The French 75 Journal

Since the show Black Ink Crew Chicago aired, I’ve interviewed many cast members from the popular VH1 franchise. The reality show gives a closer look at the lives of local tattoo artists. Right on the cusp of the show’s success, one crew member decided to share his music with the world. Chicago rapper Phor released […]

If it is not abundantly clear by now, I love eating and cooking Asian cuisine. I will never turn down the chance to chow down on some Chinese takeout. That probably explains why I’ve gained the 15 Quarantine. If you’re not familiar with what the 15 Quarantine is, it’s just describing the pounds of weight […]

The ’90s were such a special time for TV sitcoms. There were so many good ones to choose from. If you were anything like me you had a line-up of TV shows to watch for the whole week… and Living Single was definitely on my list. There was something about seeing four successful black women […]

Portobello Mushrooms are one of my favorite fungi on the market. Typically when making a veggie compilation you will see a portobello thrown in there too. I like the versatility, meatiness, and adaptability of flavor that portobello’s manage to provide in a dish. One meal that is easy and fulfilling is stuffed mushrooms. There are […]

Get out! (Leave)Right nowIt’s the end of you and meIt’s too late (Now)And I can’t wait for you to be gone No, I’m not talking to you. I’m singing one of JoJo’s most popular songs. I’m not sure if you remember this tune but JoJo has been belting out love lyrics since, well, she found […]

Throughout the years, I’ve supported and interviewed several cast members from the hit local VH1 reality show, Black Ink Chicago. All the cast members are truly awesome but the one that’s my favorite is Charmaine Johnise Bey. Outside of what the show may portray, she’s truly a fun-loving, warm and gracious spirit! I decided, with […]

I did it ya’ll!!! After months and months trying to figure out how to recreate the delicious Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, I finally found an even more delicious money saving dupe for the real thing. Listen, let’s be real Starbucks is a nice place to visit every once in a while but it’s not nice on […]

Not saved by the bell! The 2020 school season is right around the corner, but since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, heading back to the hallways is not the reality for many students. Remote learning is currently the landscape for the majority this year. Since we’re all navigating our “new” normal, I decided […]

Forget take-out and take in the delicious flavor of this super simple dish! I’m typically the first one to order Chinese food but dislike when I get my order and notice they are stingy with the shrimp or they don’t have the vegetables that I want. That’s typically what prompts me to cook my own […]

Months ago, during the beginning of quarantine, I was craving some delicious jerk chicken but I didn’t feel like taking the time out to cook it. I didn’t cook it, instead, I headed over to a local Jamaican market, close to the West side of Chicago, to support a local business. During my trip, I […]

I love a delicious and refreshing spring roll during the summer months. Generally, I purchase them from the sushi section at my favorite supermarket, Mariano’s. But they can be quite expensive for only four rolls. Since I’m trying to watch my budget and I have more time, I decided to try and make them myself. […]

There’s been so much going on in my life that I haven’t had a chance to share recipes with you all. Now that the world has slowed down a bit and I’ve moved into a new apartment, I feel that now is a good time to do cooking tutorials again. I love Asian cuisine! Most […]

I’ve been noticing that there’s been an uptick in scam call and text messages during the pandemic and quarantine. There have been plenty f stories of people getting scammed out of their stimulus check or people giving out their personal information in hopes of receiving additional financial assistance. Due to lockdowns around the world, many […]

NBC’s critically acclaimed show, Law & Order: SUV just ended its 21st season with newcomer, Jamie Gray Hyder starring as Officer Katriona “Kat” Azar Tamin.  With a long list of acting credits, HBO’s “True Blood,” “Graceland,” “The Last Ship,” “Rizzoli & Isles” and “Chicago Med”, it’s no surprise that Hyder has quickly managed to become an SUV fan favorite. Yes, her character is still […]