Monday Memos // 17

Listening:

"My Favorite Murder" A true crime/murder mystery podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. 

I'm not usually someone interested in horror and gore, creepiness and death. BUT this podcast is amazing and makes me enjoy the darkness. It probably helps that it is hosted by two hilarious, unapologetic ladies--I would listen to whatever subject they presented to me. 

Sometimes I question listening to this podcast when I am alone at home, in the shower. However, it never gets to me in a way that makes it hard to sleep. If anything, I feel more informed about history and empowered by the catchphrases like "stay sexy and don't get murdered."

You might just become a Murderino too. (via themajorie.com)

Reading:

"From Syria, With Love" by Amanda Avutu.

I always read The New York Times' Modern Love series (that's another good podcast). This past weekend, I had tears welling in my eyes while reading. They were of the happiness variety, though.

In this time of heartache and chaos and horrible actions, it was so nice to read about decent people doing decent things. Humanity is always appreciated. Everyone should read this. It's a perfect holiday time story. 

By Brian Rea (via nytimes.com)

Craving:

Oats.

That would be the general way to describe this craving. Today, specifically, it came in the form of granola: soft-baked peanut butter and jelly granola from Lucky's Market.

This stuff is kind of like a peanut butter oatmeal cookie fell apart in a bag. Moist clumps of nuts and oats, a dried strawberry and cherry here and there. Delicious. I accidentally ate the whole bag in one sitting.

More please. (via snackville.com)

Wearing:

Girlfriend Collective leggings.

These leggings are high-waisted, so soft, really durable and I want to put them on every single day. Plus, their site and social media accounts are beautiful and inspiring. 

If that's not all, to introduce the world to their brand THE LEGGINGS ARE FREE!

"We are doing this free campaign because we believe the best way to fall in love with a product is to try it yourself. Our experience in the fashion world developing premium denim lines inspired us to make something of our own that spoke to our values."

Those who want them just have to pay for shipping (roughly $20). It is worth it. (Do it!) They are incredible and I cannot wait to see the rest of the collection set to debut early 2017. 

Photography by Sisilia Piring and modeling by Tavia Bonetti (via hypebae.com)

Watching:

"Blue Jay" A movie written by Mark Duplass. 

I sat down to watch a little bit of something Saturday night and came across this film on Netflix. I love all things Duplass (Togetherness, The Overnight, The One I Love, Animals, roles in Transparent and The Mindy Project, etc.), so I was pretty certain I would be satisfied with my choice. 

I laughed and I cried and I felt so many feelings. It was like a play, short and simple (80 minutes, two main characters, black and white). I loved it and I kind of want to watch it again. 

Sarah Paulson's outfit is perfect, too. Along with the score and Waynie and everything else.

"Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson play high school sweethearts who have a chance encounter decades later in “Blue Jay,” directed by Alex Lehmann." CreditThe Orchard (via nytimes.com)

Wanting:

Perhaps because of all the planning of my future and new paths and new destinies, I've been wanting a tarot deck.

I came across this animal spirit deck months ago on one of my favorite blogs and the idea has been in the back of my mind ever since. I like the idea of pulling a card each day to awaken some magic. 

"Use the deck for self-reflection, as an oracle, for inspiration." (via thewildunknown.com)

"Open your mind, draw a card, and have fun on your journey…" (via thewildunknown.com)

The Golden Universal deck looks pretty dreamy. (via shopspring.com)

Monday Memos // 16

[Apologies for the hiatus---BUT I JUST FINISHED MY LAST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE (literally today/beyond excited)!!!] 

Listening:

"Unstyled" A podcast by Refinery29/Christene Barberich. 

The latest of many superb creations by the people of Refinery29, I've already listened to all 6 episodes. The interviews are so inspiring as a woman, as a lover of fashion, and as someone who has big dreams. I hope they put out a thousand more!

I want to be Christene's best friend. (via twitter)

Reading:

"Sweetbitter" by Stephanie Danler. 

"Tess moves to New York and lands a job at a barely fictionalized Union Square Cafe, where Danler herself once worked. As sure as she discovers her palate with her first oyster, as reliably as a junior somm learns to say, without wincing, “Champagne is the fulcrum of the terroir debate,” Tess develops a self-destructive appetite for too much sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll." (NYTimes)

As someone who works in a restaurant full of emotions and human folly, sometimes the scenes are too real. But it's beautifully written and I'm excited to have more time to read it. 

Craving:

Today I was gifted some of the best cookies I've ever eaten. This is a bold statement coming from someone who has eaten the weight of the world in cookies. They were from Gideon's Bakehouse in Orlando, Florida (highest praises to my professor for the outstanding gift and not bringing grocery store cupcakes, etc.).

So, currently I want to eat all the Gideon's cookies.

I sampled "the classic chocolate chip" and the "cookies & cream" cookies. They were huge, practically the size of a biscuit, with an extremely doughy, almost-raw interior. So many chips and Oreo chunks. I wanted to try the "chocolate chip toffee pistachio" and the "candied walnut chocolate chip," but I tried to be rational. I'll be dreaming about these for some time. 

Is that not beautiful? I almost have no words, but really I have all the words. (via gideonsbakehouse.com)

Wearing:

Sven clogs. 

I bought a pair on Instagram and have loved them for work and play. They are sturdy, but comfortable to wear all day. Plus, I love the slightly different Mary Jane-style of the strap with that little pointed shape. 

Mild scuffing, but well worth the major discount--70 percent off!! (via zoë)

Watching:

"Westworld" on HBO.

Whoa, man, whoa! I can be complete in my assessment since the season finale was last night and that show is so good. It's like a mini movie each week (though that last episode was pretty much a feature-length film). I appreciate the twists and turns and especially love Evan Rachel Wood and Thandie Newton. Future Halloween inspirations?

I'm already waiting for season 2.

I kind of want to try this look. (via blackfilm.com)

Wanting:

This month of December has some extra special moments: my graduation from college and my birthday. In feeling really excited and sparkly, I've been wanting an outfit to mark the occasions. I've been drawn to gold skirts and metallic dresses.

This Zara dress is really fun. (via Zara)

That fur is a nice touch. (via Zara)

Metallic + floral = yes. (via Zara)

With a Wes Anderson H&M commercial accompaniment. (via H&M)

Monday Memos // 15

Listening:

"Monocycle With Leandra Medine" A podcast by Man Repeller. 

These episodes are very short, usually about 10 minutes long, but hit you with some truth, some reality and most often some humor. I pretty much love everything Medine (and Man Repeller) does, so this comes as no surprise. 

Laugh, cry, think... listen to it. 

The "Oh Boy" podcast is superb, too! (Logo illustration by Kelly Shami and image via manrepeller.com)

Reading:

I finished "Modern Lovers" on Saturday, so I am ready for my next book. I've got two sitting on my bedside table but cannot decide which one to begin first. 

"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr - "the beautiful, stunningly ambitious instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II."

"When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi - "this inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living?"

Both sound like emotional investments. (image via npr.org)

Craving:

Oatmeal cookies. Specifically "Alyssa's Healthy Vegan Bites." 

I bought this pack of cookies on a whim from Publix. A week later I went back for two more packages. Full of oats, cranberries, nuts, cinnamon, coconut and more, they aren't too sweet and have been a perfect after-lunch snack they doesn't make me feel horrible. 

They pair perfectly with an iced coffee with almond milk, too. I want to try the other flavors--dark chocolate almond sounds like something I would love.

So chewy. (via alyssascookies.com)

Wearing:

Adidas SUPERNOVA SEQUENCE BOOST 8 SHOES.

A mouthful of a title. 

About every six months I get a new pair of running shoes. This is not a shoe addiction thing, but due to the fact that I wear them out quickly. I have read that one should replace their shoes after 400 to 500 miles. I easily log 1,500 miles a year. Sorry, is this humblebragging? 

Anyways, I got a new pair of Adidas recently, and though I have no brand loyalty, these are the most comfortable pair I have worn in years. I feel a definite renewed spring in my step, or jog. Plus, Adidas always look chic. I've always pined after the Stella McCartney x Adidas collaboration pieces. 

Supportive heaven and of course I bought them at a significant discount. (via adidas.com)

Watching:

On Saturday I saw the new Todd Solondz movie "Weiner-Dog."

It was funny, strange, disturbing, sweet and absurd. The story of various characters linked together by an adorable dachshund, the cast was superb: Ellen Burstyn, Kieran Culkin, Julie Delpy, Danny DeVito, Greta Gerwig, Tracy Letts and Zosia Mamet. 

We saw it in a small, local theatre with a dozen or so other viewers, and the laughter from a particular group up front made me like it even more. The colors, typography and score were just right, too. 

"Filmmaker Todd Solondz has been packing the art houses and subsequently bumming out his audience since the release of his 1995 dark comedy Welcome to the Dollhouse." Read more here. (interview and image via phillymag.com)

Wanting:

I am in perpetual want of more beautiful shoes. The Loeffler Randall newsletters have been taunting me lately. These creations are works of art. I'll let the images do the talking. 

CLARA ANKLE-TIE PUMP (via loefflerrandall.com)

ISLA SLIM ANKLE BOOTIE (via loefflerrandall.com)

GREER BOOTIE (via loefflerrandall.com)

JASPER TASSEL OXFORD (via loefflerrandall.com)

Monday Memos // 14

Listening:

"Dreams." The Cranberries.

I heard this song last week and it struck a serious nostalgia chord. No shame, I can always appreciate The Cranberries. 

Turns out their timeline is following me, because 1989 to present: we're the same age. 

Reading:

I have a growing want-to-read list. Top contenders:

"You'll Grow Out of It" by Jessi Klein - "hilariously, and candidly, explores the journey of the twenty-first century woman"

"Sweetbitter: A novel" by Stephanie Danler - "A thrilling novel of the senses and a coming-of-age tale, following a small-town girl into the electrifying world of New York City and the education of a lifetime at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Manhattan."

"Eleven Hours" by Pamela Erens - "an intimate exploration of the physical and mental challenges of childbirth, told with unremitting suspense and astonishing beauty."

Jessi Klein is a comedy writer and probably best known for her work on "Inside Amy Schumer." (image via nprfreshair.tumblr.com)

Craving:

Brownies. What is not to love about a fabulous brownie?

My favorite variety has a gooey, chewy inside and a slight crunch and texture on top. Nuts and/or chips, I'll take it.

I could not definitively tell you if I prefer an edge or an inside piece, because it really depends on the particular brownie. For example, I've made a few trips to my favorite bodega this week, where they have an incredible brownie (dark chocolate chips on top). For this brownie, I want a middle piece; the edgy ones often get a staleness in the crust, and they often have fewer chips. 

Clearly, I can talk about brownies for any length of time. 

I cannot stop salivating looking at Broma Bakery's Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies. Best of both worlds? (image via bromabakery.com)

Wearing:

Sportswear. Athleisure. Whatever you call it, I have been wearing a lot of "elevated gym clothes" in my everyday life. Particularly sports bras. They work well in the heat when I only want to wear the thinnest tees or the slinkiest tanks. It feels like they mix up the outfit without being that girl with her bra straps hanging out. Trust me, it's respectable. 

My favorite: the Outdoor Voices Athena Crop. I have been lusting after this brand for quite some time, but never bit the bullet because of the price. However, I found someone on Instagram selling this crop in my ideal color and size AND at a discount! So I bought it and I love it.

It'd make a great bikini top. It's made some of my dresses take on a whole new look. I am pleased. 

The Man Repeller x Outdoor Voices Kit really makes me swoon. Sigh. (image via manrepeller.com)

Watching:

Another one of those tv shows I like to watch when everything feels too heavy: "Odd Mom Out." 

It's a comedy series on Bravo created by and starring Jill Kargman. It is essentially a fictionalized version of Kargman's life--a wealthy mom on the Upper East Side. It's goofy and has a lot of great actors. Plus, I am a sucker for a female-centric NYC series with fashion and laughs. 

The show is based on based on Kargman’s 2007 book "Momzillas." (image via Bravo TV)

Wanting:

A new bike. My current set of two-wheels is rusty, heavy and often rips my pants when I brush against it. It would be nice to have a proper road or commuter bike. I've really only ever had beach cruisers and hand-me-downs. 

Whenever I start researching and Craiglist stalking I get overwhelmed. Still, I peruse and pine.  

I really like the look of PUBLIC bikes. This is the M7 Mixte. (image via publicbikes.com)

The R16 Flat Bar Road Bike looks great, too. (image via publicbikes.com)