Monday Memos // 9

[Apologies for the two-week hiatus---but vacation was just too good to open a computer.] 

Listening:

I caught the end of a piece on NPR's "weekend edition" recently. They closed out the episode with Chet Baker's "My Funny Valentine" melody sung under Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven." 

Long story short, it got me on a Chet Baker kick. I have loved "My Funny Valentine" since I heard it as a child. 

A quick skim through his biography, the man led a whacky life. (image via youtube.com)

Reading:

After minimal internet exploring on my trip, the last few days have me reunited with all my favorite blogs. I have been reading so many different things. 

A smattering of favorites: 

Missed Connections For A-holes (via cupofjo)

lder and wiser: documenting advanced style all over the world (via cupcakesandcashmere)

What It Was Like to Be Photographed by Bill Cunningham (Love you Bill! via joythebaker)

Bill Cunningham at the Carolina Herrera Fall 2013 fashion show in New York. CreditCindy Ord/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Craving:

Pizza. Vacation involved a lot of pizza and once you eat a lot of pizza, your body identifies best with it's deep love of pizza.

The trip began with shrimp pizza with my parents at Birroteca in Baltimore. We had zero leftovers. Red Shrimp, Herb Pesto, Asparagus, Melted Cherry Tomatoes, Asiago, Fontina, Roasted Red Peppers.

In the middle of the trip, Ellen and I feasted on a frozen Amy's pizza in our Oak Bluffs rental house. We had our slices with a view of a setting sun and the sparkling waters of a pond and a sound. Roasted Vegetable Pizza topped with marinated organic shiitake mushrooms, roasted red peppers, sweet onions and marinated artichoke hearts.

On the last day of the trip, back with my parents, we devoured a special pie at Joe Squared in Baltimore. I lost track of the squares I ate. The Whitlock Community Farm Pizza: Crushed tomato, arugula, bacon, ham, mozzarella, smoked gouda and rosemary.

I love you pizza, especially with friends and loved ones. 

Pizza bean bag. (image via sweetyhigh)

Wearing:

Simply put, I have been wearing a lot of black. Black layered on black. Black jeans with black tees. Black dresses on top of black dresses. Black sandals and black clogs.

I know it is summer, but it feels best. 

What would Leandra do? (image via manrepeller.com)

Watching:

I missed watching the last two episodes of "Game of Thrones" in real time, so last night I caught up. It was exciting to watch two momentous episodes back to back! Mini binge!

Also, I can't believe we have to wait another year (roughly) to see it again. Sigh. 

Theon and Sansa: would you call them BFFs of sort? (image via HBO)

Wanting:

I've been seeing these strappy, often suede sandals in every color and iteration. Each one makes my heart flutter. So simple! The colors! 

Lower cost option: ASOS FORTRESS Flared Heel Sandals (via asos.com)

Higher cost option: Marais Usa JARDIN HEEL, CHERRY (via maraisusa.com)

Highest cost option: MARYAM NASSIR ZADEH PALMA SANDAL in AMETHYST METALLIC (via Mille)

Monday Memos // 8

Listening:

"White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane. 

A recent episode of the Sopranos I watched included this song. Tony had some memories associated with it, so it really earwormed into my head. I still remember years ago when a fellow MICA colleague created a music video for this song and I watched it repeatedly in my dorm room. (I tried to find the video but it seems to be non-existent.) 

I am into Grace Slick's hair, too. (image via 911tabs.com)

Reading:

Entertaining and/or informative articles from recent moments of reading leisure:

Candace Bushnell on Tinder in the City

And Now, a Conversation Between Two Insane Gum Obsessives

What Your Irrational Fear Says About You

The Watermelon Skirt

By Jenna Lyons (image via lennyletter.com)

Craving:

Gimme the fruit! Gimme the fruit! (To be said in the style of Biggie's "Gimme the Loot.")

I ate a pint of blueberries today and threw some raspberries on my dinner. I had a bowl of watermelon and pineapple yesterday and an apple and peach the day before that. I cannot even tell you how many times I have had plantains in the last week (chips, tostones, sweet fried, in my shopping basket...). It's fruit season. 

I want this "That's Bananas" swimsuit, too. (via batoko.com)

Wearing:

I received these beautiful clogs for Christmas after years (and years) of lusting after any and all Swedish Hasbeens (DQ you are a dream provider!). I always thought they would be so chic (Le Freak, c'est Chic!) and add a perfect '70s vibe to an outfit. I have a disco soul. 

I also hoped they would be comfortable enough for me to wear all the time. Turns out they are just as perfect and dreamy as I always envisioned. I love you Louise! (name of the style)

Louise in black. (via swedishhasbeens.com)

Watching:

I go in waves with this one, but sometimes I need some cheesy delights like "Jane the Virgin." It is particularly good when you have at least ten episodes to catch up on. So, my lost interest mid-season has been a great treat, as I have been watching many episodes whilst cleaning, crunching and crafting birthday cards, etc. 

Justin Baldoni and Gina Rodriguez in “Jane the Virgin.” CreditMichael Desmond/CW (image via nytimes.com)

Wanting:

In a week, I will be spending several days at the beach, wandering an island and feeling cool, non-ac-generated air. I cannot wait. I think a nice sun hat would help with the vacation spirit. Perhaps something floppy and straw. Or maybe some hi-low, sassy baseball cap. 

I've never been much of a hat gal, but I am willing to try with a few of the contenders below. 

This light embroidered peach hat is really good. (via rosehoundapparel.com)

Love the Japanese fabrics on these 18 WAITS CASEY JONES CAP. (via northwoodgeneral.ca)

This hat is exactly the kind my grandparents would wear on said island. (via northwoodgeneral.ca)

A simple boater hat seems like it could work, too. (via nordstrom)

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 // 6

Listening:

"Here's The Thing." Another podcast. It isn't new, but I just listened to the latest episode with Michael Pollan today and was in awe. Alec Baldwin knows how to have a conversation. I always learn something new. 

"Here’s The Thing is a series of intimate and honest conversations hosted by Alec Baldwin.  Alec talks with artists, policy makers and performers – to hear their stories, what inspires their creations, what decisions changed their careers, and what relationships influenced their work."

Some of my top favorite episodes: Jimmy Fallon, Amy Schumer, Sarah Jessica Parker and Elaine Stritch (if you are a 30 Rock fan, she plays his mother). 

(image via wnyc.com)

Reading:

I have always loved diaries/day-in-the-week recaps of famous people. I have been addicted to New York Magazine's "Grub Street" for years (a week of eating logged), but this weekend I discovered the New York Times' "Sunday Routine" series. I cannot wait to read them all. 

Favorites so far: Emma Straub, Vanessa Bayer and Tituss Burgess. 

P.s. I will put this dream out in the world: this kind of writing and reporting is what I dream for. Kevin Sessums, Philip Galanes, I am always open for a mentor...

The actor Tituss Burgess with his dogs on a recent Sunday morning. (Image via Emon Hassan for The New York Times)

Craving:

Breakfast sweets. Waffles, pancakes, muffins, french toast, beignets. I have been on an indulgent kick lately (but when am I not?) and cannot stop ordering chocolate chip pancakes and the other previously mentioned items. 

I really want to try this place in St. Augustine: Cousteau's Waffle and Milkshake Bar. How could you not want a Belgian liege sundae? 

Mmmmm waffles. (image via Yelp)

Wearing:

I have an obsession with entering contests and drawings, etc. Most recently, I won this amazing pin pack from Studio DIY (#troopstudiodiy) and cannot get enough of this little cake slice pin. I wear it almost every day and feel like it gives me great vibes. Cake vibes = best vibes. 

Kelly and co are pretty much the best. (image via studiodiy.com)

Watching:

"Bloodline." Season 2 just went up on Netflix, so you know the drill. 

If you haven't watched it, do so. Perfect for binging. Make sure you have a partner or friend or several around when viewing, because it gets creepy and confusing. 

AKA Coach Taylor. (image via deadline.com)

Wanting:

I want a new wallet. My current one is probably a decade old and showing. The pockets are shredding, the exterior has blackened edges and and coins have been falling out of the center pouch. 

I am having trouble deciding on something classic, funky or just plain and cheap.  

I feel like something like this one, from ban.do, would fall into all the categories. I just can't seem to make the buy. 

Big Spender wallet in mermaid + metallic gold. (image via bando.com)