Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a fabulous week. If we haven’t already met, my name is Abra (Abraham without the “ham”) and I’m the brand & social media manager here at AK. Everything else you need to know about me can be found here 🙂

Really excited to jump in and share some of my summer picks with you guys today. They’re more like end of summer picks, but I swear last weekend was Memorial Day. Anyway, I put together a fun list of things that I’ve been loving lately. You’ll find my current favorite Ambitious Kitchen recipes (aka the ones I make for myself when Monique’s out of town), jeans that I seriously live in, playlists that get me up in the morning, and a few things in between.

xoxo!

For eating: AK recipes on repeat

Breakfast: Peanut Butter Blueberry Overnight Oats – I’m a sucker for a good PB&J and these overnight oats are a like the real deal sammie in creamy, perfectly sweet and filling breakfast form.

Lunch: Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad – everything-in-a-bowl salads are my go-to, and the flavors in this one are incredible. My mom makes this one all the time, too (and calls me every time she does. Love ya mom).

Dinner: One Pan Thai Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken & Rice – I actually made this by myself for the first time last week and OMG forgot how delicious it is. I will say that while I do a fair amount of chopping veggies at AK HQ, I’m not the most confident cook myself. That being said, this was SO easy, flavorful, and made me feel like a top chef. If you haven’t made this yet get to it! Rant over.

Dessert: Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats – just like the “scotcheroos” I grew up on. Chocolate, peanut butter, boom done. Okay I also make these cookies weekly so take your pick.

For listening & jamming

I made this playlist when I made Monique’s famous cinnamon rolls for the first time, and now I listen to it whenever I’m cooking/baking. It’s a compilation of my favorite chill indie-folk artists. I mix it up between this type of music and more electronic. If you’re looking for the latter, this playlist is for you 🙂

For wearing

1. These jeans are the same fit as my go-to ones from Madewell and they’re amazing. High-rise, slim boyfriend so not too baggy, and perfect for dressing up or down. I’ve worn them with sneakers and a tee (like in this photo) and dressed them up with a cropped blouse and heeled sandals.

2. My current favorite outfit is pairing those jeans with this bodysuit and a jacket like this one (perfect for summer into fall). No fuss tucking in your shirt = win!

3. I got these black loafer mules last year in plain black AND floral because they’re just too good. People ask me, “omg are those the Gucci slides?!” and of course I say yes.

Just for fun

1. Chicago eats: recently enjoyed margs on the patio at Tuco & Blondie, had the best brunch at Ema

2. Favorite rug currently on Ambitious Home: Sophia – making all of my pink & blue dreams come true. Endlessly jealous of her future owner.

3. Travel essentials: I always travel with a backpack (hands-free!), am newly obsessed with this Vitamin C Serum, and don’t go anywhere without this deodorant.

Leave a comment and share your current favs with me! I’m always looking for new music (let’s follow each other on Spotify!), summer dresses, workout shoes, and great beach reads.