HOT STUFF AS SUMMER COOLS DOWN

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Hey there, friends!

Can you believe we’re already saying goodbye to summer? It feels like just yesterday we were cannon-balling into the season, and now we’re on the cusp of cozy sweaters and crackling fireplaces. But before we fully embrace fall, let’s savor these last golden moments.

This summer, I fell headlong into a reading frenzy, devouring novels by incredible female writers. Liz Moore’s storytelling in God of the Woods had me hooked, Miranda July’s sometimes appalling view of a woman’s perimenopausal breakdown (or breakthrough?) in All Fours challenged my thinking about middle age, and Elena Ferrante’s cinematic prose in My Brilliant Friend transported me to Naples, Italy in the 1960s. I also picked up Virginia Woolf’s brilliant satire Orlando for the first time—what a witty, sharp, prescient takedown of the patriarchal limitations that have long tried to stifle women’s creativity and power. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good laugh at the expense of outdated norms.

On the topic of breaking barriers, can we talk about Vice President Kamala Harris? Her rise as the Democratic presidential candidate has pumped me with adrenaline and hope as we approach next week’s Democratic convention and the upcoming election. Pairing with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz—whose female-forward policies and personal journey with IVF show a true commitment to women’s rights—feels like a win for us all. My Midwestern heart is beaming with pride. 

And speaking of pride, the Paris Olympics were nothing short of spectacular! From breathtaking athletic performances to a Snoop—Dog—star—studded cultural extravaganza, it was a feast for the senses. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite tracks from the opening and closing ceremonies in Spotify, a perfect for your end-of-summer playlist.

Back here in the Midwest, I’ve indulged in the season’s finest produce—peaches, corn, and those heirloom tomatoes that make the ultimate BLT. There’s nothing like a taste of summer to keep the summer vibes going here in the Dahlmann-Pinter household.

Here’s to squeezing every last drop of joy from this summer. Stay tuned for all the pop culture goodies, playlists, and more in this edition of Idealchemy! 

Cheers,

Jenie

The God of the Woods is a perfectly paced page-turner! The two mysteries kept me guessing until the very end—a rarity these days. The characters, the time jumps, and shifting perspectives are beautifully crafted. If you're looking for a captivating summer read, especially at a lakeside cottage, this one’s a winner!

Making a big life change at 45? I could relate! But wow, this character’s wild ride made even me feel like a prude at times. The edgy lifestyle and complex marriage might be over the top, but All Fours is a must-read for anyone who thinks 50 means falling into the abyss.

I finally read Lincoln in the Bardo on a trip to D.C.—talk about perfect timing! Saunders’ poignant exploration of grief, love, and loss was amplified by visits to the Lincoln Memorial and Ford Theater. It’s a profound, heart-wrenching read that stays with you long after you finish.

I was skeptical when My Brilliant Friend topped the NYTimes’ best books of the century list—better than A Gentleman in Moscow or Hamnet? But I gave it a shot and was hooked. Ferrante’s storytelling pulls you in, and now I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series!

There’s something comforting about knowing that the quixotically talented, Steve Martin is an introvert at heart—just like me. He rocks a Wordle-branded baseball cap, tackles the NYTimes Crossword on his iPad every morning, and married the bespectacled woman who once fact-checked articles about him in that same paper. Apple TV's Steve! A Documentary shows that this wild and crazy guy found a surprisingly tame and sane happy ending to his decades-long love-hate relationship with fame.

As a huge fan of the 1990 film Presumed Innocent with Harrison Ford and Bonnie Bedelia, I didn’t think Apple TV’s mini-series remake with Jake Gyllenhaal could offer anything new. Boy, was I wrong. With TV royalty David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams, and Scott Turow himself behind it, this reimagining is a beautifully acted, compelling slow burn. Mark and I binged all eight episodes in three days—and trust me, if you're thinking "why watch when I already know the ending?" you may want to think again.

As a fan of late '70s and early '80s punk-meets-ska, The English band The Beat were top of my list. Their hit song Save it for Later, defining the second wave of ska music, was brilliantly performed by vocalists Dave Wakeling and the late, great Ranking Roger. Now, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder reimagines this classic, slowing it down to reveal the heartbreaking meaning of the lyrics and playing it's melancholic melody of a mandolin. Prominently featured in season three of The Bear, I’m thrilled that a new generation will rediscover one of my all-time favorites.

Music played a huge role in the 2024 Paris Olympics, kicking off with Lady Gaga’s stunning throwback performance of Mon Truc en Plume, originally made famous by French ballet dancer, actress, and singer Zizi Jeanmarie on The Ed Sullivan Show in the '60s. The games also paid homage to France with renditions of Edith Piaf’s Hymne à l'Amour and, of course, La Marseillaise, but the unexpected mix of heavy metal, rap, and new wave were real surprises. I’ve put together a Spotify playlist with some of my favorite tracks from the games. Écoute bien!

On a recent trip to Mark’s hometown of Decorah, Iowa, we discovered the stunning work of Midwestern artist Tara Austin at the Vesterheim Museum, the Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center. Tara blends traditional Norwegian rosemaling with reverse painting on glass, using these folk art techniques to develop her own unique aesthetic rooted in the importance of craftsmanship. Her work beautifully captures the timeless principles of geometry, harmony, and beauty.

I bought my first $5 piece of art from an Art-o-Mat at The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., and it was such a fun experience! The art turned out to be from a Midwestern artist and fellow University of Michigan graduate (Go Blue!) named Emily Frushour. These repurposed cigarette machines are a brilliant way to discover (and support) artists—definitely worth a try if you spot one! You can snag a unique piece of art by pulling a knob, just like the old days with cigarettes. For a list of locations around the United States, click here.

Heading takes vintage book illustrations and turns them into the coolest bandanas and scarves. Each piece feels like a little slice of history you can wear, with designs that capture all the charm of those old, beautifully illustrated books. If you love a bit of vintage flair, these are bound to become your new go-to accessories. Thanks to some amazing support, Heading’s grown from a garage setup to a cozy spot in Portland Maine's historic State Theater. How awesome is that?

As someone who’s dealt with social anxiety my whole life, I’m really looking forward to trying Calm Strips. These textured sensory stickers seem like the perfect discreet and portable way to ease restless energy and find focus whenever I need it. They stick to just about anything—desks, laptops, phone cases—and are reusable without leaving any residue. I can't wait to see how they help bring a little extra calm and control to my day! Also a good reminder to exhale and breathe!

With National Dog Day coming up on August 26, there’s no better time to support Leader Dogs for the Blind, an organization near and dear to my heart with its national headquarters in my hometown of Rochester, Michigan. People who are blind or visually impaired face challenges that most of us can hardly imagine. Everyday tasks that we take for granted can become overwhelming obstacles. That’s where Leader Dogs for the Blind steps in. They provide essential services, from white cane training to matching individuals with a Leader Dog, empowering them to reclaim their independence, confidence, and companionship. It’s more than just practical support; it’s about giving people the tools to navigate life with a renewed sense of freedom and purpose.

Supporting this incredible organization not only changes lives but also honors the incredible bond between people and their dogs.