You can [send] someone an emoji of a glass of wine. They come over and you have sex. Then they go home. It’s the end of Western civilization as far as I can tell.
—Patricia Altschul of Southern Charm
Image by Bravo TV.
Archives for July 2016
Through the Drinking Glass (No. 2)
A bi-weekly series interviewing people and their drinking habits.
Watch / Read / Listen (No. 2)
Watch:
- Catastrophe. No need to wait nine years to find out who The Mother is. (Still pissed about the HIMYM ending). This show is 10x better with its straightforward humor and realistic approach on relationships.
- Aja Dang’s Korean Skincare Routine. The aging process has increased my pores and my intrigue in this million-step method. Aja breaks down each step and explains its role.
Read:
- Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Fun and imaginative storyline with a big nod to the 80s. High hopes for the upcoming 2018 movie.
- Happyolks blog by Kelsey Boyte. Beautiful, not-too-staged pictures with well-written content. Her take on family dinners is elegantly captured in a few short paragraphs.
Listen:
- Amber Arcades. She’s got a Cults vibe going on. A nice break from all the untz, untz, untz music out there.
House Party at Khaleesi’s
A bi-weekly series of libations with Becca-approved design or flavor. Perhaps both.
Name: Girl & Dragon
From: Vintage Wine Estates of Santa Rosa, CA
Type: 2014 malbec
Pair it with: a Game of Thrones party
Emphasis on: both!
So much more than just a breakfast drink
John Besh restaurants are known for their really great happy hours. One of my favorites is Pizza Domenica in Uptown, where pizzas are half-off (go cheap or go broke) and you can watch the pizza dough being thrown in the ayer, ayer, ayer. We usually go on Mondays to partake in the half off pitchers deal.
Vibe: warm, chic, homey
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m., half-off pizza, draft beer, and wine by the glass
Food Favorites: wild mushroom pizza, prosciutto pizza, garlic knots
Address: 4933 Magazine Street
Title of post credited to Homer Simpson’s describing beer.
Monday Meetings with Joanna Gaines
Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin started Movement Mondays on her Instagram to garner support for working Latino actors. She points out that the studios feel more confident in hiring Latino actors for high-profile roles if the numbers back it up. The TV shows and movies with Latino actors need to pull in higher ratings and more revenue. This approach is the same for all minorities.
Her observation extends beyond the acting community and into all aspects of creative professions. Inspired by Gina, I am starting the series Monday Meetings to highlight Asian movers, shakers, and makers. We should be seeing them and hearing from them more often—not just sporadically.
♦ ♦ ♦
Meet Joanna Gaines, the real housewife of Waco, TX, and by housewife, I mean she is a married woman who tackles major house improvements on the HGTV show “Fixer Upper.” With her (adorable and funny) husband Chip leading the construction team, she flips outdated homes and transforms them into neighborhood gems. Every episode is a You made that out of that? moment.
Joanna has a way of implementing her clients’ personalities while keeping the house refined. She’ll add a funky touch like ornate chairs and bold tiles but keep it classic with French doors and shiplap. Chip and Jo love shiplap like I love bacon. They put it on everything.
The crown moulding moment though is her background in…you did not guess it…communications. No interior design schooling, just talent. Further proof that there is hope for mass comm majors (like me) to make something out of this decorative degree. Don’t let your school loans debt define you, just your paycheck.
I’m always more intrigued about the development stages—how did the new Bey and Jay build this empire? So, I’m stoked that the Gaines’ book The Magnolia Story, comes out in October. Chip + Jo 4evs.
Tête-à-Tête (No. 1)
That’s what I do. I drink and I know things.
—Tyrion from Game of Thrones
Image by HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Through the Drinking Glass (No. 1)
A bi-weekly series interviewing people and their drinking habits.
Watch / Read / Listen (No. 1)
Watch:
- Dope. How to apply to Harvard, starting from the Bottoms. Kick-ass songs and witty dialogue work to emphasize a powerful message.
- Carpool Karaoke with James Corden. A new favorite next to Kimmel’s “Mean Tweets.” The segments with Jason Derulo and Adele are so Gucci.
Read:
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Death delicately relives the terrible WWII days. He fixates on Liesel, a German orphan, and her pursuit of books.
- Lena Dunham’s “Don’t take it personally when I tell you no.” She reminds us yet again of her writing talents in this relatable and honest piece.
Listen:
- Oh Wonder. Indie-pop duo with a sultry harmony and upbeat tempo. Include the tracks “Lose It” and “Drive” for that road trip mixtape.
- BØRNS. Velvety smooth and refreshing. Jam to “Past Lives” and wallow with “The Emotions,” the best breakup song since A Fine Frenzy’s “Almost Lover.”
Chill Real Hard
A bi-weekly series of libations with Becca-approved design or flavor. Perhaps both.
Name: Tampa-Style Lager
From: Cigar City Brewing of Tampa Bay, FL
Type: american pale lager
Pair it with: all-day beach lounging
Emphasis on: design
Where do you want to eat? I don’t care.
My friend or was it cousin? I remember things said but not whom. He/she had this great idea to name a restaurant I Don’t Care. Think about it:
Him/her: Where do you want to eat?
You: I don’t care.
Him/her: Alright, let’s go. Get in the car.
Until that happens, buy groupons! With groupon in phone, we sashayed our way to the Warehouse District and tried the Asian fusion restaurant Rebellion Bar & Kitchen. Decision made. Fight prevented. Couch unoccupied.
Vibe: industrial, artist loft, fancy basement
Cocktail: Wind Up Bird: soju, gin, orgeat (pronounced or-zsa), lime juice, orange bitters
Food Favorites: brussel sprout salad, katsuo fries
Address: 748 Camp St.
Monday Meetings with Jenn Im
Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin started Movement Mondays on her Instagram to garner support for working Latino actors. She points out that studios feel more confident in hiring Latino actors for high-profile roles if the numbers back it up. TV shows and movies with Latino actors need to pull in higher ratings and more revenue.
This approach is the same for all minorities and extends beyond the acting community—into all aspects of creative professions. Inspired by Gina, I am starting the series Monday Meetings to highlight Asian movers, shakers, and makers. We should be seeing them and hearing from them more often—not just sporadically.
♦ ♦ ♦
Meet Jenn Im, the fashion + beauty champ of the YouTube ring. She started Clothes Encounter (pun points) in 2010 and already has more than a million subscribers and Instagram followers. Rightfully so. Her natural camera presence, crisp view of L.A, and conversational tone is goldilocks-just-right: thought-out but not overly produced. Besides her sense of style, she gives you a glimpse into her personal life. If you’ve ever been in a long-distance relationship, then this video will tug your heartstrings.
The clincher, though, is her voice. She’s the female Morgan Freeman—with that silky and elegant quality, I can listen to her narrate anything.