Weekly Perks version 5.0

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Just Tell Me That You Want Me is a collection of Fleetwood Mac covers. It officially comes out August 14, but seeing as the internet scoffs at release dates, they're streaming songs at their site. You should listen to the Lykke Li one at the very least, but the New Pornos, Best Coast, MGMT, Karen Elson and The Kills are among the other contributors, so play around. -- Amanda

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It's nice to remember sometimes that in a world full of young people who love to go out and party, there are some (like us) who are just as content to stay home with a good friend, a beer, and a movie. I used to feel so inadequate, but in the past few years I've made peace with the fact that people are into different things. I love reading about people I respect and admire who have felt similarly. And as it turns out (though I feel like I kind of knew this about her already). This blog post, whose author feels really strongly adverse to social events, also recommends a great Charlie Kaufmann speech. -- Laura Kathleen

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One of the many things I would do if I had a few more hours in the day is spend more time preparing stuff that I love to eat and drink. And as great as a cold beer is in the summer, I'd love to make fancy drinks that look good and taste even better. One of my fave blogs, Sweet Potato Chronicles, has recipes for simple syrups that you can basically customize to make any flavour you want. Orange peel and rosemary syrup for a cocktail? Cilantro and mint? The opportunities and endless, and they're calling me. --Laura Kathleen

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If you are ever bored online ever again, you can refer to The Electric Typewriter's list of 150 Essential Articles and Essays. You've likely read a handful of these already (has any female who has ever dreamed of being a writer not read Didion's On Keeping a Notebook?) but they all look like the amazing 20-minute reads that'll bowl you over. I hope I'm not the only one who see's the list and is like "GAME ON. Summer goal." --Laura Kathleen

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I watched three amazing films while I was home sick last Thursday and Friday: Sunset Boulevard, The Last Days of Disco, and Mildred Pierce. All amazing, and all highly recommended. Click on the movie names to check out the trailers. -- Laura Kathleen

Weekly Perks e04

Here's the fourth installation of our weekly content farming—or as we like to call it: content curation. 

via juliasegal

Our friend Laura Jane (and her friends Liz and Jen) has an awesome blog called Strawberry Fields Whatever. It's about music and life and everything. I think I may be kindred spirits with Liz based on this one post she wrote called My Top 6 Summertime Muses, which includes the Beastie Boys, the new Cat Power song, and her love for Springsteen.

One of the best articles I've read in a very long time – like, the kind that forced me to reassess life decisions. After reading I Was A Warehouse Wage Slave by Mac McClelland, you'll never feel the same about Amazon et al. again.

I got this incredible Cuchara necklace today from Muttonhead on Ossington. I am completely obsessed. It's big and bright and heavy, and it feels really nice and substantial. 

via Zomromcom

I love this picture because it looks like these girls are just having a great time rollerskating and talking shit. I had such an amazing Sunday hanging out with some of my favourite girls and talking lots of shit.

This hair tutorial (which I can't actually embed) shows you how to do two really cool top knots that are perfect for dirty-hair days and the summer heat. I especially love the super-teased bun and how much it looks like a birds nest. The aftermath of backcombing your hair can be really gross, but her tip of slathering it in oil before you shower makes it much easier to comb out. The one caveat of this awesome video, though, is that this cute, cool-glasses, tattooed girl makes a reference to Sideshow Bob and calls him "that crazy guy from the Simpsons." Like, c'mon, don't be lazy. Everyone knows his name. That's really dumb. 

Weekly Perks the Third

This article, All Dogs Go To Heaven, is a new-time favourite from one of my old-time favourite sites, Pajiba. Steven Lloyd Wilson unpacks why we feel so awful when dogs die in film, and it's pretty damning (answer: because dogs have the chivalry of knights, and we don't.)

I thought I'd use a picture of this Basset Hound/Beagle puppy that absolutely destroyed me on Petfinder.
It looks like he's getting adopted though, so no worries.

I'm headed to New York this week, and pretty psyched to try out every goddamn place on Louis CK's list of the best places in the city. I was sold at "Just dough dipped in grease and butter and honey and coconut." Do you have any other foodie or fun destinations you recommend I try while I'm there?

"Man Up, Bieber", a GQ article about Justin Bieber's new "mature" public image had me shudder-laughing at work. It starts with this sentence: "I have been told specifically that I will be able to punch Justin Bieber in the face." It continues here.

I already have the perfect yarn to start this beautiful cowl I've been eying for a while on Erica Knits. However, I'm not allowed until I have a couple projects cast off beforehand. Hands, get to work.

This is a good reminder that the pursuit of perfection is fruitless affair. Thanks CNN (and Christine) for pointing it out.

The root of the word courage is cor -- the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant to speak one's mind by telling all one's heart.

Over time, this definition has changed, and, today, courage is more synonymous with being heroic. Heroics are important and we certainly need heroes, but I think we've lost touch with the idea that speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we're feeling, and about our experiences (good and bad) is the definition of courage.

Heroics are often about putting our life on the line. Courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line.

*Just to note: we're getting back on track 'round these parts.

Thanks for sticking around, you lovelies.

Weekly Perks, pt. 2

Please enjoy our obsessions of the week.

via So Many Records, So Little Time

The website So Many Records, So Little Time is one of the places I go when I'm in a music rut. Its constantly giving amazing recommendations—my favourite being a recent post on Fischer-Z. I can't stop listening to these guys. They're Brian Eno and Roxy Music-esque with a little bit of The Police thrown in there? But in a good way. Check out the song that started it all (for me).

via Anywho

I can't really believe it's that time of year again, but Stella McCartney's Resort 2013 Collection has touched down and it's too cute to be true. I love the patterns, the lady-like silhouettes (even though they are the worst possible shape for my own figure, they look superb on others). These snaps taken at a garden party celebrating the season's release are the perfect setting for the collection to first be seen. Bonus points for making the whole look more playful by adding those star glasses.

via The Food is Out There

I haven't tried these amazing lime and pistachio cookies, but they're made by Club Sandwich, a baking company run by my friend Genna that has never made anything less than insanely delicious. You can get the recipe here—but for you non-baking cookie monsters, you can also get her to bake them for you by placing an email order.

Via The Hairpin

 When Mister Rogers' show ended, he gave an amazing goodbye speech that honestly makes me cry every time I hear it. Do you want to cry? Do you want to remember what a good fuckin' dude he was? If you grew up in the Neighbourhood then you'll probably get a serious heart boner from watching it.

I've seriously been digging this mashup of Biggie vs. the Strokes all week. Crazy classics from two different eras, made entirely fresh all over again.

And one last thing—you've got to check out this gif. I'm not going to tell you anything about it, you've just gotta trust me on this one. 

Weekly Perks

FYI: We are starting a weekly post to come out each Monday morning—the working title is Weekly Perks—and it's going to be an amalgamated list of links, pictures, memes, recipes, articles, or anything else we've found online that we want to share with you. We're really good at the internet (and we've really filted down the cute cat photos) so take a look at what we're excited about this week.

via Toronto Life

Joanne Kates, easily Toronto's most famous food critic, ended her 38-year column for the Globe last week. You should definitely read her last article—it'll teach you a lot about how Toronto's food scene has changed in the last quarter century, and about the perils of eating at restaurants and keeping her true identity a secret. Also, read her hilarious Career Highs, Career Lows. Food is a very important part of our lives (only second to sleep, with sex a far third) so we're soaking up all we can get of her writing while we still can.

via Resident Advisor

This link will take you to an amazing monthly radio show that's broadcast out of a bar in Berlin. Welcome to the Room is addictive. It's low-key enough to be background music but it's upbeat—it's dancey but it's also completely calming. The 12th show was released a week ago, but you're going to want to go back into the archives and listen to them all. 

via Wilder Quarterly

There's an amazing magazine called Wilder Quarterly that I've never gotten the chance to see with my own eyes. It's a publication for "people enthralled by the natural world," which just means that if you like plants, flowers, herbs, food, farmers, etc. then this is right up your alley. And just as it is with many great magazines, the blog (free, and with more frequent updates) is totally worth your time. Check it out here—you'll see some beautiful travel photos, tips on growing tomatoes, and Helen Mirren with a carnivorous plant that was named after her. 

via Another Mag

Good flat sandals are hard to find—seriously, I have one pair that I like and I wear them even though they tear up my feet and have no arch support. But these. THESE! It'll never happen, but I'll still dream about them. Forever.

via B Insider

I found this feature on hair and makeup artist Natalie Blouin in the B Insider to be really inspiring—I dug around in my makeup bag to find similar items to the products that she recommends, and I feel like I've already learned a lot. Sometimes it's just nice to read something that an expert has written on a topic that you love. (Sustainable food production? The upcoming American election? No... I'm talking about makeup.) Lots of good advice here. 

via The NYT

And lastly, this NYT article on the 32 Innovations that will Change Your Tomorrow. Amazing stuff (I need that Morning Multitasker and the Shutup Gun, like yesterday) but the layout of the page is an amazing gradation of colours. Hats off to whoever came up with that one.

Enjoy this week's recommendations! We'll have a post or two for you this coming week. Take it easy!