Monday Memos // 89

Listening:

"Down in the Willow Garden" by The Everly Brothers.

"New Orleans Instrumental No. 1" by R.E.M.

"Charcoal Baby" by Blood Orange.

Reading:

Books I want to read:

No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol. "a fearless reckoning with modern womanhood and an exhilarating adventure that will resonate with anyone determined to live by their own rules."

Fresh Complaint by Jeffrey Eugenides. "Narratively compelling, beautifully written, and packed with a density of ideas despite their fluid grace, these stories chart the development and maturation of a major American writer."

The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon. "a fractured love story that explores what can befall those who lose what they love most."

image from an illustrated book review by Kristen Radtke (via nylon)

Craving:

Hanging in Maryland, which thus far means feasting on Joe Squared pizza and trying a newer spot in DC: A Rake's Progress. The latter is set in The Line hotel, which is beautiful itself — a cobbling together of restaurants, a radio station, and hotel housed inside a 110-year old massive-columned church. 

We had fresh Chesapeake oysters and salty, buttered bread. My mom and I shared a crab cake with shaved cucumber, red onion, tomato and smoked onion tartar; an heirloom tomato tart with puff pastry, vinaigrette and various basils; plus a farro salad with summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, nectarines and yogurt dressing.

We also had an incredible fudge brownie sundae: spelt brownie, mint chip ice cream, tiny homemade Oreos, whipped cream and hot fudge. A winner!

Pre- and post-saucing. 

Wearing:

Since I haven't been wearing anything particularly outlandish (denim, black, black, black), here are some beautiful images of things I love and would wear. 

Leandra Medine shoes (leandra medine via vogue)

Mara Hoffman delights.

Watching:

Last Friday I watched The End of the Tour on the bus ride to MD. It was slow but great, sad but soothing. Maybe one day I'll read Infinite Jest. 

Today I read that True Detective season 3 is back in January. Fingers crossed it's like the first season and renews our love of the show. 

I haven't been going to the movies or falling deep into shows much recently, so enthusiasm is currently in the ebb phase. 

Treasuring:

Giddiness and excitement: I experienced a few days last week where I couldn't contain my wild smiles. I took a ferry ride from the beach to the city — through the sunset hours. I was handed an It's-It out of the blue. I met a stranger in such a spectacular way. I shared stories with lots of details. I daydreamed on car rides. I'm letting the waves of emotions wash over me and I'm constantly pumped for the future and the now. 

Hello It's-It, my old friend / I've come to talk with you again

Monday Memos // 85

Listening:

"Don't Go Back at Ten" by Girl Ray.  This video is brilliant.

"All My Friends" by Land of Talk.

"All Our Base Are Belong To Them" by The Books. Minute 1:28–1:56 is my favorite.

Reading:

Rejoice! A new advice column to read! Dear Pepper — I am becoming a great fan of Liana Finck.

The Extinction of the Middle Child. They’re becoming an American rarity, just when America could use them the most.

I still enjoy this even though I really did win the roommate jackpot and love mine dearly (also makes me want to draw little doodles): Perfect Roommates You’ll Never Find

For interior/color palette drooling: Inside Villa Stenersen, Oslo’s Under-the-Radar Gem of Modernist Architecture

"The gallery room, which would have at one time been lined with drawings and paintings by Munch, lies on the other side of the glass bricks. The family's residences — including the nursery and master bedroom — were located on the topmost floor." Aka DREAM ROOM (via sightunseen)

Craving:

Fresh cherries. Iced coffee. Trader Joe's quinoa pesto. Persian cucumber salad. Thai cucumber salad. Sparkling water. All signs point to: it's summer.

I want to make this Smashed Cucumber Salad with Hot Vinegar. (via bonappetit)

Wearing:

Chic black sacks. Think art teacher caftans and slightly detailed pillowcase dresses. 

Thank-You-Mom business skirts. My mom gave me a bunch of nice Banana Republic sort-of pencils skirts and I've been pairing them with tees and funky button-ups.

Cushioned shoes. The heat and all the wandering make comfortable footwear a must. 

Questionable meets fun!

Watching:

Friday afternoon I needed a break from work, from texts, from thoughts, from self. So I went to the Angelika Film Center (one of my favorite movie spots) to see Sorry To Bother You. I hadn't read much. I hadn't done research. I just knew Lakeith Stanfield would entertain me. Turns out it is INCREDIBLE. 

Boots Riley's Sorry to Bother You ambitiously pushes the envelope of the sci-fi and comedy genres for a wholly unique, refreshing and hilarious film. —Molly Freeman

If you’re not bothered — also tickled, irked, mystified and provoked — by Sorry to Bother You, then you’ve fallen asleep on the job. —A.O. Scott

GO SEE IT NOW. If nothing else, it is worth it for the outfits and Tessa Thompson's constantly changing statement earrings.

I am now even more enamored with Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson. 

Treasuring:

Oceans and elation: On Saturday, I woke up too early and saw a bunch of hilarious street art in Harlem. I got a free juice from a literal oasis—Oasis Jimma Juice Bar. I took a long train ride to Brooklyn. I took two busses to the beach. I had an outrageously wonderful time in the ocean breeze, swimming in the water, eating snacks, telling stories, feeling so happy to have amazing new friends.

I laughed a lot. I was sandy. I took more bus rides. I wandered. I took more train rides. I ended up in Queens, at a party with a great deejay, lots of machinery covered in tulle, and great outfits to observe. The city got windy and the trash swirled in the air. I basked in the smell of my favorite tree (calliandra/powder puff). The rain poured. A stranger stuck his foot in the door of the 2 train so I didn't have to wait for another. I got into bed with my tangled matte of beach hair and thought about how many stupendous days I've had this year. 

Calliandra surinamensis and Calliadra haematocephala (Pink Powder Puff Tree). (image via youtube)