Eat, Read, Go: Hostess Sheet Cake, “The Tell,” and Mérida

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. You would think after 30ish years, I’d get used to daylight saving time — but you’d be wrong. So, in advance of the time change, I’m treating myself to my latest hyperfixation: this woman’s oddly satisfying furniture makeover videos (the results are Trading Spaces-worthy). A few other things I’m newly obsessed with:

• The freshest, most glamorous way to wear a necklace (extra points if it’s blingy).

• Benny Blanco’s hilarious attempt at doing Selena Gomez’s makeup (my 2-year-old niece could have done a better job).

• The fact that cow print is the new leopard print (it’s udder chaos).

• Photos of Lil’ Timmy Tim wearing tall Ugg boots (I will be here until further notice). 

Oh, and one other thing I’m loving right now, Skimm+, which is here to make your life easier — meaning more perks, helpful tools, and a community of like-minded Skimmr’s to back you up — so join the waitlist now.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

This Hostess Sheet Cake Tastes Just Like Childhood — In the Best Way Possible

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We’ll admit, there aren’t many parts of elementary school that we miss. One exception? Yes, recess — but also, the thrill of opening your Little Mermaid lunchbox and finding a perfectly cream-filled Hostess cupcake. That’s precisely why we’re recommending My Messy Kitchen’s Hostess Sheet Cake. Inspired by the classic childhood treat, this dreamy dessert layers irresistibly moist chocolate cake, delightfully fluffy marshmallow filling, and supremely fudgy frosting — topped with those iconic white squiggles. Best of all? No awkward school photos or gym classes required.

The Time Commitment: A little over two hours. But there’s just 15 minutes of prep — the rest of the time is for baking and cooling.

Key Tips: If you happen to have two 9-by-13-inch metal baking pans, Emily Griffin (aka My Messy Kitchen) recommends dividing the batter between the prepared pans to “avoid needing to cut the cake horizontally.” (Bonus: You’ll shave off roughly 10 minutes of baking time.) Plus, if you don’t have a piping bag, you can make your own with a Ziploc bag.

Other Takes: Want more recipes guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again? These Homemade Cosmic Brownies are rich, chewy — and sprinkled with those signature rainbow-coated chocolates. Meanwhile, if you (correctly) believed brown sugar cinnamon was the superior Pop-Tart flavor, these Brown Sugar Pop-Tart Cookies have a similar filling, but are easier to make. Equally inventive? Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake — basically, an elevated version of the Good Humor ice cream bars, with a strawberry-and-cookie crumble. And these melt-in-your-mouth Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies are even better than the originals. Little Debbie, who?

The Tell by Amy Griffin

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From the outside, powerhouse businesswoman Amy Griffin seemed to have it all: She was an early investor in high-profile companies like Spanx and Goop and had built a picture-perfect life in NYC with her husband and children. But beneath the polished surface, Griffin always felt like she was running from something. So when Griffin’s 10-year-old daughter told her “you’re here, but you’re not here,” the chronic perfectionist felt compelled to confront what she’d been avoiding for years. That was the beginning of a transformative journey involving psychedelic therapy, where she finally began to unravel long-buried childhood trauma — which she candidly recounts in her debut memoir, The Tell. We asked Griffin a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about?

Griffin: The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon and Kingmaker by Sonia Purnell, about the life of [Winston Churchill’s daughter-in-law] Pamela Harriman.

Q: What’s a corner of the internet you recently discovered?

Griffin: Anything and everything that Caitlin Murray says — and her dance moves.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?

Griffin: My mom’s banana pudding … with condensed milk, vanilla pudding mix, and bananas. 

Mérida Is Mexico’s Best Kept Secret — At Least, For Now

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Remember when Tulum was Mexico’s most underrated getaway? Now, it feels like spring break in Cancún…year-round. Luckily, there’s a quieter and — dare we say — more memorable destination just a few hours away: Mérida. The colorful capital of the Yucatán has long been a favorite among locals — thanks to its historic landmarks (see: the Catedral de Mérida), lively plazas and markets, vibrant art scene (score souvenirs at Casa de las Artesanías de Yucatán), old-school cantinas (hello, La Negrita), and stunning Spanish colonial architecture. Mérida, we raise a glass of mezcal to you.

🛏 Housed in a 19th-century mansion, Hotel Cigno sets the tone for an idyllic stay in one of Mexico’s most majestic towns. The thoughtfully renovated boutique property — located in the central La Ermita neighborhood — feels both traditional and contemporary, with blue-tiled floors, beamed ceilings, pale walls with terra-cotta accents, and wooden furniture. Plus, there are two pools, a restaurant, and a wide range of activities, from yoga classes to cooking lessons to kayaking excursions.

🎨 Centro Histórico is the heart of Mérida, home to Plaza Grande (ideal for people-watching and live music) and Paseo de Montejo, a tree-lined boulevard — inspired by the Champs-Élysées — that’s dotted with grand historic mansions. Many of these architectural gems have been transformed into boutiques (leave time for browsing at Casa T'HŌ) and museums. Explore Quinta Montes Molina, with its crystal chandeliers and marble floors; Montejo 495, Casa Museo (an impeccably preserved Gilded Age-style residence); and the Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán, which spotlights the area’s indigenous groups and cultures via rotating exhibitions.

🦩 Described as “the doorway to the Yucatán,” Mérida is an excellent jumping-off point for adventure-filled day trips. First up? Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary known for coastal lagoons, mangrove forests, and thousands of American flamingos. Nature lovers should also visit the town of Cuzamá to experience one of the Yucatán’s signature attractions: water-filled sinkholes — dubbed cenotes — where you can swim, snorkel, and get some grid-worthy pics. And history buffs shouldn’t miss the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, an ancient city with impressive facades, ornate doorways, and the towering Pyramid of the Soothsayer.

🍴 Start your day on a sweet note, with crispy orejas and sugar-coated conchas from Soco. When you’re ready for lunch, head to Mercado de Santiago, where stalls serve sopa de lima, agua de chaya, and more Yucatán favorites (pro tip: make a beeline for Taquería La Lupita and order the cochinita pibil — or succulent slow-cooked pork). For dinner, snag a reservation at Apoala, a standout for its Mexican-Oaxacan-Yucatecan dishes (think: fried zucchini blossoms, shrimp ceviche, vegetarian enmoladas). Finally, when you need to cool off, grab a cone at Pola Gelato Shop, where creative flavors like blue cheese with apple compote await.

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

Q: My partner doesn’t like one of my close friends, which causes friction whenever we go on double dates or attend parties. How do I handle this?

“Navigating this dilemma requires compromise, compassion, and communication. It’s important to understand why [your partner doesn’t] care for your friend: Do they make them feel uncomfortable? Are they too rude, crude, or judgmental? Listen without trying to immediately make an excuse. 

 … [Depending on what your partner says], compromise on time spent with your friend. Schedule [fewer double dates and] arrange to see them when your partner doesn’t have to attend … [You could also speak to a counselor] who can help navigate this issue in a way that doesn’t damage your relationship.”

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.