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Outlet Shopping for Spring

03/09/2010 in Buckhead, Deals + Steals, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 2 comments

On Saturday, Dana + Jenny + I trekked up to the North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville for a little outlet shopping.  The weather has been warming up (yea!!), and as a result my winter wardrobe has been relentlessly begging me for some warm weather additions.  I resisted for a while, but recently I’ve had a hard time saying “no.”

It took us about 45 minutes going up 400 N to get to the NGPOs from Buckhead.  We easily spotted the NGPOs from the highway, and we were excited to park across from Off Fifth(Saks Fifth Ave. outlet) to begin our mini-spree.  Thanks to the grande Starbucks ice coffee I finished during the ride up, in less than ten minutes flat I was standing in the check out line at Off Fifth with an incredible lined winter coat (for next year) and a very-Lindsay-style gold bracelet.  And like a flash, we were off again…

In the interest of keeping your attention, I won’t break down every stop we made.  However, I will tell you that my favorite stores at the NGPOs were: Cole Haan, Burberry, Coach, Off Fifth, Kate Spade, Juicy, Polo, BCBG, Michael Kors and J. Crew.  We were afraid to step foot into Pottery Barn or Nike – which were absolutely swarmed with eager shoppers.  Even though it wasn’t a holiday weekend, we found excellent deals everywhere!  Coach was running a one day promotion for 20% off of the entire store, and Jenny and I walked away with adorable new purses.  Polo had some noteworthy deals, too, convincing Dana to stock up on shirts for her wonderful fiance who is in Iraq until May.  Overall, I thought the shopping was great. 

North Georgia Premium Outlets

Here are a few tips on efficient outlet shopping that I picked up during our mini-spree:

1- Wear flats or comfortable shoes.  You will regret it if you don’t.  However, if your feet begin to hurt while you are shopping – you can run into Adidas, Nike or Cole Haan (love their shoes with the Nike technology) and purchase yourself a brand spankin’ new pair.

2- Go to the bathroom prior to standing in line for a dressing room.  Lines can be long and there is nothing worse than nature calling while you are trying to shimmy your way out of a pair of skinny jeans…

3- Eat before you go – or bring snacks.  I wasn’t impressed with the food options at the NGPO’s – or the lack thereof.

4- Develop patience.  The lines are long for the dressing rooms, registers and bathrooms…there’s really no way around it.  And, there were a ton of slowly walking people w/ strollers.  Just keep that in mind…

5- According to a colleague, the best time to go outlet shopping is the week(end) prior to a holiday – so for instance the week before Black Friday or Fourth of July.  Apparently, the outlet stores will already have their stock out for the holiday weekend and start running their sales early.

6- Bring an umbrella.  The weather happened to be gorgeous on Saturday and we were fine - however it’s important to note that not all of the walkways between stores are covered.  It would be a shame to drive all the way out to the NGPOs and not be able to visit all the stores on your list because you’ve become a drowned rat in a rainstorm.

jenny's trunk @ the end of the day...

Four hours later on our drive home, we realized we were absolutely famished.  So, at 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday we sat down for a three hour sushi meal complete with sake bombs!  Yea! 

yu-ka sushi bar

"i say SAKE - you say BOMB!"

We went to Yu-Ka Sushi Bar - right next to the disco Kroger in Buckhead.  I did not care for the sushi or the atmosphere at all, but the service was good and the sake bombs hit the spot.  I called it an early evening and ventured home with my bags upon bags of outlet loot and redboxed The Hurt Locker + A Serious Man (both nominated for Best Picture @ the Oscar’s – The Hurt Locker won).  I really enjoyed both. 

What a Saturday!  I’m already looking forward to heading back to the NGPOs in a few months to stock up on summertime gear… 

xx, L

North Georgia Premium Outlets
800 Highway 400 South
Dawsonville, GA  30534
706.216.3609
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16

Sushi Bar Yu-Ka
3300 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30305
404.233.6700
Sushi Bar Yu-Ka on Urbanspoon

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BACONFEST

03/06/2010 in Events!, Festivals, Highlands, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

Yeah, you heard right…  I’m talking about the other white meat.  A whole lot of it, too.

peace out, wilbur

DAD’S GARAGE THEATRE PRESENTS
THE 10TH ANNUAL BACONFEST
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010
 
The Annual Fundraiser Features Local Bands: Futureshock, Mike LaSage and the Stumbling Troubadours, The Jaguars, Nine Inch Neils, Baron Saturday of Judi Chicago DJ Set, and Performances by Dad’s Garage House Bands, The Fingering Brothers and Bases Loaded
 
Tickets On Sale Now + All Proceeds to Benefit Dad’s Garage Theatre Company


 
THE Q+DD ON BACONFEST: 
The 10th Annual Dad’s Garage BaconFest, a one-day event featuring live music, improv, games, beer, bacon and more, will be held on Saturday, March 27 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Inman Park.  A neighborhood tradition, each year BaconFest raises funds for the treasured mid-sized theatre that is devoted to elevating awareness about the arts in Atlanta.
 
Founded by Dad’s Garage co-founder George Faughnan in 1995, the meat-centric festival has grown to cult-like status, attracting a diverse and devoted legion of Atlantans each year.  Building its following off a simple foundation of combining bacon, beer and bands, the festival also includes nonstop games.  Past favorites include; Hunt an Improvisor, Guitar Hero Challenge, fortunetelling, X-rated face painting, and a malt liquor taste test challenge.  Live music performances at this year’s event include local artists: Futureshock, Mike LaSage and the Stumbling Troubadours, The Jaguars, Nine Inch Neils, and a special DJ set by Judi Chicago’s Baron Saturday.  Dad’s Garage’s house bands The Fingering Brothers and Bases Loaded will also make appearances.
 
In addition to the fun and games at BaconFest, festival goers can bid on an array of silent auction items donated by local businesses.  This year’s silent auction will feature items donated by Dad’s Garage, Alternative Apparel, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Only You Tattoo, Third Half Studios, and many more.
 
Tickets for the 10th Annual Dad’s Garage Baconfest are sale now and are available from $15 to $45.  Dad’s Garage will offer three ticket level categories: General Admission, Mid-Level and VIP.  Mid-Level and VIP tickets will be available in limited quantities at $35 and $45, respectively.  The VIP ticket will include a special improv performance following BaconFest at 5:00 p.m.  Advanced tickets can be purchased online at the Dad’s Garage Ticket Office or at the gate the day of the event.

Visit www.dadsgarage.com for additional information, updates and directions. 


ABOUT DAD’S GARAGE THEATRE:
Founded in 1995, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company has grown from a small volunteer led organization to a thriving mid-size theatre led by professional artistic and administrative staff that includes over 300 volunteers and performers.  We now entertain more than 30,000 people each year at our two-theatre facility in Inman Park, public events across the state, and at improv festivals across the continent.  In addition to outrageous original productions, Dad’s Garage produces improv shows 52 weeks per year, educates young improvisers in a year-round high school outreach program, and facilitates on-site classes and workshops for the general public.  Dad’s Garage is committed to elevating the awareness of the arts in the Atlanta community through the production of original theatrical works, education and the creative outlets found through improvisation.

BACK TO ME…
My good buddy, Goldie, makes his famous BACON EXPLOSION on the most special of occasions.  Ironically, Goldie + I are friends from Jewish sleep-away camp…

goldie + me

Although I hear about it all the time (does it reeeeeeeally exist?), I’ve not yet had the supreme honor of feasting on this artery-clogging beast. 

Goldie's BACON EXPLOSION!!

not kosher

However, I am positive that BaconFest 2010 will be an absolutely excellent substitute! 

Gosh, I’m the world’s worst Jewish girl…  :)

xx, L

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How to Gain 30 Lbs. in 3 Days

03/05/2010 in DC, Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 5 comments

Hang out with the Kastorfs.  It’s as simple as that…

the kastorfs

In an attempt to come to terms with my denial about their recent move from Atlanta, Slick + I visited Kurt + Anjali in the District over the weekend.  When we arrived on Friday evening, we had dinner with them and Slick’s twin brother, Smooth, who lives in the city + co. at Zaytinya. 

zaytinya

Zaytinya (http://www.zaytinya.com/) is a Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown that is star chef Jose Andres’ culinary playground.  Andres is a James Beard Award winner, defeated Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America and appeared as a guest judge on Top Chef.  He is often credited for bringing the small plates concept to America.  Needless to say, I was very excited to eat at Zaytinya.  And, it was even better than expected – I strongly recommend this restaurant.

puffed pita bread @ zaytinya - i ate a TON

We had lunch the next day at Ben’s Chili Bowl (http://www.benschilibowl.com).  Ever since Obama dined there a few days before the Inaguration, I’ve been interested in trying the famous chili dogs at this historic restaurant. 

ben's chili bowl

slick @ ben's

slick @ ben's

We ate absolutely wondrous things – chili dogs, chili cheese fries, etc – and we didn’t think twice about it.   :)

chili cheese fries @ ben's

Ben’s Chili Bowl was amazing.  I love its U Street location – not too far away from one of my favorite places to eat at in DC – Marvin (Marvin Gaye’s restaurant). 

More on Marvin’s here: http://www.marvindc.com/.

kurt + slick eating ben's chili half-smokes

very full

Kurt + Anj + Slick cooked dinner on Saturday night.  Obviously, I’m big on going out for meals (research for the blog…), but the way these three cooked – I’d be happy eating at home from here on out! 

food network cameras really should have been there...

Everything was homemade from scratch.  So impressive!!

Caprese Salad garnished w/ Doritos (Slick’s touch):

genius?

Vermont Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese Straws:

my favorite part of the meal

Peach Gnocchi in a Champagne and Shallot Sauce:

heavenly

(Brace yourself for this one) Maple Mascarpone Cheesecake served with Pistachio Ice Cream, Cranberries stewed in Raspberry Ginger Beer, Orange Ginger Reduction, Maple Syrup and garnished with a Walnut Tuille:

masterpiece

I ate sooooooo much, I couldn’t breathe after the meal.  Seriously.  That didn’t stop me, though, from finishing about three bottles of wine w/ Anj over the course of the night…  :)

We ventured out to Co Co. Sala (http://www.cocosala.com/) for brunch on Sunday.  A colleague in DC sang praises about this restaurant after she went for dinner one evening – and ever since has been telling me that I absolutely have to go there when I’m in town. 

barely standing...but ready to eat!

The menu is based around chocolate and the food is creative, well-paired and incredibly artful.  Although we were all pretty hungover from the prior evening, we thought brunch was delicious and satisfying.  I loved the restaurant’s plush decor and appreciated how well thought out each knife, fork, dish and glass was – everything was very detailed. 

beautiful entree @ co co. sala

decadent desserts @ co co. sala

We schmoozed with Co Co. Sala’s general manager after our meal and he told us that the restaurant has a pretty lively dessert + drinks scene – very loungy with house music…  Personally, “house music” wasn’t the greatest selling point for me, but I would definitely go back to Co Co. Sala when I am in DC again to try more of their delicious desserts and see what the evening holds there.  We left the restaurant full + with a parting gift from the GM: CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON!

it wasn't around for long...

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro (http://www.matchboxdc.com/) was the last restaurant I wanted to check off of my list this trip. 

get it? get it?!

Anj + Slick + I grabbed an early dinner there: the 3.6.9. mini-burgers w/ gouda + onion straws and one of their signature pizzas cooked in a wood-fired masonry oven.  Although I thought the pizza was fair at best, Matchbox’s onion straws were enough to bring me back to the Chinatown restaurant as soon as I am in DC again.  I honestly don’t have any other way to accurately describe them than they were just, well, AWESOME!

matchbox's 3.6.9. mini-burgers w/ onion straws

We ate a lot over the three day trip.  But, don’t worry about our health – we did some walking.  In fact, we spent Saturday @ the Department of Justice:

i found a familiar flag!

slick gave an important speech

We saw Julia Child’s Kitchen @ the National Museum of American History:

amen!

julia's copper pots

And, we viewed the Hope Diamond + the extensive Mineral Exhibit @ the National Museum of Natural History:

the hope diamond in all its glory

want. those.

Although the trip went by in a blur, I’ll be holding onto the memories we made (ate?) for the next few weeks in my waistline.  Oh well, I enjoyed every bite – and it’s not swimsuit season quite yet… 

miss you guys already!!

Thanks, Anj + Kurt for such a super fun + incredibly delicious trip!

xx, L

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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

03/03/2010 in Events!, PSAs, Random Musings, What we're Doing, What we're Reading by Lauren | 3 comments

Did you know that yesterday was dear ol’ Dr. Seuss’s birthday? Well, it was.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on 03/02/04!

Throughout my whole life, I have ALWAYS been a big Dr. Seuss fan, I’m sure we all were at one point or another, right?  I mean, whose childhood didn’t include The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, or Green Eggs and Ham?

Usual Suspect.

Sidebar: remember when Season 5 Top Chef contender Carla made Green Eggs and Ham during a quickfire challenge?



Don’t you think she kinda looks a little like a resident of Whoville?:

Coincidence? I think not...

Hootie-hoo, Carla! (I love you.)

I digress.

As I was saying, somehow Dr. Seuss always finds his way into my life at every stage. Some of my earliest memories are of my superawesome dad making up tunes to the silly songs in The Cat in the Hat Songbook…

Plinker Plunker!

…and as a suddenly environmentally-conscious 5th grader, I wrote what I considered to be a very moving paper on The Lorax.  Sometimes, riiiiight around wine-time, DK will dig it up to embarrass the heck out of me.

"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues!"

The Good Doctor Seuss even followed me to college when DK gave me a copy of Oh, The Places You’ll Go as I settled into my dorm room at the University of Texas.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

Oh, and let’s not forget about Seussical the Musical (!!!) which opened on Broadway in 2000!  (…just to be sure that eeeeeeeevery last one of my tender little heartstrings were played upon…)

"Just tell yourself, duckie, you're really quite lucky!"

Then, when I moved to NYC myself, I met a wonderful guy named Andrew who educated me on the lost art of Dr. Seuss:

From www.drseussart.com: “Dr. Seuss single-handedly forged a new genre of art that falls somewhere between the Surrealist Movement of the early 20th Century and the inspired nonsense of a precocious child’s classroom doodles.”

Andrew had a truly mesmerizing (not to mention enormous) landscape painting in his apartment and I came to learn that Seuss not only worked in illustrations and paint, but also bronze sculpture and “unorthodox taxidermy”

Even now, as a full-fledged adult (scary.), I often find myself considering the wise words of Dr. Seuss.  Check it:

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.”

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

And finally, my favorite (my sister’s favorite too):

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

Bringing it all full-circle for me, next Saturday my very, very dear friends Jess and Adam will be celebrating the first birthday of THE MOST ADORABLE CHILDREN EVER, otherwise known as their kids, my pseudo niece and nephew, Eli and Alexa, with a Seuss-themed birthday party…where the twin guests of honor will appear as Thing 1 and Thing 2!

Precious!

But if you’d like to have your OWN Seuss celebration, you’re in luck.  On SUNDAY, MARCH 21st the Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum, will be hosting a “Seussian” Birthday Party in conjunction with their fascinating exhibition, “Dr. Seuss Goes to War…and More!”, a collection of Ted Grisel’s WWII political cartoons.

showing now through 08/31/10

Click here for details.

So, HAPPY 106th BIRTHDAY, Dr. Seuss… from the Q+DD!

oh, and happy 1st birthday, A + E! Aunt LK loves you!

Oh, the places you'll go!

xx, L

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The Secret to Life.

02/17/2010 in Vacation, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 6 comments

Slick and Stuart were very sneaky over the past few weeks…

Slick + Stuart

Slick + Stuart

Somehow these amazing (but never plan-oriented) boys pulled together a very thoughtful + incredibly romantic, surprise V-Day getaway for Stacey + me @ Chateau Elan! 

Chateau Elan

Here’s the Q+DD on Chateau Elan:
Chateau Elan is the largest winery in Georgia and is located in Braselton, 40 miles north of Atlanta.  It was founded in 1982 by Dr. Don Panoz who came from the pharmaceutical industry.  Their wines have won many regional awards including 19 from the Atlanta International Wine Festival, two from The Dallas Morning News Wine Competition and numerous Florida State Fair awards.  The facility is 3,500 acres, but only 50 are dedicated to the vineyard.  Georgia wines are marked “Founder’s Reserve,” but other bottles with the Chateau Elan label can include grapes from a sister property in California.  (www.wikipedia.com)

itineraries in hand...

Once we found out where we were going, we expected to drink a lot of mostly locally grown wine and RELAX RELAX RELAX.  We did not, however, expect to learn “the secret to life” from an enthusiastic Chateau Elan employee.

Wine Tour

Wine Tour

The Chateau Elan wine tour was just one of the many fun events the boys had planned for us during our “V-Day Extravaganza,” but it was the most memorable.  We learned all about CE’s grape harvesting, wine making and bottling process, and then got to taste a few of their signature wines. 

Wine Tasting

After the tasting – in hopes of scoring another heavy pour – the four of us stuck around to chew the fat with some of the CE wine experts + employees.  We spent the majority of our time talking to a particularly friendly, white-haired wine pourer.  Much to our surprise, he told us that he was 77 years old.  Shocked, we asked him how he looked so young and had so much energy.  (This gentleman was in remarkable shape.)  In a beautiful accent, he informed us that “the secret to life” is eating like a diabetic, or watching what you eat at each and every meal, and marrying your very best friend.  Just a little something to think about…

Chateau Elan

We enjoyed a really nice four-course dinner at Cafe Elan that evening, took advantage of the hot tub at the Spa and treated ourselves to a delicious brunch at Le Clos on Sunday morning (wearing our robes and all), but still, my favorite part of the trip was our brief + incredibly enlightening conversation with the Australian wine expert at the tasting.

Spa @ Chateau Elan

Brunch @ Le Clos

What a memorable little trip!  Stacey and I were very impressed with the boys, and we can’t wait to see what may be up their sleeves in the future!  :)

Way to go, Slick + Stuart!

xx, L

Chateau Elan
100 Rue Charlemagne
Braselton, GA  30517
678.425.0900
www.chateauelan.com

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Cupcakes To Write Home About

02/16/2010 in Buckhead, Guilty Pleasures, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 4 comments

I’ve died and gone to cupcake heaven!  I never thought I’d enjoy eating a cupcake as much as I love eating petit fours, but Cami Cakes has completely won me over!

Let’s take a step back, shall we? 

I’ve never turned my nose up at a cupcake, but they aren’t my favorite dessert in the world.  I can take ‘em or leave ‘em pretty much any day.  Magnolia (NYC), Sprinkles (Dallas) and Belly General Store (Atlanta) all have excellent cupcakes, but I’m not writing home about them.  Hey Cupcake (Austin) is definitely the closest I’ve come to cupcake-on-the-brain.

Hey Cupcake (Austin, TX)

Until now…  A girl in my book club brought a box of Cami Cakes to a meeting last week, and well, that’s all it took.  I’m officially hooked!  After talking about/ thinking about Cami Cakes for what seemed like days and days and days, Slick and I popped in yesterday after a visit to the Atlanta Humane Society to get a few treats for a little dinner celebration we had last night @ Fat Matt’s (more on that later). 

I’d frequently passed Cami Cakes on drives down Peachtree St. from Midtown to Buckhead, but I’d never noticed it.  It’s situated in a short, kinda boring strip (dry cleaners, tax advice, etc…)  nearby Varasano’s - so it’s easily overlooked.  I will most certainly NOT miss it from now on!

When you walk inside Cami Cakes, you are overwhelmed with the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cupcakes.  Slick’s first question to the gentleman behind the counter was, “How IN THE WORLD do you work here and you’re not 900 pounds?!”  Slick has excellent people skills.  :)

The cupcakes are artistic and creative, while at the same time flavorful and very moist.  Nothing is compromised in the making of these beauties!  You can choose from delicious flavors in their long glass case including – THE ELVIS: Creamy banana and peanut butter frosting topping their classic chocolate cake garnished with a hint of salt, and SWEET POTATO: Cinnamon and real sweet potato mixed into their buttery yellow cake and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.  Yum!

We eventually left the store with a small box of the following:

Top Left – RED VELVET: Their classic Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting studded with lightly toasted pecans.  (Their best seller!)

Top Right – CHOCOLATE COCONUT PECAN: Rich and creamy caramel frosting with loads of coconut and pecans topping their classic chocolate cake.  (My least favorite…)

Bottom Right – CARROT: Moist spice cake loaded with carrots and pecans beneath cream cheese frosting studded with lightly toasted pecans.  (Absolutely delicious.)

Bottom Left – CLASSIC CAMI: Their signature yellow cake with classic pink buttercream frosting.  (Can’t beat the classics!)

After dinner, our cupcakes were gone in a flash!  SUGAR RUSH!!

Stop by Cami Cakes ASAP and you’ll see what I mean.  This just may be the second happiest place on Earth (next to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, of course!) 

Welcome to Cupcake HEAVEN!

xx, L

Cami Cakes
2221-B Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.748.4288
www.camicakes.com

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Bah Humbug!

02/12/2010 in Highlands, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 4 comments

Listen.  At the risk of sounding like a Bitter Daria…

Remember her?

Remember her?

…I am just not into Valentine’s day. I know.  It’s shocking given my absolute adoration for any kind of holiday (usually Linds and I are in the same boat on this subject) but there’s something about V-Day that isn’t for me. Weird because I love pink, love hearts, love candy…well, I just love cheesiness in general.

This is what I look like at a Britney Spears concert.

This is what I look like at a Britney Spears concert.

You’d think that I’d be all about the cheesiest holiday of the year, but I’m just not.  I loathe red roses, can’t stand prix fixe menus, and my favorite Valentine’s gift ever was also the most irreverent:

Pink Chucks. Delivered to my office. Amazing.

Pink Chucks. Delivered to my office. Amazing.

That’s why I think this is g.e.n.i.u.s.:toel“To El with Valentine’s Day!” at The Original El Taco in the Highlands!

Tomorrow and Sunday, El Taco will be offering $2 Miller High Lifes, $4 Hornitos Mischieve tequila shots, and $5 champagne mojitos and house margaritas!

Girls will get a chance to spin the Wheel of Taco for prizes like Natural Body Spa and Helmet Salon gift cards.

Also present on Sunday: a photobooth (!!!) and a tarot card reader.  I’m sorry, but tacos + cheap margaritas + photobooth + spa products + fortune tellers?  GET OUT OF MY HEAD, Fifth Group! That is a combo MADE for LK.

Plus, if you didn’t make dinner reservations weeks ago, GOOD LUCK with that!valentinescardHappy un-Valentine’s to my fellow singletons!helovesmexx, L

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Attention: Last Minute V-Day Plans

02/12/2010 in Holidays, Parties, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 8 comments

If you are a frequent Q+DD reader, you’ll know that I love holidays – and pretty much any reason to celebrate.  I even like not-so-sexy holidays.  For instance, Passover got morphed last year into Lindsay + Lauren’s B.P.E. (Best Passover Ever).  It was 80’s-themed and all…

The B.P.E.

B.P.E.

the charoset was jussssst right...

the charoset was jussssst right

Valentine’s Day (candy + roses) definitely falls into my top five favorite holidays list, alongside St. Patty’s Day (green beer + socially-acceptable pinching), Halloween (costumes + candy…again), Thanksgiving (turduckens + football) and New Year’s Eve (champagne + overpriced parties). 

Happy V-Day!

Happy V-Day!

Sadly, I do encounter quite a few people who are not that “into” V-Day.  Some people just don’t have the spirit.  I hear them say, “why should I be forced to tell my (insert: girlfriend/ fiance/ partner/ wife) that I love them more on this day than any other - yadda yadda yadda?”  To which I simply respond, “because Hallmark tells you to!  Hello!”  Call me brainwashed – whatever – but I’m totally buying what Hallmark is selling.  I love everything about this holiday!  Chalky conversation hearts, under-clothed babies with bows + arrows, oversized V-day cards, pristine red+ pink roses…I love it all.

Which brings me to my point: no matter if you’re a V-day lover or hater, here are a few ideas for the weekend if you have not already made plans:

A Love Supreme:  Nothing says, “I love you,” like sushi, well, that’s our philosophy at least.  Head to Genki Noodles and Sushiin Buckhead or The Prado for a low-key, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner featuring a special “Cupid Roll” and “Love You Long Time” flirty cocktail.  Detailed info below. (http://www.genkiatl.com/)

Valentine’s Day is for Suckas:  Boycott this Hallmark holiday and reclaim romance for the real world at P’cheen International Bistro & Pub!  Saturday, February 13 infuse a little humor into your night…sip on “Cupid Got Shot(s)” while you bust out your best Molly Ringwald moves during the teary eyed dance party courtesy of DJ Feri.  Since the kitchen is open until 1:00 a.m., you might even find a date that you can spoon-feed the “Broken Heart” dinner specials to. (http://www.pcheen.com/)

Tainted Love:  Give love a chance during Gold Room’s retro throwback “Tainted Love” party on Saturday, February 13th.  Enjoy a night of dancing as DJ Andre Perry spins favorites from the 70s, 80s and 90s.  Try the “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue” and “Chocolate Covered Raspberries” specialty cocktails.  Single guys and gals can try to get lucky in love by picking up a red wrist band at the front door as their official “single signal” for the night.  (http://www.goldroomatl.com/)

Shop To Your Heart’s Content:  If you’re still searching for that perfect Valentine’s Day gift, Limon Verde offers beautiful hand-made unique and affordable gifts for that special someone.  To sweeten the deal, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Red Cross.  And, the Shops Around Lenox have a bundle of sweet deals through Valentine’s Day. (http://www.limonverde.com/)
(http://www.octaneemail.com/shopsaroundlenox/020210/)

Valentine’s Day Supper Club:  Sun In My Bellyis hosting special Valentine’s Day dinners Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m.  Both evenings will have one seating featuring a four-course meal created by executive chef Allison Lueker, complimentary specialty cocktails and live music by Nicole Chillemi.  In addition, each party will receive a signature floral bouquet from Foxgloves + Ivy Floral Design Studio to take home. $50.00 per person. (http://www.suninmybelly.com/)

A few other V-Day ideas can be found right there:  HERE.

GENKIVD

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, EVERYONE!  And, stay warm – this is going to be a snowy one in Atlanta!  :)

xx, L

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The World is your Oyster

02/10/2010 in Events!, What we're Doing by Lauren | 2 comments

It’s that time again!

This SATURDAY, February 13th is Midtown’s Original OysterFest!oyster12pm at the Park Tavern in Midtown Atlanta

Here are 5 reasons you should attend:

5. Discounted tickets. When you buy your tickets at www.spiralentertainment.com enter promo code “kraselsky” (no caps) for $5 off. They are currently $20 online right now and will likely increase Thursday night at midnight.

4. If it rains, as it did last year, it’s an excellent excuse for WELLIES: wellies(Last year some dude stopped me to tell me my “kicks” were “whimsical” and that he appreciated that.)

3. Live music. Performances by Nine Inch Neils (Neil Diamond Tribute Band), Justin (80’s and 90’s cover band), and Gurufish (Funk, R&B, Rock.) So, ummmm, you’re pretty much covered.

"Haaaaands....holding haaaands....."

"Haaaaands....holding haaaands....."

2. It’s the day before Valentine’s day and every restaurant in town will be on a prix fixe menu while you are downing OYSTERS. oysters

Steamed. Fried. However you like ‘em (as long as you don’t like ‘em raw.) There will be other food there too, obvi. Bonus: they also won’t make you leave clutching a single red rose in your paw.

1. It is really, REALLY fun and the whole city of Atlanta will be there. Fact. Plus, one of my favorite pictures of all time was taken at Spiral’s Oysterfest last year. Witness: oysterfest1
Soooooo…..see you at the Park!

xx, L

Park Tavern
www.parktavern.com
500 10th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 249-0001

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The Snug Life

02/07/2010 in Events!, Guilty Pleasures, What we're Doing by Lauren | 4 comments

Snuggie Pub Crawls. They’re everywhere these days.
snuggiepubcrawl2Sorry, Joanna and Ash, apparently we did NOT come up with that idea and if we did, we certainly didn’t execute quickly enough because you can barely walk down the street these days without hitting a wall of Snuggie-clad bar-hoppers.
snuggiepubcrawlgroupsnuggiepubcrawl1snuggiepubcrawlcheerNow, I guess if you’re going to wear a blanket to a bar, it definitely makes sense to wear one with sleeves.  You just can’t argue with that logic. I mean, how else could you shoot pool?
CIMG1359Give a high five?
snuggiehighfiveEven hold your cocktail?!
snuggiecocktailYou couldn’t, my friends.  You couldn’t.

Plus, if you order now, your Snuggie will come with a book light that can also double as a mini flashlight…which could come in handy in dimly lit pubs! CIMG1357I actually can’t believe bar crawling wasn’t Snuggie’s original purpose. Yep, Snuggie pub crawls are all the rage and last night?  I jumped right on that bandwagon.

I couldn’t just go with the standard edition blue.  Luckily, as you know, Snuggie is really branching out. Check out the latest from Milan:
snuggierunway I imagined myself a Project Runway contestant while fashioning my Snuggie dress… please witness my Snuggie couture:

That. Just. Happened.

That. Just. Happened.

In this chilly February weather, I was snug as a bug in a rug in my Snuggie.  I loved it.  Everyone at Twain’s loved it. In fact, I may work it in as a regular part of my wardrobe.   Otherwise, I might wonder: snuggietshirtHave a Snug-tastic day, everyone!

xx, L

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All The Rage…

02/04/2010 in Athens, Sports, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 8 comments

Bocce ball is so hot right now.  All the cool kids are playing it.

i_love_bocce_ball_hat-p148205265103380533trur_210

Leon’s has a court, Ormsby’s put theirs inside and now a construction crew is ripping up the outside of the 999 Peachtree building preparing for the new Hugh Acheson restaurant, Empire State South’s, court.  (He’s the chef I love from Five & Ten in Athens!)  Friends, it is time to become an expert on bocce ball.

Bocce Ball

Bocce Balls

Here’s the Q+DD on Bocce Ball:

Bocce is a precision sport belonging to the boules sport family, closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire.  Developed into its present form in Italy, it is played around Europe and also in overseas areas that have received Italian migrants, including Australia, North America and South America, initially amongst the migrants themselves but slowly becoming more popular with their descendants and the wider community.  The sport is also popular in the former Yugoslavian countries of Slovenia, Croatia (predominantly in the coastal regions), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro.  Bocce ball is traditionally played on natural soil or asphalt courts approximately 20 to 27 meters in length and 2.5 to 4 meters wide, sometimes with wooden boards of approximately 15 centimeters in height surrounding the court.  Bocce balls can be made of metal or various kinds of plastic.  Unlike lawn bowls, bocce balls are spherical and have no inbuilt bias.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Court @ Ormsby's

Court @ Ormsby's

Now that you know what it is, here’s how you play it:

A game can be conducted between two players, or two teams of two, three or four.  A match is started by a randomly chosen side being given the opportunity to throw a smaller ball, the jack (called a pallino or a boccino in some areas), from one end of the court into a zone about 5 meters in length, ending 2 meters from the far end of the court.  If they miss twice, the other team is awarded the opportunity to place the jack anywhere they choose within the prescribed zone.  The side that first attempted to place the jack is given the opportunity to bowl first.  Once the first bowl has taken place, the other side has the opportunity to bowl.  From then on, the side which does not have the ball closest to the jack has a chance to bowl, up until one side or the other has used their four balls.  At that point, the other side bowls its remaining bocce balls.  The team with the closest bocce ball to the jack is the only team that can score points in any frame.  The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that is closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other team.  The length of a game varies by region, but is typically from 7 to 13 points.   Players are permitted to throw the ball in the air using an underarm action.  This is generally used to knock either the jack or another ball away to attain a more favorable position.  Tactics can get quite complex when players have sufficient control over the bocce ball to throw or roll it accurately. (www.wikipedia.com)

 raos_bocce

Well, there you go.  Now you’re officially cool.  You’re welcome.

xx, L

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This might be the year…

02/03/2010 in Events!, Guilty Pleasures, Parties, Random Musings, What we're Doing by Lauren | 10 comments

…I get flagged for excessive celebration of my birthday.
56685883CC202_Super_Bowl_XLBetween my Houston party…
birthdayhouston1birthdayhouston2My office party…
princesscakeFrog_to_PrinceMy party at Smith’s with my cast mates…
castmatebirthdayDinner at Woodfire Grill with EZ…
woodfiregrillDinner at Rathbun’s/Krog with my family…
rathbunsAnd, of COURSE, the amazing brunch that Lindsay threw at Waffle House…
wafflehousebrunchbirthday mimosa…dayianu! (that would have been enough)

But I have to tell you, I couldn’t have been happier with the 5th annual LK/EZ Birthday Bash. Party Preppy was DEFINITELY the best one yet!

Witness:
partypreppycakepartypreppycandlespartypreppydkdkpartypreppycampbellpartypreppyboyspartypreppydinajackieerinashhambypartypreppytcpartypreppylanapartypreppygirlspartypreppybrookelindsayslickpreppypartystefpartypreppydkbzlindsaylaurenpreppypartypreppyIt. Was. Spectacular! We packed Whiskey Park with popped collars, pearls, cardigans, top siders, even seersucker in the dead of winter. Erin and I were tickled pink (and green!) partypreppyblowing

Thank you so much everyone! I am SO lucky.

Special thanks to my amazing, supercool (and handsome!) cousin Rob Goldstein who took care of EVERYTHING for us.  If you ever want to book a party at any of the Ws, I strongly suggest getting in touch with him at rgoldstein@gerberbars.com. He’s the bomb.com

Now, I think I am officially DONE celebrating this particular birthday. (Well…after Birthday dinner at Repast with Seth tonight…)

xx, L

P.S. For the record, the only thing that party was missing was my seestah. Next year, KT!

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