apartment is expertly decorated with thrifted pieces. Sometimes I swap out a lamp or an end table, but for the most part, it’s a final draft.

My partner, on the other hand, has a blank slate. A NEW APARTMENT to decorate. And as a Taurus rising, he’s very passionate about aesthetics, comfort, and beauty.

So I not-so-subtly offered to help him bring his dream vision to life on a budget. He sent me a Pinterest board, and we got to work.

The first place I took him was American Thrift in Passaic, because they have a huge selection of home decor.

We were on the hunt for wall art and walked away with so much more, like a hand-carved wooden box, wrought iron candle holders, kitchen plates, and a folding suitcase holder.

From there, we spent Saturdays garage sailing, thrifting, and picking up items from FB marketplace. We found marble coasters, a great side lamp, and serving trays.

On a little vacation down the shore, I hit up Jersey Shore Animal Center Thrift Store in Brick and found some wall art, a literal Pirate’s chest, and a few wrought iron shelves.

I can’t wait to see it all come together for him!!

Have you seen them? Neon green garage sale signs attached to parked cars with an earnest albeit illegible address? It’s garage sale season. And we are ALIVE about it.

Here’s what I gotta say about optimizing this season:

1. Pad extra time during weekend adventures. If you’re going to a new town, like for a family party, leave early. You never know when you’re going to see an estate/garage sale sign. And you do NOT want to have to pass it because you’re running late. (Shout out to Kelli, from whom I learned this tip.)

2. Hit the ATM. I always have cash on me in summer. Because you have to be ready AT ANY MOMENT. I find most people running garage sales are a little overwhelmed, maybe cleaning out a loved one’s home, and the last thing they need is to remember their Zelle password.

3. Keep your trunk clear. For obvious reasons, such as: what if you pick up a gardening shovel? A rocking chair? A standing lamp? Again, people, ready to thrift. At. any. moment.

I can’t motivate myself to go grocery shopping lately, so I’ve been using stock items, like canned green beans, pasta with sauce, and tuna. Not together, but you know, I’m getting creative in the kitchen.

For lunch one day, I remembered seeing someone use their seaweed snacks as a DIY tuna wrap. And I decided to give it a try. 10/10. Such an easy way to get in a bunch of protein AND minerals.

@walderwellness

These protein-packed spicy tuna seaweed wraps are a quick + healthy lunch or snack idea! Made with nutritious ingredients like canned tuna... See more

Well, that’s all for now, Jersey friends. May you all be getting summer texts like this from people you love…

Chat soon,

xoxoxoxo Larell