Listening:
"Ride On / Right On" by Phosphorescent.
Last night I was driving home and had one of those nostalgic flashbacks. I remembered a phase of blasting this song in my car over and over again. I can still listen to it over and over again.
Listen to the entire album.
Reading:
For the past few years, I've visited Asheville, North Carolina during December. Each of those visits results in a trip to Malaprop's bookstore/cafe and the purchase of at least one book. My favorite part is the "blind date with a book." The employees cover dozens of books in brown paper and write adjectives across the front. My first blind book led me to Maria Semple (eternally grateful!) and the latest selection brought me to:
"2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas" by Marie-Helene Bertino.
Most important, "2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas" also shares this in common with the best of TV sitcoms: Despite the contrivances, its characters are worth rooting for. Lorca, Sarina, especially Madeleine — even Bertino's version of Philadelphia — are all imbued with such wit, flaw and charm, they deserve whatever love they're offered. Just don't count on the city to return your affections. (via npr.org)
It's not sweet and innocent, but it's a nice break from absolute heartbreak and sadness. I'm excited to see where the story goes.
Is this why I keep staying up til 2 a.m.? (via beautnspa.net)
Craving:
Pancakes.
My favorite place in town to get pancakes closed months ago, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own for Saturday brunch. I used Ambitious Kitchen's recipe for whole wheat banana bread pancakes (mini chocolate chips included) and they were superb---so superb I ate 2 servings and still wanted more.
I might have to make my own brunch every weekend or make a double batch next time and try to save some for midweek eating.
"Cravings" aka drooling over all the Ambitious Kitchen recipes. (via ambitiouskitchen.com)
Wearing:
Lipstick.
I told myself I wanted to wear more lip color in the new year. It's fun, easy and I have been accumulating many brands and colors with my Play! by Sephora beauty subscription box, plus freebies here and there.
Old favorites: Nars lipstick in "Heatwave" and "Schiap."
New favorites: Smashbox Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Driver's Seat" and Clinique Almost Lipstick in "Black Honey."
(Also, I could definitely be a makeup copywriter.)
Watching:
"Santa Clarita Diet."
It's cheesy, for sure, but sometimes you need to watch a show to a) be on top of popular culture b) always be up for trying a new Netflix original and c) because Drew Barrymore is lovely. Plus, I appreciate the fact that the husband (Timothy Olyphant) is completely devoted to whatever is happening to his wife--cheers to some feminism.
It all kind of reminds me of an early 2000s comedy meets "True Blood." The ads I initially saw on Instagram are pretty great, too.
A vegetarian nightmare. (image via comingsoon.net)
Wanting:
From the shirts to the skirts to the pillows to the socks, I want absolutely everything from Gorman. Seriously, can I have one of everything? The shapes, prints and styles are perfect.
gone bananas pant (via gormanshop)
earn your stripes pantsuit (via gormanshop)
fleur toile dress (via gormanshop)
fleur noir et bleu dress (via gormanshop)