Monday Memos // 71

Listening:

"Only With You" by Angel Olsen.

"You and I" by Wilco featuring Feist.

This song was in the latest season of Love on Netflix — bringing me back to my family Wilco days.

"Mystery of Love" by Sufjan Stevens.

I waited forever and a half to see Call Me By Your Name. I think I needed some emotional stability so I wouldn't sob the entire movie. This song paired with the scene, it gave me an enormous swell of feelings. I love Sufjan.

"I Was Born A Unicorn" by The Unicorns.

This song was also in the latest season of Love and instantly transported me to 15 years old. (Roz, remember when we went with them to prom?)

Reading:

I Hid Who I Was for So Long. Until I Became a Cook. By Andy Baraghani. This is a wonderful piece. I feel very inspired by my coworkers.

If you're curious how the Talenti Taste Test I participated in went down, this is Joe's full report. I'm still more of a chocolate and peanut butter varietal fan.  

That's my arm on the left. (image by Caleb Adams)

Craving:

This week is brought to you by almonds. I'm in love with this almond-based dip/spread called Bitchin' Sauce — all the flavors are delicious.

I participated in an almond butter taste test (grocery store brands are top ranking: TJs. Whole Foods 365, Costco, etc.).

I devoured a variety of "cocoa-dusted" almonds that were sitting next to my desk (in espresso, maple, and mayan) — I didn't adore them, but they were there.

I also cannot stop eating dates. 

I got to try these Salted Chocolate–Tahini Bliss Balls and I want to make more for myself. (photo by Alex Lau)

Wearing:

Last Monday I was walking to work and thought, I should revive my fashion game now that I go to a big fancy building for work. A couple hours later, I was pushing a cart full of toasters down an empty hallway, wearing jeans, my It's-It sweatshirt, and my decade-old purple vans, and guess who walks right by me? Anna Wintour! In the flesh, full-on sparkling tweed skirt suit. She definitely didn't look me in the eye. At least I do really love that sweatshirt.

Just Anna and the Queen. (image via hello magazine)

Watching:

Live: I went to this show last Friday: LAS CULTURISTAS LIVE: I DON'T THINK SO, HONEY! Wow! Dozens upon dozens of comedians and performers take one minute each to go off on culture. My face hurt from laughing so much. My hands hurt from clapping so much. Now I am in a deep dive of the Las Culturistas podcast and thoroughly in love with the hosts and concept. 

On Netflix: I consumed season three of Love in a couple of days. I think I enjoyed it more toward the end of the season, and maybe not as much as the first, but still a fan.

Shorts: If you want short segments of brilliance, watch 555 on Vimeo. "A motley cast of characters, played entirely by comedians Kate Berlant and John Early. Director Andrew DeYoung rounds out the trio of creators who put their minds together to birth this hilariously cutting new miniseries (and freshest Vimeo Original). In five short films, they show us the struggle of trying to achieve big tinseltown dreams, in a town built on power." — Vimeo Blog

HBO: Week after week, High Maintenance is my favorite in television. The latest episode was bursting with weirdness and beauty and more than I could put into words.

Poster and logo for 555 produced by Abso Lutely.

Treasuring:

Dogs: I saw an excitable husky in a window the other night and I keep passing the same apartment on a daily basis hoping to see it again. There are always so many great dogs in the city from Dalmatian puppies to scrappy mutts in sweaters to the sweetest looking Corgi in a backpack. I am a fan of them all. It is year of the dog after all. 

Scene from Maira Kalman's Max series — I've got a tattoo of Max, in the brown hat and coat. Her dog depictions are superb.

Monday Memos // 57

Listening:

Terrible, Thanks for Asking. Hosted by author and notable widow (her words) Nora McInerny, this is a funny/sad/uncomfortable podcast about talking honestly about our pain, our awkwardness, and our humanness, which is not an actual word. A favorite episode: Episode #2: I’ve Made a Huge Mistake

Natch Beaut podcast. Comedian and self-proclaimed "Beauty Passionista" Jackie Johnson attempts to take the seriousness, mysteries, and intimidation out of makeup and skincare as she gabs with fellow artists about what beauty and self-care means to them. A favorite episode: Episode 16: Beauty Fails with Georgia Hardstark.

How to Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black. An in-depth interview show, hosted by comedian, author and actor Michael Ian Black.  Black sits down with some of today’s most provocative writers, entertainers, artists, innovative thinkers and politicians for humorous, thought-provoking conversations that dive into the creative process and the intricate minds of some of the most influential voices of our time. A favorite episode: Episode 38: Tim Gunn.

Reading:

One of the few reasons I am already looking forward to summer: Lauren Groff's new book "Florida." When Lauren signed my copy of "Fates and Furies" she wrote: "The next one's for you." I believe it!

The stories in this collection span characters, towns, decades, even centuries, but Florida -- its landscape, climate, history, and state of mind -- becomes its gravitational center: an energy, a mood, as much as a place of residence. Groff transports the reader, then jolts us alert with a crackle of wit, a wave of sadness, a flash of cruelty, as she writes about loneliness, rage, family, and the passage of time. With shocking accuracy and effect, she pinpoints the moments and decisions and connections behind human pleasure and pain, hope and despair, love and fury -- the moments that make us alive. Startling, precise, and affecting, Florida is a magnificent achievement.

Read "Fates and Furies" now if you haven't already.

Craving:

I have eaten three different household versions of Thanksgiving feasts. Three different versions of pumpkin pie. (Plus an assortment of treats including cherry pie and chocolate cream pie and pumpkin roll and crescent roll cheesecake squares and berry cobbler... Hello sugar rush!)

I always see these inventive ways of using leftovers and they have me keeping the stuffing and turkey in mind. Like: turkey and mushroom dumpling soup, leftover sweet potato casserole grilled cheese, leftover cranberry sauce greek yogurt coffee cake, breakfast hash with mashed potato pancakes, and stuffing waffles.

There are many things to do with stuffing. Drooling. (photo via Two Red Bowls)

Wearing:

• Flannel (tis the season).
• Wool socks (my pair of Smartwool socks have stood the test of time).
• Boots (thanks to my mom for passing on an incredibly comfortable pair of Kork-Ease boots to me).

Watching:

Finally saw "The Big Sick" and enjoyed it. Heavy on the comedy, not overly romantic, plus a much-needed dose of Holly Hunter.

I have fallen fast for "Search Party." A single-camera dark comedy about four self-absorbed twenty-somethings who become entangled in an ominous mystery when a former college acquaintance suddenly disappears. All the characters and cameos are brilliant. If you find yourself adoring Elliott, go check out all of John Early's other stuff. 

I need to start watching "At Home with Amy Sedaris." Her and her brother are some of my heroes.

Looks like Florida. (image by KC Bailey)

Treasuring:

Driving. I don't necessarily love driving, but sometimes it's therapeutic to just set out on the road and drive for several hours. This past week I make a new trek on the Pennsylvania turnpike (plus a tiny bit of Ohio's). The rolling hills and snow-covered patches were beautiful. I listened to so many wonderful podcasts, too.

Celebrating. Birthdays, holidays, togetherness. Giving gifts, giving thanks, giving hugs.

(hand drawn type by maddy nye for designlovefest)

Monday Memos // 52

This week is brought to you by overwhelming loneliness, too much sugar, really nice weather, and general life confusion.

Listening:

"Diamonds" by Kevin Krauter.

"Dancing In the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen. Prepare yourself for Bruce's outfit and dance moves, wow!

"Stoner Hill" by Brian Blade + The Fellowship Band. Make sure to listen to Brian speak at the end, his happiness—"there's not thoughts of other things in these times..."

"Dirty John" a podcast from the LA Times. I've been blowing through podcasts as I walk for hours through Brooklyn. I just started this one—A true story about seduction, deception, forgiveness, denial, and ultimately, survival. Reported and hosted by Christopher Goffard.—I'm about halfway done and it is disturbing and fascinating. If you like S-Town or Serial, this is similar.

Reading:

"Jitterbug Perfume" by Tom Robbins.

I went in search for "Still Life with Woodpecker," but this was the Tom Robbins selection in two different book stores, so I took it as a sign and bought a nice worn copy. Widely considered a cult classic and one of the "Best books of the 20th century," I'm excited to dig in. Robbins knows his way around wild ideas and words. 

Trivia: His dog's name is Blini Tomato Titanium and his sons have the names Rip, Kirk, and Fleetwood. I'm calling him when I get another pet or have a baby.

Some good 1984 graphic design.

Craving:

I can't stop going to Cinnamon Girl. I've tried the monster cookie, breakfast cookie, apple bran muffin, double chocolate chunk cookie, and Brooklyn blackout cake. I should start avoiding that side of the street when I walk home.

I've also become a big fan of Silver Rice, a simple and delicious Japanese eatery. I've had their special rice cup a couple of times (flaxseed rice, pumpkin, kale, salmon, cucumbers, avocado, spicy mayo) and tried a couple different soups (a kabocha squash and a miso broccoli rabe and quinoa).

All the rice and soup and hearty desserts have been soothing on my stomach through a short bout of food poisoning and a constant bombardment of anxiety. 

Wearing:

Pants! It's been so long since I've reached for pants on a daily basis. I keep going back to the same pair of blue jeans and black slacks with a tiny quotation mark print. Back and forth and a rotation of black tee-shirts.

I've also been wearing socks on a daily basis (Florida summer made me really neglect my sock drawer). Stripes, black, and artichoke print have been the rotation.

Watching:

"Maggie's Plan."

This movie was just what I needed last Friday night. Maggie (played by Greta Gerwig) reminded me of myself, for better or worse. Some New York shenanigans and life confusion and hilarity. The cast too—Ethan Hawke, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, Julianne Moore... a wonderful story of comedy, chaos, and love. 

Maggie Harden, a director of business for the art and design students at a university, decides she wants to have a child and enlists a former college acquaintance, Guy Childers, a former maths student to donate his sperm. Guy is a "pickle entrepreneur."

Travis Fimmel and Greta Gerwig and the pickles. (photo by Jon Pack)

Treasuring:

The telephone and faraway friends. 

This week I watched "This Is Us" while on the phone with a friend. We synced up the episode and pressed play at the exact same moment. It was wonderful to keep up a weekly tradition—to awww and laugh and cry together, even hundreds of miles apart.

Talking to my mom on a particularly rough day and then on a much better day was great. I loved hearing my dad's uproarious laughter in the background. Plus, I heard my boy Oliver meowing and I was tempted to FaceTime with him.

There have been moments this last week when my feet ache from the miles of walking, but the air felt so good, and I'm teetering between being okay or not—ring ring!—a voice of familiarity and comfort! Thank you! I get to step out of my head and talk about life and feel connected to great things. 

Now if only I could find a place like Carrie's and have her writing gig and pick the carpenter. (image via HBO)

Monday Memos // 44

Listening:

"Track A - Solo Dancer" by Charles Mingus

"So Good At Being In Trouble" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra

"Curse Your Branches" by David Bazan

Reading:

Reassuring advice from Toni Morrison and her father: The Work You Do, the Person You Are.

I'm ready for the return of "Difficult People" this week and as always, Julie is a hoot. What Julie Klausner Can’t Live Without.

Temp tee! (image via the strategist)

Craving:

A craving and reading combined, I was looking through the August issue of Bon Appétit: The Simple Issue. Every recipe has five ingredients or less and made my mouth water.

Catching my eye: Jam Toaster Tarts, Corn Flake Cake, Oven-Dried Strawberries, Grilled Halibut and Summer Squash with Pumpkin Seeds, Lentil Purée with Cumin, Cilantro, and Lime... drooling.

"Sweet corn makes for an awesome dessert—if you like carrot cake, you’re going to love this one. You’ll get a corn three-way with fresh corn kernels, a little bit of cornmeal to get a cornbread-like flavor, plus the crunch of Corn Flakes is so damn satisfying." (photo by Laura Murray, styling by Judy Mancini via bonappetit)

"They're chewy—a bit softer than a dried apricot—with a plump, juicy consistency." I could top a lot of things with these. (image by Alex Lau via bonappetit)

Wearing:

Pink. Hot, pastel, salmony. I appreciate the spectrum of pink. 

Button up Hawaiian shirts. Old tees. Bright sandals. Lip glosses.

I cannot wait until I get to wear pink in the form of socks, sweatshirts and jackets. 

Watching:

"Good Girls Revolt." New York in the 1960s | Magazine fact-checkers and reporters | Mad Men vibes | Female inequality and liberation. I'm breezing through this while cleaning and unpacking.

I like following the journalism and outfits. (image via amazon studios)

"Housesitters."

Sometimes you need a palate cleanser between Game of Thrones, the summer heat and angst, and moving. My friend was watching "The Out-of-Towners," which got us talking about Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin, which led to rewatching this oldie. Some easy slapstick humor and goofiness.

Goldie in the grass—this instantly made me think of Andrew Wyeth's Christina's World. (image via universal studios)

I saw this super weird and amazing trailer for "The Great British Bake Off" and can't wait for it. This is where my love of tv and sweets and nerding out collide!

Wanting:

I'm looking into getting tickets to see one of my favorite podcasts live: My Favorite Murder. They'll be in my state in November. 

Stay sexy and don't get murdered. (image by Mandee Johnson via rollingstone)

I would love to see the Color Factory in San Francisco. 

"This two-story interactive exhibition celebrates color and material, featuring work by some of our favorite artists and collaborators... Lose yourself in 10,000 colored ribbons, sink into a giant yellow ball pit, catch some rainbows, smell colorful memories, and taste a spectrum of treats from our favorite stops in San Francisco. The pinks will delight you, the blues will amaze you, the yellows might make you hungry."

Yellow (image via colorfactory)

Swoon. (image via colorfactory)