Monday Memos // 27

Listening:

"Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka. 

I love all the music in the show "Big Little Lies." This one, from the intro, is really great. 

“It’s really influenced by classic ’60s and ’70s British guitar bands like The Who and Pink Floyd, as well as by a lot of soul music, particularly songs like ‘Walk On By’ by Isaac Hayes.”

— Kiwanuka, via NME

Reading:

On my to-read list: "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders.

I don't remember if it was a McSweeney's anthology or an art school humanities class, but the first time I read a Saunders short story I thought it was one of the best things I had ever experienced. His writing is incredible. His story ideas blow me away. And now he has his first full-length novel! 

“The long-awaited first novel from the author of Tenth of December: a moving and original father-son story featuring none other than Abraham Lincoln, as well as an unforgettable cast of supporting characters, living and dead, historical and invented”

Let's read this one and reread all the rest. (image via MPR news)

Craving:

Healthy snacks. 

That sounds really boring, but I like finding all sorts of delicious, nutritious things to munch on at work or during those in-between times. 

I got a package of goods from Samantha Attard, aka Happy Healthy Human, last week and have nearly eaten them all. She makes these snack packs with roasted chickpeas and nuts and delicious spices. The "Calm" pack, for example, has roasted chickpeas, dried coconut flakes, dried blueberries, coconut oil, fennel seed, and salt. The "Relief" pack has brazil nuts, almonds, banana chips, sesame oil, maca, salt, and cinnamon. They are all so good and make me feel good, too!

You can get them in the DC/Virginia area or online. (image via behappyhealthyhuman)

Wearing:

Jeans or Girlfriend Collective leggings. My new Birkenstocks or Danskos. Fun tops or lots of black. 

Watching:

"Love" season 2 on Netflix. 

"'Love' is an American romantic comedy web television series created by Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust, and starring Gillian Jacobs, Rust, and Claudia O'Doherty."

I appreciate the simplicity, the humor, the complications and again, the music. Netflix is really killing it with the original content these days. Often the characters are so obnoxious, but isn't that like real life?

Jacobs and Rust are spot on. (image via netflix)

Wanting:

Away luggage. 

“We don’t make “smart” luggage, we make thoughtful luggage—featuring unbreakable shells, interior compartments, and built-in USB chargers—using the best materials in the world. The result is luggage that is beautifully, functionally minimal. It’s luggage that helps you find your way by staying out of it.”

So sleek. (via awaytravel)

I'll take the Pop & Suki Pink please. (via awaytravel)

Monday Memos // 17

Listening:

"My Favorite Murder" A true crime/murder mystery podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. 

I'm not usually someone interested in horror and gore, creepiness and death. BUT this podcast is amazing and makes me enjoy the darkness. It probably helps that it is hosted by two hilarious, unapologetic ladies--I would listen to whatever subject they presented to me. 

Sometimes I question listening to this podcast when I am alone at home, in the shower. However, it never gets to me in a way that makes it hard to sleep. If anything, I feel more informed about history and empowered by the catchphrases like "stay sexy and don't get murdered."

You might just become a Murderino too. (via themajorie.com)

Reading:

"From Syria, With Love" by Amanda Avutu.

I always read The New York Times' Modern Love series (that's another good podcast). This past weekend, I had tears welling in my eyes while reading. They were of the happiness variety, though.

In this time of heartache and chaos and horrible actions, it was so nice to read about decent people doing decent things. Humanity is always appreciated. Everyone should read this. It's a perfect holiday time story. 

By Brian Rea (via nytimes.com)

Craving:

Oats.

That would be the general way to describe this craving. Today, specifically, it came in the form of granola: soft-baked peanut butter and jelly granola from Lucky's Market.

This stuff is kind of like a peanut butter oatmeal cookie fell apart in a bag. Moist clumps of nuts and oats, a dried strawberry and cherry here and there. Delicious. I accidentally ate the whole bag in one sitting.

More please. (via snackville.com)

Wearing:

Girlfriend Collective leggings.

These leggings are high-waisted, so soft, really durable and I want to put them on every single day. Plus, their site and social media accounts are beautiful and inspiring. 

If that's not all, to introduce the world to their brand THE LEGGINGS ARE FREE!

"We are doing this free campaign because we believe the best way to fall in love with a product is to try it yourself. Our experience in the fashion world developing premium denim lines inspired us to make something of our own that spoke to our values."

Those who want them just have to pay for shipping (roughly $20). It is worth it. (Do it!) They are incredible and I cannot wait to see the rest of the collection set to debut early 2017. 

Photography by Sisilia Piring and modeling by Tavia Bonetti (via hypebae.com)

Watching:

"Blue Jay" A movie written by Mark Duplass. 

I sat down to watch a little bit of something Saturday night and came across this film on Netflix. I love all things Duplass (Togetherness, The Overnight, The One I Love, Animals, roles in Transparent and The Mindy Project, etc.), so I was pretty certain I would be satisfied with my choice. 

I laughed and I cried and I felt so many feelings. It was like a play, short and simple (80 minutes, two main characters, black and white). I loved it and I kind of want to watch it again. 

Sarah Paulson's outfit is perfect, too. Along with the score and Waynie and everything else.

"Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson play high school sweethearts who have a chance encounter decades later in “Blue Jay,” directed by Alex Lehmann." CreditThe Orchard (via nytimes.com)

Wanting:

Perhaps because of all the planning of my future and new paths and new destinies, I've been wanting a tarot deck.

I came across this animal spirit deck months ago on one of my favorite blogs and the idea has been in the back of my mind ever since. I like the idea of pulling a card each day to awaken some magic. 

"Use the deck for self-reflection, as an oracle, for inspiration." (via thewildunknown.com)

"Open your mind, draw a card, and have fun on your journey…" (via thewildunknown.com)

The Golden Universal deck looks pretty dreamy. (via shopspring.com)