BUT: I need to tell you guys 2 things A-Snap.  1. Spiralween is SATURDAY and you can get $5 off your ticket with promo code LKWeen

2. Partners Cards have been on sale and shopping starts TOMORROW! Official dates: October 28 – November 6th, 2011

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, The Q+DD on the Partner’s Card is this:

You purchase a Partner’s Card for $60 and pretty much the entire city of Atlanta becomes 20% off. Buy yours here.

It is seriously mind-boggling how many retailers and restaurants are participating. I spent all of last weekend doing re-con work and planning my attack.

Strategery.

There are about a zillion participants, so for me to go over each one would turn this post into a novel.I’ll just highlight some of the locations

I’m particularly excited about:

Shopping: Tassels (hint hint, Greg and Kev!) Banana Republic, GAP, J. Crew, Anthropologie (no, I’m not kidding.), Boogaloos, Dakota J’s, Festivity, Just the Thing, K-La, Kate Spade, Luna, Mitzi and Romano (my fave!), Fab’rik, Nicole Miller, Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo (for complete list of shopping click here)

Gifts and Stationery:  Dolce (adorable custom gourmet baskets), Fragile, Limetree, Paper Affair (for full list of gifts and stationery click here)

Beauty: Kiehl’s, L’Occitane (get your Almond Oil!), Natural Body Spas, The Spa at the 4 Seasons (for complete list of health and beauty click here)

Jewelry: Dora Rae Boutique, JenBoaz.com (I have a ZILLION Jen Boaz pieces), Tassels (Gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous!) For complete list of jewelry click here

Kitchen and food: Cook’s Warehouse, Piece of Cake, Sur la Table, Williams-Sonoma (for complete list of kitchen and food click here)

Restaurants: Alon’s, Ecco (yum!), Fritti, ONE. Midtown Kitchen, sotto sotto, STEEL, No Mas! Cantina, the entire Buckhead Life group of restaurants (Kudos to you, Buckhead Life!) For complete list of restaurants click here

There’s an APP for that: Get the Partners Card App for your Smart Phone HERE.

Believe me when I tell you that even though I just listed a bazillion places, that is only the TIP of the Partner’s Card iceberg. You seriously have no idea how many stores are participating. Even big-ticket stores where 20% is no joke!

Ok, here’s the best part:

100% of the Partner’s Card sales go directly to Camp Twin Lakes. You get ALL of these fabulous deals, plus all the good Karma, and help sponsor these amazing kids’ experience at Camp Twin Lakes. Get your Partner’s Card today!

So, get your game face on, y’all. It’s Partner’s Card 2011 and I’m not taking ANY prisoners!

xx, L

In addition to sampling chili, Brunswick stew and cornbread, guests of all ages are invited to enjoy live music from some of the nation’s best tribute bands + partake in games such as the Mullet Flop (dying – OMG) and the Jalapeno Eating contest.  As in previous years, 100% of the proceeds will benefit Camp Twin Lakes!  Since 2005, The Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off has raised more than $380,000 for Camp Twin Lakes. 

Recap: Chili, tribute bands, mullet flop + jalapeno eating contest, AND Camp Twin Lakes.  My brain is exploding with awesomeness…

Here’s the Q+DD on The 32nd Annual Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off:

When: Saturday, September 24: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stone Mountain Park, GA – Coliseum Meadow
Tickets: Tickets are $10 for adults.  Children 12 + under are free.  Tickets can only be purchased on-site the day of the event, and will not sell out. 
Parking: Each vehicle will be charged $10 for entrance into the park.
Benefit: 100% of the proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes!
Sponsors: Miller Lite, Aaron’s Sales and Leasing, Waffle House, Metro PCS, Rock 100.5, Camp Twin Lakes, Caren West PR
Event Website: www.theatlantachilicookoff.com

Sounds super fun + delicious!  If I wasn’t going to Music Midtown, I’d definitely want to check it out. 

This weekend is going to be ridic. 

xx, L

1. Food Blogger Bake Sale: Saturday 04/15 at Phipps Plaza

Our girl Wendy A.K.A. @ATL_Events gave us the heads up on this – all your favorite food bloggers including will be baking some tasty treats for cash…all to benefit Save Our Strength – an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger.  So come on by Phipps and pick up some delicious baked goods or please consider donating directly to the cause!   As little as $1 can help to provide a hungry child with 10 healthy meals. Click here to donate!

2. Dunwoody Beer Festival: Saturday 05/14 at the Perimeter Mall parking lot

Hops for Hope! This is one of my FAVORITE annual events…and not just because it benefits Camp Twin Lakes. It’s a fabulous day of beer sampling, hopefully sunny weather, and fun.  Insider Tip: consider taking Marta to the event!

3. Tim Meadows at Dad’s Garage 05/13 and 05/14

Get your tickets HERE!

oooooooh...it's a Lady!

4. Brett Dennen at the Variety Playhouse

Up-and-comer Brett Dennen lays some sweet sweet tunes tomorrow, Friday 05/13 (Click HERE for tix!)

Of course, I have a special affinity for gingers, but this guy has something special.  He’s been on tour with the likes of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews and O.A.R…so catch him solo at the VP tonight!

5. Every Saturday through December: the Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market. (April – September 8:30 AM – noon, September – December 9:00 AM – noon) L.O.V.E. Check out my post (here) or their website (here) for more information if you’re not already clued in, but it’s a fab market.

Plus: Saturday you can see a chef demo by David Sweeney (creator of Dynamic Dish…RIP)
and Live with the Hidden Springs Honey Bee Hive

(Bonus: you may even see my girl Adrienne there – she often works there as a volunteer and tomorrow is her BIRTHDAY)

Happy Birthday, A! I love you!

It’s Thursday, people. One more day.  YOU CAN DO IT.

xx, L

But before we return to our regularly scheduled LK programming, I have a BIG THANK YOU for everyone involved with, everyone who donated to, everyone who supported and everyone who attended Camp Dance. I couldn’t even begin to start naming names – but just know I appreciate you so much.

It was INCREDIBLE.  Absolutely incredible.

I loved everything. The switch from the Zoo to the World of Coke was a game-changer – everything was so fun and peppy and whimsical and the WoC staff was INCREDIBLE.

The caterer was Bold American (I heart you, Mo!) who knocked our “camp” theme out of the PARK with  mini-fluffer nutter sammies, brie grilled cheeses, loaded baked potatoes, sliders and the clear winner of the night – CORN DOGS.

The corn dog is the new tater tot

and the desserts – oh the desserts!  I don’t even know where to start.  Witness:

I think everyone had an amazing time – I know I did because I was so busy dancing, I didn’t take a single picture. Thank goodness Greg was there!  Here are a few snaps:

G + me before the party started (dress is Halston Heritage)

Cutie Jona Sheer mixing a cocktail in "Taste It"

people filing into the WoC

M.F.E.O.

Proof.

Party people in the house.

Kraselsky women (and Dr. Amy) on the dance floor

Handsome men everywhere!

"The Beverly" and vodka, anyone?

It’s looking like we raised in the neighborhood of $85K for Camp Twin Lakes and we couldn’t be more excited!

Thanks again to everyone!  I can’t WAIT for next year….

xx, L

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…)

It’s CAMP DANCE!

What is Camp Dance, you may ask? Um, it’s only my favorite event of the WHOLE YEAR!

Camp Dance Preparty 2009

Camp Dance Preparty 2007

Camp Dance Preparty 2007

Camp Dance 2008

Camp Dance 2006

Camp Dance 2007 (nothing ever changes)

Camp Dance 2009

Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2010: Fun Fact - I met this guy planning Camp Dance 2010

Besides being just an amazing event, Camp Dance benefits Camp Twin Lakes, a fabulous camp for children facing serious illnesses and other physical, emotional and life challenges.   For more information on Camp Twin Lakes click here.

For the last 5 years Camp Dance was held at Zoo Atlanta…but we thought we’d shake it up a bit this year and we are introducing a REFRESHING new venue: The World of Coca-Cola!

Here’s the Q+DD on Camp Dance:

The Camp Twin Lakes Junior Board presents Camp Dance 2011!

Saturday – April 30th, 8pm-midnight
at the World of Coca-Cola

Remember when…
Prime real estate meant getting the top bunk?
The preferred transporation only had one horsepower?
or Tevas and Umbros were considered high fashion?

Well, saddle up your horse, dust off your dancing shoes, and head toward the mess hall, because it’s back…and it’s better than ever!

That’s right. We’ve decided to shake things up a bit with a “refreshing” new venue. But don’t worry…we won’t shake it too much!

Camp Dance at the World of Coca-Cola:
Immerse yourself in the amazing and interactive exhibits at the World of Coca-Cola including a 4D Theater, Pop Culture, Perfect Pauses, Milestones of Refreshment and Bottle Works all while dancing and listening to tunes from Bobby and the Aristocats!

Tapas and Treats:
Enjoy some complimentary spiked bug juice and some camp-themed heavy hors d’oeuvres such as miniature cheeseburgers, corndogs, grill cheeses, and loaded baked-potatoes. Then take part in the delectable dessert bar that will include moon-pies, cheesecake popsicles, rice krispy treats, cupcakes, and of course…s’mores!

Create your own concoctions in Taste It!
Choose one or more of the almost 70 flavors from around the world then head to the bar to complete your cocktail. Beer and wine are complimentary all night. Each admission ticket includes 2 free drink tickets for the cocktail bar. Additional drink tickets may be purchased with cash at the event.

Tickets are currently $55.
Price will increase to $65 at 5 o’clock April 1st and will be $75 at the door if event is not sold out.

Camp Dance is a 21 and up event.
Click Here to Buy Tickets.

Patron Packages
CAMPER PATRON: $275 -Sponsors one camper for a day of camp and includes two tickets to Camp Dance
COUNSELOR PATRON: $550 – Sponsors a full week of activities for a cabin and includes four tickets to Camp Dance.
DIRECTOR PATRON: $1100 – Sponsors a Camp To Go hospital program and includes six tickets to Camp Dance
Click Here to Buy Patron Packages.

Sponsorship packages are available from $1,500-$20,000. Contact the Camp Twin Lakes office at 404-231-9887 or email my main man Adam Cohen at adam@camptwinlakes.org.

Camp Dance Executive Committee
Event Chair – Lauren Kraselsky
Host Co-chairs - Samantha Deitch and Robin Goldberg
Party Planning Co-chairs – Stuart Buckley and Greg Cohen
Fundraising Co-chairs - Louise Rains and Brian Smith

Camp Dance Committee
Michelle Adinolfi, Brett Akers, Josh Bank, Hilary Barfield, Cari Barocas, Ryan Benator, Lauren Berger, Lila Berman, Chi Bui, Mike Caray, Seth Cohn, Kevin Cott, Melissa Cowett, Becky Cronin, Greg Eisenman, Jenn Evans, Meg Faughnan, Matt Freeman, Lizzie Garner, Jonathan Ginburg, Jenny Goldberg, Andrea Goldt, Ashley Hesseltine, Julie Holmes, Brian Howell, Lindsay Kessler, Julie Linsey, Jaime Luckey, Katy McDonald, Greer and Jarrod Mendel, Danielle Micheletti, Heather Morrow, Marie O’Hearn, Shanon Perry, Amy Prestera, Angela Priest, Lauren Pritchard, Kristin Rodgers, Joe Salome, Hilary Saperstein, Analise Siciliano, Tisa Sinclair, Monica Stein, Susan Stone, Ellen Terchila, Jordana Wachtel, and Erin Ziff

Junior Board Members
President—Robert Unell
Monetha Cobb*, Lauren Kraselsky*, Adrian Powell*, Lila Berman, James Black, Blake Byrnes, Stuart Buckley, Jodi Cannady, Will Cannady, Greg Cohen, Samantha Deitch, Todd Ewing, Robin Goldberg, Christi Karp, Brian McCabe, Susie Oddo, Marie O’Hearn, Louise Rains, Mark Rothberg, Eve Slaughter, Brian Smith, Bre Wagner, and Winfred Westbrook
*Executive Committee

Attire is Camp Casual
Guests Must Be 21 or older to attend.

Ticket prices increase TODAY (April 1st) at 5pm, so get your tickets TODAY by clicking here and click here to see the event on Facebook.

I JUST CAN’T WAIT!

xx, L

You’ll be hearing a LOT about Camp Dance from me leading up to the event, but I wanted to remind you that tickets are on sale NOW!

The (very) Q+DD on Camp Dance is this: it’s only the BEST party of the WHOLE year! This annual party, benefiting Camp Twin Lakes, a phenominal organization which provides camping experiences for children with chronic or fatal illnesses or other life challenges (www.camptwinlakes.org for more information), has been held at Zoo Atlanta for the last 5 years. This year we’re shaking it up and having it at the WORLD of COKE! It’s going to be absolutely phenomenal.

Tickets are $55 right now, and the party will include camp-themed “tapas and treats,” unlimited beer and wine, 2 cocktails, and all the attractions at the World of Coke! (Plus, there are even rumors an “official post party” at Taco Mac…) It’ll be an amazing night of dancing and partying that you won’t soon forget!

We HAVE sold this event out in the past, so PLEASE get your tickets today! www.campdance.org.

My personal page can be accessed HERE, but I don’t care who you buy ‘em from…just get your tickets!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CAMP DANCE PAGE!

Can’t wait to see you there!

xx, L

Anyway, I want you all to know about an upcoming fundraising event for a really special place:  Camp Twitch and Shout (a Camp Twin Lakes partner).

Here’s the Q+DD on the Event:
1st Annual Denim and Pearls Cocktail Party
Benefiting Camp Twitch and Shout
March 25, 2011: 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
King Plow Arts Center (love this space…)
Atlanta, GA

Come dressed to impress in your most elegant denim!  Please no t-shirts or sneakers.

Join the fun for a live band, silent auction, appetizers, cash bar + raffle! 

Tickets are as follows:
Pearl – $25/person
Ruby – $50/person (includes 1 drink + 1 raffle ticket)
Emerald – $75/person (includes 1 drink + 3 raffle tickets)
Diamond – $100/person (includes 2 drinks + 5 raffle tickets)

For more information or to request an invitation contact: Hailey Sasine @ camptwitchandshout@gmail.com or 706.248.9328

Click HERE to learn more about Camp Twitch and Shout.

This is going to be a GREAT event.  Hope to see you all there!

xx, L

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s the Q+DD: tonight, at the Cobb Galleria Centre, just about EVERY noteworthy restaurant in Atlanta will be in one room, serving bite-sized plates of their signature or favorite dishes and 15 open bars will be sampling their best wine, beer and liquor selections…all to benefit CAMP TWIN LAKES! (LOVE it.)

Now, I’ve been volunteering at this event for 5 years now, and I can honestly tell you I think that this year’s list boasts the BEST collection of restaurants I have ever seen. From Rathbuns (a staple) to Miller Union (newcomer) to Yumbii (food carts!) I think, as Fergie says, it’s going to be a good, good night.

Tickets are $60/person online and $70/person at the door.

Click HERE for tickets to Best of Atlanta!

Make sure to make a beeline for the Camp Dance table – I’ll be dishing up Camp-Themed s’mores from Atlanta Chocolate Fountains/Cappuccino Connection and selling tickets to CAMP DANCE! That reminds me…Camp Dance tickets are ON SALE NOW!

Click here for tickets to Camp Dance!

Hope to see you at BoA!

xx, L

Cobb Galleria Centre

OK items:

• Po Baby Panda: So, as you may or may not know, the only giant panda cub born in the United States in 2010 was right here at Georgia last November and on Tuesday, the little guy had his 100th day naming ceremony and none other than Jack Black was here to give him his name….Po – after his character in Kung Fu Panda.

Yes, Dreamworks is releasing a sequel on 05/27 to the kid’s movie, but they are also donating to the zoo’s panda conservation program…cross-marketing with a heart.  Loves it.

• Today’s Groupon?   $40 worth of stationery (invitations, etc) from Paper Affair…and few things excite me more than written correspondence, stationery, and fine paper products in general.  It’s a good day.

• Product love: I have been using Naturopathica’s Vitamin K brightening eye serum for about a week or so and let me just tell you…the skin around my eyes feel amaaaaaazing.  Check it out.

• BIG congrats to my friend (and Camp Dance 2011 host!) Ashley Hesseltine….she was just selected as Daily Candy’s new Atlanta Editor! I’m sure we are ALL excited to hear what this girl has to say:
  

  "What...a riot."

• Upcoming EVENTS:

- Next Thursday 02/24: Raw Love at East Andrews. Reminder: East Andrews is teaming up with Raw Denim to put on a fabulous event and fashion show to benefit A Wish for Wendy for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (Lindsay and I are on the host committee!  It’ll be a blast!)  Please RSVP to events@eastandrews.com

- Shamrock Fest with Yacht Rock: 03/05 at Park Tavern.  $3 off with promo code “Hess” or “Ellen”

- Spiral’s LuckyFest: 03/12 at Park Tavern.  $5 off with promo code “LKFest”

- Atlanta Magazine’s BEST OF ATLANTA Party benefiting Camp Twin Lakes Monday 02/28 – DO NOT MISS THIS.  This always amazing event got EVEN BETTER this year (which I did not think was possible) with lots of surprises.  More on this later…but get your tickets NOW.

Please come by the Camp Dance/Atlanta Chocolate Fountain table and see me…I’ll make you a s’more and probably give you a hug.   Let me ask you: What is better than a s’more and a hug? I can’t think of much.

- CAMP DANCE 04/30 at the World of Coke benefiting Camp Twin Lakes!

Get your tickets HERE.  Please. It’s going to be amazing.  Best year yet!

Happy weekend, everyone!

xx, L