Sydney's Sunday Reads: #26

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Our dog Skipper. - Doctors call her a miracle. In this article, meet Skipper, the adorable border collie and Australian shepherd mix born on February 16th with some special additions: two extra legs, and an extra tail, to be exact. She was delivered naturally at home during a big snowstorm in Oklahoma along with her eight brothers and sister, and, once the weather was clear, taken straight to the vets by her owners for a check-up. With the help of some pretty extensive imaging, it was discovered that not only does Skipper have some extra appendages, she also has two pelvic regions, two urinary tracts, and two reproductive regions. This could be the result of a twin that did not fully split while the puppies were in utero. Though Skipper will likely have some challenges as she grows, it’s been over a week and the little gal is doing nothing but thriving. (CNN)

• Just torch it. - If you’ve ever wondered how the maintenance team keeps Paris’s Eiffel Tower in tip-top shape during the winter months (haven’t we all??), wonder no more! Instead of using salt on the sheets of ice that form on every level, which would be extremely corrosive to the massive metal structure, workers use blowtorches! Listen, I’m not saying that I’m about to run to Home Depot and grab a couple of torches for the next big snowstorm here, but I am saying that snow removal would be a lot more fun (and probably way faster!) with a blowtorch involved. (Travel and Leisure)

• Well, it’s happening. - In case you missed it, three weeks ago it was announced that the folks over at Paramount were in talks to revive the hit ‘90s show Frasier with Kelsey Grammer reprising his role as the lovable but pretentious Dr. Frasier Crane, a talk radio show host based in Seattle, WA. And now, it’s official: a brand new season of Frasier is headed to Paramount’s new streaming platform Paramount+, with an as-yet-to-be-determined release date. It’s still early days, so we don’t yet know what new adventures Dr. Crane will get into, or if any other living member of the original cast will return. As a giant fan of this show, I’m not at all excited about this reboot, but will keep an open mind. If writers can figure out a way to successfully update a sitcom that’s been off the air since 2004 while maintaining the original formula, then I’m all for it. Judging by all the reboots that have gone before it in the last couple of years, I don’t have high hopes. (Vanity Fair)

• A steak and a wax? - Have you ever wished you could break bread with your favorite celebrity? Well, now you can (sort of.) You may have heard that indoor dining in New York has returned, albeit at 35% capacity. Though I haven’t ventured inside a restaurant to eat in almost a year, I’d imagine it can feel pretty empty with so many open seats. Fortunately, for Brooklyn, New York’s famous steakhouse, Peter Luger, a quick call to Madame Tussauds, the global wax museum chain, solved that problem. Through March 1st, diners will get the opportunity to sit face-to-face with some pretty big icons like Audrey Hepburn dressed as her character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Jon Hamm as Don Draper from Mad Men, and others. For me, I think the novelty of the wax figure would wear off pretty fast, and sitting so close to something with dead eyes staring back at me while I ate would be pretty unnerving, but hey, whatever brings in the customers! (Grub Street)

• A charming prince. - This week, CBS late-night talk show host James Corden became the envy of all his peers when he scored the interview of a lifetime with new California resident and sixth-in-line to the British throne, Prince Harry! In the video (down below!) the pair do a bit of sightseeing on a double-decker bus, have high tea on the highway, complete a pretty intense obstacle course, and more. This is one of the most authentic-seeming interviews with a British royal (though he and his wife Meghan Markle have officially stepped down from their active royal duties) that I’ve ever seen. Harry comes off as warm, funny, and very, very honest. This is definitely worth a watch. (The Late Late Show with James Corden via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #25

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Lara Jean, the new classic American teen.- Like Cher Horowitz from Clueless, Samantha Baker from Sixteen Candles, and countless other teenage heroines before her, Lara Jean Covey from the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise will go down in cinematic history as a beloved teen queen of her era. If you’re at all a fan of romantic comedies wrapped up in coming-of-age stories, I’m sure you’ve at least heard of the first film, which follows shy and creative Lara Jean Covey and high school jock Peter Kavinsky as they agree to carry on a fake romance after secret love letters - which no one was ever supposed to read! - were sent to all of her past crushes, including Josh, her sister’s ex-boyfriend, and Peter himself. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement: by being publicly linked to Peter, Lara Jean can avoid an uncomfortable confrontation with Josh, and for Peter, having a new girlfriend is the ultimate way to make his ex-girlfriend jealous. Of course, as all die-hard rom-com fans know, it’s nearly impossible for two characters faking a relationship to keep pretending for long before sparks start to fly, and Lara Jean and Peter are no exception. Throughout the series, fans are treated to a slow-burning relationship between the two that’s filled with some pretty interesting ups and downs as time goes on. The TATBILB trilogy officially wrapped on February 12 with the final film, Always and Forever, which follows Lara Jean and Peter K as they step over the threshold from being mere high school flames worried about school dances and lacrosse games, to blossoming young adults trying to navigate a future outside of their hometown. In this article, Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz, whose formative years were spent learning life lessons from characters like Lizzie McGuire and Cady Heron, ponders, as well as celebrates, Lara Jean’s legacy. (The Cut)

• Here comes Cruella! - I know I always question why classics need to be reimagined or turned into sequels or prequels, but this time, I’m making an exception. In 2018 it was announced that Emma Stone was set to star as a young Cruella de Vill, the fabulous villainess and hater of sweet dalmatian puppies (originally played by Glenn Close in the 90s live-action films), as she lived through 1970s London. Directed by I, Tonya’s Craig Gillespie, Cruella "follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly Haute...but their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella." A still image of Stone in full costume was released all the way back in August of 2019, but this week, the film’s first official trailer dropped, and I’m just going to say it: this movie’s going to be epic! Check out the trailer here! (Nylon)

• Not the first, but definitely the last. - In this powerful personal essay, actor Anna Deavere Smith reflects on her time as one of a handful of “nice” Black girls who were recruited to attend a tiny, predominately white women’s college in a suburb outside of Philadelphia in the late 60s. While Deavere Smith began her journey there trying hard to blend in, straightening her hair and actively avoiding associating with the other Black students, over time, and after significant social and cultural movements too big to be ignored, she and her fellow women of color found their voices, embraced their natural hair with gusto, and demanded to not only be seen, but fully represented on campus. One of the best essays I’ve ever read. (The Atlantic)

• When bad lip-reading is actually good. - Football season might be over, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. One of my favorite channels on Youtube is Bad Lip Reading, which regularly uploads videos of everything from classic movies to key historical moments like presidential debates with a twist: the dubbing is intentionally wrong! This channel has gotten bigger and bigger over the years, and the dubbing funnier and funnier. Check out what some of your favorite NFL stars were “saying” on and off the field this season in the video below! (Bad Lip Reading via Youtube)

• A Scotsman makes wee food. - Outlander fans, where you at?! In this video, Sam Heughan, who also stars in the new series Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham, takes on a Tiny Kitchen challenge by making traditional Scottish Cranachan, similar to strawberry shortcake. There’s something about a handsome man with a British accent making tiny food (which makes him look like a giant in comparison) that just thrills me. Watch for lots of laughs! (Tiny Kitchen via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #23

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Ten ways to stay booked! - Like many voracious readers, I’m constantly searching for the next book to read, even when my TBR pile is nearing the ceiling. For me, there are few greater feelings in life than reading the back of a book and immediately getting excited about what adventures are in store; it’s similar to hearing a new favorite song for the very first time. Here are ten ways to find the perfect next book to read! (Book Riot)

• A return to tossed salads and scrambled eggs? - New reports suggest that a potential revival of the hit 90s television show (and one of my favorites of ALL TIME) Frasier is in the works for Paramount+, the CBS streaming platform. Few details are known at this point, such as if any of the remaining cast members (minus John Mahoney who sadly passed away in 2018) will be joining star Kelsey Grammer, or what a new season would mean for the lovable but pretentious psychiatrist from Seattle, but if the project is green-lit, filming could start as early as this summer. As a diehard fan of this show, I’m not sure I want to see a revival. So far, most if not all the revivals we’ve seen in the last couple years haven’t managed to keep the formula of their shows without seeming a little behind-the-times, so I kind of hope this project doesn’t happen. Frasier has 11 perfect seasons, do we really need any more? (Vulture)

• One Pricey Weekend. - You’ve probably heard it said a billion times at this point, but tonight’s Super Bowl Sunday is going to be unlike any other. But just because things are going to look a little different this year doesn’t mean it won’t be any less epic! In fact, The Weeknd, tonight’s Halftime Show performer, has dug into his own pockets to make sure his set is one you’ll never forget. While the NFL generally absorbs all costs associated with the Halftime Show, The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye) actually contributed $7 million of his own money to make sure the fans in the stands, as well as the fans at home, get a full, cinematic experience. That’s dedication right there! Also, fun fact: did you know that Super Bowl Halftime Show performers aren’t paid? That blew my mind! (E! Online)

• Sisters in isolation. - In this photo essay, meet Gayatri and Swati Goswami, two elderly sisters from Kolkata, India whose albinism has led to social ostracism and self-imposed isolation for nearly their entire lives. Most remarkable about them is that they grew up in wealth and are both extremely accomplished (Gayatri has three degrees and speaks five languages, and Swati has a history degree and plays multiple musical instruments), but when they step outside, all people see is their pale skin, light hair, and blue eyes, which leads to extreme verbal cruelty from members of their community. A powerful think piece everyone should read. (The New Yorker)

• Fun with Funfetti! - I love all of Claire Saffitz’s videos on her Youtube show, Dessert Person, but this week’s episode is a really good one. Think about the best cakes you had at birthday parties growing up. Did they come from a box? Were the insides FULL of polka dots of color? There’s just nothing like a good Funfetti cake to put you in a festive mood, and no one agrees with that sentiment more than Saffitz. In the video below, watch as she recreates a childhood classic and updates it for a more grown-up palate. Fans of the Bon Appetit series. Gourmet Makes, will find this episode particularly entertaining! (Dessert Person via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #22

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Traveling in the kitchen. - Even for a total homebody, I miss traveling. I miss packing a bag and essential snacks for the plane. I miss the butterflies in my stomach every takeoff and landing. I miss de-planing and immediately getting hit with the smells of a new environment. And, most of all, I miss all the vacation eating. But just because we’re all being responsible and staying home until the pandemic is over doesn’t mean we have to give up every aspect of travel: we can still eat like tourists! Take a look at this great list of travel-inspired cookbooks put together by Jen Rose Smith for when dinnertime needs a serious refresh. (Washington Post)

• Reading exercise. - Did you know that different types of reading exercise different parts of your brain? Or that. the older you get, the more reading can slow down or even halt signs of cognitive decline? It’s all laid out in this article that makes a pretty compelling argument for why we should be making reading a priority - especially now. (Popular Science)

• Candy + Macaroni + Cheese? - On this episode of “Foods No One Asked For,” Kraft recently announced the special release of their famous boxed macaroni and cheese with one rather interesting addition: candy flavoring that turns everything pink, and it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day! That’s right, if you’ve ever been enjoying your savory macaroni and cheese and thought, “Boy, this sure could use a ton of artificial sweetness and an unnatural color!”, you’re in luck. But before you head out to your local supermarket, read this: the only way to get a box plus the packet that adds the color and candy flavoring, is to enter for a chance to win it via the Kraft website. I have about a million questions about this mac and cheese, but the top one is: does it turn your teeth pink? Now I kind of want to enter to find out… (Delish)

• Goodbye, meatballs! - Whether you know her from her Bon Appetit days, or her two bestselling cookbooks, Alison Roman is well on her way to becoming a major household name in the food world. All throughout the pandemic, Roman’s been keeping her fans up-to-date on her life via her popular newsletter, simply titled A Newsletter, but now the 35-year-old is branching out and making her long-awaited return to Youtube with her brand new series, Home Movies. Check out episode 1, “The Best Meatball Recipe,” in the video below! (Alison Roman via Youtube)

• The Family Haim! - One of my favorite bands is HAIM, a pop/alternative sister trio that’s created stellar bops such as “The Wire,” “Summer Girl,” and “Want You Back” I’ve always loved sibling acts because there’s chemistry there that just can’t be replicated, and it’s always fun to see the dynamics in interviews and even in performances. Recently, HAIM got together with their mother via Zoom to make latkes for British Vogue, and the video is adorable! It’s clear that the sisters hold Mama Haim in the highest regard, and each fights subtly for her attention. You even get a brief cameo from Papa Haim, who is responsible for getting the girls into music in the first place! If you’re looking to learn how to make latkes, this probably won’t be a very helpful tutorial, but I think it’s absolutely perfect nonetheless. (British Vogue via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #21

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• New movies all year. - In an interesting start to 2021, Netflix recently announced its ambitious plan to release a new original film every week until the end of the year. That means 70 titles are headed your way if you’re a subscriber, and some of them look amazing. To All the Boys I Loved Before fans will get the final installment of the trilogy just in time for Valentine’s Day, and musical theater buffs will be excited to have Lin-Manuel Miranda’s adaptation of tick, tick…BOOM! at some point in 2021 as well. Click HERE for the full list! (NYLON)

• Love all, Louis Vuitton. - I’m not a big designer clothing fan, but I just might take a gander at the offering now that three-time Grand Slam winner - as well as outspoken civil rights activist - Naomi Osaka has been named as a brand ambassador for the upcoming Spring-Summer 2021 line! In a press release accompanying the announcement, the high-end fashion label, which has been around since 1854, described Osaka as "multi-faceted, independent and modern…perfectly incarnating the Louis Vuitton woman." I couldn’t agree more. Keep spreading that #BlackGirlMagic, Naomi! (CNN)

• “Bon Appetit!” - Here’s some spectacular news for all the Julia Child fans out there: a new biopic series is coming to HBO Max! The project, simply titled Julia, will star British actress Sarah Lancashire as Child, and will follow the television icon’s rise to fame beginning in 1963 with the help of her popular public television cooking show, The French Chef. At its core, Julia will be a show that explores "an evolving time in American history—the emergence of public television as a new social institution, feminism and the women's movement, the nature of celebrity and America's cultural growth. The series [will also be] a portrait of a loving marriage with an evolving and complicated power dynamic." And if that doesn’t get you excited, maybe this will: David Hyde Pierce, most famous for playing the hilariously neurotic Dr. Niles Crane on Frasier, will play Paul Child, Julia’s devoted husband! No release date has been announced just yet, but it looks like I finally have a reason to get HBO Max. (Food and Wine)

• What’s in my bag? - One subgenre of Youtube that I really enjoy is the “What’s in my bag?” videos where people film themselves dumping out the contents of their purse or backpack and going through each item. For me, it’s a fun way to learn more about someone, and more often than not, a gentle reminder that I’m not the only person on planet Earth who carries a bag filled with things I don’t need but carry anyway “just in case.” This video from British Vogue features Jeanne Damas, founder of the French company Rouje, and literal epitome of the Parisian It Girl. While I still think she’s cooler than I’ll ever be, it’s nice to know that she carries around a bag full of chaos just like the rest of us - used train tickets, random sheets of crumpled paper, and all! (British Vogue via Youtube)

• PRETTYMUCH is back! - I’m not sure if you knew this about me, but I live for a good boy band. Dating back to the early days of The Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, multi-part harmonies and members to match each personality in their target audience have absolutely thrilled me. A few years ago while watching some old music videos on Youtube, I stumbled upon five young guys singing an a capella version of “Redbone” by Childish Gambino for MTV. The dance moves were cool, the outfits on-point, and the voices were perfectly blended; I was hooked immediately. Recently signing to a new label and sporting fresh looks for 2021, PRETTYMUCH is back with a brand new single called “Stars”. It is, as the kids say, a “bop”! (PRETTYMUCH via Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #18

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• What’s in YOUR toolbox? - 2020 has been one of the most collectively stressful years of all time, there’s just no denying it. We’ve had a contentious battle for the White House, a global pandemic, racial and social unrest, and the loss of so many people. And with COVID numbers steadily rising, another crucial upcoming election here in the US, and the frigid winter season fast approaching, practicing self-care, no matter how you define it, is of the utmost importance. In this article, artist Martine Thompson talks about the things in her “joy toolbox” - her list of go-to items and activities that are guaranteed to bring her happiness when she needs it the most. What’s in yours? Mine includes several of my favorite sitcoms, a spicy chai mix, a playlist of upbeat jams, and books that always make me smile. (Healthyish)

• A snack for the ages. - Archeologists in Pompeii, Italy this week announced the unearthing of a 2,000-year-old snack stall, known as a termopolium, that still has traces of food in it! This is the first of its kind to be discovered fully intact, and displays frescoes on the exterior panels of ducks hung upside down and chickens; an indication to passerby in ancient times of key ingredients in the food being sold. Also found on-site were ceramic cooking bowls, wine flasks, a bronze drinking bowl, and amphora (tall Roman jars with handles on each side and narrow necks). How cool is that!? (CNN)

• A timeless ballet. - For me, it isn’t the holiday season without The Nutcracker. I love listening to the soundtrack and pretending to be the Sugar Plum Fairy as I dance through the house in full decorating-mode. On really good years, I’ve been able to see the production live, always dazzled by the costumes and athletic endurance and grace of the dancers. Of course, this year, the lights have been dim in theatres all across the country, making 2020 a year that this magical tradition was missed. But there’s always next year, and, if I’m able and we can all be together again, I’ll be first in line to get tickets to see it up-close and in-person. In the meantime, here’s a historical look at photos ofThe Nutcracker, a 128-year-old ballet, through the years. (Buzzfeed News)

• Olive + Mabel. - One thing that has gotten me through quarantine is watching the many adventures of Olive and Mabel, two labradors in Scotland whose father, sports commentator Andrew Cotter, started filming and narrating their lives and uploading the videos to Twitter earlier this year. The first video was Olive and Mabel at dinner time, racing to be the first to finish their food. Cotter treated it as he would any televised sporting event, adding backstories for each dog’s “career” and noting the sportsmanship and sheer professionalism of each, much to the amusement of viewers. From there the two cute pups have gone on epic runs on the beach and in the woods, attended “performance reviews” via Zoom, and even moved house. It’s been quite the journey so far, and luckily, there’s more to come. Meet the sweet trio of Cotter, Olive, and Mabel in the video below! (The Times and The Sunday Times via Youtube)

• Judy the Elf’s hot cocoa recipe! - It’s also not the holiday season for me if I don’t sit down for my annual viewing of The Santa Clause which to me just gets funnier and funnier every year. One of the best scenes in the film is Scott Calvin’s (played by Tim Allen) first time to the North Pole where he meets Judy, an elf and executive assistant to Santa Claus who has been alive for at least 1200 years. As Calvin tries to wrap his mind around all that he’s seeing (and his new job as Santa), Judy offers him a cup of her famous hot cocoa, a recipe for which she’s been tinkering with for a long, long time. As a huge fan of this movie, I’ve always wondered just what this amazing hot cocoa would taste like, and apparently, I’m not alone. In this episode of Binging with Babish, filmmaker and YouTuber Andrew Douglas Rea (aka Oliver Babish), breaks down just what he thinks Judy meant when she described her cocoa as “not too hot, extra chocolate, shaken, not stirred”! (Binging with Babish on Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #12

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Living tiny, big problems. - The tiny house movement, a recent phenomenon in which people ditch their large dwellings in favor of living in a custom structure, often mobile, that clocks in at 400 square feet or less, has really gained steam in the last couple of years. This is thanks, in part, to popular television shows like Tiny House Nation and Tiny House Hunters. In every episode, you meet a single person or family who wants to “simplify” their life, de-clutter, extricate themselves from debt, and live in a space that they can pick up and move any time they please. The homes, often tailored to the client’s specific needs, are always parked on a vast piece of land, and in the final shots of the episode, the audience is painted a rosy picture of a more minimal life, surrounded by nature. I admit that I too am intrigued by the tiny house life, and follow MANY accounts on Youtube and Instagram. I’m envious of all the people who own these absolutely GORGEOUS tiny homes and still get to live conventional, 9-5 lives. But if you think living tiny is all sunshine and happy days, this article explains that things may not always be what they seem. Bureaucratic red tape, minimal space and growing pains, and short-term solutions to long-term problems befall many tiny house owners, and that just scratches the surface. If you want to be a part of the tiny house community, make sure you’ve got all the information. (Dwell)

• A modern take on Austen. - We’ve seen countless remakes and modern-day approaches to the classic works of author Jane Austen, but a new anthology series in development at the CW (home of Riverdale), is proving itself different from the rest. The six-season project, titled Modern Austen, will pluck characters like Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy out of the Regency era and into ours - Tinder dates, smartphones, and all. As a huge Austen fan who is open to out-there interpretations of her works (I loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), I’m pretty excited to tune in. But for Austen purists? Well, we’ll see if this latest retelling will be a hit or a total miss. (AV Club)

• A (veggie) cut above the rest. - On November 1st, a brand new butcher shop opened its doors to the citizens of London. Sure, the opening of a butcher shop in a big city might not seem all that exciting to you, but this new establishment has one major distinction: its meats are 100% vegan! While at first glance Rudy’s Vegan Butcher’s glass cases and clean, white-tile interior might look like your standard shop, but upon closer inspection, customers will find plant-based meats - made from soya and wheat protein seitan - that are shaped and designed to look and taste just like the real thing. An extension of owners Matthew J. Foster and Ruth (Rudy) Mumma’s Camden eatery Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner, Rudy’s Vegan Butcher sold out of its inventory in ONE. DAY. with 100 online orders in ten minutes, plus a line down the block! (EcoWatch)

• Let the Thanksgiving content commence! - For many this year, Thanksgiving is going to look a bit different. If you’re still planning on celebrating with your immediate family and need some ideas for a scaled-down feast, Food52’s got you covered! (Food52)

• Budget Eats: Thanksgiving edition! - Delish’s June Xie is back with another video in which she takes $25 and stretches it as far as it can go in NYC. This week, she’s really upped the ante by using that $25 food budget to prepare a full Thanksgiving dinner for four people! (Delish on Youtube)

What are YOU reading, watching, and listening to today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Sydney's Sunday Reads: #8

Happy Sunday, friends!!

Sydney's Sunday Reads is a weekly blog series that highlights some of my favorite stories, articles, think-pieces, and more from around the Internet.

• Book it! - Here’s one bright spot of 2020: Hollywood production studios are buying up book rights, left and right! The reason? We’ve all been staying at home! This extra time has led to executive producers reading more, authors writing more, and consumers demanding more quality entertainment. With book-to-screen adaptations like Little Fires Everywhere and The Handmaid’s Tale garnering massive success on streaming sites and racking up tons of award nominations, the literary works of bestselling authors are more sought after now than ever before. And this uptick in demand has given many authors a pretty powerful bargaining chip at the negotiation table: more of a say in how their book will appear onscreen. Those of you out there who are always quick to say, “The book was better,” might soon be singing a different tune. (LA Times)

• Down, kitty! - This week, while exploring Utah’s Slate Canyon, hiker Kyle Burgess stumbled upon a pack of baby mountain lions, and soon after, their mother! For six terrifying minutes, Burgess filmed Mama Mountain Lion hissing and lunging at him, while he did everything he could to make himself look and sound bigger, eventually scaring her off. He lived to tell and the tale, and his video went viral almost immediately, being shared on dozens of sites and even getting featured on NBC’s Nightly News with Lester Holt. Rangers and animal experts have since weighed in to clarify that the mountain lion was more than likely trying to scare Burgess away from her cubs rather than serve him for breakfast, but that doesn’t make the video any less panic-inducing! (HuffPost)

• It’s a mystery.- What’s the flavor of the Laffy Taffy White Mystery Airhead? Cherry? Blue raspberry? A combination of the two?? Countless theories are submitted to the candymaker every day, but since 1993, no one has gotten it right. So with no definitive answer, why do people continue to eat them? The folks over at Popular Science think it has something to do with our brains. We eat both with our eyes and our taste buds. It’s easy to identify the taste of the White Mystery Airhead as both tangy (from the citric acid) and sweet (from the heaps of corn syrup and sugar), but without any visual cues (red = strawberry or cherry, green = lime or sour apple), the brain is not able to easily come up with an answer, yet still searches for one. And that’s why people are still buying them 27 years later. My two cents? There is no true flavor, and Laffy Taffy’s been trolling us since the 90s! (Popular Science)

• So dreamy. -And now, for a moment of pure zen, here’s three minutes of the Internet’s boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, walking around Woodstock, NY (GQ):

What are YOU reading and watching today? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S. Let’s connect! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

WEEKEND READS

An Ode to Downton Abbey

O DA

Why is it that you have to go away?

Indefinitely, I'd love for you to stay

But at least I still get to press "play..."

ONE LAST TIME

Guys, I'm totally not ready for Downton Abbey to be over! It's been my staple January show for FOUR YEARS (I got in on the fun two years into the game), and I'm just not ready to part with it. Sure, I know shows can't last forever, but six seasons just doesn't feel like enough. And what I don't want is for the finale to end and everyone just goes about living their lives, leaving me to use my own imagination as to how each person gets on. I'd rather the finale last four hours tonight and just show me how every single person lives a super long, happy life, then passes away. Or at LEAST to show what happens to Downton during World War Two. Perhaps they take in some children from London? I feel like there's good material there. At any rate, I'm not ready to say goodbye. Are you?

Let's procrastinate the inevitable adieu of one of the greatest shows on television together.

Here are some of my favorite reads of the week:

-Brooklyn the movie may not have won last week at the Oscars, but it won every award in my book. Here's a nice comparison of Brooklyn then vs. Brooklyn now. P.S. Have you read the book? Get on it. Brooklyn: A Novel changed everything for me.

-Prepare yourselves: Marimekko is coming to Target NEXT MONTH. TOO AMPED.

-I’m in the market for some new specs, and was looking for companies that are different from the usual suspects. Thanks, Brit + Co!

-This beats 4 pretzels in a foil package any day: Air France + Daniel Boulud = Best In-Flight Meals Ever.

-I always love a good food photography app, and this new one by the LINE Corporation, "Foodie," looks promising! Have you guys tried it yet?

Happy Sunday/ Happy Last Time That We'll Ever See A New Episode of Downton Abbey...Day!

WEEKEND READS

Life is beautiful because life currently includes 54 degree weather. I freed my light jacket from its prison (my closet) and willingly ventured outdoors; can you believe it? I saw so many bikers and joggers, and kids riding tricycles, and dogs pulling on their leashes, and neighbors that I haven't seen in months emerging from their cocoons. It's been a magical sight t0 behold. But this glorious Spring-like weather is fleeting, so if you've missed the teeny-tiny window of non-freezing weather, now's a great time to catch up on some reading.

Here's what I've been diggin' this week:

Old Hollywood Glamour + Food = Love. Here’s what they served at the very first Oscar’s.

I’m all about nice-smellin homes. The Kitchn’s got some nice tips!

As Saveur Magazine perfectly put it: “We don’t talk about Midwestern food enough.” I wholeheartedly agree. Sugar Cream Pie anyone?

I’m on a The Office kick as of late, so seeing BJ Novak tweet out his list of never-ending ideas for Michael Scott via The List App, was all kinds of awesome.

Have you heard of the Swedish equivalent to tea time, Fika? This should totally catch on.

Speaking of Tea Time...When Britain Fought Against the Tyranny of Tea Breaks.

We should all be out buying the latest issue of Bon Appetit. Why, you ask? Because it was shot ENTIRELY on iPhones! I can get behind that.

Real talk: all I’ve ever really wanted is Meryl Streep’s kitchen in It’s Complicated; Memorable Kitchens in Cinematic History. 

If you need me, I'll be becoming one with nature for the next 5 hours.

Happy Sunday!