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 // 68

Listening:

"All The Snow Is Gone" by Sniffle Party.

"Flatiron" by Suzanne Kraft.

"Suddenly" by Drugdealer feat. Weyes Blood.

Reading:

Thank you Joy for leading me to The A.V. Club's "11 Questions" series. I started with Karen Kilgariff (MFM fans!), then John Reynolds (Search Party fans!), and ended with Claudia O’Doherty (Love fans!).

For when you're endlessly scrolling: The 100 Best Movies on Netflix.

Worst Roommate Ever - This is one of the most terrifying stories. As someone who just spent the last month or so in a stressful hunt for housing in New York it feels close to home. However, I feel some relief in the fact that the psycho antagonist was in my own position and I promise dear roommates of present and future, I wouldn't even know how to be this kind of monster. 

A scene from “Jaws.” (image via Universal Studios)

Craving:

Last week I had the pleasure and discomfort of participating in a Talenti taste test. I sampled 36 different flavors of sorbetto and gelato. About six flavors in I realized this would not be the joy I anticipated. It was sticky. It was sweet. It gave me a bit of a sugary film on my teeth and a bit of a stomach ache. I wasn't surprised to discovered that all my favorites were on the chocolate and/or peanut butter spectrum. Don't choose vanilla-based flavors (anything with coconut is good though, especially coconut almond chocolate). Don't expect Ben and Jerry's levels of mix-ins. If you are into dairy-free options, the sorbettos are really creamy and generally delicious (roman raspberry and peanut butter fudge were in my top ratings).

Either way, I love my new job and these sorts of projects. I am inundated with snacks and homemade food and gourmet chocolates. 

My Wednesday looked like this. (image via Talenti)

Wearing:

Next week will be another story, but lately: black tee, black boots, black sack dress, black slacks, black leggings. This wardrobe is sometimes just the thing. I snazzed up the monotones with some old favorite gold necklaces, too.

Watching:

I know I've mentioned this multiple times, but High Maintenance is outstanding and I am continually enamored by it in every way. 

John Oliver continues to make current events entertaining, digestible, and informative. At least when I am depressed by the leaders of our world I can count on Oliver to give me some interesting perspectives. 

Treasuring:

New Routines: I'm learning how long it takes to get to work. I'm enjoying the meditative commute on the one train. I'm savoring the quiet moments when I get to work and no one else is there and I make my coffee and gaze out at Jersey City. I love shuffling down my new long hallway in my socks. I love looking out at all the new views – through the fog, the snowflakes, the rainy evenings, and the sunshine. I love wandering in and out of different markets and groceries and having a fridge, cabinet, and oven to use when I return "home."

Keith Haring lover forever. 

Monday Memos // 65

Listening:

"All My Loving" by The Beatles.

"Ubik" by Reptaliens. 

Reading:

The Mugs That Our Favorite Ceramicists Can't Live Without - I love these kind of "favorite things" pieces. The artwork is so great too. "One recent study found that one in six people have an emotional attachment to one particular mug. A third would be “angry” or “totally devastated” if their favorite one broke. So it’s totally normal to grow attached to a certain mug; it’s always there for you, unless someone else is using it. (Don’t do that.)"

What's your favorite mug? (illustrations by Maria Sainte via bonappetit)

Doing the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason

(images by Miss Lasko-Gross via thenewyorker)

I’ll Need Your Café’s Wi-Fi Password Because I’m Working on My Novel Today - "Would you like to take a photograph of me and hang it up, so you can one day tell your patrons that a famous author sat here for twelve hours using your Wi-Fi and only purchased a single coffee? What size for the coffee? The smallest you have, please."

Craving:

A moment of wanting a big bowl of something delicious nearby brought me to the fast-casual restaurant Cava. I can always go for Mediterranean food. The sauces and pita and toppings were all so good I went back a few days later.

I'll be back. (image via zagat)

I finally tried a cookie from Ovenly. As their website says, "we adventurously explore culinary traditions with an unexpected twist, thoughtfully melding sweet and savory with a touch of spice." Even though I just had a simple salted chocolate chip cookie ("secretly vegan"), it was so wonderful. I'm still dying to try their Brooklyn blackout cake. 

One of everything please. (image via ovenly by winona barton-ballentine)

Wearing:

Unintentionally, my entire wardrobe was black, grey, and blue this week. I suppose my red knit hat adds a dose of color, but I could stand to brighten things up. Most likely I'll throw in some sparkles and bright plaids. It's so cold, burrowing in black just feels right. 

Colorful inspiration. Top image: Marni Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear fashion show on Vogue Runway. Middle image: Lupita Nyong’o photographed by Erik Madigan Heck for "The Guardian." Bottom image: Gorman clothing.

Watching:

Turns out they're making a Big Lebowski spin-off based on John Turturro's character, Jesus Quintana. I'm weary but intrigued; also, the Coen brothers aren't involved. "Strangely, this film is apparently a remake of the 1974 French film "Les Valseuses." This new version, which also stars Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, and Susan Sarandon," is titled "Going Places."

So deep in my Australian tv romance I can hardly watch anything else. I did manage some hotel viewing sessions of "Jeopardy" and "Seinfeld" as palate cleansers. 

(image via slashfilm.com)

Treasuring:

Revival. Some synonyms include: improvement, recovery, rallying, picking up, amelioration, turn for the better, upturn, upswing, resurgence... I'm feeling my happiness returning. I'm remembering what it feels like to be excited about the entire day (for several days in a row). I'm so busy and fulfilled I'm doing more than crossword puzzles and wandering around the mall. A few nights ago I turned out the light, going to sleep with tears of contentment streaking my face and a smile in my heart. The kitten on the poster was right: hang in there. 

🖐🏻Must love cats. (drawing by Nadine Redlich)

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)