Wake Up Call with Erika Veurink

Plus, notes on a 90s summer and a menu for having friends over.

I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about the charm of a “90s Summer” floating around the Internet lately. It’s that pre-iPhone nostalgia so many of us feel—riding bikes, getting ice cream, chasing fireflies, and embracing the boredom that came with long, unscheduled days. I’m into it.

So this year, instead of heading out of town the minute school let out (like we have the last couple years), we’ve been hanging around Austin—and it’s been so much fun. The kids are in day camps here and there, and while Adam and I are still working, we’ve been embracing some spontaneity, too. Afternoons in the pool, impromptu barbecues with friends, all of us staying up past bedtime. Loosening the schedule (even just a little) has made the season feel slower and more like summer.

Tomorrow, Adam and I are heading to LA to check on the progress of our Malibu renovation (!!!), and I’m excited to finally see the framing in person. While we’re out there, I’ll be picking our interior plaster color, finalizing cabinet layouts, and narrowing down stain samples for the exterior cladding. It’s going to be a decision-heavy trip, but I’m so ready to bring some of these details to life. I’ll share more real-time updates over on Instagram.

our primary bedroom is going up

Also on my to-do list during our 48-hour trip: A breakfast burrito from Lily’s (IYKYK), the kale white bean salad at Erewhon, pizza from Gjelina, and if we can squeeze it in… a date night at Nobu. (Nothing beats that miso black cod against the sound of crashing waves.)

Okay, before we get into today’s Wake Up Call interview with one of my favorite gals on Substack, a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:

Weekly recos

💐 Favorite Things Gift Bag

A sweet gift idea from my friend Anne’s birthday: everyone brought a can’t-live-without item with a note explaining why we love it, and Anne took home a bag full of delightful and useful treats. I contributed my favorite ultra-luxurious cashmere socks that feel like an actual cloud.

💫 The Idea of Aliveness. How I want to move through life: “It’s good to stay fully, even slightly foolishly, committed to the idea that humans doing human things, with other humans, is and will remain at the vital heart of human existence.”

💋 Best Lip Balms According to You

Loving your recs from our subscriber chat—so many I want to try!

🍽 A Perfect Summer Menu

Made this for a casual dinner with friends the other night:

• Avocado Caprese Salad

• Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs

• Pesto-Parmesan Potatoes

• Strawberries and Cream Pavlova - Make the pavlova and cream hours in advance, prep the strawberries, and then just throw it all together when you’re ready to eat.

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Wake Up Call with Erika Veurink

Our Wake Up Call series is my favorite excuse to peek inside the mornings of women I admire—those who pursue what lights them up and are on a journey toward personal growth. Because way more often than you might think, a happy life starts with a meaningful morning—it influences how you show up all day.

Wake Up Call with Bobbi Brown

Today’s guest is Erika Veurink, a Brooklyn-based writer, brand consultant, and founder of EV Salon + Long Live, a Substack that feels like a note from your sharp, witty friend with great style. From early wake-ups to plenty of AM carbs (she’s pregnant with her first), Erika’s rituals are grounded and thoughtful. If you’ve ever felt pulled between your inbox and your creativity, her approach might just inspire a new rhythm.

👉 Want to know the products Erika swears by, the mindset that changed her mornings, and the candle she lights daily? Consider upgrading to a paid subscription—you’ll get full access to this interview and join a community of readers on a journey to more intentional living.