Monday Memos // 63

Listening:

"Sycamore" by Bill Callahan.

"Little Cup" by Thao & Mirah.

Reading:

TRUMP’S FIRST YEAR: THE WORD SEARCH

HORRIFYING WRITING PROMPTS — "You inadvertently send your My Little Pony/The West Wing fan fiction to the New Yorker. If your reaction was a New Yorker cartoon, what would it look like? Would it involve dogs?"

ASK POLLY ‘Should I Have a Baby?’ — First off, I love advice columns and "Ask Polly" is almost always an entertaining one. Even if this is a question you don't have or don't care about, the way this response is written is so wonderful. It gets lengthy, but I found it to be worth every word.

Writing for the Awl Was the Best Mid-Career Decision I Ever Made. — Heather Havrilesky (Aka "Polly") was on a roll this week.

I just wanted to include these TOOTSIE POP CHERRY VALENTINES because they are sweet. (via The House That Lars Built)

I just wanted to include these TOOTSIE POP CHERRY VALENTINES because they are sweet. (via The House That Lars Built)

Craving:

Peanut butter and banana on toast. Dark chocolate bars. Phone calls. Hugs. 

I want to be this cat or own this cat bed. "The feline-focused Japanese novelty company Felissimo has created an adorable cat bed shaped like the fluted crust of a fruit tart and even comes with hand stitched pillows in the shapes of vario…

I want to be this cat or own this cat bed. "The feline-focused Japanese novelty company Felissimo has created an adorable cat bed shaped like the fluted crust of a fruit tart and even comes with hand stitched pillows in the shapes of various fruits and berries to keep kitty comfy and complete the look of a yummy desert."

Wearing:

After wearing the same two pairs of pants over and over and over again for the last few months, I got myself a new pair of jeans. I've hemmed and hawed over pants for the same few months—I think I tried on the same pair at least six times but wouldn't buy them. I finally convinced myself on Friday, "you're allowed to have nice things." Thank you self! They fit like a dream.

I got neither parental style of pant. (Illustration by Kate Worum image via manrepeller)

I got neither parental style of pant. (Illustration by Kate Worum image via manrepeller)

Watching:

I watched the entirety of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino of "Gilmore Girls," it was definitely that vibe of fast-talking funny females. The outfits, the jokes — it was entertaining and easy to binge.

Rachel Brosnahan stars as Midge Maisel. (image via amazon)

Rachel Brosnahan stars as Midge Maisel. (image via amazon)

Seeing all the images and press from Sundance this year, it looks like there are some gripping movies to come. Chloë Sevigny kept popping up everywhere I looked and so did her upcoming movie "Lizzie." A psychological thriller based on the infamous 1892 murders of the Borden family. (Has "My Favorite Murder" done this one? My mind is a swirl of cases, I'm losing track.)

A scene from "Lizzie." A lot of great actors in this one like Denis O'Hare and Jeff Perry.

A scene from "Lizzie." A lot of great actors in this one like Denis O'Hare and Jeff Perry.

I also keep hearing about "I Think We're Alone Now." A sci-fi drama directed by Reed Morano ("The Handmaid's Tale," Beyoncé's Lemonade, "Looking"): The apocalypse proves a blessing in disguise for one lucky recluse -- until a second survivor arrives with the threat of companionship. Peter Dinklage and Elle Fanning — very intrigued. 

This will be visually stunning if nothing else. (image via variety)

This will be visually stunning if nothing else. (image via variety)

Treasuring:

Mail. To receive something in the mail that isn't a bill or a stack of useless coupons or a catalog or some toiletries you ordered yourself — what a joy! Your name written out, the excitement of opening, seeing someone's handwriting, the stamp selection... 

(image via rifle paper co)

(image via rifle paper co)

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)

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)

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)

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)

So sleek. (via awaytravel)

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

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

Monday Memo

Listening:

(and watching) Lemonade by Bey. I am amazed and enamored. I think I have a summer playlist secured. 

(image via Bey's Lemonade visual album)

(image via Bey's Lemonade visual album)

Reading:

Help me, I can't get anything to stick. I was on a serious roll and then I just got into the terrible habit of watching Snap stories as I fall asleep. 

Craving:

Brownie Brittle. Can't stop thinking about and replenishing my stash. I eat it plain, I crush it up and put it on ice cream, I smear almond butter on it. The Peanut Butter flavor is hard to find but it is perfect. The Mint has the best chips. The Salted Caramel is that perfect salty/sweet combo. Even the gluten-free Trader Joe's version is great. I could go on. Yes, I have a problem.

Sheila G what have you done to me?! (image via browniebrittle.com)

Sheila G what have you done to me?! (image via browniebrittle.com)

Wearing:

Black tees and a black skirt or cut-off shorts. Plus a lot of light blue. 

Watching:

Friday Night Lights. I speak with a twang now and I dream about Tim Riggins. I am blowing through this series too quickly and I finally understand why my town loves football. I'll still never love real football as much as I love Dillon football. 

(image via tv.com)

(image via tv.com)

Wanting:

A new concealer and the perfect old Levi's.