Happy 4th of July, one of our favorite holidays! And welcome to The Skinny, which will take you 2.5 minutes to breeze through. For anyone new here, this is The Skinny, a free newsletter designed to entertain and save you time, which is everyone’s most valuable resource. As one of our subscribers told us: “You’re like my favorite magazine, without all the annoying pop-up ads.” 

What we’re covering: 

• Calling DJ Mustard: spreading the love of condiment news, including Heinz’s first mustard drop in 10 years (and frankly, it slaps). Plus, liberty and Slawsa for all 

• It’s hot dogs’ finest hour, so we are revealing the best/only slicing technique for the grill—and why you should never put ketchup on a hot dog

• Life essentials: get yourself a Turkish towel, or fouta

• Grill Talk: dispatch from Colorado, where burgers & hot dogs are in a dead heat 

• Your new chafing solution: welcome to the ‘cult of Monistat’ 

• Plus, fun American flag folding facts, beaches, frozen grape sorbet, the Boatkin (again) beaches vs. lakes, secrets to selecting a sweet watermelon, & hummus’ ‘Italian cousin’

• Party with us: we’re still celebrating the one-year anniversary of our relaunch/reboot! 

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Full spread

Regarding our favorite condiments, all the news that’s fit to dip

The Skinny: Happy Independence Day, now get out and enjoy that BBQ! According to Fourth of July by the Numbers, 65% of Americans are at or hosting a cookout. We’re honestly surprised that the number isn’t bigger, but because no cookout is complete without a spread of condiments, let’s get spreading/dipping. 

The most controversial condiment: Whether a lover (us! especially on fries!) or hater, mayo has infiltrated pop culture and we are here to spread the news: from Duke’s Mayo’s “Tubby,” (plushie available for the true mayo lover in your life), to Hellman’s Las Vegas mayo officiant, (if you’re looking for a Chicken Tender themed wedding, they want to hear from you), Kewpie’s cult status and—perhaps taking it too far is Hellman’s pop-up “mayo themed” art gallery opening in NYC next week. Oh and BTW, here’s an uber-famous chef citing that this—guess what—is his secret ingredient to the perfect microwave omelette or scrambled eggs (along with a how-to). 

What’s NEW: our friends at Slawsa have a recent, and rather juicy, addition to our fave condiment line-up, (spoiler alert, it’s blackberry and we love it) while DJ Mustard just dropped Heinz’s first new mustard in a decade (must try as it’s chipotle-honey flavored). Hot tip: if you want to be invited back, Slawsa makes the best hostess gift.  

 We repeat, these are the unwritten rules of hot dogs: 1) this is the reason why—including wisdom from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council— you should never put ketchup on hot dogs “if you are over the age of eight;” and 2) the tried and tested, far and away best grilled hot dog slice for juicy, crispy goodness.

Life essentials

The towel that launches 1000 compliments

The Skinny: The accessory you need for summer is a Turkish Towel, also known as a fouta. We cannot live without ours, but sadly the one here was lost (or…stolen!) but unfolds with a good story. When Nicole posted the above picture on Instagram, a friend commented that she loved her gorgeous towel. But what’s hilarious was that she’d forgotten gifting it to Nicole for her birthday, hence complimenting her own great taste:). 

These towels come with a rich history—traditionally used in hammams—but the fouta has evolved into an ultra-chic and practical beach (and home) accessory.  Two to try: These from Sandcloud, made from 100% organic Turkish cotton yarn, and these stunning versions from Fouta Harissa (two women who we met at Shoppe Object) made in traditional Tunisian style.

Hot topic

Colorado can’t decide between hot dogs and hamburgers this 4th of July

The Skinny: As Fourth of July cookouts heat up, new data from Target shows Colorado is one of just three states in the nation where hot dog and hamburger sales are neck and neck.

According to the grocery retailer, hot dogs are the top grilling food in 75% of states, but here in Colorado, consumers are split evenly between the two classics.

Target says its stores are fully stocked for the holiday with affordable grilling options, desserts, drinks, and same-day services for last-minute shoppers.

(Courtesy of Target)

Now you know

Hot tips from our coolest subs

The Skinny: Shout out to one of our savviest subscribers, who provided us with this chafing tip and a cult-fave summer savior. So, if you’re among those of us who were not blessed with a thigh gap, summertime = having an easy chafe solution at-the-ready and in your bag. Enter, Monistat (the Chafing Relief Powder Gell, not the “other stuff for that other stuff”). According to Allure, the “cult of Monistat” is so strong that 100s of YouTube videos exist with how-tos including using it as an actual primer on your face. But for now, for under $7 we would rather “have it and not need it” than “need it and not have it.”

Let’s party

Would anyone like to buy us a drink?

The Skinny: We love what we do, which is working hard to serve up our time-saving newsletter each week for your reading pleasure, but even we can use a break—and a little help. If you would like to support us by buying us a drink (we are still celebrating the one-year anniversary of our relaunch!) you can now do so by clicking here (which will also make you a VIP subscriber). 

Whether it’s a coffee, cocktail or mocktail, name your price: any support at all means the world to us, and we will send you a personal thank you (you'll also automatically be put on the list for any future Premium Content). Cheers!

Last Licks

This week’s newsfeed

• You’ll thank us tomorrow when you can brag about the secret tips to choosing the sweetest watermelon (well worth the watch!)

• We love flag fun facts, especially this one: while reading about how to properly fold an American flag, who knew that the final triangle result is meant to resemble a cocked hat that soldiers wore under Gen. George Washington.

• Most clicked last week, and perfect for the Fourth: The Boatkin tote.  

• It’s a cloud, not a tsunami! Behold this insane “roll cloud” over a Portuguese beach. 

• All the “smashing” ways to make potato salad, courtesy of Saveur. And here’s hummus’ “Italian cousin,” aka cannellini bean dip. 

• We loved our 2024 Fourth of July edition so much that we’re including a link to see Jill & Nicole’s picks for the best beaches/lakes.

• Frozen grape sorbet: anyone tried this? 

• Why making your pasta salad a day ahead makes it healthier to eat. (Fun fact: Jill did the Potato Hack Diet in 2017 which is based on a similar principle.)

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