Curated by Mel

FIFA, FRESH FINDS, AND OUR 250TH CELEBRATIONS

By Melanie Carden

Here I am, penning this on the eve of Game 5 of the NBA Finals as The Knicks make a run at greatness. If basketball’s not your thing, switch gears to the FIFA action, or skip sports altogether and meander the city in search of the fleeting nirvana of fresh summer tomatoes. Toms shine brightest in August and September, but they’ll pop up in markets any moment, so make the most of it as you celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. Make a fresh tomato panzanella salad, sip a bourbon born from all 50 states, and tell the bugs to buzz off!

PARTY LIKE IT’S 1776
These George Washington socks are utterly delightful, and I’m making them the foundation of my 4th of July persona. We’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country! If ever there were a reason to dress with a bit of whimsy, this is it. Olive & Cocoa is known not just for its glorious array of gifts, but the packaging as well. Many items ship in a wooden crate – festooned in satin ribbon – and this set of socks (three pairs) arrives with festive lollipops, in a signature tote.
Info: www.oliveandcocoa.com

UNITED STATES OF BOURBON
Vermont-based whiskey masters, Lost Lantern, just released the first-ever blend of bourbon from all 50 states. The inaugural collection includes three expressions: United States of Bourbon 100 Proof, United States of Bourbon Cask Strength, and a limited offering of its United States of Bourbon 1776 Edition. The best part? Each bottle lists all 50 distilleries involved in this once-in-a-lifetime creation. Travel inspiration I’m happy to dive into.
Info: www.lostlanternwhiskey.com

BEAUTEOUS BUH-BYE
I grew up with those bright red citronella candles. They were at every picnic and every pool; they were absolutely everywhere. Luckily, Room Candle Co. is part of the citronella revolution, creating aesthetically pleasing yet powerful bug repellant candles. If you’re not a fan of citronella scent, this candle is for you since it’s balanced with equally effective lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and cedar. Buh-bye bugs.
Info: roomcandleco.com

IT’S TIME TO GRILL
His Smash Burger Tacos set social media ablaze and inspired major newspaper coverage. It’s no exaggeration to say that Brad Prose has a healthy obsession with grilling. Add to that, many of his creations are inspired by his wife’s pursuit of making better food choices. Once a vegetarian, she returned to meat, as Prose honed his craft and swore off corn syrup, dextrose, preservatives, and filler ingredients. Epic BBQ Sandwiches is his second cookbook, just in time for grilling season.
Info: www.quarto.com

CHARCUTERIE AND PICNIC READY
We often gravitate toward elegant ease for summer meals—grazing boards and picnics included. True Story Foods has become my go-to, in part because of the brand’s clean ingredients and devotion to animal welfare. Also because the dry-aged Prosciutto nearly melts in the mouth. Try their hot dogs, sausages, Genoa Salame, Kurobuta Uncured Bacon, and more. Better yet, grab the Art of Charcuterie Bundle to have at-the-ready for summer soirees. Available at Whole Foods and other markets throughout NYC.
Info: www.truestoryfoods.com

VOLCANIC SOIL ICED COFFEE
Enjoy the bliss of 100% single origin Hawaiian Volcanic Coffee. Waiākea iced coffee uses beans grown exclusively on the lower slopes of ancient Wai’ale’ale on the “Garden Island” of Kaua’i. Here, the rich volcanic soil, mountain rain, and Hawaiian sunshine yields some of the best coffee in the world and the folks at Waiākea blended it into two heatwave-ready varieties, vanilla and Mauna Mocha. Check out the brand’s volcanic rock filtered water as well with naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals.
Info: waiakea.com

DREAMY DORM
Have you seen a typical dorm room these days? Most are nicer than my first apartment, swanky by most standards. So, if you’re looking for a worthy dorm room splurge, the CozyChic® Rib Dorm Set from Barefoot Dreams is the gift that’ll last through undergrad and beyond. In fact, I’d bet this set makes it through grad school and their first apartment. It’s unfathomably soft and cozy, perfect for long nights of studying (or procrastinating).
Info: www.barefootdreams.com

POSH AND PACKABLE
Regardless of where I travel, my luggage consists of just one backpack and a small tote. I pack strategically to forego with all that, “we’re out of overhead space” chaos on nearly every flight. One non-negotiable is that I always have a pair of dressy, impossibly flat sandals, like the gold Valentina from Soléi Sea. They’re ready for everything from the farmer’s market in Upstate to omakase dinners in Japan and take up almost no real estate in my backpack.
Info: soleisea.com

SEASONAL FARM DELIGHTS
If you’ve got a friend who doesn’t live near a farmers’ market, or if you just want to double-down on seasonal goodies, visit The Farmers Finds (online and in the city). These folks scour the local markets across the country to find the most delicious, innovative small-batch products. You can shop the marketplace or get a monthly or quarterly subscription. From Georgia-sourced praline mustard glaze to Hudson Valley’s own Strawberry & Salty Peanut Granola (we see you Sweet Deliverence!), the season’s best awaits.
Info: thefarmersfinds.com

HEATWAVE RELIEF
This little doohickey can drop the air temperature by 18 degrees. I put it to the test at the gym, in a notoriously tough weights-based class, in a room that heats up faster than a cast iron skillet. I used the cooling mist feature during a quick water break and can attest to its virtues. The mist evaporates before it reaches the skin as the powerful fan blows that ice-wind with impressive oomph. The Aecooly Portable Misting Fan is not necessarily light as a feather, but also not annoyingly heavy, especially given its superpowers.
Info: aecooly.com

TOMATO SCIENCE AND… TICKS?
Celebrated in Fast Company’s 2026 Worlds Most Innovative Companies list, the plant-powered Mimikai Mosquito & Tick Bug Spray is DEET-Free and EPA Registered. Finally, a bug spray that moisturizers as it does the tough work of repelling mosquitoes (8 hours of protection) and ticks (4 hours). Fun fact: its main ingredient is a compound found in wild tomato plants, bananas, and cloves. Coming in at under $15, each bottle offers over 400 sprays—easy math as tick populations continue to increase.
Info: mimikai.com