The Sunday Toast, 34

Listen, we’re all stressed as heck with the upcoming election, so let’s get straight to some welcome distraction…

• If ever I wanted to be sitting at a table, sopping up the conversation like bread dipped in an herby olive oil, it would be for Dawn French on Table Manners. I could listen to her talk all day long. Excuse me while I go dream of being cottage neighbors on the Cornish coast.

• The Queen’s Gambit. The kind of quality bingeable show you always hope is going to glide into your streaming service. I couldn’t stop as soon as I pressed play. Bonus points for being a period piece with actual depth and complexity.

• In the face of the coming election, I need all the hard hitting comfort I can get. Having Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas on constant repeat — constant — seems to be helping. I don’t care what month it is. I’ve lost track of time anyway.

• You’re Wrong About Princess Diana Part 1

• This champagne vinaigrette ushered me through the first week of fall salads with ease.

• For the sweet tooth in you or maybe just the part of you that has too many bananas in the freezer, I this pumpkin pie banana nice cream disappear almost as quickly as I made it.

Good gosh. Take care of yourselves this week — any means necessary. Hugging you from afar.

xoxo,

Sally

The Sunday Toast, 33

Well, hello there! I’ve just finished up my second commission of the weekend, and I can’t wait to share it with you once it’s been received. I think it might just be one of my favorite illustrations ever. Meanwhile, here’s what’s had my creative juices flowing lately…

• For weeks and weeks I’ve been meaning to mention The Long Way Up, the final installment in a docuseries trilogy chronicling epic motorcycle journeys undertaken by Ewan McGregor and his friend Charley Boorman. This time around they’re making their way from the tip of Argentina up to Los Angeles on electrical bikes no less. It’s such a pleasure to see the two of them on another adventure together and is further proof that Ewan McGregor is quite possibly the most charming man on earth.

• If, however, you’re looking for some frothier television, I highly recommend The Duchess, which I thoroughly enjoyed and watched in its entirety in one day.

• I must also admit that my exclusively listening to Sigur Ròs phase is still going hella strong with their album Takk… this week. Again, it’s been so long since I listened that it’s just magic magic magic all over again. I’ve found that music with lyrics has been making more and more emotional the closer election day gets, so not being able to understand what they’re saying is some kind of relief. I’m imagining nothing but bright and beautiful things ushered in by their sweet Icelandic tones.

• It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Nadiya Hussain from The Great British Bake Off. Thus, it’s no surprise at all that I adored her interview on How to Fail.

• Sofia Coppola’s films have always captured my attention and her latest, On the Rocks with Rashida Jones and Billy Murray, was no exception.

• Brené Brown’s interview with Joe Biden on Unlocking Us this week was encouraging — a solid listen.

• While it didn’t quite live up to all my grand and haunting expectations, the remake of Rebecca was a welcome distraction on an autumn evening all the same.

Light and love, my friends. Hugging you in spirit.

xoxo,

Sally

The Sunday Toast, 32

Friends, or maybe just Katy, I’m tempted to just list the one thing that’s had my full attention in the inspiration department this week, but… I’ll rustle up a list!

• 13 Minutes to the Moon. The most perfect podcast of all the perfect podcasts. Expertly done as only the BBC can do. Fly me to the moon!!!

• The Right Stuff. My obsession with the hearing the tale of Apollo 11 unfold led me to this new tv adaptation on Disney+. No surprise here — I love it! Aaaand all the old tv crushes of mine who have resurfaced in dapper 1960s fashion. As. ASTRONAUTS!

• I’ve been loving on Sigur Ròs’ album Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust all over again. It’s been a long while since I listened and it’s just like listening for the first time. I don’t understand a word and it is bliss.

• English Pastoral: James Rebanks on the future of food was an interesting listen from The Food Programme. All about farming and food in the past and what it might look like in the future.

This is as long a list as I can make at the moment, I’m afraid! Another episode of 13 Minutes to the Moon calls!

xoxo,

Sally