Jeju Sauna – Atlanta, GA Review

ATL, Atlanta, Beauty, Enhancements, NELLIEL Approved, Uncategorized

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, all that 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 prostitution and other quite sad things, 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.

Here are some cool videos on Jeju and Spa Land, another kspa local to northern, GA. Sundai Love on YouTube has covered this spa style in Japan. There is even a town in Japan which specializes in this type of spa.

If nudity just isn’t your thing, you can also check out Treat your Feet. I think that the services they provide are also quite nice.

Here is a picture of my breakfast. Yum. <3 This experience is definitely NELLIEL APPROVED.

Jeni’s Ice Cream – Westside Provisions District

ATL, Atlanta, Dining Out, Ice Cream, NELLIEL Approved

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.

They recently got the Wildberry Lavendar in store. Mmm. Delicious. Here are a few others worth trying.

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.

Just so you know, 3rd runner up is SNICKERS. Yum.

Snapdragon is DANG good

Atlanta, Dining Out, Eateries, NELLIEL Approved, Uncategorized

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.

Friday Listen – Lupe Fiasco Catalog Dive

Lupe Fiasco, Uncategorized

To pay homage to one of my fave rappers, I’m sharing a somewhat random song from his catalog. Enjoy “Dots & Lines ”.

Happy Friday.

Why not give it a listen on new apple headphones? I was trying to wait until they released a new version (these have already been out for 5 years, however, they recently updated them in September of 2024). But I got some for a good deal – once I test them out, I’ll write a review. Here is an affiliate link coming at ya, click here: the starlight color caught my eye.

Renovation Dreams

ATL, Atlanta, Enhancements, Renovation

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. 🙂

Coursera – Worth it?

Uncategorized

I have taken Coursera.org classes in pursuit of a Coursera certificate in the past. It did not yield great results after certificate completion, but I recently saw one that I think might be better career wise. At least from a programming perspective. I’m going to give it a try. Have any of you gotten their certificates and been able to advance further?

I’d love to hear any stories about how receiving these certifications have changed your lives.

quick aside – why was the data field using mental illness in Atlanta as a marketing tactic? Schizophrenia and data analytics? How does that work?

Bra Upgrades – Bare Necessities

Beauty, Enhancements, Uncategorized

My boobs have gotten so much bigger lately, but not my back. Dang it is hard to find size 30-32 bras in store. I mean, REALLY HARD. Why? Even online, at the major retailers, there are not many options. A while back, I tried Victoria’s Secret but no such luck – I guess that I’m not into their quality. I really am more of a full coverage, t-shirt bra kinda gal for most days (A New York and Company bralette works, too), and I used to be able to find some decent ones at Marshall’s & TJ Maxx (Calvin Klein, Nautica, Polo), but when I tried for my real size there were none to be found. I had to go online. Thankfully, I found Bare Necessities – I finally got my order in the mail a week or so ago. Yess! I think that they fit very well and they aren’t too hard too look at either. Here is a quick link to a sale they’re having right now – I got the Fituitive Bras. Such a good deal. Just wanted to put you all onto something great. 😉