I’m really into music and art. I lovvveee hearing from the artists about how they crafted their work and the kinds of things they haven taken into consideration as they have created a project.
Take some time to listen to Pharrell (music producer extraordinaire) and his artists, the Clipse. they are discussing their new work, Let God Sort Em Out. I feel like this rap style is more along the lines of gangsta rap, which isn’t really my favorite, but I do still think that the music is interesting and good. What do you think.
Btw, why does Pharrell’s skin always look so soft? I tried his skincare brand and my skin looked nothing like that. ? IRL filter.
I haven’t been able to post about Ghibli Fest as of yet, I’m not sure that I’m a real fan of this particular studios work, however, I did recently see something really cool on TikTok. A Ghibli mashup art style with Pokemon. What a cool idea – I’m really into animation styles, so this got my attention. I’m unable to share the videos (can’t embed TikTok) but I think that their page is worth a follow. See below imagery, all rights/credits to ghiblimon.studio on TikTok.
Btw, it is national video game day. What are you playing? Me? Pokemon of course. Legends Arceus to be more exact.
I really, really love Dollar tree. Here are some truly great dollar tree finds that I was able to score/note on my visit today. Make sure to patron them so that we can continue to enjoy these types of stores.
I truly love them for snacks – now they have the speed stick leave in and the speed stick deodorant. ? they smell so much like sol de janiero.
Update
The lady speed stick does smell nice but I do not believe that it is a real replacement for the sol de janiero. My fave sol de janiero scents are the 40 and 59. The speed sticks are very nice – not to mention you can get 10 of the speed sticks from dollar tree compared to one stick of deodorant from Sephora for 15.00 dollars.
I’m in love! These headphones are soo good. The sound quality is unmatched, definitely when compared to some of the other kinds I’ve used.
Oooo! In black!! 🙂
Back in my HIIT days, I was using the Jaybirds, they were a little over 100.00 then and I loved those, too. (After a quick search on Amazon, I do not believe that they are still in production.) They used to fall out – I must have abnormally small ears, cause this is the norm for me when wearing that style of earbud. Personally, I think that these AirPod max are a really great replacement. I do think that they are a bit heavy, though. I’m not as into HIIT as of late, however, plenty o’ folks wear them to the gym and complain about the weight and how they fall off. Who wants some 500 dollar headphones falling on the floor? Not me. This is a true con.
The color is lovely, I got Starlight, I look cool wearing them. I’ve taken a few long bus rides with them and I do feel as though they have made a big difference in terms of my enjoyment on the ride. I need to spend a bit more time with them before a final review, but thumbs up. The price is steep but if you’re looking for some headphones on the more luxe side, these are a winner.
I’m a big fan of their sleek, simplistic and harmonious style. The symmetry is so nice. the usb-c was a nice choice. Wish they were sweat proof/waterproof – I must have bought a silicone cover that doesn’t fit, so I won’t be linking it but the color itself (stone) is a nice compliment to the starlight, goldish tone.
I think most of us prefer to purchase in store, that Apple shopping experience!, but if the mood so strikes, use my affiliate link:
I spent the evening at Jeju Sauna. I was once a regular here, but in the last few years have drastically tapered off, which is good for me. I think that we should allow for crowds to ebb and flow.
Though this spa has been around since 2005 in the Duluth area, it was popularized by the Real Housewives of Atlanta maybe 10 or so years ago. I will say that the prices have gone up to accommodate its popularity, prior to Covid19, entry was 25.00, afterwards, it has gone to 40.00. I’ve been to a few other spas in the US. They all have a similar feel, but are unique to their locations. Chicago, Hawai’i, New York, LA, allthat I can find in Georgia. Yeah, it was a real thing for me. Anytime I go to a new city, I try to visit the local spa, if available.
Jeju prefers that we limit picture taking, which is not so fun as the spa is beautiful, however, it is better to be respectful. See below for a few from the evening.
Check Jeju Sauna in Atlanta out if you’re looking for something fun and different to do for the day. $40.00 gets you in and you can stay for 24 HRS. You’ll get a wristband, an outfit to lounge around the spa in, and a toothbrush. Once you’re in the locker room, you can put your things away. You’ll quickly see how expansive and lovely the spa is. For the price, it is not too shabby if you ask me – gotta be ok with open bay sleeping, though, if you choose to stay for the entire time. Do be aware that there are portions of the spa that are nude, a la the traditional Korean spas, or kspas, as those closely acquainted with them like to call it. This only applies to the portion of the spa where people are bathing, the remainder of the spa is clothed.
I have a quick story, I was at Jeju and someone from Korea decided to randomly tell me about what the spas are like there. They said that it is customary for people to go to the spa every week, maybe even multiple times a week. The entry fee is less than 5 dollars! That’s kind of a cool little thing to know about their culture. I do want to make those of you that are unaware, there have been some issues with these spas stateside as it relates to prostitutionand otherquite sadthings, however. I really look forward to the day that evil leaves us. So sad that people can’t even go to bath houses in peace.
Anywho, I still think that checking them out is worthwhile, just be as safe as possible.
Pro tips for visiting:
Pack a spa kit for your visit. I take a quick trip to Dollar Tree and Marshall’s to stock up on necessary spa items (pedicure brush, scrub brushes, facial masks, hair masks) and put them in my spa basket for use. Marshall’s or TJ Maxx usually have some Dr. Jart face masks – I get these and use them at the spa as they make my visit feel more luxe. I also stock up on snacks and ensure that I have a refillable water bottle (plastic or metal, not glass) on hand. The spa charges for some incidentals, so having these on hand will make your end bill cheaper.
Go with a friend you trust. This can take the edge off for first timers. I mean a friend of the same gender as the male/female saunas are separate (nudity concerns)
Anticipate spending more the first few times you go. They offer so many services (pedicures, acupuncture, tiered body scrub services, vaginal steaming, authentic Korean eats). You’ll want to be sure you can cover a possibly heftier price tag.
Be courteous and respectful. All body types are on display and everyone is deserving of a safe space.
Do you have any tips for those new to the kspa life?
I liked this blog post and decided to share – luggage and lipstick does a great job of summing up the experience, too.
It was so rainy this weekend. Atlanta’s rain has ruined many plans, but instead of moping about it, I decided to treat myself to some ice cream. I love the Westside Provisions district, PayaThai and Jeni’s are both located here. There is a cute walking area, plenty of tasty restaurants, and the loveliness of Midtown all around. Atlantic Station is right down the street – oh, and so is Ikea.
One of my favorite flavors is the Lemon Blueberry Parfait, but as I couldn’t find it at the Jeni’s location, so I chose to try some of the other flavors. Here is a closeup of the deliciousness, found on the Jeni’s website.
Btw, my favorite flavor is still sold at the Publix in Atlantic Station, just in case you’re curious about it. The blueberries mixed with the lemon and the buttermilk all come together in a way that is sooo, sooo good. Most of Jeni’s work included a buttermilk base but it seems as though things are changing. When I first tried the icecream years ago, I thought it a bit strange, but it truly comes together in such a lovely way. Just so you know, I am usually a Mayfield kind of gal, – I really think that Moose tracks is hard to beat, not only that, fruit in ice cream? Eh?
The Lemon Blueberry Parfait is NELLIEL APPROVED. But I also approve of Jeni’s.
I grew up eating Maruchan Ramen. The saltiness was soooo good to me when I was a kid. I tried so many flavors, but the beef flavor is hard to get over. The way that I make the maruchan ramen is to never use the whole flavor pack and always pour out the water before eating. In my opinion, the only thing that the water (which would be broth with the flavor pack, if only I’d known that then) was good for, was making the noodles consumable (now, as an almost 40 something, break the noodles in the pack and toss them on a salad, akin to croutons).
I, for sure, survived pretty heavily on the microwaveable noodle variety in college before learning to cook. And by that I mean, learning to cook better. I knew how to cook a lot of things already. It is hard to get over the flavor of those at home ramen packs. I’m probably going to review a few Ra Myun (ramen) spots in Atlanta on this blog, but that is for another time. Enough about ramen, in my adulthood, I’ve moved on to pho.
There is an amazing Pho spot out in Smyrna, but now that I use public transport, I can’t make it out there as frequently. In this absence, I have resorted to SNAPDRAGON and PHONOMENAL (a vegetarian option). These could be considered cup pho. I think that their flavors are divine, and though the broth of these two pho leave a bit to be desired, (especially if you have had the pho from Pho Hoang Long on Pat Mell road), they are still quite good and satisfying. If only I could have that lime soda too! IYKYK. Pho Hoang Long is such a hidden gem over in the Marietta/Smyrna area.
The noodles are standard rice noodles, the flavor packs are really quite good, and the bowl size makes it easy to slurp the end of the dish right on up. The pho also comes in packs similar to what many are accustomed to seeing on shelves, almost like the ramen packs but slightly larger. Just so you know, I’ve also tried the Annie Chun flavor and it didn’t rest well with my pho loving soul.
Give these a try to switch up a thrifty lunch, a lazy dinner night (cook up some baked crispy wings and top with garlic chilli crisps), and sip on some bubbly water or a nice cold Pepsi. You will not be disappointed, at all. I love adding some extra cilantro and garlic for flavor. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
This PHO is definitely NELLIEL APPROVED. Thumbs up.
I am so excited about my continuing renovation. I recently purchased an AKDY tub from Home Depot and I keep imaging what that new tub will look like in my home. I also need to get the updates completed on my kitchen – I’m anticipating a new, large window for the kitchen and I want to update my counters. I’ve been taking my time with looking at items but I still have not found stone counters that I have fallen in love with. I don’t want to do bright white but I might go with that – I have a lovely farmhouse sink to compliment the space. The reflective lighting will be so beautiful.
here is a list of things I’m doing this year:
Sourcing countertops
purchasing new windows
getting pismo door knobs
add more solar lighting to trees outside of home
replace my dewalt lawn mower with a robo lawn mower
knock down some walls in the laundry room and guest bathroom
install privacy fence
install parking patio
There is still so much to do but I love the house God gave me 🙂 I think the roses and the natural privacy hedge have turned into my favorites thus far. I have recently requested to join the Amazon Affiliate Program and Home Depot Affiliates. I’ll try to link to the items when I can. 🙂
