Monday Memos // 27

Listening:

"Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka. 

I love all the music in the show "Big Little Lies." This one, from the intro, is really great. 

“It’s really influenced by classic ’60s and ’70s British guitar bands like The Who and Pink Floyd, as well as by a lot of soul music, particularly songs like ‘Walk On By’ by Isaac Hayes.”

— Kiwanuka, via NME

Reading:

On my to-read list: "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders.

I don't remember if it was a McSweeney's anthology or an art school humanities class, but the first time I read a Saunders short story I thought it was one of the best things I had ever experienced. His writing is incredible. His story ideas blow me away. And now he has his first full-length novel! 

“The long-awaited first novel from the author of Tenth of December: a moving and original father-son story featuring none other than Abraham Lincoln, as well as an unforgettable cast of supporting characters, living and dead, historical and invented”

Let's read this one and reread all the rest. (image via MPR news)

Craving:

Healthy snacks. 

That sounds really boring, but I like finding all sorts of delicious, nutritious things to munch on at work or during those in-between times. 

I got a package of goods from Samantha Attard, aka Happy Healthy Human, last week and have nearly eaten them all. She makes these snack packs with roasted chickpeas and nuts and delicious spices. The "Calm" pack, for example, has roasted chickpeas, dried coconut flakes, dried blueberries, coconut oil, fennel seed, and salt. The "Relief" pack has brazil nuts, almonds, banana chips, sesame oil, maca, salt, and cinnamon. They are all so good and make me feel good, too!

You can get them in the DC/Virginia area or online. (image via behappyhealthyhuman)

Wearing:

Jeans or Girlfriend Collective leggings. My new Birkenstocks or Danskos. Fun tops or lots of black. 

Watching:

"Love" season 2 on Netflix. 

"'Love' is an American romantic comedy web television series created by Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust, and starring Gillian Jacobs, Rust, and Claudia O'Doherty."

I appreciate the simplicity, the humor, the complications and again, the music. Netflix is really killing it with the original content these days. Often the characters are so obnoxious, but isn't that like real life?

Jacobs and Rust are spot on. (image via netflix)

Wanting:

Away luggage. 

“We don’t make “smart” luggage, we make thoughtful luggage—featuring unbreakable shells, interior compartments, and built-in USB chargers—using the best materials in the world. The result is luggage that is beautifully, functionally minimal. It’s luggage that helps you find your way by staying out of it.”

So sleek. (via awaytravel)

I'll take the Pop & Suki Pink please. (via awaytravel)

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)