Monday Memos // 89

Listening:

"Down in the Willow Garden" by The Everly Brothers.

"New Orleans Instrumental No. 1" by R.E.M.

"Charcoal Baby" by Blood Orange.

Reading:

Books I want to read:

No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol. "a fearless reckoning with modern womanhood and an exhilarating adventure that will resonate with anyone determined to live by their own rules."

Fresh Complaint by Jeffrey Eugenides. "Narratively compelling, beautifully written, and packed with a density of ideas despite their fluid grace, these stories chart the development and maturation of a major American writer."

The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon. "a fractured love story that explores what can befall those who lose what they love most."

image from an illustrated book review by Kristen Radtke (via nylon)

Craving:

Hanging in Maryland, which thus far means feasting on Joe Squared pizza and trying a newer spot in DC: A Rake's Progress. The latter is set in The Line hotel, which is beautiful itself — a cobbling together of restaurants, a radio station, and hotel housed inside a 110-year old massive-columned church. 

We had fresh Chesapeake oysters and salty, buttered bread. My mom and I shared a crab cake with shaved cucumber, red onion, tomato and smoked onion tartar; an heirloom tomato tart with puff pastry, vinaigrette and various basils; plus a farro salad with summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, nectarines and yogurt dressing.

We also had an incredible fudge brownie sundae: spelt brownie, mint chip ice cream, tiny homemade Oreos, whipped cream and hot fudge. A winner!

Pre- and post-saucing. 

Wearing:

Since I haven't been wearing anything particularly outlandish (denim, black, black, black), here are some beautiful images of things I love and would wear. 

Leandra Medine shoes (leandra medine via vogue)

Mara Hoffman delights.

Watching:

Last Friday I watched The End of the Tour on the bus ride to MD. It was slow but great, sad but soothing. Maybe one day I'll read Infinite Jest. 

Today I read that True Detective season 3 is back in January. Fingers crossed it's like the first season and renews our love of the show. 

I haven't been going to the movies or falling deep into shows much recently, so enthusiasm is currently in the ebb phase. 

Treasuring:

Giddiness and excitement: I experienced a few days last week where I couldn't contain my wild smiles. I took a ferry ride from the beach to the city — through the sunset hours. I was handed an It's-It out of the blue. I met a stranger in such a spectacular way. I shared stories with lots of details. I daydreamed on car rides. I'm letting the waves of emotions wash over me and I'm constantly pumped for the future and the now. 

Hello It's-It, my old friend / I've come to talk with you again

Monday Memos // 80

Listening:

"You're Out Wasting" by Andy Shauf.

"Free Translator" by The Books.

"Blue" by The Jayhawks. 

Reading:

I finally starting bringing a book to read on my subway commutes. It was a revelation and a joy—until I realized I can only last about 20 minutes before I feel that carsick sensation. Dang it! Can you mentally psych yourself out of that?

Guilty pleasure reading: advice columns, horoscopes, and wedding announcements. These are along those lines: One Door Closes, and an Uber Door Opens. Love Follows. More of Your 13-Word Love Stories.

Craving:

The siren song of granola is strong. I can finish a bag too quickly. I usually try not to stock it in my home, but I've been pulled to various bags in the last month. Purely Elizabeth Granola is always delicious, and one of their new flavors Chocolate Sea Salt + Peanut Butter, was devoured in no time. Yesterday I happened upon a cocoa cranberry coconut granola by Bread Alone, an organic bread bakery based in the Catskills, and it was delightful. Hopefully I can make it last a week. 

I also went to new Sichuanese restaurant over the weekend, General Deb's, where our party of three ate until stuffed. Smashed cucumber salad, saucy Chinese broccoli, sesame-drenched chilled potato sticks, marinated slices of fish in deep red chili oil sauce, and hot sesame noodles with snow peas and scallions... yes. The air conditioner was broken and the day was quite hot, but it was such a great time.

Old storefront, new food. (Photos by Robert Sietsema via NY Eater)

Wearing:

Some serious blisters from a wandering adventure last weekend led to a consequent week full of tennis shoes and orthopedic clogs and sandals. Keds, Danskos, and Crocs. I could be embarrassed by the last choice, but they were free and very un-Croc-like and comfortable. 

These Crocs are Balenciaga. I think I hate them so much that I love them. (image via vanityfair)

Watching:

Last week I went to my now-regular solo movie date. I saw Tully. I found it more heartbreaking, wonderful, and riveting than I was expecting. Plus, the music was the same. I walked home feeling emotional, listening to The Jayhawks on repeat. 

Though it's not rated highly, the previews made me want to see Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town (I must have a new infatuation with Mackenzie Davis too).

I saw the first episode of Killing Eve and I cannot wait to watch the rest. Eve's life as a spy is not adding up to what she had hoped it would be when she started. She is a bored, very smart, MI5 security officer who is very desk-bound. Villanelle is a very talented killer, mercurial in mood, who clings to the luxuries of her job. Eve and Villanelle go head to head in a fierce game of cat and mouse, each woman equally obsessed with the other as Eve is tasked with hunting down the psychopathic assassin. I am here for all things Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who created the show and the favorite Fleabag. Also, Sandra Oh is a delight. 

I don't know much about Jodie Comer, here in Killing Eve, but she's great. (image via rollingstone)

Treasuring:

Good feelings: Work exhaustion and a full moon and a weird schedule had me feeling a little slow and low last week. Still, the weekend revived me with good feelings for the future and what I am doing and where I am. Lounging on the couch in the sunshine. Creative projects simmering in my head. Short trips and visits from friends in the coming weeks. Groovy June-y, baby.

May we all feel this way. Amen.

Monday Memos // 56

Listening:

"Sound and Color" by Alabama Shakes.

"That's Why (I Love You So)" by Jackie Wilson. Those dance moves!

Reading:

A must-read in this time that I'm calling an earthquake of garbage and monsters: Men Don’t Get to Decide What Counts As ‘Sex’ By Liz Meriwether.

A satirical read for this stuff-yourself-silly holiday: Thanksgiving Nutrition Tips: Eat Whatever You Want, but Not That. Make food your singular focus while eating. Of course, there will be conversations at the Thanksgiving table. And that’s completely O.K. — as long as you stay out of them. Don’t speak and try not to listen. Earplugs are a good idea or, if you can, simply avoid all noise. Light is also hugely distracting. Think about a blindfold.

I've never experienced any overwhelmingly uncomfortable Thanksgiving meals (cheers to supportive family members!), but Philip is the man to ask: Thanksgiving, Solved! How to Deal With This Dreadful Holiday.

Stop. Wait. Don't. (image by Paul Windle via NYTimes)

Craving:

Celebrated my mom's birthday at Proof restaurant in DC. So much deliciousness.

I had a Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, which was garnished with cumin yogurt, truffle piccadillo, and sourdough croutons. Then I ate the Ora King Salmon with pickled mustard greens, a sticky rice cake, shiitake mushrooms, and shoyu sauce. Perfection. Everyone's dish had us oooh-ing and yummmm-ing. 

For dessert we tried the Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Cake—topped with gianduja gelato (chocolate hazelnut) and espresso sauce—and the Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake—topped with almond streusel and vanilla ice cream. I almost licked the plates clean.

I couldn't find a good picture from Proof, but the photography on Coming Soon's website is amazing. You'll want to buy everything, too. (image of Mosser Glass Pink Milk Glass Cake Stand via comingsoonnewyork)

Wearing:

Nothing new to talk about regarding my own clothing adventure, so here are some fabulous things for adornment:

Patches by Amber Ibarreche.

Bingo! Sweatshirt by Tuesday Bassen.

Smiley metallic crew socks by Hansel from Basel.

The Laurel Twist Mule by Loeffler Randall.

Watching:

Recently Viewed: The pilot episode of "Sea Oak." A genre-bending comedy from renowned author and creator George Saunders featuring Glenn Close as a working-class woman who dies in a home invasion and comes back from the dead full of rage, determined to get the life she never had.

Interested In: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." A darkly comedic drama with—Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell. "The Florida Project." Willem Dafoe, my messed up home State, strong emotions... sold. "The Square." A Swedish satirical drama directed by Ruben Östlund and starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West, and Terry Notary. The film is about publicity surrounding an art installation, and was partly inspired by an installation Östlund and producer Kalle Boman had made.

Treasuring:

Dreaming. I've been having some wild dreams, which have been leaning on the side of entertaining and humorous. Quite enjoyable, really. I've also been doing a lot of daydreaming. It's nice sometimes to stare off in a car window or walk around the fall foliage and think fondly about people, places and things.

Gifting. 'Tis the season and I love gathering presents. Making them, wrapping them, compiling them, looking at gift guides, researching best things... 

(Illustration by Alessandra Olanow for Cup of Jo.)

Monday Memos // 53

Listening:

"I Want To Be Evil" by Eartha Kitt.

"Time of the Season" by The Zombies.

"Morning Dew" by Kelsey Lu.

Reading:

"Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes" by Alison Roman.

Last week I went to an interview/Q&A with Alison Roman at Books Are Magic. She was hilarious and inspiring and made me want to eat boiled potatoes dipped in butter and sea salt. I've been following her on the internet for years and I'm excited to see her success. Plus, her food just always makes my mouth water. I am looking forward to reading this and making some delectable things.

“This is not a cookbook. It's a treasure map. Open Dining In and you'll find Alison Roman joyously leading you to the promised land of extraordinary home cooking. Into every one of her stunningly beautiful recipes she's tucked the clues that will invariably lead you to deliciousness: keep it simple, have fun with your food, pack in the flavor, and, most importantly, share it with the people you love.” — Samin Nosrat, author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat 

The images and styling are beautiful—she served the cheesy persimmon pear thing at the book event. Plus, Pocky, she loves Pocky. (Photos by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott, via Clarkson Potter.)

Craving:

It's so exciting to feel chilly air and want a hot beverage. I've been on an almond milk latte kick—a few shakes of cinnamon on top. And soup! I have never been much of a soup person, but I've been eating it several times a week. Boxed, canned, freshly made, I have dipped my spoon in it all.

Also, my sweet tooth won't quit. I made a repeat trip to Ample Hills for their incredible ice cream. I've had to make many trips to cafes for internet access and can't help myself to a simple chocolate chip cookie or appley, oat-y something. I could go for some pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving can't come soon enough.

Look at this stunner: butterscotch pumpkin pie. (via acozykitchen)

Wearing:

Broke out my favorite denim jacket this weekend—it feels like a hug with it's faux fur collar tight around my neck. (Floridian in the north enjoying real seasonal weather)

Yesterday I was walking in the rain and instantly realized slip-on Vans were a terrible choice in footwear. But wooden, Mary Jane-style clogs or cheap loafers didn't seem great either. I need some weatherproof boots. It's a fun project to be on the hunt for footwear (and to actually need it). The secondhand shopping in a big city is thrilling.

Tis the season. (illustration via Jordan Sondler)

Watching:

I'm excited to dig into the second season of "Stranger Things." I think it's surprising I haven't heard any spoilers yet.

Mostly I have only seen a few episodes of things this week (don't ask me about my internet problems): "Better Things" and "Broad City." I'm constantly blown away by how both of those shows cover difficult topics and make them both hilarious and tender and new. Ilana tackled seasonal affective disorder with a lamp and RuPaul and it was nothing short of genius. 

I'm ready for all the November/December movie releases. Particularly, Paul Thomas Anderson's latest, "Phantom Thread." Christmas Day! Daniel Day! 

"Set in the glamour of 1950's post-war London, renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) are at the center of British fashion, dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites, debutants and dames with the distinct style of The House of Woodcock. Women come and go through Woodcock's life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship, until he comes across a young, strong-willed woman, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who soon becomes a fixture in his life as his muse and lover. Once controlled and planned, he finds his carefully tailored life disrupted by love."

Daniel Day-Lewis's final film! (image via thetelegraph)

Treasuring:

Extravagant costumes. Colorful fallen leaves. Supportive friends. Strong brainwaves. Funny podcasts. Lively environments. Feelings that make my eyes water and my heart swell.

By Hart Crane