Casey McQuiston has a knack for writing steamy queer rom-coms (see: the bestselling book-turned-movie Red, White & Royal Blue) — and their latest novel is no exception. The Pairingfollows estranged exes (and former childhood best friends) Theo and Kit, who unexpectedly find themselves on the same European food and wine tour. Stuck together, they challenge one another to an international hookup competition — after all, there’s no spark between them, anyway…or so they think. Fun and juicy, The Pairing is a delightfully bisexual enemies-to-lovers story you won’t be able to put down. We asked McQuiston a few questions. Here’s what they had to say…
Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?
McQuiston: The Last Dinner Party’s album Prelude to Ecstasy. My partner once described it as sounding like “ABBA but satanic,” which I think sums up why I love it.
Q: What’s one thing that makes you laugh without fail?
McQuiston: That one tweet about Barry Keoghan explaining the Joker to Sabrina Carpenter.
Q: What’s a corner of the internet you recently discovered?
McQuiston: Kenji López-Alt’s YouTube channel. I absolutely adore the zero-production chaos of his cooking tutorials, from the dogs popping into frame to sniff for scraps to the latest color his kids have painted his nails. And I’ve learned a lot! My partner and I love to watch while we eat dinner.
This Easy Croissant Breakfast Bake Wins Brunch Every Time
theSkimm
Thanks to the Olympics, it seems like everyone (at least, everyone on social media) is enjoying croissants in Paris. But for those of us who couldn’t make the trip, this Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Bacon & Gruyere by Well Seasoned Studio is the next best thing. Loaded with buttery croissant dough, crispy bacon, gooey gruyere, and a creamy egg custard, this easy, make-ahead dish is perfect for Labor Day weekend brunch or any lazy Sunday morning. Either way, it tastes almost (emphasis on almost) as good as a summer day spent in France.
The Time Commitment: This recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep work, before baking for 45 minutes.
Key Tips: Well Seasoned Studio recommends using slightly stale croissants as “they hold up better with the added liquid, whereas fresh croissants can end up a bit mushy.” And brioche, challah, and French bread are great substitutes if you don’t have croissants on hand — just tear the bread into bite-sized pieces so the egg mixture soaks up evenly.
If you need further proof that home decor is not OK: Apparently, we’re now “fridgescaping” — in addition to storing spices in the “most cottagecore way” possible.
The Popular Ski Town That’s Just as Magical in the Summer
theSkimm
Sure, Aspen has a reputation for being over-the-top — ahem, “Billionaire Mountain” — but the majestic Colorado mountain town is more than just a bougie vacation destination. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Aspen offers lush, otherworldly views (hitch a gondola ride for some of the best), every outdoor adventure imaginable (rock climbing, paragliding, and ziplining, to name a few), and, for the non-adrenaline junkies, a vibrant downtown area filled with top-notch dining and shopping. But don’t take our word for it — everyone from Rihanna to Goldie Hawn to the Kardashian-Jenner clan loves Aspen. Talk about something for everyone.
🛏 Named one ofEsquire’s best new hotels of 2024, MOLLIE Aspen is the chiller, boutique cousin to Aspen’s five-star resorts. Guests are greeted in the stylish lobby with vintage-esque furniture, a crackling fireplace, and thoughtful blend of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design. And since MOLLIE is right on the edge of town, guests are a five-minute walk from the town’s shops and restaurants. Though, considering the hotel’s bar was created by the same team behind the famous Death & Co speakeasy in New York, we don’t blame you if you don’t want to leave.
🏔 Hiking is one of the best ways to absorb Aspen’s natural beauty — especially the Maroon Bells and its iconic wine-colored twin peaks. To see the postcard-worthy landmark, consider walking the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, which is an easy, one-mile loop. There’s also Crater Lake Trail next to the Bells — a 3.6-mile hike with spectacular views that’s slightly more challenging. And for something closer to town, try the 1.5-mile trek up Smuggler Mountain Trail. Pro tip: Stop by Las Montañas for a post-hike margarita.
🎨 Soak up some culture by perusing Aspen’s many museums and art galleries. And while the Aspen Art Museum (designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban) and the Baldwin Gallery (check out the myblackisbeautiful multimedia exhibit) are worthy visits for viewing contemporary works, in recent years, Boesky West has grabbed attention as the “world’s most interesting art gallery you’ve never heard of.” When you’re done gallery-hopping, be sure to stroll through Aspen Saturday Market for crafts, jewelry, and other goodies made by locals.
🍴 Aspen’s dining scene rivals some of the best cities in the country. For lunch, hit up local favorite White House Tavern (get the crispy chicken sandwich — trust us) or Meat & Cheese, which is a deli-restaurant hybrid. But if you’re looking for something more elevated, make a dinner reservation at Clark's Oyster Bar for delicious seafood (oysters, of course, are a given) or Casa Tua for upscale Northern Italian cuisine. Finally, end the evening with a cocktail at J-Bar, the cozy, sophisticated saloon at the historic Hotel Jerome.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
Q: I’m terrible at remembering people’s names. What’s the least awkward way to ask someone to remind me of their name — especially when I’m introducing them to someone else?
“[When you forget someone’s name], honesty is the best policy. In a gracious manner, [say]: ‘I’m so sorry, I’m terrible with names. Please remind me of your name again.’ … You’re smiling, sweet, and apologetic. Those are the keys to making someone feel special and memorable. The next time, you need to nail it. You cannot forget someone’s name more than once because then it starts to hurt.
If you have two people that you’re introducing [and] you remember one person’s name but forgot the other person’s, all you need to do is let them do the work. You introduce them to each other: ‘I’m sorry, have you two met?’ You set it up. The best result is that they introduce themselves to each other.”
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PS: Want more product recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram.
Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.
Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them here.
Skimm’d by: Taylor Trudon, Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson
Photos by St. Martin's Griffin, Cambrea of Cambrea Bakes, SeanXu via iStock, krblokhin via iStock, Maskot via Getty Images, courtesy of Lisa Gaché, Brand Partners
