breakfast — Blog — Zoë Sessums

Listening:

On Friday I took myself out for an overpriced, delicious breakfast. The playlist was lovely and I noted a few of the songs as I ate my eggs and toast.

"Seven Seas" by Echo and the Bunnymen.

"The Light" by Mirah.

"One More Night" by Michael Kiwanuka.

Reading:

NEW EROTICA FOR FEMINISTS - "He calls me into his office and closes the door… to promote me. He promotes me again and again. I am wild with ecstasy."

How Pastry Chefs Hide Engagement Rings in Desserts - A bit fascinating, a bit strange—the things people do (and why would you want to propose on Valentine's Day?)! I was once part of an engagement set-up at a restaurant I worked at. I was very excited to participate (who doesn't want to be intwined in a wonderful act of love?!), but also kind of nervous that this very important last-minute choreography on my part had lifelong consequences. She said yes, it was cute.

Engagement cake. (image by Andrew Janik via bonappetit)

Craving:

I ate some outstanding pizza Saturday evening (and then on Sunday afternoon). The "B’More Clubhouse Pizza" at Joe Squared: pink sauce, roasted chicken thighs, diced shallots, sautéed mushrooms, sweet potatoes, mozzarella, boursin, parsley and sea salt.

I felt a calling for Coconut-Chocolate Mousse this week. Molten chocolate cake, too. Nothing out of the ordinary, really. Last week, on the same day as my gourmet breakfast, I also got a fat slice of chocolate chip banana bread at By Chloe. It was outstanding and helped me enjoy a woozy highway bus ride.

This mousse via Healthyish looks divine. (image by Alex Lau via bonappetit)

Wearing:

I realized at the end of the week I had worn a great selection of cozy hand-me-downs (thanks Mom! thanks Grandma!). Yellow, eggplant, and maroon sweaters. A thick and bright flannel. No wonder I stayed so warm.

Also, on a totally goofy note, I would definitely wear these Bill Murray designed floral bell-bottoms.

Watching:

In the early 2000s I was a big fan of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." I actually started rewatching episodes of it in my early 20s, too—I loved that Fab Five. Netflix just made a reboot and I am interested. The new version is set in Georgia (yeehaw) with an entirely new cast. The trailer gave me feelings. I promise I'll get to it when I finally come out of my "Offspring" fog/obsession.

This picture is a bit embarrassing, but I'm still in. (image via netflix)

Treasuring:

Lightheartedness. I found myself dancing around my parent's kitchen. Skipping down a hallway. Laughing at immature jokes. It's a nice feeling to crack yourself up. It's the best to be overcome with silliness.

cards via maddy nye

Listening:

"Angel in the Snow" by Elliott Smith.

Perhaps influenced by the weird feelings my lack of sleep (and the lunar eclipse?) have been giving me, also maybe because it was Smith's birthday on the 6th, I happened upon this song and have listened to it too many times.

"Ashes To Ashes" by Warpaint. (David Bowie Cover)

I love looking for new-to-me cover songs, especially when they combine two different artists I really enjoy.

"Sick of Myself" by Matthew Sweet.

This song gives me a huge pang in my chest. Serious 90s nostalgia. I remember blasting this on my boombox in my bedroom, flipping through the cd insert, memorizing the lyrics, and thinking the cover photo looked like a girl.

Reading:

An Ode to Bad Family Vacations - This is a nice piece on remembering those hilarious and harrowing moments on trips. My own include: my years of overwhelming carsickness, hangry outbreaks, inappropriate soundtracks... oh the memories of a family of five in a mid-sized car driving from Florida to Maine.

I plan to read this in the coming week to prepare for next Monday's solar event: Annie Dillard's Classic Essay: 'Total Eclipse.'

A total solar eclipse in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway, on March 20, 2015. (image by Jon Olav Nesvold / Stringer / Getty via the atlantic)

Craving:

Mediterranean food (hummus, pita, falafel, pizza, salade niçoise), breakfast food (eggs, toast, granola, doughnuts) and water water water water water water water water water (have I mentioned how hot it is?).

Wearing:

Breezy button-ups.

Much of my dressing lately involves the best items for extreme sun and heat. I thought to old men on the beach: breezy tops in light, often tropical colors. Lots of linen and light cotton (I really need some loose linen pants).

Happy to report my summer look is very James Bond in "Thunderball." Shorts, shoes and all. Now I want to watch this. (image via bamfstyle)

Watching:

"Lovesick" on Netflix. (Originally called "Scrotal Recall," which is probably why I never watched it until now.)

I was exhausted and beat from hours in the harshest sun, so I showered, plopped in my bed and needed something easy. I was skeptical, but pressed play on this British sitcom. I should've known I would be instantly binge-watching—historically, I am quite captivated with these Channel 4 picks. (I noticed some characters from "Fleabag" and "Chewing Gum.") I laughed, I cried, I watched nearly 2 seasons in two days...

Roxanne at Paste describes it perfectly: "'Lovesick' thrives on gawkily funny and often sexually charged situations, handled in such a down-to-earth manner it doesn’t feel like your typical, canned-laughter comedy. Instead of being overly in-your-face with punchlines, the series relies on its well-defined protagonists for humor, and by introducing new characters and environments in every episode, 'Lovesick' feels more elaborate than your average sitcom, allowing for the occasional surprise."

Daniel Ings, Antonia Thomas and Johnny Flynn. I hope they make more seasons. (image via netflix)

Treasuring:

(Note: I decided to change up this last category for a bit. I keep finding more things I'm just excited about or appreciating, and thought it'd be nice to recognize those instead.)

At least every Friday, I check out NY Mag's Grub Street site, particularly for their Grub Street Diet column. This week (Scoop Week, how perfect), I was scrolling through and saw my own piece right above one by Mark Bittman! Although mine is simply a compilation of ice cream makers to buy on Amazon (they did find a fitting person to write that, I might add), it sure does feel like something!

I stumbled into helping a friend make a short film the last few days. Even though the hours a day—in the midday sun, the sun I try to avoid most often—makes me feel deliriously fried (physically, mentally, and sometimes emotionally), it's been extremely enjoyable. Tromping through tall grasses and holding up reflectors to get the light just so, sweating through every layer of clothing and fearing the sound of a possible rattlesnake... it's all really interesting to watch happen and be a part of. I can't wait to see the finished project. Go support this superb dude, if you can.