Eat, Read, Go: No Bake S’mores Icebox Cake, “A Marriage at Sea,” and Cannon Beach

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. I’ve long considered Anne Hathaway a style deity (see: her pitch-perfect Devil Wears Prada parody with Bowen Yang). But when she stepped out wearing these aggressively baggy, cut-out jeans, I nearly gasped. Here’s what else sent me spiraling this week:

• This intensely ’90s necklace trend is back (nope, not chokers). 

• The fact that Lil’ Timmy Tim is seemingly taking fashion inspo from…the late Queen Elizabeth. 

• Summer’s “best going-out top” is definitely not what you’re imagining. 

• JoJo Siwa released a controversial cover of an ’80s classic — and the original singer is apparently unimpressed.

• Twenty years after the “London Bridge” video was released, Fergie and Megan Stalter remade it — in front of the actual bridge. Progress.

— Taylor Trudon / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

The Dreamy, No-Bake Dessert You’ll Be Making All Summer

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We firmly believe it isn’t really summer without eating at least one s’more. And thanks to this No Bake S’mores Icebox Cake from Sally’s Baking, you don’t need a campfire (or even an oven) to make it happen. In the seven-ingredient recipe, layers of crunchy-gone-soft graham crackers, fluffy marshmallow meringue, and decadent chocolate ganache coalesce into one cool, crowd-pleasing, gloriously nostalgic masterpiece — with an assist from your fridge (sorry, icebox). But best of all: There’s no smoky sweatshirts or mosquito bites to ruin the vibe.

The Time Commitment: Icebox cakes need to be made in advance, so prep and assemble the dessert the night before — and consider it a gift to tomorrow you.

Key Tips: Tempted to use that half-empty bag of chocolate chips for the ganache? Sally McKenney (aka Sally’s Baking) says not to — chocolate chips often have stabilizers that keep them from melting smoothly. Also, on the off chance you don’t have a kitchen torch lying around, you can skip toasting the topping. We promise, it’ll still taste great.

Other Takes: For more riffs that rival the original, try…

• The Best S’mores Bars — which definitely live up to the name. Picture: melty chocolate bars, creamy peanut butter, and marshmallow creme sandwiched between graham-cracker sugar cookies. 

• This S’mores Tart. Is it the most impressive-looking dessert we’ve ever laid eyes on? Yes. Is it worth the time and effort? With over 100 five-star ratings, absolutely.

• This outrageously gooey Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet, ideally eaten directly from the pan — with a spoon and a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

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Think a Sunday morning IKEA trip is the ultimate test of a marriage? Try 117 days lost at sea. That’s exactly what Maurice and Maralyn Bailey face in Sophie Elmhirst’s A Marriage at Sea. It tells the remarkable true story of an eccentric British couple who, in the early ’70s, quit their jobs, sold their house, and set sail for New Zealand. But nearly a year into the across-the-world trip, a whale destroyed their boat, forcing them to survive on a tiny rubber raft with limited food and supplies. Gripping and impossible to put down, Elmhirst’s first book captures a fight for survival — and a relationship under extraordinary pressure. We asked the author a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s one place everyone needs to visit? 

Elmhirst: An English beach in winter.

Q: What’s an unpopular opinion you have?

Elmhirst: Swearing is to be encouraged.

Q: What should be required reading for every human being?

Elmhirst: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.

This Is the Happiest Beach In America — And It's Easy to See Why

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Plot twist: The happiest beach in America doesn’t have endless rows of cabanas, crystal-clear water, or year-round temps in the 80s. Instead, it’s in the misty, magical Pacific Northwest — Oregon’s Cannon Beach, to be exact. Roughly 90 minutes from Portland, the stunning stretch of coastline is known for spectacularly rocky coves and shores, lush forests, an abundance of wildlife (hello, puffins), and a quaint downtown that punches above its weight. Think: vibrant boutiques and art galleries, quintessential PNW coffee shops (don’t miss Sleepy Monk’s Monastery Blend), oceanfront hotels with postcard-worthy views (stay at Surfsand Resort), and seafood that actually tastes like the ocean. So, yeah, if you hit snooze on Cannon Beach, that’s on you.

🌊 We’re not usually sticklers for rules, but you can’t go to Cannon Beach without seeing its claim to fame — specifically, Haystack Rock. The towering monolith (you might recognize it from The Goonies) is best visited at low tide, when you can walk right up and check out the colorful tidepools teeming with sea life. And that’s just the start: Nearby Oswald West State Park boasts a dense rainforest and two dramatic headlands, while Ecola State Park offers miles of hiking trails, surfer-friendly waves at Indian Beach, and picture-perfect views of the “Terrible Tilly” lighthouse.

👟 Cannon Beach may be tiny, but it’s big on charm. Experience the city’s creative side with a 1.5-mile public-art walking tour (don’t miss the Lewis and Clark-inspired bronze whale), followed by some gallery hopping. Standouts include: Northwest by Northwest Gallery, popular for its collection of pieces from — you guessed it — Northwest artists; White Bird Gallery, a cornerstone of Cannon Beach’s art scene for over 50 years; and Icefire Glassworks for sculptures, plates, and handblown vases. As you wander, pop into some of the city’s cute shops, like Antler + Alder (expect coastal-chic pottery, candles, and home decor) and Bruce’s Candy Kitchen (the saltwater taffy is made on-site and is ridiculously good). 

🍴 The Oregon Coast is famous for its freshly caught oysters, razor clams, and Dungeness crabs — so consider a stop at Ecola Seafoods to be basically mandatory (order the crab dinner). For something more upscale, make a reservation at Anna’s Table, a buzzy sea-to-plate spot serving halibut cheeks, hearty seafood stew, and Manila clam linguine. Finally, if you want to sample the coast’s best brews while snacking on life-changing fried soft pretzels, Cannon Beach Hardware and Public House has you covered. Yes, it’s also a hardware store. No, we’re not kidding.

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: My friend and her walking red flag of an ex are back together. I’m trying to be supportive, but it’s throwing off the whole friend group. Do I say something?

“First, check your intentions. It’s valid to be concerned and to want to protect your friend and help everyone get along. But bringing it up to vent your frustration or to control the situation could backfire. If you decide to say something, the next question is: how? 

Opt for a one-on-one conversation, and aim for curiosity over critique, compassion over control. Try something like, ‘I care about you and am a bit worried. The last time you were with [insert name], it seemed tough on you. I’ve also noticed [a shift in] the vibe of our friend group. I just want to make sure you’re OK?’ Support doesn’t mean silence, but it also doesn’t mean making choices for someone else.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.