#but I think the issue with Olivia and it got her in a pickle with SOUR is how frequently it pops up in her work

[kingofmyborrowedheart]

The interesting thing about Olivia’s music is that sonically it reminds me of music I’ve heard before but lyrically it’s new and unique.

[thisislizheather]

June Jaunts 2021

July always feels like one big long nap to me. There’s never really anything going on, kids are off school, adults seem to work less, it’s kind of great in that way. Maybe I won’t hate it this year? In any case, here’s what went down in June.

I compiled the best tweets of June over here and here.

I visited and wrote about the new Rockaway Hotel and pool.

I did Nathan’s podcast amidst his hiatus.

I recapped what I did from my spring list and made an upcoming summer to-do list, which I really encourage you to do on your own.

I read and reviewed The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Archor.

I’ve almost finished watching Living Single and seasons one through four are definitely the best ones. Love the episode where Kyle says goodbye to an old jazz venue that gets demolished, such a solid show.

I just saw the latest issue of the LCBO magazine and someone needs to pick me up that dill pickle vodka immediately.

Dying over how good the Strawberry Pound Cake candle smells from Bath & Body Works. Also picked up the Whipped Coffee candle for later this year from their semi-annual sale.

I went on an impromptu day trip to Connecticut.

I met up with Irene in Chinatown so I went early to walk around because man, I love that area.

Above Photo: Chinatown NYC, June 2021

Above Photo: Doyers Street, Chinatown NYC, June 2021

Above Photo: Irene!

Above Photo: Me!

I ate at dell’anima and it was insanely disappointing. It felt like being in a cafeteria at the mall, it’s just a terrible location. I wasn’t expecting much since I knew it was on 11th Avenue, but still. I had no idea it would be so deeply casual (which is upsetting for an NYC restaurant). The food was as average as could be. Also, can we stop with the plastic cups at restaurants? It’s time.

I also stopped by Anfora which is a pleasant little spot, especially before or after dinner.

I went to Daily Provisions and tried their roast beef sandwich and salted caramel brownie and does everywhere just suck this month? And I support Danny Meyer, but he truly is the master of overpricing food. Also - on what planet can a brownie taste bland?? Tell me??

I’m on the lash extension train again (I know, I’m weak) and I just got them done at Lash Princess in the city and they look incredible so I’m definitely going to return.

I rewatched Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding and yep, still great.

Love the stationary/toy store Modern State on the Upper East Side.

I’ve heard about cotton candy grapes for years and have never been able to get ahold of them, but I just found them and whoa! Everything you want them to be and more. Am I bothered by the fact that they’re 1000% modified and MUST be terrible for humans to eat? A bit.

I finally ate the Wednesday sandwich special at Mama’s Too on the Upper West Side and it was pretty incredible. It was a roast beef au jus with horseradish cream on top of their house-made pizza crust. It was a little heavy on the fatty pieces of meat, but once those were taken out, it was insanity to eat. Take a look.

Above Photo: Roast beef au jus with horseradish cream at Mama’s Too, NYC

We saw A Quiet Place 2 in theatres and yes it’s an okay movie but it was too suspenseful for me after not seeing a movie in theatres for so long. I don’t think I want any more suspense in my life

We also watched The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It at home and meh. Patrick Wilson can still get it, though.

Yet another great song off of Olivia Rodrigo’s album.

I finally got a reservation at Forsythia and it was looooovely, I can’t wait to go again. The restaurant itself is beautiful and such a perfect date place, the chairs are gorgeous and comfortable, the service was flawless and the pastas were phenomenal (the garganelli was a standout for sure). And god knows how much I love a place that serves their bread with olive oil as well as butter, WHY DOESN’T EVERY PLACE DO THIS?

I had to try the panzanella salad at L’Artusi and of course it’s great, but it’s also just so genius to put the cheese ON THE BOTTOM of a salad like this one. (Also, I’ll forever support whatever this team wants to do.)

Above Photo: Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Panzanella with Stonefruit, Sourdough, Basil, Yuza, Nigella at L’Artusi, NYC

Above Photo: Bucatini with Pancetta, Tomato, Chiles, Pecorino at L’Artusi, NYC

I tried the new Milk Bar cookies at Whole Foods and they truly taste like the cake truffles at their stores, so watch out.

The two best gelato flavours at il laboratorio del gelato? 1) Peach 2) Ginger. I’m telling you.

I’ve been looking for the perfect navy raincoat for years and I finally found her at J. Crew on sale for $71.

I tried the gelato at Anita Gelato and even though the wild strawberry with ricotta & mascarpone was really good, there’s no way it’s worth waiting in line for twenty minutes.

Above Photo: Wild strawberry with ricotta & mascarpone with a vanilla scoop, Anita Gelato in NYC

A great piece, with great photos on NYC reopening.

I made hash browns at home and does everyone do this already? It’s ridiculously easy and satisfying and I had no idea.

I’ve been on a real orzo bender lately and this tomato one was great. So was this lemon basil one (I added a ton of fresh parmesan and it was nuts).

This sketch is old, but I just saw it for the first time and man it’s great.

The new Halloween trailer is out and I want to love it but can’t we just let some things die?

This Target candle reminds me of Florida vacations and I want to buy ten.

I stupidly ate at Eataly (don’t do it, especially if you live in New York, you should know better) and of course it was bad. What a smart idea to eat at a place called Le Pizza & La Pasta, I’m a moron. Even smarter, I got the steak tartare and it was as bland as the day is long (and look I know I’m a clown for not even ordering pizza OR pasta when it’s in the name). The basil vodka cocktail was pretty good, though.

One thing that Eataly is good for, though, is selling really good dried pastas. I finally tried the brand Afeltra (the pasta as well as their canned tomatoes) and wowza. Definitely will be buying again. Best dried brand I’ve tried so far. Oh! I also bought this Ponti Balsamic Vinegar that tastes like candy, it’s so good. It’s thicker than other balsamics, so maybe it’s more of a finishing vinegar but I highly recommend.

I made these white chocolate apricot scones (and then later that week some white chocolate strawberry scones) and they were phenomenal. I did use cake flour because that’s all I had and I think that might be the reason they tasted so great. Also, it’s a wildly easy recipe to follow incase you’re intimidated by the word “scone.”

Above Photo: White chocolate apricot scone

I started watching the new season of Dave and it’s so well done I could scream (do you remember how good this part was from last season?). Such a good show. I do sort of hate men more by the end of each episode, so I don’t know what that’s about but I think I’m okay with it.

Bought a new nonstick frying pan (the GreenPan) and it’s incredible. Sometimes the answer is new cookware, no matter the question.

Nathan bought a new filtered shower-head and it’s making me excited for every shower now. Just a powerhouse. Feels like I’m at a hotel in there.

Since it’s summer, I’d love to make these summer recipes:

Grilled Caprese Skewers with Halloumi and Sourdough

Pan-Seared Scallops with Chorizo and Corn

BLT Pasta Salad

Summer Coconut Chickpea Curry

Strawberry Crumble Coffee Cake

Some things that I’m looking forward to: I’m not usually into miniseries but Nine Perfect Strangers looks pretty good so I might watch that, we’re going to TWO weddings this month so that will be wonderful, and I really need to get back in a pool so I’m working on that happening.

If you have any interest in reading what went on in May, come on over here.

[thecluelessredhead]

Sunset Curve: A Hollywood Legacy

Word Count: 1454

Chapter 5 of ???

Additional notes at the bottom.

Chapter 5

“Okay, wait,” Rachel interrupted. Alex groaned and flopped back onto his long since forgotten pillows. “Start from the beginning.”

“Have you been listening at all?” Alex said all too loudly. Rachel shushed him, afraid they would be heard. “We’ve been here for like an hour, I can’t start over!” 

Rachel scooted eagerly closer to her brother, a pleading look in her eyes. “Just tell me the part about Willie again.” 

Alex laughed and ran a hand through his hair. “That’s not what the point of the story is!” Rachel pressed a finger to her lips. Both glanced nervously at the door, as if waiting for their formidable mother to burst through the door and lecture them or throw Alex out the window, or something else outlandish yet totally in character. 

“Okay, what was the point of the story?” she asked. “You’re no good at parties?” 

“Forget it.” Alex stood up, only half intending to truly leave. Rachel seized his arm and forced him back down, even though she knew he wasn’t going anywhere, and if he was he could easily push past her limp hold on him. “Why do I tell you stories? You’re patently difficult.” Rachel nodded, seeming to agree, but not really listening. “Are you listening?” 

“Mhm, I’m the worst, you’re the best, yada yada yada. The point?”

“Did you miss the part where I kissed Luke?” Alex asked, seriously considering leaving.

“Yes, Alex, I must have. What I did hear was you meeting Handsome New Boy with excellent hair, and then being approached by Olivia Garcia.”

Alex stood up and paced the room. “Right, but I can’t focus on that until I figure out the other thing.”

“What other thing?” Rachel was toying with him, following him with her eyes. He stopped walking only for a moment to glare at her. “Right. Sorry. So, he kissed you. He was drunk. So, you kissed him back, you were caught up in the moment. Did I fix everything?” 

“No, you fixed nothing.” Alex turned and looked out of the window, which was still open. Light was shining through it, creating a golden sliver across the floor, which was interrupted by Alex and the light reflected beautifully off of his golden locks. “I have my feelings under control, thanks. What I’m worried about is the awkwardness. We’re in a band together, and our band is very clearly going places. He and I can’t have issues.” 

“Wait, you said you have your feelings under control.”

“I do.” Alex turned away from the window to look at Rachel, confused. 

“Right, but you’re scared of things being awkward?” she clarified. 

“Yes!” Alex insisted, visibly upset. 

“Are both awkward and afraid not emotions?”

“Well, awkward is a situation, and fear is a response,” Alex leaned backward out of the window, and peeked to his left and right, looking for some out of this conversation. 

“All emotions are responses,” Rachel countered. “And yours?”

“My emotional responses are fine!” Alex snapped. “Just help me!” 

“Fine.” She stood up, cracked her knuckles, and walked to the door. She pushed it open and looked this way and that. Then she snapped the door shut and ran back to the bed. “I’ve never been in a relationship. I’ve never had my drunk best friend kiss me naked in the ocean the day I met a handsome man, and performed the show of a lifetime. You’re really in a pickle.” Alex groaned and leaned further out of the window. “Look, I would just talk to him. You two have been friends for the past fifteen years. Nothing can possibly change that, so just shut up and talk to him.” 

Alex laughed and pulled his head back into the room. “Ooh, shut up and talk to him. I’ll be busy.”

Rachel opened the door. “What I mean is don’t hole up in your sarcasm.” With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her. 

Alex, determining that enough time had passed and he could head to Bobby’s left through the window, still exhausted, but with a renewed spirit. 

Reggie, who, as Rose had said, made it home at a reasonable time, had woken up early. He had gotten up early for two reasons. First, he threw up. Then, he went to tell Carla everything that had happened. She listened intently, nodded at the important parts, and grinned at the fun parts. 

Though it was only ten in the morning, halfway through Reggie’s story, the fighting started. That day, unfortunately, the topic was Reggie and Carla. 

“He’s your son, too!” a woman shouted. Reggie cringed and stopped speaking. 

“How am I supposed to control him! He’s seventeen!” a man holler back. 

“I don’t care! He can’t just run off to be a rockstar!” the woman yelled. 

“I don’t care what he does!” the man snapped. Carla got suddenly to her feet, hurried to the door, and shut it quietly. She sat back down on the bed, her legs folded beneath her. 

Neither siblings said anything. Reggie had his hands folded in his lap, and was staring intensely at them. His hair was falling down over his dejected face, and Carla couldn’t catch a glimpse of his face. 

A tear fell from the corner of his eye, and onto his clasped hands. He jerked his hand up, and wiped away anymore, but Carla had seen. 

“Hey.” She scooted forward on her ankles and dipped her head to meet his eyes. Reggie couldn’t stop the tears now. 

“That’s the first time it’s been about me,” he sobbed, not looking at Carla. 

“It wasn’t really about you,” Carla assured him. “They just need a scapegoat. A reason to be upset. Trust me.”

“I do. But, why do I feel like crap?” 

“Because this is crap.” She leaned toward him, and pulled him into her warm, strong embrace, letting his tears stain her shirt.

Luke had called a band meeting. And to Sunset Curve, mainly Luke, calling a band meeting meant saying something cryptic and then they all discuss it. 

“We gotta start thinking about the future of the band,” he said. Reggie and Bobby, who had been sprawled next to each other on the couch in a way that bros do in a way that is completely heterosexual, both groaned and exchanged a frusterated glance.

“I thought we just did that,” Reggie pointed out, sitting up. Bobby followed in suit.

“Dude, we just played the Orpheum. Give us a break!” Bobby said.

“Exactly! We’re on a roll! We can’t stop now!” Luke countered. “We gotta talk about our next move. Olivia Garcia?”

“I don’t know, Luke,” Alex spoke up nervously. “Our senior year starts next week. Can we just… wind down for… at least this week?” Why he was suddenly afraid to speak up to Luke, he wasn’t sure. Then, Rachel's words came back to him. Are both awkward and afraid not emotions? Just shut up and talk to him. Luke looked at Alex, and his gaze softened ever so slightly. Reggie cocked his head, confused, and Bobby leaned forward, his hand on his wrist, clearly very entertained. Alex had had an effect on Luke. Whether it was because Luke was his friend and cared about his opinion, or because Alex had broken the tie. Maybe Luke only agreed because he still felt weird about the kiss. Whatever the reason, all the boys were grateful. 

“Fine,” Luke agreed. He rose from his position on what he called his couch despite the fact that it was Bobby’s house. “I’m gonna go for a walk. Clear my head.” He looked at Alex, though the blond couldn’t tell if it was pointedly or longingly. Bobby and Reggie felt like a live audience as they watched Alex stand too and follow Luke quickly from the studio. 

Alex found Luke on the street, unmoving, looking across the street at an empty bike rack, whatever that was supposed to symbolize. He wandered closer to his friend so that they stood side by side, facing the roaring cars. 

“Are you okay?” Alex asked. Luke nodded. Alex waited for him to elaborate, because he didn’t want to say what was on his mind before Luke established the topic of the conversation. 

“I’m really sorry.” 

This was not what Alex expected him to say, and he turned to face him surprise, so his back was now to the traffic. 

“I don’t know what I was thinking yesterday. I didn’t mean that kiss, and I didn’t mean to screw anything up,” Luke continued, his eyes on his shoes. When Alex realized he had finished speaking, he pulled his best friend into a hug, glad that particular conflict had come to an end. 

“It’s okay,” he whispered.

Notes: Thanks for making it to the end! A reblog is very much appreciated! I’m still sort of pissed at myself about the whole Luke and Alex thing, but that’s over, and hopefully you’re still here.