Honestly, I miss making these videos. I’ve gotta figure something out to start doing them again more regularly.
Anyway, these are my holy grail eyebrow products.
Can’t say enough good about them, clearly.
New Positive Anger!
Did Nathan’s podcast again! Lots of bickering! Good times!
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed - A Review
Other than seeing (and loving) the movie Wild, I haven’t heard much about Cheryl Strayed but after reading this, I’m officially a fan of this incredible woman. She used to write (I’m fairly certain she doesn’t do them anymore) an advice column online and the book is a collection of those pieces. Try to ignore the terrible subtitle (“Advice on Love and Life”) because it’s about so much more than that. Best parts ahead.
One of the quotes on the inside cover is a tiny bit cringe-y, yes, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great: “Inhabit the beauty that lives in your beastly body and strive to see the beauty in all the other beasts.“
“I happen to believe that America is dying of loneliness, that we, as a people, have bought into the false dream of convenience, and turned away from a deep engagement with our internal lives.”
“Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.”
“You don’t have to get a job that makes others feel comfortable about what they perceive as your success. You don’t have to explain what you plan to do with your life.”
The end of the commencement speech she gives, “I hope you will be surprised and knowing at once. I hope you’ll always have love. I hope you’ll have days of ease and a good sense of humor. I hope when people ask what you’re going to do with your English and/or creative writing degree you’ll say: Continue my bookish examination of the contradictions and complexities of human motivation and desire; or maybe just: Carry it with me, as I do everything that matters. And then smile very serenely until they say, Oh.”
“What if you allowed your God to exist in the simple words of compassion others offer to you? What if faith is the way it feels to lay your hand on your daughter’s sacred body? What if the greatest beauty of the day is the shaft of sunlight through your window? What if the worst thing happened and you rose anyway? What if you trusted in the human scale?”
“The real work of deep grief is making a home there.”
In truth, this didn’t seem like the sort of book that I’d normally be interested in reading. My friend Irene gave it to me specifically because she thought it looked like something I’d enjoy. Not only is that a lovely thought for a friend to have, but it’s so great when a prediction like that is totally right.
Best Summer-Vacation-Ish Movies
There are few things better than a vacation movie (other than, like, taking a real vacation). But that can’t happen everyday. Here are the ones that I especially like to re-watch from time to time during the summer.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - it vaguely concerns me that Jason Segal isn’t more famous. I mean yeah he’s experienced a moderate amount of fame, but he’s way funnier than 90% of men more famous than him. I don’t get it. He was great on Freaks & Geeks and he’s the best part of this movie.
2. Weekend At Bernie’s - I always forget about this movie. It’s just a fun time. The premise remains one of the most original of all time, fight me.
3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona - the yellow tinge that engulfs this entire movie MIGHT be the sole reason it’s on this list. That and the idea of European threesomes.
4. Camp Cucamonga - look, this might only be on here because when I watch this, I feel 12 again. It was a made-for-TV movie that no one’s really ever heard of, but I loved it. I never went to a summer camp for an entire summer (I had parents who loved me?), so watching this felt like another reality to me. One that I could safely experience from the comforts of my living room.
5. Under The Tuscan Sun - I vow to find a way to slide this movie into every single list I ever make, it’s just that good of a movie.
6. Do The Right Thing - I really used to hate this movie because I found Spike Lee so obnoxious. I still do. That being said, this movie defines the hellishness of living in a city during the summer.
7. Jaws - I still watch this every few years around July 4th because it is still legitimately terrifying.
8. I Know What You Did Last Summer - I try to save this one for late August since that’s when it’s socially acceptable to start watching horror movies. That part where he’s crossing the street, chasing Sarah Michelle Gellar and she’s trying to get into the locked store gets me every time. SO TENSE.
9. Sleepaway Camp - I almost don’t want to say too much about this one. It’s perfect. In every way. Even if you hate horror movies, this one is so accessible and good, I implore you to watch it.
10. Little Giants - I feel like this is what The Sandlot was trying to achieve, but didn’t. It’s a pure as hell movie about misfit kids finding acceptance. And honestly, Rick Moranis has never attached himself to anything that wasn’t great.
Of course there are more that I could add to the list, but these are my absolute favourites.
Let us continue on with this disgusting season!
June Jaunts 2019
Happy Canada Day! Here’s what went down last month.
I finally started taking collagen powder and I really think it’s working (thanks for the tip, Harmeet!) because my nails are longer than ever and my hair seems more luscious? I could just be feeling myself on the hair, though. Hard to tell for sure.
I made the mushroom garganelli pasta that I dream about from L’Artusi and it was phenomenal. The mushroom ragu tastes EXACTLY like it could be a meat sauce. Even Nathan agreed that it was amazing and he hates mushrooms. Makes zero sense. This dish is witchcraft.
Earlier this month, I finally overshared about what our new apartment looks like, if you’d care to take a look.
Made my way to see the new Camp exhibit at The Met.
Saw Late Night, and while I will always support that vision of a woman, the movie was only okay. Very specific opinion, but I wish Cate Blanchett had played the main character.
Speaking of Mindy, look at this gorgeous, perfect outfit.
Remember those flavoured powders for popcorn that were popular a few years ago? How have I never thought of making a homemade dill topping for at-home popcorn?! HOW?! Such a good idea.
Watched the Black Mirror episode Striking Vipers and loved it, I don’t want to even watch the other two new ones because how could they possibly be better than that one. (Also, are we really calling three episodes a season? Get real.)
I have made Ina Garten’s rigatoni with sausage & fennel so many times this month and I’m still not sick of it, such a crazy good pasta. Especially if you’re trying to impress someone.
IDEA: Turn burger buns into garlic bread, THEN eat as part of a burger.
I don’t know why but I finished The Big Bang Theory. I know, it’s embarrassing to admit. It was not a good show!
‘NOTHER IDEA: Clean your Apple headphones with toothpicks! Totally didn’t know you could do this. And if you haven’t, you really should. Some nasty stuff gets up in there. It’s pretty satisfying to clean, too. Just do it in private.
Tried the (super tiny) burger at Whit’s End in Rockaway and yes it was good, but WHERE WAS THE REST OF IT?!
I rewatched Waiting To Exhale (I think I saw it when I was a kid) and man, that movie holds up. So, so good.
So in love with this brand. I don’t love the phrase Toronto VS. Everybody, but if they make a Mississauga one? WATCH OUT.
Love this New Yorker piece my Dad sent me about getting a dog.
Gotta be honest, kinda excited to see the glaze waterfall. You know what makes Krispy Kreme better than most donuts? Not a lot of doughiness inside. The best kind of donut showcases the outside coating. A KK donut is all outside coating. It’s practically hollow on the inside. This is the secret. I could go on about this, but I’ve already said too much.
Completely forgot about the show You Wish, which I can’t stop watching. Summertime sadness?
Saw the new Child’s Play as well as the old one. Obviously the old one is better, but the new one really isn’t that bad. Human murderers are always better than robot murderers.
Excited for Samantha Irby’s book that comes out next year.
Everyone should make this panzanella salad. It is profoundly good. I added fresh mozzarella to it and it only got better. I didn’t even add the avocado OR corn and still licked the bowl.
I keep reading this over and over, trying to make it stick.
I will forever hate places that are cashless. How are we not all on the same page about this?! (I’m looking at you, ARGO TEA.)
SUCH a good fish recipe. And these are hard to come by. Or maybe it was just the sauce. A good sauce can trick you sometimes.
Saw Ma in theatres and you know what it really wasn’t bad, whatever anyone tells you. I think I’d classify it as wacky as hell.
This is honestly the best egg salad I’ve ever had. It’s definitely due to the addition of dill pickle juice (fucking nuts for dill this month) and the elimination of celery.
Found maybe the best poutine in this country at The Astorian in Queens.
I started using Benefit’s Mini Gimme Brow and it’s cool?? Honestly, I don’t even know. Sometimes I think I need another, smarter woman to just sit me down and tell me what’s good and what’s not. This is supposed to help make thin eyebrows look bushy, right? If that is actually its intent, then it’s doing its job correctly.
All right, look. You KNOW that I hate having opinions on celebrities (ie. people NONE OF US KNOW), but I’m putting a hold on that for a sec. Here’s who I hated this month: Amber Rose (or anyone repping any fucking laxative tea), Bernie Sanders (the arrogance that comes off of this man… I can’t stand it, he doesn’t have all of the answers, can we please stop acting like he’s some sort of savior), and Chris Brown. How is Chris Brown still someone people are in love with? How are people still okay with him? MAN BEATS PEOPLE. For fuck sake.
Love this exchange so much.
Never had Georgian food before but it’s pretty much just bread and cheese and I’m 100% fine with that, culturally speaking.
I will never make all of her recipes, but a third cookbook very much excites me.
It’s taken me years to understand that Modern Family just isn’t good. There are two good characters. That’s it, that’s the trick they’re playing on us all.
Is it a good idea to watch How Stella Got Her Groove Back? Always.
I have zero opinion on Harry Potter, but I can’t wait to experience this new ride in Florida.
And that was June! Some things I’d like to do this month: visit Profundo Day Club for the rooftop pool, find some humidity-proof houseplants (recommendations welcome), spend some time in Coney Island, try to see Crawl and maybe make some fun food for the 4th of July.
If you enjoy reading these monthly posts, you can find the one from last month over here.
Summer List 2019
The main reason that I know I can get through the overwhelmingly disgusting next three months is because the absolute best time of year is just over the horizon. It’s so close. Three measly months. So let’s make the most of our time while we wait. Here’s what I’d like to do this season.
Eat the burger at Whit’s End in Rockaway. Look at this beast.
As you may or may not know, I now live like a human being in a home that I love. That being said, I’d love to be able to successfully keep my houseplants alive for at least a full season.
Go on some sort of trip (like the one we did last year) with Nathan to celebrate our ten year anniversary in August.
Wear at least ten of my lipsticks over the course of summer because Christ, why were they even bought if I’m not wearing them. (Bonus point if I buy nothing from Sephora this summer.)
Go swimming at least twice. (This estimate is low, I know. I’m trying to be realistic.)
Go to the beach at least three times.
See The Farewell in theatres.
Attempt to make these meatball stuffed garlic bread sliders because they look beautiful and so fun to make.
Make the wildly delicious mushroom garganelli from L’Artusi (I just found the recipe online and I have to know if I can make it just like the restaurant does, because if I can… watch the fuck out, world.)
Lay out & look at the stars. (This will likely happen in Canada since, you know, New York isn’t equipped for romantic shit like this.)
I would’ve included going to The Met, but I’ve already done that this year. Other small things I’d like to do: I’ll definitely make it over to Connelly’s on one of my beach visits, I will protect my chafing thighs as much as humanly possible, this song will likely be on repeat at some point, probably going to watch some of these babies, and maybe some of these, too. Also, working on a summer playlist you can see below.
Does that seem like a lot to do? WE SHALL SEE.
Spring List 2019 Revisited
Honestly, this was the greatest spring, weather-wise, in recent memory. We actually had a real spring! Some rain, cool nights, and not unbearably early heat. Just unreal. And with the worst season officially arriving tomorrow, we shall revisit my spring list.
Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant (bonus points if I finally make it to Casa Enrique).
All right, so I went to a Michelin-recommended place (L’Artusi), which isn’t the same thing but it’s on the right path. But still. Not the same. No point.
Go on a mini spring trip.
Done! Niagara Falls, baby!
See Us in theatres.
So done! Even watched it again at home! I should get double points, but let’s not get crazy. (Such a good movie, too!)
Read Lindy West’s new book.
The date of the book was pushed to autumn! So I’ll take it off the list until that time.
Make the salted caramel chocolate pie from the Waitress musical pie book (they sold these mini pies at intermission and this. pie. was. insanity. and it needs to be made).
I looked EVERYWHERE to find this recipe and it simply isn’t available to the public. I even looked in the official Waitress pie cookbook to no avail. So I took a photo of what the ingredients are on the actual pie container and will one day attempt to make it, not knowing exact measurements.
So in total? 2/4 - Not “good” but let’s move on.
Now welcome to hell on earth… summer.
The Farewell
This movie looks so good and I swear I’m not just saying that because of the split second scene with the chihuahua.
Nav Bhatia
Camp: Notes on Fashion at The Met
“Through more than 250 objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present, The Costume Institute’s spring 2019 exhibition explores the origins of camp’s exuberant aesthetic. Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp’” provides the framework for the exhibition, which examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion.”
At least once a year, I make my way over to The Met. Partially to see the new rooftop piece and partially to see the new fashion exhibit. And this year’s costume exhibit is vibrant as hell, maybe even better than the exhibit from a few years back Manus x Machina (that I really liked). Here are my favourite pieces:
It’s such a colorful collection and it’s really just fun fashion, not terribly pretentious or ridiculous. Definitely go see it if you’re in New York this summer. I aspire to have the style of that Gucci one above.
Even the rooftop piece this year is pretty good, here’s a glimpse.
The Camp exhibit is on view until September 8th, while the rooftop one goes until October 27th.