It’s warming up and time to think about how to pick and cut the best watermelon (which took me down memory lane to working as a camp counselor for impoverished kids). Today I’m showing how to look for a ripe watermelon and efficiently chop it up.
Also, I have my sister’s fave new dress, figuring out how to buy the right light bulb and more. It’s time for our Five Faves with Annie and Cindy.
1. What To Wear
I’ve mentioned how comfortable the Somerset Maxi dress from Anthropologie is (I have it in two different colors). So while I was in San Diego, I convinced my sister, Teresa to buy the cut-out lace version. She wore it to my son-in-law’s birthday party.
She loves the pockets and is wearing the dress with a white camisole in size petite medium. It comes in standard, petite, and plus sizing.
2. How To Buy The Right Light Bulb
Light bulbs seem to constantly be changing. Chris Love Julia has an excellent blog post explaining the difference between Lumens (brightness) and Kelvin (temperature). Generally, I would say I like warm-temperature lighting with dimmers.
3. How To Pick The Best Watermelon
This helpful chart was on Instagram from The Healthy Foodie. You might want to follow them.
Pick a watermelon that is heavy, and roundish with an orange field spot.
4. How To Cut A Watermelon For A Picnic Crowd
When I was in high school, I worked as a summer camp counselor for underprivileged girls from East Los Angeles at Camp Pala Rey near Oceanside, CA. It was run by a Catholic Salesian priest, Father Flac.
Fr. Flac worked his rear off trying to get donations for the camp. Something in plentiful supply was fresh watermelon (they were grown nearby).
The counselors all learned how to efficiently cut watermelon for hungry little girls (many of whom arrived at camp with nothing and were given donated clothing and disposable sleeping bags — which made them so happy).
One little girl said, “I’ve never had my OWN blanket before!” It was a paper sleeping bag…thanks to Fr. Flac sourcing it.
Basically, cut the watermelon in half and half again. Place flat side down and slice…quick and easy!
You may also like this Greek Watermelon Salad.
Thinking about Fr. Flac, I decided to research him. Fr. Mirko Flac.
“Communist Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia executed thirteen of Brother Mirko’s fourteen Salesian classmates. Mirko escaped and spent 24 years as a Salesian Priest serving the poorest of kids at Camp Pala Rey 1967-1991.”
What a guy. God bless him.
5. My Fave New Chinos
I told you about these comfortable chinos in green. Well, I ordered the white and these are pants that I could wear every day! Try them and see. They come in Regular and Petite sizes.
The graphic tee (size medium) was on super sale at J. Crew and is sold out now but I like this one and this one is also on sale.
Shop the post:
Sephora Spring Savings Event
One more important thing! Now is the time to replenish your makeup with the Sephora Spring Savings Event. I’ve been waiting for this before replacing some of my favorite dwindling cosmetics. There is a post about them here. I am at the VIB level, so will wait until 4/18 to order.
That’s how to pick and cut the best watermelon, a great dress, and more. On Thursday, I’m showing Simple Spring Decor To Make You Smile.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Mary Ann,
Love the lightbulb tips and the watermelon. Although to be honest I hate watermelon, but it is always good to know so that when I purchase it for friends and family I will be getting the freshest.
Love you in the t-shirt and chinos!
So jealous of your chinos, I order a pair after you posted the green ones and unfortunately they did not fit me, very low rise, tight on the hips and hugely large on the waist. I guess my old lady body figure can’t no longer fit onto misses clothes.
Hi Mary Ann,
Theresa looks so pretty in the dress, she wears it so well.
What a wonderful thing you did working at camp when you were young. A rewarding experience. What a great feeling to give back to people that have very little. It takes very little to make them happy. You learn something new everyday. I just did on the watermelon tip. Thx
Thanks so much, Katherine!
Mary Ann! I had no idea about what to look for in a watermelon. I feel like I need to take a screen shot of the graphic for reference. Or at least I’ll remember to look for the orange spot. How have I never known this?
Teresa looks beautiful in the white maxi dress! And I love your too Mary Ann! And I adore your graphic tee! You look amazing!
xx
Miss you, Annie!
Love the Somerset dress and have it in two patterns. Your sister looks great in the eyelet! And you look great in the chinos. Thanks for the watermelon and lightbulb tips … now I know!!! Did I ever tell you I stockpile 60 watt pink bulbs … the most flattering light! Happy weekend! xo
Ha! those lightbulbs will be impossible to get soon. Isn’t it a great dress?
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you so much for telling us about these chino’s l went to Loft and tried them on when they on sale and got the pretty green and a summer blue and they are so perfect. Great for petites! You must be reading my mind as l hanker for watermelon right now so thanks for tips on that. Your sister looks so gorgeous in that dress great look!
Take care,
Aren’t they great? Maybe I should buy the blue too 🙂
I do love those chinos, Francesca!
Hi Mary Ann
Teresa looks fabulous in that Somerset dress!!! Va va voom!! I have a hard time with pants with pockets…they tend to accentuate my big hips. You are lucky you do not have to worry about that. I must check those out. Thanks for the watermelon tips!
I don’t love my hips either, Cindy, but somehow the fit works. Might be the angle of the pockets or something?
Perfect timing! I have three pairs of white cropped jeans but have been wanting white chinos so I’m off to the Loft. Don’t know if I’ll want/need regular or petite but hopefully I’ll find a pair that fit.
So far I have purchased two pairs of solid color chinos to wear during warmer Midwest weather that now starts earlier and will most likely end later in the year. Only purchased one pair last year and wished I had purchased more before they sold out! Much more comfortable than jeans. For my aging body they look so much better than shorts and I’m not a fan of capris. I have found that I need to steam or iron them but they are worth it.
Your sister looks very pretty in the white dress.
Also, your watermelon buying and slicing advice will be used often this summer so thanks too for that!
You are welcome, Carolina!! I’m wearing my green chinos right now. I don’t iron them…they are good it I take them out of the dryer right away.
I don’t look good in shorts…so that’s why I wear a lot of dresses in Summer.
Mary Ann,
The light bulb info is helpful. Thanks for sharing that link. I also appreciate the watermelon tips. I always ask the produce dept. to help me with selection, but it will be nice to have some tips to help myself.
Have a great weekend.
Karen B.
I will refer to the lightbulb info too.
Hi Mary Ann—Your sister Teresa looks great in that white dress. I have to try those chinos. They say they’re a slim fit—may I ask what size you’re wearing? It’s hard to tell but do you have them cuffed?
They aren’t that slim fit…I’m wearing a 6 Petite and I rolled them once.