Monday Memos // 106

Listening:

“Did I Ever Love You” by Leonard Cohen.

“Cyprus Avenue” by Van Morrison.

Reading:

They Told Their Three Sons to Stay Out of the Bedroom When the Blue Light Was On

Touristy Things I Still Do After Five Years of Living in New York

The Tallest Man I Ever Loved

This picture is amazing. (Photo: Michael E. Northrup via nymag)

Craving:

In the last month (oops) I’ve consumed so many divine things. Sesame bagels from Montreal. So much pizza (Ops, Roberta’s, Paulie Gee’s, Best, homemade, etc.) So many It’s-Its ice cream sandwiches. So much good coffee. Lots of sumo oranges. Lots of odd but pretty good free meal delivery kits. Thoughtful and delicious savory pastries. Celebratory Vietnamese feasts. The most buttery kouign amann. A gut-busting sugar shack spread. Fun dinner party snacks. Belated birthday babka.

Scanning through all the foods in my mind is making me extremely full.

I can’t stop thinking about this bagel.

Wearing:

Golden wide-leg cords. The most amazing black Japanese crinkle cotton jacket. Black tights. Black boots. Wrap shirts. Old sweatshirts. Jeans. Striped shirts. Clogs. Sheer polka dot socks.

Watching:

I found a way to watch the second season of Fleabag and HOLY WOW IT IS SO BRILLIANT. I was expecting nothing less and sad to finish it in two days. I was so moved by several scenes I might have to watch it again very soon. I wish I could see the play version that’s currently showing in New York.

A few weekends ago I did the same with Shrill. So easy to breeze through and quite entertaining. I want all of Aidy’s character’s shoes.

There’s a great priest plot. (image via british vogue)

Treasuring:

Happiness: I feel a bit like Charlie Bucket. "Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted." "What happened?" "He lived happily ever after.”

Monday Memos // 58

Listening:

"Drivin' On 9" by The Breeders.

You could be a shadow / Beneath the street light / Behind my home / Drivin' on 9 / I sure miss you

"Just Another Diamond Day" by Vashti Bunyan.

"Sister" by Angel Olsen.

"For You" by Sharon Van Etten.

Sharon just reissued her 2009 debut album, "because i was in love," with a two new tracks (this is an old one) entitled "(it was) because i was in love."

I was hoping that you knew I'd wait for you / I do, I do

“Blissing Me” by Björk.

The second song released from her tenth album, "Utopia." "Much like “Headphones” (released twenty-one years earlier), the track is a subdued electronic ballad about 'two music nerds' falling in love via swapping music."

Reading:

I can't concentrate on any books lately. Is my mind too full or are they just not the best books for me? I started "Telegraph Avenue" by Michael Chabon, though, and I like thinking about all the East Bay scenery and characters. 

"A big-hearted and exhilarating novel that explores the profoundly intertwined lives of two Oakland, California families, one black and one white. In "Telegraph Avenue," Chabon lovingly creates a world grounded in pop culture—Kung Fu, ’70s Blaxploitation films, vinyl LPs, jazz and soul music—and delivers a bravura epic of friendship, race, and secret histories."

One of the rejected covers of the novel. (via huffingtonpost)

Craving:

I continued my leisurely, lifelong adventure of trying all the Ethiopian platters/combinations that I can. This week took me to a random strip mall in Ellicott City, Maryland. There were minimal tables, one family eating, and seemingly one employee—also a local realtor. The smell was divine. My younger brother and I shared two combinations—kindly put together as one giant plate. For the first time in all my dining experiences, we were offered hot sauce. It was red, the thickness and color of Sriracha, the slightest bit tangy, and really good. The chicken was a bit tough, but everything else made up for it. 

Also consistently eating: dark chocolate, almonds, cashews, dried sour cherries, extra toasty toast, and spinach.

Kind of hard to show a bunch of piles of brown food in a flattering light. So here is a beautiful food image by Leah Goren. (via pinterest)

Wearing:

I had an epiphany last week: "I need to be embraced in the hug of my It's It sweatshirt!" When it's cold outside and you feel a little under the weather and a little sad, encase yourself in the image of a fabulous ice cream sandwich. Luckily I knew where to find it in the storage unit of all my belongings. We are reunited and it is so cozy. 

I know I have mentioned the sweatshirt and delicacy here before. (image via zielcreative)

Watching:

I watched almost the entirety of "Easy" season two in one sitting. From awkward to hilarious to mind-boggling to heartbreaking, the characters, stories, and music are wonderful. 

For those who appreciate The Great British Baking Show/Bakeoff," Netflix has another sweet and mouthwatering option, "The Big Family Cooking Showdown." 

I've heard nothing but praises and heartache around "Call Me By Your Name." This romantic drama is more fully and convincingly realized than most cinematic love stories in recent memory.

On the other hand, "The Disaster Artist" looks entertaining and goofy. Because I know Kelly Oxford is involved, I am extra thrilled.

Treasuring:

Emotions. Sometimes you have those periods of time where you cry a lot. I try to embrace those times and let it all wash over me—pour out of me. Sometimes you have to cry on the sidewalk and at a restaurant and in a car and on the couch—wherever it strikes. I think 2017 needs to squeeze a little more out of us. It is going to no matter what.

Untitled by Pablo Picasso (via missmoss)

Vintage Marimekko editorial in a LIFE magazine edition from 1966. (via missmoss)

Monday Memos // 18

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Listening:

"Golden Brown" by the Stranglers.

I cannot stop listening to this song. I love the '60s harpsichord riff---it reminds me of a scene from a Wes Anderson movie---and how it combines some jazziness, some waltziness and simple rock and roll. 

Reading:

"Eat Pretty Every Day" by Jolene Hart.

I came across this book and author on one of my favorite podcasts, the One Part Podcast. 

Jolene, a beauty and health coach, focuses on teaching women about the connection between nutrition and beauty. This book is great for creating small daily routines and finding easy inspiration. I just started it for the new year and already feel like I am learning some great nourishing tips. 

“Organized by the four seasons, the readings explore every aspect of what it means to eat pretty, offering simplified nutritional science, seasonal recipes, motivating goals and challenges, self-care exercises, and uplifting ‘mealtime mantras.’”

My tip for today: eat more cinnamon. (via jolenehart.com)

Craving:

Lemons!

This holiday was particularly indulgent. I think butter was the overarching theme. So, let's just say I am easing back into health and smaller portions. 

In my quest for returning back to fighting form, I have been craving lemony things. Salmon with lemon slices, probiotic lemon drinks, hot water with lemon... It feels soothing to my insides. 

Why not go for designer lemons? Dolce & Gabbana. (via dolcegabbana.livejournal.com)

Wearing:

I got so many good wearables for my birthday (winter solstice!) and Christmas. 

One of my favorite items is an IT'S-IT ice cream sandwich sweatshirt. I even wore it out for my New Year's Eve celebrating. I figured if I wasn't in the mood to get sparkly, it was appropriate to express my true self: dessert lover and comfort seeker. 

A San Fransisco legend: a scoop of creamy ice cream between two freshly baked large old-fashioned oatmeal cookies, and then dipped into fine dark chocolate. (image via IT'S-IT Instagram)

Watching:

"The Great American Baking Show." 

I really miss The Great British Bake Off, but this American holiday version is a close substitute. I love how nice everyone is. No one is conniving and horrible, it's just baking and joyfulness. And though I especially miss the British hosts Mel and Sue, Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez are pretty sweet and silly.

If you need a break from drama, this is perfect.

I love Mary Berry. (image via bt.com)

Wanting:

I think I got everything I wanted and more in December, so it's hard to fathom what else I could want. I did see some beautiful kitchen storage on a Food52 newsletter this morning, so perhaps that'll be in my future aspirations: a chic and usable kitchen. I have such little counter and cabinet space, so it'd be nice to have that in my next home---then I'll need a few of these things. 

Steel & Wood Magnetic Refrigerator Rack (via Food52)

Steel & Wood Dish Organizer (via Food52)

Hanging Two-Tiered Ceramic Fruit Basket (via Food52)