Monday Memos // 26

Listening:

"Atomic Bomb" by William Onyeabor. 

I heard this music blasting from the kitchen at my work last week and I needed to know all about it. William Onyeabor. A perfect combination of funk and Africa and fun. I cannot stop listening.

“Onyeabor was something like Nigeria’s answer to Parliament-Funkadelic, churning out space-age disco-funk in the 1970s and ‘80s with synths and drum machines. But nobody knew who William Onyeabor was, or at least nobody knew his real story. After a conversion to Christianity in the mid-1980s, he turned his back on music and then history gets murky — some say he went to film school in Soviet Russia, others say he studied law in London.”

— Lars Gotrich (NPR)

Reading:

 Bon Appétit's Healthyish. 

I saw this pink cover and was instantly amused. So I got a subscription (6 issues and an apron for $6 seemed quite reasonably). The food, images and stories are perfect. I love the companion site and Instagram scroll. 

I want to eat all the things. 

Mmmmm poke. (image via amazon)

Craving:

Kombucha. 

This craving comes in waves. I remember getting hooked on kombucha years ago (6? 7?) when I first tried some GT's in Baltimore. It was an expensive, often explosively messy habit.

The past few weeks I have been craving the stuff again. GT's is always the most satisfying (Trilogy, Third-Eye Chai, Gingerberry) and perfectly effervescent. 

Maybe one day I'll make my own? (image via synergydrinks.com)

Wearing:

Pink Birkenstocks.

I got these today and I can already tell I will wear them all the time. I can always get down with an orthopedic shoe, no shame. Plus, it already feels like summer in Florida so it is not inappropriate to wear/buy sandals right now. 

Style: Madrid EVA. (image via Nordstrom)

I could go for the navy, white, red and black pairs, too. (image via zoesessums)

Watching:

"Felicity."

I might be nearly 20 years late, but I don't think I would have fully appreciated this show as an 8- to 12-year-old. I would have really related when I first went to college and lived in student housing and was confused about many things, but nonetheless, I am fully hooked and enthralled with "Felicity" now. 

It's funny to watch a show far beyond the time it aired. I find myself looking up actor facts and hoping to avoid spoilers. I feel like I am in my own little time-warped world when I am watching. I am constantly cracking up and cringing. The 90s are really speaking to me right now, I suppose. 

Scott and Scott are dreamy. (image via pinterest)

Wanting:

Humongous things. Dream things. Life-changing things. 

Can this space be like "The Secret" or a mood board wherein I tell you what I want and then I get it? Positive thoughts attracting positive changes? I really want to get a job in the editorial field. I want to win the HGTV dream house. I want to move to a new city and state. I want to have so much fun. 

I think I can do all of these things. I can! I will! Let's send out good vibes, thank you!

This is how I would feel if I could work for Ban.do! That office! (image via stylebyemilyhenderson)

Uh, yes please! (image via designlovefest)

I could live somewhere like this again. (image via sfgirlbybay)

Monday Memos // 25

Listening:

"Bastards of Young" by The Replacements. 

Last night I saw the 1992 movie "Singles." A perfect 90s/Seattle grunge/rom com trifecta. The music made me want to jam on The Replacements and REM. 

Reading:

After reading this article and about Cat Marnell and this excerpt from her new book, I want to read "How To Murder Your Life." It will probably be incredibly bleak, but I always like to add a memoir to my reading rotation. 

This image says a lot. (image via nymag)

Craving:

Momofuku Milk Bar treats. 

As mentioned below, I won a big box of fun stuff. Included: 24 milk bar cookies (flavors: corn, cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow, compost, blueberry and cream, and chocolate chocolate). The thing is, I am avoiding sugar and dairy and gluten for a little bit, so these are all just for looking. Aka cruel and unusual punishment. 

I gifted 19 of the cookies to friends and family and put one of each in the freezer for a later date. I am salivating just thinking about them and cannot wait to eventually get to my buttery, sugary, beautiful stash. 

I went to the physical store years ago and it has never left my mind. (image via milkbarstore)

Look at all those cookies! (image via zoesessums)

Wearing:

Pretty much always on a black kick. 

Favorites: 

My Creepoid band tee, a black Old Navy dress and black Old Navy loafers. 

Watching:

"Big Little Lies" on HBO. 

I've been counting down the months, weeks and days until this show's premiere. I loved the trailer and cast, plus, I entered a giveaway on Instagram and won a big "girls night in" box of supplies to accompany my viewing experience. 

It was everything I hoped for. Reese Witherspoon is so good (really scratching my Elle Woods itch). The music is A+. The scenery is jealousy inducing. 

The show, premiering Sunday night, follows the stories of a group of mothers raising first-graders in Monterey, California, who confront all manner of domestic difficulties — including murder — in their community. (via the vulture)

Makes me want to read the book, too. (The book versions are almost always better.)

Shailene Woodley, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman (image via HBO)

My winning box of swag. (via zoesessums)

Wanting:

Nice and refined personal care products. 

I've been actively attempting to have more "clean" products in my life--both through nutrition, skincare and grooming. I recently bought some toothpaste with minimal ingredients, I've been taking a green powder with my breakfast and I could always use more friendly personal care products. 

Here are some beautiful ones to lust after (all culled from Of A Kind).

Daughter of the Land Sage And Grass Moisturizing Oil (via ofakind)

Golda Hiba Wood Atmosphere Mist (via ofakind)

TenOverTen polish in Carmine (via ofakind)

Monday Memos // 24

Listening:

"Love Forever" by The Babe Rainbow.

Another case of a modern band looking and sounding old. Still, the song is catchy and feels like the perfect day before Valentine's Day pick. 

Reading:

"One Part Plant" by Jessica Murnane. 

I know I mentioned this just a couple of weeks ago, but my advanced copy came in the mail today and it is superb! 

First off, the foreward by Lena Dunham is wonderful. Second, I want to make everything. Third, it makes plant-based meals easy and approachable. I'm more likely to make things again and again if the recipe doesn't confuse me or require extensive grocery lists. 

Plus, the glimpses of Jessica and her wardrobe and family are beautiful. I want what she is eating and wearing. 

It comes out Feb. 21! (via amazon)

Craving:

Dates!

Particularly Medjools or Deglet Noors. Plain, stuffed with almond butter, thrown in a smoothie, covered in chopped nuts... I am liking any and all varieties. 

Bucket list: get a date shake in Palm Springs. 

I could make my own, but still, I really want to go to Palm Springs. (image by Alex Lau via bonappetit)

Wearing:

A faux fur bomber. 

I had a couple holiday returns and exchanges, so that left me with some gift funds to use for something new. I had been eyeing this faux fur bomber after seeing it posted on Studio DIY, and when it went on sale, I decided this would be my belated present. 

The color is amazing. I only wish it would actually get cold again here in Florida. 

Dusty pink: the color alone is worth it. (via asos)

Watching:

"Girls."

Last night, the first episode of the final season aired. It was a really good one. Without spoiling anything, my favorite parts were: Riz Ahmed, the "Modern Love" column and Montauk ocean feelings. 

I've been watching this show since the beginning and have always appreciated Lena Dunham. I feel like as a 20-something female in flux (life and confusion and emotions and dreams), I can always relate on some level. 

I'm excited for this last season and a bit sad for the end. 

These scenes really made me feel nostalgic for vineyard summers. (image via HBO)

Wanting:

Glittery, shimmery, sparkly socks. 

Perfect for this in-between weather, I could use a selection of sparkling ankle socks. 

Shimmer Dot Socks (via anthropologie)

shimmer colorblock ankle socks (via madewell)

Hansel From Basel Shimmer Socks (via brit.co)

Monday Memos // 23

Listening:

"Ride On / Right On" by Phosphorescent.

Last night I was driving home and had one of those nostalgic flashbacks. I remembered a phase of blasting this song in my car over and over again. I can still listen to it over and over again. 

Listen to the entire album. 

Reading:

For the past few years, I've visited Asheville, North Carolina during December. Each of those visits results in a trip to Malaprop's bookstore/cafe and the purchase of at least one book. My favorite part is the "blind date with a book." The employees cover dozens of books in brown paper and write adjectives across the front. My first blind book led me to Maria Semple (eternally grateful!) and the latest selection brought me to:

"2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas" by Marie-Helene Bertino.

Most important, "2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas" also shares this in common with the best of TV sitcoms: Despite the contrivances, its characters are worth rooting for. Lorca, Sarina, especially Madeleine — even Bertino's version of Philadelphia — are all imbued with such wit, flaw and charm, they deserve whatever love they're offered. Just don't count on the city to return your affections. (via npr.org)

It's not sweet and innocent, but it's a nice break from absolute heartbreak and sadness. I'm excited to see where the story goes. 

Is this why I keep staying up til 2 a.m.? (via beautnspa.net)

Craving:

Pancakes. 

My favorite place in town to get pancakes closed months ago, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own for Saturday brunch. I used Ambitious Kitchen's recipe for whole wheat banana bread pancakes (mini chocolate chips included) and they were superb---so superb I ate 2 servings and still wanted more. 

I might have to make my own brunch every weekend or make a double batch next time and try to save some for midweek eating. 

"Cravings" aka drooling over all the Ambitious Kitchen recipes. (via ambitiouskitchen.com)

Wearing:

Lipstick. 

I told myself I wanted to wear more lip color in the new year. It's fun, easy and I have been accumulating many brands and colors with my Play! by Sephora beauty subscription box, plus freebies here and there. 

Old favorites: Nars lipstick in "Heatwave" and "Schiap." 

New favorites: Smashbox Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Driver's Seat" and Clinique Almost Lipstick in "Black Honey."

(Also, I could definitely be a makeup copywriter.)

Watching:

"Santa Clarita Diet."

It's cheesy, for sure, but sometimes you need to watch a show to a) be on top of popular culture b) always be up for trying a new Netflix original and c) because Drew Barrymore is lovely. Plus, I appreciate the fact that the husband (Timothy Olyphant) is completely devoted to whatever is happening to his wife--cheers to some feminism. 

It all kind of reminds me of an early 2000s comedy meets "True Blood." The ads I initially saw on Instagram are pretty great, too. 

A vegetarian nightmare. (image via comingsoon.net)

Wanting:

From the shirts to the skirts to the pillows to the socks, I want absolutely everything from Gorman. Seriously, can I have one of everything? The shapes, prints and styles are perfect. 

gone bananas pant (via gormanshop)

earn your stripes pantsuit (via gormanshop)

fleur toile dress (via gormanshop)

fleur noir et bleu dress (via gormanshop)