I'm so sick of these heifers disrespecting my boyfriend. Talking about, "He's boring," "He's so violent, He hit a record for most homicides." "His people can't drive worth s@$t," and "His folks are crazy." Now all of that may be true, except the boring part because Memphis is NOT boring you booty-scratchers! Memphis is trying his best in the midst of this epidemic. So give my boyfriend a break! Geesh.

Entrepreneurs are still flourishing. Like that Furloughed Bread I can't seem to get my hands on. Voodoo Cafe's Witch Doctor Beignet is to die for. There's movies in the park and the drive-in is LIT! I can hit multiple book clubs in a week since alot of social events are happening virtually. All of the coffee shops have unveiled their fall flavors like S'mores @Muggins and the Butterscotch Miso @Cityand State. Annnndddd....you can still get pizza. Aldo's, Memphis Pizza Cafe, Excline's, and Broadway Pizza are still sizzling. Brunch is still brunchable. All dinners are now deliverable and alcohol is to-go for goodness sake!!!!

My only complaint...Memphis let people use the freaking restroom if they purchase 2 decaf caramel lattes with almond milk, water and sandwiches while blessing your "patio" with their presence. People need to pee!!!!! Ugly.....meanies. 

Oh, I'm also looking for a plus-size boutique to upgrade my wardrobe. Something with elastic waistbands and stretchy stuff please. But make it fancy.

Everyone knows how much I love to read. But I do more than just read when I grab a book. I set the ATMOSPHERE for reading. Sometimes I light candles or use my Himalayan Salt/Rock Lamp. Sometimes I grab a cup of java or wine. I might even have cookies or a burger and fries. I have even used sounds to set the atmosphere. My favorite is rain. I like to read on a rainy day and sometimes it's just not raining outside. And I always have a comfy place to sit!!! 
So...believe it or not, I also like a certain atmosphere when I shop for a book as well. When I was "new" to my reading addiction, I would always go to B & N to get new books. I loved that they served Starbucks coffee and had lots of books. But as I became a more mature reader and my reading addiction became very deep and mystical, I sought other avenues to fill my need.  
One lovely, readable day, I came across Novel. Novel is a bookstore located near Perkins and Poplar. It's amazing!!!!! They have every book that B & N has, PAGE for PAGE. But that's not what makes them so amazing. 

#1 - Full size kid service station WITH a train table next to a youthful nook.
#2 - Local and National Writers are ALWAYS there!!!!! You definitely should check out their calendar.
#3 - A multi-purpose room!! Yes, I may probably have my birthday party there and invite Charlaine Harris. (You never know.)
#4 - A FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT. Yep, you read right!!!! Libro is an upscale restaurant located right inside of Novel. I love their burgers and mushroom & ravioli. But you gotta try their Shrimp and Grits available for Sunday Brunch. The kids love their paninis, fruit/honey/yogurt, and even their PB&Js are gourmet!
#5 - A FULL SERVICE BAR. They can make any and every drink. The house red wine does the trick too. (Wink wink)
#6 - KIDS EAT FREE ON THURSDAYS. Need I say more!!!! It's not any of that "Kids each free with the purchase of whatever" deals either. On Thursdays, a KID eats FREE...PERIOD.
#7  Comfiest chairs and coolest nicnacs. Plus, plus....they sale local teas, cookies and commodities too!

Novel has the best atmosphere for reading and relaxing. They have the kind of atmosphere that pairs well with my addiction. I think I will go there tomorrow......

When you know better, you do better.
Now you know Novel, you should do Novel.

If you are looking for some unique pieces of art and gift items. You MUST go to B. Collective. This cute little shop on Main contains amazing pieces of art and various crafts all made from LOCAL ARTISTS!!!! 
First, you are welcomed as if you are a long lost friend they haven't seen since elementary school. Then you are allowed to wander, look, and smell anything and everything. That shea body butter goodness made by Olivia and Ruby is sooooooo silky and smells soooooo good. The Memphis scent is to die for yall. So good, just so good. 
They had dinosaur tails, dresses, purses, beer mugs, jewelry, so much art work, teas, candles, wood work and much, much more. 
There was this one painting that screamed BLACK GIRL MAGIC. But I won't show it here, you need to see it for yourself. 
If you know of any local artist who would like to have an avenue in which to sale their goods, they gotta contact B. Collective!!!!
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​Oh, btw, I will be buying some "Remorse Tea" when I go back!!!!!! #nomohangovers

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.

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!!!!!!