HEARTC♡RE

 

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My addictive personality strikes again - and it's diet coke. I think about a fat, crisp diet coke multiple times a day. If I can't get my hands on one exactly, only the diet drinks can satiate the addiction - not the sugar free. I had two today and I debated the third but it was too late in the day and I am pretty sensitive to the caffeine in it (is this the source of my headache??). I just. . . . a large fat diet coke from McDonalds - fuck me up baby. 

I am always incredulous when I see the damn price of a 12 pack of Coke - WHY IS IT $7.99... that's ridiculous!! But then girl math, it beats the the $6+ for a tall iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso which only = 1 drink. So all in all, this addiction is more economically viable. YAY!

This all started at the end of August when we took a 12 pack of diet coke to PCB for my mom's birthday weekend. I think I had 3 a day, including the absolute crispest chilliest can at the beach on that hot summer day. That was the exact day my taste buds molded to praise diet coke and diet coke only. I know it's been a THAT girl, chronically online, drink but it has transcended that level in my personal life. She is so sexy, so chic, I want ALL the Diet Coke merch. I actually have a small Tervis tumbler with a stitched diet coke patch within the insulation and it's super cute. I need to find it - yesterday.

There is a lot of conflicting information on Diet Coke and it's impacts on health. I found this infographic from @thefitnesschef_ that breaks down some of the usual commentary on diet drinks and the "truths" that I have read on before. You can click this link to read the full post and the science behind it. 

But okay - just because it's not going to kill you I would NOT recommend drinking multiple a day like I have. I think if I actually set some boundaries for my drinks I'd opt for primarily water with a diet drink twice a week max. . . I am def going to slow it down but I may not get over this till late October (hehehe).

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Shut the front door - I have found my favorite run of the mill grocery store pick! Kerrygold Dubliner and strawberries. I was eating my breakfast bowl (Greek yogurt bowl that included chopped strawberries) and I cut a sliver of the Dubliner I grabbed at Publix on Monday and I ate it back to back with the strawberry and it was just breakfast bliss. 

It's been a while since I've had Dubliner and I don't know why since I know it never misses - it's so nutty and sweet and just sharp enough. I wonder if there is a more expensive and aged version because I think I would float to heaven. 

Every grocery store has Kerrygold brands, so this is the winning pair to throw into your cart when you're doing weekly grocery shops. I checked, and my local Publix has their Reserve Irish Cheddar and Aged Cheddar - I will HAVE to buy next time and see what's going on there. 

Anyways, I have a few Cheesemes on the back log I have yet to post - so stay tuned!!

Can we talk about my favorite skin care for a moment?? I started my skin care routine back in October 2022. Before then, I washed my face in the shower with WATER. . . .  WATER at my ripe 27 years of age. Emily always used to be so shocked that that's all I did but I had just lived my life like that and didn't think twice. I had blemishes and your regular unkept skin, but since I didn't deal with major discoloration or acne I just cruised along. 

My first introduction to skin care was actually my bestie Virginia who sent me a Fenty Beauty skin care starter pack . . . . wait I had to look up when she gave it to me and I think it was my birthday in 2019!!! So actually, I only didn't use skin care before age 25 because then I used Fenty Skin from 25 to 28. I actually really loved Fenty but it was in 2022 when I decided to branch into the 10 step Korean skincare method. And when I did I just never stopped. Every now and again in 2023 I was actually amazed at myself because I had never stuck to habit so religiously. I think I can count on my hands how many times I have passed on skin care (and you better believe it's just been cases of sheer exhaustion). 

Let's get to it though - short comments my favorite skin care products and brands for the last couple years!

OKAY I tried writing something on each one and I am just like UGH your skin will love it, UGH your skin will feel new, UGH your skin will be moisturized. Just take my word for it please!!!

PAULA'S CHOICE - 

Retinol

BHA

INDE WILD - 

Backuchiol 1%

Vitamin C

VASELINE

Rosy Lips

CLEAN SKIN CLUB

Facial Towels

ANUA HEARTLEAF 

Pore Control Cleaning Oil

HADA LABO

Gokujyun Cleansing Oil

Other brands I use and love but just not ready to scream and endorse to the world:

Dr. Ceuracle

Vegan Kombucha Essence (wait maybe I do wanna scream I kinda love her)

I'm From

Mugwort Essence

Rice Toner

Cosrx

Snail 96 Mucin Essence

Apart from the readily available in the USA products (La Roche-posay and Paula's Choice), I LOVE to get all my skin care from YESSTYLE. The shipping/delivery window is no less than 2 weeks, maybe a month to be honest, but they are trust worthy, if you're item isn't in stock they let you know, and they have AMAZING prices and you can always find a deal or a coupon, It's truly worth it!! 

This is all for now but I think I am going to come back and DELVE a little more. 

Hi all,

I am reporting sudden, devastating news from the Monterrey airport. My sweet aunt, my father's eldest sister, passed away this morning. She had emergency surgery a few months ago in Spring to remove about 5 or 8 kilos of a cancerous tumor. She was seemingly completely healthy and so it was a very unexpected turn of events. From then on, she underwent multiple surgeries, drastic weight loss, and a short but difficult battle with her illness. She had one or two infections, but this last one was so severe that even with rushed surgery, they said only a miracle would be the way she could keep living. 

My dad and I both left work early and booked same day flights to get here as fast as possible. Would you believe today is also the day of one of the largest, if not THE largest, IT interruptions in history? It was a whole thing and I wasn't even sure that if we did book a flight, it would leave/make it on time due to the worldwide delays. But thankfully, we were able to go at a decent calm time and everything went without a hitch for us *insert pray hand emoji*. So it's 11:19pm EST time and our flight departs at 12:51am EST and we'll arrive at CDMX 12:10AM local time. Then we have a 3 hour drive back to our home town (do NOT like driving at night but what can you do). 

My aunt was a very sweet, kind, and thoughtful woman, don't think she had an actual bad bone in her body. We're all human and have our faults, but I don't think anyone could pin anything on her. She stayed with my grandparents, and then with only my grandma after my grandpa passed away. She worked hard all her life, always active and being a busy bee. Nos consentia mucho, whatever we were craving she would make sure we'd get it. She took great care of all the things we left behind, from the biggest toys to the small pens, hair ties, stickers etc. She had a great memory and loved to remind us of all the sweet times we spent together when my siblings, cousins and I were kids. She loved all of us SOOO MUCCHHH. She was an amazing writer and kept a journal I did not even know about until now. Her words touched me so much when I read them. Her dogs, Coca and Golo, were the light of her life. She was a sensitive and beautiful soul. She was an amazing person and was loved by many people in our town. We are devastated by her loss, but we find comfort in knowing she did not suffer and as a family, we did everything we could to ensure she received the proper care both medically and at home. 

Te queremos mucho tia y no puedo creer que ya no estes en este mundo physico, pero se que estas acompanada por tu papa y que nos cuidas desde el cielo. TQM Tia. 

1. I just slammed 500 grams of carbs at a Hot Pot dinner y me siento FATAL, COMATOSE, DRUNK

2. Big back habit caused me to have a Grande Icd Brn Sgr Shkn Espresso 

• Became over caffeinated 

• Spring Goat Gouda:

• Somerdale:

• Mitica Mahon:

I expressed to my sister, Emily, that I really wanted to dive into a hobby or interest and we discussed some ideas, but the usual hobby umbrellas aren't my thing and don't come naturally (sports, creative, outdoor) . 

I've had this "hobby" thought before and I don't know why it wasn't till now that it freaking hit me - CHEESE. I am sure I am not the only one amongst the charcuterie/board lovers that want to not only eat cheese, but be knowledgeable about it - where it comes from, the notes, how it's cut/served, best way to pair, etc. And so, I am officially on the path of cheese-ploration. This is where The Cheeseme (pronounced cheese-meh) comes in - a Heartcore series to document all the fun and yummy learning experiences. 

I'd like to explore actual charcuterie (meats) and all the other aspects of the American Charcuterie Board. But for now, I think cheese is a fine start. 

I always like a photo with my posts so when I searched cheese on my phone and several boards I've had a hand in creating over the years came up, I mass uploaded - oops. 

The first official Cheeseme post is not glamorous but it's with Emily and I am excited to share, so stay tuned! :-)

There must be a post out there where I express my love for the month of February. It even beats out OCTOBER (birthday month, PSL season, Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, quintessential fall weather, and again my BIRTHDAY). A 28 day month with hues of pink and red, chocolate, candy, love, friendship, cool weather, and the lingering excitement of the new year is just so for me. 

(okay I have made a great argument for October and I almost want to have second thoughts but I know where it's at)

So yesterday was Valentine's Day 2024 (more on that holiday to come), and my friends and I went out to The Third Door, a bar on Marietta Square. I LOVE THAT PLACE - craft cocktails, great bartenders (dare I say MIXOLOGISTS), and a menu with unique signature cocktails that are rotated out monthly. We lived there last summer but our average per person bill was probably 50-60 dollars for just drinks and mind you, we probably hit multiple spots a day and this was the day's night cap, so not very sustainable. We decided to tone it down this year but of course we've been there twice this month already, lol. BUT yesterday was totally a holiday so we get a pass (yesterday's damage for the curious -  $70/4 drinks + tip). 

First drink was one of their house cocktails, Wake Up Call. I can't decide if it's Espresso Martini's younger or older brother?

• Vodka, Tuesday's Coldbrew Coffee, Oat/Vanilla, Chicory, Cream Sherry

Second and third drink were Tom Collins. 

• Gin, Lemon Juice, Sugar, and Carbonated Water

I originally asked for a Vodka Collins, but our bartender, who we get along with well, shamed me into getting the OG. I have never liked gin. I am not a fan of brown liquors, but I can, you know, give a little sippy sip. But with gin I am not tasting your drink or even giving it a whiff. So I did my best to give him an idea of what I don't like about your quintessential gin flavors and I did a bad job but he did a great job picking one out! I think I have been mistaken that all gin must be that Bombay Sapphire/London Dry taste. 

For my fourth drink - ugh I did the "surprise me" and cringe as it may it gave me a new favorite drink!! It gave me the feeling that no other drink has been able to match since the Moscow Mule circa 2017. 

Her name is Bramble: gin, blackberry liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a lemon garnish (blackberry garnish if it's in season). And the best part? poured over crushed ice (this one is for the girlies). 

It's everything I want in a drink on a night out with friends. Dusty below has the right idea: Tart + Sweet + Bitter = 🤤 she'll definitely be trending in my summer books. 

Also fun fact, it has the same creator as the Espresso Martini, Dick Bradsell. You can read more by clicking on this liquour.com link on the BRAMBLE (and see Dusty's comment).

Third Door made it with Four Peel Gin. Definitely recommend it if you're gin-curious :-)

Here's to expanding our horizons! Cheers! 

Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday, and like every other year I opted out of watching the game (Usher's half time show wasn't enough to reel me in). I spent the evening with my brother and as we were driving back home from an empty Target, I told him how I was well into my 20s when I made the connection that the SpongeBob Bubble Bowl episode was about the Super Bowl. And it's not even a reference or inspired by - they are LITERALLY playing at a Super Bowl game (ugly looking fish and all). And as it turns out, he, who I consider pretty apt at these kinds of things, came to the same realization at that moment at his 24 years of age, LOL.  Another victim of being raised outside of the all American experience. He did make a small connection of it, but considered it an art imitates life matter - rather than well . . . . . just SpongeBob performing at the half time show.

"Sweet Victory" by Band Geeks 😉 From arguably one of the best SpongeBob episodes to exist.