The Food52 Cookbook

S: I got The Food52 Cookbook for Christmas, and I can't wait to start the new year cooking and baking all the delicious recipes inside it. I'm going to start with the meat loaf with blackberry barbecue sauce tonight.

Wooden Flask

S: The perfect wooden flask. (via Etsy)

Feather Gift Tags

S: These feather gift tags are just what I was looking for! Get the template (for free!) on the Love vs. Design blog.

Happy Birthday, Joan Didion!

“Grammar is a piano I play by ear. All I know about grammar is its power.”  —J.D.

S: Happy birthday to one of my favorite writers today! If you've never read any of Joan's nonfiction books, you should start with Slouching Towards Bethlehem, The White Album, or The Year of Magical Thinking. You won't regret it. I promise.

Holiday Utensils

S: Love these utensils with dipped handles in holiday colors.

(Image via The Curiosity Shoppe)

Celluloid Salon at 501 Studios

S: Date night! Chris and I went to 501 Studios tonight to see four short films and have free drinks, courtesy of Drambuie, an odd-tasting, spicy malt whiskey. This is a part of the first short, called "Duffy the Mascot":

C: The Drambuie, as Sandra put it, was...odd, but the music accompanying the films was immersive. Each film was treated to a different score by This Will Destroy You, a local band.

S: Silly second short. I went to the ladies' room during this one and was afraid I was going to fall down the stairs.

S: Creepy third film:

C: Although it's hard to get creepy from the music in this YouTube version. The music that the band played made it creep-tastic.

S: Yes, I agree. But the costumes are still horror-movie worthy.

S: I love the fourth short because it was the inspiration for Smashing Pumpkins' "Tonight, Tonight," one of my favorite songs from the 90s.

C: Me too.

C: The original (from 1902!):

Whip It

S: A friend posted this on Facebook today. Love!

Top 10 Records: 3 & 4

C: Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream is one of my favorite 90s records, and probably the best record Smashing Pumpkins ever made.

C: While their later work was flawed by melodrama and excess, Siamese Dream reaches the outer limits of explosive sound and emotional lyrics, while retaining a youthful rawness. 

C: Another 90s record I enjoy is Belle and Sebastian's If You're Feeling Sinister. While their sound seems at first much sweeter than the Smashing Pumpkins, this outward sweetness is belied by much wiser lyrics that serve to transform its overall meaning.

C: Similarly to Siamese Dream, I think this early work by Belle and Sebastian turns out to be their best. While both bands slowly devolve into producing derivations of their previous works, their early works retain striking originality.

Lucky Peach

S: The new issue of Lucky Peach came in the mail this weekend! The corn cookie ham and cheese recipe looks delicious.

S: I loved the first issue on ramen (especially the instant ramen cacio e pepe recipe). This issue came with a page of stickers! Even though my youthful days of sticker collecting ended long ago, I was extremely excited when I flipped the page and unexpectedly found this:

Jessica Hische

S: I am a huge fan of designer Jessica Hische. I covet her fonts! Her day planner would be a cute gift for the holidays.

Thanksgiving Croissants

S: Now that I've seen this Thanksgiving croissant from Momofuku Milk Bar, I am officially ready for Thursday. The filling is turkey meat, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

(Image via Midtown Lunch)

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

S: If you haven't meet Marcel yet, you should. He's pretty adorable. And he has a new book out!

S: And here's his first video, in case you missed it.

Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing

S: Excited about Whedon's new movie, especially after seeing this film still of Amy Acker as Beatrice.

(Image via Rookie Mag)

Menagerie Tattly Tattoos

S: Love these new menagerie Tattly (temporary) tattoos.

(Image via Tattly)

11:11 on 11/11/11

S: Don't forget to make a wish today at 11:11 (a.m. or p.m.). It's supposed to be good luck. Happy Friday!

John Hodgman at BookPeople

C: This Tuesday Sandra and I went to see one of my favorite author/comedian/podcasters/occasional Daily Show goer oner John Hodgman.

S: It was possibly one of the best in-store book events I have ever been to. And I'm a book editor! Remember when he made that “human child” sit on that block in front of the whole crowd, and then her name ended up being Ferbie? Remember when he asked for an audience member to record him, and then that audience member ended up being Wiley Wiggins from Dazed and Confused?

S: Remember when he played his ukulele, and then managed to get everyone to sing along with him?

S: Remember when he yelled at Chris right before he signed That Is All for us?

C: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Wine Barrel Bench

S: Love this bench made from recycled wine barrel wood.

(Image via Uncommon Goods)

Top 10 Records: 5 & 6

C: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is the second album from Genesis in my top 10 because I couldn't live with just one. This was the final Genesis album Peter Gabriel participated in and, I think, their best.

C: A sharp contrast from Invisible Touch which was all catchy music and slick production value, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is every bit as complicated as its bizarre title might indicate. The album's lyrics spin the existential journey of Rael, a Puerto Rican thug living in New York City, who is sucked into a strange and threatening other-world populated by magical creatures and people from his memories.

C: By turns both poignant and ridiculous, the density of the album's music and mythology reward repeat listens, which is why this remains one of my favorite records.

C: Another favorite record of mine is Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavillion. While I've always been a fan of their earlier works, this album is the one in which the band successfully merged their interesting experimental nature with the kind of catchiness inherent in the best pop.

Remote Control Spaceman

S: Seriously considering getting my nephews this remote control spaceman for Christmas.

(Image via MoMA Store)

DVF Luggage

S: I'm wishlisting this new red chain-link print luggage from Diane von Furstenberg.

S: Also, I love this picture of Diane when she was just starting out as a designer. Wear a dress!

Papi Tino's Dinner

C: Last night, I took Sandra out to dinner at a fairly new Mexican restaurant, Papi Tino's.

S: We went once before during the summer when it was over 110 degrees out. We could actually sit inside this time without sweat dripping off us (no air-conditioning).

C: The house has an old, warm feel to it.

S: The above picture is me in the back part of the front room. Chris thinks I look cute. I think I look like I'm nodding off. Here's our view past the piano to East Sixth outside.

C: As for dinner, we both had the same thing as last time, enchiladas suizas and enchiladas de mole.

S: Delicious. Also, the owner walked around in a bunny costume while we were there. Not kidding.

Joan Didion's Blue Nights

S: Blue Nights came out today, and I can't wait to give it a read. I'm a huge fan, and all of Joan's nonfiction books have earned a spot on my bookshelf. I saw her read at the Union Square Barnes & Noble when her last book came out. So much composure and grace in one teeny-tiny woman.

Top 10 Records: 7 & 8

C: My Bloody Valentine's Loveless is definitely an album that needs to be experienced in vinyl. The depth and sheer force of the atmosphere of sound the record creates is incredibly moving.

C: Another album I love is Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Wilco creates what feels like a timeless expression of America in a unique way.

C: The record jacket itself is quite sturdy. And it comes with a copy of the album on CD!

Quarterly Co.

S: A postcard from Quarterly Co. came in the mail today. Quarterly Co. is described on their website as “a subscription service that enables people to receive physical items in the mail from influential contributors of their choice.” In other words, you get something cool every few months from someone you think has good taste in cool somethings. Our first mailing will be coming soon! We chose Tina Roth Eisenberg as our “contributor.”

Happy Halloween!

S: Last year, Chris and I took the Dork Route and were characters from Star Trek.

S: This year, we're still on the same path, as hex tiles from Settlers of Catan, a German-style board game we both love. Hope everyone has a lovely, fun-filled night! And I couldn't resist posting the cutest Halloween costume I've seen so far this year.

(Image via HelloGiggles)

Top 10 Records: 9 & 10

C: I thought I'd do a series of blog posts about my ten favorite records I own. Here's the first post about #9 and #10.

C: Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (#10) is one of the most moving records ever made, and it sounds even better via the warmth and intimacy that only vinyl can provide.

C: No need for clutter. A monochrome insert keeps things simple.

C: While many prefer early era Genesis, Invisible Touch (#9) is 80s pop at its best. This seemingly simple graphic has a surprising number of layers, and the hand is partially embossed providing an enjoyable texture. A fitting metaphor for the sound contained within.

C: Collins shows his playful side in this photo of the band contained on the record sleeve.

Contigo Brunch

S: My bff Amy from New York just flew into town yesterday, and we ventured out to Contigo in east Austin for their new brunch today. (The waitress mentioned it was only the second day of brunch service ever.) I got this gorgeous mess: flapjacks, with persimmons, creme fraiche, and Vermont maple syrup.

 S: Here's a peek at a bit of their menu.

 S: Can't wait to show Amy more of Austin in the coming days.

Jeffrey Eugenides at BookPeople

S: Jeffrey Eugenides signed my new copy of The Marriage Plot last night. I love Middlesex and The Virgin Suicides and can't wait to get started on this new one.

S: A friend also got her book signed—but only partially! In his hurry, Jeff forgot to actually sign his name:

S: We didn't want to go back and ask for a re-sign, out of fear of appearing rude. Would you have after waiting in line?

Post-it Watches

S: Aren't these Post-it watches from PA Design great?

(via Swissmiss)

St. Vincent at ACL Live

S: Chris and I went to see St. Vincent Monday at the new ACL Live theater. We got a limited edition white vinyl record of her new album.

C: And the record was grammatically correct. Get it...records and grammar.

C: This was my first time at a St. Vincent concert. She was amazing, like seeing David Bowie.

S: The show was great! Love the venue, love the girl, love Chris. Also, love the video for Cruel.

St. Vincent's Cruel from Arianna Tomasettig on Vimeo.

Backpacks

C: I finally got my first issue of Wallpaper and found this great-looking backpack from Herschel Supply Co.

S: The Little America one is my favorite. Also, cute name!

(Images via Herschel Supply Co.)