Tasting Notes // August 2026
Reflections and notes from summer so far, what's on my radar for August and a taste of the month ahead
EDITOR’S NOTE
There’s a tenderness to August- the season’s final chapter. Barefoot and sun-dazed, this ripe peach of a month asks you to pause, to linger on that which is fleeting- tomatoes heavy on the vine, golden days gently fading away, evenings cooling at the edges, everything sweetest just before it’s gone. This month’s edit is gathered in that spirit, a quiet invitation to savor the rest of the season before it slips softly away into fall.
And on that note, there’s something we need to discuss.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, and I’m going to hold your hand while I say this because it seems like it’s a challenging concept for some (ahem Americans) to grasp, but August.Is.NOT.Fall. I repeat August is not a time for pumpkins and foliage and sweaters. It is still very much summer (I know you can’t see me, but believe me when I say I emphatically clapping my hands to emphasize how important this point is). I’m not sure what calendar you use, but in the standard Gregorian calendar, you know, the calendar used by basically everyone around the world, the first official day of fall is Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (at 5:05 p.m. PDT, if we’re being really exact). September 22nd! That’s a good month and half away. Meanwhile, last week, while it was still July, I see pumpkins out and a sign about something for Halloween. Full stop. Because this isn’t it. One month of summer isn’t it. Shortchanging the seasons isn’t it. Living life always jumping two feet ahead isn’t it.
Every year I feel like this gets worse and worse. The seasons get “shorter”, stores put out decor for future holidays even sooner, events get promoted earlier and earlier. And every year, I seem to have to have deeper conversations about this. Years ago, I used to make lighthearted jokes about the fleeting seasons, but it’s kind of not funny anymore. Sorry not sorry.
In large part I blame consumerism as well as how early kids now go back to school in the states. But I also think it speaks to a broader issue (again, largely in America), the one in which we move onto the next thing before we’re even out of the current moment, nothing is ever good enough, you’re encouraged to always be reaching/needing/buying/working more, and resting and embracing the present moment, is not only not encouraged, but rather looked down upon.
In Europe, August is when almost everyone goes on holiday. In America, almost everyone is sending their kids back to school. It’s easy to embrace the natural seasons, unless your culture is set up to encourage otherwise. How can you be talking about summer while having to buy new school supplies and pack lunches? But on the flip side, where does it end? At what point do we just start skipping seasons altogether, or never take down the Christmas decorations? At what point can we not only learn to embrace the present moment, but be allowed to do so?
Look, I’ll be the first one to admit. Fall is my favorite season. But I also love spring…and summer…and winter. And I believe every season has a reason and deserves its rightfully allotted amount of time. No rushing, no jumping ahead, no trying to make it something that it’s not. Just savoring each one for exactly what it is and exactly what it offers.
So here’s to August. The Sunday of summer. A month when the summer sun and heat and produce peaks. A month that I hope you can embrace for exactly what it is, summer.
x
P.S. If I see another pumpkin or Halloween sign before September, I’m throwing them out. I’m sorry, but someone’s got to do it.
HAPPENINGS
WORDS TO LIVE BY //
“Seasons exist to remind us that things must end to begin again.”
WHAT I’M PINNING //
My AUGUST BOARD is all about embracing the height of the season and those deliciously wonderful peak summer moments
WHAT’S IN SEASON //
The better question might be what’s not in season this month? August is truly the prime time for peak produce. Peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew), figs, blackberries, grapes, sweet corn, zucchini and yellow squash, tomatoes, peppers (Jimmy nardellos!!), eggplants, cucumbers and green beans are all exceptional in August.
WHAT I’M COOKING //
Give that August is the month for peak summer produce, I tend to have a list longer than the actually month of things I want to make before the season comes to an end. I mean, how can you not want to make alllll the things when the produce is just that good?!
RICOTTA TOAST WITH HERBY BLISTERED JIMMY NARDELLO PEPPERS: Creamy ricotta piled onto grilled sourdough toast and topped with sweet Jimmy Nardellos blistered until jammy and delicious. Simple enough for a weeknight, but special enough for a celebration.
WAX BEAN & TOMATO SALAD: Snappy yellow wax beans and sun-ripe tomatoes, dressed just enough to let them do their thing. Peak summer produce needs almost nothing, and this is the proof.
TOMATO PIE: The dish that makes tomato season worth waiting all year for. Juicy summer tomatoes tucked into a flaky, decadent, cheesy, golden crust, and yes, it’s every bit as good as it sounds.
TOMATO, PEACH + STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH WHIPPED FETA AND SUMAC VINAIGRETTE: Sweet, savory, tangy and a little bit creamy, this one has hits all the right notes. Ripe tomatoes, juicy peaches and strawberries over cloud-like whipped feta with a bright sumac vinaigrette pulling it all together. It shouldn’t be this pretty and this delicious, and yet here we are…
HAMACHI CRUDO WITH PLUMS: Silky, bright, and a little unexpected, this one is pure summer on a plate. Stone fruit season is finally here and this is one of the most simple yet elevated ways to use it
HOT HONEY, SALAMI, CORN + PEACH PANZANELLA: The ultimate summer salad situation. Sweet corn, ripe peaches, salty salami and crusty bread soaking up all those gorgeous juices. It’s the kind of thing that shouldn’t work as well as it does and yet, here we are
FIG, PROSCUITTO + RICOTTA PIZZA: Sweet jammy figs, salty prosciutto and pillowy ricotta on a crispy, chewy crust. The kind of sweet-and-salty combination that makes you want to keep coming back for slice after slice.
WHAT I’M SIPPING ON //
I’ve been all about the Arnold Palmers lately (my usual summer drink of choice) and one of my favorites is the one I always order from here. I’ve also been loving these spritzes (sans alcohol for an even more refreshing bev).
WHAT I’M READING //
Ok, don’t judge me but I finally read a Elin Hilderbrand book (The Academy)….and I get what the hype is about. Well, at least as far as silly little beach reads go. And now I’m ashamed to admit how anxious I am for the sequel to come out (in September, not that anyone asked). On the opposite side of the spectrum (and to restore some of the brain cells I’m sure a lost from said beach read), I picked up this book about Matisse’s work at our town’s second hand bookstore and it’s already been such a delight just flipping through it.
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO //
This Summer playlist, that I created to pair with my Summer Edition of Tasting Notes over on Substack. It’s chill, vibey and begging to be listened to on a summer roadtrip, a beach day or one of those long, warm summer evenings with friends.
WHAT I’M WATCHING //
Stanley Tucci’s show about Italy is brilliant and fascinating and I really don’t know what I’ll do with myself when we’ve finished binge watching it. If you’re at all interested in food culture and history and/or Italy, I highly recommend it.
WHAT’S ON MY RADAR //
Ibiza isn’t even high on my list of places to go (I know, I’m probably the only one and I’m ok with that), but this stunning property that just opened is making me rethink that. Sardinian wines. A recent follow on Instagram, this dreamy home is a place you can actually stay via Airbnb (but like, I also kind of just want to move in there). These incredible Italian-made scents that I discovered in a little shop in Sardinia. The new season of Ted Lasso starts this week and I can’t wait! I’ve been in love with every product I’ve ever used from this brand, and this latest product is no exception. This has also been a game changer for air drying my naturally curly hair. Nothing has ever worked for me until I tried this mixed with their hair oil. While we’re on the topic of hair, I’ve also been loving this (the scent is delightful) and, on the topic of beauty, this product has been a wonderful addition to my evening routine. I’m convinced the magnesium in it is helping me sleep infinitely better and that in itself is worth it.
WHAT’S COMING UP //
Embracing summer at home with beach days and bbqs, working on a few more home projects (like finally attaching knobs to my closet doors), planning the next round of travels for September and October and publishing more travel guides as well as some long overdue recipes here on the site. I also have a series that I’ve thought about for years, tying together dishes and destinations, and I’m hoping this month is finally the month I’ll launch it. Stay tuned…
WHAT I’M EYEING + BUYING //
The perfect top for transitional seasons, the cutest clutch, vintage terracota bowls from Puglia and more in August’s Monthly Musts.
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