Hi Reader,

Today is a special day to me - five years ago today I left my marketing career to go all in on Persnickety Plates. Turns out that was an excellent decision ☺️

July was a good one. We did South Haven (Lake Michigan) and then Gulf Shores, both with family, both the kind of trips you don't want to end. School starts in just over three weeks & I'm tempted to squeeze in one more quick road trip before it does. We'll see. Even the girls have said this feels like the fastest summer ever.

🏆 Top Recipes from July

• Your most-saved dip on Instagram, the copycat that went viral last month
• The layered dip that doubles as a meal TikTok couldn't leave alone
• The no-oven side dish you loved most on Facebook
• The fall bake you're already pinning in July (I see you)
• The cake you kept coming back to all month

✨ New Favorite

I only shared one new recipe in July (traveling had me doing more computer work than kitchen work) but it's a good one.

These slow cooker porcupine meatballs are a vintage recipe that I'm hoping I can introduce to more people. Have you ever had them?

🔜 Coming Soon

A Panda Express copycat that I think you're going to like.

🛒 Add to Cart

• ​The glass storage containers keeping my farmers market hauls alive. My cucumbers were over a week old & still crisp at lunch today.
• ​The shower squeegee upgrade I didn't know I needed. I stayed at my aunt's, used hers, and realized mine was inferior. Fixed that immediately.
• ​The one I keep buying over and over. I have two & my mom had me order another as a housewarming gift.
• ​The dinnerware set I'm considering. Do you have these? Walmart didn't have them in store for me to see in person. I'm used to Corelle & how light it is, but I'm in the market for a new set.
• ​The planter I picked up while I was there. Not what I went in for, but it's so pretty.

📚 Teachers

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is clear a few items off teachers' wish lists. If you're a teacher, or you know one, drop the wish list here & I'll draw some names to shop for before school starts.