A guide to hosting an epic summer soirée BREAKASWEAT
Swim spots and staying active 11. 08. ICEBREAKERS
Slow down with a new book, TV series or movie.
18.
THEESSENTIALS
Absolute must-haves for the summer LAZYSUMMER 15.
Drinks that go down a treat on a balmy afternoon / 03
Welcome to Main Squeeze. A culmination of all the things I love; that have a squeeze on my heart. Whether that be places, people, experiences, food, drink, art, music, clothes – you name it. If it’s my main squeeze, this is where you’ll hear about it.
This special edition of Main Squeeze is all about everyone’s favourite season: summer! In Australia, there’s a buzz about the summertime with festive season in full swing, that much-needed time off work and beach days aplenty. So let’s take a dip and see what my summer squeezes are Hope you enjoy!
WHYWELOVETHE
SUMMERTIME
I’m writing this while sweating bullets in a sauna, finally inspired to create another issue of Main Squeeze. Why now? Because in summer, you sweat simple as that The humidity is rising, barometers getting low, and according to all sources; the beach is the place to go. My mind is wandering to new bikinis, secret swim spots to discover, books to cleanse my brain of the TikTok rot, and the resolutions I might actually keep this year.
So, why do we love summer so much? Honestly, I think it’s coded into us Aussies. It’s a season drenched in nostalgia summer holidays, family beach trips to sleepy coastal towns, sticky ice creams on hot afternoons, and sunset drinks with friends. Even the southerly busters, those wild thunderstorms, felt like magic to me as a kid. Summer is the grit of sand exfoliating your skin, the crisp coolness of the ocean, and that delicious feeling of endless possibility.
Summer isn’t just a season it’s a vibe, a memory, a mood. Let’s soak it in.
FOOD SNACK TIME
Everything we’re chowing down this season.
ANTIPASTOFAVES
Summer is all about light, flavourful snacks. This season, my go-to has been salted cherry tomatoes with creamy bocconcini and a sprinkle of oregano a simple yet satisfying combination. Add a handful of green Sicilian olives, and you’ve got a pre-dinner snack
SEAFOODSNACKS
If it comes from the ocean, it’s on my plate in summer Freshly shucked oysters with a squeeze of lemon and a tangy vinaigrette? Absolute heaven. And let’s be honest no Christmas lunch is complete without a bucket of prawns to kick things off. Grab some crispy calamari rings from the fish and chips shop by the beach, and you’ve got the classic summer feast.
FRUITYDELIGHTS
Summer is all about indulging in nature’s sweetest treats Whether it’s an açai bowl brimming with tropical goodness, the classic combo of strawberries and cream, or Messina’s blood orange or lemon sorbet there’s nothing quite like biting into these juicy gems on a sweltering day.
ICE BREAKERS
ELEVATEYOURCOCKTAILS
Summer for me is synonymous with margaritas. While the classic salt, lime, and store-bought mix might do the trick, it’s surprisingly easy to elevate your cocktail game. A friend gifted me the Native Citrus Cocktail Salt and it is a game-changer its pink plum powder, lemon myrtle, and Australian sea salt flakes are almost as delicious as the drink itself And if, like me, you don’t own a cocktail shaker, just blitz your margs in a Nutribullet for a perfect frozen version in seconds
APERITIVOHOUR
While Italians soak up the sun mid-year, we can still master the art of aperitivo hour down under Sure, an Aperol Spritz is a crowd-pleaser on a sunny afternoon, but if you’re ready to level up your cocktail game, go for a Cynar and Soda With its herbaceous, artichoke-infused bitterness, it’s a sophisticated sip refreshing over ice with a slice of lemon
CROWDPLEASERSINACAN
Heading to a mate’s BBQ but can’t be bothered lugging mixers? The pre-mix game keeps getting stronger, with more brands releasing standout RTDs. A personal favourite is Young Henry’s Gin & Tonic refreshing and effortless Their ciders are also a winner, especially if beer isn’t your thing And while it’s not in a can, the Zoncello Limoncello Spritz is absolutely divine.
TA R ENTERTHE
Hosting is the ultimate summer activity, perfectly timed between Christmas and New Year Even though the big festivities might be over, there’s still time to throw that summer soirée you’ve been dreaming of and it’s easier than you think. Here are my top tips for being a great host:
PUTABOWONIT
Candles, napkins, cutlery, the stems of a wine glass - wrapping a ribbon around any of these will instantly elevate the table setting
SETTHEMOOD
KEEPITSAUCY
Even if you’re not a confident cook, whipping up a fun sauce for your dish is an easy way to elevate whatever you’re serving. For my housewarming, my boyfriend and I made choripán Argentine sausages grilled on the BBQ, wrapped in bread, and topped with homemade chimichurri and salsa criolla Simple, delicious, and a guaranteed crowdpleaser.
The secret to a cute soirée? Two essentials: mood lighting and a killer playlist Overhead lighting is a hard no grab some smart globes like Wiz and control the ambiance straight from your phone For the tunes, stick to a vibey SoundCloud mix (like my boyfriend’s 888 radio mixes) or your favourite Spotify playlist to keep the energy just right.
BREAK A
Get Moving This Summer.
STARTSERVING ONTWOWHEELS
January in Australia is the home of tennis. Every year, as the Aus Open kicks off, I’m inspired to grab a racquet and hit the court No matter if you’re looking to perfect your serve with lessons or just up for a casual rally, you’ll be surprised at how many local courts are ready and waiting for some action.
Bike-riding in a city like Sydney can be a bit tricky, with limited bike lanes and steep streets. But when the conditions are right, it’s a great way to get around. With Lime, Hello Ride, and the new flashy ARIO bikes popping up in the east and inner west, hopping on and riding away has never been easier.
OUTINTHEBUSH XXX XXX
Camping can be a bit of an undertaking, but with the right gear and a little idea, it’s worth the adventure You can venture far or stick close to the city there are plenty of campsites just a click away. Turn the phone off, take a bush walk, and weather-permitting, gather around a fire when the temp drops
ONTHEWATER
Getting out on the water with activities like kayaking or paddleboarding are a stunning way to spend a day on the water—no boat or surfing skills required. It’s such a peaceful and calming way to take in the scenery, whether along the coast or on inland river systems.
TAKE A DIP SWIM SPOTS
LAZY SUMMER
A R T
Books, shows and flicks to watch. /MAINSQUEEZE
SUMMERBOOKCLUB
Whether you prefer flipping through a paperback or loading up your Kindle, reading is an ideal summer activity. No matter where you’re soaking up the sun, dip into one of the books on my reading list this summer:
Intermezzo - Sally Rooney
All I Ever Wanted Was to Be HotLucinda Price
The Creative Act: A Way of BeingRick Rubin
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon HIll
How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Serioutsly - Hannah
Berner and Paige Desorbo
LL OUT
Atomic Habits - James Clear / 16
THESOUNDTRACK
Song and albums that are perfect to blast in the car on the way to the beach:
Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay
Love at First Sight - Spotify Singles - Vacations
Baño Maria - Ca7riel & Paco
Amoroso (even pop on their Tiny Desk for Caribbean vibes)
Chromakopia - Tyler the Creator
Thinking of You (Spotify Singles)Joesef
New Releases Worth Freezing in the Cinema For
Wicked - The most hyped film of last year but I’m holding space for the production value as it’s insane The Substance - I’ve been hearing rave reviews on nearly every podcast. It’s time to hit the cinema and see what the fuss is about.
S
ummer Flicks
Felicidades - Even though Santa is long gone until December 2025, this Argentine Christmas movie from the early 2000s is about everyone having a chaotic, lessthan-perfect Christmas Equal parts funny and relatable.
Blue Crush – Surfing, romance, and tropical vibes—this movie screams summer nostalgia
Reality Fix
Summer House – Drama, drinks, and the ultimate summer parties in the Hamptons.
Below Deck – Life aboard a luxury yacht with all the chaos you’d expect from the crew and their guests.
Binge-Worthy Series
Tell Me Lies – College drama, secrets, and relationships gone awry. Say no more.
The O.C. – Late to the party? Now’s the time to finally watch (or re-watch) this iconic teen drama packed with sun-soaked California vibes.
LIST SUMMER
New kini’s, sunnies, and beach towels are always on the refresh list when a heatwave hits, but here’s what you actually need this season
THESUMMERSHOE
It’s all about a good ol’ pair of thongs this summer I’m obsessed with my chocolate brown square-toe Havaianas comfortable, classic, and a versatile neutral that goes with everything. I’ve also been living in my Maria Farro LEX Flip Flops. These black leather thongs effortlessly elevate any summer outfit, taking you from the beach to the bar in style
ra is the perfect addition to r handbag, bringing a fresh holiday snaps I’ve been using ktar H35N Half Frame Film e the beginning of last year, os I’ve captured with it have ible the half-frame format shots per roll, meaning twice ke too much effort, go digital. ve made a serious comeback, tos have a playful charm that pics just can’t replicate. I’ve my sister’s old Pentax Optio rescued from a dusty box at ouse One man’s trash, right?
CAFFEINEHIT
Summer = iced lattes, but god, the markup for a bit of ice and a bigger cup is seriously pushing the summer budget over the limit. Save yourself the daily expense and invest in a quality coffee machine to make them at home I use the DeLonghi Dedica Espresso Machine it’s a budget-friendly way to enjoy barista-level coffee and unlimited iced lattes without breaking the bank.
