Monday Memos // 99

Listening:

"Quarry Hymns" by Land of Talk.

“Look At What the Light Did Now” by Little Wings.

I’ve had this image stuck in my head all week. I’m sorry. “A teenage Hawaiian Monk seal executes the Eel Challenge.” (Photo: NOAA Fisheries/Brittany Dolan via nymag)

I’ve had this image stuck in my head all week. I’m sorry. “A teenage Hawaiian Monk seal executes the Eel Challenge.” (Photo: NOAA Fisheries/Brittany Dolan via nymag)

Craving:

Saturday night I went to a latke party. From the lovely people to the dogs to the coziness, it was wonderful. But then, the fried foods—WOW. Fresh batches of latkes dipped in homemade applesauce and spicy mustard sauce. Little cornichons and dried figs and apricots. Fresh, piping hot arancini (stuffed rice balls coated with bread crumbs and filled with gooey, cheesy centers) with homemade chili dipping sauce. AND homemade doughnuts! They were little pillows of heaven and powdered sugar, which we dipped in cookie butter and jam. I had to stop myself at the savory doughnuts with mushroom and creme fraiche topping—too full. Happy Hanukkah!

There was even a box of goods from NY’s Dough Doughnuts. I had a bite of a lemon poppyseed one. Amazing. (image via doughdoughnuts.com)

There was even a box of goods from NY’s Dough Doughnuts. I had a bite of a lemon poppyseed one. Amazing. (image via doughdoughnuts.com)

Wearing:

It’s COLD. But also, this week was full of work events, so last Monday I stepped it up with a touch of glamour by way of a nice, new black denim wrap top and my old red boots with gold details. Also, there was a launch party for the Cook90 cookbook (go buy it! it’s amazing! I’m even in the dedication page!), where my Epicurious coworkers and I all wore matching shirts that said: “Do you even nextover?” You’ll have to read the book to get it.

Watching:

Last week I just needed to cry a lot and I found a show to match my sentiments. It’s like an alternate to This Is US and it is called A Million Little Things. It’s so cheesy, full of over the top drama and complications. There are affairs, secrets, cancer, suicide. There’s an important plot vehicle by way of yin yang necklace. There’s that “Riptide” song by Vance Joy that seems to be in a lot of shows at emotional moments. Still, I’m going to keep watching it. Berger is in it! (Ron Livingston. He’s a lot of amazing people from movies and tv, but my first thought is always Jack Berger.)

I don’t really know much about any other actors in this except for the guy next to Ron, who was in Psych, and the guy on the end, right, who was in Weeds.

I don’t really know much about any other actors in this except for the guy next to Ron, who was in Psych, and the guy on the end, right, who was in Weeds.

Treasuring:

Good stories and kind people: I met Ted Allen and talked to him about his favorite All-Clad whisk. I saw a taping of Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me at Carnegie Hall. A jewelry designer told me my grandma’s ring looked beautiful on me and gave me an orange. The day I was reminded of my cinnamon bread story, I saw this truck with a giant image of cinnamon raisin bread. Someone told me to enjoy the wandering and vast loneliness I feel now, because I’ll miss it one day when everything is familiar and comfortable.

Monday Memos // 98

This week is brought to you by lethargy. It’s been dreary, I’ve had a lot of deadlines, and I might have an underlying cold. Energy is at a low, but behind it all I am very excited for December. Pardon the brevity.

Listening:

"The Magician" by Andy Shauf. Last Monday I went to see Andy play at National Sawdust in Brooklyn. The space wasn’t very big and I stood as front and center as you could get. Just him and his guitar. It was better than I could’ve imagined.

“Car Park” by Fenne Lily. This band opened for Andy and was very enjoyable.

“Hasta La Piel” by Carla Morrison. This song was playing in a restaurant scene on The Romanoffs and I had to figure out what it was.

Reading:

I just bought Abbi Jacobson’s new book I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff. I cannot wait to read it (currently in the middle of Jeffrey Eugenides’ latest collection of short stories).

“From the co-creator and co-star of the hit series Broad City, a "poignant, funny, and beautifully unabashed" (Cheryl Strayed) bestselling essay collection about love, loss, work, comedy, and figuring out who you really are when you thought you already knew.”

Craving:

Lots of OHi Superfood Bars—very nutty, crunchy, seedy things. Lots of tortilla chips and saltine crackers—on a salty kick. Theme: busy, tired, craving crunch.

Wearing:

Black and yellow. Black and maroon. Black and stripes. It was a rainy week with lots of layers and umbrellas. Lots of attempting to dress in clothes as close to pajamas as possible. Of course I saw Anna Wintour in the hallway wearing a beautiful gold and black brocade dress.

Watching:

As someone who devoured the podcast of the same name and subject, I’m curious to see the television adaptation of Dirty John. Such a terrifying story of manipulation. I’ll watch anything with Connie Britton.

Maybe one day when I need something terrible to watch, I came across the description for the movie Slice. “When a pizza delivery driver is murdered on the job, the city searches for someone to blame: ghosts? drug dealers? a disgraced werewolf?” Chance the Rapper and Zazie Beetz are the stars—I do love her.

Treasuring:

December: I’m ready for all the Christmas tree smells and lights and holiday music. I’m ready for getting dressed up and snowy days and roaring fires. I’m ready for tinsel and sequins and a little vacation. I’m ready for birthday cake and squeezing more friends.

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Monday Memos // 97

Listening:

"Everything Apart" by Foxwarren.

“No No No” by Beirut.

“The Modern Things” by Björk.

Reading:

Destined to Marry the Cute Bartender - Sometimes you’re not meant to be with the guy who is always on time and has already bought the tickets.

Dear Friends, I think I figured out what I want to do for my birthday: Holiday Party Idea: Make Everyone Dress Like Cake

Dessert as fashion inspiration. (image by CYRUS MCCRIMMON/Denver Post via Getty Images)

Dessert as fashion inspiration. (image by CYRUS MCCRIMMON/Denver Post via Getty Images)

Craving:

Delicious things I’ve consumed recently: pumpkin pie, apple pie, and chocolate pecan pie (slices, slivers, and crumbs). Broccoli rabe pesto pasta. A laminated baguette (that’s a baguette wrapped in croissant dough) from Arcade Bakery that I cannot stop thinking about (so flakey! so buttery!). Scarr’s Pizza grandma slice and vegan Caesar salad. Roasted scallops, fennel, and turnips. A flourless chocolate cake with butterscotch ice cream… Tis the seasoning for stuffing yourself with comfort.

Arcade Bakery, a magical place in the lobby of a Tribeca office building (image via thenewpotato)

Arcade Bakery, a magical place in the lobby of a Tribeca office building (image via thenewpotato)

Wearing:

Sweaters and sweatshirts. Coats and jackets. Hiker boots and thick socks. A red wool hat. Plus, my grandmother noted that I’ve worn the same thing three consecutive visits in a row—a billowy black dress. Hey, it’s classic and comfortable.

The winter look.

The winter look.

Watching:

I haven’t been on my solo movie dates like usual or really having too much time for television, but the Netflix series version of Get Shorty has been very entertaining to watch. GBBO is delightful and soothing as always. I can’t wait for the upcoming new seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and High Maintenance.

Treasuring:

Family, family, and more family: To get to see my family so much this year has been a true treat. It’s nice when you don’t have to catch up on a thousand broad stories of “this is what I’ve been up to,” but rather fill in the fun details of recent adventures. I’m learning more. I’m laughing about whacky things. I’m relishing in the comfort when I just need someone I can be quiet around, and fully myself.

This sums it up. Myself in the middle.

This sums it up. Myself in the middle.

Monday Memos // 96

Listening:

“The Trip” by Still Corners.

“Oom Sha La La” by Haley Heynderickx.

Who is he? (image via James Devaney/WireImage/Getty Images

Who is he? (image via James Devaney/WireImage/Getty Images

Craving:

I had a friend feast at Sala Thai. It was a delicious peanutty party. We had Thai crepe dumplings (Minced Chicken, Peanuts, and Sweet Turnips), Pla Muk Tod (Fried Turmeric Coconut Calamari with Roasted Bell Pepper-Peanut Vinaigrette Sauce), Praram (Sautéed batter fried chicken with Peanut Sauce, steamed Baby Bok Choy), and Kao Nar Ped (Crispy Quarter Duck Breast, Chinese Broccoli and Pickled Ginger). And then we were full beyond belief.

I was also given a vegan feast for two (more like feast for 12) from Whole Foods. To celebrate “World Vegan Day,” Whole Foods Market and Chef Jeremy Fox co-created a plant-centered meal, which included: Romanesco Cauliflower Roast with Miso Bagna Cauda, Cremini Mushroom Stuffing with Kimchi, Charred Escarole with Tomatoes and Chickpeas, and Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple and Hazelnut Dukkah. I ate it for days. The squash and the stuffing were the best.

Wearing:

Pink boots and pink bandana. Sweatshirts and Chelsea boots. My favorite jean jacket.

Watching:

Loved and Loving: Wanderlust was superb. The Romanoffs is proving to be highly entertaining.

Want to See: Dogs on Netflix looks great and potentially heart-wrenching. Holmes & Watson looks like a typical Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly comedy treat for lots of laughs.

Treasuring:

November: My calendar is filling up with exciting events. Music and storytelling and dinners and visits. So much family time and friends to see. Plus, the cool air and the changing leaves, I’m feeling great anticipation.

My block is very yellow.

My block is very yellow.