HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER! I recently decided that it would be fun (??) to compile a list of my top 3 things every season and share it with you on the first day of the following season. Honestly, this is mainly because I am so bad at sharing links to my favorite items on ig stories and I do not want to GATEKEEP!!! I also recently compiled my entire book tour fits into one folder!
The categories are: books, sports, clothes, beauty, store-bought condiments, recipes, non alcoholic + alcoholic drinks, and travel. If I’m missing one that you’d like to know more about, let me know in the comments and I’ll add it for summer’s recap!
SPRING: March 20th - June 20th, 2025
Although this year has FLOWN by, I feel as though I did 500000 things this spring so it was actually pretty difficult cutting each category down to 3?
As an FYI, you may see some discount codes below but this newsletter is NOT an ad! I managed to get you discount codes for your most requested DMs items :)
Books
EVE by Cat Bohannon: This is hands down my favorite book of the year - I know this is a spring recap but I have a hard time believing any book will surpass it. You will love it regardless of your gender, but if you’re a woman it’s especially interesting as it helps you understand why your bodies does certain things and reacts in specific ways. There is truly a reason for everything.
TCB USA: shameless plug, hyping up my spring baby!!!!
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy: I love SEEDS so I was bound to love this story of a family living on an island off of Antartica and taking care of a seed vault. One day, a mysterious woman (ooooh) washes up on their shore and they slowly learn each other’s secrets… obsessed.
Sports/Workout
Padel: if you live in London, you know how difficult (and expensive) it is to rent a tennis court. My friends and I have started playing padel which is such a nice activity. I’m still learning to not be a sore loser but hey, it’s a start OKAY!
Shorts Set: a good set that isn’t leggings + sports bra has really changed the game for me this summer. It feels more put together walking around a city somehow? And yet I can still workout in it. Jacket + pants + shorts.
New sneakers: Earlier this spring, I was on the hunt for sneakers that worked for both walking 20-30k steps comfortably and that I could also go on light runs in. That way when I travel, I’d only need to pack one pair of sneaks. I popped into so many athletic shoe stores one day and came home with these On Cloud Surfers. I have LOVED them so much!
Clothes
Black mesh flats: these shoes saved me on my book tour in Australia, NZ, and in the US. They’re cute but also SO comfortable so I can easily walk 10-20k in them with no blisters + they’re mini and take up no space when packing which is always a PLUS. I also recently compiled my entire book tour fits into one folder here on ShopMy!
Because so many of you loved these, Paige gave me a discount code for you too yippee CLAIRE15 for 15% off
Everyday black top: This is just a really great black tee that you can wear casually with jeans, dressed up with a skirt, or even at home with sweatpants. I love packing it on any trip because you can plan so many outfits with it! I gave into Skims years ago and yes, it really is so worth the hype. Kim is clearly a girl’s girl because all of her clothing is COMFY but makes you look great.
Blue loafer bag IM SORRY I know this isn’t an every day purchase but this JW Anderson bag has genuinely been a game changer for me. As you know, I love my Longchamp to death but it’s completely beat up so while I love using it daily, whenever I have “fancier” meetings, I always feel a bit meh and sloppy so it’s nice having a bigger bag that isn’t too big but also makes me feel like a boss lady adult.
EASY SUMMER DRESS: ok this is a new favorite and will make the cut for summer’s round up but it’s just too good for me not to share with you now??? Comfy, airy, day to night, you know the vibe it’s just a 10/10.
Beauty
Face LED mask I’ve plugged this item before on Substack it’s for a good reason. Although it is not cheap, it really helped my skin earlier this year when I experienced my first really bad flare up! To each one’s own but I am now a believer in the LED mask.
The company saw that I wrote about it and are giving you a discount if you also want to try!! CLAIREDCB for 10% off <3
Orange blossom perfume - this Sana Jardin perfume has been my go-to for the past two years. Unlike most orange blossoms, this smell STAYS all day I kid you not. Notable mentions go out to Diptyque’s Ilio or Eau de Sens but I promised myself I would only choose one so oops
Minty lip gloss: My friend got me the mint flavor Summer Fridays lip balm in early spring and I’ve loved having a special “flavor” that reminds me of the season!
Store-bought condiments
Ginisang Bagoong: One of you kindly gifted me this Filipino shrimp paste last October and although I scarfed it down within the month, I bought a new jar this year and had more fun exploring new flavors with it. It’s meant to be eaten with fresh green mango salads but unfortunately for me, it’s trickier than you think to find the fruit in London! Now that it’s boiling hot out, I started putting it on frozen mango which ROCKS. I have also been adding it to omelettes, Vietnamese inspired cold noodle bowls, silken tofu, in yogurt based dipping sauces and more!
Dengaku: Any dish + dengaku refers to food slathered in dengaku, a sweet miso sauce. While both of these dengaku sauces from Dinings were 100/10 SPECTACULAR, I was partial to the Shiro (white) as it was a bit saltier and less “hefty”. The Aka (red) is another dreamy sweet miso glaze but you couldn’t really eat it by the spoonful you know?? Not that you’re meant to eat Shiro Dengaku on a spoon but I most certainly did..? Ngl I loved it on a banana, to dip cucumbers in with some furikake, slathered in rice on lazy evenings etc there were no real limits with this jar.
Mrs H Balls *spicy* Chutney: it’s officially braai season and you better believe my friends and I have been SLATHERING this on all of our bbq meats. If you haven’t had Mrs Balls, it’s basically an apricot peach heavy South African chutney that works quite literally with everything. There is a spicy version and a jalapeño version - listen to me well when I say the spicy one is the way to go. The chakalaka one also rocks but you may have trouble finding that one unless you’re reading this from South Africa!
Recipes
Radish Relish: radis beurre, the French summer classic, REVAMPED. This is a fun one because you get the spicy, tangy, freshness of the radish but you’re able to jar it up and use whenever you want! No need to wash and prep radishes. I especially love it in a jambon beurre sandwich for a fresh kick.
No Fuss Carrot Yogurt Cake: SO MOIST!!!! I made this for Easter this year and was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out? I’ve made it many times since and I think it’s the perfect light summer loaf to bring to a picnic (it’s super easy to transport, really no fuss).
Coconut Probiotic Yogurt: I am especially proud of this one because I really didn’t think I’d ever make my own yogurt! I was always slightly intimidated but ever since whipping up my first batch a few weeks ago, I’m totally addicted to the process. It feels really satisfying to “care for” an item in your fridge that isn’t as messy as a sourdough starter tbh…
Summer preview: Spoiler alert, the mint chip energizer dupe will definitely be on my top 3 summer favorites unless I get the ick from drinking it so often
Travel
Athens: I had such a lovely time in Athens recently with my family! I ate the best olives of my life and stopped by one of my mom’s favorite bakeries to try this dreamy cinnamon roll. Athens city guide here!
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Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserCabo: Growing up in LA, I was lucky enough to be raised around so much Mexican influence and also be a quick flight away from Mexico itself. Now that I’ve been on this side of the world for 5 years, it was really special to go back there with a friend for a few days! We went right before kicking off my US book tour and it was really a special work trip that I’ll remember forever. I learned all about an endangered fish called Totoaba and had many slushy poolside cocktails so it truly was the dream trip.
LA LA LA: I hadn’t been back to see my family in over a year so this trip back home was long overdue. Honestly, I just had a really nice cozy time with my family, ate loads of micro green stuffed wraps, and sipped on many Mint Chip Energizer smoothies. CHIRLA fundraiser is still on here if you’d like to support LA’s immigrants!
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
NON: at this point, you know that NON is my favorite go-to non alcoholic beverage. I love their flavors, they’re not overly sweet, and they pair so well with full-on savory dinners, not just as an aperitif. EEK THEY GAVE ME A CODE TOO IT’S CLAIRE15 USA, UK, AND AUS!
Sour Cherry Drink: I bought so many of these in 2025 that the brand, Green Cola, literally sent me a giant package of their entire selection to try out LOL. I genuinely loved them all but my heart will always belong to sour cherry.
Pineapple-Flavored Aminos: one thing about me is that if I’m home, I LOVE my workout routine. I’m a really active person so whether I’m running around town all day getting my steps in, going to pilates, the gym, a run, or playing padel or tennis with friends, I am truly so happy. I started taking these aminos every morning and now I wake up craving them. They’re really SO delicious and make me feel alert right before a workout.
Alcoholic Drinks
Amarula: again, it’s braai season so whether mini, original, or vanilla spiced-flavored, I will accept any of these. Morning iced coffee? Yes. Afternoon amarula milk tart dessert? Yes. Nightcap hot choc? Also yes. Long live The Savanna Shop in London
Asahi: she’s a BEER girl?? Although I still can’t get on board with IPA, I’ve always loved a Guinness and been picky with my lagers. Asahi has really been doing it for me this spring - probably because London surprised us with an early heat wave this March? And is there really anything better than a pub hang and catch up with friends after a long park stroll?
Cynar Spritz: I beg you to try something than Aperol. My order? Cynar, Campari, Select, and THEN Aperol.
THAT’S ALL I’VE GOT FOR YOU TEAM! Stay tuned for Tuesday’s special summer mill recipe :))))
Claire I love Mrs H Balls Chutney
I’ll always check out a CINNAMON ROLL