“No one stays for you. Everybody stays depending on their need for you.”
Ikea Shoe Cabinet
Wow.
Wow.
I wouldn't call myself an Ikea fan. Let's get that straight. But I've never seen anything like this, have you? I'm not really sure why everyone who knows about its existence hasn't already gone to Ikea and bought one...?
It's EONS more attractive than those shoe racks that hang off the back of a door. EONS!
I'm getting this as soon as I can afford it. Just heavenly. I saw it in person the last time I was at Ikea and it's so small and slim - the person who designed it should be hugged endlessly for the rest of humanity. Here's Layla next to the one we saw at the store.
There are different sizes, as you can tell if you compare the top and bottom photos, so beware of that if you're thinking about getting on. Just gorgeous.
The Smith in NYC
This is my favourite restaurant in New York. They've got three locations. You should probably go to one the next time you're in town.
I used to say that their filet mignon was my favourite thing on their menu (especially if you special order the truffle cream sauce listed amongst the pasta as a dipping sauce for this steak IF YOU WANT YOUR MIND SHATTERED), but since I've somewhat moved on from my love for steak (not totally, we're just on a break), it's really hard to pick a new favourite dish here. Everything I've tried (honestly) has been incredible.
The best?
- Short ribs (they only make them on Tuesdays) are so fucking luxurious and wildly unforgettable, it's a sin to be there on a Tuesday and not order them.
- Burrata. If you don't know what that is... yikes. It must be hard living a burrata-less life and frankly I don't want any more details of such an existence. One time, my friend Paul and I ordered three of these back to BACK (it was a hard time, I was going through stuff). If insanity had a taste, it would be of this burrata.
- Trout. Who the hell knew a fish could be this good? I didn't, and now I do.
- Jalapeno cheddar grits are not just a side dish, they are a lifestyle choice, as far as I'm concerned. And I am, in no way, a fan of grits. These are unreal and beautiful and I force everyone to try them.
- Don't get me started on their brunch. I DON'T EVEN LIKE BRUNCH.
I've been here so many times over the past few years, it's always a good time. See the accompanying photos, all taken at this restaurant, for further proof. Notice the level of happiness and/or fullness.
There's no excuse not to eat here. It can be noisy as hell, but goddam. Worth it.
Ready or Not Episodes on YouTube
So... we're all in agreeance that this was the best show to come out of Canada, yeah? One time I saw Busy in a washroom in Mississauga and talked about it consistently for about three years. One day the full series will come out on DVD, but until then they're all over YouTube, baby.
Dog Hug
This should definitely be taught alongside sit and stay. Just the best.
“Do not wear fake eyelashes to a baseball game if you have cheap seats. Cheap seats = upper level. Upper level = windy as hell. Windy as hell = lashes flying right off your face.”
White Star Lines - Pier 54 in NYC
There's nothing cooler to me than seeing remnants of old, old New York.
This is Pier 54, it's located south of 14th Street at the West Side Highway. It was owned by White Star Lines (and frequently used Cunard ships) and this is where the RMS Carpathia docked to unload the survivors of the Titanic.
If you look closely at the main beam, you can still see overlapping lettering identifying it as both a Cunard and White Star Line pier (the companies merged in 1934):
Is it not cool as hell that this is still standing and VISIBLE after 102 years?! 'Cause I think that's insane and amazing. I don't know why I have such a fixation with Titanic-related stuff. I remember hearing about it when I was a kid and just thinking that it was such a crazy story. And then I found out that I had a great-uncle who worked in steerage on the ship, so that (of course) only made me more intrigued by the whole event. Anyway, it's so neat that this beam is still standing.
Just to show you, this is what the building at the end of the pier looked like right before it was demolished in 1991:
Obviously it'd be way cooler if THIS had somehow been restored and not torn down, but that's in the past now. It really looks like it was a beautiful building.
Astoria Greenmarkets
These are my two favourite markets to go to in Queens (Astoria, specifically).
Does it seem crazy that they run until November? It that a normal market-ending time? I'm not complaining, but that seems too great to be true.
Anyway, no big lectures here. You're either into supporting local farmers or y'aint. And most of the year - I don't really care to, to be honest. But if you cook a lot, then it makes sense to take advantage of the crazy fresh stuff at these kinds of markets during at least the summer months.
Mom Says
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
A Pop-Up Ring Box
Presentation is everything. LOOK AT THIS RING BOX.
Should a box cost $90? Well, if a phone can cost $500 and be socially acceptable, then yes - an expensive, fancy box like this is completely normal.
It was designed by packaging designer Andrew Zo for the company Clifton, and it's described as "a slimline engagement ring box that slides into your pocket with less resistance than a wallet. When you open the Clifton, the ring doesn’t just appear. It pirouettes into position thanks to a pop-up mechanism intended to present the ring like a blooming flower."
Ummmm, this is incredible? And even if you're not proud of giving whatever ring is inside - anybody should and better be wowed by this damn box. (And as a small sidenote: anyone who has ever complained about the details on a ring/GIFT that someone else has given you, you can go right to hell. It's the gesture that's kind! Not the damn object!)
I wish one of my hobbies somehow included giving rings to people 'cause I would be all over this box. Man. So cool.