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This weekend, I caught a patented cold-and-cough combo from my kids. While recovering, I sucked on French lozenges and turned on a movie…

Have you seen Oh, Hi?… Read more

The post What Are Your Favorite Under-the-Radar Movies? appeared first on Cup of Jo.

Major pain in the head.

In women and gents.

Giving them a hard time always.

Resting all day long in bed.

As it’s required to be helpful.

In this awful situation.

Nausea is the symptom.

Explaining this condition!

Photos/CD: Aqua Rose @aquarosephoto x @mulletxbarbie

Model: @mengtiian

MUA: @mulletxbarbie 

MUA Assists: @_d_zoe_d_

Photo Assist: @chribun

Production Assist: @stephrommelt

The post SHAPESHIFTER appeared first on LADYGUNN.

When it comes to pancakes, I tend to stick with the basic styles — buttermilk, Bisquick, banana — and my general take is that if you don’t over-mix and you keep an eye on your burner, you’ll be great.… Read more

The post Minneapolis Salted Butter Pancakes appeared first on Cup of Jo.

When I first read the words “Afro-Scandi pop,” I couldn’t help but be intrigued. How is that going to work exactly? Will it even work at all in the first place? Fortunately, Tolou’s vision and talents are both so strong that it doesn’t take very long for the proposal to land and hook you in with her unique energy, and that’s precisely what she named her debut album.

“Energy” is made up of twelve tracks moving between pop, soul, gospel, and Afro rhythms, none of it feeling like fusion because nothing needed fusing. She calls it Afro-Scandi pop.

Rooted in classical training across opera and jazz and raised leading church choirs, Tolou was discovered by Wyclef Jean in one of those choirs. During lockdown, she taught herself production until the vivid sounds in her head could finally take shape. Influences peek through—Frank Ocean, Burna Boy, Robyn—but they’re signposts, not the destination.

The point is the title. Energy. What you carry. What you let in. Tolou calls the album a cleanse, a way back to what actually matters, and you believe her because nothing here strains.

You call your sound “Afro-Scandi Pop.” What helped you conceptualize and synthesize this blend? Any inspirations and references to point to? 

It really grew out of who I am—two cultures living inside one body. On one hand, I was raised with the pulse of African music, the rhythm, the storytelling, the soul. Artists like Wizkid, Burna, and Fela gave me my roots. On the other hand, Northern Norway gave me silence, space, and this haunting kind of beauty. I think that’s where the softness and melancholy come in. Afro-Scandi Pop, to me, is what happens when warmth meets stillness… It’s a blend I didn’t invent—I grew into it naturally.

You have called the album a coming-of-age story. Which track feels like the pivotal chapter where you truly understood yourself? 

Definitely “Unwind.” That was the moment I stopped hiding. It’s about letting my light spill out without apology—the softness, the sensuality, the joy. As women, we’re often told to tuck those parts away. But that song was me saying, No more shrinking. I’m allowed to be gentle and powerful, playful and grounded. That track was like giving myself a permission slip to be all of me.

Beyond sound, what does Afro-Scandi Pop represent for you as a way of moving through the world?

Freedom. It’s a way of being that says contrast doesn’t have to cancel itself out—it can dance. I don’t need to choose between this or that, soft or strong, sensual or spiritual. I can be all of it. Afro-Scandi is about trusting your full self, even the parts that seem like opposites, and making harmony from them. That’s how I live.

Stepping into full creative control during the pandemic was a profound shift. How has that changed the way you approach collaboration now? 

Whew—it changed everything. That season made me sit still with my own voice. No noise, no distractions, just me. I learned to trust my instincts, even the quiet ones. So now when I collaborate, I don’t come in trying to prove anything. I come in already rooted, already clear. It’s not about approval; it’s about creative exchange.

If Energy is meant to function as an energy cleanse, where is that cleansing most potent?

It starts right at the beginning with the title track, “Energy.” That song is a ritual. It’s me calling in what I want, clearing out what I don’t. Then the whole album kind of unfolds like my inner diary—full of doubt, light, softness, strength, and finally, peace. By the time we get to “Coco,” it’s like exhaling into self-love. That’s where the cleanse lands for me—in the return to self.

From “Coco” to now, how has the confidence you sing about evolved?

Mmm, back then, I had confidence that came from spark. Now it comes from depth. Life humbled me a bit; it broke me in places I didn’t expect. But I found God in those moments. I found grace. Now my confidence feels quieter, more anchored. It’s not loud, but it’s unshakeable. I don’t need to be seen to know I’m real.

Working with legends like Tricky Stewart is a major collaboration. What did you take away from that experience?

What struck me most was how sacred the space felt. Tricky created this atmosphere where everyone could just be… honest. No ego, no tension. Just flow. He’s intentional, like spiritually intentional—and that reminded me how important the energy in a room is. When the vibe is right, the music just breathes.

Your classical training is a unique layer. Does it still consciously inform your process?

It’s in the background, like muscle memory. Classical training gave me discipline, breath control, and a deep respect for the voice as an instrument. But now I let it whisper rather than lead. It gave me the map, and now I wander freely. It’s like… I know the rules well enough to break them beautifully.

You move between music, acting, and fashion. Are these separate canvases or the same frequency?

One frequency, just different textures. Music is the heartbeat. Fashion is how I dress the feeling. Acting is me stepping into different versions of myself. It all comes from the same river. I just shift how I pour it.

What kind of acting roles are you drawn to?

Ooh, the weird ones! I love characters who surprise you—women who are layered, messy, mysterious, and strong in quiet ways. I’m always pulled toward stories that expand what femininity can look like. More magic, less stereotypes.

What’s up next for Tolou?

Honestly? Play. I introduced myself with “Energy”—now I want to stretch. Get weirder. Get louder. Or softer. Collaborate with people who make me feel something. I’m in this season of curiosity… letting my art grow in whatever direction it wants. The foundation is laid; now I’m just dancing on top of it.

CONNECT WITH TOLOU:

INSTAGRAM

The post THE FREQUENCY IS HERS: TOLOU ARRIVES WITH “ENERGY” AND SHE’S NOT SHRINKING FOR ANYONE appeared first on LADYGUNN.

Have you seen the viral sweet potato ground beef cottage cheese bowls popping up everywhere? I’ll be honest, I scrolled right on past this combo for a while because, well, it sounded weird.

However, I’ve been a little burned out on lunch ideas lately, especially ones that help both David and me hit our protein goals without a lot of effort. I wanted something simple I could make for us, using simple ingredients we already keep around. It turns out that this bowl checks all the boxes: it’s warm, filling, high in protein, and incredibly easy to throw together.

Being that I’ve been shooting for specific protein goals, I made this bowl using my digital kitchen scale so I could report the macros accurately. Will I use it every time? Probably not, but it helps to get a visual of what I’m going for before switching to eyeballing it.

And the result? A lunch that’s surprisingly delicious and packed with protein. A true winner worth sharing!

Why This Bowl Works So Well

The beauty of this bowl is the balance of flavors and nutrients:

• Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness and complex carbs
• Ground beef brings rich flavor and protein
• Cottage cheese makes it creamy while boosting protein even more
• Hot honey ties everything together with a little sweet heat
• Parsley adds some micronutrients and makes it look pretty

It’s one of those meals that feels cozy and satisfying but takes almost no effort to prepare.

The Exact Bowl I Made

Here are the ingredients and measurements I used for my bowl.

Ingredients

• 100 g baked sweet potato
• 4 oz 80/20 ground beef, cooked
• ½ cup Good Culture 2% cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon Local Hive hot honey
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Bake or microwave a sweet potato until tender. Weigh out 100 g for the bowl.
2. Cook the ground beef in a skillet with a little salt and pepper until browned and cooked through.
3. Add the sweet potato to a bowl (lightly mash it with a fork if you want it to cover the base of the bowl, but it looked prettier for pictures this way).
4. Add the cooked ground beef and cottage cheese to the bowl.
5. Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

That’s it—simple, cozy, and ready in minutes.

Nutrition Information

Because I weighed everything using a digital scale and entered it into My Fitness Pal to analyze using specific ingredients, I feel these macros are fairly precise for this bowl:

• Protein: 46 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fat: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g

For me, this is a great high-protein lunch that kept me full for hours, especially when paired with a walk outside or a busy afternoon.

Tips for Meal Prep

One of the things I love most about this bowl is how easy it is to prep ahead.

You can:

• Roast several sweet potatoes at once and keep them in the fridge.*
• Cook a pound of ground beef and portion it out for a few lunches.
• Assemble the bowl in just a couple minutes when you’re ready to eat.

It’s one of those simple meals that makes eating enough protein during the day much easier.

*For these I tried the method of slicing the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise first (be careful!), rubbing them lightly with olive oil, and sprinkling with salt and pepper. Then placing them cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roasting at 400°F for about 30–40 minutes, until tender and caramelized.

Easy Ways to Add More Fiber

While this bowl is great for protein, you can easily bump up the fiber with a few additions. Because this is the year of fiber, right?! If it is for you, too, make sure you’ve tried my chia seed pudding.

Try adding:

• Black beans or pinto beans – about 7–8 g fiber per ½ cup
• Avocado slices – about 5 g fiber per ½ medium avocado
• Roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts – about 4 g fiber per 1 cup
• Shredded cabbage or slaw mix – about 2 g fiber per 1 cup
• Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds – about 1–2 g fiber per 2 Tbsp
• Chickpeas or lentils – about 7–8 g fiber per ½ cup

Print

Sweet Potato Ground Beef Cottage Cheese Bowl

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• 
  Author: Brittany Dixon
• 
  
  Prep Time: 5
• 
  
  Cook Time: 35
• 
  
  Total Time: 40 minutes
• 
  
  Yield: 1 serving
• 
  
  Category: lunch
• 
  
  Method: roasting/stovetop
• 
  
  Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

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Description

This sweet potato ground beef cottage cheese bowl is an easy high-protein lunch made with baked sweet potato, seasoned ground beef, cottage cheese, and hot honey.

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Ingredients

• 100 g baked sweet potato
• 4 oz 80/20 ground beef
• ½ cup Good Culture 2% cottage cheese
• 1 Tbsp Local Hive hot honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

• Bake the sweet potato until tender.* 

• Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

• Add 100 g baked sweet potato to a bowl and gently mash with a fork.

• Top with the cooked ground beef and ½ cup cottage cheese.

• Drizzle with 1 tablespoon hot honey and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

• Serve warm and enjoy.

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Notes

*I like to bake the sweet potato ahead- cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise, rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake cut side down at 400°F for 30–40 minutes. Let cool and store in fridge until ready to make the bowl.

You can easily increase the fiber in this bowl by adding black beans, roasted broccoli, avocado, chickpeas, or shredded cabbage.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 530
• Fat: 22
• Carbohydrates: 41
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 46

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling stuck in a lunch rut like I was, this sweet potato ground beef cottage cheese bowl is worth trying. It’s quick, satisfying, and surprisingly delicious for such a simple combination of ingredients.

And if you’re working on hitting your protein goals, it’s a really easy way to get a big protein boost without spending much time in the kitchen.

If you try it, let me know what toppings you add—I’m always looking for new variations!

By Jasmin Espinal 
In an era when tattoos have become mainstream, true mastery still stands apart. Few artists embody that distinction more clearly than Diego Dellarte.

“Tattoo is art,” he says simply. “So, it has to be art.”

At Bad Habits Tattoo and Laser in Fort Lauderdale, nothing is rushed. Diego studies his reference—light first, then form, then shadow—before the needle ever moves. The machine hums; his focus doesn’t waver. Hyper-realism leaves no room for ego. “If the shadow is wrong, everything is wrong,” he says. “You cannot guess.”

In his hands, skin becomes canvas. His portraits carry depth. Eyes hold reflection. Fabric folds convincingly. Clients don’t ask for quick designs; they come for permanence executed with precision.

“I always loved drawing,” he says. “Since I was a kid, I never stopped.”

Born in Brasília, Brazil, Diego traces that obsession back to his mother, a nurse who once drew him a picture of Batman. “That was it,” he says with a smile. “After that, I just kept drawing.”

Friends began asking him to create images they planned to have tattooed. Eventually he realized he wanted control over the final outcome. “I wanted to do it myself. I didn’t want someone else to change what I imagined.”

His father wasn’t convinced. “He said, ‘Tattoo is for delinquents,’” Diego recalls, laughing. The conversation shifted when a family acquaintance mentioned a successful tattoo artist earning a substantial income. “When he heard that, he started to think differently.”

His mother bought him his first equipment. “She always supported me,” he says. “From the beginning.”

Under the mentorship of fellow artist Alex Garcia, Diego began tattooing. “I studied everything—skin, depth, contrast. You have to know how the skin works,” he says. “Hyper-realism is patience.”

He opened a commercial studio in Brazil, but growth required risk. “If you are comfortable, something is wrong,” he says. “You cannot evolve being comfortable.”

That belief took him to Italy, where he immersed himself in Renaissance art. “I wanted to understand the masters,” he says. There, he studied chiaroscuro—the dramatic contrast of light and shadow made famous during the Renaissance and Baroque periods by painters like Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci, who used it to create emotional intensity and three-dimensional form.

“I learned to see light differently,” Diego says. “Not just to copy a photo.”

He brought that discipline back to Brazil, not first to canvas, but to skin.

Today, he builds tattoos in layers, almost like oil glazing. “You don’t rush,” he says. “You build.” Skin tones feel dimensional. Metallic surfaces catch reflection. Texture reads as stone, silk, steel. His realism isn’t replication; it’s interpretation sharpened.

By 2016, he was running another studio. Then the pandemic changed everything. In 2022, an opportunity brought him to Fort Lauderdale and Bad Habits Tattoo and Laser.

Starting over didn’t intimidate him. “My family calls me crazy,” he says with a grin. “I had a beautiful studio in Brazil and I sold everything. I did this before to go to Italy. I did it again to come here.”

Clients now travel specifically for his hyper-realistic portraits—family members, cinematic compositions, deeply personal pieces rendered with restraint and depth. “Every highlight is important,” he says. “Every shadow has a reason.”

And the evolution continues.

“I’m starting my painting career now,” Diego says. “It’s the same discipline. Just a different surface.”

For him, tattooing was never rebellion or trend. It demanded discipline.

“You have to take risks,” he says. “Don’t be scared. If you want to grow, you move.”

Tattooing has traveled far from its early associations. In studios like his, it has become something else entirely—intentional, disciplined, elevated.

And in a medium where permanence is the point, conviction is everything.

The post Flesh and Canvas appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

My loves, how are you doing? I wanted to take a moment to check in. The headlines have been horrifying; I know the schoolgirls in Iran are on everyone’s minds, along with so much other news.… Read more

The post How Are You Doing? appeared first on Cup of Jo.