Monday Memos // 73

Listening:

"This Stuff" by Frankie Cosmos.

"Thanks 4 Nothing" by Nilüfer Yanya.

"Goodbye" by Porches.

Reading:

Finding My Florida - I came across this Florida story in the New York Times and thought it was an accurate and enjoyable journey through the state. There are so many worlds, great Cuban sandwiches, and lots of mossy oaks. 

Pizza Horoscope. - Because I exist on the cusp, looks like I need to eat a whole white pizza—"an exquisite pairing of garlic and ricotta"—with a variety of spontaneous toppings from the fridge AND a Grandma pie. Done.

The Orlando house where Jack Kerouac wrote “The Dharma Bums.” Looks like my old FL home! (image by Zack Wittman for The New York Times)

Craving:

I crossed another Brooklyn Blackout cake off my list last week, this one from Little Cupcake Bakeshop. It looked heavenly and there was a framed plaque showing off Food & Wine's description of this particular cake as "one of the best chocolate cakes in the U.S."

I have to disagree. It was delicious, but the frosting was a far too sweet and the cake was a bit too airy. I'd still be down to try more of their baked goods. The carrot was tempting and the banana Nutella looked lovely.

Wearing:

Dug into my storage unit and it was like going on a shopping spree. I got so excited about shoes and dresses and shirts I forgot about. I gathered several pink tees and green dresses. Pink, red, and black boots. A glorious leather fringe vest. Maybe it's to my advantage to slowly have access to my things over a span of time. I'm ready to shed the coats and sleeves. 

Youth fashion inspiration below. Digging the overalls and chucks. My mom and I at a May Fair is very spring-floral-forward. 

Watching:

I want to watch Barry on HBO—Bill Hader is always wonderful. I'm ready for Westworld to return. I've been catching up with the last season of Atlanta so I can get back into the new one.

I'm sad I'm done with High Maintenance and caught up with Queer Eye. 

I'm curious about the movie Chappaquiddick. Having lived on that island, I'm curious to see the familiar places in the film. Kate Mara, Ed Helms, and Jim Gaffigan—interesting selection for a cast.

Ted Kennedy's car being pulled from the water next to the Dike Bridge on Chappaquiddick Island in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. (AP photo)

Treasuring:

Open Windows: I love hearing the violinists and singers in my building. I love having open windows WITHOUT SCREENS because there aren't a thousand bugs ready to swarm inside. I love hanging with my family, the breeze coming in, the cats all sitting in the sunshine, and it feeling like spring is here. 

Illustration by Monica Lynch via thehousethatlarsbuilt

Monday Memos // 70

Listening:

"Haunt You" by Bad Magic.

Perhaps hit by a pang of nostalgia and homesickness, this song by a Florida-made friend, Julie Karr, came to mind on Saturday night. I've listened to it repeatedly since. This video cracks me up, I love it. I'd recommend spending a few dollars for the album here, the sound from the album recording is a bit bigger than the video version. 

"Buddy Holly" by Weezer.

I went out dancing and between the Drake and Rihanna, for some reason this song was mixed in a set and finally something I know all the words too! It took me back. Myself and the other late-twenty/early-thirty-year-olds were feeling it. This video is just fun.

Reading:

All the remedies: The Healthyish Guide to Feeling Better Already

New York Magazine's How To Raise A Boy series has some touching, informative, interesting reads.

I learned a lot from The Epicurious Knife Guide. Most of these knives have been sitting around my desk for weeks, so I feel close to this. Plus, the photos are superb.

Mesmerized. (photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop styling by Beatrice Chastka, food styling by Anna Stockwell)

Craving:

I snack on thousands of new things lately, the wild, pant-tightening world of food publications. Dates dipped in sunflower butter. Rocky road cookies. French onion chicken. Partially popped and "probiotic activated" popcorn. Cookie crisps. BBQ sweet potato chips. Dark chocolate with coconut milk, vanilla sea salt, and nibs called "Kissed Mermaids." Maybe I should start turning down samples, but it really is deliciously exciting. 

If you come across this brand of chocolate (Xocolatl) buy it! (image via metaleap creative)

Wearing:

I brought out the beloved pink faux fur jacket this weekend. I also wore one of my prized possessions: a sweatshirt I embroidered for a project in art school — my modern interpretation of a Mexican huipil. 

I went to an awesome girlgaze event in my sweatshirt. This picture cracks me up. 

Watching:

I want to see: Flower (so many great actors) and Thoroughbreds (looks kind of creepy and enjoyable).

Treasuring:

New Friends: Getting to hang out with people, sitting on barstools talking about our lives and problems and making jokes, what a nice feeling! Having people to share cabs with and 5 a.m. waffle fries is more than I could've asked for. Having fun work friends to show you a new floor at work with free cereal and ginger ale is priceless. I definitely miss my longtime friends, but I'll take all these moments too.

By Ella Frances Sanders

Monday Memos // 66

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. 

Bill bottoms. (image via betabrand)

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

Monday Memos // 64

Listening:

"Goodbye Bread" by Ty Segall.

"My Shadow" by Jay Reatard.

"What I Thought of You" by Holly Throsby.

This progression of songs doesn't make any sense / absolutely makes sense. 

Reading:

Want to read: "Her Body and Other Parties: Stories" by Carmen Maria Machado. Earthy and otherworldly, antic and sexy, queer and caustic, comic and deadly serious, "Her Body and Other Parties" swings from horrific violence to the most exquisite sentiment. In their explosive originality, these stories enlarge the possibilities of contemporary fiction.

Still enjoying: I'm slowly making my way through "Theft By Finding," the latest Sedaris book. His life is crazy and bleak and hilarious. I bet he never would've thought as a nearly homeless construction worker artist he'd be a millionaire one day.

(image via npr)

Craving:

Gigantic oranges. Hawaiian pizza. Pesto. "Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning." More chocolate.

Wearing:

Easy wear: jeans, tee, sweatshirt, wool socks, puffy jacket, black boots.

Watching:

Binge: I can't stop watching "Offspring." It is an Australian television comedy-drama centered on "30-something obstetrician Nina Proudman and her family and friends, as they navigate the chaos of modern life." It reminds me a 'Scrubs.'" I laugh, I cry, I zen out in Aussie oblivion.

Adore: "High Maintenance" is back—season 2. The first episode blew me away and the last scene made my eyes well up. I could rewatch it more than once. I'm glad I have to wait each week for a new episode, it's a nice something to look forward to.

Treasuring:

Walking. Thank you legs for bringing me all around town. Thanks for all the wandering around lakes, through crusty snow piles, up and down long hallways. I'm about to do a bunch of good city walking; even if I start crying in the middle of the sidewalk or if I feel overwhelming joy in all the sights and sounds, I'm looking forward to all the walking. 

Nancy and all her boots.