Ira Meets Myra | A Few of My Favorite Things

The past couple of months have been totally crazy, as most of you guys know. Between my dad’s stroke, the big move to Alabama, and trying to get caught up on all my Salt Lake business while getting things settled here…. man oh man. But everything’s slowing down, and Jamie and I will be flying out to New Jersey this weekend to attend and photograph Lindsay and Michael’s wedding, and then I’ll be headed back to Utah next Thursday for a whirlwind trip to photograph Leona and Alex’s wedding, so I don’t think the down time is going to last too much longer. :)

That said, I thought I’d share some of the things I’m lovin’ these days. Things that have helped me keep my sanity during the stress of it all. Just a few of my favorite things!

This American Life

So one of my new dreams is to be interviewed by Ira Glass. I’ve caught the occasional episode of This American Life, his weekly radio show, on NPR, but when I knew we would be trekking out to Bham, I decided to download a bunch of old episodes for us to listen to. (There’s really only so much music you can stand on a 35-hour car ride.) I think we listened to 15 or so of the hour-long shows because they are super addictive. Each show, he and his team of reporters pick a theme and bring all sorts of stories, songs, interviews, etc. related to that theme, and often they divide the show into “acts.” But what I love is that it’s not just a typical dry newscast… They make a point to really dive in and find unusual stories, or they just find random people and turn an ordinary topic into something really interesting and extraordinary. Plus, the sound of Ira’s voice is just dreamy. Every week you can download the latest episode for free, but the archives can be purchased for 99 cents each. Well worth it for long car rides!

McDonald’s Sweet Tea

Okay, so my obsession with sweet tea is no secret. But I gotta say, it’s amazing being back in the South where people know HOW to make sweet tea. I mean, you’d think at a national chain like McD’s they would make it the same everywhere, but nooo. If I ever actually could find it at one in Utah, it was usually yucky. And $1? Are you kidding me? That’s almost cheaper than making it at home! Okay, so I know I’m probably killing the Earth with those styrofoam cups (which, I admit, I love), but I can’t help it. It’s not like I can drop $5 every day on Starbucks, so let me have my addiction OKAY? Just kidding. It’s not that bad. I only go…. oh…. every morning or so. :)

Mad Men

OMG. Why have I not been watching this show since Season 1? It is so up my alley it’s ridic. Between the outfits and the decor and…. can we just talk about Joan for a second? Wow. I have a total girl crush on her. Well, her, and pretty much everything about mid century anything. I’ve always had a thing for mid century fashion and design, but watching this show has only been fueling the love.

That said, I’ve been really inspired lately, and I’ve been drooling over all sorts of lovely things to furnish and decorate our new townhouse. Don’t get me wrong…. most of these things I will NEVER be able to afford, but I’ve been searching for knockoffs and scouring secondhand stores for similar items, and I’ve started saving for the big stuff. (helloooo sofa!) I just love those inspiration boards they post on sites like Design*Sponge, so I thought I’d make one of my own. Even if I can’t own it all now, it’s still fun to look at. :)

(clockwise, from top): Eames chair, $349. Paige Reads Peyton Place Open Edition Print, $26. Silver arc lamp, $268. Emilio Lemon Drop fabric, $14.95/yd. Bertoia wire chair, $481. Teak mid century modern dining set, $1200. Live Simply Print, $20. Crate and Barrel Petrie Sofa, $1599.

Mumford & Sons

I used to be one of those music snobs who got all uppity when “I discovered it first.” But over the years I’ve outgrown Early Adopter Syndrome, and it’s a good thing, because even though I arrived to the Mumford & Sons party late in the game, I’m pretty smitten. Obvs I love me some banjo, but I also really love the honest, soulful lyrics. Go listen to “Awake My Soul.” Great stuff.

Miss Myra’s Pit Barbecue

And finally, because I’m now an Alabama resident, I have to sing the praises of the local BBQ joints. There’s literally one on every street corner, it seems like. We were driving through the boonies on the interstate and it still smelled like BBQ. At Miss Myra’s (which, despite its humble appearance, has food so good it was featured in The New York Times AND The Wall Street Journal), I love the loaded baked potato piled with pulled pork. OMG. Between that and the sweet tea, it’ll be a wonder if I don’t gain 20 pounds by this time next year!

And that about wraps it up for this post! What’re some of the things YOU can’t live without right now?