Daily Skimm

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. Non-New Yorkers, bear with me, but I’m still not over the Knicks’ unbelievable comeback on Tuesday night. (Seriously, how does a person move like this?) A few other things that have me in a good mood:

The latest Cool Girl handbag color is inspired by the best and most rare (according to my scientific research) fountain soda flavor. I’m 1000% on board.
This new addition to Taco Bell’s menu, which I truly could’ve never predicted. The only thing more surprising? I actually want to try every flavor.
I was initially skeptical of the whimsical shoe trend that’ll transport you back to your Pretty Pretty Princess board game days, but I can’t stop thinking about how I’d style them. Or how fun that game was.
Thanks to Charli XCX, we now have permission to break the cardinal skincare rule. No one show this to my dermatologist, OK?
I was fully convinced there was no better role for Quinta Brunson than Abbott Elementary’s Janine — and then this casting announcement dropped. Boy, was I wrong.

— Jamie Feldman / Writer, Culture & Leisure / Brooklyn, NY

Food by Maria’s Italian Grinder Pasta Salad with Crispy Air-Fried Orecchiette

This Crispy Italian Grinder Pasta Salad Will Be the First Thing to Disappear at Any Cookout

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Now that barbecue season has arrived, it’s time for a bold declaration: Sure, burgers and hot dogs are great — but the sides are the real star. Case in point? Food by Maria’s Italian Grinder Pasta Salad with Crispy Air-Fried Orecchiette. A twist on the viral grinder sandwich, this deceptively easy recipe has everything you love about an Italian sub/hoagie/hero (prosciutto, salami, pepperoncini, provolone, iceberg lettuce), but levels it up with a few extras: store-bought olive salad, sun-dried tomatoes, and The World’s Most Underrated Pasta™, which gets smothered in pesto and air-fried until golden and crispy. Toss it all in the creamy, tangy dressing — and safe to say you’ll be the most popular person at the cookout.

The Time Commitment: About 40 minutes.

Key Tips: No air fryer? No problem. Maria Koutsogiannis (aka Food by Maria) says to broil the cooked pasta for 8 to 10 minutes. Also, for a vegetarian option, sub artichoke hearts and extra olives for prosciutto and salami.

Other Takes: For more “sides” with main dish energy, try…

Cold Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce. Yes, peanut dressing improves everything. But this 20-minute dish featuring perfectly chewy noodles and tons of crunchy veggies might be its highest calling.
Spinach and Pepperoncini Baked Feta Dip. Light, bright, and delightfully zesty, this might actually be better than everyone’s favorite party dip. We said what we said.
Marinated Green Olive Bean Salad with Chive Basil Dressing. This protein- and fiber-packed recipe requires zero cooking — and gets better as it sits. So make extra and thank yourself later.

What’s new in food & home:

🏠 Trust us, this tiny home decor upgrade will be the first thing guests notice — and not just because it’s allergy season.

🛒 Forget viral foods and household essentials. Costco customers are making a beeline for these shockingly realistic finds. Excuse us while we buy one of each.

👀 Millennials, the snack that was the AmEx black card of cafeteria currency is headed to the candy aisle — with two new products. We haven’t moved this fast since recess.

Score by Kennedy Ryan

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Think running into your ex at the grocery store is bad? Imagine being hired for the same career-defining film. That’s the nightmare at the heart of Kennedy Ryan’s Score. The novel follows award-winning screenwriter Verity Hill and composer Wright “Monk” Bellamy, who met at a Georgia HBCU, fell hard, then split disastrously. More than a decade later, they’re reunited to work on a biopic about a fictional Harlem Renaissance jazz legend — and while the Oscar buzz is palpable, the chemistry between Verity and Monk is even harder to ignore. To move forward, they both must reckon with the past: Can Verity tell Monk the truth about their breakup? And can she forgive herself for what happened? Expect a nuanced portrayal of mental health, a richly rendered historical backdrop, and a second-chance romance that’s been called “a triumph.” We asked Ryan a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Ryan: Oleander by Scarlett Drake.

Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?

Ryan: Living Single was better than Friends.

Q: What’s the last social media post you sent to your friends?

Ryan: Definitely something about perimenopause.

PS: To learn what relatable thing Ryan is an armchair expert on, read our extended author interview here.

Meanwhile, on the internet…

Saratoga Springs, who? The internet has a new favorite water — and once you see it, you’ll spot it everywhere (we would know).
In case you needed more proof that the Multitasking Industrial Complex has gotten out of hand, check out what people are now doing on the StairMaster. It makes watching TV look quaint.
Labubus, you had your moment. But another trendy toy has entered the chat — and it’s causing chaos at stores nationwide.

Fragrance is the easiest way to elevate your home — and this cold-air diffuser wraps each room in a luxury hotel-inspired signature scent. Psst…save 10% with SKIMM10.*

Cult-favorite skincare brand PCA Skin is offering 20% off sitewide right now. This Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is like a refreshing glass of water for your skin.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

We Have One Rule This Summer: Get in the Water

theSkimm

Memorial Day Weekend = the unofficial start of summer. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or locking in your annual family vacation, one thing’s for sure: time in the water — from lakeside hangs to dreamy beaches and splashy attractions built for sunny days — is a must. If you power your bathing suit-forward trips with points, The Points Guy doesn’t want you to lose them. They’re breaking down what’s at stake — and why it’s worth protecting your hard-won rewards for destinations like these.

🚣‍♀️ A classic Adirondacks escape, New York’s Lake George is all about crystal-clear water, scenic mountaintops, and easygoing afternoons. Famously described by Thomas Jefferson as “the most beautiful water I ever saw,” the 32-mile-long lake is perfect for boating, swimming, or soaking up the sun from the shore. Want to take in the views without lifting a finger? Hop aboard one of the last steam paddle wheel ships in the US for a sunset cruise.

⛱️ Located on a small peninsula along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Cape Charles offers the kind of beach escape that feels refreshingly unhurried. Its calm Chesapeake Bay waters make for ideal swimming conditions for kids, while the historic downtown is lined with charming shops, seafood restaurants, and art galleries worth ducking into between beach breaks. And whatever you do, don’t skip a cone from Brown Dog Ice Cream.

🎢 For anyone who considers a lazy river a personality trait, Noah’s Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells is basically heaven. The 70-acre park has something for every thrill level, whether that means kiddie pools and mini slides, surfing on the park’s simulator, or screaming your way through the Black Anaconda water coaster. And if all that sounds exhausting? Private cabanas and poolside drinks exist for a reason.

Trips like these are often powered by the points and rewards many of us rack up every day, from cash back on gas and groceries to travel rewards that help get us there. With some of these rewards at risk, The Points Guy is helping travelers understand why it’s worth protecting the perks that make magical summer getaways possible.

Want to keep making the most of your spending (and supercharging your travel plans)? Head to ProtectYourPoints.com to learn more and take action.*

What We're Buying From the Memorial Day Sales

The Skimm Shopping team has been hard at work to bring you the best Memorial Day sales to shop throughout the weekend (...and there’s still more to come). If you’re curious about what our editors are actually buying, you’re in luck. Here’s what we’re personally shelling out for:

“I firmly believe that you should not pay full price for bedding. Since my dog literally ate my favorite duvet cover, I’m replacing it with this one from Brooklinen, which is currently 25% off (as is everything else sitewide, plus 50% off bundles). There’s something so chic about striped linen bedding, especially for summertime. It can lean cottagecore or coastal, depending on how you style it.” —Caroline Goldstein, Senior Commerce Editor

“I have three weddings this year, which means I’m on the hunt for dresses I’ll feel confident in and want to wear more than once. ASTR the Label is running a sale, with 20% off $100+ and 30% off $200+. Right now in my cart is this pleated option and this tiered maxi.” —Alexandra Napoli, Senior Commerce Director

“I’m taking advantage of Dedcool’s 20% off sitewide sale to do a major restock on my favorite scented laundry detergent. I go for Xtra Milk every time, and I mainly use it for my sheets. It has the best clean laundry scent with notes of white musk and amber (that isn’t too fragranced). A little goes a long way and it doesn’t irritate my eczema-prone skin.” —Margo Ghertner, Commerce Editor

“There's nothing like an anklet for summer...especially if it's water-resistant. I've been wearing this two-toned version from Jenny Bird every day since I got it. It comes in two sizes and three colorways, allowing you to pick the one that speaks to your style.” —Sam Baker, Group Vice President, Commerce

On the sweatiest summer days, we use this pH-balanced body wash. It actually removes odors — not just masks them — and can even help with hyperpigmentation. Use code MDW25 for 25% off $60+.

Speaking of summer sweats, this genius mattress cover automatically regulates your body temperature throughout the night. You can use it on any mattress, and it's $450 off right now.

PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram.

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Whenever we go out to dinner with my sister's family, her kids are a handful (think: shouting, throwing food, covering the table in stickers) and she acts like nothing is happening. How do I say something without seeming like I'm telling her how to parent?

“[Weighing in on] other people’s children is always a minefield. First, consider suggesting a louder, more kid-friendly restaurant and [moving the reservation to] 5 pm — all of which removes the friction without having to say a word. [If you still need to address it], ask her and her partner what they think would help rather than presenting it as a complaint. And if you do name a specific behavior, pick just one (say, the food throwing). The goal is for her to hear ‘I want to keep doing this with you’ — not ‘your kids are a lot.’”

Sorry, But Your Kids Are Ruining Dinner 🍴