A Trick to Serving Ice Cream at a Party

A little trick when serving ice cream that started years ago with kids’ birthday parties, and now it’s my dinner party go-to move. These days, it’s gelato instead of ice cream, and olive oil and sea salt instead of chocolate sauce and rainbow sprinkles — but the trick itself hasn’t changed.

I shared it recently on Instagram; no one seems to be familiar with this little shortcut, so I thought it would make an interesting, if not useful, Sunday favorite. Scooping ice cream can get messy and time-consuming, so why not do it ahead of time?

When serving ice cream or gelato to more than three people, I scoop it ahead of the dinner party. I line a covered container with cupcake liners, then add one scoop into each liner. Pop it into the freezer, and then when you are ready to serve dessert, just add a scoop to each dish and remove the liner. Then add your toppings.

Serve in a small dish on a plate with a paper doily, and maybe add a couple of chocolate chunk cookies on the plate!

More Sunday favorites!

This week’s favorite: Jane Bertch

You are probably already familiar with Jane Bertch’s story — the American who left a banking career, moved to Paris, and opened one of the city’s most beloved cooking schools, La Cuisine Paris. She wrote about that wild leap in her memoir, The French Ingredient.

But it’s what she’s doing now that I want to talk about: her podcast, GenerateHER. I had the chance to meet Jane in person, tour La Cuisine, and sit down with her to talk all about the podcast and the retreats she’s now leading for women.

If you’ve ever found yourself standing at the edge of a “what’s next,” this podcast is for you. Jane built it specifically for women navigating reinvention, and she brings the same honesty and warmth to it that made her memoir so good. Real conversations about courage, identity, and starting over, no matter your age or stage.

If you’re craving a little inspiration (and maybe some French perspective) for your own next chapter, GenerateHER is absolutely worth a listen. And find out more about her retreats in Paris here.

Outfit of the week

Left to right: Baggu tote // Madewell short-sleeve shirt in poplin // Linen high-rise, wide-leg pants // Sézane Justine Bag // Roxanne Assouline cord charm necklace // Birkenstock sandals Right: Alex Mill pop-over poplin top // Baggu tote // Alex Mill weekday tote // Linen high-rise wide-leg pants // Birkenstock sandals

I’m in Phoenix this week with my sister, and she told me about these pants from Anthropologie. Maybe you already know about them. They are so comfortable for everyday summer pants, I had to get a neutral, and then a color like blue that is a little more fun.

I always travel with a tote, and inside I keep a Baggu tote that I use for everything. I often keep a cashmere sweater in a tote. A Baggu fold-up tote keeps it safe inside a larger tote. Baggu totes are also great if you run into the store for a few items. They hold more than you think and are very durable.

Thank goodness my new Birkenstocks did not require a breaking-in period, because I took them out of the box and have been wearing them all day everyday. They have a leather footbed, which I believe helps with comfort.

Eby Bras and Bralettes

I’ve talked about Eby bras and underwear, but not the seamless bralettes. The bralettes are very comfortable, and I love the full coverage. Great for everyday or even at the gym. And since they have no wires, you can wash them without worrying!