The Beach Read Vol. 31

Por Claire Middlemistmayo 04, 2026

A culture trends forecast for 2026. The Carolyn Bessette aesthetic. Coming soon: Elle, the Legally Blonde prequel series. The Spring/Summer fashion trends everyone is talking about. Speaking of, white jeans are back (but differently). Also back is the iconic Delano Hotel in Miami Beach. And speaking of Miami Beach, they're trying to rebrand Spring Break around health and fitness instead of debauchery. Regularly playing this sport can increase your life span by almost 10 years. What it’s actually like to be struck by lightning. West Virginia man slides down his driveway like a penguin on his belly. The mega-rich are turning mansions into impenetrable fortresses. Bachelor(ette) trips are out of control. Some birds are developing a cigarette habit? What if the bar came to you on St. Patrick’s Day? These mini Irish pubs make it a reality. A real possum appears among plush toy animals in an Australian airport gift shop. Ontario man accused of chasing flamingos, taking one to a Las Vegas hotel room. The 10,000-year clock being built inside a mountain in Texas. How to cook perfect boneless, skinless chicken breast every time. The underrated wine region just south of San Diego you’ve probably never heard of. Biarritz, Malta, and the expert travel destinations you must visit in ‘26. The search for the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Britt

OMG...the travel hoodie. Super comfy, a built-in eye mask in the hood, a pocket for everything you need like your AirPods and phone.
One of my favorite "junk food" comfort restaurants from NY just opened in Coral Gables. I love the Fuku chicken sandwich, and, for me, it's always especially hit after a night of a bit too much red wine.
This is such a cute and comforting little stuffed animal for children, especially kids on the spectrum or with sensory needs. It's a weighted puppy, and honestly, you'll find yourself cuddling up to it too.
We have been filling our son's room and the upstairs hallways with gallery walls of the art he makes at school. It's so cute! And looks so surprisingly...GOOD. We stole the idea from Mikey's uncle and love the whimsy of the concept of professionally framing these little kindergarten art pieces. We send them to Framebridge, but obviously any local framer will do. And we just ordered one of these cute little kids' art collage books after a recommendation from a friend.

Mikey

I've been making my own pizza dough, and the recipes from It's Dough Guy and Dave's Pizza Oven are the two best I've found. Tip I learned: when you live in a humid place like Miami, you often have to add more water. Thanks to our friend Jess for gifting us an Ooni! You can also use a baking steel.
There's a side of Miami that visitors typically never see, far from the glitz & glam of South Beach. And it's now my favorite thing to book with out-of-towners: an airboat tour in the Everglades. You are mere feet from gators, the ecosystem is incredible (the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the U.S.) and serene, and the other wildlife is fascinating and beautiful.
These linen boat shoes from Aurélien (technically a "yacht shoe" I suppose) are an elevated and different take on the classic boat loafer.
I was really inspired and moved by The Biggest Little Farm. It's a visually stunning documentary about a husband and wife who leave LA to build a biodiverse farm from scratch on depleted land. It left me feeling hopeful, and I think it may leave you feeling that way too.