Skin Things

Skin Things

I don't make a habit of talking about products here and I probably won't unless it is something I really believe in. Minimo is the first brand I decided worthy of discussing on my personal blog. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and it tells a lot about our age and overall health. So, heading toward forty, I have paid extra special attention my skin lately. Although, I have been diligent about keeping my skin moisturized, I still notice some skin changes happening slowly. I have had more issues with allergies regarding detergents and foods that have really effected my skin in a negative way. I have switched to fragrance free laundry detergent, I have to wear my perfume on my clothes and not my skin, I can't use cheap razors or wear certain deodorants. It seems like I am easily irritated by more than I was in my teens and twenties. 

I was introduced to this brand by my girlfriend, who started using the products when they  were released. I noticed right away that her skin was showing significant changes. Her breakouts were less and her dark marks were fading. So when I was in Atlanta in the beginning of our relationship, I would mooch off of her supply. She got tired of me using all of her products and gifted me some of my own.I have been using the brand ever since. 

The brand offers masks for different skin needs. My favorite is one of the first products that was introduced, Glow is a mask and scrub made with turmeric and a lot of other skin healthy ingredients. It has really helped me, my girlfriend and mom reduce dark spots. I also really love Velvet, a cleansing butter balm that works great for removing makeup dry, then once water is added, it turns into a a lathering soap. For Christmas, I received two new products that I have become a fan of. Candy, is a lip scrub that can be eaten. It leaves my lips soft and moisturized. It also tastes great. Then there is Bounce, a watermelon scented eye cream that moisturizes my eyes without irritation and smells lovely. It is probably my most important product. I am really worried about developing lines around my eyes especially since I rub them a lot. 

Minimo offers so many great products and at a sensible price point. The brand was started out of necessity by a black single mom who was concerned about the chemicals she was exposing herself and her child to. You can try the products I suggested and more at a 20% discount today with code (LOVEBUG).

Check out Minimo (Here)

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!

Kris,

Music, My Medicine

 I started spending half of my time in Georgia a little over a year ago. Since then, I have enjoyed so much live music. The Atlanta area books more musicians in town than Columbus, Ohio. I often have to ride to Cleveland, Cincinatti, Pittsburg or Detroit to see a lot of the artists I want to see when I am in Columbus. So, when I am in the Atlanta area, I take full advantage. 

I have been struggling with my mental health for many years now. The one thing that has kept me sane is music. It has been a calming force for me. It puts me to sleep when my mind is racing. It levels me out when my anxiety is high. It helps me remember things I need to remember and forget the things I don't. I know that these statements are the same for many because I have had this conversation often. 

Music bonds us to one another and makes us feel things. Just last week I was having a conversation with a fellow music lover, who lit up with excitement as we discussed our favorite Tiny Desk Music Concerts, bonded over artists we both enjoyed and swapped info about favorites we were not so familiar with.

I have seen so many great artists this passed few years. Today, I want to share some of the artists I really enjoyed the last eighteen months. If you have heard of them or listened to their work, great! If not, I urge you to check them out and share your thoughts with me here or on my ig @krisintransit. I would also love to hear who you think I should check out. I love exploring new artists.

1. Anderson Paak

I saw him three times last year. Not only does he put on a consistently great show every time, he sounds like his album. I can't wait for the next Nxworries album with Knxwledge. Yes Lawd, Is my favorite album.Suede is my favorite song. I also love the Malibu album but I have been playing the latest two albums on repeat since they came out.


2. Leikeli47

I discovered Leikeli47 listening to music on Soundcloud a few years ago. I was so happy to hear her music featured on shows like Insecure and Grownish. I saw her twice last year. She is a Brooklyn rapper and singer who has so much to say about black culture and creates music that has so much attitude. Both Acrylic and Wash & Set are fun albums.


3. April & Vista

The first time I came across this group was on Colors Studios. Then I saw them open for Little Sims. April's voice is so interesting. Vista and April together have created an incredible sound that I find myself enjoying most when I want to just chill.


4. EarthGang

The Atlanta duo, is kind of like a new Outkast/ Goodie Mob. They have the fun Atl sound. At Afropunk, they were my favorite performance. I listened to them a little before the festival and had previously heard a couple of their songs on the radio. They are currently one of my favorite alternative hip hop groups. They are currently touring for their new album Mirrorland.


5.Sir

I have been a fan or Sir's for a while now but I saw him the first time at Afropunk Atlanta this past October. He just did a Tiny Desk Concert recently, that I still need to watch.  My favorite songs are D'Evil's from the November Album and Jay Z from Seven Sundays. I love so much of his music from all of his albums that I couldn't possibly name it all. His new album Chasing Summer was released at the end of last summer. 

6. Willow Smith

Willow is an awesome musician. She creates music that makes you zone out and think about your life, Lol. My favorite song of her's is Female Energy but I also love 9 featuring Sza. She released  a new album last summer called Willow. I fell in love with the song Time Machine from the Willow album and have played it so many times my neighbors probably hate me.


7. Masego 

I listen to Masego often, thanks to The Friend Zone podcast. I was introduced to the artist a couple years ago and finally got to see him at Afropunk Atlanta. He was the artist I was most looking forward to. I honestly don't think there is a song he has anything to do with that I don't love or at least really like. Many people are familiar with his callaboration with FKJ, Tadow. 

8.Moonchild

Moonchild is a trio who produces music that is a fusion of R&B and Jazz. Each of them plays several instruments but the the most impressive instrument of all, is Amber Navran's voice. I love to play their music when I am soaking in the tub or entertaining guests. They released an album last September called Little Ghost. My favorites albums are Voyager and Please Rewind. Listen to The List, Hideaway, Don't Wake Me and Money.


9.Smino

I was introduced to Smino by a family friend a few years ago. I have been a fan ever since. He has a rapping/singing thing happening. You remember the Ja Rule And Nelly sound of the 2000s but I honestly love his version even better. It feels very now. Some of my favorite songs of Smino are Z4L, Klink and I love the song Khlorine by Sango featuring Smino. He makes music that you want to ride to in the summer with the top down.

10. Noname

Noname is a rapper with a very interesting flow and cadence. In fact, I am not sure how to describe it and it isn't for everyone but I like it. She is different. She also has a lot to say outside of what the average female rapper has to talk about. I guess she is considered alternative hip hop. Her first album, Telefone  was the soundtrack of my life for 2 months while I worked on a huge creative project. The newest album  Room 25 from 2018 is good but I am still playing her first album. I have seen her twice in the last 14 months. I am sad she may be cutting her career short. So, if she is coming to a city near you, take advantage.

That wraps up my list of some of the people I am currently listening to and whom I saw recently.
I need to mention one more person who I am obsessed with at the moment but her catalog isn't very large yet. Chika, I saw when she opened for Megan thee Stallion last year. I was super impressed with her and love the few songs I have been exposed to so far.  

Let's have a conversation. Please share your list of current favorites and who you saw in concert the last year or so. 

Until Next Time!

Kris,

Olu from EarthGang


One last thought...For fun!

Here is a list of people I have seen in my lifetime. One is a lie. Can you guess the lie? Comment below or on my social platforms.

1. Aretha Franklin
2.Stevie Wonder
3. Cher
4. Whitesnake
5.Prince
6. Lil Baby
7.Travis Scott
8.Beyonce
9.Earth, Wind & Fire
10.Janet Jackson

Happy New Me!

Happy New Me

It has been quite some time since I posted to my personal adventure blog. So much has changed and I have experienced so much. I almost feel like I need to write a few posts just to play catch up. I just may. 

I want to start by saying I am in between two states. I call both Ohio and Georgia home. I have spent equal parts of the last year in both states, traveling back and forth, month to month. I met a wonderful person who has changed my life so much and she is part the catalyst for this back and forth life. 

I am working on a lot of changes in my life, while trying to to enjoy my life to the fullest. I expect that 2020 will be the craziest and most productive year of all. I am looking forward to picking up where I left off and sharing these changes and newest adventures in both homes and beyond with you.

Happy New Year!

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Adventurous!

Kris,

Holiday Overload! The Must See Holiday Displays in Columbus 2016

It's just about Christmas and I have been exploring Columbus and the surrounding area through rain, snow and below freezing temperatures, looking for the best residential light displays. For two years I have posted a list of over the top decorated homes and neighborhoods, some delightfully tacky, some impeccably designed and most of them including synchronized music. I enjoy searching for these displays each year because it evokes a great sense of nostalgia of the early years of my life, the years when Christmas felt so magical. Two years ago, I started this list with four houses. There was not much in terms of places to turn to for information on these over the top homes, the ones with almost sixty thousand lights and front yards covered in Christmas figurines like the houses we see on the show Christmas Light Fight. This year Columbus has one resource other than mine that I will add at the end of this post if you want to add a few more houses to your list to check out. I will warn you that just because it is listed doesn't mean you are getting something really over the top on the other list. My list includes homes that I have personally visited and deem worth the drive if you don't happen to live up the street from any of these places. I also want to mention, just because a display isn't on my list, doesn't mean it wasn't worthy. It just means I can't vouch for it's worthiness. I only have so much time to make this list and I always end up discovering new displays after I have posted. Follow me on instagram @krisofohio for bonus displays I am sure to find later. For now, check out this year's list of six beautiful displays.

Upper Arlington

1.Making Spirits Bright

3112 Melbury Dr. (Woods of Scioto)Upper Arlington
https://www.facebook.com/MakingSpiritsBrite 

This first home is one that I found right after making my list last year. It ended up being a bonus display that I just posted on my social media pages. I am happy to be able to include it to my actual list this year. The Making Spirits Bright house is presented by the Stepp Family each year. It is one of the cleanest, most organized displays in the area and on my list. It has replaced my former favorite from the last two years. For daily information about this music synced display, you can visit their facebook page. The show is usually cancelled when it rains. Check out the video of this display on my instagram @krisofohio to get the full effect.

2.The Crazy Christmas House

Guilford Road off Riverside Dr. Upper Arlington

This house may be the most popular and well known in the area. I have personally been visiting the home for about five years. It never gets old. I love that it appears to be decorated with every Christmas related item that the owner has ever owned. There is so much to look at that you can see the display ten times and never see everything. I like to get out the car and get a closer look. Be careful though, this display is always a little busy. There are also other homes in the area worth riding passed.

West Columbus

3. Land of Lights

Valleyview Dr. off Hague (Across from the YMCA)

 

This family is on it's second generation of holiday decorators and the light count has increased each year I have visited. The display makes it's third appearance on my list. Last year the light count was 57,300 and this year they increased the display to 59,600 lights. Drive up the long driveway and get out if you want. The display is free but you are welcomed to leave a donation. This picture does the real display no justice, there are lights and figurines everywhere. There are so many lights, it is impossible to get the entire display in one photo.

4.Westbrook Village Lights

 

Located on Westbrook Village off Holt Rd & Lesbrook Dr.

(near Georgesville)

https://www.facebook.com/WestbrookVillageLights/

A handful of neighbors get together each year to put on a light show that also benefits local food pantries. You can watch the light display and listen to their special holiday music station, synchronized to the lights. If you are feeling giving this season, bring can goods to leave in their drop box to give to those who are in need.

 

Grove City

5. Holiday JOY on Lambert 

Lambert Rd between Beatty and Norton Rd

This year is the first year I have visited this display. It was a lead I received last year after I posted my list. I am not certain how many lights they used but it is certainly a lot. This is another display photo that does the real life display no justice. It is a very colorful display spread out over what looks like two acres of land. The lights are strung high on the trees. It sits on what feels like a country road, so there are no sidewalks to walk around. 

6.Christmas in the Country

Kropp Rd off of Alkire near Galloway, Ohio

 I have to warn you that this last photo is another photo that does the display no justice. The display is a light display synchronized to it's own holiday music station and is constantly blinking. Those kind of displays are always hard to shoot, so a lot of time I just take an image from the video I shot. This display makes the list a second time and is very close to the display mentioned before this. The display consists mostly of lights but like a couple previous displays it is stretched out over a large plot of land. If you want to really enjoy the show, pull off the road so that you aren't interrupted by traffic.

These six displays are all worth a car ride and if you want to get to them all in one evening, I suggest making a travel plan to make the transition to each location short and smooth. I have already divided the houses into the city/suburb they are located. If you are interested in more displays, check out columbuslights.com and select the light tab. Some of the houses have photos, so you can see if you are interested in visiting. I visited a few houses from the site in areas I was already visiting, they didn't make my list but there are some that look like they are pretty great. Hopefully I will get to them before the season ends. If you know of a house I need to check out, let me know here or via instagram and facebook. They won't make my list this year but there is always next year.

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be adventurous!

Kris,