Made You a List

Random topics, organized in lists.

[madeyoualist]

Five Best Female Characters in Netflix Shows

There really aren’t any criteria for the women who made this list. I wouldn’t say I want to “be” them, but maybe be best friends with them. Okay, maybe I want to be a few. Either way, I could watch their shows for hours without getting bored.

After careful consideration, I have determined that all of these women have two things in common. - They have signature looks. From pantsuits to Prada, each of these characters has their own solid style. - They’re independent. None of these ladies will take anyone’s sh*t.

Stylish and independent is what most women aspire to be, so that’s probably why I love these characters so much. They’re just cool people in general. So, in no particular order, here are the five best female characters in Netflix shows (according to me).

1. Nancy Wheeler from Stranger Things

Nancy is a savage. She helps lure a monster thing out of its dark (and super gooey) parallel universe to help find her missing best friend; would you ever do that for your best friend? Of course not. And Nancy does all of this while working some classic 80s trends. Mad respect.

2. Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation

Seriously, can we elect her? Everyone should take notes on being a boss lady from Ms. Knope. She’s hilarious, for starters, and she’s crazy passionate about her job. I want to be as passionate about my job as Leslie is about hers. I’m already almost as passionate about waffles as she is, so I think I’m off to a good start.

3. Rachel Green from Friends

Again, STYLE ICON. Rachel lives in a chic New York apartment with her two best friends, across the hall from her three best guy friends, and they all just do fun things together. She also looks amazing all the time; even now. What product allows me to age like Jennifer Anniston?

4. Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls

There are probably 100 reasons I love Rory Gilmore. For starters, her town (Stars Hollow, Connecticut for the non-Gilmore Girls watchers) is the cutest darned thing ever. She also makes being the only child of a single mother look like a freakin’ dream. They’re always eating junk food and going to seasonal small-town festivals together. Plus, Rory gets to date a young Jared Padaleki, who (literally) fights a young Milo Ventimiglia for her attention, and then ends up dating a millionaire’s son whilst at Yale (Yale!). If only my SAT score had been a little higher.

5. Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl

Okay, clearly I’m on a boys-and-money kick. Serena basically has the same rad life that Rory does in regard to dating the hottest/richest guys. However, where Rory is small-town cute, Serena is New York beaaauuuttiiffulll (c’mon y’all, it’s Blake Lively for cryin’ out loud). She and her friends basically party it up all the time while wearing designer clothing and being the talk of the town. Don’t let material stuff run your world, but do try to be as nonchalantly fabulous as Serena van der Woodsen.

Honorable Mention - Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones

You won’t find her on Netflix, but she’s the only reason you’ll ever pay for an HBO subscription. She’s the mother of dragons for cryin’ out loud. Daenerys is anti-slavery, pro-lady power, blue-dress wearing idol. 85% of females question their heterosexuality because of her*.

*This is not a real statistic, my roommates and I just agree that she’s hot.

[madeyoualist]

Eight Great Places to Eat in Raleigh

I. Love. Food. It’s just so good and yummy and edible. Since moving to Raleigh for my wonderful higher education experience, I’ve had the opportunity to test out plenty of dining options around the area. Whether you need a place to take a date without breaking the bank, or some damn good coffee, I can hook you up.

1. The Damn Good Coffee Which I Mentioned Earlier: Global Village I bow before the greatness that is Global Village. Their mocha is the best mocha I have ever tasted in my whole freakin’ life. Plus, the café is quiet and simple and makes for the perfect spot to read a good book.

2. Quirky Lunch Spot: Sosta I’m not really sure what the theme is at this place. It’s a little lunch spot in the downtown area that serves sandwiches and other normal lunch bites. Their couscous and chickpeas, however, are phenomenal.

3. Taste of Paris: Lucette Grace My favorite meal is dessert. Chocolate runs through my veins, folks. So, if you’re wanting some macaroons without having to pay for the plane ticket to France, try this place out. Located downtown, Lucette Grace offers light lunch options with some good coffee and a great spread of desserts.

4. Casual-Cool Bar: The Raleigh Times If you’re 30-ish years old and have friends from college coming to visit, take them here. The food is amazing, and the atmosphere is sort of hipster-y but also kind of fancy. It’s usually crazy crowded, so make sure you get there early or have time to wait. My personal favorite dish is the Fried Farm Egg sandwich, with their delicious chips ‘n’ ranch on the side.

5. Really Awesome Brunch: The Flying Biscuit This place has around 14 locations across the Southeast, so if you’re reading from afar, see if there’s a Flying Biscuit near you! Just writing about this brunch makes my mouth water. You’re served warm biscuits with spicy-sugary cranberry apple butter as an appetizer, just to give you an idea of what we’re dealing with here. Please go try some.

6. Midnight Snack: Cookout Yes, it’s also a chain. Yes, it’s fast food. But it’s Cookout. It’s a staple in college cuisine (unless you go to Chapel Hill, HA). Their milkshakes win no prizes for perfection, their fries win no prizes for culinary greatness, but their burger trays are cheap and quick and sustain you during those late-night study sessions. It’s a classic.

7. Wolfpack Pride: Talley Student Union/Talley Market If you’re in the Raleigh area and you need some ice cream, drop by NC State’s campus for some of their homemade Howling Cow ice cream. Wolf Tracks is indisputably the best flavor (and it’s the chancellor’s favorite).

8. Tasty Tacos (because we all need tacos): Gonza A new restaurant on Hillsborough Street, this place makes some really stinkin’ good tacos. It’s got a funky pop-culture vibe, and some really neat star lanterns strung up all across the ceiling. They also have a ton of tequila, if you’re feeling wild.

[madeyoualist]

Nine Spotify Playlists for Every Mood

There are only three acceptable excuses for not having a Spotify subscription:

1. You’re doing one of those electronic cleanses where you just avoid your devices like the plague. 2. You’re elderly and don’t really understand the internet yet. 3. Your mom says you’re not allowed to get one (just kidding this is a LAME EXCUSE).

Music is a language we all speak, my dudes. We listen to it in the car, in restaurants, at the dentist’s office, and when we’re trying to drown out our significant others’ whining. I personally have music on for 90% of my waking hours (roughly) (okay probably not, but I listen to music very often). Hence, you could say I am a connoisseur of Spotify playlists. I know where the hippest throwbacks, bass-thumpin’ chart-toppers, and sultry bubble bath tunes can be found. Got a new song you’d like to share? I’ve already heard it. Spotify is Middle Earth and I am the all-knowing Gandalf, okay?

Alright, that was a bad metaphor. But hear me out (HA).

Today I have gathered nine playlists to suit any mood that swings your way. Give them a listen. Let me know what you think. Unless you think they suck. Then just keep it to yourself.

When You Just Really Need Fergie: Early 2000’s Bops (created by Amanda Lopez) Whether you want Glamorous, Fergalicious, or Don’t Phunk With My Heart, this playlist has it all. And I don’t just mean Fergie, I mean everything from your middle school days (assuming you too are currently a college student… otherwise, welcome). Still have that Jesse McCartney poster in your closet? Me too pal, me too.

When You Get a New Nose Piercing: Beards & Flannel (created by Daniel Galfvensjö) This playlist is full of acoustic hipster junk that sounds the same after an hour but goes perfectly with thrifted t-shirts and succulents.

When It’s the Last Friday In November: too hype for holidayz (by sarahissmall) You’ve waited all year, and nobody brings the holiday spirit like Frank Sinatra.

When You See a Cute Guy (or Girl): Warm Fuzzy Feeling (created by Spotify) A romantic atmosphere requires three things: Ed Sheeran, Ed Sheeran, and more Ed Sheeran. That guy writes a damn good love song.

When You’re Missing Florida: Disney Hits (by Walt Disney Records) Okay, no one actually misses Florida (sorry Floridians), but we all miss the days when it was acceptable to wear princess costumes to school. When you’re wishing upon a star that you had the money to visit Disney World, just let Aladdin’s voice take you away.

When You Can’t Find Your Favorite Choker: Bring Back the 90s (created by Spotify) Basket Case, Hypnotize, Meet Virginia – the 90s really were “all that.” Musically at least.

When You’re 43ish and Hosting a Dinner Party: Coffeehouse Jazz (created by SOZO Playlists) Good jazz helps digestion. It’s also great for studying, or if you’re on a La La Land kick.

When You’re in Dad’s Car: Songs for Dad’s Car (created by Cole Grizzell) You gotta impress dad with your musical repertoire. Everybody knows that the 80s produced some of the best music in history, and dad will be so proud when you swap DJ Khalid for Van Halen.

When You’re Folding Laundry: Laidback Acoustic (created by Spotify) Why wouldn’t you listen to music while you fold laundry? It makes doing chores, like, ten thousand times better. This playlist includes a bunch of soft warm covers that go perfectly with your soft warm sheets.

[madeyoualist]

Six Books to Suit Your Needs

Reading is a lost art. I mean, really, how often do you sit down and “read for fun” these days? Maybe you’ve got too much homework on your plate. Maybe between your job and your kids, there just isn’t enough space for books. 

Maybe you’re blind. 

Either way, reading is dead. People don’t read like they used to, what with iPhones to stare at and laptops to hunch over. The pace of life has picked up so rapidly that we’ve lost interest in something as slow and simple as a book. Today I spit on modernity! Away with your useless technology! Be gone, microchips! Today, I encourage you to find a cozy chair, grab a warm cup of (something), and settle into a good story. And don’t worry. To help, I made this great list of books, just for you! Try them all!

1. If You Want to be “Woke”: The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

“Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.”

Full disclosure, I haven’t actually read this, but it’s on my list okay?! It was part of Emma Watson’s book club (you should really check that out btw) and now Alexis Bleidel (heart eyes) is in the HBO series, so it must be good. It was required reading for my rival high school back in the day, except everyone hated it then. But I’m sure that as adults, we’ll all love it now!

2. If You Want to be Pretentious: Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

“BITTER: always a bit unanticipated. Coffee, chocolate, rosemary, citrus rinds, wine. Once, when we were wild, it told us about poison. The mouth still hesitates at each new encounter. We urge it forward, say, Adapt. Now, enjoy it.”

This book was weird, no lie. It’s another girl-runs-off-to-New-York story, but with flavor. And by flavor, I mean you’ll want to go taste obnoxious wines and try the special at Fleming’s. This book made me hungry, basically.

3. If You Like Inspirational Junk: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

“’You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.’”

Tired of Nicolas Sparks? Now you can read a tragic love story that takes place outside of North Carolina! I thought this book was good and all, but we all knew he was going to kick the bucket. Oh… did you not see the movie? My bad…

4. If You Want to be a Feminist: Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

“I learned about the sacred art of self decoration with the monarch butterflies perched atop my head, lightning bugs as my night jewelry, and emerald-green frogs as bracelets.”

This book takes some focus; the writing is beautiful and ethereal, but pretty complex for someone with a brain the size of a peanut (like mine). Another pick from Emma Waton’s book club, Women Who Run with the Wolves is a guide to getting in touch with your inner Wild Woman. If you’re big on nature and not shaving, give this a try.

5. If You’re Still Kind of Into YA Books: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

“’It is a dangerous thing to unbelieve something only because it frightens you.’”

This book was intense, no lie. It’s a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, but from the perspective of the Red Queen; pre-Red Queendom. She likes to bake and falls in love with a jester. Adorable? You bet, but be warned; heads will roll.

6. If You Really Like the Royal Family: The Royal We by Heather Cocks

“’He has kind of a homicidal face. Or is that just syphilis making him insane? British monarchs do love their syphilis.’ ‘A prerequisite of the job,’ he agreed.”

Don’t lie to yourself; you love predictable romance novels just as much as the next gal. And what makes a romance novel better than predictability? British guys. British PRINCES. This book is a (very realistic) fictitious account of Kate and William’s love story. If their early relationship didn’t actually go down this way, I’d be kind of disappointed.