Just a heads up: You’re going to see and hear more of me in 2019.
Enjoy this audio version of a combined November and December 2018 favorites!
Below are links to a few highlights:
Favorite News Articles
Ellen Pompeo: “I don’t see enough color.”
Brussel sprouts disguised as Ferrero Rocher chocolate Christmas gift prank
Favorite Music
“Sail Away” by Møme feat. Ricky Ducati
Alrighty, it’s about that time of year where I look back at the songs, artists, and albums that got me through the last 365 days.
I feel like all the artists in 2018 were putting in overtime (looking at you, Uppermost)! Like, damn! So many amazing musical projects came into fruition this year.
Here are the best in music for 2018:
1. “Midnight Summer Jam”, Justin Timberlake, Man of the Woods. Is it even possible for JT to make an album that isn’t good? I don’t think so.
2. “blazed”, Ariana Grande ft. Pharrell Williams, sweetner. Ariana killin’ it as usual, and Pharrel just adding some extra pizzaz.
3. “Count to Five”, Rhye, Blood. I could literally listen to Rhye until I die.
4. “Mona Lisa”, Sabrina Carpenter, Singular: Act I. What kind of person would leave a girl like Sabrina hanging like that?
5. “LA Girls”, Charlie Puth, Voicenotes. I’m not from LA, but Charlie kinda makes a girl wish she were.
6. “Crybaby” Paloma Faith, The Architect (Zeitgeist Edition). Thank you, Spotify Chromecast tutorial, for introducing me to Paloma Faith.
7. “Dreams”, Uppermost, Given by Nature. So enchanting.
8. “Atoms”, Uppermost ft. Birsen, Perseverance. When Uppermost does the most in 2018 😉
9. “Damn (what must a woman do)”, Christine and the Queens, Chris. Idk man. I just don’t. Sigh.
10. “I Want You”, Elohim, Elohim. You tell him like it is, girl.
11. “Couples Retreat”, Jon Bellion, Glory Sound Prep. I bet Jon’s wife melts like chocolate whenever she hears him sing.
12. “Ride or Die”, The Knocks ft. Foster the People, New York Narcotic. Such a feel good tune, and overall album.
13. “walk from here”, lovelytheband, finding it hard to smile. Those guitar chords get me every time.
14. “Towel”, The WLDLFE, I’m Not Worried Anymore. So glad I discovered these guys this year.
15. “When We Drive”, Death Cab for Cutie, Thank You for Today. Death Cab, hitting you with a big bag of emotions since 1997.
16. “All the Work”, Amber Mark, Conexão. Definitely want to see this girl perform live someday.
17. “Change Your Mind”, Miike Snow, 50 Shades Freed Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. What are we supposed to do now that all the films have been released and there are no more soundtracks coming?! 😥
18. “Glitter”, Keys n Krates ft. Ambré Perkins, Cura. Ugh, this album shines “like glitter.”
19. “Something”, Henry Green, Shift. Keep the slow jams coming, Henry.
20. “Happy Without Me”, Chloe x Halle ft. Joey Bada$$, The Kids Are Alright. Can’t wait to see what these girls put out next. So. Much. Talent!
Happy New Year 2019!
This year’s Spotify Wrapped was…interesting. I guess. I’m not sure if interesting is really the right word to use here.
There were 10 slides of data about my listening habits for 2018, and, to be honest, some of the slides were quite pointless.
Anyway, let’s take a look at my 2019 Year in Music:
It appears I started the year out listening to Dua Lipa and Hobbie Stuart? The former I can confirm but the latter I do not recall. Oh, well.
I don’t remember the total amount of minutes I listened last year, but back in 2014 it was almost 38% of this. I have for sure been spending more time on Spotify after graduating college.
Yes, yes, yes! And I’m STILL MAD that the tickets for his NYC show in March sold out before I could snag one 😥
Yeah, this seems pretty accurate. I’d say I spent the majority of 2018 falling in love with Rhye, Fickle Friends (I got to see them live!), and HalfNoise.
This was one of the slides that I found pretty useless, as I care not one ounce about zodiac signs and astrology. I mean, sure, I guess it’s cool that most of the artists I listened to in 2018 were born in November and December? \_(ツ)_/¯
I’m really loving the podcasts section of Spotify these days. Ear Biscuits and WenghTalk Radio are among my faves this year, as are We Watch Food and Subway Creatures!
See below for 100 of my most played songs and a playlist of Tastebreakers.
So I’ve been hella busy, stressed out, and in pain over the last few weeks. Therefore, I decided to take a little break from blogging. We’ll now resume the regularly scheduled end-of-year programming on the blog. Oh, yes, I know, there was no November Favorites this month so I’ll be posting a combined November & December Favorites during the first week of January 2019.
If you recall two winters ago, I made a fun playlist of songs named after people. Shortly after posting it, I remembered so many other songs that would have made a great addition to the playlist. I kept adding to the list for the last two years (which has become quite lenghty so prepare for a part three soon), and here are the ones I picked for the Winter 2018 Calling Your Name Playlist pt. 2!
Enjoy!
1. Sarah, Rüfüs du Sol. For a dramatic winter evening in front of the fireplace with snow making dew on the windows.
2. Stumbling Mary, Exale & TEGA. Watch out there—we don’t need anyone stumbling around in the snow.
3. Elliot, Roosevelt. ”Elliot, Elliot, look out.”
4. Lafayette, BIBLES. A tune for the rare occasion when you get a chance to go outside before sundown to see the clear skies.
5. Pamela, Brain Tan. When you find yourself whispering in the middle of the night…
6. Ophelia, Monakr. Relax, and just let the rhythym take you.
7. June, THE WLDLFE. “I’ll be your Johnny if you’ll be my June.”
8. Carolina, Harry Styles. Time to break out the guitar and spend some time learning how to play this one all winter.
9. Silvia, Miike Snow. “I don’t know Silvia.”
10. Ashley, Lido & Santell. A smooth R&B vibe to keep you warm this winter.
11. Eddie (Oliver Nelson Remix), EVERYWHERE. Soaking up the winter sun with this one.
12. Anthonio (Berlin Breakdown Version Remastered), Annie. For the moments when winter feels like it’s moving in slow motion.
Stay warm!
I’ve known about the NYC Tipplers by Craft Hospitality for some time now, but I’m not really one to drink a lot at once so I turned my friends down when they asked me to join them for the Winter Tippler this year.
However, I decided to try it out for the 2018 Autumn Tippler and it was so much fun!
Quick rundown of how the Tippler works: You purchase a Tippler passbook online via the main website or on Eventbrite (I got mine on Eventbrite). The passbook contains each of the participating venues and the names of the cocktails they will have for the Tippler on individual pages which will be stamped or signed once redeemed for the drink. The Tippler runs for a certain amount of weeks (the Autumn Tippler ran from October 1-November 15). Any day, beginning on the first day of the Tippler, you can pick up your passbook from your selected pick-up location (which is one of the bars participating in the Tippler) and then go on your merry way redeeming your drinks!
My pickup location was e’s Bar in Manhattan. I did the Tippler with a large group of friends, which made it so much more exciting.
Below is a little photo diary of the venues I got to try cocktails from. The venues that I didn’t get to visit are featured at the end of this in Instagram posts from Abi, one of the friends I did the Tippler with.
e’s Bar, White Wine Mojito
I’m a huge fan of white wine so this was absolutely amazing! Super simple and super delicious! I’m so glad this was the pickup location because this drink set the bar pretty high.
Mad River Bar & Grill, The Creamsicle
Tastes like orange cream soda! Hello again, childhood 🙂
Ousia, El Gobernador PPP
I’ve never had peppercorn before this, but it’s definitely interesting on the taste buds and makes a really aesthetically pleasing garnish. Still wondering where the fourth “P” is in the name (pisco, pomegranate, pineapple, pink peppercorn).
The Late Late, Mrs. Robinson
The bitterness of grapefruit was a little stronger than I would have liked but this wasn’t bad.
Wicked Willy’s, Spiked Cider
Perfectly sweet spiked cinnamon-y hot cider treat! The cinnamon stick could have been longer though.
Jojo’s Philosophy, The Georgetowner
Me: *Sips* “Oh this is strong. Pablo’s gonna love this.”
Pablo: “Yeah, but it tastes bad.”
I love Jojo’s for everything else except this. LAWD. IT. WAS. AWFUL! ESPECIALLY THE WHISKEY DRENCHED PINEAPPLES.
Hold Fast Kitchen & Spirits, Hold Fast To Your Dreams
Almost as bad as The Georgetowner from Jojo’s minus the awful whiskey soaked pineapple. Also, what’s going on with this garnish?
Hudson Station, Raspberry Lemonade
Tastes like a jolly rancher! So, so good!
McGettigans, Cosmo (originally supposed to be Goslings Dark and Storms)
They didn’t have the ingredients for the drink that was listed for the Tippler so the bartender gave us cosmos instead. Delicious fruity cranberry and vodka goodness!
The Astorian, Classic Gin Forward Martinez
The gin was pretty strong but it tasted waaayyy more bearable than the Hold Fast To Your Dreams and The Georgetowner.
Overall, I think this was a really great way to explore NYC’s cocktail scene. I’ll probably do the Tippler again next season!
Getting some chilly fall/winter vibes with ‘In Rainbows’ by Radiohead on this episode of “Got It On Vinyl”! Enjoy!
Before we begin this October Favorites post:
IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AND HAVE NOT YET DONE SO, KINDLY DROP EVERYTHING NOW AND GO TO YOUR POLLING PLACE. YES, IT’S THAT SERIOUS. GO FREAKING VOTE. LIKE, NOW. THANK YOU.
With that out of the way, let’s just jump right into my favorites in pop culture and entertainment for October 2018.
Favorite News Articles
1. Reese’s set up a candy converter in NYC for all of your unwanted treats. Goodbye, Necco wafers.
2. Netflix is developing a TV series and new films for The Chronicles of Narnia! My binge-watching chair is ready.
3. Meghan Markle is pregnant. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not kidding when they said they wanted to have children right away!
4. David Schwimmer’s doppelganger is a thief. #ItWasntRoss
Favorite Music
1. “Panoramic Girl” by Young the Giant. Strangely, this beautiful ballad is the only song I really like from their new album.
2. NYLA by Fancy Feelings / Animal Feelings ft. Anya Marina. Thanks for reminding me that at this time of year I’d rather be in LA for a mild autumn.
