Mummies and Rum Cake In Boston

I think the key to having a good vacation is letting go of my checklists.

As an INFJ, the physical space around me is chaotic but my time is structured. I like the bird’s eye view of charting things on a monthly calendar. And lists, handwritten on scraps of paper that I either lose or run through the laundry. Still, I make lists.

I began packing for Boston the night before. Jake always packs the morning of. Even though it makes me feel better to pack ahead, I forget more stuff than when I scramble. Sure enough, I forgot half my make-up.

Youtubers are always doing “Applying my make-up with ONLY my fingers!” or “Doing a full-face of make-up only using cream products!” challenges. I got to do both each day!

The flights to and from Boston were a dream.

Boston: Staying In The North End + Two Breakfasts

May 9, 2019 / Jeni / 1 Comment

You haven’t really experienced Boston until someone from Boston gets annoyed and hollers at you.

It was very clear we were Midwestern, with our big, open smiles and enthusiastic, “Hellos!”

Twice a day, we observed some sort of profanity-filled shouting match. I watched a man try to open the door to a cheery sweet shop. When it wouldn’t open, he cursed it from the heavens to the ground. From our Airbnb we heard couples yelling at each other on the street. One woman yelled at me for giving her too much space as I let her pass by on the sidewalk.

Branching Out: Trying Two (New To Me) Vietnamese Restaurants On University Ave

April 28, 2019 / Jeni / 0 Comments

Jake and I have different approaches to trying new restaurants.

It’s not that he won’t try new places with me. But once he finds his *favorite* version of something, he knows it and feels hesitant to branch out. After all, it’s a sure bet.

For me, the joy is in the journey. I might find something I really like, and might even love. But I can’t move past the nagging curiosity that my new favorite might be around the corner.

It’s no secret that we both love Quang, Minneapolis institution serving Vietnamese food since 1989. This Eater piece commemorates their new remodel and shares the family’s story. I took Jake here on a lark one holiday and he’s never looked back.

At Vietnamese restaurants, Jake always orders pho with the thinly sliced raw beef. I always order the Hu Tieu soup with rice noodles and a variety of pork, and seafood.

Read more about our love for Quang and the delivery by Door Dash here.

The thing about the Twin Cities is that we are rich with good Vietnamese restaurants. If you ask residents where to find the best bowl of pho, they’re all going point you towards a good bowl of pho.

The March 2019 Allure Beauty Box: Tried & Tested

April 14, 2019 / Jeni / 0 Comments

It’s a good thing March’s Allure Beauty Box was so good because the April spoilers look really, really bad. A self tanner wipe and really specific drug store hair products instead of the ABH lipstick? Blerg.

Anyway, here’s my review of March’s products after testing most of them for a few weeks. I gave a couple of products away but am enjoying the rest. definitely worth the $15 I pay for the box via my Amazon subscription.

Good and Bad Veggie Burgers: Brasa’s Veggie Burger Is Good

April 13, 2019 / Jeni / 0 Comments

Within 24 hours I had consumed one of the best and worst veggie burgers of my life. It felt disorienting.

The low, a veggie burger from a speciality butcher shop, was fortunately followed by the high, ironically, also from a meat-centric place.

The Impossible Burger has taken over menus everywhere. To be honest I haven’t even tried one. Ever since I read that it “bleeds” I’ve avoided it. It’s also pricey and I’d rather just enjoy a house-made veggie burger than a meat substitute.

While I can’t say I’m a vegetarian, I’ve become more of a flexitarian. I typically eat more meatless meals than carnivorous. But, if someone offers me food, I’ll gratefully accept it either way. This means I’m seeking more veggie burgers than before.

The good veggie burgers are really, really and the bad ones are horrifically dismal. You never know what you’re gonna get when you order one.

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