Sunday Sundries 037: Summer Kitchen Candles, Sale Notes, & A Romantasy Rundown

Plus, links. Just a few this week.

Welcome to Sunday Sundries, the antidote to—or at least a distraction from—your Sunday Scaries.

Hi friends,

A very un-scary Sunday we’re having, huh? Maybe you’re reading this in the glorious hours between pool time and going out to dinner on vacation. (My friends call this nappy hour.) Or maybe, like me, you stuck closer to home this holiday weekend.

I have big plans for a working weekend. (Don’t feel bad for me, I’ve been on plenty of vacations this month.) I’m looking forward to deep diving on my draft with zero email interruptions or meetings. I also said I’d beta read a friend’s first draft, who happens to be one of my favorite authors. (I’m giddy!)

Also on the agenda: perhaps some online shopping? It seems like the entire internet is on sale right now. (And I have notes… keep reading!)

Let’s sundry!

🕯️ A Tale of Two Kitchen Candles

Two summer kitchen candles, both alike in dignity, in fair Brooklyn, where we lay our scene…

Do you have a kitchen candle? I think of this as a scent that’s a little more gourmand than floral, one that’s especially good for masking lingering cooking smells. Intrigued? I have two that are worth your while:

1. The New Savant Summer Splendor Candle: I got introduced to this candle a couple years ago by

   Alisha Ramos
   . The brand only sells this scent during the summer in a limited-edition release. I always buy one, and then lament that I didn’t buy more to last me the whole summer. The scent notes are salty olives, Italian white wine, and grilled artichokes. If you’re scratching your head—would that smell good?—let me tell you: YES! I can’t back this up, but I feel positive this is what Stanley Tucci’s kitchen smells like. (Great news, all of their candles are currently 30% off; promo added automatically in cart.)

2. Hotel Lobby Candle Hamptons Candle: So, if the previous one is Stanley Tucci’s kitchen, this one is Ina Garten’s. It’s a little more preppy and refined. Think: tomato leaves, basil, mint, and geranium. Your mom would go nuts for this candle. They also have it in a reed diffuser, and I’m thinking about switching out my Signature diffuser for this one for the summer. (Sadly, no sale here, but they are doing free shipping this weekend with code MDW25.)

🛍️ Memorial Day Sale Notes

A few things I’m loving and/or have mentioned in recent letters that are now on sale.

• Madewell (25% off sitewide-ish; extra 40% off sale): You know I’ve been beating the drum that Madewell is back. This shibori dot dress (size down) I’ve been raving about all spring is at an all-time low with the extra 40% off. I’m also loving their linen pieces. As discussed, I’m in my politically inconvenient red clothing era and this dress is screaming my name. You also loved the blue smocked dress (tts) I wore to Andi Bartz’s book party a couple weeks back, which is included in the sale.

• Beyond Yoga (up to 75% off sale): Last weekend in Palm Beach, my friend Molly was wearing this dress as a pool coverup, and I was obsessed. They also make my personal favorite bike shorts, and these fun coral ones are included.

• Gap Factory (50-70% off): I can’t stop raving about my recent Gap Factory order, this striped dress (now $17!!) and this chambray dress are both such hits. I’m thinking of getting another color of the striped dress (maybe the red stripe?); it’s perfect for WFH.

• Boden (25% off): Everything I have from Boden is a compliment MAGNET. I got this fruit-print shirt dress, but accidentally shipped it to Maine and cannot wait to retrieve it in July. I also feel confident this dress would be compliment city if you have a medium-fancy event coming up. Lastly, I got these sneakers last year and they are so comfortable and never fail to garner praise.

• Frame Denim (30% off sale): Sadly, my new favorite jeans are not included, but these 3-in-1 size, super stretchy ones I call my travel jeans are. I have the flare, but if i were doing it right now, I’d go with these wide legs instead.

• Everlane (25% off sitewide): Everlane makes my favorite t-shirts (I have 5). But I also used this sale to try out some of their tank tops. This pointelle one is really pretty and I also like the look of this flowier one for hot days.

📚 Romantasy New Release Rundown

May has brought a glut of buzzy new romantasy releases. If you’re having Fourth Wing withdrawals or impatiently awaiting the announcement of the next ACOTAR installment (WHEN?!), these are worth a look.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis · Bookshop · Amazon

This is probably the one I’ve heard the most about because there’s major ~drama~ around the real author behind the pen name. (

Alyssa Morris

has a great explainer HERE.) Obviously, if there’s bookish drama, I’m gonna dive right in. I read it in 48 hours, and while it was a blatant Fourth Wing rip off with a dystopian twist… that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. My feelings can be summed up by this reel.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry · Bookshop · Amazon

Now, this is the one I’ve been hearing the best things about. It’s enemies-to-lovers between a princess and a mysterious warrior who sailed to her kingdom’s monster-ridden shores. Obviously they team up. Fair warning, I’m told the romance is a sloooooow burn.

Fallen Court (Fithy Rich Fae #2) by Geneva Lee · Bookshop · Amazon

I read the first book of this duology last month and was OUTRAGED to learn the second book wasn’t out yet. But now it is! (This is next up on my TBR after I finish my friend’s draft… a long weekend treat!) A human ER nurse makes a bargain with a fae prince. This one is more court politics than questing, and takes place partly in the real world (New Orleans), which I really enjoyed!

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig · Bookshop · Amazon

This author went mega TikTok viral with her last series, and is back with what sounds like one of the most unique romantasy premises I’ve heard so far. In this, a female prophetess teams up with a disbelieving knight to take on the gods.

A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated #2) by Danielle L. Jensen · Bookshop · Amazon

I wasn’t aware of this book until it landed the #1 spot on this week’s NYT best seller list, topping a new Oprah’s book club pick! The flap copy is hard to parse, but it sounds the series (this is the 2nd book) is about a woman in an unwanted arranged marriage who dreams of becoming a warrior. Turns out she’s a shield maiden (??? magical goddess blessed super warrior?). She maybe falls in love with her husband’s son? I know I sound like I’m poking fun, but I’ll probably love it (I’ve yet to meet a romantasy series I regretted). If you’ve read it, would love to know where it falls in your rankings.

• In my queue: Sarah J. Maas is on Jenna Bush Hager’s podcast this week. I’m realizing I’ve never heard or read an interview with her before.

• The Devil Wears Prada sequel is coming May 2026. Gird your loins!

• Jami Attenberg
  ’s newsletter about a book breakthrough left me all tingly!

• I’m very excited for Lena Dunham’s new show (coming to Netflix July 10).

More soon,

Becca