Weekend: Charging Friends for Dinner Parties 💸

But first: don’t let money mess with your marriage — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today [theSkimm Logo] [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( May 11, 2024 Daily Skimm [Header Image]( [Together with]( [new york life]( But first: [don’t let money mess with your marriage]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( EDITOR’S NOTE Happy Saturday. Calling all fellow millennials: If you also miss the days of Kid Cuisine dinners and glow-in-the-dark stars, you need to [follow this Instagram account](. Other things that caught my eye this week? Another royal is [moving to the states](. This article on [the rise of body Botox](, which is apparently “the next frontier.” And an unexpectedly convincing case for wearing “[corporate crop tops](,” which is truly something I never thought I’d say. That’s after an actually chic [take on the ‘00s dresses-over-pants trend]( also caught me by surprise. Meanwhile, as Swifties spend the weekend dissecting all the [changes to the Eras Tour setlist](and [costumes](, I’ll be digging into what may be the internet’s most divisive cookie: [a chocolate chipless cookie](. — Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC [Read: “Long Island” by Colm Tóibín] “Long Island” by Colm Tóibín theSkimm Long ago, in the year 2009, we tore through Colm Tóibín’s bestseller “[Brooklyn,](” then watched it on the big screen with [Saoirse Ronan]( as its Irish protagonist, Eilis Lacey. Now, 15 years after the book’s release, Tóibín has published a sequel — “[Long Island](” — that reintroduces us to Eilis, who is now in her 40s, married with two teenage children, and living on Long Island with her husband, Tony. This time, we watch Eilis’s life splinter when an Irishman shows up to her home and announces that his wife is pregnant with Tony’s child — and that when the baby is born, he’ll be dropping it on their doorstep for them to raise. We asked Tóibín a couple questions. Here’s what he had to say… Q: Had you always planned on writing a sequel to “Brooklyn”? Tóibín: I never planned to do a sequel. It simply never occurred to me. I have written 11 novels, and if I began to write sequels to each one, I would never have a moment to myself. Also, it would be terrible if novels of the past had had sequels — think of “[Moby Dick](” or “[Ulysses](.” Or, “War and Peace and War Again.” What happened was I got an idea for a novel, and it had the same characters as “Brooklyn” but in a different kind of configuration. The scene at the very beginning of the book was what occurred to me. In a way, “Long Island” is a sequel to that scene. Q: You’re hosting your dream book club: Who’s invited, what are you reading, and what are you eating? Tóibín: I really don’t know how to cook, so I suppose we would have to order the food in — [which would be] lots of duck. We’d have a choice between James {NAME}’s “[Go Tell It on the Mountain](” and Ralph Ellison’s “[Invisible Man](” or we might do both. I’d like to have {NAME} and Ellison in the club and maybe Alice Munro. Failing them, it’s hard to know who to ask. Can you check if Henry James is free that evening? But best not have him and Edith Wharton together. Or, maybe we should [take] a risk and invite them both. Let them decide. [EAT: Baker by Nature’s Overnight Raspberry French Toast Casserole] An Easy French Toast Casserole You Can Make Half-Asleep theSkimm The only thing better than enjoying a restaurant-worthy brunch in PJs? When all that’s required is rolling out of bed and turning the oven on. That’s exactly why we’re recommending [Baker by Nature’s Overnight Raspberry French Toast Casserole](. All the prep (and there isn’t much) can and should be done the night before, so the bread has time to soak up the sweet, eggy batter — key for that gooey, custardy texture. Add in chunks of cream cheese and swirls of raspberry, and you’ve got a dish that’s impressive enough for a holiday (like, say, Mother’s Day) and easy enough for an ordinary Sunday. The Time Commitment: Thirty minutes the night before to prep and assemble the casserole. Plus, an hour the next morning for it to bake — during which you can enjoy a cup of coffee, scroll through Instagram, or do whatever else you want to do. Key Tips: The recipe calls for sourdough or French bread, but you can also use challah or brioche — just make sure it’s dried out or toasted, so it’ll absorb the batter without falling apart. Another swap to keep in mind? Subbing the fresh raspberries and raspberry preserves for blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Other Takes: Who said chocolate is just for dessert? This [Overnight Babka French Toast]( proves it’s beyond acceptable to eat chocolate any time of day. But if you prefer something savory, you can’t go wrong with this [Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole]( or this [Croque-Monsieur Breakfast Casserole](. Not to mention, this [Overnight French Onion Croissant Bake]( is cheesy, comforting, and absolutely perfect. [GO: Valencia, Spain] Forget Barcelona — This Underrated Spanish City Has It All theSkimm Cross Madrid’s history with Barcelona’s beauty and Seville’s citrus trees, and you’d get [Valencia](. Criminally overlooked in favor of its famous neighbors, Valencia, which is actually Spain’s third-largest city, offers a bit of everything: miles of [picture-perfect beaches]( (do not skip Playa de la Malvarrosa), historic and cultural treasures, and some of the best paella you’ll ever eat — all with a refreshing lack of tourists. Plus, the laid-back coastal city experiences 300 days of sunshine annually, so there isn’t a bad time to visit. 🛏 Located in Valencia’s Old Town, [Hotel Palacio Vallier]( is a 19th-century mansion turned luxury hotel with 31 rooms and suites, featuring soft color schemes, Art Deco details, and gorgeous marble bathrooms. At night, stop by the hotel’s cozy, wood-paneled bar for a superb rendition of the city’s cocktail, Agua de Valencia, made with gin, vodka, cava, and fresh orange juice. 🌴 In March, Valencia was named [the 2024 European Green Capital](, thanks in part to its expansive green spaces. That includes the popular [Parque Central](, lively [Plaza de la Reina]( (excellent for people watching), and [Turia Gardens](, a 6-mile, palm tree-filled park that curves around the city — where you can walk, run, bike, or simply enjoy the view. Outdoorsy types should also visit [Albufera Natural Park](, known for its freshwater lagoon, rice fields, 250 species of birds, and astounding sunsets. [Valencia, Spain] 🏛 One of Valencia’s most striking aspects? The beaches, obviously. But also, the stunning combo of historic and contemporary architecture. To see this in action, stroll through Old Town, stopping at [La Lonja]( (the UNESCO-listed, Gothic-style silk exchange) and [Valencia Cathedral](, which includes the El Miguelete bell tower (climb to the top for 360-degree views). Then, head to the [City of Arts and Sciences](, a futuristic masterpiece that contains an opera house, interactive science museum, and aquarium. 🍴Valencia’s claim to fame is it’s [the birthplace of paella](, so don’t leave without trying the real deal — ideally from 100-year-old [Casa Carmela](. Also not to be missed? A trip to [Mercado Central](, a spectacular food market with over 1,200 stalls selling seafood, produce, pastries, and more. (After browsing, snack on cod fritters and chicken croquettes at the market’s [Central Bar](.) And for dinner, try traditional tapas at [Casa Montaña](. [plan together with new york life]( The old saying goes: “When you marry someone, you marry their family.” We’d make one addition: “and their money habits.” Because you’re also saying “I do” to making most major financial decisions — from [what to do with cash gifts]( to [how you’ll handle taxes]( — together. To avoid some uncomfortable conversations down the line, newlyweds or soon-to-be-weds may want to ask “[(How) will we combine finances?](” PS: There are no wrong answers. Some people merge it all, some prefer to keep things separate, and others take a “[yours, mine, ours](” approach. And remember, no matter how long you’ve been together, it’s always good to take inventory and ensure you’re on the same page. Hint: [make sure you’re not paying for services you could be sharing](. [Ask An Expert Etiquette Edition] We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was: Q: I recently attended a friend’s dinner party, and a few days later, I received a Venmo request for my portion of the meal. I don’t want to start an argument, but I’m pretty annoyed. How should I respond? [Woman looking confused on phone] “It depends on your relationship with the person. If you don’t really care about them or they’re an acquaintance, then I would pay and just write them off. But if you actually care about them and [your] relationship, then you should help your friend become a better person. I would definitely agree to pay, but then I would [ask] to chat over the phone or face to face, and I’d say: ‘It’s perfectly okay to [host] a dinner and have everybody pay their share. But if you don’t say that upfront, and you bill people afterwards, that’s very bad form.’ And then you should say: ‘I’m telling you this because I’m a friend, and I care about you. And I want to make sure as friends, we’re looking out for each other … If the situation were reversed, I’d hope you’d tell me if I was out of line.’ [You] can even say, ‘A lot of people who went to that dinner were really surprised.’ You don’t have to [give] names, but that lets them know it’s not just you who is upset.” [Sara Jane Ho] Featured Expert Sara Jane Ho [Etiquette expert]( and author of the new book “[Mind Your Manners](” [tell us] Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week? [I’m a bridesmaid for my friend’s destination wedding, and I found out I won’t be getting a plus-one — despite having a long-time partner. How can I tell the bride I feel undervalued, particularly given the time and money I’m putting into her big day?]( [I was invited to a colleague’s baby shower, and before I RSVP, I want to find out if I’ll know anyone else there. Is there a subtle way to ask who else is invited?]( [I love my friend, but I’m not happy with the state of our friendship. When we’re together, it’s great — but I always have to be the one to reach out to make plans. How do I tell her she needs to make an effort, too?]( [skimm picks] Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently. The best sales to shop this week. From [everyday jewelry]( to [jean shorts](. [Shop now]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Comfy spring dresses under $35. We love this chic-and-easy [midi dress](, this [linen cami dress]( that's on sale for $20, and a nicer-than-usual [tank dress]( you can wear to dinner. [Try them on]( --------------------------------------------------------------- A new drop from one of our favorite bedding brands. Quince released a gingham-print [linen sheets set]( that would look right at home in [Sienna Miller's fairytale English cottage](. There's also a dreamy [gauze set]( that'll [keep you cool]( on hot nights. [Sweet dreams]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 20% off the bestselling matcha in the country. [Jade Leaf Tea]( is non-GMO, organic, and sourced from family-owned farms in Japan. We've been making matcha lattes in lieu of an afternoon coffee for a gentler caffeine fix, plus a dose of antioxidants and L-theanine. PS: Use code NMDVIP20 to get 20% off through May 15. [Drink up]( --------------------------------------------------------------- PS: Want more product recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram. [game time][Rotating Gif of Puzzmo Games]( 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](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them [here](. Join Skimm Well [women spend 25% more time in poor health than men. according to the world economic forum and the mckinsey health institute]( Women lack the time, resources, and support to focus on getting the care we need — and it’s impacting our health. Skimm Well can help. We make it easy for you to stay up-to-date with the latest wellness news, expert-backed tips, and resources so you can take charge of your health. [Subscribe now]( Skimm’d by: Alex Carr, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Scribner, Joanie Simon, VitalyEdush via iStock, pawel.gaul via iStock, Delmaine Donson via Getty Images, courtesy of Sara Jane Ho, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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