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 // 33

Listening:

Via suggestions, feelings and just because, here are some frequent listens this week:

Reading:

A hodgepodge of recent article reads:

Mommy Dead and Dearest: Murder, Munchausen, and the Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard - I learned about this story from My Favorite Murder and it's so bizarre. I was interested to see this project is directed by Erin Lee Carr, daughter of the late David Carr.

SMITHFIELD: THE “SEINFELD” OF THE MIDWEST - Go read some pictures.

Meditation for Real Life - I haven't read them all, but I love the ones I've read so far. Simple and wonderful.

How to Be Mindful at the Gym (image by Sam Kalda via nytimes)

Craving:

Staying near a Whole Foods for the last week has been lovely and dangerous. I have been lured to the cookie bar more than twice. (Apparently today is "national chocolate chip day," so maybe I'll have to venture over and get my fix.)

Favorite discovery: cake balls/truffles. Bigger than a cake pop, they are balls of cake (chocolate with cookie pieces, carrot with nuts) covered in a shell of icing and a sprinkling of crumbs and such. I'm salivating. 

I'd be up for this challenge: The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in Los Angeles (via StudioDIY)

Wearing:

Suitcase living means a rotation of the same things, more so than usual.

My typical daily uniform entails jeans or black leggings, a striped or black tee or dark-colored dress, and a sweatshirt or jacket. It's supposed to warm up in the Northeast this week though, and I'm doing more public-facing jobs and events, so I'll be stepping it up with some pizzazz in the form of patterns, dresses and a new zebra/tropical themed bandana. 

Watching:

"Master of None" season 2.

I haven't had much patience for tv-watching lately, but the other day when the new season of "Master of None" dropped, it was the right time and place for zoning out with Aziz. 

And just like that I have one episode left (no! why?!). I really enjoyed the first season (which I watched too quickly as well), but I think I like this one even more. There are some really creative episodes (#6 'New York, I Love You' and #8 'Thanksgiving') and it is really hitting the spot. I've laughed so much and felt this heartwarming connection to humanity (for real! I love it!). 

Dev and Arnold are the best little and big friends. (image via Netflix)

Wanting:

I've done a lot of window shopping lately (NYC, parents' house next to a mall, etc.) and here are things I held, touched or just simply sighed upon seeing:

& Other Stories is so dreamy. Velvet Sequin Heel Sandalette. (via stories.com)

We could all use some metallic flames. Metallic Flames Suede Mules. (via stories.com)

This is very me. (via stories.com)

Silky zebra power yeah! A pajama shirt for any time. (via madewell)

Monday Memos // 25

Listening:

"Bastards of Young" by The Replacements. 

Last night I saw the 1992 movie "Singles." A perfect 90s/Seattle grunge/rom com trifecta. The music made me want to jam on The Replacements and REM. 

Reading:

After reading this article and about Cat Marnell and this excerpt from her new book, I want to read "How To Murder Your Life." It will probably be incredibly bleak, but I always like to add a memoir to my reading rotation. 

This image says a lot. (image via nymag)

Craving:

Momofuku Milk Bar treats. 

As mentioned below, I won a big box of fun stuff. Included: 24 milk bar cookies (flavors: corn, cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow, compost, blueberry and cream, and chocolate chocolate). The thing is, I am avoiding sugar and dairy and gluten for a little bit, so these are all just for looking. Aka cruel and unusual punishment. 

I gifted 19 of the cookies to friends and family and put one of each in the freezer for a later date. I am salivating just thinking about them and cannot wait to eventually get to my buttery, sugary, beautiful stash. 

I went to the physical store years ago and it has never left my mind. (image via milkbarstore)

Look at all those cookies! (image via zoesessums)

Wearing:

Pretty much always on a black kick. 

Favorites: 

My Creepoid band tee, a black Old Navy dress and black Old Navy loafers. 

Watching:

"Big Little Lies" on HBO. 

I've been counting down the months, weeks and days until this show's premiere. I loved the trailer and cast, plus, I entered a giveaway on Instagram and won a big "girls night in" box of supplies to accompany my viewing experience. 

It was everything I hoped for. Reese Witherspoon is so good (really scratching my Elle Woods itch). The music is A+. The scenery is jealousy inducing. 

The show, premiering Sunday night, follows the stories of a group of mothers raising first-graders in Monterey, California, who confront all manner of domestic difficulties — including murder — in their community. (via the vulture)

Makes me want to read the book, too. (The book versions are almost always better.)

Shailene Woodley, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman (image via HBO)

My winning box of swag. (via zoesessums)

Wanting:

Nice and refined personal care products. 

I've been actively attempting to have more "clean" products in my life--both through nutrition, skincare and grooming. I recently bought some toothpaste with minimal ingredients, I've been taking a green powder with my breakfast and I could always use more friendly personal care products. 

Here are some beautiful ones to lust after (all culled from Of A Kind).

Daughter of the Land Sage And Grass Moisturizing Oil (via ofakind)

Golda Hiba Wood Atmosphere Mist (via ofakind)

TenOverTen polish in Carmine (via ofakind)