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.”