Monday Memos // 56

Listening:

"Sound and Color" by Alabama Shakes.

"That's Why (I Love You So)" by Jackie Wilson. Those dance moves!

Reading:

A must-read in this time that I'm calling an earthquake of garbage and monsters: Men Don’t Get to Decide What Counts As ‘Sex’ By Liz Meriwether.

A satirical read for this stuff-yourself-silly holiday: Thanksgiving Nutrition Tips: Eat Whatever You Want, but Not That. Make food your singular focus while eating. Of course, there will be conversations at the Thanksgiving table. And that’s completely O.K. — as long as you stay out of them. Don’t speak and try not to listen. Earplugs are a good idea or, if you can, simply avoid all noise. Light is also hugely distracting. Think about a blindfold.

I've never experienced any overwhelmingly uncomfortable Thanksgiving meals (cheers to supportive family members!), but Philip is the man to ask: Thanksgiving, Solved! How to Deal With This Dreadful Holiday.

Stop. Wait. Don't. (image by Paul Windle via NYTimes)

Stop. Wait. Don't. (image by Paul Windle via NYTimes)

Craving:

Celebrated my mom's birthday at Proof restaurant in DC. So much deliciousness.

I had a Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, which was garnished with cumin yogurt, truffle piccadillo, and sourdough croutons. Then I ate the Ora King Salmon with pickled mustard greens, a sticky rice cake, shiitake mushrooms, and shoyu sauce. Perfection. Everyone's dish had us oooh-ing and yummmm-ing. 

For dessert we tried the Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Cake—topped with gianduja gelato (chocolate hazelnut) and espresso sauce—and the Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake—topped with almond streusel and vanilla ice cream. I almost licked the plates clean.

I couldn't find a good picture from Proof, but the photography on Coming Soon's website is amazing. You'll want to buy everything, too. (image of Mosser Glass Pink Milk Glass Cake Stand via comingsoonnewyork)

I couldn't find a good picture from Proof, but the photography on Coming Soon's website is amazing. You'll want to buy everything, too. (image of Mosser Glass Pink Milk Glass Cake Stand via comingsoonnewyork)

Wearing:

Nothing new to talk about regarding my own clothing adventure, so here are some fabulous things for adornment:

Patches by Amber Ibarreche.

Patches by Amber Ibarreche.

Bingo! Sweatshirt by Tuesday Bassen.

Bingo! Sweatshirt by Tuesday Bassen.

Smiley metallic crew socks by Hansel from Basel.

Smiley metallic crew socks by Hansel from Basel.

The Laurel Twist Mule by Loeffler Randall.

Watching:

Recently Viewed: The pilot episode of "Sea Oak." A genre-bending comedy from renowned author and creator George Saunders featuring Glenn Close as a working-class woman who dies in a home invasion and comes back from the dead full of rage, determined to get the life she never had.

Interested In: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." A darkly comedic drama with—Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell. "The Florida Project." Willem Dafoe, my messed up home State, strong emotions... sold. "The Square." A Swedish satirical drama directed by Ruben Östlund and starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, and Terry Notary. The film is about publicity surrounding an art installation, and was partly inspired by an installation Östlund and producer Kalle Boman had made.

Treasuring:

Dreaming. I've been having some wild dreams, which have been leaning on the side of entertaining and humorous. Quite enjoyable, really. I've also been doing a lot of daydreaming. It's nice sometimes to stare off in a car window or walk around the fall foliage and think fondly about people, places and things.

Gifting. 'Tis the season and I love gathering presents. Making them, wrapping them, compiling them, looking at gift guides, researching best things... 

(Illustration by Alessandra Olanow for Cup of Jo.)

(Illustration by Alessandra Olanow for Cup of Jo.)

Monday Memos // 48

Listening:

"Something On Your Mind" by Karen Dalton

"We Don't Deserve Love" by Arcade Fire

"Garvey' s Ghost" by Max Roach

Reading:

"Google’s most-searched “how-to” questions capture all the magic and struggle of being human"

This is more of a "reading through pictures"—but I love these kinds of photo series: "What dinner time looks like across the USA. A seat at the table."

More in the way of visual storytelling: An Ode to Acts of Kindness on the New York City Subway.

And finally, some doodle-y goodness: The Illustrated Interview: Bruce Weber.

“I just love the way they're just kind of embracing in this open romance in the subway as he's reading this book,” Mr. Wagner said. “It almost looks like they're reading it together.” (image via Andre D. Wagner for The New York Times)

“I just love the way they're just kind of embracing in this open romance in the subway as he's reading this book,” Mr. Wagner said. “It almost looks like they're reading it together.” (image via Andre D. Wagner for The New York Times)

Craving:

Consuming with frequency: oatmeal cookies, fried eggs, salad with grilled chicken, crunchy peanut butter, and roasted sweet potatoes.

Drooling over recipes: chai banana bread, milk + honey baklava, small batch vegan brownies, and roasted lemon basil butter salmon with burst tomatoes.

Still on a Greek kick I suppose. (image via acozykitchen)

Still on a Greek kick I suppose. (image via acozykitchen)

Wearing:

T-shirts: old American Apparel v-necks and a trusty Everlane pocket tee.

Shorts: cut-offs from high school pants via the Gap and American Eagle. DIY-meets-preppy.

Dresses: grey and black H&M shirt dresses than have stood the test of time.

Shoes: decade-old purple slip-on vans that pair well with my mud-drenched yard.

Good sentiment. (hand drawn type by maddy nye for designlovefest)

Good sentiment. (hand drawn type by maddy nye for designlovefest)

Watching:

"Broad City"—because it is always superb. "I Love Dick"—because why not try a feminist cringe-comedy with Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Hahn. "Claws"—because sometimes you have to binge a cheesy show set in Florida with your roommate to cope with flooding and totaled cars.

Treasuring:

Friends helping out friends in the stormy weather.

Subtle moments of animal affection and closeness.

Sleeping in.

(illustration by Mari Andrew via cupofjo)

(illustration by Mari Andrew via cupofjo)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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