Modern Simple Living

Food & Drink IKEA Addict: A Love for Swedish Meatballs and Furniture *Confessions of a serial shopper and meatball enthusiast* ~52 Meals/Year 50% Home Furnished ~1 Addict Section I The Meatball Obsession I've gotten hooked on IKEA Swedish meatballs, enjoying them almost every week for a cheap and simple meal. They’re just so satisfying!   My IKEA Habit However, I may have gone a bit overboard with my trips to IKEA. I’ve spent way too much money on random items and probably furnished half my home with their furniture. It's hard to resist when everything looks so good and functional! IKEA Tip: Make sure to bring your reusable bags and a list before you head in, or you might leave with a lot more than just meatballs and a new bookshelf. Category Typical Spend Frequency Meatballs Low Weekly Home Decor Moderate Monthly Furniture High Quarterly Whether it's for the food or the flat-pack furniture, IKEA always seems to find a way to make me a return customer.

Food & Drink Summer Delight: Paht Bin Soo at Sul & Beans *Beating the heat with the perfect Korean shaved ice experience.* 1 Location 2 Flavors Tested 1 Top Pick Section I The Ultimate Summer Treat A perfect summer treat for me is Paht Bin Soo , the delicious Korean shaved ice. A great spot I found for this is Sul & Beans in Frisco on Preston.   The Menu Breakdown I've tried both the Injeolmi and Strawberries flavors. Here is how they stack up: → Injeolmi — The clear winner, offering a complex combination of textures and flavors that are unbeatable on a hot day. → Strawberries — A fresh and fruity alternative, though it doesn't quite top the signature Injeolmi experience. Tip: If you're struggling to choose, go with the Injeolmi—the texture balance is what makes this dessert truly stand out. Flavor Rating Texture Injeolmi Top Choice Nutty & Chewy Strawberry Refreshing Light & Fruit-forward Next time you're near Preston in Frisco, stop by S...

Food & Drink Soondae Delight at Moobongri Exploring the best Korean blood sausage in Carrollton 1 Location Unlimited Rice Unlimited Kimchi Section I The Experience at Moobongri If you enjoy Soondae (blood sausage), Moobongri in Carrollton near the H-Mart is definitely worth a visit. It’s an acquired taste, but they do a fantastic version of it.   Dining Setup The restaurant features a convenient, self-service food hall environment. This allows diners to enjoy as much rice and kimchi as they like throughout their meal. → Soondae — A traditional Korean blood sausage that serves as the star of the menu. → Rice & Kimchi — Provided as part of the self-service station for guests to enjoy at their leisure. I highly recommend ordering the Soondae on the hot platter; it stays warmer longer and truly enhances the flavor. Category Offering Availability Staple Soondae Per order Side Rice Unlimited Side Kimchi Unlimited A must-try spot for any Soondae enthusiast in the Carrollto...

Food & Drink Texas Roadhouse Experience A salty take on a classic American steakhouse chain 1 Meal 1 Beer 1 Salad Section I The Menu Breakdown When you're in the mood for food that's extra salty, Texas Roadhouse can fit the bill. The steak is acceptable if you don't mind the saltiness, but the ribs were a bit dry and the baked potato came out a little mushy. The onion was decent for a few bites but not a standout.   Notable Menu Items → Steak — An acceptable main dish, provided you enjoy a heavier salt profile. → Ribs — A dish that fell a bit short, arriving slightly dry. → Baked Potato — Served with a texture that was a little mushy. → Onion — A decent appetizer for a few bites, though not a standout item. → Peanuts — Don't forget to ask for these; they are a decent snack. Tip: I definitely needed the salad and beer to balance out all that salt. I’d consider going back, but I’d be sure to ask them to go easy on the salt next time! Item Verdict Steak Accept...

Food & Drink Hutchins BBQ: A Must-Try for Brisket Lovers *Why the Frisco location remains a top-tier destination for Texas barbecue.* 1 Location 1 Favorite Dish ~Infinite Cravings Section I The Experience If you're on the hunt for excellent BBQ, Hutchins is one of the best spots to check out. I visited their Frisco location and was once again impressed by their brisket, which has always been a highlight for me.   Menu Favorites I typically go for a brisket sandwich along with some delicious sides. If you're a BBQ fan, this place should definitely be on your list! → Brisket — The signature highlight, consistently smoked to perfection. → Brisket Sandwich — The go-to order for a classic, hearty meal. → Sides — A selection of delicious pairings that round out the BBQ experience. Pro Tip: Hutchins is a crowd favorite, so make sure to arrive with an appetite and be prepared for potential lines during peak hours. Category Item Rating Main Brisket Excellent Meal Sandwich Hig...

Wine Review Cruz Alta Reserve Malbec: A Hidden Gem ~30 Wines $12 Price 1 Bottle 1 Day Breathing Section I Discovering a Hidden Gem After trying over 30 different wines in the past year, I finally found a great bargain with the Cruz Alta Reserve Malbec . This wine strikes a pleasant balance as a medium-dry, full-bodied red that's easy to drink. It offers a nice middle ground between a heavy Cabernet and a lighter Pinot without being a blend. I also explored some Spanish Riojas, but the more expensive options above $20 didn’t seem to outperform this $12 Malbec. If you're a fan of Chianti, particularly enjoying it on the second day after opening, you'll find that this Malbec fits the bill beautifully at an excellent price.   Update - 7/9/23: Give It Time to Breathe One key takeaway is that this Malbec needs to breathe . When I first opened the bottle, I was disappointed and thought it had gone bad, but after letting it sit for a day, it transformed into something delicious....

Food & Drink Bottled In Bond: Happy Hour Highlights *A quick take on Frisco's happy hour scene and a classic cocktail.* Price: $7 Rating: 6/10 Cocktails: 1 Locations: 2 Section I Happy Hour at Bottled In Bond You can't beat the $7 Happy Hour specials at Bottled In Bond in Frisco! It's a great spot to unwind. Tip: Parking can get a bit tricky at Bottled In Bond, especially during peak times when the Happy Hour crowd arrives.   Section II The Old Fashioned Experience While I tried the Old Fashioned , which uses Evan Williams , it was just acceptable for my taste. Personally, I still prefer the Old Fashioned from Legacy West for a more satisfying experience. Drink Details → Old Fashioned — Made with Evan Williams. → Rating — 6/10 Overall, Bottled In Bond is a nice place to chill with friends. Tip: If you're an Old Fashioned enthusiast, you might want to explore other options for a more satisfying experience. Cheers to finding your perfect happy hour spot!...

Food & Drink Pho Pasteur: The Best Pho in DFW A local favorite for authentic Vietnamese comfort food 2 Locations 8.5/10 Rating ~1,000s Served Section I The DFW Pho Standard Pho Pasteur is undoubtedly one of the best places for Pho in the entire DFW area. I've had the pleasure of dining at both the original location in Arlington and their second spot in Carrollton, and I can confidently say that both locations deliver exceptional food.   Menu Highlights The Pho is top-notch, and for the price, you're getting a truly satisfying bowl that exceeds expectations. Don’t miss out on these staples: → Pho — A top-notch, authentic bowl of soup that consistently delivers. → Spring Rolls — An excellent appetizer that pairs perfectly with the meal. → Iced Coffee — A must-have beverage to complement your dining experience. If you're in the area and craving Pho, Pho Pasteur should definitely be at the top of your list. Location Comparison Location Status Quality Arlington Orig...

Food & Drink Ascension Coffee: Disappointing Cappuccino Experience A look at inconsistent quality across multiple locations 2 Locations 4 Drinks Tried 2/10 Rating Section I The Experience I have to say, my experience with Ascension Coffee has been less than stellar, particularly with their Cappuccino . I've tried both the Addison and Frisco locations, and each time, I encountered the same issue: they consistently burned the milk. On one occasion at the Frisco spot, I did manage to get an acceptable Cappuccino, but during my return trip, the milk was burnt again, leading me to give up on this place altogether. Despite its popularity and appealing decor, I can't trust them for my Cappuccino fix anymore.   Secondary Trials It seems this might be a style of coffee some people prefer, but it's definitely not for me. Update - 9/10/12 I decided to give them another shot (not sure why) and ordered a Macchiato and an Iced Americano . Unfortunately, both drinks were grit...

Food & Drink Pax & Beneficia: A Delightful Coffee Experience *Exploring unique brews at a local favorite* 2 Locations 2 Drinks Tested 7/10 Cappuccino Rating Section I The Coffee House Experience I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Pax & Beneficia at both of their locations—one near Grapevine Mills Mall and the other in Las Colinas. It is a fantastic spot if you're looking for a place to try something different in your coffee journey.   Beverage Highlights → Turkish Coffee — A standout, unique offering that truly sets them apart from many other coffee shops in the area. → Cappuccino — While it’s not the best I’ve ever had, it’s definitely decent and enjoyable. Tip: If you are looking to branch out from your usual order, the Turkish Coffee is the must-try item here. Evaluation Summary Beverage Rating Notes Turkish Coffee N/A Highly recommended Cappuccino 7/10 Solid, decent, and enjoyable Whether you are near the mall or in Las Colinas, Pax & Beneficia is well wo...

Food & Drink Hard Eight BBQ: A Solid Choice for BBQ Lovers *Affordable, consistent, and conveniently located in The Colony.* 3 Menu Highlights 1 Location ~Moderate Price Point Section I Introduction Hard Eight BBQ in The Colony, conveniently located near Top Golf, has become one of my go-to spots for delicious barbecue. Great Value While there are certainly more acclaimed BBQ joints, like Hutchins, Hard Eight offers excellent value for the price, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy quality barbecue without breaking the bank.   Menu Highlights I've dined here multiple times, and I've particularly enjoyed: → Sirloin — Tender and flavorful. → Brisket — Juicy and well-seasoned. → Rib-eye Steak — A satisfying option that did not disappoint. Tip: Hard Eight is an ideal stop if you are already in the area for entertainment at Top Golf and looking for a no-fuss, satisfying meal. Overall Impression If you’re in the area and craving BBQ, Hard Eight is definite...