Life in Atlanta, Georgia (2025)

09/10/2021

📍: Santa Monica Pier, California
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06/10/2021

The two eponymous creators of Hans and Harry’s Bakery
in San Diego brought Dutch cakes from their home country to California in the early 90s. Here you’ll find Holland’s classics, like cheese Danishes, and other sweet items like walnut tortes, powdered lemon bars and buttercream cake.

Strudel might be a holiday dessert, but customers indulge every season in this puff pastry stuffed with Bavarian cream and garnished with an assortment of berries. The family size is two feet in length, but they have individual servings available if you want one all to yourself. Sharing isn’t for everyone, especially when it comes to this strudel.

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on the best desserts in San Diego!

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02/10/2021

📍: Atlanta, Georgia
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30/09/2021

Though you’ll have to drive out to Mission Trails Regional Park, this is a lunch favorite. “There is plenty of good Thai food in San Diego, but if you want it done right, check out Basil Thai Bistro, a restaurant that provides customers with a modern twist on traditional dishes,” says Tyler, a representative from Instinct Marketing.

“Try their green curry or panang curry along with an order of spring rolls,” he recommends. “If you like spicy flavors, they won’t disappoint! They also have lunch specials starting at US$7.95 that include miso soup and rice.”

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on the best Thai food in San Diego!

📸: @basilthaibistro

28/09/2021

📍: Brooklyn, New York
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26/09/2021

It’s being called the “California Exodus.” So, why are people leaving California? With the pandemic rupturing the economy and the financial state of many worldwide, some Californians are deciding to abandon the beauty of perfect weather and sunny beaches for a more affordable lifestyle. As the cost of living in California continues to take a toll on millions of “golden state” residents, many of them are also realizing just how expensive it is to live comfortably in California.

Housing costs, gas prices, taxes and overall utilities have skyrocketed throughout the years, and now California remains one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. Because California is focusing on progressive regulations, some of which aim to reduce carbon emissions and preserve the environment, the overall cost of housing has gone up exponentially.

Reuters reports that a poll taken by the University of California, Berkeley of 4,527 California voters found that 71% cited housing costs as the reason they considered leaving California, a feeling more prevalent among younger participants. Another 48% claimed “high taxes” were a reason to consider leaving, and 46% blamed the state’s political culture as an incentive.

Ex-Californian resident Anne-Marie got a feel of two states where many California residents are relocating – Tucson, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. “As much as I loved Tucson with a small-town big-city feel, it felt a lot smaller during the pandemic, especially since I worked in the restaurant industry,” she says. “I took a chance and chose San Antonio. I love it here because the people are humble, the river runs citywide and it’s very green."

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on why people are leaving California for more affordable lifestyles.

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24/09/2021

📍: Los Angeles, California
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18/09/2021

📍: Atlanta, Georgia
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13/09/2021

The Ripped Bodice, co-owned by sisters Leah and Bea Koch, is the only exclusively romance bookstore on the West Coast.

So why is there so much stigma surrounding romance? “You don’t have to look very hard to encounter an extremely misogynistic attitude toward a genre primarily dominated by women and marketed toward women,” says Koch matter-of-factly.

“The LGBTQ section of the bookstore is obviously very important to me, and I think that we really focus on making it visible and accessible,” says Koch. “We try to be cognizant of the fact that people who might want to shop in that area of the store might not be comfortable asking where it is, which is why it’s the first thing you see when you walk in. It’s really about seeking out as many titles as we can find.

“It’s not enough to carry books that major publishers are putting out that have q***r romances because there’s like five a year. It would be a very tiny section. So we really like to explore smaller presses and self-published books, which is often where a lot of the most interesting work happens.”

“You’re on a continued quest to see yourself in a romance novel,” says Koch on why representation within books matters. “When you see yourself represented in a romance novel, it’s almost like the author is saying to you, ‘you are worthy of love.’”

Support The Ripped Bodice by ordering books online, signing up for the subscription box, becoming a patron or visiting in person.

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on The Ripped Bodice breaking barriers in the romance genre.

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12/09/2021

📍: New York City
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07/09/2021

📍: Los Angeles, California
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02/09/2021

📍: New York City
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01/09/2021

“My interest peaked after becoming initially curious about that specific design style, and then I read ‘The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life,’” says Forte. “All the pieces connected very naturally for me, and I knew this was the style of tattooing I would want to focus on. I started learning about the deeper meanings of the patterns and how it connects the universe as a whole. The rabbit hole goes pretty deep, and many of my clients understand the meaning behind sacred geometry as well. It’s design with purpose and a meaning that is personal, yet universal, with each person tattooed.”

“Once I started the apprenticeship, I knew I was hooked and things sort of took off from there,” says Forte. “I think in life you have to choose a path, or perhaps tattooing eventually chose me.”

“It really depends on the tattoo, but many of the more intricate designs are first ideated with the client, and then I use software to create the patterns and ultimately the final template for doing the work,” says Forte. “The design type/style really dictates how I handle the tattoo, though.”

“I started to really think about how the tattoo industry uses so many disposable products during the tattoo process and how it all ends up in landfills,” says Forte. “Many of those products take a really long time to break down, so I wanted to create everyday tattoo products for professionals that reduce our footprint in landfills and everywhere else. All Forte Tattoo Tech products (rinse cups, cling wrap, bottle bags, etc.) are made with natural materials and therefore break down quickly without causing harm to the soil.”

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on pioneering sustainability in the tattoo industry with Forte Tattoo Tech.

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29/08/2021

A gem of Greenpoint, Word is a bookstore and event venue that supports Brooklyn’s reading community. Word regularly hosts readings, talks and signings by established authors like an upcoming evening with Josh Ritter (and his latest novel, “The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All”). They also host virtual book clubs with all kinds of compelling themes, from “Alien Autopsy” to “Indie & Small Press” to “Well-Read Black Girl.” Trust us, they’ve got a discussion you’ll be dying to join, and you can do so from your laptop at home!

Word is the home of “Word Live Wedne5days,” which is a weekly crowdcast. With their subscription boxes and mystery boxes on sale, too, there’s so many ways to patronize Word without making the trek to Brooklyn, though we recommend that you do. Its corner storefront attracts book-lovers of all ages and interests, its green banner beckoning to lovers of lit.

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on New York City bookstores that should be on your NYC bucket list.

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26/08/2021

Although native New Yorkers wouldn’t be caught dead in Times Square, it does have a certain appeal that cannot be denied. So go there! Get your photo taken on the red TKTS steps, snap some pictures of the glistering electronic billboards and sidestep the vaguely threatening mascots who wander the area. But don’t spend any money there.

Yes, the Sephora store is huge and beckons guests like a siren, and the M&M’s store is a fun stop. You may be tempted to reach for your wallet, but you’ll regret it if you do. You can buy makeup and candy literally anywhere; there’s no point paying a premium just because you’re in Times Square.

The food at restaurants surrounding the plaza area is passable, at best, and extremely expensive. Yes, there is a Hard Rock Cafe here. But there’s a Hard Rock Cafe in every major city. Don’t waste a precious meal in the city at Bubba Gump, either. You will be tempted, but as soon as you leave Times Square, an entire world of awesome, affordable food options will open up to you.

And do not, under any circumstances, go to Times Square for New Years.

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on why you should skip these tourist traps in New York City

📸: Wikimedia Commons, Terabass

24/08/2021

Located in the small town of Orange Historic District is Contra Coffee and Tea, one of the most unique shops Orange County has to offer. Adopting the traditional methods of a brewery, Contra specializes in crafting their own in-house coffee and tea. Because of their brewing style, all of their crafted beverages are served cold and tapped fresh from their kegs. Thanks to the commitment and creativity of owners Paul Del Mundo and Julie Nguyen, Contra’s menu is the epitome of diversity.

Drinks like the “Dirty Horchata,” a dark coffee infused with their house made horchata, or their Vietnamese-style iced coffee known as “Gold Rush,” keep locals coming back for more. The menu can be a little intimidating at first glance, but the customer service here is beyond exceptional, so don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions or adjustments on your drink. And just like most breweries, they also have flights available if you’re wanting to experience more than one drink.

Click the link in the bio to read the full article on 5 best coffee shops in Orange County.

📸:.findyourplace

Life in Atlanta, Georgia