Monday Memos // 35

Listening:

When I was a senior in high school, the last month of school was essentially an olympic event of testing and exams. We didn't even have to go to classes, we just had to study. During my final math exam I remember anxiously checking the clock. I needed to hurry. My family was waiting in the car outside the testing center. As soon as I finished, I ran to the car, buckled up, and we drove off to Atlanta. We had to get to Radiohead. It was the best. "In Rainbows" has been swirling around my head this week, too.

I saw "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" recently. Not worth paying for, but baby Groot was great and so was the music. I can appreciate a space battle more when I'm being serenaded by Parliament and Fleetwood Mac. It made me want to listen to Cat Stevens (which in turn made me want to watch "Harold and Maude" again).

And I've been on an R&B/soul kick for all the times in between, so:

Reading:

This week in "things I read and enjoyed," the theme seems to be love:

After 54 Years, We Fell in Love. After Five Months, I Got Leukemia. By Delia Ephron

A Love Story. By Samantha Hunt

"A coyote ate a three-year-old not far from here.” Illustration by Patrick Leger for "A Love Story." (image via thenewyorker)

Craving:

Morning carbs. 

I went to the farmer's market on Wednesday with these dreamy muffins on the mind—but the muffin booth wasn't there! So I took inspiration from the bunch of overripe bananas at home and made my own (but the oven wouldn't get hot, so I turned the batter into waffles).

I spent the next three days snacking on delicious waffles. Now I want some pancakes. 

How about some chocolate waffles as a vehicle for a sundae? (via joythebaker)

Wearing:

Gorjana 3 Disc Necklace. 

I got this necklace in my swag bag from the Create & Cultivate conference back in early May. I didn't put it on until a week and a half ago and I'm really digging it. I think it's fitting too, because I've been noticing all things three.

The rose gold version is really nice. (via gorjana)

Watching:

"Don't Think Twice."

Netflix suggested this movie to me and it seemed just right for needing something on the lighter side. "When a member of a popular New York City improv troupe gets a huge break, the rest of the group - all best friends - start to realize that not everyone is going to make it after all."

It's full of wonderful, funny people: written and directed by Mike Birbiglia and starring Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard.

Comedy/Drama is right, I laughed a lot and then cried at the end. It's not earth-shattering, but it's a nice story with some hilarity and heart. 

Made me want to see an improv show/comedy set. (image via rollingstone)

Wanting:

Off the top of my head:

I want my car to have working A.C. 

I want to go to the beach.

I want a haircut. 

Sounds like summer. (image via Leah Goren)

Monday Memos // 34

Listening:

I've had some great listening moments lately on long bus trips and crowded subway rides.

Reading:

I love reading a physical paper. This week it's been The Village Voice. 

Favorite articles:

Maximalism or Minimalism? The Modern Ice Cream Lover’s Dilemma by Nora Whelan

Ample Hills’ It Came From Gowanus with munchies topping (left) and Van Leeuwen’s strawberry with sprinkles (image by LISA SHIN via villagevoice)

APRIL BLOOMFIELD AND THE ART OF CUTTING MEAT by MITCHELL KUGA

White Gold Butchers co-owner April Bloomfield: “That meaty smell always felt so wholesome.” (image by Noah Fecks via villagevoice)

Craving:

Everything.

Hailing from a place where there are three places to eat breakfast, one good Thai restaurant and new, worthwhile restaurants popping up only every so often, being in New York City is my culinary dream!

I've had so many solo feasts and delightful treats. Favorites include: a vegetarian combo platter from Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine; a cup of vegan ice cream from Van Leeuwen; a $12 pile of interesting, delicious salads from LifeThyme Market (beets and dill and salmon and zucchini noodles and yams, etc.); chicken pesto meatballs from Penelope...

It was unseasonably warm and my feet felt like they were bleeding and the ice cream tasted just like heaven. 

Wearing:

Consistent the last several days: Grandma's ring, novelty socks, a colored wrist band, Apple watch, something black, blisters.

Watching:

"Twin Peaks." ! ! !

I've only watched the first hour (don't call them episodes--it's an 18-hour work), but I think we're all in for a treat. Riveting! Exciting! It's finally here. 

Kyle MacLachlan in the revived “Twin Peaks.” (image by Suzanne Tenner/Showtime via nytimes)

Wanting:

Today I met the founder and creative director of one of my favorite shoe brands (Loeffler Randall), Jessie Randall. Her and one of my editor's were wearing the Lulu mule in silver and let's say I've got shoe envy. 

But really, I'll take one of anything. (via loefflerrandall)

I also met Jenna Lyons (! ! ! she was the sweetest and took my business card ! ! !) I want to wear billowing culottes and white sneakers and kimono jackets like her. Or anything like her.

I was going to snap a quick picture but instead went and talked to her. This is older, but still a great example. (image via pinterest but looks very sartorialist)

Lots of wants when you exist in the city of dreams. 

Monday Memos // 33

Listening:

Via suggestions, feelings and just because, here are some frequent listens this week:

Reading:

A hodgepodge of recent article reads:

Mommy Dead and Dearest: Murder, Munchausen, and the Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard - I learned about this story from My Favorite Murder and it's so bizarre. I was interested to see this project is directed by Erin Lee Carr, daughter of the late David Carr.

SMITHFIELD: THE “SEINFELD” OF THE MIDWEST - Go read some pictures.

Meditation for Real Life - I haven't read them all, but I love the ones I've read so far. Simple and wonderful.

How to Be Mindful at the Gym (image by Sam Kalda via nytimes)

Craving:

Staying near a Whole Foods for the last week has been lovely and dangerous. I have been lured to the cookie bar more than twice. (Apparently today is "national chocolate chip day," so maybe I'll have to venture over and get my fix.)

Favorite discovery: cake balls/truffles. Bigger than a cake pop, they are balls of cake (chocolate with cookie pieces, carrot with nuts) covered in a shell of icing and a sprinkling of crumbs and such. I'm salivating. 

I'd be up for this challenge: The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in Los Angeles (via StudioDIY)

Wearing:

Suitcase living means a rotation of the same things, more so than usual.

My typical daily uniform entails jeans or black leggings, a striped or black tee or dark-colored dress, and a sweatshirt or jacket. It's supposed to warm up in the Northeast this week though, and I'm doing more public-facing jobs and events, so I'll be stepping it up with some pizzazz in the form of patterns, dresses and a new zebra/tropical themed bandana. 

Watching:

"Master of None" season 2.

I haven't had much patience for tv-watching lately, but the other day when the new season of "Master of None" dropped, it was the right time and place for zoning out with Aziz. 

And just like that I have one episode left (no! why?!). I really enjoyed the first season (which I watched too quickly as well), but I think I like this one even more. There are some really creative episodes (#6 'New York, I Love You' and #8 'Thanksgiving') and it is really hitting the spot. I've laughed so much and felt this heartwarming connection to humanity (for real! I love it!). 

Dev and Arnold are the best little and big friends. (image via Netflix)

Wanting:

I've done a lot of window shopping lately (NYC, parents' house next to a mall, etc.) and here are things I held, touched or just simply sighed upon seeing:

& Other Stories is so dreamy. Velvet Sequin Heel Sandalette. (via stories.com)

We could all use some metallic flames. Metallic Flames Suede Mules. (via stories.com)

This is very me. (via stories.com)

Silky zebra power yeah! A pajama shirt for any time. (via madewell)

Monday Memos // 32

(Mondays have been bustling lately. Last week, in particular, I started this draft, thought I'd finish it up in the late afternoon, and then showed up at my own surprise party! It was the most encouraging experience and my heart swells just thinking about it.)

Listening:

My listening lately is like two sides of one coin. The breakup anthems of Dave Longstreth and Amber Coffman. 

"Keep Your Name" by Dirty Projectors. 

"All to Myself" by Amber Coffman.

Plus, I've been putting on Chet Baker often. It soothes me. 

Reading:

"Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living." Edited by Manjula Martin.

I was wandering Manhattan today when the sky opened up. But it was an ideal moment, because I rounded the corner and there was The Strand! Eighteen miles of books kept me out of the bit of rain.

I picked up some really fabulous postcards and then stumbled on this book. Perfect timing. I hope it gives me a little insight or inspiration or at least a few laughs. 

Can you tell I'm having an existential panic about what to do with my life? (Image by Maddie Edgar via Slate)

Craving:

Vegetables and sweets!

This is pretty much my lifelong craving and pattern of eating. I want delicious veggie-laden dishes and then I want chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies and then I want some kind of greenery and then I want some treats again. 

Let's just go through a smattering of favorite items this week: 

A savory crepe filled with herb roasted mushrooms, spinach, walnuts, cashew cheese and topped with tahini basil sauce; a kale caesar salad with shitake bacon, avocado, almond parm and maple-wheat croutons (omg those sweet and salty croutons!); and some roasted garlicky broccoli. 

By Chloe was really fun and delicious. Plus, the location is home to some Beat poet memories. (image by Krista Schlueter via The New York Times)

As for the sweets: A slice of key lime pie with coconut crust; a massive piece of chocolate cake with white frosting (buttercream? cream cheese? heaven?); and a tiny little brownie stuffed blondie that I could've had several more of. 

Thiebaud paints my dreams. ("Pies, Pies, Pies" by Wayne Thiebaud.)

Wearing:

Nothing and everything.

I spent the beginning of last week in 90 degree Florida weather. I was sweating through tees and avoiding sleeves. So it was small pieces of clothing or breezy shirts and dresses. 

The end of the week brought me to New York, where it was 60 degrees, then 50 degrees, plus many moments of intense wind and downpours. I'm in my snowboarding jacket or my pink faux fur, plus undershirts and socks. I'm going through an array of dressing. 

Pro tips. (Cartoon by Liza Donnelly.)

Watching:

"The Handmaid's Tale."

I was counting down for this and as someone who really loves the book, I was a little nervous for the tv interpretation. Alas, it's beautiful and harsh and well done! Elisabeth Moss is divine and I cannot wait to keep watching. 

The colors are superb. (image via Hulu)

Wanting:

All of my favorite people to exist in the same city or at least an hour commute away. Or a teleportation device. 

Look how great and glittery teleportation is. (via Star Trek)