Dallas Observer Iron Fork Recap

Last Wednesday, I attended the Dallas Observer Iron Fork at Fair Park's Centennial Hall. Iron Fork featured tastings from local restaurants, beer, wine, and cocktail samplings alongside live music. This event can basically be summarized as a Foodie Paradise. 

I loved going around to try items from the various restaurants. I definitely plan on visiting some of them in the future. Two of my favorites were Back Home BBQ and Bawarchi.

Iron Fork culminated with a chef's competition featuring Jermaine Brown from Julia Pearl and Oliver Stirin from Blind Butcher.

Although, Jermaine lost the battle, he's still one of my favorite chefs in the DFW. It was a pleasure to meet him afterwards. 

Julia Pearl's Executive Chef Jermaine Brown & I

Did you attend Dallas Iron Fork? What were your favorite items?

Saturday Seafood at Hoochies Denton

Hoochie's Exterior

If there's one food that I love its seafood. Over the weekend I had the pleasure of dining at Hoochies Dining in Denton, TX. It's alright if you giggled at the name. I smile whenever I hear it. Interestingly, Hoochies was named after the Post World War I flapper girls in an effort to reflect the restaurant's less Americanized approach. The owner also wanted the name to be memorable to customers, and it most definitely is. I fell in love with the uniqueness, character, and charm of Hoochies.

Hoochies name isn't the only thing that makes it memorable. I loved the casual, comfortable, down home ambiance of the restaurant. You order at the counter, grab a table, and your meal is served to you. The service was impeccable and my glass never went empty. All of the servers were extremely friendly and accommodating. 

I also found Hoochies menu to be affordable yet expansive. Although, there were lots of menu choices I didn't find the menu overwhelming. There is truly something on the menu for everyone. Hoochies price point is affordable and I opted for the Weekend Catfish and Shrimp Basket Special which costs $7.95. 

Weekend Special

My catfish filet was huge and my steak fries were plentiful. The shrimp were also large in size and my meal came with hush puppies. If you've read some of my previous reviews you already know that I'm picky about my hush puppies. I'm proud to say that these were jalapeno free although, they still had a subtle kick to them. They were also unique in being square shaped. My catfish was effortlessly crispy and well seasoned. I also loved the shrimp which had a perfectly balanced amount of batter.

Shrimp Basket

My hubby opted for the Shrimp Basket and was very satisfied with his meal. He opted for the 5 piece basket. Hoochies also offers a larger portion, but the 5 piece was plenty for him. I also loved how our baskets were served with condiments. This might seem minor, but one of my pet peeves is having to ask for condiments at seafood restaurants. It was nice to have everything right in front of me when I was ready to eat. The service as Hoochies was also extremely fast. My meal was served within 10 minutes of ordering. 

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Sam, the owner of Hoochies also brought out an order of their Mexican Shrimp Cocktail for us to try. If you visit Hoochies please do yourself a favor and order it. After the first bite, my mind started to become clouded with memories of my last vacation to Mexico. Seriously, Hoochies picked the perfect name for this dish because it tasted like it was straight out of Mexico. The Shrimp Cocktail was jam packed with shrimp, and I loved the chunks of avocado. Tortilla chips were served on the side and I loved everything about this dish! 

Hoochies is definitely a solid seafood pick. If you're in the Denton area go ahead and give them a try. I am looking forward to ordering a Po' Boy on my next visit and maybe some crawfish if I'm feeling adventurous. I'm actually a little scared of them as I have no idea how to eat them. Have you been to Hoochies? Go check them out and let them know Shasha sent you. 

Sam & I

***Disclosure*** I received a complimentary meal in exchange for my review of Hoochie's Denton. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Win a Beyonce' Diva Day Giveaway!

Photography by Valery Brennan

Ok here's a fun Shasha fact. When I'm not busy stuffing my face or traveling I'm at home practicing my Beyonce' dance moves. That's right y'all I'm a huge Beyonce fan and proud member of the Beyhive. As part of my Beyhive responsibilities it's only right that I do the following to serve the greater good. 

I've teamed up with 9 bloggers to give one of you lucky readers a BEYONCE DIVA DAY! The prize for this insane giveaway includes: 1 FLOOR ticket to the Beyonce show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on May 9 (travel, accomodations, parking, food not included) $100 gift card to RiffRaff 1 set of lash extensions from Lash Loft 1 gift card for a manicure at Bellacures Dallas Preston Center 1 gift card for a blowout at DryBar

In other words, the day of the show you'll be able to treat yourself with hair, nails, lashes and a brand new Freakum Dress! Enter using the Rafflecopter below!

Valery Brennan

The Ginger Marie Blog | Ware is the Vodka | Jaleesa Charisse

Stephanie Drenka | Beauty and the Pleats | Busy Being Shasha

Glitz N Grits | Milk and Cuddles | Eat Love Plank

Sweet Treats and Daydreams

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kickin' it at Dallas Kwestival

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Dallas Kwestival. Kwestival was an awesome festival held at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX. The purpose of Kwestival was to showcase various neighborhoods and businesses located around the city. 

Kwestival truly embodies the notion of getting out to explore your own city. Dallas is comprised of so many different neighborhoods and it was awesome to see them represented. The festival was filled with unique local vendors that offered an array of different products and services. Kwestival was also extremely foodie friendly as there were tons of great local treats! 

Are you making an effort to get out and explore your own city? You may be surprised at what you find. Whether its going to a fun park, checking out a museum, or a new restaurant do something different!

Were you able to attend Kwestival?  If so, what did you think? Drop a line in the comments and let me know. 

Spring Photoshoot Fresh! Styled Session with Gernelle Nelson Photography

Are you feeling the fresh photos located throughout my website? Although, I loved my previous photos, I wanted to give my website a fresh look for Spring. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of attending Jacque Amadi's From Passion to Profit Workshop. During the workshop, I entered my business card into a drawing for a photography session from Gernelle Nelson Photography. Guess who the lucky winner was? Me! I was beyond excited to be photographed by Gernelle. Prior to my photoshoot Gernelle and I collaborated to discuss what my overall vision of my shoot was. She not only picked a beautiful location but brought my vision to life. When I received my photos back I was in awe. I couldn't believe that the girl I was looking at in the photos was me! Gernelle's mom Carter also served as a second photographer for the shoot. This ensured that they captured me from all angles. Yassss! Gernelle and Carter had my angles on lock!

While attending Jacque's workshop I also had the pleasure of meeting Caris, the owner of Porschstores. I am in love with her boutique and she has some amazing pieces that are perfect for travel. She kindly contributed two pieces from her boutique to the photo shoot that made me feel comfortable and confident. Stay tuned as I'll be posting a follow up blog post explaining how my items from Porschstores are travel must haves. 

Andrea, from Core & Craft House of Style was another member of the Lady Boss Dream Team. I really can't express just how awesome she is at styling. By no means am I a fashion blogger, and I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to accessories. Andrea did an excellent job of capturing my personal style without being forceful. She styled me during the shoot, and also spent time shopping with me for shoes and accessories to compliment the look. She even assisted me with my posing. I'd like to think of Andrea as my Fairy-Style Mother. This was first time using a stylist and it definitely won't be my last. I didn't understand the value in using a stylist until I worked with Andrea. If you're a creative like myself don't hesitate to reach out to Andrea for your styling needs.

I also had the pleasure of having the lovely India do my makeup. Sorry, but I can't take all the credit for the glow that I had going on. I told India that I wanted a very natural look and she delivered. I loved the warm colors, and my lips were popping! I normally don't wear false lashes, and I love how they looked so natural. My eyes are super sensitive due to an eye allergy and I didn't even feel the lashes.

Last but not least, I have to shout out my hairstylist Addy Williamson for doing my hair. I've been rocking with Addy for quite some time, and she is a beast when it comes to a wand curler. I told Addy that I wanted fun, playful, hair and she came through. She also did a partial custom color to freshen my hair up for Spring. My curls were light, fluffy, and lingered for days after the shoot. Addy and I will be collaborating again in the future on some of my favorite looks for travel. Be, sure to check out her dope extensions line Hair Icon. 

Team Work did indeed make my photo shoot dream work. Are you feeling the new images?

Food Void: Yen Ching Chinese Restaurant

Last week, I took an unexpected trip to my hometown of Richmond, VA. Since this trip was short, I didn't have time to visit all of my favorite restaurants. However, I did get the chance to visit my favorite Chinese spot. Ever since I moved to Dallas, I've been unable to find a Chinese food restaurant that's similar to what I'm use to back East. My Dallas Chinese food void has been real.

Many of my friends who are Dallas Transplants have also commented that the Chinese cuisine in Dallas is also different from what they're used too. So maybe it isn't just me. I've tried countless restaurants with no success. If you have any great Chines restaurant recommendations feel free to chime in.  I'd love to try them. I'm confident that there's a DFW chinese restaurant that serves food in appearance similar to my photos below. I'll never forget when I tried one restaurant that put white sauce on my chicken and broccoli! I had no idea that brown sauce wasn't the norm! 

I love how Yen Ching's Chicken & Broccoli is so flavorful. It always has the perfect amount of brown sauce and the chicken is always nice and tender. 

I love Fried Rice that's fried to a nice brown. I've noticed that in Dallas my Fried Rice is always a little on the lighter side. Maybe, I'll start asking if they can fry it a little darker. Yen Ching's Pork Fried rice, is the type of rice that I have dreams about! It's flavorful, plentiful on meat, and I love how it's filled with egg. It's not overwhelmed with veggies, which is how I prefer it! 

Yen Ching's Kung Pao Chicken is excellent. it's not too spicy and you can have them adjust the spice level accordingly. I've been dining at Yen Ching for years at it's two locations. I've never had any problems with food quality or consistency during any of my visits. 

I love how Yen Ching serves it's diner's complimentary fresh orange slices after dinner. Oranges are known to aid with digestion. I love how refreshing, sweet, and light they are.

What's your favorite Chinese restaurant? Drop a line in the comments and let me know! Wanna know more about Yen Ching? Check them out here. 

Art in Action: Hope Outdoor Gallery Austin, TX

A few weekends ago I took a quick trip to Austin, TX. Austin, is one of my favorite cities. I love its creativity and spirit of independence. Austin is a huge contrast to Dallas. Dallas has the tendency to feel very pretentious. However, Austin feels more organic and natural to me. Whenever I'm in Austin I feel so comfortable as it has the vibe of an east coast city. As a creative, I always leave Austin feeling inspired.

 I had the opportunity to visit the Hope Outdoor Gallery also known as Graffiti Park. This gallery is a community outdoor paint park. You can obtain a paint pass and create your very own graffiti art. This park proves to be a mecca for my fellow creatives.  I saw numerous artists, musicians, and bloggers like myself posing for photos in front of the awesome artistic pieces. I absolutely loved the different pieces and their messages. 

If you plan to visit Austin, definitely put the Hope Outdoor Gallery on your list. Admission is free and it's a great place to get inspired. For more information check out the link here. 

Southern Goodness: Dining at Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine

Hello There!

Have you ever ate something so good that you felt like it touched your soul? I had that feeling after dining at Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine in Plano, TX. My dining experience was so wonderful that I ended up visiting this restaurant two weekends in a row. After finishing my meal I found myself entering a food-induced coma. I ended up cancelling my after dinner movie plans, because I couldn't fight the urge to go home and retire on my couch. 

I moved to Dallas about five years ago and I've always felt homesick over the lack of soul food dining options available here in Dallas. Don't get me wrong we have some good soul food restaurants here in the Big D. However, I find that there are more options available back in my hometown. Whenever, I have the opportunity to fly back home to Richmond I make sure that I grab a bite from my favorite soul food restaurants. I'm happy to report that Julia Pearl has fulfilled my soul food void!  I am so ecstatic to have a soul food restaurant that is not only close to home but has an upscale feel. During my last visit, I had the privilege to eat while listening to the sounds from the awesome Fingerprint's Band. There's nothing I love more than a great meal and some good tunes to go with it! 

The upscale yet comfortable vibe at Julia Pearl isn't the only thing that makes the restaurant special. The service is phenomenal. I loved how management constantly walked the restaurant floor to check on guests. My waiter Brody (who served me on both visits) was extremely accommodating and attentive. Vivian, one of the owners of Julia Pearl was extremely warm and friendly. She not only welcomed me with open arms (literally) but even made me a side of her famous potato balls which were delicious! Sorry, but I gobbled them all up before getting a picture. I even saw Executive Chef, Jermaine Brown greet many diners to check on their experience. Great dining experiences aren't always just about the food. Julia Pearl clearly realizes the importance of this and has proven that they are committed to making the experience memorable. I walked in the restaurant as a guest, but left feeling like I was a part of the Julia Pearl Family. 

Ok, sorry if I'm getting to sentimental. I know you all are ready to hear about the food. Since I visited this restaurant twice, I had the opportunity to try many of the menu items. 

Before ordering Julia Pearl serves up some amazing cornbread. The cornbread here is sheer perfection. Seriously, Jiffy ain't got nothing on Julia Pearl. I loved how the cornbread was soft, sweet, and delectable.

Deviled Eggs with Crispy Chicken Skin. Ok, is it me or does everyone have one aunt or family that makes awesome deviled eggs? Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about! Seriously, these deviled eggs tasted like they were made by one of my family members. However, the crispy chicken skin was a nice touch. I loved how it added flavor and crispiness to the deviled egg. I would definitely order these again. 

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. If you've read some of my previous food reviews you'll know I'm especially particular about my seafood. I know all about Maryland Crab Cakes and I can taste a fake in a heart beat. The crab cake at Julia Pearl was amazing. Seriously, this thing tasted like it was straight out the Chesapeake Bay.  All my east coast foodies...REJOICE! this would definitely qualify as an east coast crab cake. 

Julia & Pearl's Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings. I don't know what to say about these except that you should order them. Julia Pearl's appetizer menu is on point. I would have no problem going there and just ordering appetizers and drinks because they are super tasty and plentiful. These wings did not disappoint. The lemon pepper was fantastic and the barbecue was also a hit. My husband actually ordered the chicken wings as an entree during our second visit and was full. 

Whole-Cut up Bird. This was a LOT of chicken. My husband and I ordered the whole chicken and we quickly realized that we could've ordered just half and had plenty. We had tons of leftovers after our meal and I actually felt bad that our waiter had so much food to box up. The fried chicken was delightful. Perfectly seasoned with a slight kick of heat. The fried chicken was the epitome of down home cooking. I found myself looking through the kitchen window trying to check if there were a gang of grandma's in the back frying chicken. The fried chicken had a great home cooked taste.

Mac and Cheese. Just do yourself a favor and order it. I have been having dreams about it ever since I left. I can best describe it as creamy, cheesy, macaroni goodness. It also had a slight kick, which made the flavor even better. 

Mashed Potatoes. Perfection! Keep in mind that the sides at Julia Pearl are plentiful. My husband and I ordered individual sides but will share on our next visit. In my opinion, they can easily serve 2 people. 

Pork Chop. This pork chop was incredibly tender, and grilled to perfection. It honestly reminded me of steak. I've had a lot of good pork chops in my life but this one was memorable. I loved the amount of char on it. Also my macaroni and cheese nicely soaked up the juice from the porkchop and collard greens which really made the flavor of this dish amazing. 

Collard Greens. I love a good bowl of collard greens. Once again, Julia Pearl showed up and showed out with these. Was it Fantasia that had a song called Collard Greens and Cornbread? I found myself humming it as I ate these. Another solid pick on the menu. 

The Desserts. Whew! I am tired from all this typing! But let's get down to the real champion on Julia Pearl's menu. Do not leave the restaurant without ordering a dessert. I ordered both the Red Velvet & Lemon Pound Cake. I loved how both dishes were served with ice cream which was the perfect accompaniment. However the real MVP at Julia Pearl is........(drum roll please)

Red Velvet Cake 

The Red Velvet Cake! I have a had a lot of Red Velvet Cakes in my life but this one is a WINNER. This cake had me thanking God for giving me taste buds. Do not leave the restaurant without ordering it. Shout out to the Lemon Pound Cake for being runner-up. Now I might be a little biased because I love Red Velvet anything, but the red velvet  cake was lifechanging!

Lemon Pound Cake

Well there you have it! A detailed review about Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine. On both occassions, I left the restaurant feeling like my meal was "made with love." Do yourself a favor and check out Julia Pearl. Be sure to tell Vivian that Shasha sent you.

 I'm looking forward to visiting Julia Pearl again for brunch. I've got my eye on their Chicken and Waffles plus I'm dying to try their Brisket. 

Have you dined at Julia Pearl? What items did you love from the menu? Drop a line in the comments and let me know.

How to Plan Group Travel Without Losing Friends

Do you cringe at the thought of planning a group trip with friends? Do you question if your friendships will survive after the trip is over? Trust me, I understand if you've asked yourself these questions. Planning a group trip is no easy task and can be stressful. Planning travel for a group isn't always drama-free. Unforeseen circumstances can easily arise. This not only throws a wrench in travel plans but also adds a strain on friendships. Don't let these potential obstacles dissuade you from planning group travel. I've planned several group trips and some of my best vacation memories are from those vacations. Here are my top tips that will help ensure that you and your friendships last long after the vacation is over.

1. Be Formal. When it comes time to plan group travel I switch into my role as a Travel Consultant. When my friends and I begin discussing our travel plans I take notes and also set up meetings to make sure that everyone is on the same page. I'm not saying that you need to be overly formal but it's best to avoid having an overly casual approach. If you're friends understand how serious you are about planning the trip, they'll do the same in return as far as keeping up their word.  Don't be afraid to take the lead. 

2. Communicate! This step ties right back to step number one. It is imperative that you keep the lines of communication open. I prefer to send everyone in my travel group emails or group texts. I find that its easiest to have everything in writing to cut down on confusion. That way if problems arise you can quickly refer back to the written communication. Make sure that you keep your group aware of any changes or updates to your trip. Whenever I make payments on behalf of the group, I send everyone copies of the receipts, confirmations, and itinerary changes. 

3. Have a Plan B. Always think ahead. Last year when renting a condo for my group, a friend cancelled at the last minute. This not only posed a financial strain but was an instant stressor among my group of friends. Thankfully, we were able to make some slight adjustments and proceeded with our plans. If your travel plans involve deposits or group payments think ahead to what the group will do, if someone can't go. In the event that this does happen, the group will be prepared and the responsibility won't lie on one person. Discuss the plan B prior to finalizing arrangements so no one will be caught off guard. 

4. Research the Area Prior to Arrival. When planning a group trip, I've been asked the following question multiple times upon arrival to our destination...Where should we eat? This is the one question I hate answering when traveling with a group. Why? Because, groups tend to be indecisive and it can take forever to make a group decision. When you add hunger in the mix, emotions escalate and people can become HANGRY! In order to avoid this, I research local restaurants that my group can patronize. By preparing a list ahead of time, you can simply present the list to the group and avoid a lot of wasted time. I normally suggest 1 or 2 options on the list that I think the group will like. You can also take the same approach when it comes to choosing excursions, or other activities to do.

5. Print the Docs.  This tip came in handy during preparation for my last cruise. I printed my groups travel documentation ahead of time and even brought my group luggage tags. Now, I'm not saying you have to buy your group luggage tags or other things but everyone definitely appreciated having their documents printed. In situations when you're traveling with first time cruisers, either take the time to show them how to check in beforehand or do it for them. 

If you prefer not to do either of these send reminders to your group to make sure that everyone has all their travel documentation printed and ready to go. You can even offer to pick up everyone's documents ahead of time to ensure that nothing is left at home. 

6. If all else fails call a travel agent. This June, I'll be going to Mexico with 15 family members and friends to celebrate my upcoming college graduation. I want to enjoy my trip as much as possible and have decided that I'm going to leave the planning to someone else. I've been collaborating with my travel agent to plan different excursions, transportation options, etc. Sometimes you might not feel up to planning a trip, and that's ok! Don't be afraid to let an agent step in if things become too overwhelming. You can still have a huge share in planning the success of the trip, without dealing with all the stress.

I hope these tips have helped! Do you have any strategies for planning group travel? If so, feel free to leave them in the comments below. 

The Best Soul Food Restaurant in Richmond, Virginia: Mama J's

Hey Mama J! Do you know who Mama J is? If not, I highly recommend that you get to know her. I had the privilege of dining at this restaurant  and the experience was quite memorable. The food at Mama J's was so good for my soul that I'm keeping this review short and sweet. 

Mama J's is  quaint, yet gives off a very rustic yet comfortable vibe. It almost feels like your dining at your grandmother’s house. I visited the restaurant on a Sunday night around 7:00 pm and my wait time was about 30 minutes. However, be ready to experience higher wait times  if you dine on Friday or Saturday night. Once we were seated our orders were taken quickly and our food arrived in what felt like 15 minutes max. 

I love how Mama J’s menus are built inside the table which makes it easy for you to pinpoint what you’d like to order. I think this is a very creative way to display the menu offerings. 

On this visit I opted for the smothered pork chop with a side of candied yams, and macaroni and cheese. I won’t go into detail about how the food tasted because all you need to know is that it was AMAZING. The only bad thing is that I live 1,300 miles away from Mama J’s. If there was a way that I could teleport myself to Mama J’s every weekend I would. Does anyone out there have a buddy pass that I can borrow? If so, I’m hopping on a plane and going back to Mama J’s to get my soul food fix. This meal was the type of meal that leaves you speechless after you are done eating. 

There is no need for me to describe how juicy the pork chops were, or how abundantly cheesy the macaroni and cheese was. The gravy on my pork chops was plentiful and caressed my pork chops in the perfect way. If you have the opportunity to visit Mama J’s do yourself a favor and get the pork chop. My husband ordered the baked chicken and had no complaints about his meal either.  Everyone in my party agreed that the food and service were phenomenal. The service was superior, and I have to say this was one of my best dining experiences thus far in 2016. 

I was so full from my entree that I didn’t order dessert but I have been told that they are just as good as the entrees. 

Have you been to Mama J’s? Is there a Soul Food restaurant that has your heart? If so let me know!

The King of Donuts: Krispy Kreme

The red light is on! If you’re a fan of Krispy Kreme you know exactly what I’m talking about. Have you ever made a quick u-turn when you've seen the red light glowing in all it's glory? I know I have. My love for Krispy Kreme is so strong that I avoid other donut shops like the plague. Dallas is flooded with many mom and pop donut shops that simply say “Donuts” on the signage. When I have patronized these shops I'm left with a troubled conscience. I end up feeling like my patronage is an act of disloyalty against my beloved Krispy Kreme. Now, I'm not saying that mom and pop donut shops are bad. From what I've been told there are some really good ones here in Dallas. If you know of one feel free to shout it out in the comments and I'll be happy to give it a try. 

Hot off the Press

Last year Krispy Kreme hit the Dallas Market and I was ecstatic.  I’ve had many debates with friends and coworkers who think that Krispy Kreme is just average. I don’t understand what could be average about a piping hot Krispy Kreme glazed donut?  

Whenever, I take my first bite into a Krispy Kreme I feel like a need a moment of silence to fully enjoy the experience. I have yet to have a comparable experience with another donut. 

On a recent trip, back to my hometown I had the opportunity to grab a Krispy Kreme donut fresh off the conveyor belt. I need to go ahead and download the hot light app, so I can step my donut game up for 2016. For me, no other donut comes close to the joy I experience from Krispy Kreme. Plus, the free hats and the opportunity to see production process is a nice treat. 

Are you a Krispy Kreme fan? Is there a mom and pop shop in Dallas that you think I need to give a try?  Drop a line in the comments and let me know. 

The Burger That Changed my Life

Have you ever ate something so good that it changed your life? This happened to me when a few years ago when I came across Shake Shack. 

During one of my DC adventures I stopped by the Shake Shack in Washington, DC. From that day forward, my life would never be the same. It was love at first bite. Me and my Shackburger shared a bond that could never be broken. Since I ended up moving to Dallas, (which is currently Shake Shackless ) I have to carefully plan my Shake Shack visits. 

LIFE.

I have no idea how their burgers are so amazing. I have even questioned if Jesus and his disciples are in the kitchen cooking burgers because the burgers are nothing short of perfection. Let's not forget that Shake Shack's crinkle cut fries are amazing and so are the shakes!

Shack Fries

Every time my hubby and I go back to the east coast we make sure that we have a pre-planned Shake Shack stop. When visiting other cities the first question is, Do they have a Shake Shack? Followed by how far is it from the airport?  I’ve gone out of my way to schedule late night flights out of DCA just to make sure that I always have enough time to get my Shake Shack fix in. Thankfully, my prayers were answered and Texas opened its first Shake Shack in Austin in last Spring. 

The Shackburger, Perfection Between Two Buns

During my time in Miami last November can you guess what the first thing was that I ate? Shake Shack! Some of my closest friends have converted over to Shack Fans which makes it even easier for me to get my fix in when we travel together. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that a burger changed my life, well at least it always impacts my travel plans.

Shake Shack Miami, FL

If you haven’t tried Shake Shack you are really missing out. if you already have one in your city I’m super jealous! I know for sure that I’m not the only person in the world who has eaten a food that has changed their life. Do you have an experience that’s similar to Shake Shack? Are you a shack fan? Let me know in the comments. 

*This post was not sponsored by Shake Shack but is simply based on my personal opinion.

Two Weddings in Two Days! You're Invited!

It's wedding week!

My beloved sister in-law Tanya is getting married this weekend and is not only having a traditional American wedding but also a Nigerian Wedding! Planning one wedding is hard but can you imagine planning two? I'll go ahead and give her the Bride of the Year Award. Tanya is embarking on a new chapter in her life with her fiancee' Kelvin who is from Nigeria. This wedding is not only celebrating their deep love but the union of two unique cultures. Yours truly, is serving  as one of the bridesmaids which means that I get to wear a custom Nigerian bridesmaid dress that was handcrafted in Nigeria. How cool is that? Some serious Nigerian-Style slayage is going down next Saturday and I cannot wait to serve it!  I almost feel like instead of traveling to Nigeria, Nigeria is coming to me!  I cannot wait to learn about this new culture. 

The Bride & Groom

I am so excited to eat Nigerian cuisine see friends and family, and you guessed it... Get my party on! (Yes, I will be requesting Beyonce 7-11). Now, don't get too sad if you didn't receive an official wedding invitation from my dear sister-in-law.  Postage is high, and planning a wedding is stressful. However,  you have been cordially invited to attend  both weddings because I will be posting photos and details on the blog! 

I love you all too much to not bring you in on the fun. You can thank me later for the invitation. In addition, I will be spending some time in Washington, DC  and my hometown of Richmond, VA. I'm looking forward to doing some shopping, eating at my favorite restaurants, sightseeing and sharing the experience with all of you. 

Love.

Shasha