Monday Memos // 59

Listening:

"Shelia" by Atlas Sound.

"Cathy's Clown" by The Everly Brothers.

"Kiss" by Scout Niblett (Feat. Will Oldham)

Reading:

When you want to do something that seems unattainable: A Story of a Big Dream and a Single, Small Step.

I love the Smarter Living section of the New York Times. From sleeping to running to hosting a party, they've got some good words/ideas to help out. How To Be Happy.

Poppy! (Illustration by Esther Aarts via nytimes)

Craving:

Roasted squash, pesto on everything, Acme Bread (specifically the Cranberry Whole Wheat Raisin Walnut loaf), peanut butter by the spoonful, and microwaved chocolate mug desserts.

Thanks Mom and Dad for schlepping this from Berkeley! "The natural sugars from the cranberries and raisins make it a great choice for breakfast toast or mildly sweet snacks throughout the day. This bread also sticks to your ribs and keeps you feeling full and well-nourished for hours on end." (image via acmebread)

Wearing:

Back to my old habits, entering and winning giveaways, I received this perfectly funny and quite beautiful pizza pendant necklace from a favorite maker: Yellow Owl Workshop. It definitely speaks to my deep love of pizza. I love wearing it. 

They make so many whimsical designs. I have a cat and terrarium pendant, too. (image via yellowowlworkshop)

Watching:

"Lady Dynamite." Maria Bamford silliness. "Series is based on what Maria has accepted to be 'her life.' The occasionally surreal episodes, refracted across multiple periods of the actor/comedian's life, tell the story of a woman who loses - and then finds - herself." So many outstanding comedians as guest stars. 

"She's Gotta Have It." I've watched several episode of the Netflix tv remake of Spike Lee's movie. It's entertaining, the music is great, there are some thought-provoking elements, and it's a little cheesy. So much of the dialogue is emoted like a spoken word performance. It can be really hilarious and a little cringe-worthy. I'll definitely finish the season.

I've been itching to watch some Christmas comedies like "Elf" or "Home Alone." I think a dose of Will Ferrell is always a good cure for the winter blues. 

Treasuring:

Cold weather. Snow! Boots! Hats! Scarves! Even if it makes my nose run, it's exciting to have some weather other than hot. I'm enjoying the slipper-centric, hot-cocoa-desiring briskness. Plus, it makes the holiday season feel more exciting. To wake up with snowflakes falling was such a treat. My cat has been tucking himself into my blankets at night and it's so sweet and cuddly.

This is my current and future self. (ILLUSTRATION BY KONSTANTIN KAKANIAS via nytimes)

Monday Memos // 35

Listening:

When I was a senior in high school, the last month of school was essentially an olympic event of testing and exams. We didn't even have to go to classes, we just had to study. During my final math exam I remember anxiously checking the clock. I needed to hurry. My family was waiting in the car outside the testing center. As soon as I finished, I ran to the car, buckled up, and we drove off to Atlanta. We had to get to Radiohead. It was the best. "In Rainbows" has been swirling around my head this week, too.

I saw "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" recently. Not worth paying for, but baby Groot was great and so was the music. I can appreciate a space battle more when I'm being serenaded by Parliament and Fleetwood Mac. It made me want to listen to Cat Stevens (which in turn made me want to watch "Harold and Maude" again).

And I've been on an R&B/soul kick for all the times in between, so:

Reading:

This week in "things I read and enjoyed," the theme seems to be love:

After 54 Years, We Fell in Love. After Five Months, I Got Leukemia. By Delia Ephron

A Love Story. By Samantha Hunt

"A coyote ate a three-year-old not far from here.” Illustration by Patrick Leger for "A Love Story." (image via thenewyorker)

Craving:

Morning carbs. 

I went to the farmer's market on Wednesday with these dreamy muffins on the mind—but the muffin booth wasn't there! So I took inspiration from the bunch of overripe bananas at home and made my own (but the oven wouldn't get hot, so I turned the batter into waffles).

I spent the next three days snacking on delicious waffles. Now I want some pancakes. 

How about some chocolate waffles as a vehicle for a sundae? (via joythebaker)

Wearing:

Gorjana 3 Disc Necklace. 

I got this necklace in my swag bag from the Create & Cultivate conference back in early May. I didn't put it on until a week and a half ago and I'm really digging it. I think it's fitting too, because I've been noticing all things three.

The rose gold version is really nice. (via gorjana)

Watching:

"Don't Think Twice."

Netflix suggested this movie to me and it seemed just right for needing something on the lighter side. "When a member of a popular New York City improv troupe gets a huge break, the rest of the group - all best friends - start to realize that not everyone is going to make it after all."

It's full of wonderful, funny people: written and directed by Mike Birbiglia and starring Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard.

Comedy/Drama is right, I laughed a lot and then cried at the end. It's not earth-shattering, but it's a nice story with some hilarity and heart. 

Made me want to see an improv show/comedy set. (image via rollingstone)

Wanting:

Off the top of my head:

I want my car to have working A.C. 

I want to go to the beach.

I want a haircut. 

Sounds like summer. (image via Leah Goren)

Monday Memo // 7

Listening:

"Pet Sounds." The Beach Boys. 

I was browsing NPR's "All Songs Considered" and saw a piece about "Pet Sounds" celebrating 50 years. The subtitle said "it never gets old." I agree. I can groove to The Beach Boys at any age. So I did and I have. 

This reminds me I still need to see "Love & Mercy." (image via Amazon)

Reading:

Preface: (ad nauseam) I'm still reading "The Goldfinch." 

However, I just won a copy of "Modern Lovers" by Emma Straub. From the story to the cover to the hype... I cannot wait to read that it! 

A description from the NYTimes Book Review: “somewhat old-fashioned and straightforward” story that “both celebrates the youthful embrace of reckless love and the way that older people struggle with those same feelings some decades down the line.”

All the promotions, marketing and designs around this book are brilliant as well! A+ Riverhead Books! (image via Riverhead's Twitter)

Craving:

Scrambled eggs. I went through a good year plus of eating at least one fried egg (over medium) every single day and for some reason a few weeks ago I just wanted a big plate of scrambled eggs instead. Now I'm on that scrambled kick. Pink salt, pepper, Sriracha and a side of sliced avocado. Perfection. 

A photo of scrambled eggs isn't cute, therefore I am also craving this shirt Lena has by Trademark. (image from a video you should watch on Vogue.com)

Wearing:

The outfits have been the same rotation from previous weeks, so I am adding accessories for detail. I almost always wear a broken-heart, three-part friendship necklace. Together the heart says "Best Bitches." I wear the final segment. 

T / ES

Bought mine at a local shop called Wolfgang. (image via getsweethj.com)

Watching:

"Preacher." 

Last night I watched the first two episode of AMC's "Preacher." I didn't know if I would be into it, as I have not given "The Walking Dead" a try and I feel like I missed the boat for "Breaking Bad." However, I am IN! So good. It combines so many elements from black comedy to sci-fi to horror, and has a mesmerizing storyline. 

"An American television series developed by Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen and Sam Catlin for AMC starring Dominic Cooper. It is an adaptation of the comic book series created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, and published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint."

Center there is Arseface. Cute, right? (image via screencrunch.com)

Wanting:

After searching for Lena Dunham's egg shirt, I want all the wacky egg shirts. I love a novelty print. 

McIndoe Design Tropical Egg Print Shirt featuring TWO kinds of eggs and cheddar. (image via mcindoedesign.com)

Lady version. Brilliant. (image via mcindoedesign.com)

Vintage Moschino Fried Egg Shirt (image via anothermag.com)

Ruffle Fil Coupe Shirt. (image via trade-mark.com)