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7/28/2018 0 Comments Buff City Soaps This is a post from March 2018.......Y’all!!!!! I took advantage of their 3 for $30 deal this past weekend and decided to try more than just soap. So I bought some body butter, a scrub and the shower oil. I stared at the oil a loooonnngggg time while I was in the store. After about 5 mins, I finally developed the courage to ask the employee how to use it. She gave me about 30 secs of instruction. I was like, “Ok, sounds simple enough. I can do that.” Later that night, I shower with the headache soap and then I use the shower oil. It was really simple and I probably looked like a dumbass asking a dumb a question. Anyhow, I woke up this morning and was ready to apply lotion because I have REALLY DRY SKIN. I looked in the mirror and I jumped a little. All of ashiness was gone. I was like, “Who took my ash???? Did my hubby lotion me in my sleep??? What the heck happened.” In all of my 34 yrs I thought it was normal to have to apply and reapply lotion, oils and combination moisturizations. BUT NO!!!!!!!! Almost 24 hrs later and still no ash!!!!! Not even on my ankles and elbows!!!!!!! Now, since that post, I've added more of their products to my "love" list. At first, I was hesitant about trying their laundry detergent. I've been a Gain user religiously!!! I decided to give the laundry detergent a try after I was generously given a sample. For my sample, I decided to use the Cherry Almond Scent. The workers told me that I would love the laundry detergent. They raved about the smell and how little it took to clean the clothes. They also raved about the cleanliness and softness of the clothes. And they didn't lie. The laundry detergent is awesome!!!! For a family of 6, it cleans the tough stains as well as being gentle on my favorite fabrics. Secondly, the activated charcoal and toner is amazing. I know "black don't crack," but this stuff is gonna keep me from even crinkling!!!!!! Lastly, these bath bombs and bath truffles. I have made an atmosphere around these bath truffles. Seriously, I light candles, turn on some 90s R&B music and grab a glass of wine. The Bath Truffles are so smooth. They turn my ENTIRE BATH into silk, leaving my skin feeling irresistible!!!! But if you feel overwhelmed when you walk in and seriously can't decide on what to try, get a Mystery Box for $5. I have gotten foot scrubs, body butter, soaps, truffles and regular bath bombs. I will never use another brand of soap, lotion, facial cleanser or laundry detergent again. #foreverbuffcitysoaps OHHHHHHHH, I forgot!!!!! They have lotion as a bar too. This is great when to carry around. I love that if I forget and leave the lotion in my car hot, it won't explode. (I've had that happen before.) And as usually, don't just live in Memphis, LIVE Memphis!!!!
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7/27/2018 0 Comments Sing Lay Chinese As a child, my mom would go grocery shopping. Not regular grocery shopping, but MEGA grocery shopping. It would literally take her ALL DAY!!!! She would leave the house immediately after breakfast, around 9am, on a Saturday morning. She wouldn't come back until around 2 o'clock. Yes, she would labor for 5 hours on a Saturday morning just to make sure we were feed. OR so I thought.
True enough, she would go grocery shopping. But she would also meet with her friends and eat at Sing Lay's Chinese Restaurant in Frayser. Sing Lay's has been a little Chinese restaurant in near the corner of Frayser Blvd and Range Line since 1991. When you pull into the parking lot, you might want to leave. Does it look a little shady? Yes. Maybe even scary at night? Maybe, if you're a wuss. But don't let the looks deceive your taste buds. GO IN. The atmosphere is quiet and clean. The restaurant itself is kind of small. But the food is "slap yo momma" good!!!!! Today, my Mom and I enjoyed the Peppered Steak, Fried Rice, Wonton Soup, Beef Lo Mien and Sweet and Sour Chicken. Our table looked like a buffet. Y'all, that wonton soup was sooooooo good. The wontons were huge and I loved the cabbage and ham. All of the food was fresh and delicious. Especially the fried rice!!!!!! I've had fried rice that was amazing, but I still added soy sauce to it. But I don't need to add anything to Sing Lay's Fried Rice. (I cheesing so hard writing this post. The food still puts a smile on my face.) Speaking of my face, do you see the size of that egg roll!!!!! That's just what they normally serve. Oh, they also make their own lemonade from scratch. You must try Sing Lay Chinese Restaurant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't just live in Memphis, LIVE Memphis!!!! So while we were at home (when I was a child), busy cleaning the house from top to bottom (or our ass was grass and Mom was the lawn mower), she was out enjoying herself before going grocery shopping. I used to think this was selfish of her, you know, not taking us kids. But now that I have kids, I realize that she was in Survival Mode/Me Time. 7/24/2018 0 Comments Farmer's Market Being a health-conscience mother, I am often looking for inexpensive ways to feed my kids organic, non-GMO foods. So after a 5k one day, I ended up in the Cooper-Young area and ran into a huge Farmer's Market. This place is awesome!!!!! The veggies, fruits, breads, meats are all from local farmers. These crops are soooooo fresh. But this farmer's market sells more than just crops.
There is fresh bread made with ingredients my 6 year old can read!!!!! The sourdough bread is so freaking delicious and the potato rolls are to live for! (nothing is to die for.) You can also get fresh eggs, homemade butter and even farm fresh meats. Yep, want a real steak, pork chop, fresh sausage or maybe bacon? You can get it from the Cooper-Young Farmers market. You can buy organic soaps, cool art work, freshly blended teas, gluten free bagels, regular bagels, fresh flowers, Mempops and you can even bring you knives to be sharpened. But my favorite place, my first stop every time, is Miracle Acres. Being a working mom, I often don't have alot of time after work and kids' activities, so I look for quick, healthy meals. But nothing is worst than being prepared and energized about cooking only to realize that you forgot to take the meat out of the freezer earlier that morning. This is where Miracle Acres became a life-saver. Amanda, yes we're on first name basis, makes the best frozen dishes. As you know, I'm lactose intolerant, Aiden is vegetarian, I try to eat plant-based and the rest of the family are meat-a-tarians. Miracle Acres has frozen meals to fit our weird eating habits. All I have to do is pop them in the oven and Viola!!!! We have a homemade meal made with fresh, organic veggies and farm raised meats. I love the vegan tamales and chicken burritos. The chili mac and shephard's pie are also delicious. They also have delicious salads in a jar!!!! But the best dish is the chicken and dumpling. I make chicken and dumpling out of shortening, water, flour, salt and pepper with chicken. So I know a thing or 2 about chicken and dumpling. (Sidebar: Cracker Barrel does NOT know how to make chicken and dumplings.) Miracle Acres Chicken and Dumpling made by Amanda are soooooo good. I have literally ate a full family serving by myself. (No shame) Many of the vendors accept cash and card. But you can also buy Farmer Market Coins at the main vendor. These coins are used as cash at the Farmer's Market. If you have never been to the Cooper-Young Farmer's Market, you NEED to experience it. They are open YEAR-ROUND every Saturday from 8am-1pm. Don't just live in Memphis, Live Memphis!!!!!! 7/19/2018 0 Comments Waxing and Whining It's no surprise that during the summer months women tend to do a little more grooming than usual. I mean, bikini season, or short shorts summer, or sleeveless summer season. No matter what you call it, there are areas of our body that has been hibernating and are now out in the open. And in order for those areas to look their best, it's time to wax.
I know, I know......every time I think about waxing, I cringe. No literally, my last waxing season prior to today was awful. But we'll get to that later. I first started waxing at The Wax Bar when she, Nishira Imani, was on Germantown Parkway. I went often, every 4-6 weeks. Nishira Imani was extremely professional and explained everything to me and my hubby. (Yes, I needed someone to hold my hand....at first.) The wax pearl beads she uses are phenomenal!!! I didn't know that then. Boy, what a spoiled child I was. I loved the way she taught me how to care for my skin and the ingredients I should look for in certain products. Eventually, I started going on my own and loved it. Yes, I said loved it. Does waxing hurt? A little bit. But the results make me feel like a GODDESS OF SMOOTHNESS!!!! So I got a little cocky and started to consider myself a professional waxer. Boy was I wrong!!!! We were out on vacation and I decided to get waxed. So I looked up a few places and one looked very promising. It was very clean and the ladies were welcoming. Everything was great until the waxing started. So the lady uses a stick to spread the wax on. (Normal). Then she puts a sheet of paper on top of the wax. (Not normal) I've seen that method on TV, but I thought everyone used wax beads. See, with the wax beads that they use at The Wax Bar, they are melted and spread over the area using a wooden "popsicle" stick. Then the wax stiffens. Once it's stiff, then you just pull it off. (Notice I said pull and not rip.) And badaboom badabang, you're waxed. Well, when she put that paper over the wax, I knew I was in trouble. Then she ripped it off. Y'all, I lost a part of my soul that day. It hurt so freakin bad. It never hurt like hell at The Wax Bar. NEVER. Sidebar: If a waxing place ever uses clear-ish wax and paper, run for the hills!!!!! After that incident (at the out-of-town waxer) I took an hiatus from waxing. That incident broke me!!!!!!!! Well, 2.5 weeks ago I put on my big girl panties and scheduled an appointment at The Wax Bar. (The Wax Bar can be booked up for weeks at a time. Get in when you can.) This time I was waxed by India B. And as usual, these ladies are highly talent. The experience was great!!! I booked my next appointment. Oh yea!!!! You can't tell me nothing. A little bit more about The Wax Bar.... -Over 80 different services -Also have a Beginners Brazilian in which the skin is numbed and you are instructed thru the process -Caters to men and women -Freakin awesome -Diamond Smiles -Detox Wax -And more  Located on Highland Row, Casual Pint is the BEST place in Memphis for beer. I know, I already hear some of you saying, "I don't like beer." Blah blah blah. If you have only ever tasted beer that you can buy at your local grocery store or nearby corner store, you NEED to go to Casual Pint. Seriously, your choices are severely limited at those types of stores. Come to think of it, your choices are severely limited at most restaurants too. Casual Pint on Highland Row has 28 beers on tap ALL THE TIME!!!! YAASSSSSSSS! And over 100 beers in a cooler. They also carry every local beer. ARE YOU GETTING ANY OF THIS?!?!?!
Another bonus is that the beers are uber inexpensive. The prices range from $3 - $7. They also run all sorts of specials. I love the "Kill the Kegs" special in which that beer is only $3. If that price range is too high for you, they also have a rewards system. The more beer you buy, the more free beer you get. Even better, it doesn't take alot of visits for you to reap your rewards. (Nothing pisses me off more than businesses with crappy reward systems.) But maybe you want to drink AND play games. The games are so cool...sober and drunk. You have Pub Poll on the 2nd and 4th Friday, Singo, Bingo on Monday Nights with really, really nice prizes (I won a fire pit once), TV Trivia on Wednesdays and Karaoke on 1st and 3rd Fridays. They also have a HUGE Connect Four game and man-sized Jingo blocks. On top of the great beer selection, easy reward system, inexpensive beer and fun games they also have the Happiest Happy Hour in Memphis!! If that's not enough to convince you to visit Casual Pint, the menu should. They have all the pub classics like wings, pizza, pretzels, drumsticks dipped in whatever, spring rolls and more more more!!! Oh!!! Did I mention LIVE MUSIC!!! It's like a freakin party here. I love visiting on Saturday afternoons with our dog, Bourbon. Yes, dogs are welcomed on the patio. Finally, the sprinkles on this wonderful beer-sundae are the beer-tenders. They offer the best service in Memphis, hands down. Even the 1 guy is a good piece of eye-candy. If you can't tell, I love Casual Pint. You gotta experience this place for yourself. Don't just live in Memphis, LIVE MEMPHIS!!!!! 7/13/2018 0 Comments The Levitt Shell Have you ever found yourself bored on a Memphis Night, but your wallet is screaming for you to stay at home? As a family of 6, I can definitely relate to being bored and a little light on cash. If you have never been to the Levitt Shell......YOU MUST ATTEND!!!!!! The Levitt Shell host free live music concerts every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 7:30pm - 9:30pm. These concerts start go from May-July and September - October. Yes, free music concerts, 4 nights a week, for 5 months!!!!!! Click here for the Levitt Shell website. During these 5 months, my car will always contains a blanket, 2 folding chairs, and a bubble maker in the trunk. I pack some snacks, maybe buy a pizza, definitely some beer or wine and prepare to enjoy myself. The kids and I dance all night long to rock n' roll, bluegrass, jazz, blues, R &B, hip-hop and gospel. If we get too hot, we grab some Mempops. Although the Banana Nutella Mempop is my favorite, they also have a stand just for adults. Yes, alcohol popsicles made with some amazing fresh flavors from Mempops. But if Mempops aren't you thing (although that would be odd) there are always at least 3 different food trucks available. I have enjoyed everything from American-Gourmet sliders to Kebobs to Mediterranean and even Sushi!!!! Oh let's not forget some good ol'Memphis BBQ too. These always pair well with a nice beer from the TapBox. And like a faithful friend, The TapBox is always, ALWAYS, there. At the Levitt Shell, there's no racism. People of every creed and color come together to enjoy music and dance. My kids are able to be kids and I'm able to be me! There is no crime, no shootings, no robberies, no theft, just friends. Memphis truly shines out there on the Green. Honestly, there's nothing more magical than this. So what do you need to bring in order to truly enjoy the Levitt Shell? -Something to sit on. Either a blanket or a chair. -Something to eat or money to buy something to eat. -Definitely something to drink or money to buy something to drink. And that's it! Oh, get there early, like around 6:45pm because parking can be a pretty thick. 7/7/2018 0 Comments Art, History and Jazz. This past Sunday, I had the most unique experience. I was able to step back into the past, yet still enjoy the present. And if you know anything about Memphis, you know that Memphis’s history runs as deep and as wild as the Mighty Mississippi.
Crown Me Royal Labs creator Chassidy Jade fashioned a beautiful event, Visuals and Vibes. This exhibit featured her short film, Brown Ballerina, as well as her Demo Reel and Visual Collections. Incredible graphic designs by Mycal Smith were also on display. There was an artist completing a live painting and of course, the hooch was flowing! The mixed drinks each highlighted Crown Royal!!!!! Yes, the infamous purple bagged whisky. It was amazing. No words can truly describe the atmosphere that was set by the diversity of the visuals and the vibes that vibrated off the Memphis walls. Some things you just have to experience for yourself. But all of this was nestled within an amazing building. The Jack Robinson Gallery is located in the South Main Arts District. Jack Robinson is a famous photographer who is well known for his work in Vogue magazine during the 1960s. He also created stained-glass windows. (Which can be viewed at the gallery as well as in the chapel of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.) This beautiful building still maintains the indigenous hardwood floors and the original bricks peaking out from the plaster. This building has a rich history in Memphis. And it was in this 1960’s building that Historic Art was intertwined with Modern Visual and Vibes. Afterwards, we headed to yet another historic building for some beer and grub! When we stepped past the threshold of Earnestine and Hazel’s I felt like I was in a 1920s Juke Joint in the middle of the Harlem. There was a live jazz band, very little lighting and old decor…..very old decor. According to their website, the building that now house Earnestine and Hazel’s was originally built in the late 1930s and still seem to use some of the same items!!! There was an old jukebox, a pool table and 2 darkish hallways. (I’ve seen enough movies to know that you just don’t go down anybody’s darkish hallways.) When my hubby, 2 sisters and I sat down, we were warmly greeted and asked what we would like. I asked the waitress what she had. She said burgers and beer. (No wonder we weren’t given a menu.) Anthony and I looked at each other sheepishly and decided to share a burger. We enjoyed the beers and live jazz until the burgers and chips came. The burgers weren’t grand or elaborate. They were small and ….. looked like something I could cook myself. But they smelled soooooo good. That smell was a precursor to something amazing. So I proceeded to break the burger in half, one half for me and one half for Hubby. As I took a bite into the burger, I melted into my seat. YALL!!!! This burger was so damn delicious. It was cooked perfectly, stacked with caramelized onions, pickles and other good things. One look at how my sisters and I were devouring our burgers, Hubby said that he wanted his own. I was fine with that!!!! YALL, that has GOT TO BE the best burger in Memphis!!!! AND it didn’t break the bank. OMG, I left there so satisfied! BTW…I could never replicate those burgers at home!!! 1 Amazing Night 2 Historic Buildings 3 Amazing People (Hubby and 2 sisters) Forever a Memphian!!!! 7/4/2018 0 Comments Oh Wise Acre! Have you ever had a brewery that fit your entire day perfectly? I mean, it’s like the background music to a jookin Mary Poppins video. That’s how I feel about Wise Acre. I arise in the morning smelling that fresh Bluff City air and take a quick jog…very quick. (I only do it so that I can have bragging rights.) And the best thing after a jog in Memphis heat is a cold refreshing beer. BUT since it’s technically still morning and I don’t want to be judged, I drink Got to Get Up to Get Down. It’s an amazing coffee milk stout, dark and deep. Since it contains milk and coffee, it is a justifiable breakfast drink.
Oh Got to Get Up to Get Down. You get me up in the mornings So that I can be down with the rest of the day. After a moderate day of work, I like to enjoy a good lunch with my friend, Ananda. She is the best lunch companion. She listens to me and tells me how right I am. If my morning hasn’t been the best, she encourages me to get back out there and try again! (Singing to the tune of Mandy by Barry Manilow). Oh, Ananda, You came and you stopped me from frowning. They’ll never take you away Ananda! You’re cool with your citrus and I need you! I need you today Ananda!!!!!! I love to end my days with live music and bombs. Tiny Bombs that is. I first tasted Tiny Bomb after a 5k run. I thought I was going to die. Literally. Then some angel in a t-shirt and cargo pants handed me a cup of golden bliss. And BOOM!!!! I was ready to dance the night away!!!! Wise Acre beers are available at every amazing restaurant in Memphis and also at most good ones too. But don’t just drink them at an eatery. GO TO WISEACRE!!! The Brewery is amazing. They offer informative tours, fresh beer and an amazing time. Don’t just live in Memphis, experience Memphis. |
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