Monday Memos // 38

Listening:

"Rican Beach" by Hurray For the Riff Raff. (Found this via Kate Miss and her always enviable music mixes.)

"Mississippi" by The Cactus Blossoms. (Heard this on a new Twin Peaks episode.)

"Moses of the South" by Colour Revolt. (Discovered this through a favorite music recommender.)

Reading:

The Writing Process. This is perfect. 

I want to see the movie "The Big Sick." Here's a story behind the story.

I want to read this children's book: "What Are We Even Doing With Our Lives?: The Most Honest Children's Book of All Time." 

From "What Are We Even Doing With Our Lives?" (via amazon)

Craving:

Chocolate chip studded stuff. 

Last week I made mixed nut butter chocolate chip cookies (adapted from this recipe) and chocolate chip banana bread bites. In total, I think I ate 26 of the 30 baked goods. Delicious, and actually fairly nutritious. I need to go make more; I'm thinking chocolate chip zucchini something.

I love chocolate chip cookies, truly. (image via acozykitchen)

Wearing:

I put on many things last week I've never worn or only worn on occasion. It was nice. Refresh!

Top picks: a shiny skirt, an off-the-shoulder striped dress, and thick canvas tank top. 

Cher is always in my thoughts when it comes to dressing. (image via paramount pictures)

Watching:

Dave Chappelle's Netflix special "The Age of Spin." Brilliant.

"The Wedding Singer." Killer soundtrack and terribly wonderful outfits. 

Julia Gulia. (image via the movie review)

Wanting:

"Salad for President: A Cookbook Inspired by Artists." By Julia Sherman.

The creator of the immensely popular Salad for President blog presents a visually rich collection of more than 75 salad recipes, with contributions and interviews by artists/creative professionals like William Wegman, Tauba Auerbach, Laurie Anderson, and Alice Waters.

This book looks beautiful and delicious. I want to be like Julia Sherman.

You had me at Heirloom Tomatoes with Crunchy Polenta Croutons. (via amazon)

Monday Memos // 31

Listening:

"Glassworks" by Philip Glass.

I could make a giant web connecting things I love with Philip Glass. Baltimore (his hometown and one of my favorite places), Chuck Close (I went through an obsessive Close phase in high school and have stared as his portrait of Glass a thousand times), Ira Glass (second cousins and I love public radio)... 

"Glassworks" is magical and soothing and invigorating. 

Reading:

"The Absolute Best ______ in New York" articles. 

As my May in New York is fast approaching, I am getting into some consumable research. Since I adore and trust all facets of New York Magazine, here are my favorite pieces of research for bookmarking:

"The Absolute Best Cake in New York" - duh. 

Vanilla salted-caramel cake at Ovenly. Photo: Liz Clayman (via nymag)

"The Absolute Best Salad Spot in New York" - because balance and I actually really love vegetables, too. 

Sweetgreen’s Harvest Bowl. Photo: Liz Clayman. (via nymag)

"The Absolute Best Lattes in New York" - water and coffee are my top beverage choices in life. 

Latte at Everyman Espresso. Photo: Paul Wagtouicz. (via nymag)

Craving:

Gorp (aka "good old raisins and peanuts" aka trail mix). 

I particularly enjoy Trader Joe's "Legendary Nut & Berry Mix" (almonds, cranberries, raisins, cashews, blueberries, walnuts, and raspberries) and I won a box of 88 Acres seed bars that are essentially trail mix in bar form (lots of seeds and dried fruits). 

Sometimes work feels like a hike and this sustenance helps. 

88 Acres sells three snack bars: Apple & Ginger, Chocolate & Sea Salt, and Triple Berry. (via 88acres)

Wearing:

This is an anticipated wear, but I just got (won, actually) this iron-on patch and cannot wait to adorn something with it. 

Very much my inner mantra. (image and patch via studiodiy)

Watching:

I haven't been binging any television lately, but in the past week I have enjoyed: the new Louis C.K. special, the latest Almodovar movie "Julieta," and the series finale of "Girls."

I am looking forward to "Fargo" season 3 (which starts this week) and includes Ewan McGregor and Jim Gaffigan!

Ewan is looking rough! (image via YouTube)

Wanting:

(This is always the hardest category to fill in, which actually makes me feel better about life fulfillment/satisfaction.)

Let's go fantasy-indulgence with this one:

A packing and organizing machine. (Currently trying to pare down all my belongings and it usually ends in semi-organized, barely rearranged piles. 

A personal masseuse. (My legs have been aching. I know my anxiety is buried deep in my shoulders. It would be nice to have a massage at any instant.)

My own beautiful apartment in New York. (My arrangements for travel are getting expensive and complex. Wouldn't it be sweet if I just had some magical place of my own?)

This is the first fantasy that came to mind---more so the chocolate factory than the Oompa Loompas. (image via alamay)