Big Favors

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Sending a smoke signal

11/02/2011 in Big Favors by Lauren | No comments

From my rikety old PC while I wait for my Snow Leopard disc from Apple.  Please, dear readers, send some lovely thoughts over here that my Mac makes a speedy recovery. 

I have LOTS of fun things to share with you A-SNAP…. but here’s a little preview of what’s to come:

1. dTox Juice Bar in Midtown 

Everything you need for a juice detox.  Delievered to your door or available for pickup in Midtown!

2. Voli Vodka

Low-Cal vodka in DELISH flavors.

3. Sheets 

the new way to “do” energy with a very colorful marketing campaign.

4. The most amazing dessert in Midtown is available at Abbatoir.  Trust. 

5. A Touch of Purple

the best jewelry cleaner I have ever stolen from my mom’s bathroom.

Details to come…

xx, L

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Show Your Hearts for the Berry Children

08/01/2011 in Big Favors, PSAs by Lauren | 4 comments

Dearest readers,

We know our blog is usually all about the happy, the silly, the posh, the wonderful, fun and funny things in life, but we want to call your attention to a truly heartbreaking story and show you a way in which YOU can help.

If you aren’t familiar with this story already, the Berry family from Houston, Texas was traveling home from an annual family road trip to Colorado on July 3rd and suffered a horrible head-on collision tragically killing parents Joshua and Robin and leaving their three children, Peter (9), Aaron (8) and Willa (6) severely injured. Willa is expected to make a full recovery, but her brothers are both paralyzed below the waist.

These now orphaned children are in CRITICAL need of funds. Not only are their immediate medical bills astronomical, but they will also require ongoing physical therapy and psychological support.

I first became aware of this terrible situation because the children attend the school where my college roommate is employed as a kindergarten teacher, but since then I have seen fundraisers and outreach programs pop up in cities across the nation spearheaded by wonderful people with enormous hearts. I’d strongly encourage you to attend any bake sales, cocktail parties, etc. for this cause.

But if you’re looking for a way in which to send immediate financial help to these children – please check out the following:

1. You can write a check directly and send to:

Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust
Bank of Texas
510 Bering, 5th Floor
Houston, Texas 77057

(For very large donations please email admin@theberrychildren.org)

2. You can donate online by clicking HERE

3. Participate in Show Your Hearts:

Click HERE to donate right now. 

All donations through Show Your Hearts will be made directly to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust.

Show Your Hearts was spurred, in part, by Justin Bieber, and has received attention from celebrities such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and the Kardashians among countless others. (Just when I thought I couldn’t love that set any more than I already do.)

Please consider making a donation to this VERY worthy cause and SHOW YOUR HEARTS for the Berry kids.

xx, L + L

 

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Best of Atlanta: One More Term!

07/05/2011 in Big Favors, Reminders, We can BLOG! by Lauren | 2 comments

Dearest readers, we would be SO grateful for your vote this year so that we might retain our title as Reader’s Choice for Atlanta’s Best Blog/Bloggers!

(Check it HERE and HERE for last years’ wins and click HERE to access this year’s survey!)

We were SO honored and flattered to have won last year and we hope that our reign has been a good one.

You know what they say…one good turn deserves another and we’re screaming…. one more term! one more term!

…we want to grab that net and catch that beautiful butterfly, pals!

Lauren: What do you like better? Wedding Season or The Q+DD?
Lindsay: (raises hand)
Lauren: Miss Roberts?
Lindsay: Yes, um, the answer would be, um, The Q+DD?
Lauren: Bingo.

Please vote for us by clicking here:

http://bit.ly/VoteQDD

Best Local Bloggers: Lindsay Roberts + Lauren Kraselsky
Best Local Blog: “The Quick + Dirty Dirty” or “Q+DD”

You have to vote for 5 things in order for your ballot to count. If you need help figuring out what to vote for…please feel free to ask us. We have LOTS of opinions on every category! (What the hey? You could even vote for us for local personalities to follow on Twitter! @LaurenKAtlanta and @LindsayWhat44 that takes care of 3 right there!)

But listen, don’t do it just because we told you to. We want you to make an educated decision before casting your vote. Please review our political platform below to know our stance on ALL the important issues.

As a reminder, L+L are:

FOR: Happy hour, excessive use of exclamation points for emphasis, feminism and chivalry, anything from the 1980’s, Mexican food, enormous sunglasses, mussels and muscles, beer-related competitive gaming, Peace on Earth, bubble baths, 3-day weekends, puppies, costume parties, costumes and parties independently, hair products, brunch cocktails, Texas, anything neon, renewable energy, being awesome, human rights, strategic accessorizing, reducing the escalating price of movie tickets, fedoras, mandatory workday nap time, silly moustaches, hot vampires, and your mom.

AGAINST: Alarm clocks, being put on hold, giraffe purses, camping, humidity, cats, children carrying guns, Canada, denim on denim, serious moustaches, Atlantans referring to queso as “cheese dip,” man-sandals, and of course, any sandals worn with socks.

UNDECIDED: Texting, parking vehicles on Cheshire Bridge, eating club sandwiches when you have NOT been invited to the club (note: we are generally FOR club sandwiches and frilly toothpicks), “free” yoga classes, pirates v. ninjas, belly dancing, and where to go for dinner most nights…

(So basically, if you hate man-sandals and love your mom and being awesome…the choice is clear. VOTE FOR US!)

Oh, and while we’re shamelessly self-promoting, please “Like” us on Facebook by clicking here. Thanks! (if each of you had a “like” button, you better believe we’d click it!)

Thanks…and…we love you. We do.


xx, L + L

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Camp Dance is SATURDAY!

04/28/2011 in Big Favors, Camp Twin Lakes, Cocktails, Entertaining, Event Space, Events, What we're Doing by Lauren | 1 comment

You guys…it’s ALMOST HERE.

The caterer is making bazillions of tiny grilled cheeses, the band is tuning up, and the World of Coke is getting ready for the BEST PARTY OF THE YEAR! (do you have your tickets?)

(Personally – I want to know what it’s like to mix a cocktail with any Coke product from anywhere around the world!)

It’s been an incredible ride chairing the event this year and I have SO appreciated all the love and support. Particularly from my bloggy buddies:

ATL Events (Thanks, Wendy!)
Chicks In Atlanta (Thanks, Becky!)
Date Night Mag (Thanks, Jaime!)
Buckhead Betty…On a Budget (Thanks, Katherine!)
The Social Butterfly (Thanks, Jaimi!)
Daily Candy (Thanks, Hess!)
AOL Atlanta’s Best (Thanks again, Hess!)

And check us out on almost every event listing in town: Creative Loafing, 91.9 FM WCLK, Access Atlanta, Atlanta Buzz, Going.com, Eventful, Yelp, Patch.com Buckhead, Zvents, Entertainment.Georgia.com, Atlanta INtown

I’m just ready for the event to GET HERE so we can PARTY!

If you haven’t gotten your tickets already, click HERE for tickets!

If you can’t come, you’re dead to me. No, not really. (Spring weekends are tough!)  I do hope that you’ll consider making a donation, though!

Remember: every single dollar counts. Just $10 will sponsor a child’s 3 meals for the day, $35 will sponsor maintenance of the pool for a day, $75 will feed an entire cabin lunch, $85 sponsors one full day of horseback riding, $250 provides 10 life jackets for the canoeing program, $550 will sponsor an entire week of camp for a child, $1000 will sponsor a shade tree at camp Will-A-Way, and so on….  Whatever your budget, you can make a BIG impact in the life of a very deserving child.

No pressure, of COURSE – but if you would like to - please consider making a donation.  You can view my personal page by clicking here: http://bit.ly/CampDanceLauren

Thank you, thank you thank you THANK YOU!

xx, L

P.S. to our loyal and wonderful readers - thanks for bearing with me these last few weeks and months!  Back to normal ASAP after Saturday! (DK is coming in town and I’m taking the day off to have a spa/shopping day on Monday.  I’m sure I’ll have LOTS to tell…)

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2011 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

02/09/2011 in Big Favors, Events, Exercise, Health, PSAs, Random Musings, Volunteering, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 9 comments

This year, I decided to make a New Year’s resolution that would stick – and wasn’t selfish.  (Let’s be real, my diet-related resolutions NEVER last more than a few weeks…)  I needed a long-term goal to work towards + I wanted it to be something that would be meaningful to others. 

And so, I decided to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure once again.

I participated in the 3-Day in 2006, and I look back on my six months of training, fundraising + walking for breast cancer research as one of my proudest accomplishments.  Over the course of 72 hours, I walked with wonderful people who had lost loved ones to this disease and walked in their memory; I bonded with brave survivors who had funny team names written across their pink shirts and hats; I heard incredible stories from warriors in the middle of their own fights against breast cancer.  I felt like I was part of the community + I was so honored to fundraise for such a worthy cause.

2006 Atlanta 3-Day - Day 2

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is a 60-mile walk that raises money for breast cancer research and community programs.  Without a cure, one person will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.  That’s a pretty startling statistic!  No one should have to face this disease, so in order to help create a future without breast cancer, I have decided to participate again in the Walk.

If you’ve ever seen a TV commercial or heard a radio ad for the 3-Day for the Cure, it’s incredibly evident how emotional + moving the Walk is over the three days.  If you’ve ever wanted to participate – please do!  Here’s the link to sign up:  GET INVOLVED WITH THE 3-DAY!  Meeting the fundraising goal + training for/ participating in the Walk is challenging – but it’s nothing compared to fighting breast cancer.  I’d love to have more folks to share this journey with in Atlanta, so please sign up today!  :)

You will receive $25 off your registration fee if you sign up before February 28!

2006 Atlanta 3-Day Closing Ceremony - Day 3

Please consider attending the Atlanta 3-Day Closing Ceremony on October 23rd.  I will update The Q+DD with location and timing details much closer to the Walk.  The Closing Ceremony is an incredibly memorable event that you will not want to miss!

Thank you for your support!  We CAN make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

xx, L

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Texans-Helping-Texans.

12/08/2010 in Big Favors, Random Musings, We can BLOG!, What we're Watching by Lindsay | 2 comments

Or maybe more like former-Texan-helping-current-Texan?  Whatever. 

Anyway, our friend + loyal Q+DD reader, the amazing Joanna Duff, requested that we bring your attention to something awesome that her friend (now our friend, too) is doing.  His name is Deano.  Which we think is a solid name.  So, we like him already.

Deano

Here’s the Q+DD:  Deano is in the running to be the host for the Paradise Hunter TV series and the Q+DD wants to help him out.

Here’s what the site says about the contest:

We’re on a massive worldwide search to find the perfect host for the Paradise Hunter TV series and offer them “52 Weeks Paid Vacation!”

Between September 13 + November 5, 2010, we received hundreds of applications from around the world.  Each applicant created a one-minute video explaining why they’d make the perfect Paradise Hunter.  With the public’s help, we narrowed our applicants down to the Top 40.  Of the 40 applicants chosen to move forward to Phase Two, 10 were chosen by votes from the public.

Now, we’ve reset the vote counter and are looking for 10 finalists, five of whom will be chosen by the public.  Until December 15, you can vote for your favorite Paradise Hunter.

The finalists will participate in screen tests, interviews + a variety of other exercises, designed to help us find the best candidate.  At the end of this selection process, the next Paradise Hunter will be chosen to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Here’s what the site says about the gig:

We’re looking for an energetic individual who’s passionate about travel to explore the world in search of their paradise.

Perks:
$60,000 USD Salary
Casual Dress Code
52 Weeks Paid Vacation

As the host of the Paradise Hunter TV series, you’ll lead the audience on a fast-paced adventure, visiting 12 different paradise destinations around the world.  You’ll explore the culture, attractions and lifestyle in each country while discovering what “paradise” means to you.  Get paid a full year’s salary to see incredible sights, do amazing activities and interview people who have packed their bags and discovered the life of their dreams abroad.

At the end of the season, when you’ve found your paradise, you’ll be given a property worth up to $150,000 USD, in that country.  Alternatively, you can choose to put the $150,000 towards vacation rentals from the Paradise Hunter website.

That is the general scoop.

I asked Deano to provide me with a few pictures + the Top Five Reasons Why We Should Vote For Him, so that we could get to know him a bit better.  Here’s what I received…

1. ATTITUDE:  I live life like it’s an adventure, and everyday I choose to be optimistic and take challenges head on.

2. EXPERIENCED HOST:  I have current hosting experience: 3 years as host of Short Takes on Musicplustv.com; 1 hr show on short films; current creator and one of the hosts of The 515 at www.the515.com; was a youth pastor and speaker for years, so I’m not shy in front of the camera or thousands of people.

3. EXPERIENCED TRAVELER:  In 2010, I turned a 3 week vacation to Bali, Indonesia into a 4 month excursion through 6 different countries in SE ASIA.  You can read more at my blog www.deanotroy.com.

4. FUN:  If you cannot tell by my video on Paradise Hunter or from the web series, www.the515.com, then just ask Joanna Duff (no relation to Hillary).

(this is my personal favorite picture of the bunch)

5. EASY:  It only takes 10 seconds to vote on the site at this link: www.paradisehunter.com/vote/deano-troy.html. You do not have to enter your name or email, just the captcha verifying you are human.  So easy!

Dude seems really cool.  So, let’s vote!  ‘Tis the season, after all…

Here’s the link again if you missed it above: 
http://www.paradisehunter.com/vote/deano-troy.html

Good luck, Deano!  Keep us posted!  :)

xx, L

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Attention Actors!

11/03/2010 in Big Favors, Theatre by Lauren | No comments

Ok.  I am straight up asking for a favor in the form of a VERY cool opportunity for you. One of my favorite, most beloved acting teachers, Jeanmarie Collins, will be traveling through Atlanta and I BEGGED her to teach a workshop and she agreed!

The deal is this, though: we need at least 10 people to make an effective class since the work she does is ensemble-based. So if you’re an actor, or just like to act – PLEASE let me know asap if you would like to join me THIS Saturday, November 6th from 2-4pm at the Ansley Park Playhouse!   (Please say yes, I really want to do this)

The Q+DD on the Spolin technique is this: Viola Spolin was the originator of theatre games, which are the basis for all improvisation and she developed the method currently used by internationally famous improv houses such as Chicago’s Second City

It’s going to be phenom.  Trust. Please let me know asap if you are interested.  You can email me at LaurenKAtlanta@gmail.com.

THANK YOU!

xx, L

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Pretty Serious Problem.

08/10/2010 in Beauty, Big Favors, Maintenence, Product, Random Musings by Lindsay | 11 comments

For years - under the watchful eyes of my beloved hairstylist, Doug - I’ve been using THIS:

To achieve THIS:

But when I was running low on Nanowax on Saturday and wanted to grab another bottle after my Brazilian blowout @ Mint Salon in Midtown, they were OUT!  (Gasp!)  I asked Doug when they’d get more in, and he gently broke the news to me that Pureology stopped making it.  ERRRRRRRR…Now, hold that phone!!  WHAT?  They stopped making it?  It’s like Kleenex no longer making tissues, like Willy’s no longer making burritos, like Nickelback no longer making insanely bad music, like the Michelin Man no longer making marshmallows!  (Is that what he makes?) 

Anyway, I flat out refused to believe it and instead ran like a mad woman drove to ULTA as fast as I could only to see THIS:

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Say it isn’t so!!  Pureology’s Nanowax has been an important hair staple for me for YEARS…why now would they stop making their best product?!  It’s like my Abercrombie + Fitch Woods situation all over again, but at least 32x worse.  I don’t know what to do.  I actually bought hairspray yesterday, and can’t stand it.  My hair, Brazilian blowout and all, is having a pretty serious identity crisis.  The blowout makes it look gorgeous, of course, but it’s felt emotionally flat and deflated for days now.  :(

SOMEONE, ANYONE this is my plea: PLEASE contact me ASAP if you see Pureology’s Nanowax lying around anywhere.  The situation is getting more and more desperate by the hour…

not a laughing matter.

Side Note: Doug DID talk me into buying the sulfate-free Prive Shampoo + Conditioner to prolong my Brazilian blowout, and they’ve been really wonderful!

love that they come in a spray bottle so that they don't spill out when i knock them over in the shower or in my luggage

Also, Doug has been using THIS on my hair recently and I’ve loved it!

Prive's Concept Vert Volumizing Froth

Although it hasn’t been released to the mass market quite yet, people are already obsessed with Prive’s Volumizing Froth, and it’s recently been written up in Vanity Fair: http://alturl.com/7t68p.

While my love for + trust in Nanowax will never completely fade (I’m pretty sure that I’ll be able to find at least one more bottle on the black market w/ all those pirated movies, and kidneys and whatnot), I have confidence in Prive that they will be able to come up with something at least similar to it that I can start to cozy up to…

xx, L

Mint Salon
Stylist: Doug Anderson (FYI: He does Brazilian blowouts + fantastic cuts + gorgeous color)
985 Monroe Drive, NE
Atlanta, GA  30308
404.724.9669
www.mintsalon.net

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Happy Friday.

07/30/2010 in Big Favors, Guilty Pleasures, PSAs by Lauren | No comments

In honor of my dear friend Shark Attack...

Sharktastic Target WIN

…please enjoy the scientific analysis of a very important recent study:

You are welcome.

xx, L

P.S. Tomorrow is the LAST day of voting for Creative Loafing’s BEST OF issue. Please show us some “Best Local Blogger” (Lauren Kraselsky + Lindsay Roberts) and “Best Local Blog” (The Quick + Dirty Dirty...obvi!) love! Click HERE for the survey! (you have to vote for 5 things in order for your vote to count!  The survey is REALLY long…but these categories are on the first page.)

P.P.S. We think you’re the best, too!

P.P.P.S. Thanks, Barrett.

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Announcements:

07/23/2010 in Baby Chic, Big Favors, Vacation by Lauren | No comments

"If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter!"

announcements announcements annooouuunnnceeements!  a terrible way to die a terrible way to die a terrible way to be bored to death a terrible way to die! (Does anyone else still sing that in their head when announcements are made?)

Anyway.  Now that’s out of my system…

1. Lindsay and I will both be out of town this weekend.  Please hold down the fort.

2. Don’t forget about Spiral X-Mas in July this Saturday night at Red Door! Use promo code “kraselskyxmas” for $5 off your ticket! 

3. Also, PLEASE don’t forget to vote for us in Creative Loafing’s “Best Of” Survey.

Remember:

Being the Best of Atlanta is pretty much our life goal and we can’t do it without you!

Please vote for us by clicking here:

http://bit.ly/bu3bo8

Best Local Bloggers: Lauren Kraselsky and Lindsay Roberts
Best Local Blog: “The Quick + Dirty Dirty” or “Q+DD”

You have to vote for 5 things in order for your ballot to count.

3. While we’re shamelessly self-promoting: Make our day by “Liking” us on Facebook by clicking here!

(I have over 1600 Facebook friends and the Q+DD has just under 200 fans. I’m about to start deleting friends. Kidding!   Sort of.)

4. You’re awesome.

5.  I CAN’T WAIT TO BE IN NYC THIS WEEKEND and stomp around my old stomping ground see all my PEEPS!

Happy BIRTHDAY, Randi!

A+E, Aunt LK's a-coming!

Leaving the peaches behind for a weekend...I’m heading to the BIG APPLE!

xx, L

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Octopus Needed ASAP

07/13/2010 in Big Favors, Random Musings, Sports by Lindsay | 3 comments

Friends, readers:  I’m desperately seeking a relatively small octopus to live in my cozy Midtown condo to help me make responsible decisions and answer some of the most pressing questions in my life.  So far I’ve been grossly unsuccessful on Craigslist, but I’m not planning to give up anytime soon.

If possible, I’d prefer if the eight-legged creature happened to be a decendent of World-Cup-predicting, Paul the Octopus. 

Paul’s story here:  http://tiny.cc/0yn3c

smarty pants...well, er...tentacles?

Please let me know if you have any leads.  Thank you kindly. 

xx, L

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BBE: Ain’t Too Proud to Beg!

07/13/2010 in Big Favors, PSAs by Lauren | 6 comments

Darling readers, we need your help! PLEASE help us win the title of BBE: Best (local Atlanta) Blog EVER (this year)!

Here’s the Q+DD: We have been silently DYING to be Creative Loafing’s Best Local Blog and/or Best Local Bloggers ever since the (very flattering and unsolicited, I swear!) nominations began last week.  But now that we’ve had a taste of fame…we’re pretty much obsessed. We can be silent no more… we want to grab that net and catch that beautiful butterfly, pals!

Lauren: What do you like better?  Wedding Season or the Q+DD?
Lindsay: (raises hand)
Lauren: Miss Roberts?
Lindsay: Yes, um, the answer would be, um, The Q+DD?
Lauren: Bingo.

Being the Best of Atlanta is pretty much our life goal and we can’t do it without you!

Please vote for us by clicking here:

http://bit.ly/bu3bo8

Best Local Bloggers: Lauren Kraselsky and Lindsay Roberts
Best Local Blog: “The Quick + Dirty Dirty” or “Q+DD”

You have to vote for 5 things in order for your ballot to count. If you need help figuring out what to vote for…please feel free to ask us.  We have LOTS of opinions on every category!  (What the hey?   You could even vote for us for local personalities to follow on Twitter!  @LaurenKAtlanta and @LindsayWhat44 that takes care of 3 right there!)

But listen, don’t do it just because we told you to. We want you to make an educated decision before casting your vote.  Please review our political platform below to know our stance on ALL the important issues.

L+L  are:

FOR: Happy hour, excessive use of exclamation points for emphasis, feminism and chivalry, anything from the 1980’s, Mexican food, enormous sunglasses, mussels and muscles, beer-related competitive gaming, Peace on Earth, bubble baths, 3-day weekends, puppies, costume parties, costumes and parties independently, hair products, brunch cocktails, Texas, anything neon, renewable energy, being awesome, human rights, strategic accessorizing, reducing the escalating price of movie tickets, fedoras, mandatory workday nap time, silly moustaches, hot vampires, and your mom.

AGAINST: Alarm clocks, being put on hold, giraffe purses, camping, humidity, most things OTP, cats, children carrying guns, Canada, denim on denim, serious moustaches, Atlantans referring to queso as “cheese dip,” man-sandals, and of course, any sandals worn with socks.

UNDECIDED: Texting, parking vehicles on Cheshire Bridge, eating club sandwiches when you have NOT been invited to the club (note: we are generally FOR club sandwiches and frilly toothpicks), “free” yoga classes, pirates v. ninjas, belly dancing, and where to go for dinner most nights…

(So basically, if you hate man-sandals and love your mom and being awesome…the choice is clear. VOTE FOR US!)

Oh, and while we’re shamelessly self-promoting, please “Like” us on Facebook by clicking here.   Thanks! (if each of you had a “like” button, you better believe we’d click it!)

Thanks…and…we love you.  We do.

xx, L + L

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