Thug Kitchen

Oh my gosh, you guys. I've been following Thug Kitchen for a few months now and I DIE every time I read it. Seriously.

There will even be a book! "Expect that shit"

Flats Envy

I'm so conflicted about expensive flats. With my inexpensive ones, I'll wear them every day and they'll either be ruined by the wear-and-tear or by the smell from wearing them without socks. But this Ferragamo ad campaign is so convincing! Doesn't it just make you want to drop the almost five hundred dollars for a pair?

Maybe I should just "start smaller" with classic Tory Burch ones that everyone has. One day...

Everyday Food

The old news is that life has been pretty busy lately (blah blah blah). Not much time for anything recreational, but in between classes, studying, and video-lecturing streaming, I reward myself with a foodie fix. I signed up for these Everyday Food cooking segments a while ago and almost every day, a new recipe is emailed to me. The host Sarah Carey is quirky (in a curly-haired woman kind of way) and happy. The videos are only 5 or so minutes, so definitely a break I can afford to take.

Here are 2 recipes I really want to try... when I have a little more time again.

Meatless Curry


Bacon French Onion Soup


Here is where you can sign up to get these emails too: http://www.marthastewart.com/edf

Quotability

"So, my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism, or ageism, or lookism, or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: 'Is this person in between me and what I want to do?' If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way.

Do your thing and don't care if they like it."

-Tina Fey, Bossypants

(photo via Cup of Jo)

The Royal Sons

I obviously first heard about The Royal Sons from Debbie. She sent me a casual email that said she thought I'd like their music. She was so right. I did and, now, less than a year later, I got to play with Landon at her wedding, and he will soon be marrying her gorgeous sister-in-law! How lucky!

Moments from our dress rehearsal right before Debbie married Chris :)

Give The Royal Sons a listen!

Hollaaaa!

Look what I found on Cup of Jo!

Do you recognize the fifth ring??? It's the one I have! This is a huge style moment for me! Also, good thing I wear the ring on my middle finger now. Wouldn't want to confuse the masses.... Har. Har.

PS. I also love the first and sixth rings as everyday rings. Not really on the look-out for any wedding bands yet...

Shakespearean Fancies

Confession: I graduated as an English major without ever really studying Shakespeare. Of course I encountered bits in classes here and there; but with great regret, I never got the chance to take the famed Ralph Williams Shakespeare course (like Connie did - yes, I'm still jealous). Luckily for me, Professor Williams has been making these clips exploring the timelessness of Shakespeare's works in his uniquely dramatic flair. I hope to watch all of these at once when I'm done with school in about 2 months (ahh!).

You can find the whole collection here: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/archives?classification=spotlight%20shakespeare

Ingrid Michaelson's Skinny Love

If you couldn't already tell from this and that, I really love covers. Often times, I end up liking them more than the originals. This is an example of such a song.

Some side notes: I got free tickets and watched Ingrid perform live a few weeks ago with some classmates. Also, Debbie will be having this Ingrid song playing in her wedding ceremony by her future brother-in-law. It will be gorgeous and I can't wait.

Being Elmo

Being Elmo opens in Detroit on Thursday! I've heard such good things about this documentary and I can't wait to go! I hope you all have been able to watch it too.

Video Games by Lana Del Rey

I think Lana Del Rey, if you haven't heard of her yet, is about to get really big with an album slated for release this month. After reading about her in this article from the Atlantic, I'll admit I became an immediate fan of her jazzy, dark voice. Her fake nails, plumped-up lips, and her Marilyn Monroe breathy-ness are also so undeniably American, don't you think?

Some other good ones: Yayo, Born to Die, Blue Jeans.


*Edited to add this amazing cover by Jamie Cullum. Swoon.

Chills

Getting to ZERO - World AIDS Day Detroit 2011 from WORLD AIDS DAY DETROIT on Vimeo.

I get chills (the good kind) when I watch this. The video is made by a classmate of mine and it's featuring many other classmates. Even more impressive is the fact that this event was founded and organized singlehandedly up until recently by a 2nd year student. Such inspiring, impassioned, and motivated people! Here they are in the news: Detroit Worlds Aids Day.

Beethoven's Emporer Concerto

I was in my school orchestra's rehearsal this past Sunday feeling worn out and tired after an entire day of studying. Of course I hadn't practiced and we were running through this concerto with our soloist for the first time. I was completely unprepared for the tears that sprang to my eyes when he played the opening arpeggios... (I'm not kidding).

I have to include the 2nd movement because it is perhaps even more gorgeous than the first.

Wedding State of Mind

I've had three friends get engaged within the last couple weeks. One was just yesterday! I'm back to having weddings on my mind, dabbling in reading wedding blogs and perusing wedding photos. I'm such a fan of not only the dresses, flowers, and food, but all of the people. It's actually a little intimidating how attractive they are. Of course I know my own friends will far surpass any of these photos in beauty as they get married, but in the meantime, I play this game with myself sometimes where I try to guess if the couples are models or real people. Play with me:

Continue on for the answers.

Hippos and Crates

A daily-updated blog detailing my current life. Written in the style of a true romantic and eternal optimist, I think Chris' account will be far more meaningful than most, if not any other attempts. Even as I experience the same classes, labs, and exams, it's encouraging and comforting see them through the eyes of someone who is looking past the daily minutia - one who sees so clearly the so-faint-you-swear-it-can't-really-be-there light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Plus, who doesn't love a little wordplay in a title? Thank you, Mr. VP!

Silverspring by Eisley

I don't think mere words can do this cover of Stevie Nick's Silverspring its due justice. It is simply perfection.

PW's Iced Coffee

There have been many times when I wish I could handle drinking coffee (and perhaps many more coming soon). Unfortunately, the caffeine is too fast, too furious for me, and the crash that always comes a few hours later is terrible. The only times I will risk a cup is when it's creamy and white, laden with creams and sugars, tasting like coffee ice cream.

This iced coffee looks like it might make a believer out of me. And Pioneer Woman hardly ever gets it wrong.

(Photos from the Pioneer Woman)

Elle Fanning in Marie Claire

Since when was being 13 so elegant? I saw these pictures of Elle Fanning in Marie Claire and aren't they just the right mix of girly and gawky? When I was 13, I was certainly a little more than just a bit awkward with my huge round glasses, bleached khaki pants, and Mickey Mouse sweatshirts. She, however, is simply charming.

 

(Photos from Marie Claire)

Gorgeous

"Capacity for love is as good a yardstick as any to measure how alive a thing is. I believe love is a precious gift of evolution that draws from the most advanced parts of the brain."

Humbling and moving thoughts of a medical student (but now MD) on humanity, science, and what it means to love: Elephant in the Room.

Folksy Favorites

Oh, bearded song men, what is it about you that makes me love you so? Is it your banjos? Is it your comically endearing "hillbilly mountain man of the early 20th century" aesthetic? Or is it your furrowed brows and half-lidded eyes that float closed when you sing all high and quiet?

Here are just three songs from three artists whom I have been listening to and loving for a long time.

see also: this and that

PS. I hope everyone had a summer-y Memorial Weekend!

Royal Wedding Cheekiness

Obviously we've all seen the highlights and the pictures of the main characters. So more importantly, are the rest of you fans of Pippa and Harry yet?

Some other funnies: Calm Down, aw, sad, and Wait till you see her.