June's Six

Image Credits: upper-middle tile via @cakemonkeybakery, lower-left tile via www.malibu-farm.com, lower-middle tile via @ateliercologne, lower-right tile source unknown.

The aim of this series is to corral some favorite things and share them in a short and sweet post. Whether it’s a song, book, recipe, tip, or product, hopefully you will find some inspiration in this list.    

1. In case you don’t already have go-to nail polish colors, I have a couple suggestions. While I do sometimes stray, I find myself always coming back to OPI’s “Be There in a Prosecco” and “Lincoln Park After Dark.” The first is the perfect creamy ivory—not too yellow, but also not too white. (Side note: white nail polish reminds me of my elementary school days when I gave myself french manicures with BIC Whiteout…yikes.) The second color is my hands-down favorite almost-black color. My mom got me hooked years ago and I haven’t found a dark shade I like more since. Find these polishes here and here. Try them out and share the results with us!

2. If you’re in the LA-area, check out this fun list for “9 Great Los Angeles Birthday Cakes.” The video and write-up can be found via the LA Times here.

3. Sharp turn here, but I have a book recommendation. It’s short and simple, but provides a compelling counter to the taken-for-granted position—basically the standard view in secondary and higher education— that facts and values are simply and obviously distinct. Find The Abolition of Man here.

4. Pick up a copy of the cookbook Malibu Farm (I always purchase used cookbooks, find one here) and immediately make the raw brussel sprouts with almonds and grainy mustard. I don’t have air conditioning in my apartment, so I love a good summer meal that doesn’t require using the stove or oven. Last time I made this, I served it alongside sourdough bread and a big hunk of burrata.

5. Speaking of the warm weather to come, Atelier Cologne’s Orange Sanguine perfume is a lovely, citrus-forward scent for summer. It’s sweet, bright, and fresh all at once, and smells intensely like oranges. I have the $28 travel size which is just the right amount to take me through summer. Find it here.

6. Yo La Tengo’s cover of “Gentle Hour” is just so lovely. Listen to it here. And, here are the beautiful lyrics in case you’re interested. “It's such a pleasure to touch your skin, To touch your skin, It's such a pleasure to touch your heart, To touch your heart, I can hardly wait/I couldn't bare it, to live for fear, Undressing you, You're in my heart all the time, All the time, I will wait till you arrive, To make it to the grave, And I couldn't have done, Anything else/ A gentle love, A gentle heart, A gentle love, A gentle heart/All things that cause you joy cause pain/ It's such a pleasure to touch your skin, To touch your skin, It's such a pleasure to touch your heart, I can hardly wait/ And I'm waiting to hear you now, To make it to the grave, And I couldn't have done, Anything else, I couldn't have done anything else”

Alison