Guilty Pleasures

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I Want Wednesday

02/01/2012 in Guilty Pleasures, Where we're Shopping by Lauren | 2 comments

There’s a few things on my list today and they all have one thing in common: I have absolutely NO business purchasing any of them right now. 

Sssssigh.

Without further ado:

1. Van Cleef and Arpels “Sweet” Alhambra clover pendant necklace

Yellow gold. Mother of Pearl clover.

 2. Balenciaga City handbag in Gris Poivre

I love you.

 3. And… as always, a black diamond eternity band.

You will be mine.

Oh, and adding to this dream wish list, Lindsay would also like to put an order in for a Neverfull in the light Damier canvas. 

While you’re at it, send me one too. 

Pleaseandthankyou.

 xx, L

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Spiral’s OYSTERFEST is February 11th!

01/31/2012 in Deals + Steals, Events, Festivals, Guilty Pleasures, What we're Doing by Lauren | 2 comments

So guys… I am here to tell you that if you’ve never been to Spiral Entertainment’s OysterFest, you are SERIOUSLY missing out.

To support this claim, I offer the following information:

1. Holy shellfish: there will be TONS of Blue Point and Malpeque oysters flown in and promptly steamed or fried for your eating pleasure

 

2. You can enjoy live music from local bands (full lineup below) as well as DJs whilst you munch on your marine mollusks

3. Ice cold beer will be provided so you can wash ‘em down

4. Most importantly, please witness my final piece of evidence:

 

Clearly this party is awesome.

Here’s the Q+DD:

 

Spiral Entertainment Oysterfest
Saturday, February 11th
Doors open at 1pm
Park Tavern in Piedmont Park*

 

Tickets: $20** but increase to $25 on Friday!  

Use promo code LKFest for $5 off!

(Please note that the price WILL increase and Oysterfest sold out last year. I am cool…but not cool enough to get you into a party that’s already full. Fact.)

Live Performances by:
The Issues (local Atlanta rock band)
Six Shot Revival (southern rock)
Red Zepplin (Led Zepplin tribute)
Talk Journey to Me (80s cover band)
Plus DJ Mike Walsh and DJ Mason Gill

Hope to see you guys there!

xx, L

http://www.spiralentertainment.com/events/oysterfest
**price does not include food or drink

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Broderick…Broderick?

01/30/2012 in Guilty Pleasures by Lauren | No comments

This…is awesome.  Honda released the full-legnth version of their amazing Superbowl ad today: 



I’m getting SO excited for Commercials and Buffalo Wing Dip Day the Superbowl!

xx, L

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Detox/Retox and a GNO

01/19/2012 in Events, Exercise, Guilty Pleasures, Happy Hour, Health, PSAs, Where we're Eating by Lauren | No comments

Yesterday did not start off great. 

You see, I walked out to my parking garage to find my back left tire…

Flatter than a pancake.

I managed to get to the Costco in my neighborhood at Town Brookhaven, and after waiting for an hour and a half for Costco Tire Center to open, I was informed that though the puncture from the NAIL I drove over could be repaired, my tire was essentially mulch on the inside and would have to be replaced.  HOWEVER – they didn’t have the tire I needed in stock at that location so they fitted my car with a lovely donut and instructed me to high tail it to the Perimeter Costco to get this blessed tire. 

In the 5.6 miles between the two Costcos…apparently I rolled through a stop sign and was promptly pulled over by a motorcycle cop. 

Yep.  

However, alls well that ends well because it just so happens that my evening was so spectacular that it quite literally saved the day. 

Check out my two-step remedy:

Step 1.  Core Fusion® Cardio at Exhale Mind Body Spa in Midtown. 

I decided I had mooched off Lindsay’s Exhale membership for long enough so I called up our buddy Anne Marie to get myself my very own membership!  Yay!

Linds has been preachin’ the gospel about Exhale for a while, but as a reminder, the Q+DD on Core Fusion® Cardio is this: It’s a “calorie burning, sweat inducing, body sculpting, power-packed fitness experience, masterminded by the co-creators of Core Fusion®, Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito. Merging cardio with intense strength and flexibility moves, this 60-minute class generates maximum calorie burn, resulting in defined abs, sculpted legs, and high, rounded glutes.”

I am here to tell you it was ridiculously tough and I felt like a bazillion bucks when I finished. 

After our class, Linds, our girlfriend Stef, and I met a handful of our fabulous friends for the BEST thing that ever happened to Wednesdays (and also step 2 in my remedy.)

Step 2.  LADIES NIGHT at Piola!

 Reminder: if you are a lady, EVERY Wednesday, you can enjoy BOTTOMLESS wine or sangria with the purchase of an entrée or a pizza.  I suggest both. 

 

I’d also suggest ordering absolutely ANYTHING with the Catupiry cheese.  ET turned me on to this amazing soft cheese from Brazil and it pretty much just makes everything better. 

There you have it, ladies.  Straight from LK.  There is nothing a little detox/retox and a GNO* can’t fix.

Happy Thursday, friends.  It’s ALMOST the weekend.

xx, L

*Girls’ Night Out.  Duh.

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Sofia Blanc de Blancs Canned Sparkling Wine!

01/13/2012 in Cocktails, Guilty Pleasures, Random Musings, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

Yep, canned sparkling wine.  And, is it cute or WHAT?

I went to an industry event at the Biltmore Ballrooms on Tuesday and one of the vendors had these at their table.  I was probably slightly too excited about the cute pink cans + I definitely took more than one…

Here’s the Q+DD (from the interwebs) on Sofia Blanc de Blancs Canned Sparkling Wine:

Niebaum-Coppola Winery, owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola, wanted to sell its Sofia blanc de blancs sparkling wine — named for daughter and fellow director Sofia — in a 187 ml serving, just big enough for one drinker’s thirst and a neat way to enjoy sparkling wine without opening a full-size bottle.  For years, champagne and other sparkling wines have been served up in 187 ml bottles (about six ounces, or a quarter of a full bottle) known among wine types as splits.  Coppola wanted to sell a split of Sofia, but couldn’t find anyone to package it in small bottles with corks of the same quality as their full-sized offering, which has been bottled since at least 1999.

Other ideas weren’t terribly appealing — a bottle with a screwcap looked too much like those airline single-servings; not bad, but not the hip image the winery wanted for Sofia  Then they contemplated the can.  “The more we kind of played with the idea, the more we warmed up to it,” said Erle Martin, president of Niebaum-Coppola. “We realized we could make a can very cool and very elegant.”

Part of the plan has been to market Sofia not merely as premium wine without a bottle but as a clubgoers’ drink: ordered by name, easy to hold at a bar and ideal for resort poolsides where glass is a no-no.  Niebaum-Coppola’s intention is to target drinkers of beer or alcopops, those fruity mixes like Smirnoff Ice that have supplanted wine coolers as the choice for sweet-palated drinkers.  The cans are meant to appeal to what Martin has described as a “Sex in the City” crowd: sophisticated female city-dwellers, from just over drinking age up to their mid-30s.  It’s a different audience than most wine drinkers.  (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/)

After doing some light online research, I realized that Sofia blanc de blancs has been around for a while in the mini cans, SO I might be a little slow to the game.  Whatever the case, I’m still excited about it!  These little cans of sparking happiness are seriously super cute + have fully caught my attention.  (Move over PBR…)

JUST love!  :)

xx, L

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2012 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam (1/14)

01/09/2012 in Downtown, Events, Guilty Pleasures, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 2 comments

OMG, Y’ALL.  One of the most exciting events of the year is THIS weekend: Advance Auto Parts 2012 Monster Jam at the Georgia Dome at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14!

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh, Monster Jam!

Last year, Kev and I went to the Jam with our friends Seth + Loren and we had a B.L.A.S.T.!  (In full disclosure, it was my second Monster Jam experience since I’ve lived in Atlanta.  I’m super into this event.)  This year, Monster Jam will be even more exciting (how can that be possible??) as they’ll celebrate Gravedigger’s 30th anniversary!  More on Gravedigger HERE.

go, gravedigger, gooooo!

Fact: Monster Jam is the single best people watching opportunity in Atlanta.  (NASCAR is a distance second to this.)  Here’s a sneak peak at what’s in store for you shot from yours truly last year…

overalls EVERYWHERE

And, here are a few more for your viewing pleasure:

monster jam 2011

Tickets are cheap.  Beer is…also cheap.  And, this is an out-of-the-ordinary event that is sure to spice up your MLK weekend!  Ticket information here: Let’s go to MONSTER JAM!!

Coming from a girlie-girl raised going to the ballet and to see musicals, I’m tellin’ you that you DO NOT want to miss this!  (Consider that a warning…)

xx, L

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A Little Reckless Holiday Spending, Anyone?

12/29/2011 in Beauty, Guilty Pleasures, Hair, Maintenence, Product, PSAs, Random Musings, Tricks of the Trade by Lauren | 2 comments

December 29 is a dangerous time.  Santa was good to you…particularly with gifts that come in envelopes.  Or maybe you’ve got that extra check from Grandma or a little Hanukkah gelt left in you pocket (and I don’t mean the chocolate kind…)  What to do? 

I’m pretty sure if you ask Greg, he’d suggest a lovely Orange Savings Account or a Roth IRA but if I were you, I might opt for the following: 

1. Oribe Royal Blowout

I am pretty much obsessed with Oribe.  It all started with the Anti-Humidity spray (blogged about here) and then the “Beautiful Color” shampoo and conditioner.  But I was recently introduced to Royal Blowout and I’m never turning back.  You just spritz a little of this weightless-greaseless product into damp hair and bampf! – perfectly straight, glossy-yet-somewhat-voluminous hair.  And of course it has the signature Oribe scent which is AMAZING.  I love this stuff.

2. Trish McEvoy Beta Hydroxy Pads  

These are the most amazing exfoliating pads…ever.  I used them forever ago, but I quit because at $65 for 40 pads…they’re pretty pricey.  But I’m back on the bandwagon now.  My skin looks absolutely amazing and I feel like these babies take care of those hard-to-exfoliate places like around your nose and such.  Basically, they dissolve dead skin cells to make your face glowy and help to prevent breakouts.  So worth it.  

3. Hammitt Viper Holiday Clutch  

You guys – I had never even HEARD of Hammitt before I fell in love with this clutch and now I’m planning nights out just so I can carry it.  The leather is DELICIOUS, it’s SO spacious (I love the new “oversized clutch” trend.) and it’s the perfect amount of glam and rock and roll.  The entire line is to die for – but this clutch made me really happy.  (I got mine at Gus Mayer in Birmingham– but you can find them on Facebook or search for them on your Google Machine)

 

4. Alora Reed Diffuser in Due 

G got me one of these as part of my Hanukkah gift and I LOVE IT.  First of all, it’s gorgeous.  Secondly, it smells absolutely AMAZING – jasmine, cucumber, basil and ylang ylang.  (What is a ylang ylang, you ask?  I have no idea.  But it smells good.)  The best part is how the scent fills my whole room without overpowering it.  I recommend.

So there you have it.  Nothing you need…but all fun stuff.  Happy December 29th!

xx, L

 

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Don’t Forget About Zuma Sushi (Old Fourth Ward)

12/28/2011 in Guilty Pleasures, Old 4th Ward, Tricks of the Trade, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Fact: I had the best sushi roll I’ve eaten in months at Zuma Sushi in Old Fourth Ward on Sunday night.

BEHOLD…in all its glory…the Viagra Roll.  (Yeah, it’s really called that.)

Eel, cream cheese, avocado + tobiko.  It was very simple, really fresh + totally perfect…and gone in the blink of an eye.  Woosh!  This place is GOOD.

Know before you go: (1) “Zuma” means “running horse.”  (2) Service staff can be slow.  (3) Sitting at the bar with the chefs is the way to go in my humble opinion.  (4) The Zuma Sushi in Old Fourth has better atmosphere than the one in Toco Hills.  (5) It’s on Scoutmob!  Yea!

xx, L

Zuma Sushi
701 Highland Avenue NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
404.381.1180
http://www.zumasushibar.com/

Zuma on Urbanspoon

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Working Girl: just a little Friday happy :)

12/16/2011 in Guilty Pleasures, What we're Watching by Lauren | 2 comments

Ok, so I started my new J-O-B this week and you know how that can go.  But I thought I’d just share this delightful little video of a day in the life of a modern working woman (sent to Linds and myself courtesy of our buddy, Foodie Buddha.  Thanks, FB!)

 Snippet of the email exchange:

FB: “The Modern Woman.  She eats Smart Ones?”

Linds: “Of course we do!  (Lean Cuisines, to be exact…)  I really loved this.  Thanks!  :) ”

Me: “I. Die.”

Linds: “and i thought i was the only one who used crayons at work…”

Me: “and pretended to type…”

Happy weekend to all you workin’ gals out there!

xx, L

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Ritz Carlton Lodge Weekend (1 of 2): Linger Longer Steakhouse

11/09/2011 in Guilty Pleasures, Holidays, Hotels, Out of Town, Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 1 comment

Kevin + I didn’t dress up this year for Halloween.  We didn’t go to the Florida vs. Georgia game, either.  This year, we spent the last weekend of October at the gorgeous Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.

The Ritz Lodge is located in Northern Georgia, just 75 miles east of Atlanta on the shores of Lake Oconee – Georgia’s second largest lake.  A decidedly Southern retreat, the resort is situated in Reynolds Plantation, a 10,000-acre golf and lakefront community.

happy halloween weekend to us!

happy halloween weekend to us!

There are so many incredible things I want to tell you about the resort, but I could never fit them all into one post…  Soooooo, you’ll just have to wait for more! 

It was our very first time visiting the gorgeous property + we had the most amazing weekend!

the ritz carlton lodge

This post will focus on our f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. dinner at the Ritz’s Linger Longer Steakhouse.

linger longer exterior

Kev + I had 9 p.m. reservations at Linger Longer, so we zipped from Atlanta to the Ritz, dropped off our car + bags at the hotel and hitched a ride to the restaurant from a super friendly Ritz Lodge driver who saved us from having to walk over in the brisk cold.  (Thanks, super friendly driver!)  When we arrived and walked into the door, I immediately felt warm.  Linger Longer’s interior is cozy-elegant and exceptionally welcoming.  It was pretty much like the warmest hug EVER.

linger longer bar

linger longer dining room

linger longer dining room

The newly rebuilt (it burned down a few years ago…) Linger Longer Steakhouse is located in the Oconee Golf Course Clubhouse adjacent to the Ritz Lodge.  Known for creating simple yet flavorful fare, Executive Chef David White has created a comforting contemporary menu of American steakhouse classics.  All seafood is overnighted directly from Boston, and meats are premium cut.  In addition, more than 20 herb varieties are grown in the resort’s on-site herb garden.  Linger Longer’s extensive wine list emphasizes reds from around the world, as well as varietals from Georgia’s own Persimmon Creek Vineyards, with more than 40 wines by the glass.  Visit Linger Longer’s menu here. 

We were impressed from the moment we walked in.  But, even more impressed with the exceptional service.  The food, oh the food!, simply sealed the deal!

It had been a long week for us both, so Kev + I started off the meal with a round of cocktails.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that it was the single most delicious Gimlet I’ve ever ordered!  I’m not going to tell you how many more I had over the course of the night.  I just won’t.

Shortly thereafter, we ordered up the Tuna Tartare to share.  Perfection.  Very similar to Steel’s famous Tuna Tower, Linger Longer’s tuna tartare was also best knocked over and mixed around on the plate.  The fresh tuna was accompanied by crushed avocado, soy-lime dressing and a crispy won ton.

We devoured it and quickly moved on to the Linger Longer Loaded Wedge Salad: bacon, tomato + maytag blue cheese.  It was also very tasty.

Entree time!  Kev and I both ordered 9 Ounce Filet Mignon Oscars.  The Oscar add-on tops off the filet with crab fondue, asparagus + bearnaise sauce.  I selected Potatoes Lyonnaise as my side.

Kev opted for the Garlic Steak Fries.  (Gotta love him!)  :)

Both of our filets were totally OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Kev said that his was “the best steak he’s had in Georgia,” and I kinda have to agree with him.  They were delicious!  And, the Oscar add-on is absolutely the way to go.

For dessert, we ordered the White Chocolate Souffle.  It was spectacular.  That’s all I can say.  I don’t care how full you are; you have got to order it! 

Everything was so fantastic – we really didn’t want the meal to end.  And, it didn’t!  Our server brought over Peach Cotton Candy on a Stick as a final special treat.  What a whimsical way to finish off such an exquisite dinner!  We really enjoyed that special touch.

We went into dinner knowing that the meal would be good – heck it’s the Ritz - but we had no idea HOW good.  Kev and I were floored – and we agreed that we would surely make the drive in from Atlanta to eat there again! 

Close to midnight, we had the friendly driver scoop us from the restaurant and bring us back to the hotel so that we could officially check in for the weekend.  When we finally made it into our room, we were greeted with a few thoughtful surprises from our beloved Gorms!  (Thanks, Gorms!)

By this point, we weren’t sure how the weekend could get much better than the incredible meal we just ate, but the truth is that dinner was merely the tip of the iceberg! 

More to come, more to come… 

xx, L

Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Linger Longer Steakhouse
1 Lake Oconee Trail
Greensboro, Georgia  30642
706.467.7196
http://ow.ly/7osh7

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Our Continued Love Affair w/ Ecco…

11/08/2011 in Appetizers, Guilty Pleasures, Midtown, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

I promise (okay, I can’t REALLY promise) that this is the last thing I’ll say about Ecco for at least two weeks.  So, here I go…  Um, guys, is there anything in this world better than their fried goat cheese balls??

these will be the death of me…

I think not.  I really think not.  Fried goat cheese, honey + black pepper.  So simple, so decadent, so unbelievably O.M.GGGG.  Really, that’s all.

xx, L

Ecco
40 7th Street NE
Atlanta, GA  30308
404.347.9555
www.ecco-atlanta.com

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in Colony Square!

10/26/2011 in Chocolate, Guilty Pleasures, Midtown, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

A little birdie brought me a box of cupcakes yesterday + boy oh boy were they GOOD!  I’ve just gotta brag about them…

They were from Holly’s Cupcake Shop in Colony Square.  (Who knew that there was a cupcake shop there?!  I guess you learn something new every day…)  Apparently, Holly’s has been serving East Atlanta since 2009, but recently opened their Midtown location in CS.

Before I opened the sweet-smelling box, I carefully reviewed the accompanying Holly’s pamphlet.  I honestly couldn’t believe how many cupcakes were listed: 33 flavors!  So many seriously delicious choices.  Just listen to some of these: coconut snowball, margarita, cookie monster, rocky road, samoas, strawberry lemonade + buckeye brownie.  Talk about a creative variety!  (No lie, my mouth is watering from just writing out the flavors…)

Holly’s cupcakes are handmade so no two are exactly alike, but all of them are baked from scratch from only the highest quality ingredients.  With over 30 flavors ranging from the simple to the sublime, along with seasonal and holiday selections, there is absolutely something for everyone at Holly’s!

Here were my sexy six: caramel apple (my fav!), red velvet, chocolate-chocolate, vanilla chocolate, margarita + hummingbird. 

I don’t want to tell you how many I ate.  I just don’t.  A lady has to keep some secrets, y’all.  But, I will tell you that I had some help (LK + our fav. bartender at Ecco: Eric) and that we thought they were simply spectacular!  The cupcakes were really flavorful, moist + the icing wasn’t overpowering at all.  Our favorite part was, hands down, the hidden cream in the middle!

You guys have gotta try these cupcakes!  They are just so decadently divine.  Check out Holly’s Cupcake Shop online HERE or visit Colony Square ASAP.  The secret is out!  :)

xx, L

Holly’s Cupcake Shop
1197 Peachtree Street – Colony Square
Atlanta, GA  30361
404.815.1180
http://www.hollyscupcakeshop.com/

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