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 Memo // 7

Listening:

"Pet Sounds." The Beach Boys. 

I was browsing NPR's "All Songs Considered" and saw a piece about "Pet Sounds" celebrating 50 years. The subtitle said "it never gets old." I agree. I can groove to The Beach Boys at any age. So I did and I have. 

This reminds me I still need to see "Love & Mercy." (image via Amazon)

Reading:

Preface: (ad nauseam) I'm still reading "The Goldfinch." 

However, I just won a copy of "Modern Lovers" by Emma Straub. From the story to the cover to the hype... I cannot wait to read that it! 

A description from the NYTimes Book Review: “somewhat old-fashioned and straightforward” story that “both celebrates the youthful embrace of reckless love and the way that older people struggle with those same feelings some decades down the line.”

All the promotions, marketing and designs around this book are brilliant as well! A+ Riverhead Books! (image via Riverhead's Twitter)

Craving:

Scrambled eggs. I went through a good year plus of eating at least one fried egg (over medium) every single day and for some reason a few weeks ago I just wanted a big plate of scrambled eggs instead. Now I'm on that scrambled kick. Pink salt, pepper, Sriracha and a side of sliced avocado. Perfection. 

A photo of scrambled eggs isn't cute, therefore I am also craving this shirt Lena has by Trademark. (image from a video you should watch on Vogue.com)

Wearing:

The outfits have been the same rotation from previous weeks, so I am adding accessories for detail. I almost always wear a broken-heart, three-part friendship necklace. Together the heart says "Best Bitches." I wear the final segment. 

T / ES

Bought mine at a local shop called Wolfgang. (image via getsweethj.com)

Watching:

"Preacher." 

Last night I watched the first two episode of AMC's "Preacher." I didn't know if I would be into it, as I have not given "The Walking Dead" a try and I feel like I missed the boat for "Breaking Bad." However, I am IN! So good. It combines so many elements from black comedy to sci-fi to horror, and has a mesmerizing storyline. 

"An American television series developed by Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen and Sam Catlin for AMC starring Dominic Cooper. It is an adaptation of the comic book series created by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, and published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint."

Center there is Arseface. Cute, right? (image via screencrunch.com)

Wanting:

After searching for Lena Dunham's egg shirt, I want all the wacky egg shirts. I love a novelty print. 

McIndoe Design Tropical Egg Print Shirt featuring TWO kinds of eggs and cheddar. (image via mcindoedesign.com)

Lady version. Brilliant. (image via mcindoedesign.com)

Vintage Moschino Fried Egg Shirt (image via anothermag.com)

Ruffle Fil Coupe Shirt. (image via trade-mark.com)

Monday Memo

Listening:

(and watching) Lemonade by Bey. I am amazed and enamored. I think I have a summer playlist secured. 

(image via Bey's Lemonade visual album)

Reading:

Help me, I can't get anything to stick. I was on a serious roll and then I just got into the terrible habit of watching Snap stories as I fall asleep. 

Craving:

Brownie Brittle. Can't stop thinking about and replenishing my stash. I eat it plain, I crush it up and put it on ice cream, I smear almond butter on it. The Peanut Butter flavor is hard to find but it is perfect. The Mint has the best chips. The Salted Caramel is that perfect salty/sweet combo. Even the gluten-free Trader Joe's version is great. I could go on. Yes, I have a problem.

Sheila G what have you done to me?! (image via browniebrittle.com)

Wearing:

Black tees and a black skirt or cut-off shorts. Plus a lot of light blue. 

Watching:

Friday Night Lights. I speak with a twang now and I dream about Tim Riggins. I am blowing through this series too quickly and I finally understand why my town loves football. I'll still never love real football as much as I love Dillon football. 

(image via tv.com)

Wanting:

A new concealer and the perfect old Levi's.