The Jones List Summer Edition
The Jones List brings you a sun-soaked Sydney summer of discoveries! From mastering poolside platters (hello, game-changing Wasabi Pea Dip) to floating around in a sale-score Alemais dress (we don't discuss the previous halter neck incident), it's been a season of simple pleasures. Between family game nights that turned competitive teens and grandparents into Velcro golf champions, local food adventures at Ante and Odd Culture, and peaceful paint-by-numbers sessions in Kangaroo Valley, we've perfected the art of the stylish staycation. When we're not testing viral recipes (crispy rice saga ongoing) or playing Sequence with G&Ts, you'll find us in five-minute Merit makeup, devouring everything from Jodi Picoult to Oscar nominees. This list is sponsored by serendipitous sale finds and the joy of turning everyday moments into memories!
JJ - JENNIFER JONES
It’s been the longest summer ever here in Sydney. Or is it just that I had an 8-year-old at home for the holidays for 8 weeks?! We have been loving everything that summer has to offer and here are my top favourite things:
With our pool getting heavily used we have turned into professional hosts. My new favourite thing to serve is … platters – we’ve ditched the DIY steak sandwich bar in favour of super easy throw together platters which all come from this great book “Happy Hour Snacks” by Bec Vrana Dickinson. My favs are the Wasabi Pea Dip and the Goat’s Cheese with Honey Thyme Walnuts.
There’s been a lot of down time and I was gifted this amazing paint by numbers set by my bestie. We do an annual holiday to Kangaroo Valley and both set up in the garden and while away the day chatting and painting. It is incredibly relaxing and you end up with the cutest little artwork afterwards to remind you of your holiday!
I’ve been devouring so many books too and Stanley Tucci’s “What I ate in a year” was the perfect holiday read. Yes, it’s a diary of what he eats everyday, but it really showed me that you can cook something so easy and simple at home and make it special. I actually got off the couch mid-chapter and threw together a simple fresh tomato pasta as his descriptions got my stomach rumbling.
I also really enjoyed “On All Fours” by Miranda July which is a left of centre story about a 45 year old woman who intends to drive cross country but instead turns off the freeway, beds down in a non descript motel and begins a reinvention of herself. It’s funny, human and unexpected.
I’m reading Jodie Picoult’s new book “By Any Other Name” at the moment and loving it. I haven’t had a book pull me in like this in a while. It’s the story of two women in different centuries who are both writers and are both suffering the same fate of being silenced. It centres around the question – what if Shakespeare wasn’t the author of his works? Picoult has an effortless way of writing which disguises such how skilled a storyteller she is. Highly recommend this!
Sometimes in the heat you just need to escape, turn the fan on and plonk down for some good screen time.
There’s been some good telly lately in the spy/thriller genre like “Day of the Jackal”, “Black Doves” and “The Agency”. I love a British spy!
Plus new seasons of light-hearted but clever comedies like “Shrinking” and “Somebody Somewhere”.
As it’s the gifting season I was lucky to receive some special things! My gorgeous friend visiting from the States gave me a set of Merit make-up and I am hooked on their 5 minute morning routine. It really does that less than that as I skip the mascara most days and your skins looks so fresh and dewy. I’ve had so many comments even from random people like my optometrist!
Another great gift was a Hunza G swimsuit which is actually the perfect gift since it’s a one size fits all suit. I love the thick stretchy crinkle fabric and it’s the only strapless swimsuit I have that doesn’t slip down.
I love jewellery but I am lazy and can’t be bothered taking it on and off. So it’s fantastic to find Adornmode’s earrings which are designed to be worn 24/7 with ease. I have a number of earrings and I love the layered look. Their hoops firmly clasp in and all of their studs have rounded backs or screw in the front with a flat back plate. I bought a whole set, put them in and haven’t taken them off since. Love!
Wishing you all the very best of summer (hopefully it doesn’t end too quickly)
JS - JENNIFER SAMPSON
After a memorable Christmas gift attempt involving a questionable halter neck (A for effort though babe), my husband finally struck gift gold with an Alemais sundress that was practically destiny – spotted on Net-a-Porter at 50% off, plus a cheeky discount code. It's been my summer uniform, drawing compliments and the pattern is so detailed and fun its a joy to wear. They do this style every summer in new prints so it's one to watch out for. My tip is to turn on those wish list notifications - sometimes the best things come after a false start!
Our summer staycation turned into an unexpected food tour with friends and family of Sydney's gems. Discovered Ante in Newtown, where sake flows as smoothly as vinyl records, and fell hard for nearby Odd Culture's perfect pate. Showed off our city's culinary credentials to visiting friends at the ever-reliable China Doll, Bar Copains and Chin Chin. At home, I finally mastered one of those viral crispy rice salads (after nearly breaking several teeth on a few – pro tip: set multiple timers for the rice!) - here is my favourite.
Game nights reached new heights this summer! Christmas Day's surprise hit? A Velcro golf game that had grandparents high-fiving teenagers. My 15-year-old and I reinvented Tapple with our own bespoke categories, while G&T- fuelled Sequence matches with the husband became our perfect afternoon on our tiny verandah. The family's competitive streak found its ultimate playground at Flight Club in the city – nothing brings out our true colours like a high-stakes dart game!
Tucked into two Coco Mellors' novels this summer – 'Cleopatra and Frankenstein' and 'Blue Sisters' proved perfect hammock companions. They're those delightful books that balance humour and heart, ideal for dipping in and out of between beach dips and prawn rolls.
Awards season has me playing catch-up this summer with this year's super niche nominations. Currently obsessing over 'The Substance' (who knew body horror was a thing?), Mikey Madison in the stressful 'Anora', and Keiran Culkin in the unexpectedly moving 'A Real Pain'. I've got a few to go yet before the Oscars but I'm especially rooting for my 80's girl Demi in 'The Substance'!
