Hey Party People,

Hope you survived and thrived through the holiday weekend — dodging trash piles, political conversations and cherry bombs if you stayed in Philly, or soaking up the sun if you managed to escape. If you're still enjoying your holiday weekend, I see you. 

Welcome to the second edition of Food & Feelings — a weekly newsletter where we spill all our favorite things: food, fashion, trends, and the behind-the-scenes of Party Girl Bake Club.

Family Feels & Feeds

Right now I’m writing to you about to head back home from Ellwood City, fresh off a long weekend with my dad’s side of the fam — and when I say fam, I mean 100+ loud, loving, pasta-stuffed humans. There’s something surreal and sweet about being surrounded by people you barely know but still feel fully safe around. You know it’s real when you hit the buffet line and see a spread that would make any Italian-American weep:

On Saturdays, skillets of gizzards, hearts and liver lined the grounds with mounds of onions and peppers. Sunday brings the fresh mozz and gabagool, stuffed shells swimming in gravy, hot and mild sausage links on the grill, every potato, macaroni, pasta, and caprese salad your heart could want. Yes, there was a dessert table and in true tradition a “friendly” award for best on the table, and no I didn’t have it in me to bake even though it’s always the first thing my family asks, “did you bring a cake?!”

I’m sweaty, exhausted, and behind on emails — but my cup is full. Hope your long weekend gave you even a fraction of that magic.

Behind the bakery

We’re gearing up for our first official catering event and baby…we’re coming out swinging. We’ve got menus, mood boards, and a million ideas, and we’re ready to flex both our culinary skills and our maximalist food styling. 

When we’re not creating pinterest boards and doing menu development, business coaching is in full swing. Time blocking is saving my life. The lines between home and work are blurry, but the vision is clear. Business (party) Girl is loading…

Burger Letdown of the Century

Last week, Daniel and I snuck in a rare date night: burgers and a movie. We dressed up, felt cute, and hit up a spot known for its burger, conveniently close to the theatre. I won’t name names…but I will say this:

$28 for an overcooked, under salted, just plain uninspired burger deserves straight to jail. Like at least if I go to applebees it’s always pink!

Cravings? Not satisfied. Stomachs? Full but disappointed. My inner burger lord? Seething & full of fury.

And honestly — if you can’t cook a burger right, how can I trust anything else on your menu? Like am I ordering a $48 entree next time I come back? Will I ever go back with the amount of options in Philly? It’s a bummer but a restaurant is built on consistency and its ability to produce day in and day out and if you can’t hack it the food scene, imo, it’s just too competitive these days.

Anthony Bourdain said, “The religion of any successful restaurant is consistency,” and he wasn’t wrong. You don’t need french cheese and foie — just season your damn burger, cook it to temp and don’t be an asshole. OK, end rant.

Bombardment Co. Turns 14!

Coming off a high from the 14th anniversary event for Bombardment Co. at Yowie — and y’all, it was a visual feast. We did a wild custom food install and I’m still not over it. That was just a warm-up… someone please book me for a floating dessert spread so I can show you the full extent of my delusions. Go see what the hoopla was about, here.

Also, peep the ‘fit I wore down below because… obviously.

This shit right here though… Aline @a.pr.is

Our girl Aline has been blowing our minds and inspiring our insanity lately with performative art and food installations that blur lines between comfortability and culinary in the most mind bending ways. She recently designed patisserie pieces for Balenciaga (yes, really), and this monochromatic endeavor she put together is next level. Go check her out and prepare to be shook. A true inspiration, check out these photos down below.

The Chicken Salad That Saves Me

Outside of burger disappointment, one thing I always crave (and actually enjoy eating weekly) is my chicken salad. Packed with protein, full of flavor, and perfect for anyone who wants to eat clean without giving up taste.

Healthy doesn’t have to mean boring. If you’re on your own food journey and need a hypewoman, I got you. This recipe will change your lunch game — hit me up if you try it or need advice, I’ve been through it all.

That's it for now. Stay cool, stay spicy, and remember: if the food doesn’t slap, send it back.

Go eat something delicious and live unapologetically.
See you next week, lovelies

-Mallory