Vivian Maier

S: I can't wait for this Vivian Maier documentary to come out. You can read more about her here and here.

From the New York Times article:
The still unfolding legend of Vivian Maier has been one of photographic genius discovered only after a lifetime of shooting. Now hailed as a master of street photography, she spent most of her working life in obscurity as a nanny in New York, where she was born, and Chicago, where she died in 2009 at age 83.

Some of Vivian's amazing photos:

 

The doc trailer:

 

 (Photos via the New York Times and Colossal)

Pride and Prejudice: Book Covers

S: Pride and Prejudice turns 200 today, and Penguin put together a gorgeous post of all of the covers they have done for the beloved classic over the years. This one by Jessica Hische is my favorite:

But I still have a soft spot for the copy I owned in high school:

Valentine's Day Prints

S: I found some lovely prints that would be perfect Valentine's Day gifts:

(from 20 x 200)

(from Society 6)

(from Marc Johns)

 

(from Society 6)

(from Jessica Hische)

Cookbooks

S: Home cooking in 2013 is already off to an amazing start, thanks to all the cookbooks I got over the holidays. (Thanks, family!)

Dinner: A Love Story: I ripped through the entirety of D: ALS in a few nights, bookmarking recipes as I did. So much more than a cookbook! You really fall in love with Jenny on her journey into becoming a successful professional, an amazing mother, and an epic wife. And two solid recipes have already been tested by us: the breaded vinegary pork chops (which I made) and grilled lamb steaks (which Chris made). Also, easy and great for beginning home cooks.

 

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook: Deb Perelman can basically do no wrong. The buttered popcorn cookie (!) is divine, especially right out of the oven. The mushroom bourguignonne is to die for. Next up: the butternut squash and caramelized onion galette. Seriously, just writing that made me hungry. And then the sweet potato blintzes! Definitely more time-consuming and elaborate recipes, but well worth every second spent in the kitchen so far.  

 

Momofuku: I am intimated by this cookbook. It looks super cool, and the recipes, daunting. I keep staring at the amazing book design and thumbing through the pages, and then putting it back in line. But I swear, I will make the Brussels sprouts, and if I feel extra brave, the steamed pork buns.

This and That

Couple mug set.

Gummy bear chandelier.

William Faulkner's only known children's book, The Wishing Tree.

Lykke Li, Antony, Tame Impala, MGMT, and Best Coast covering Fleetwood Mac songs? Yes, please.

Hello!

(Image via Pinterest)

A Year in Photos: 2012

S: 2012 will go down as: the Year of Discovering the Glory of Panko, the Year I Started Yoga, and the Only Entire Year I Was a Engaged (and Not Yet Married). Here's a month by month photographic round-up of its awesomeness.

 January (our engagement party)

 February (amazing Valentine's Day)

 

March (SXSW)

April (my sister's housewarming party)

 

May (our two-year anniversary)

 June (hot nights in the city)

 July (our first Independence Day party)

 

 August (beer by the growler hits East Austin)

September (my birthday)

  October (Suzy and Sam)

November (visiting family)

December (by the fire)

Top Five Movies: 2012

C: Out of twenty-eight new movies seen this year, five reigned supreme.* In no order of preference:

1. Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Jiro is sweet. Jiro is kind. Jiro is an old man who loves to make sushi in Tokyo. He's the only winner of the Michelin award in a restaurant that doesn't have a bathroom. His apprentice spends over forty-five minutes massaging an octopus for a dish. He's totally devoted to his craft, which is why this is so good.

2. Cabin in the Woods: For one, it's Whedon. And who doesn't love Whedon? And compared to The Avengers, which also came out this year, this is more classic Whedon. Quirky idea, centered on archetypal characters in a comedy-horror genre-bending mash-up.

3. Moonrise Kingdom: I haven't really loved any Wes Anderson film since The Royal Tenenbaums. But this film I loved. What kind of bird are YOU? Also, have you seen our Halloween costumes? Yes, we loved this movie. 

4. Silver Linings Playbook: I was surprised at how emotional this funny and dark film was. Not gloomy. Edgy. A lot of life. Compelling love story.

5. Safety Not Guaranteed: We saw four Mark Duplass movies this year, and this was by far our favorite. Guy posts classified ad that he needs someone to time travel with him. Newspaper reporters decide to investigate. That should be enough for you to see this film.

(*Note, we have not seen Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and many other films that might have been contenders.)