The Waning Days of Summer

casual, fashion, featured, fridays with oscar, recipes, Style at a Certain Age, summer

And it’s Friday! TGIF! We are on a brisk march headed straight towards fall in these waning days of summer. While today’s ootd is firmly rooted in summer, wait til next week when we start rolling out all things fall fashion. And I have to say I like what I see! Rich earth tones, faux leather, blazers, and leopard are back in a big way (but did it really go out?). Can’t wait to share with you!

The thermometer still registers summer although this past week has been in the 80s here in Georgia with lows in the 60s. Yep, we’re on the backend of hot temps and while I intend to soak up the last rays of the summer sun I’m already prepping my wardrobe and my home for cooler temps. I even heard Starbucks has released their Pumpkin Spice Latte and I heard it through the grapevine Trader Joes will drop their pumpkin products mid-September.

TL;DR

Today, we are sharing recipes and outfits for the waning days of summer

Our outfits are shoppable via text and image widgets

We are making a Panzanella salad and a Mexican Batanga cocktail

The Waning Days of Summer

Striped Shorts

Today’s ootd is an ode to summer and summer style with a simple rendition of striped shorts (old, similar here) and sleeveless white button up. I’m a big fan of Birkenstocks and I particularly love the Madrid Big Buckle Birkenstock that goes with everything. I even slip into these sandals when I head to Pilates as they slip on and off with ease.

I have to mention I particularly liked today’s cocktail which is so easy to make. But make certain you add Mexican Coca-Cola (yep, it has real cane sugar) which makes all the difference in the world. While I typically steer clear of sugar consumption every once in a while it’s worthwhile to splurge. And this cocktail gets two thumbs up from yours truly! And I loved, loved, loved this salad! Who doesn’t love a salad loaded with carbs?! Again, it’s worth it to splurge now and then.

Shop the Outfits

Beth’s Outfit: Similar Striped Short | Sleeveless Button Up | Madrid Birkenstocks

Kelly’s Outfit: Linen Blend Easy Short | Bungalow Linen Popover | Original Espadrille

Linen Shorts

As Beth mentioned, lately, we have milder temps which is such a relief from the 90s, and “feels like” triple-digit days we had been experiencing all summer. There is still time for me to get every bit of wear from my linen summer wardrobe though, and today I reached for the Linen Blend Easy Short from Banana Republic Factory. This red striped pair is sold out, but there are still many colors and prints available. I recommend buying up a few pairs – you will love them for these waning days of summer and you’ll be set for next summer too!

Shop the Outfits

Beth’s Outfit: Similar Striped Short | Sleeveless Button Up | Madrid Birkenstocks

Kelly’s Outfit: Linen Blend Easy Short | Bungalow Linen Popover | Original Espadrille

I can’t seem to have enough pairs of classic espadrilles, and Soludos has so many colors and prints to choose from. They are comfortable and so perfect for summer.

The Batanga: Perfect for the Waning Days of Summer

This refreshing cocktail is so simple, with only three ingredients: Mexican Coca-Cola, Tequila, and Lime (plus salt for the glass rim). The Batanga was invented by Don Javier, the owner of La Capilla Bar in Tequila, Mexico.

Handblown Mexican Pint Glasses | Mini Angled Measuring Cups | Mexican Coca-Cola 12-pack

The Batanga

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Author: Original recipe by: Don Javier, owner of La Capilla Bar in Tequila, Mexico

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Description

Makes 1 Cocktail

Ingredients

Lime wedges, for garnish and to salt the glass rims

Kosher Salt

Juice of 1/2 a Lime

2 oz. Blanco Tequila

Mexican Coca-Cola

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Instructions

Use a lime wedge to coat the rim of a highball or tall glass

Dip the rim in salt to coat

Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lime into the glass (about 1/2 ounce)

Fill the glass with large ice cubes

Add 2 ounces of blanco Tequila

Top with Coca-Cola to the top of the glass

To honor Don Javier, stir with the same knife you used to cut the lime. Don Javier claims this is the secret to its flavor!

Muffuletta Panzanella Salad

This Panzanella Salad combines the flavors of the classic New Orleans Muffuletta sandwich and turns them into a delicious salad. With Ciabatta bread, Giardiniera, cured meats, and Provolone cheese, this salad eats like a meal!

Charlotte Street Striped Platter | Charlotte Street Dinnerware Set

Muffuletta Panzanella

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Author: Southern Living

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 Loaf of Ciabatta, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/4 cup + 3 tbsp. Olive Oil, divided

3/4 tsp Kosher Salt, divided

2 Large Ripe Tomatoes, divided

1 cup Chopped Pitted Marinated Olives

1 cup chopped Giardiniera (mixed pickled vegetables)

2 tbsp. Giardiniera Brine

1/2 cup Roasted Red Bell Pepper Strips

2 tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar

3 Garlic Cloves, finely grated

1/3 lb. Thinly Sliced Deli Meats, like salami, mortadella, capocollo, cut into bite size pieces (about 1 cup packed)

4 oz. Provolone Cheese, cut into strips (about 1 1/4 cups)

2 cups Packed Baby Arugula

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350º F. Toss ciabatta with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt on a baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Bake until crisp (about 18 minutes), stirring halfway through. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Cut 1 of the tomatoes in half. Place a box grater in a large bowl and grate the tomato halves on the largest holes, discard the tomato skins. Stir in the chopped olives, giardiniera and brine, red bell pepper strips, vinegar and remaining oil and salt until combined.

Seed and roughly chop the remaining tomato. Add toasted ciabatta, chopped tomato, sliced meats, and cheese to the grated tomato mixture and toss to coat.

Let salad stand for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally. Stir in arugula just before serving.

The Waning Days of Summer

Oscar, Ollie, Kelly, and I wish you a lovely weekend!

Shop the Outfits

Beth’s Outfit: Similar Striped Short | Sleeveless Button Up | Madrid Birkenstocks

Kelly’s Outfit: Linen Blend Easy Short | Bungalow Linen Popover | Original Espadrille

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday, Beth shared fall fashion from Lands' End. Click the title or image below to read the article.

Fall Fashion at Lands' End

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.

See author's posts

-bd

Carolina Girl says:

August 23, 2024 at 10:15 am

Happy weekend and Friday! Nice, cool outfits, cocktail and salad. Love the muffuletta 🙂 Handsome shot of our favorite OSCAR!

Reply
- Beth Djalali says:
  
  August 23, 2024 at 11:45 am
  
  This salad is out of this world! So good! Have a great weekend!
  
  Reply

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The Waning Days of Summer