With sunny days ahead, my current wishlist leans fully into summer essentials, with a few new swimsuits holding the top spot. Bikinis and one-pieces always come first. Before sundresses or shorts even enter the conversation, a few days spent soaking up the sun in a swimsuit feel non-negotiable (especially for skin that hasn’t seen much sun in months). So, having a trusted lineup of the best swimsuit brands makes shopping for the entire season feel simpler.

Still, finding the right bikini online isn’t always straightforward. It often turns into a loop of Pinterest saves and endless scrolling, trying to picture how something will actually fit, feel, and move on a real body. Between ever-changing trends, inconsistent sizing, and a wide range of price points, there’s a lot to sort through. And when being in a swimsuit can feel inherently vulnerable, finding a swimwear brand you trust makes all the difference.

The Best Swimsuit Brands to Shop for Summer 2026

For me, the challenge is finding suits that offer real support for a larger chest while still feeling fresh and youthful. The right suit needs to strike the perfect balance—nothing overly modest and nothing too revealing. My list of requirements for swimwear is about as specific as it gets, but in this case, being picky pays off. After plenty of trial and error, I’ve narrowed down the best swimsuit brands that consistently deliver pieces you can rely on, without feeling the need to reach for a cover-up the second you step outside.

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Best Overall: Monday Swimwear

As someone who is blessed/cursed with a larger chest, it’s hard to find fashionable swimsuits that fit well. After years of purchasing XL bikini tops and paying for alterations, I discovered Monday Swimwear—and never looked back.

Their swimwear is not only high-quality and on-trend, but is also offered in an inclusive size range, with adjustable tie fits and larger cup options. There truly is something for everyone, from pattern plays to solid basics. I’m also a sucker for a matching set and love that Monday has a full run of matching accessories, from sarongs to beach bags.

Monday Swimwear

Hanalei Top

$99 at Monday Swimwear

Monday Swimwear

Byron Bottom

$93 at Monday Swimwear

Monday Swimwear

Miami One Piece

$199 at Monday Swimwear

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Best One-Pieces: Hunza G

Marketed as “The Original Crinkle,” Hunza G is essentially the sisterhood of the traveling swimsuits. Every piece is designed in a signature one-size-fits-all fabric. (Trust me, this sounds unlikely… until you try it on.) There has to be pixidust woven into the crinkle––an ultra-stretch material that molds comfortably to the body while still feeling supportive.

While the bikinis are great, the one-pieces are where the brand really stands out. Think flattering texture, scoopbacks, and just-right coverage that’s easy and considered. The result is a suit that moves with you and holds its shape, without overcomplicating the fit.

With no sizing stress, Hunza G is one of the best swimsuit brands to shop online.

HUNZA G

Square Neck One Piece

$255 at Shopbop

HUNZA G

Adriana Embellished Halterneck

$300 at Mytheresa

HUNZA G

Jasmine Swimsuit

$290 at Mytheresa

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Best Sustainable: Anemos

I was introduced to Anemos a few years ago, and it quickly earned a spot on my short list of the best swimsuit brands to know. The LA brand centers on sustainability and a clean, minimal aesthetic. The pieces are flattering, with thoughtful details that elevate even the simplest silhouettes. What truly sets Anemos apart is its commitment to responsible production, sustainable fabrics, and 100% compostable packaging, without compromising on design. It’s an investment, but one that holds up.

I’ve reached for the same bikinis summer after summer, drawn to their confidence-boosting fit and rich, understated color palette. The Midi High-Cut Bikini Bottoms are truly some of the best I’ve ever worn.

ANEMOS

String Triangle Bikini Top

$160 at Anemos

ANEMOS

Midi High-Cut Bikini Bottom

$150 at Anemos

ANEMOS

Square Neck Open Back One-Piece in Mixed Stripes

$295 at Anemos

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Best Size Range: SKIMS

If there’s one brand that has reshaped the conversation around inclusive sizing in swimwear, it’s SKIMS. The brand’s swim collection stands out for offering an extensive size range without sacrificing style, support, or trend-forward silhouettes. From minimal triangle tops to sculpting one-pieces, every piece is designed to flatter a wide range of body types. The fits are comfortable, smoothing without feeling restrictive, and constructed to inspire confidence.

Beyond the sizing itself, SKIMS has built a swimwear lineup that’s modern, wearable, and accessible. It’s one of the best swimsuit brands for that made-for-you feeling. Bonus points for being affordable.

SKIMS

Triangle Bikini Top

$44 at SKIMS

SKIMS

High-Waisted Bikini Bottom

$44 at SKIMS

SKIMS

Racerback One Piece

$128 at SKIMS

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Most On Trend: Montce

With Montce, the quality is immediately apparent. The pieces are effortless and elevated at the same time—fashion-forward without trying too hard, with fits that feel just as considered as the designs themselves. The brand consistently delivers standout silhouettes, from sculpted underwire tops to textured fabrics and flattering cuts. Their recent collaboration with Elsa Hosk only reinforced that reputation, pairing Montce’s signature feminine tailoring with vintage-inspired details, soft pastels, and romantic resortwear energy.

montce

Cream Silkie Zoe Bikini Top

$134 at Montce

montce

Cream Silkie Full Coverage High Rise Bikini Bottom

$102 at Montce

montce

Vivian Bella One Piece

$248 at Montce

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Best Prints and Patterns: Agua by Agua Bendita

If you’re looking for beautifully crafted swimwear with standout prints and thoughtful details, Agua by Agua Bendita deserves a spot on your radar. Each piece is handmade by female artisans in Colombia, many of whom are stay-at-home mothers. That level of artistry comes through in every collection. The brand is known for its intricate patterns and hand-finished touches, but even the solid-colored styles feel distinctive and elevated. And for anyone who loves a coordinated vacation moment, Auga by Agua Bendita also offers a kids swim line made for matching with your littles.

Agua by Agua Bendita

Olmo Printed Bikini Top

$165 at Mytheresa

Agua by Agua Bendita

Nopal Printed Bikini Bottoms

$155 at Mytheresa

Agua by Agua Bendita

Montaña Bead-Embellished Swimsuit

$550 at NET-A-PORTER

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Best Resort-Inspired Swim: Solid & Striped

Solid & Striped has mastered the balance of trendy and timeless. I first became obsessed with the brand a few years ago after trying on one of their bikinis in their New York storefront, and it’s been on my list of best swimsuit brands ever since. Their swimwear feels polished and elevated, while still maintaining an easy, youthful feel that makes the pieces endlessly wearable. From classic stripes to modern silhouettes, every collection strikes that rare balance of feeling current without chasing trends too closely. It’s the kind of swimwear you reach for season after season and somehow never get tired of.

Solid & Striped

Iris Reversible Bikini Top Symi Colorblock Stripe

$98 at Solid & Striped

Solid & Striped

Iris Reversible Bikini Bottom Symi Colorblock Stripe

$98 at Solid & Striped

Solid & Striped

Malika Seersucker One Piece Cherry Geo

$158 at Solid & Striped

This post was last updated on May 13, 2026, to include new insights.

The post I Tried Dozens of Swimsuits—These 7 Brands Got It Right appeared first on Camille Styles.

Editor’s Note: There’s something magical about a home that truly reflects its owner—a space that feels deeply personal, rooted in memory, and in harmony with its surroundings. That’s exactly the feeling you get stepping into Lily Riesenfeld’s thoughtfully curated home, featured in Sense of Place, a stunning book by my dear friend Caitlin Flemming and her mother, Julie Goebel. Together, they’ve built a body of work that celebrates the art of creating spaces infused with meaning.

Step inside a special home that proves: our surroundings have the power to inspire, comfort, and connect us more deeply to what matters.

A Home Rooted in Place

When you meet Lily Riesenfeld, you can’t help but notice that she seems tethered to the earth with deep roots.

An advocate for environmentally friendly living, Lily seems deeply comfortable in her surroundings. Her 1921 black shingled home with mahogany doors and trim sits in harmony with the surrounding mighty redwood trees, and hiking trails meet the backyard. Lily and her family chose this home because it is located near the trails of Mount Tamalpais, with San Francisco Bay inlets to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

A Childhood Spent Outdoors

Lily grew up in Berkeley, California. When she was eight years old, her family bought a ranch in Healdsburg, California, a short drive from their home.

“Watching my mom and dad develop a vision for the ranch was special,” states Lily. Over the years, the family planted several hundred trees, built a ranch home, restored a redwood barn from the 1850s, and eventually planted one hundred acres of French varietal grapes. Her family developed the ranch with the idea for animals, the vineyard, and natural habitats to coexist. Lily’s favorite part of going to the ranch is sharing it with people who come to visit.

Along with the ranch in Healdsburg, where they spent most summers, the family also went to visit various family homes for two weeks every summer in Maine. As a child, Maine was somewhere she could be wild and free. The furniture on the porch, as well as the porch itself, in the home belonging to her great-grandparents, was painted in a celadon green that the family called “Gamby green,” after her great-grandmother. Gamby loved the shade so much that she even had a set of Wedgwood china made in the color. Many of the choices Lily has made in her home were inspired by her grandmother’s home in Maine, the family home in Berkeley, and the ranch in Healdsburg.

Building a Life at the Intersection of Wellness and Purpose

During her early adult years, Lily began her work with a focus on personal wellness and launched her first entrepreneurial endeavor, The Lily Pad, located in Malibu. After meeting her husband and moving back to the San Francisco Bay area, Lily also cofounded The Pad Studios, which is both a Pilates and yoga studio. Over the years, she began developing purpose-driven events to help communities connect, launching a brand called the Kinship Experience. As those experiences evolved, “I began moving my work to the intersection of human health and global health,” states Lily. She then launched a summit called Futurewell.

Today, Lily is an advocate for regenerative agriculture and works to advance healthy, equitable food systems. She is fundraising for a regeneratively built Center for Food and Agriculture, which will offer a permanent farmers’ market by the Marin Civic Center. “The building we have plans to erect will be drawing down more carbon and energy than it uses.”

A Home Designed in Harmony

Lily designed her Larkspur home with guidance from Caitlin Flemming. “Caitlin was a huge inspiration and the reason my home came together in the most synchronistic way possible.”

The colors within the home coexist in a calm harmony. Earth tones of deep greens, wheat, and a light shade of blue are mixed with a diversity of complementary patterns. All of these color choices can be found in the outdoors around her—the golden hills, the redwood trees (one of which is in her garden), and the light blues and grays of the water.

Walls in both the entry and the dining room are covered in a large-scale William Morris pattern. Curtains and pillows use smaller prints combined with a touch of wood-toned plaid in many rooms. Two petite vintage French chairs are covered in a hand-printed leaf pattern, continuing the spirit of the outdoors. Even the plates are a combination of patterns of vintage transferware in varying shades of green, along with pieces from her great-grandmother’s green Wedgwood.

If there is a heart to this home, it would unquestionably be the kitchen, where homemade tortillas sit wrapped in a linen towel by the stove and slow-simmering pinto beans are ready for anyone who is hungry. It’s a place to be nourished, and Lily is ready to welcome those in need of its healing power.

10 Reflections on Home

1. What drew you to where you live?

It was definitely Mount Tamalpais and the hiking here. We didn’t even look at Berkeley, even though our families live there. We also thought it would be good to be a bridge away from our parents.

2. How do the surroundings of where you live inform your aesthetic in your home?

The colors of the nature where I live definitely inform my aesthetic.

3. What is your idea of home?

A place for people to gather and to feel comfortable—a place you instantly feel at ease.

4. What is your favorite season where you live? Why?

I would have to say late summer. Suddenly, the light changes, and there is a golden cast to everything.

5. Is there anything you collect?

Anyone can see that I have a soft spot for wicker baskets and hats. I also love anything for the kitchen, especially interesting pottery.

6. How do you spend your weekends?

We spend our weekends hiking, cooking, and going to our children’s sporting events. When we can get away in the winter, I love going to our cabin in Sugar Bowl, which is very close to Tahoe, that was built in the 1930s to look like a Swiss village.

7. What can’t you live without?

Probably a latte in the morning. Of course, my children and husband, too! Also, my morning hike every day is what keeps me sane.

8. What elements turn your house into a home?

I think it feels like my home because it has a strong element of nostalgia. I also love adding layers of textures and textiles. This home is the opposite of stark.

9. How does your home fuel your creativity?

I love styling meals and bringing people together at the table. Every Sunday, my mother-in-law comes to dinner, and I always make an effort to dress up and make a nice meal.

10. Are there people or businesses close to home that you rely on to fuel your creativity?

I have learned so much from Alice Waters, after having the pleasure of doing a few curated events alongside her. Alice’s specific direction taught me how to make an experience about food, and how to perfectly execute the presentation. For the purpose side of my work, I am inspired by local creatives such as Paul Hawken, Jack Kornfield, Dr. Daniel Siegel, and my dearest friend, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel

Sense of Place: Design Inspired by Where We Live

$29 at Amazon

The post Inside a Soulful California Home That Inspires A Slower Way of Living appeared first on Camille Styles.

A few scrolls on Instagram and suddenly it feels like your wellness routine is incomplete. There’s always a new powder, capsule, injection, or “daily essential” promising everything from better energy to balanced hormones. As a nutrition consultant, I see how quickly that kind of marketing turns into a long supplement list. But in most cases, less is more. In fact, my ethos is deeply rooted in the belief that supplements are meant to support your foundation, not replace it. With that in mind, here’s a simple supplement guide to help you tune out the unnecessary noise.

Featured image from our interview with Adrienne Mischler by Michelle Nash.

What Is a Dietary Supplement?

It’s an umbrella term. And it includes everything from vitamins and minerals to herbs, botanicals, enzymes, and other nutrients. Most people think of supplements as a daily multivitamin or a few basics like vitamin D or magnesium, but they actually come in many forms! Including capsules, powders, gummies, liquids, and even fortified foods and drinks. In simple terms, supplements are not meant to replace food or be the foundation of your nutrition. Instead, they’re designed to complement a balanced diet, helping to fill in gaps or support specific needs when food alone may not be enough.

The Purpose of Dietary Supplements

At the end of the day, supplements aren’t a substitute for a balanced diet. And unlike prescription drugs, supplements aren’t allowed to be marketed for the purpose of treating, diagnosing, preventing, or curing diseases. Knowing this, be wary of supplements that make disease claims, such as “lowers high cholesterol” or “treats heart disease!”

In our baseline supplement guide below, each supplement has a specific purpose—and has been vetted for quality.

The Truth About How Supplements Are Regulated

Surprisingly, the FDA isn’t authorized to review dietary supplement products—for safety and effectiveness—before they’re marketed. Rather, manufacturers and distributors take this responsibility. They make sure their products are safe before they go to market. Seems like a bit of a loophole, right? Here’s the caveat: If the dietary supplement contains a new ingredient, manufacturers must notify the FDA. In that case, the FDA will review (not necessarily approve!) the new ingredient for safety, but not effectiveness.  

Who Takes Responsibility for Quality?

In terms of quality, this also falls on manufacturers. They ensure their products are pure. Meaning, they don’t have contaminants or impurities. Furthermore, supplements must be accurately labeled according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and labeling regulations. That being said, the FDA will get involved if there’s a serious problem associated with a dietary supplement. They have the power to take the dietary supplement off the market due to safety concerns or false/misleading claims.

The Risks in Taking Supplements

As with medications and over-the-counter drugs, there are risks in taking supplements. Many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects. Depending on usage, this could make them unsafe. For example, the following actions could lead to harmful consequences: 

• Taking supplements without notifying your healthcare provider
• Combining supplements
• Using supplements with medicines (whether prescription or over-the-counter)
• Substituting supplements for prescription medicines, particularly before, during, and after surgery
• Consuming too much of some supplements, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, or iron
• Taking supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Keep in mind that everybody requires different nutrients, so please consult your healthcare provider before changing your supplement routine. 

Do You Need to Take Supplements?

This is the million-dollar question. First and foremost, it’s important to understand that we’re all bio-individuals. We all have unique nutritional needs. And that includes supplements. While supplements are heavily marketed, not everyone needs them. Some people don’t require as many as others. However, a “reference range” and an “optimal range” aren’t the same thing. When possible, optimal is ideal. Therefore, supplements can be incredibly useful for not only filling gaps in your diet but also helping you reach optimal levels. Our supplement guide is here to do both.

3 Things to Consider Before Taking a New Supplement

Whether you’re eyeing new supplements or you’re already taking a few, here’s how to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck:

1. Have you been diagnosed with a deficiency (iron, vitamin D, etc.)? What does your blood work show? Make sure that what you’re taking has a targeted purpose. Rather than waste your money on unnecessary supplements, get your healthcare provider’s stamp of approval first. In the context of nutritional counseling, supplement guidance by a professional is key.
2. Just because a supplement comes from a “natural” food store doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe. As noted above, look for specific labels and do your research. Be wary if you’re currently taking other prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs.
3. Know how much of the supplement you’re supposed to take. A common misconception about dietary supplements is that if a vitamin or mineral is good for you, increasing your intake might deliver additional health benefits. This isn’t the case. For example, too much vitamin D can actually weaken bones, and biotin—a popular supplement to improve skin, nails, and hair—can interfere with lab-test results when taken at high levels.

When to Take Your Daily Supplements

This depends, of course! Some supplements are more specific about the time of day (I prefer magnesium at night), so you can research the individual recommendation for those. However, most are generally flexible. What matters is that you choose a time you know you can be consistent with. As for the empty stomach versus food debate, some vitamins are fat-soluble, and some are water-soluble. Those that are fat-soluble, like vitamin D, should be paired with a source of fat. Some vitamins only need to be paired with water, like B vitamins and vitamin C.

What You Probably Don’t Need (Despite the Marketing)

Before we get to the guide, let’s talk about what you don’t need. Spend a few minutes on Instagram, and it’s easy to believe you need a supplement for everything, from cortisol “calming” gummies to melatonin for sleep and greens powders for energy. While some of these can be helpful in specific situations, they’re often marketed as quick fixes for issues that are better addressed at the root. Chronic stress, for example, is rarely solved with a gummy and is more often tied to factors like sleep, blood sugar balance, and overall lifestyle. The same goes for melatonin, which can be useful short-term but isn’t always the best long-term solution for ongoing sleep issues.

In many cases, focusing on foundational habits will have a far greater impact than adding another supplement, making it important to be discerning about what you actually need versus what’s simply being marketed to you.

Simple Supplement Guide

Before getting into the weeds with a long list of targeted supplements, these are a few foundational ones I tend to come back to as a nutrition consultant. They’re widely beneficial, often under-consumed, and can support everything from energy and metabolism to sleep and overall health when used appropriately.

Vitamin D3 + K2

A high-quality vitamin D3 paired with K2 is a great place to start, especially if you’re not getting consistent sun exposure. This combination supports immune function, mood, and bone health, with K2 helping direct calcium to where it’s needed most. In practice, I find vitamin D (which actually functions as a fat-soluble prohormone!) is one of the most common deficiencies I see in clients, and supporting optimal levels can make a noticeable difference in resilience and overall well-being.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most common deficiencies and plays a role in hundreds of processes in the body, including nervous system regulation and sleep. I love the beeyavibe powder for its calming effect, especially in the evening. Many of my clients notice improvements in sleep quality, stress levels, and even digestion when they consistently incorporate magnesium.

Omega-3 (Fish Oil)

A high-quality fish oil can help balance inflammation and support brain, heart, and hormone health. Look for trusted brands like Nordic Naturals or Rosita that prioritize purity and sourcing. From a nutrition standpoint, most diets are lacking in omega-3s, and I often recommend this as a foundational supplement, particularly for those dealing with skin concerns or hormone imbalances.

Creatine

We’ve said it once, but we’ll say it again: creatine isn’t just for athletes. It can support muscle recovery, strength, and even cognitive function, making it a valuable addition for women as well! I typically recommend it (5 grams) for clients who are strength training or working on building lean muscle, as it can enhance performance and recovery when paired with regular exercise. I don’t recommend creatine gummies as research has shown the dosage isn’t always accurate. Instead, opt for creatine monohydrate from Lineage or Thorne.

Spore-Based Probiotic

A spore-based probiotic, like Epetome, can help support gut health in a more resilient way than traditional probiotics. These strains are designed to survive the digestive process more effectively, which can make them a better option for some individuals. In my experience, this can be especially helpful for clients who have dealt with ongoing gut issues or who haven’t seen results from standard probiotics.

While these aren’t one-size-fits-all, they’re a strong starting point before layering in more personalized supplements like a multivitamin or targeted nutrients based on your individual needs.

Edie Horstman

Edie is the founder of nutrition coaching business, Wellness with Edie. With her background and expertise, she specializes in women’s health, including fertility, hormone balance, and postpartum wellness.

Disclaimer: As always, this is not medical advice. Supplements should be tailored to your individual needs, so it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your routine.

This post was last updated on April 20, 2026, to include new insights.

The post The Simple Supplement Routine I Recommend (After Years of Trying Everything) appeared first on Camille Styles.

There are very few ways to go wrong with lemon. Something about this tart citrus fruit makes it almost impossible not to work into every kind of dish—from simple vinaigrettes and pastas to fresh fruit compotes and something sweet at the end of the meal. When life gives you lemons, they inevitably find their way into some of the most vibrant recipes in your kitchen.

As the weather warms, lemon recipes start to feel especially appealing. Their bright acidity adds just the right lift to spring cooking—bringing freshness to everything from weeknight dinners to light desserts and easy entertaining.

A Few Tips for Cooking With Lemon

Working with lemons is simple, but a few small tricks can take any recipe to the next level. When a dish calls for lemon juice, roll the lemon on the counter until it feels slightly soft—this helps release the juice more easily. And if zest is on the ingredient list, a Microplane is the easiest way to capture all that fragrant citrus oil, though a box grater or vegetable peeler works just fine in a pinch.

10 Bright Lemon Recipes to Make This Spring

From vibrant vinaigrettes and pasta dishes to simple desserts that highlight lemon’s natural sweetness, these recipes celebrate everything we love about this citrus. Whether you’re planning a spring dinner party or just looking for a fresh weeknight upgrade, these lemon recipes add the perfect bright note to the season.

Blistered Broccolini Pasta with Garlic, Lemon & Toasted Breadcrumbs

It’s the perfect example of a low-effort dinner that still feels thoughtful. Simple pantry staples and a few smart techniques turn broccolini, pasta, lemon, and garlic into something glossy, crisp-edged, and genuinely dinner-party worthy.

Get the recipe

Grain-Free Lemon Raspberry Almond Cake

This cake is everything I want in a spring dessert: sunny, simple, and just decadent enough. The lemon and raspberries keep it fresh and vibrant, while the ricotta creates that fluffy-meets-creamy texture that makes each slice taste so good.

Get the recipe

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

These are the kind of muffins that make an ordinary morning feel a little brighter. They’re tender, citrusy, and just sweet enough, with the poppy seeds adding that subtle texture that makes lemon poppy seed feel so nostalgic.

Get the recipe

No-Bake Lemon Icebox Cake

There’s something so charming about a dessert that feels a little retro and completely irresistible. This one takes the classic icebox cake formula and gives it a bright lemony twist that makes it feel fresh, playful, and very hard to stop at one slice.

Get the recipe

Lemon Vinaigrette

This salad dressing is proof that a handful of good ingredients can go a long way. The lemon keeps it fresh, while the overall flavor is balanced enough to make even the simplest salad taste better.

Get the recipe

No Bake White Chocolate Lemon Cardamom Slices

No-bake desserts always find their way onto my weekly menu. I mean, how can you deny something so delicious and even simpler? No-bake fillings can sometimes be tough to master (we’re looking at you, cheesecake), but this recipe uses white chocolate to bind everything together without the stress.

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Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

If you’re short on time and baking supplies, these cookies have you covered. With a simple glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar to complement this classic dessert, we doubt there will be many of these cookies left over.

Get the recipe

Mini Dutch Babies

Fruit-filled desserts are a great option when you’re feeling something on the lighter side. These light and fluffy Dutch babies are filled with an easy blueberry and lemon compote, but the choice of fruit is truly up to your heart’s desire.

Get the recipe

Lemon Pesto Orzo with Honey Toasted Walnuts & Kale

This lemon pesto orzo strikes a solid balance between comforting and elevated. It’s simple to pull together, but the bright citrus and herby pesto make it taste like so much more than a basic pasta night.

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Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

I love a soup that’s simultaneously hearty and light. This one has all the cozy familiarity of a weeknight chicken soup, but the citrusy finish and creamy texture make it feel a little more special.

Get the recipe

This post was last updated on March 22, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 10 Lemon Recipes That Bring Instant Brightness to Your Table appeared first on Camille Styles.

As I write this, my “Beach House” Pinterest board has exactly 1,323 images saved to 44 different sections. There’s a whole folder just for “kitchen hardware.” Another one called “vibes???” that is exactly what it sounds like. Six years of planning and permitting for our beach house renovation gives you a LOT of time to make decisions—and then re-make those decisions as you discover new ideas and your taste inevitably evolves.

But for all that obsessive research, there was one area where my board came up pretty empty: the outdoor kitchen.

I knew what I saw when I imagined it—an organic, earthy space where you’d flow between the prep area, the grill, and the pizza oven. Where the materials told a story: teak weathered by salt air, terracotta tile that looked like it had been there for decades, stucco walls that connected the whole thing to the landscape. Where the inspiration was equal parts Mallorcan kitchen and a long weekend in Oaxaca.

What my research kept turning up? The complete opposite of that. So many outdoor kitchens that looked like a carbon copy of the last one: stainless steel appliances, polished concrete, and brick that was just a little too perfect. Many of them were pretty, but styled within an inch of their lives (in a way that made you feel like the grill had never been turned on).

SO… Adam and I did what we always do when designing a space. We turned to our camera roll to start drawing from inspiration photos we’d taken on our travels.

Our Visual References

We scrolled through years of iPhone pictures from trips. There were meals eaten at long wooden tables in dusty courtyards, kitchens tiled in patterns we’d photographed through restaurant windows, and pizza ovens glowing orange at dusk. We sketched layouts on napkins. We pulled together a reference folder that was half travel diary, half mood board, and handed it to our landscape architect, Michael Fioré, who got it immediately.

What’s taking shape is a space that doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen before (which is always the goal).

So What Are We Actually Building?

The outdoor kitchen will have three main structures working together: a full countertop workspace housing our grill, a separate station for the pizza oven, and a center bar-height teak table that pulls the whole space together. That table is doing a lot of work in this design. It’s the gathering spot, the extra prep surface, the build-your-own-pizza station during parties, and honestly, probably where everyone will end up sitting with a glass of wine while Adam grills.

One of my favorite details that you can see in the renderings: the Clay Imports terracotta brick underfoot, laid in a herringbone pattern that gives the whole space that warm, sun-baked feel. There’s nothing like terracotta to make a space feel lived-in and loved from day one.

The kitchen will also connect directly to the interior kitchen through a huge window with sliding glass panes, which means there will be an outdoor countertop acting as a pass-through. I keep picturing serving platters being passed through the window, or just posting up on a barstool there with a drink while the pizza comes out of the oven. The line between inside and outside is going to be beautifully, intentionally blurry.

Yogi Tall Teak Table 94″

$2,750 at Healthier Homes

Sora Counter Stool in Outdoor Synthetic

$555 at Casa Zuma

The Grill We Chose (And Why)

We’re installing a Zwilling Flammkraft Grill, and I will just come out and say that it’s undoubtedly the prettiest grill I’ve ever seen. German-engineered, infrared technology, individual cooking and heating zones—which is genuinely key when you’re trying to grill a whole meal at once. (Basically what we do every single weekend.) The built-in gas grill will be fully integrated into the countertop design so it looks truly custom. Which, if you’ve been following along, you know is exactly the vibe we’re going for.

Natural Gas Grill

$12,500 at ZWILLING

The Tile That Started It All

When we were in Mexico a couple of years ago, I took a photo of this small restaurant kitchen that had terracotta tiles running across the countertop and up the backsplash. It was one of those moments where I just stood there absorbing every detail so I wouldn’t forget it. I’ve referenced that photo more times than I can count while planning this space.

So for the backsplash behind the grill, we’re working with our friends at Clay Imports to use their terracotta antique matte 2.5×8 tiles. They have this gorgeous warmth and slight texture that you can see even in the renderings—catching the light differently throughout the day, making the whole wall feel handmade in the best possible way. It’s the element I think will give the kitchen its true signature look.

Thin Brick Antique Matte Tile

$2.40 at Clay Imports

The Pizza Oven Situation

Okay, THIS is the part I’ve been dreaming about since we first started talking about this house. We ordered a DIY kit from Forno Piombo to build a large, custom wood-fired pizza oven—big enough to cook 3 or 4 pizzas simultaneously. (Read: actual pizza parties are happening.) We’ll install it onto the countertop and build up a dome with a smooth stucco cover for that rustic, Italian farmhouse look. You can already see it in the renderings—that glowing arch, just sitting there looking like it belongs in the Italian countryside.

The Detail That Will Make Everything

In the center of the space, we’re planting one large ornamental olive tree. This is the thing I will look at every morning from the kitchen window. Just an ancient, gnarled, perfect olive tree in the middle of a Mediterranean garden, with lavender drifting around the edges and terracotta pots of herbs and small citrus trees scattered throughout, so I can literally grab a handful of rosemary or squeeze a lemon straight from the tree while I’m cooking.

Looking at these renderings, the table set under that canopy of branches, the bowl of lemons sitting out, the lavender in full bloom in the foreground—it already feels like the space I’ve been trying to find on Pinterest for six years. Turns out it didn’t exist yet, so we’re making it.

Construction’s moving quickly, and we’re planning for a June completion. Which means we’ve got some major outdoor cooking ahead this summer! More soon.

The post Designing the Outdoor Kitchen at Zuma Beach House appeared first on Camille Styles.

Can you feel it? That first flicker of summer—the one that sets in as soon as long weekends, backyard dinners, and sun-soaked afternoons are within reach? Memorial Day will be here before we know it, bringing with it the unofficial start of summer and all the seasonal foods we wait for all year: juicy watermelon, smoky grilled mains, fresh salads, frozen desserts, and margaritas in hand. Whether you’re firing up the grill, packing snacks for the beach, or looking for easy Memorial Day recipes, we’ve gathered everything you need for a festive, flavor-packed holiday weekend.

27 Memorial Day Recipes to Kick Off Summer

The best part? These Memorial Day dishes aren’t just for one weekend in May. From easy appetizers and summer salads to grilled chicken, seafood, vegetarian mains, refreshing drinks, and make-ahead desserts, each recipe deserves a spot in your warm-weather rotation. They’re simple enough for a casual family dinner and special enough for a backyard barbecue, picnic, or poolside gathering.

Ahead, you’ll find our favorite Memorial Day recipes to kick off summer in the most delicious way. Consider this your go-to lineup for every sun-soaked gathering to come.

Appetizers

Rainbow Beet Salad

This rainbow beet salad brings instant color to the table, making it feel festive without trying too hard. With juicy heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a crunchy dukkah finish, it’s the kind of side that feels light and seasonal.

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Roasted Red Pepper Caprese Pasta Salad

We love this one because it checks all the boxes for a summer cookout: easy to transport, full of flavor, and just as good at room temperature. The caprese-inspired mix feels classic, while the sun-dried tomatoes add a deeper, more savory layer.

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Hummus Toast With Tomatoes, Feta, and Za’atar

This recipe is perfect for entertaining because it’s simple, customizable, and easy to serve as an appetizer or casual side. It brings that fresh, snackable energy everyone wants before the main meal without requiring much prep.

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Charred Cabbage With Cashew Cream

This is not your average veggie side. With its smoky char, golden edges, and layered texture, grilled cabbage brings a little drama to the table while still feeling simple.

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Crispy Torn Halloumi Salad

This dish has all the makings of a warm-weather favorite. It’s bright, salty, fresh, and satisfying, with golden halloumi adding the kind of texture that makes a salad feel anything but expected.

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Grilled Romaine Salad with Cherries and Feta

A little heat turns this into more than just greens. The romaine gets charred, crisp, and full of flavor, giving your Memorial Day lineup a lighter dish that still feels bold and satisfying.

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Ricotta and Plum Bruschetta

For the appetizer that looks fancy but takes almost no effort, start here. The contrast of whipped ricotta and ripe plums makes each bite feel fresh and seasonal, while the toasted bread adds just the right amount of crunch.

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Mains

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

A fajita spread always knows how to get people gathered around the table. With spiced chicken, sweet peppers, and all the fixings, this recipe brings a fun, hands-on energy to Memorial Day weekend.

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Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs

For the main dish that keeps things simple but never boring, chicken thighs are the move. They’re rich, tender, and forgiving on the grill, which means you get maximum flavor without overthinking the cook time.

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Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa

These are the tacos that make the whole meal feel more fun. They’re easy to serve, easy to customize, and packed with flavor, making them a crowd-friendly option for a casual gathering.

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Burst Tomato Pasta

This is the kind of recipe that proves a few good ingredients can carry the whole meal. Once the tomatoes blister and burst, they turn into a saucy, flavor-packed base that feels light enough for summer.

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Cedar Plank Halibut with Salsa Verde

If your Memorial Day spread needs a break from heavier mains, start here. Halibut brings a light, flaky contrast to classic cookout recipes while still delivering that just-off-the-grill flavor.

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Grilled Salmon With Stone Fruit Salsa

This is the dish you make when you want the menu to feel a little more elevated without getting complicated. The grilled salmon keeps things classic, and the peach salsa brings a burst of color and sweetness that feels made for the start of summer.

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Desserts

Strawberry Cream Cheese Galette

A little rustic, a little elegant—this strawberry galette is the kind of dessert that feels effortless but still special. Juicy, peak-season berries tucked into a flaky crust make it perfect for serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Peach Crumble Icebox Cake

A make-ahead dessert is always the hero of a hosting menu. This peach crumble icebox cake lets the fridge do the work, leaving you with a cool, fruit-filled treat that tastes like the first real weekend of summer.

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Strawberries and Cream Pavlova

For the dessert that looks like a centerpiece, pavlova always delivers. The combination of airy meringue and strawberries and cream feels classic, fresh, and celebratory without being overly rich.

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Summer Fruit Salad and Crushed Meringue

Sometimes the best dessert is the one that lets the season speak for itself. This fruit salad celebrates summer produce at its peak, bringing a refreshing, sweet moment to the Memorial Day menu.

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No-Churn Fruit Sorbet

This is the cool-down moment every Memorial Day menu needs. It’s colorful, refreshing, and endlessly easy to serve, whether you’re ending the meal or setting out something sweet for guests to grab between swims.

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Cherry Berry Ice Cream Pie

A frozen pie at a summer cookout is always a good idea. It’s cool, creamy, and just nostalgic enough, making it the perfect Memorial Day treat after a day of sunshine, grilling, and second helpings.

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Grilled Peaches with Honey

Clearly, we can’t get enough of this stone fruit. Jazz up your next ice cream sundae with these honey-grilled peaches. You’ve probably already got the grill going, so you might as well toss them on as well!

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Gluten Free & Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes

A tray of cupcakes instantly makes dessert feel more fun. These bring the classic carrot cake flavors into a more casual format that fits right in with picnic plates, backyard tables, and post-grill lingering.

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Drinks

Honeydew Melon Slushies

For the drink that feels like a mini vacation, start with melon. This slushie is bright, refreshing, and beautifully simple, with a frozen texture that instantly makes the menu feel more fun.

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Non-Alcoholic Summer Spritz Bar

For the drink that feels festive without the buzz, this is it. These non-alcoholic summer spritzes are crisp, colorful, and easy to sip all afternoon, making them perfect for a Memorial Day gathering with something for everyone.

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Spicy Mezcal Paloma

This is your classic Paloma with a summer twist. Swapping in mezcal gives the cocktail a bold, earthy flavor that makes every sip feel fresh, zesty, and ready for a long weekend.

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Spicy Margarita

This margarita brings the heat in the best way. It’s bold, bright, and festive enough to make even a casual backyard hang feel a little more fun.

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Lillet Rosé Spritz

This is your patio drink with a polished little twist. The Lillet adds floral, honeyed notes that make it feel more interesting than your usual spritz, while still staying crisp and easy to drink.

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Limoncello Spritz Cocktail

Bring the fizz with this elegant spritz. Perfect for an at-home happy hour gathering, your next family brunch, and of course, Memorial Day. But you definitely don’t need a special occasion to try this tasty little treat.

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 This post was last updated on May 17, 2026, to include new insights.

The post Prepare the Grill—27 Memorial Day Recipes to Make for Your Next BBQ appeared first on Camille Styles.

It’s that time of year: Easter is just around the corner, and with it comes all the joy of spring’s most delicious offerings. Carrot cake is back, asparagus and arugula are making their seasonal return, and al fresco dining is officially in full swing. And while planning an Easter menu can feel a little overwhelming, these vegan Easter recipes make it easy to put together a spread that feels festive, fresh, and full of flavor.

Whether you’re fully plant-based or simply looking to add more vegetables to your holiday table, these vegan Easter recipes are true standouts. They bring just as much beauty and joy to the celebration as Easter itself, proving that a meal centered around produce can still feel special, abundant, and completely satisfying.

20 Vegan Easter Recipes to Brighten Up Your Table

Traditions vary, but my family typically gathers for Easter in the mid-afternoon. It gives the morning a slower, more relaxed pace and leaves just enough time between lunch and dinner to “rest your eyes,” as my dad would say. There’s no rush to pull together a full brunch situation, and you can graze your way through the afternoon and into the evening. It really is the best of both worlds! That said, more power to the brunch people—there’s nothing like a beautiful spring table in the early afternoon to brighten the day and spark a little extra joy.

And here’s the best part: every recipe on this list works beautifully no matter how you celebrate. From vegan Easter brunch ideas and seasonal side dishes to crowd-pleasing mains, cocktails, and desserts, these vegan Easter recipes make it easy to build a menu everyone will love. Whether you’re hosting a fully plant-based gathering or simply adding a few fresh spring dishes to the table, these recipes are festive, flavorful, and perfect for celebrating the season.

Roasted Carrot and Red Pepper Hummus Flatbread

For a heartier plant-based offering, this vegan flatbread is delish (and simple to whip up!). If you blitz the hummus ahead of time, all that’s left to do is warm your pita, smear on copious amounts of hummus, and top with your favorite veggies.

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Classic Easy Bruschetta

As a recent tomato fan (used to hate them, sorry), I’m all about bruschetta as an appetizer. This classic bruschetta is, well, classic. All it takes is fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar to bring those bruschetta dreams to life. Oh, and toasty sourdough to house these gorgeous toppings. It’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer that you definitely can’t go wrong with!

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Vegan Pesto

I like to call this one “anytime pesto” because it takes about ten minutes to go from blender to bowl and enhances just about anything you pair it with. You could use this to top bruschetta, pair with crudités, or as a “sauce” option with your Easter spread. Whichever way you choose to take it, be sure to top this pesto with lots of toasted pine nuts and fresh basil.

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Rainbow Beet Salad

We love this recipe for how it celebrates the season during one of spring’s most joyful gatherings. The colors feel especially festive, and the fresh ingredients make it a lovely contrast to heavier holiday dishes. It’s simple, stunning, and made to be shared.

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Detox Salad With Cashew-Tamari Dressing

This is exactly the kind of Easter side we want to serve: seasonal, nourishing, and effortlessly beautiful. The mix of greens, crunchy vegetables, and creamy cashew-tamari dressing makes every bite feel special. Plus, those edible flowers make it feel especially festive for a spring gathering.

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5-Ingredient Citrus Salad

I’ll never stop raving about this easier-than-pie citrus salad. All you have to do is peel and slice up a mix of citrus fruits, top with shaved red onion and marcona almonds, and finish with olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it! It’s a whole that’s so much greater than the sum of its parts, and it makes a stunning centerpiece to any table.

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Pea Salad with Mint and Microgreens

Whether you’re Team Pea or Team Anti-Pea, you can’t help but admire this gorgeously green side dish. It’s full of springtime veggies like peas (duh), spinach, and sugar snap peas. Plus, it gives such spring vibes, no?

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Einkorn Salad With Charred Squash

In this salad, einkorn berries straight from the husk are tapped as a textural topping that complements each beautiful element in play. You’ll cook the entire kabocha squash until it’s tender throughout, then layer with radishes, mustard seeds, pine nuts, herbs, and—of course—the einkorn. Consider this your new favorite spring salad, unlocked.

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The Best Simple Green Salad

This simple green salad with walnuts and fresh herbs is the ideal sidekick to any other vegan Easter recipes you’ve got on your table. It’s simple enough to complement mains without overpowering any flavors. Pro tip? Shake up that dressing the night before so you can drizzle it over the lettuce right before serving.

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Charlie Bird Farro Salad

Arugula, cherry tomatoes, pistachios, farro, radish, mint, and more—yes, more—come together to make this stunning salad that’s primed and ready to elevate your Easter table. It boasts the perfect balance of heartiness from the farro and freshness from the veggies, with herbs and crunchy pistachios sealing the deal on flavor and texture.

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Green Goddess Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is a lean, green, and not-so-mean staple for any and all pasta salad lovers. The green content is off the charts, so you can pack in lots of veggies in a different format than your typical salad. It celebrates artichokes, avocado, peas, cucumbers, and a whole slew of fresh herbs to tie it all together.

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Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

If your Easter table could use something a little cozy, this is the recipe to make. It brings rich flavor and velvety texture, but still feels light enough for a spring gathering. Topped with pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and a drizzle of coconut milk, it’s as pretty as it is satisfying. 

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Roasted Mushrooms with Thyme and Smoked Salt

In case you missed it, mushrooms are the new superfood. And in this recipe, they’re superstars as well. You’ll take the little gems to the skillet with olive oil, garlic, and thyme and sauté until they’re caramelized and browned. Then, add in a touch of ghee, apple cider vinegar, and dijon mustard. You can serve these alongside a vegan main or eat them as-is—either way is stunning.

Salt & Vinegar Crispy Potatoes

It’s not an exaggeration to say that these are the best potatoes I’ve ever had. As a devout fan of sea salt and vinegar chips, I was immediately inclined to try this OG potato version. And they did not disappoint. Not only are they easy to make, but the recipe only calls for four ingredients that I almost always have on hand. Run, don’t walk to make these—you won’t regret it.

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Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Yes, vegan mashed potatoes are possible and delicious! Here, you’re getting all the buttery, potato-y goodness of traditional mashed potatoes without the actual butter. That’s right—these mashed potatoes let the tuber itself shine with lots of olive oil-laced flavor and texture. They’re silky smooth and only taste indulgent. You get a healthier spin without sacrificing taste. Total win-win.

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Salty Dog Cocktail

Grapefruit, vodka, and agave come together to create a vibrant cocktail that’s perfect for spring. It’s easy to mix up and refreshing thanks to the tart grapefruit. The best part? You can batch it with everything but the sparkling water, which you can add to each glass just before serving.

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Elderberry Spring Cocktail

Vodka, St. Germain, meyer lemon juice, and sparkling water are all you need to make this showstopping spring sipper. It’s festive with those gorgeous floral ice cubes, so I encourage you to give those a try. Dainty chamomile flowers make the cutest cubes, but feel free to experiment! Lavender, forget-me-not’s, thyme—the possibilities are endless.

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Gluten-Free & Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Carrot cake, but in miniature, grab-and-go form. On top of that, this recipe is a cleaned-up classic that you can come back to over and over. With oat milk, maple syrup, walnuts, and shredded carrots, this cupcake is perfect in every way.

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Vegan and Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcakes

This gluten-free, vegan strawberry shortcake is a true spring classic—reimagined with a lighter, plant-based twist that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. With crisp, golden biscuits that stay tender inside and just sweet enough to let the juicy strawberries shine, it’s the kind of dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

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Banana-Cashew Baked Oatmeal

You know all about chilled overnight oats, but let me introduce you to a warm-style oatmeal bake that you can meal prep for your gathering. This oatmeal combines banana, peanut butter, cashews, and cinnamon plus oats and ground flaxseed to bulk up the health benefits. You can prep this entirely beforehand, then either bake it immediately and reheat the next day, or refrigerate and wait to enjoy it straight out of the oven. You can’t go wrong with either.

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This post was last updated on March 31, 2026, to include new insights.

The post 20 Plant-Based Easter Recipes (That Everyone Will Want to Devour) appeared first on Camille Styles.

Here’s the thing about sheet pan dinners: the best ones have a moment when I look at the pan and think: This is so much better than I expected. The whole point of this kind of meal is that the end result should feel like more than the sum of its parts—and that’s certainly the case with this peak summer balsamic salmon.

Why This Balsamic Salmon Always Works

Here’s how this one goes down: you roast the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, and shallots first—about 15 minutes at 400 degrees—just until everything softens and the tomatoes start to split and get jammy at the edges. Then you crank the broiler, nestle the salmon right into the vegetables, and finish the whole pan under high heat. A couple minutes in, brush the salmon with a quick mix of balsamic vinegar and honey, let it caramelize under the broiler for a few more minutes, and that’s it. The glaze lacquers everything so it’s sweet-tangy and slightly sticky at the edges—and the smell when you open the oven will bring everyone into the kitchen, asking when dinner’s going to be ready.

This is one I keep in constant rotation, not only because it’s delish, but also because it’s a fast dinner (30 minutes, meaning I can make it at the end of a busy day without feeling stressed). Plus, I love that it all happens in one pan, and somehow still feels like the kind of dinner you’d order at a restaurant (with hardly any more clean-up, even though you made it all at home).

Oversized Frayed Linen Napkins, Set of 4

$68 at Casa Zuma

Sabre Ivory Flatware

$88 at Casa Zuma

Canyon “Essentials” Dinnerware, Set of 12

$385 at Casa Zuma

The Veggies That Make This Salmon Taste Like Summer

The vegetables are what make this summery and infuse the dish with tons of flavor. Regular or baby zucchini—if you can find them at the farmer’s market, grab them—are halved lengthwise so the cut side caramelizes against the pan, and the cherry tomatoes burst and essentially become their own little sauce pooling around the salmon. Garlic and shallot roast until they’re soft and sweet, almost jammy themselves, then get brightened up with lemon and fresh thyme.

The 2-Ingredient Balsamic Glaze

The glaze is just two ingredients: 3 parts balsamic to 1 part honey. Just mix it in a small bowl while the vegetables are in their first round in the oven. The result tastes so much more complex—the balsamic gives that punch of acidity, rounded out by the honey, and under the broiler, it thickens and becomes a glaze for the salmon.

How to Use Your Broiler (Without Overdoing It)

A broiler lesson that I’ve learned the hard way (too many times to count): it works fast. Three minutes before the glaze, then two or three more to finish. Direct heat from above is what caramelizes the glaze and gives you that golden-brown crust, and the salmon stays tender because it’s only under high heat for a few minutes total. You want the salmon just cooked through, still a little translucent in the very center if that’s your preference.

The Finishing Touches That Bring It All Together

When your balsamic salmon comes out of the oven, I highly recommend squeezing some of those roasted lemon wheels over everything, then showering it all with fresh basil to cut through the richness. It also makes the whole pan look incredibly gorgeous if you’re serving family-style at the table.

This is the kind of dinner I want to eat all summer. It’s light enough for a patio meal in the sunshine, and satisfying enough that nobody’s rummaging through the pantry an hour later—a Mediterranean diet recipe that feels indulgent.

If you’re looking for an easy salmon recipe that earns its keep in the weeknight rotation, this is the one. Find the full recipe below, and let me know in the comments if you give this one a try!

Sheet Pan Balsamic Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes & Zucchini

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• Author: Camille Styles
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4

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Description

A 30-minute sheet pan dinner that is so much more than the sum of its parts. The honey-balsamic glaze makes the salmon and veggies sticky-sweet and caramelized.

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Ingredients

• 4 5-ounce salmon filets (halved if you want them more well-done)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 shallot
• 1 lemon
• A few sprigs thyme
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut each zucchini lengthwise into 4 pieces, then halve crosswise. (if using baby zucchini, just halve each one lengthwise.)
2. Peel and roughly chop the garlic, then peel and slice shallot into rings. Slice lemon into thin wheels.
3. In a medium bowl, combine zucchini, cherry tomatoes, garlic, shallot, lemon, and thyme. Drizzle with about ¼ cup olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, and pour onto foil-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake 15 minutes, then remove from oven and crank up the broiler.
5. Combine the balsamic and honey in a small bowl.
6. Nestle the salmon filets into the veggies, then drizzle with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper.
7. Broil for 3 minutes, then brush with balsamic/honey mixture and pour additional over and around the veggies. Broil for 2-3 more minutes, until salmon is done to your liking.
8. Remove from oven, and garnish with fresh basil. Eat and enjoy!

• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 20
• Category: sheet pan dinner

Keywords: balsamic salmon

The post This Sheet Pan Balsamic Salmon Is the Simple Dinner That Always Delivers appeared first on Camille Styles.

I’ve been saying the same thing over and over again lately: I just want to feel caught up in my life. Not ahead, not on top of everything… just caught up, like there isn’t something waiting the second I finish whatever’s in front of me.

I said this to my boyfriend recently, and he immediately pushed back. There’s always going to be something else, he said—another email, another plan to make, another decision waiting for you at 5 pm. (To be clear, this was not the answer I was hoping for.) The feeling of being caught up isn’t something you arrive at and it stays that way forever. It’s something you keep creating, in small ways, throughout the day—often without realizing it.

That’s what I’ve been paying attention to this spring. A handful of small habits that have changed how I move through my life. I’m showing up differently to my work, my relationships, and even the way I think about things like food and fitness. Everything feels a little more additive and less like something I have to push through.

A More Realistic Way to Feel Better By Summer

We’re in that in-between window right now—the stretch between May and the start of summer—when routines haven’t fully settled and there’s still room to change how things feel. I’m thinking of it as a kind of runway: a few weeks where these shifts have time to build. That way, by the time summer arrives, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re already in it.

The idea of a reset sounds appealing, but it implies starting over, doing things perfectly, and getting everything in place all at once. Right when your energy is already stretched.

10 Spring Habits at a Glance

What’s felt more useful to me this season is a simpler approach. Paying attention to what already makes me feel better, and doing a little more of that.

1. Build one meal a day around color. Let fresh, vibrant ingredients guide what you eat. Everything else tends to follow.
2. Upgrade what you’re already doing. Spring is all about amplifying the romanticize-your-life vibes.
3. Work out at 90%. Leave yourself a little energy so you can come back tomorrow.
4. Create a clear end to your workday. A small transition helps you actually arrive in your evening.
5. Leave one thing undone on purpose. Decide when the day is complete instead of waiting for everything to be finished.
6. Make one decision before your energy dips. Remove one choice from your evening—it’s a huge energy booster.
7. Add a side quest. Follow one small moment of curiosity, just because you can.
8. Take your evening off auto-pilot. A loose plan keeps your night from feeling like an extension of the work day.
9. Build your day around natural light. Let sunlight anchor your routine instead of treating it as extra.
10. Notice what gives you energy. Pay attention to what works and keep that on repeat.

10 Spring Habits to Feel Better by Summer

These are the habits I’ve been returning to. They’re simple, but they’ve changed more than I expected.

1. Build One Meal a Day Around Color

I didn’t set out to change the way I eat this spring. It just… happened? Somewhere between farmer’s market runs and throwing together quick lunches, I started noticing that the meals I actually looked forward to all had one thing in common: they were full of color. Bright greens, spring strawberries, fresh herbs. All the goodness of the season made it’s way to my plate.

That shift alone has made food feel easier. When you start with color, the rest tends to fall into place. You build meals that are more satisfying, more energizing, and a lot less rigid.

Try this: Once a day, start with what looks fresh and vibrant, then add something creamy and something crunchy to round it out.

Some colorful meals to get you inspired:

• Burrata Toast with Blood Orange, Pistachios & Honey
• Cedar Plank Halibut with Salsa Verde
• Cucumber and Crispy Rice Salad
• Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl with Kale & Jammy Eggs
• Strawberries and Cream Pavlova

2. Upgrade What You’re Already Doing

I’ve stopped waiting for something new to make my days feel better. Most of the shift has come from paying a little more attention to what’s already there and treating it like it matters.

The same coffee, but in a beautiful mug (taken outside instead of standing at the counter). Romantizing my lunch break. An evening walk that isn’t just about steps, but about noticing the light, the air, and the fact that I’m there.

This habit is all about you move through what’s already part of your life. That small shift has made everything feel a little more intentional and a lot more enjoyable.

Try this: Pick one everyday habit and make it feel like something you chose: better ingredients, a different setting, or one small detail that makes you want to be in it.

3. Do Your Workouts at 90% (And Notice What Changes)

For a long time, I thought a good workout had to leave me completely spent. 30 minutes minimum, high intensity, no shortcuts—otherwise it didn’t count. That mindset kept me stuck in a cycle where I’d go all in for a few days, burn out, and then fall off entirely.

What shifted for me was realizing that consistency has a lot less to do with intensity than I thought. Research around “exercise snacks”—short, more frequent bursts of movement throughout the day—shows that even small amounts of activity can have a meaningful impact on your energy and overall well-being.

Pulling back just slightly in my workouts and letting shorter sessions count has made it easier to create a routine. I feel better afterward, not depleted, and that alone has changed how consistently I show up.

Try this: Let your next workout be less intense than you think it should be—or break it into smaller moments throughout the day. Then notice how you feel later, not just when it ends.

4. Create a Transition Ritual Out of Your Workday

I didn’t realize how much my evenings were being shaped by my workday until I started paying attention to how I ended it. Without a clear break, everything just blurred together (flashback to how I spent every weekday during the pandemic, yikes). I’d technically be done, but still carrying the loose ends into the rest of my night.

Instead, I’ve been building in a small transition. A moment that signals to my body that I’m shifting out of one mode and into another. This isn’t a productivity hack. It’s all about giving yourself a chance to actually start your evening feeling restored.

Try this: Choose one consistent action that marks the end of your workday—stepping outside, putting on a different playlist, making a fun beverage—and let that be the signal that you’re done.

5. Practice Leaving One Thing Intentionally Undone

It’s taken me forever to accept this: there will always be something left on the list. That part doesn’t change, no matter how early you start or how efficient you are. What I’ve started experimenting with is deciding where the line is—choosing when the day is complete, instead of waiting for everything to be finished.

Trust me, it cchanges the feeling of your mornings, evenings, and really your life. Instead of carrying that low-level sense of “I should still be doing something,” you give yourself permission to stop. Over time, that starts to feel less like a compromise and more like a choice.

Try this: At the end of the day, choose one thing that can be saved for tomorrow or next week. This isn’t procrastination—it’s prioritization.

6. Stop Making Decisions at Your Lowest Energy Point

By the time late afternoon rolls around, even small decisions can feel heavier than they should. What to make for dinner, whether to work out, how to spend the evening—it all starts to blur together in a way that makes everything feel more draining than it actually is.

I’ve started noticing how much easier my days feel when I make one or two of those decisions earlier, before my energy dips. No full plan, just removing that one moment where everything suddenly feels like too much.

Try this: Decide one thing ahead of time—dinner, your workout, or your evening plan—so you’re not figuring it out when you’re already tired.

7. Add One Side Quest to Your Day

Not everything in your day needs to be efficient to be worthwhile. (Read that back.) I’ve been leaving space for one small, unplanned detour—a side quest, in the loosest sense of the word. Something I didn’t need to do, but wanted to.

We’re not going for drama here. A different route on a walk, stopping for something that caught my eye, lingering a little longer somewhere instead of rushing through. You’ll be shocked: it completely changes how your day feels.

Try this: Leave room for one small, unnecessary decision today—something guided by curiosity instead of efficiency. Follow it without overthinking.

8. Give Your Evening a Plan

Evenings can feel the most chaotic because they’re often the most undefined part of your day. By the time you get there, your energy is low, your patience is thinner, and everything—from dinner to what to do afterward—feels like one more thing to figure out.

What’s helped is giving the evening a loose shape ahead of time. Not a rigid plan, just a general direction so you’re not starting from zero when you’re already tired.

Try this: Earlier in the day, decide what kind of night you’re having—something simple like “easy dinner and a walk” or “catch up and early to bed.”

9. Build Your Day Around Natural Light

This has been one of the simplest shifts with the biggest impact. Instead of treating time outside as something extra, I’ve started building parts of my day around it—moving small, everyday moments into the light whenever I can.

A few minutes in the sun in the morning, a walk before dinner, even taking a call outside… It all adds up! You feel more awake, more present, and more connected to your routine in a way that’s hard to replicate indoors. (You’ll sleep better, too.)

Try this: Take one thing you already do—coffee, a call, a break—and move it into natural light. Let that be the anchor your day builds around.

10. Pay Attention to Your Energy-Givers

This has been a complete game-changer in removing the “should’s” from my day. I’ve started paying closer attention to what actually makes me feel better. More clear, more energized, and more like myself. Some of it is obvious, some of it is surprising. But once you notice it, it becomes easier to come back to. You stop guessing what you need, and start recognizing it in real time.

Try this: At the end of the day, take a minute to notice what gave you energy. Look for one way to repeat it tomorrow.

Change Your Habits, Change Your Summer

The funny thing is, I still don’t feel “caught up” in my life. At least, not in the way I thought I would. There are still emails (there will ALWAYS be emails), still decisions, and still things waiting for me at the end of the day. But I do feel a little more present, a little more energized, and a little more like I’m actually in my life instead of trying to keep up with it.

That’s what these habits have given me. Not a full reset, not a perfect routine—just a series of small shifts that build on each other over time. And that’s the real opportunity this season. You don’t need to change everything before summer gets here. You just need to start paying attention to what makes you feel better and let that lead the way.

The post If You Want to Feel Better by Summer, Start With These 10 Things appeared first on Camille Styles.

There is nothing quite like a memoir to crack you open. Not in the dramatic, obvious way—but in a slow accumulation that happens when you recognize something true about yourself in someone else’s story. A really good one clarifies something you haven’t found the words for. Until now.

The Best Memoirs by Female Authors Will Shift Your Perspective

We’ve always loved sharing the books that move us, and this list has been a long time coming. These aren’t the memoirs you’ll find on every “must-read” roundup (though a few have earned their moment in the spotlight, here’s looking at you, Strangers). They’re the ones we keep pressing into people’s hands, the ones that stay with you long after the last page, and the ones that made us see marriage, ambition, grief, and the shape of a life a little differently. Whatever you’re carrying right now, one of these will meet you there.

On Love, Marriage, and What We Don’t See Coming

Some of the most clarifying books ever written about love are the ones about its unraveling. But I wouldn’t think of these as cautionary. These three books ask the questions most of us are carrying—and think we’re carrying alone.

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden

Belle Burden’s 20-year marriage ended without warning during the pandemic: her husband announced he was leaving, offered no explanation, and nearly overnight became a man she didn’t recognize. What follows is a reckoning with the ways women make themselves small inside a marriage, and what happens when one woman decides to stop. Consider it essential reading.

$21 at Amazon

Threshold

Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life by Delia Ephron

Ephron had just received a leukemia diagnosis when a man she had briefly dated decades earlier reached out by email after reading one of her essays. What followed was a love story that unfolded in hospital waiting rooms and remission celebrations. Tender, funny, and deeply moving—the rare memoir about late-in-life love that earns every emotion it asks of you.

$10.59 at Amazon

Threshold

Trying by Chloé Caldwell

What begins as a fertility story takes a turn that reshapes everything—including what Caldwell thought she knew about her marriage and her own identity. Spare and wry, this is one of those books that gets harder to put down the more uncomfortable it gets. It rides the line between heartbreaking and funny in a way that feels true to life itself.

$13.54 at Amazon

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On Reinvention and Reclaiming Your Story

These are the books about women who rewrote the narrative—sometimes quietly, sometimes dramatically, always on their own terms. The consistent truth: identity is something you build, not something that happens to you.

Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson

A radiant, deeply personal account of a woman reclaiming her own narrative—on her own terms, in her own words. Tender, self-aware, and far more moving than you might anticipate (if, unlike me, you haven’t been hungrily devouring her Substack). Easily one of the most memorable books on this list.

$10.32 at Amazon

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Alderton’s memoir of her twenties—the bad dates, the great friendships, the slow work of becoming yourself—reads like a message from your most honest friend. If you haven’t read it yet, consider this your sign.

$9.97 at Amazon

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

What looks like a career memoir turns out to be something more interesting: an unusually candid account of a complicated marriage and a series of bold bets that led her to become one of the most beloved figures in American food. Garten writes about luck as something you prepare for, not wait for.

$16.06 at Amazon

More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth

The second youngest editor-in-chief in Teen Vogue history writes about ambition, race, and what it actually takes to break barriers. This isn’t the polished version, it’s the honest one.

$10.56 at Amazon

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On Inner Life, Grief, and Learning to Rest

Not every book on this list will leave you feeling inspired in the traditional sense. Some will just make you feel less alone in what you’re carrying. I like to think of that as its own kind of nourishment.

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

When May’s life came to a sudden halt, she didn’t push through. She wintered. This hybrid memoir weaves her own story with natural history and mythology to make a quiet, radical argument for rest. Not self-help — something richer. One of the most healing reads we know.

$10.29 at Amazon

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

Hardin was, by every outward measure, a successful suburban mom — until the opioid addiction she’d hidden for years caught up with her, and she found herself convicted of 32 felonies. Startling in its honesty and unexpectedly redemptive. A book about the gap between the life we show people and the one we’re actually living.

$13.39 at Amazon

A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

In two years, Chung lost both parents—her father to decades of precarity and a healthcare system that failed him, and then her mother to cancer, just as COVID made the distance between them feel insurmountable. This is a book about grief, yes, but also about the particular guilt of upward mobility in America: what it means to build a different life for yourself while the people you love remain at the margins.

$10.40 at Amazon

Drinking: A Love Story by Carolyn Knapp

An older title and one of the most enduring on this list—recommended by Camille’s mom, who still thinks about it years later. Knapp writes about her relationship with alcohol with a novelist’s precision and an intimacy that makes it feel less like confession and more like a conversation. I think it’s one of the most beautifully written memoirs about addiction ever published.

$9.65 at Amazon

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On Family, History, and the Stories We Inherit

Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls

The 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner for memoir, and unlike anything else on this list. A graphic memoir tracing three generations of Chinese women: Hulls’s grandmother, who survived the Communist revolution, fled to Hong Kong, and poured it all into a memoir—only to unravel in the aftermath; her mother, who inherited that silence and its weight; and Hulls herself, who spent nearly a decade drawing and writing her way toward understanding. If you’ve never read a graphic memoir, start here.

$21.16 at Amazon

The Wildcard

Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

This is a serious reckoning with a life spent performing a persona she created as armor—and the boarding school abuse at the center of it is not what you’d expect. More than a celebrity tell-all, it’s a story about survival and self-invention that earns its place on any list of books about the distance between who the world sees and who you know yourself to be.

$11.02 at Amazon

This post was last updated on May 7, 2026, to include new insights.

The post These Memoirs Made Us Call Our Therapist (We Have No Regrets) appeared first on Camille Styles.

For something that’s supposed to leave our skin glowing, exfoliation can often feel like we’re doing too much—or somehow still not enough. It’s easy to fall into the trap of over-scrubbing, layering too many actives, or chasing that instant smoothness, only to end up with skin that feels tight, reactive, or out of balance.

Over time, I’ve learned that the best way to exfoliate isn’t about doing more. (Honestly, I’ve taken the opposite approach.) It’s all about creating a routine your skin can trust. As Anastasia Cupcea, founder of Anastasia Skin Care Studio in NYC, puts it: “Exfoliation is more about rhythm than rules.”

That rhythm shifts with your skin—your environment, the season, even what your skin has been through recently. After treatments like peels, microneedling, or lasers, she recommends pausing exfoliation altogether to allow the skin to fully recover.

For me, that looks like a simple Sunday night ritual: a head-to-toe reset that gently clears away buildup, restores hydration, and sets the tone for the week ahead.

The result isn’t just smoother skin (though you’ll absolutely see that). It’s skin that feels calm, supported, and naturally radiant—without the irritation that often comes from overdoing it.

What Is the Best Way to Exfoliate?

The best way to exfoliate isn’t about choosing between physical or chemical exfoliation—it’s about understanding how the two work together.

Physical exfoliation (like dry brushing or dermaplaning) helps lift away surface buildup, instantly smoothing the skin and creating that satisfying, just-polished feel. Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, goes a step deeper—using ingredients like glycolic or lactic acid to dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin in place.

When used thoughtfully, this combination creates a kind of reset for your skin: clearing congestion, improving texture, and allowing the products you apply afterward to absorb more effectively. But before any exfoliation step, Cupcea emphasizes something more foundational: proper cleansing. Starting with clean skin—using a cleanser suited to your skin type—ensures exfoliation is both safe and effective.

The key is balance. Too much exfoliation—especially when layering multiple active products—can compromise your skin barrier, leading to irritation, sensitivity, and breakouts. But when approached with intention, exfoliation becomes less about stripping the skin and more about supporting it.

In my own routine, I think of exfoliation as a moment to reset, not overwhelm—one that leaves my skin noticeably smoother, brighter, and better able to hold onto moisture.

Editor’s Picks: Exfoliators That Actually Work

Dr. Dennis Gross

Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads

$94 at Sephora

Threshold

2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

$37 at Paula's Choice

Dermalogica

Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 2.6 oz

$69 at Dermalogica

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How Often Should You Exfoliate?

One of the most common mistakes with exfoliation isn’t how you’re doing it—it’s how often.

More isn’t better here. In fact, over-exfoliating is one of the fastest ways to disrupt your skin barrier, leading to sensitivity, breakouts, and that tight, reactive feeling that never quite settles. Smooth skin doesn’t come from doing the most—it comes from doing just enough, consistently.

“Most people fall into one of two camps,” Cupcea says. “They’re either over-exfoliating and damaging their skin barrier, or not exfoliating enough—leading to buildup, dullness, and congestion.”

For most people, a once-weekly exfoliation routine is more than enough to maintain smooth, clear, balanced skin. Think of it as a moment to gently clear away buildup, refine texture, and support your skin’s natural renewal process.

From there, lighter maintenance throughout the week—like a gentle cleanser or occasional mild exfoliant—can help maintain that glow without overwhelming your skin.

Of course, your ideal routine will depend on your skin type:

• Sensitive skin: Once a week (or even every 10 days), focusing on gentle, low-strength exfoliants
• Dry or balanced skin: Once a week, prioritizing hydration and barrier support afterward
• Oily or acne-prone skin: 1–2 times per week, depending on tolerance and the types of exfoliants used

The most important thing is to pay attention to how your skin responds. If you’re noticing redness, increased breakouts, or a feeling of tightness that lingers, it’s a sign to scale back.

Over time, I’ve found that anchoring exfoliation to a weekly ritual—rather than squeezing it in throughout the week—creates the best results. It gives your skin time to recover, rebuild, and actually benefit from the process.

Gentle Exfoliators for Every Skin Type

Medik8

Press and Glow Refill Toner 200ml

$30 at Dermstore

Summer Fridays

Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads

$42 at Summer Fridays

goop Beauty

Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator 15ml

$42 at goop

The Weekly Body Exfoliation Routine for Smooth Skin

If there’s one habit that’s made the biggest difference in my skin, it’s this: a once-weekly, head-to-toe reset.

Instead of layering exfoliation throughout the week, I save it for Sunday night—a moment to slow down, clear away buildup, and start fresh. It’s less about chasing instant results and more about creating a rhythm that leaves my skin consistently smooth, hydrated, and balanced.

Here’s exactly how I do it:

Step 1: Start With Dry Brushing

Before I step into the shower, I begin with dry brushing—one of the simplest ways to lift away surface buildup and boost circulation.

Using long, gentle strokes toward the heart, I move across the body, focusing on areas that tend to feel a little rough or textured (like the backs of arms and legs). It’s both grounding and energizing—like waking up your skin before the rest of your routine begins.

The goal here isn’t pressure—it’s consistency. A light touch is enough to sweep away dullness and prep the skin for what comes next.

Step 2: Follow With Chemical Exfoliation

Next comes chemical exfoliation, which is where the real smoothing happens.

I’ll use a body peel or exfoliating treatment with ingredients like glycolic or lactic acid to gently dissolve buildup and refine texture. This step goes deeper than anything physical exfoliation can do on its own—helping to unclog pores, prevent ingrown hairs, and even out tone over time.

Think of this as the step that transforms your skin from smooth to noticeably radiant.

Step 3: Shave (If You Choose To)

If shaving is part of your routine, this is the moment to do it.

It’s often overlooked, but shaving is actually a form of physical exfoliation—removing both hair and any remaining surface buildup. Done after exfoliating, it allows for a closer, smoother glide and helps prevent irritation.

And if you’re using self-tanner, this step is key—it creates the most even canvas for application.

Step 4: Cleanse Gently in the Shower

After exfoliating, I keep cleansing simple.

This isn’t the time for anything harsh or overly active—you’ve already done the heavy lifting. A gentle, nourishing cleanser removes any remaining residue while keeping the skin calm and balanced.

I like to take my time here, letting the warm water and steam soften the skin and turn it into more of a ritual than a rushed step.

Step 5: Rehydrate and Restore the Skin Barrier

This might be the most important step of all.

After exfoliation, your skin is more receptive—but also more vulnerable. Replenishing moisture helps restore the skin barrier, lock in hydration, and maintain that smooth, supple feeling long after your routine is over.

I’ll apply a rich body cream or oil while my skin is still slightly damp, taking a few extra minutes to really massage it in. It’s less about efficiency and more about slowing down—letting the routine feel as good as the results.

Body Exfoliation Essentials

Dr. Barbara Sturm

Body Brush

$45 at Dr. Barbara Sturm

Nécessaire

The Body Peel – Resurfacing Serum with 12% AHA/BHA/PHA, 1% Resveratrol + Peeling Peptide

$62 at Sephora

Well Kept

Safety Razor

$72 at goop

kai

Body Glow

$38 at Nordstrom

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The Best Face Exfoliation Routine (Without Irritation)

When it comes to exfoliating your face, more isn’t better—gentler, more intentional is.

The skin on your face is more delicate than your body, which means it responds quickly—not just to the benefits of exfoliation, but to the effects of overdoing it. Where body exfoliation can feel a bit more forgiving, facial exfoliation requires a lighter touch and a little more restraint.

I approach this part of my routine with that in mind: fewer steps, more intention, and a focus on keeping the skin calm, balanced, and supported.

Step 1: Cleanse and Prep the Skin

I always start with a gentle cleanse to remove makeup, oil, and any buildup from the day.

Nothing too active here—you don’t want to stack exfoliating ingredients before you even begin. Instead, this step is about creating a clean, calm canvas so the exfoliation that follows can work more effectively.

Step 2: Dermaplane (Optional)

If I’m doing a full reset, I’ll dermaplane to remove peach fuzz and that top layer of buildup that can make skin look dull.

Cupcea notes that dermaplaning is especially beneficial for dry or rough skin, helping to remove surface buildup so products can absorb more effectively. It’s also ideal for uneven texture—and one of the quickest ways to get that immediate brightness before an event.

“It instantly leaves the skin smoother and more radiant,” she says. “If you have peach fuzz, it helps makeup apply more seamlessly—and it’s a great option before events for that immediate glow.”

That said, it’s not for everyone—those with active acne, highly sensitive or reactive skin, or a compromised barrier may want to skip it, as it can increase irritation.

And if you’ve been on Accutane, she recommends waiting at least 3–6 months—and only proceeding once the skin is fully healed.

Cupcea notes one exception where dermaplaning can be especially helpful: during pregnancy or while nursing, when many exfoliating acids are off-limits. Because it’s entirely topical, it offers a gentle alternative for maintaining smooth, radiant skin.

Step 3: Follow With a Chemical Exfoliant

After dermaplaning (or in place of it), I’ll use a gentle chemical exfoliant—usually glycolic or lactic acid—to refine texture and sweep away anything left behind.

This step is what really creates that even, glassy finish. It works below the surface to smooth, brighten, and support cell turnover in a way that feels gradual, not aggressive.

The key here is to resist the urge to pile on more. One well-formulated exfoliant is enough.

Step 4: Let Your Skin Rest

This is something I’ve learned over time: after exfoliating, your skin doesn’t need more—it needs space.

On nights when I exfoliate, I keep the rest of my routine minimal. Sometimes that means skipping additional actives altogether and letting my skin settle overnight.

By morning, the difference is always noticeable—clearer, smoother, and more even, without that tight or overworked feeling.

Face Exfoliation Essentials

Dieux

Baptism Hydrating + Pore Clarifying Gentle Foaming Gel Cleanser

$34 at Sephora

Dermaflash

Dermaflash Luxe+

$199 at Dermaflash

Shani Darden Skin Care

Lactic Acid AHA Exfoliating Serum

$75 at Sephora

Furtuna Skin

Triple Active Exfoliator

$115 at goop

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Signs You’re Over-Exfoliating (And What to Do Instead)

If your skin isn’t responding the way you expected, exfoliation might not be the solution—it might be the problem.

Over-exfoliating is surprisingly common, especially when you’re layering multiple products or trying to speed up results. But instead of creating that smooth, radiant finish, over-exfoliation can leave your skin feeling compromised and out of balance.

A few signs to watch for:

• Persistent redness or sensitivity
• A tight, dry feeling that doesn’t go away with moisturizer
• Increased breakouts or irritation
• Skin that suddenly feels more reactive than usual
• A shiny, almost “over-polished” look

Cupcea notes that properly exfoliated skin should feel smooth, calm, and even—never tight or irritated.

“When exfoliation is done right, the skin has a healthy glow and products absorb more easily,” she explains. “But with over-exfoliation, you’ll start to see redness, sensitivity, and that tight, shiny feeling that signals the barrier has been compromised.”

The best thing you can do is simplify your routine and give your skin time to recover. Focus on gentle cleansing, deep hydration, and barrier-supporting products while pulling back on exfoliants altogether for a few days (or longer, depending on how your skin feels).

This is also where it helps to reframe your approach: exfoliation isn’t something to push—it’s something to support. When done well, it works with your skin, not against it.

This post was last updated on March 29, 2026, to include new insights.

The post The Best Way to Exfoliate for Smooth, Glowing Skin (Without Overdoing It) appeared first on Camille Styles.

There’s a particular kind of afternoon that I want to bottle up and remember forever. The kind where nobody is looking at their phones, the wine glasses keep getting refilled, and somehow two hours pass, and no one has moved from the table. That’s how I remember the day that Camilla Marcus joined a group of friends and me for lunch in my backyard to celebrate the launch of her cookbook, My Regenerative Kitchen.

We’d been trying to make it happen for weeks, and when it finally came together on a warm spring day, the afternoon delivered everything we’d imagined. We set big platters of food on the table outside, served everything family-style, and lingered in that easy, unhurried way that only happens when the food is simple and the company is everything.

The menu tasted like spring. Chilled pea gazpacho passed around in little bowls. A fennel salad. Rose dark chocolate bark for dessert with coffee. Natural wine and sparkling water. And these tartines, which were the thing everyone kept talking about afterward.

The Chef Behind the Recipe

If you’re not familiar with Camilla Marcus, she’s one of those cooks who makes everything feel both effortless and considered. Her approach to cooking is easygoing and intuitive, grounded in a deep appreciation for seasonality and the farmers who grow the food. She’s also the founder of west~bourne, her direct-to-consumer brand making feel-good provisions inspired by California’s bounty. I’d known Camilla for a few years and am always excited for a chance to cook together—and these tartines perfectly represent the way she thinks about a meal.

The recipe comes from her cookbook, My Regenerative Kitchen, and her description of them is perfect: the ultimate chef snack. Equal parts creamy and crunchy with peak-season ingredients. No rules, and absolutely no fuss.

Canyon “Essentials” Dinnerware, Set of 12

$385 at Casa Zuma

Cocina Salt & Spice Tray

$249 at Casa Zuma

The Sunday Salad Set

$248 at Casa Zuma

What Elevates This Tartine Recipe

When it comes to food that’s this simple, the beauty’s in the restraint. The last thing we want to do is complicate something where every element is so good it earns its place. That means the bread matters (thick-cut, from a good bakery, fried in avocado oil until golden and crisp). The tomato is key (find the best heirloom you can get your hands on). And the blue cheese—frozen and shaved thin so it melts into lacy ribbons over the warm bread—is the secret ingredient that takes this to another level.

The roasted beet tartine—yogurt or crème fraîche spread thick, golden beets layered on top, finished with toasted pepitas—has slightly more surprising ingredients. Beets and crème fraîche are a combination I knew I loved, but something about the contrast with the crisp fried bread made it feel completely new. Cool and creamy against all that crunch.

The Salt Ritual

$78 at Casa Zuma

A Few Tips for Success

Serve these as a starter, a lunch, or, honestly, the sort of snack that becomes the whole meal because you can’t stop eating them. They’re best when the tomatoes are at their peak, so definitely keep these top of mind as we head into the summer months.

We made these in a large cast-iron pan and kept them coming in batches. (You won’t believe how much the simple touch of frying the bread elevates these tartines.) And keep in mind Camilla’s more-is-more rule when it comes to the crème fraîche. It keeps these tartines feeling absolutely indulgent.

If you’re building a spring lunch around these, the pea gazpacho and a simple fennel salad round it out perfectly. Add a bottle of something cold and pink, clear your afternoon, and linger as long as you possibly can.

This recipe is from Camilla Marcus’ cookbook, My Regenerative Kitchen.

Tartines with Heirloom Tomato, Blue Cheese, and Golden Beets

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Camilla Marcus
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings

Print Recipe

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Description

Chef Camilla Marcus’ tartine recipe from My Regenerative Kitchen — fried bread, heirloom tomato, blue cheese, golden beets. Simple, seasonal, and worth every bite.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 2 slices thick-cut bread (a simple country loaf or brioche works beautifully)
• 4 tablespoons avocado oil, plus more to garnish
• Maldon salt and fresh cracked pepper
• 1 heirloom tomato, sliced
• 6 slices blue cheese, frozen to firm up, then shaved
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup sheep’s milk yogurt or crème fraîche
• 6 slices roasted golden beets
• 1 tablespoon toasted pepitas

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Instructions

1. Drizzle a cast iron skillet with enough avocado oil to coat the bottom, and get it hot over medium-high heat. Fry the bread evenly on each side, moving it around and flipping as you go, until nicely crisped and golden brown all over. Remove from the pan and drain on a rack or kitchen towel — hit it with a pinch of Maldon salt immediately while still piping hot.
2. On one slice, layer the tomato slices, then top with the shaved blue cheese and finish with a drizzle of avocado oil, Maldon salt, and cracked pepper.
3. On the other slice, spread the yogurt or crème fraîche in a generous layer, top with the sliced golden beets, and garnish with the toasted pepitas. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve immediately, while the bread is still warm.

• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 5
• Category: sandwich

Keywords: tartine

The post This Tartine Recipe Is Peak Spring on a Plate appeared first on Camille Styles.