Fifty shades of yoga

I’m the most annoying yoga student ever: I go sporadically, with no commitment to a particular class, instructor, or studio; I usually stop paying attention to my breath or any zen feelings and instead enthusiastically plan meals, blog posts, or works of literature I will likely never write; and worst of all, I’m really hoping this is going to pay off in the form of awesome abs and killer (but still feminine and sexy) biceps. But you know what? I’m a paying customer, and this is America. Don’t take away my freedom to half-ass my way through your yoga class.

Instant Fix: Jackie’s Netflix Top 5

Caelyn was right, sometimes Netflix does take over my life.  And sometimes, it’s in a really good way:

5) Bill Cunningham New York

If you’ve ever perused the Style section of the New York Times, you may recognize the name Bill Cunningham from his “On the Street” column.  This documentary gives a peek into his fascinating life: he lives in Carnegie Hall (in an apartment without its own bathroom or kitchen), is tremendously frugal, and has incredibly strong convictions about how to do his work, which has allowed him to forge his own path in the fashion community and still be wildly adored by everyone.  Seriously, just watch this and then tell me you don’t find him completely endearing.

Instant Fix: Caelyn’s Netflix Top 5

Ah, Netflix Instant. I love you, and yet I hate you. There are many Sundays where I planned a run, some light reading, perhaps a trip to the Grand Army Plaza farmers’ market, but did none of those things. I blame you, Netflix, with your siren song of all seventeen seasons of every show I watched as a teen. Can you still make your Facebook relationship status, “It’s Complicated”? Because if so, Netflix, I feel we need to own up to the truth.

Especially since I know that you’re doing the same thing with all of my friends, some relatives, and even Jackie. I know she bakes you cookies, but don’t be fooled. You’re better than that.

In spite of your brazen indiscretions, Netflix, I can’t move on. And here’s why:

[Currently Loving]… Triangles.

one. two. three. four.

I’m always a fan of graphic prints and designs, and lately I’ve found myself drawn to geometric patterns- especially triangles- on everything.  The examples above, with their sun-washed color palette, have me itching for summer!

Seven minutes in heaven.

Thanks to an NPR article, I discovered 7 Minutes in Heaven with Mike O’Brien, where SNL writer Mike O’Brien interviews celebrities in a closet, and then at the end goes in for a kiss.  It’s the perfect little pick-me-up when you need a mini break or a laugh.  This one is my favorite, but they’re all worth watching.

Donuts + Sleep.

I’m usually late to the game on good tv shows, but that just means I get to watch them without commercials and can watch as many episodes in a row as I can tolerate (which is… ahem… more than I’d like to admit).  Lately, I’ve been working my way through the 30 Rock archives.

Liz: No, I’m just going to go to the 24-hour donut place and go home.

Pete: Donuts then bed.  What are you depressed about or celebrating?

Liz Lemon, you speak to me on my level.

Reading

“That’s what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book.  It’s geometrically progressive- all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.”

– The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

 

Lately graduate school has made me avoid extraneous reading, so over the holiday break I’m trying to squeeze in as many books as I can.  I just started The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which seems quite promising.  I usually measure the merit of a book by how many other things I will avoid doing just to finish it, and then how much I regret that I’m already finished.

autumnal noises

Although I’m more of a sun-on-your-skin, lemonade-in-your-hand kind of girl, there is something exciting about slipping into thick socks, boots, and sweaters, brewing a mug of hot tea, and enjoying as much pumpkin and apple as I can (I really like fall clichés, ok?).  And listening to these.

[paul westerberg] love you in the fall

[the avett brothers] denouncing november blue (uneasy writer)

[bowerbirds] bur oak

[the acorn] oh napoleon

[fionn regan] bunker or basement

[midlake] young bride

[matt pond pa] halloween

[local natives] cubism dream

[neil halstead] baby, i grew you a beard

[joanna newsom] autumn 

 

Autumn in New York (ish)

Ever since I moved here last summer, people have been raving about how awesome fall is in New York. And they’re sort of right–unlike the Great Lakes autumns of my youth, where it’s 55 degrees out by the beginning of October and snowing by Halloween, it is still nice here until like mid-November. Maybe this is just global warming, but I’ll take a few extra 75-degree days.

Last fall I did not enjoy my fall. Partially because I didn’t really know what to do, or know enough people to actually do anything fun with, and partially because I lived in a sucky apartment in a sort of sucky neighborhood. (With bedbugs! And gun fights at 2am!) But this fall, in a much improved situation, I intend(ed) to make the most of it, and here’s how: