Welcome to Kelly’s Monthly Edit!
Join me every month as I round up the little joys that sparked inspiration, from must-make recipes and Mom-approved grocery finds to favorite products in kitchenware, skincare, fashion and beyond. Consider this your behind-the-scenes bite of life at Just a Taste—no gatekeeping, just good taste.
If May had me covered in flour and riding the high of my sourdough era, June came in like a cleat to the shin and didn’t let up. Between the World Cup, a dugout full of snacks, an epic beach bbq (Noni-style) and enough cocktail glasses to open my own bar cart, this was the month summer officially announced itself in our house. Here’s everything that made the cut.
World Cup Mania
I don’t think our television has been on anything other than a soccer match in weeks, and honestly? I’m not mad about it. With the World Cup kicking off right here on home soil, my soccer-obsessed crew has turned every match into a full family event. The savory side of the menu has featured many of our weekly repeat favorites, including my signature Teriyaki Bowl, but this time with the juiciest stove-top chicken, and the fan favorite One-Pot Pasta with Sausage and Kale.
And for something sweet? After last month’s success with the Soccer Ball Sourdough, I couldn’t resist leaning further into the theme. Enter: Soccer Ball Sugar Cookies. These really are a sight to be seen, and enjoyed!
A Month of Cocktail Cakes
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you know I have fully committed to my new favorite format: Cocktail Cakes. What started as a fun one-off with our elegant upgrade on the viral Dot Cakes turned into a full-blown obsession this month…
The concept is simple and, frankly, a little dangerous for my self-control—layered cake, frosting, toppings and all the fun mix-ins, built right in a cocktail glass so every bite is a perfect little bit of everything. This month alone we went through a half-dozen variations, including:
- The Original Cocktail Cakes
- Cookie Cocktail Cakes
- S’mores Cocktail Cakes
- Strawberries and Cream Cocktail Cakes
- Ice Cream Cocktail Cakes
- Fourth of July Cocktail Cakes
Baseball Mom Status Upgraded
I used to think I understood what it meant to be a “sports mom.” Then June happened, and I officially graduated to a new tier: All-Stars baseball… times two.
Between practices, games and endless tournament weekends with two of my kids on two different teams, family dinners at home took a back seat. I always remind myself that we gather around a table together when we can, but sometimes, the table is a cooler, the trunk of a car or the nearest In-N-Out. And that’s OK, too.
Noni’s Iconic Beach BBQ
No June recap would be complete without the main event: An iconic Noni beach bbq. Noni is the true definition of Hostess with the Mostess, and while she assured me we’d “keep things casual,” the glass oil and vinegar dispensers, battery-operated lanterns, hot homemade focaccia and floral centerpieces proved otherwise. It really has to be seen to be believed…
It’s not lost on me that the same woman who taught me to make focaccia last month is the same woman who’s been running a flawless beach bbq operation for decades. I’m just trying to keep up.
What was the highlight of your June? I’d love to hear it in the comments.
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