Monday Memos // 75

Listening:

"Losers" by The Belle Brigade. (thanks MB!)

"The Heat" by Jungle.

Reading:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Since The Goldfinch is currently cemented in my heart as one of my favorite books of all time, I figured I should give another Tartt novel a go. So far so great. 

"Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever, and they discover how hard it can be to truly live and how easy it is to kill."

Also jealous of this jacket that @god_save_the_misanthropes handmade for Tavi Gevinson after they met on a New York subway platform. (more details via thecut)

Craving:

I didn't go wild on anything in particular this week, but I am regularly enjoying: mini Nutter Butters, bodega date nut bars, sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs, furikake seasoning, sautéed spinach, and lots of coffee. A hodge podge for sure. 

A warm weather craving: OddFellows ice cream. The latest storefront is all about coffee and serves up wild flavors (Pumpernickel, Huckleberry, Pumpkin Brown Butter, etc) and delightful-sounding affogatos (espresso + ice cream).

The café liégeois, a sort of parfait meets sundae made with espresso, coffee-crunch ice cream, wafer cookie, and coffee “soil.” (Photo by Melissa Hom via nymag)

Wearing:

I got to experience spring and warmth for roughly 48 hours and it was outstanding. I went out and about without sleeves and pants. There were birthday parties and barbecues in the park, there are daffodils all over the place... I wore black floral dresses and black tees and one day I didn't wear socks.

Watching:

Movies: A Fantastic Woman. I watched this alone in a nearly empty theater on Friday night. It was beautiful, wild, and deeply saddening. I would definitely recommend it. It reminded me of an Almodovar film.

Daniela Vega is amazing. (She's my age!) Also, based on the scenery in the movie, I want to go to Chile. (image via sony)

Want to see: Hot Summer Nights. It is hard not to be enticed by all things Timothée Chalamet. A boy comes of age during a summer he spends in Cape Cod. I can relate to life changing New England summertime too.

Love all the people involved in Tully. I think Ron Livingston and Mark Duplass play brothers and wow I never realized how similar they look.

And since I miss my Australia accents, That's Not Me looks fun.

Treasuring:

Hilarity: I had several moments last week where I was laughing so much I couldn't get my words out. There are few feelings better than being overcome with humor. 

Mom: My mom is the best and I love talking to her. No more explanation necessary.

I have those earrings now and I've always had that face.

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 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)