I’m still riding the high of my bachelorette weekend — basically the best adult sleepover of my life. Why don’t we do that more often? It blows my mind that my closest friends (half of them new moms!) paused their lives to travel to Chicago, share one bathroom, and sleep on the floor of my living room. Unreal.
I’m proud of how it all came together. The weekend felt like the perfect blend of out-and-about Chicago energy and cozy at-home vibes. My sister said it best: it was just a bunch of my favorite things: running on the lakefront, farmers market strolling, park picnics, Neapolitan pizza, fried chicken, and ice cream, and even a choreographed hip hop class to a Tate McRae song (yes, I’m obsessed). See below for a gallery of our full itinerary, packing list, and mood boards.
More than the activities, what filled my heart most was having all the people I love in one place. Friends from every chapter — elementary school, high school, college — came together like old friends. It reminded me that life isn’t about doing the most or knowing the most people. It’s about being intentional. Fill your days with meaning, and spend them with the people who matter.
cozy
My maid of honor surprised me with matching shirts. At one point, two of my friends (both new moms) were sitting in my living room, matching shirts flipped up, pumping breastmilk side by side. It was the sweetest, most tender snapshot of how life has changed, and how our friendships have held on through it all.
gain
My sisters hosted a bachelorette gameshow and asked the group where they see me in 10 years. Everyone said some version of pursuing Ratih Eats seriously (and successfully!) The way my girls believe in me is unmatched, and I’m letting myself believe it too.
Comment below with your cozy and your gain for this week!
You know how, when you're traveling and eating out, you eventually get sick of heavy meals? I wanted to give my girls a break, so on one of our farmers market mornings, I sent everyone on a salad scavenger hunt. We had 10 minutes to split up, run around, and each buy one ingredient to contribute to a giant salad at home.
We made sure at least three people picked a green for the base, and funny enough, all three of us ended up choosing red butter lettuce. And two people picked tart red cherries. I guess we all had the same idea of what looked freshest that day!
Here’s what made it into our salad:
red butter lettuce x3
arugula blossoms
tart red cherries x2
sungold cherry tomatoes
garlic scapes
fern microgreens blend
edible flower mix
…plus the essentials: kettle corn, maple donuts, almond croissants, coffee, and a bouquet of peonies, obvi!
Back at home, I slow-roasted some salmon while my friends washed and prepped the produce. They even whipped up two bachelorette-themed dressings: one called honey lovin and the other cherry me, marry me. It was the most stunning and joyful meal of the weekend.
scavenger hunt salad
Grab your friends, head to a farmers market, and set a 10-minute timer. Each person’s job is to find at least one ingredient to contribute to a shared salad. You can assign categories if you want (a green, a crunch, a fruit, an herb, something wild card), but it’s more fun when it’s spontaneous.
Tips:
Have a few people agree to pick a base green so you’re not just eating a bowl of cherries (though I'd be down.)
Think color, texture, and flavor: sweet, salty, juicy, briny, crunchy.
Grab something fun to layer in: eggs, smoked fish, cheese, maybe a fresh loaf of bread.
When you get home, throw together one or two simple dressings that match your salad’s vibe.
Lay everything out, prep and wash together, and build your salad like a potluck on a platter.
sign up for an activity you're not good at
Why: It reminds you how to be a beginner, to laugh at yourself, and to let go of perfection. Whether it’s a 5K, a dance class, or a social event, get out of your comfort zone with zero expectations. Just show up and have fun!
Fangirling over journalist Kerry Diamond, founder of Cherry Bombe. I met her on a networking call, and she asked about my Substack (!!) Kerry, if you’re here, you’re a legend. Manifesting a future collab!
Think of someone who makes you feel like the truest version of yourself.
Send them a quick message now and let them know!
Love you all! Thank you for being here. If you're not already following along on Instagram, come say hi at @ratiheats! When you share, comment on, and like my posts, it truly makes my day. Your support means more than you know.
🫶🏽 Ratih