However, that didn’t stop me from having the TIME OF MY LIFE this weekend celebrating Randi’s BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, Randela!

If you happen to be making a trip to NYC anytime soon, let me point out a few highlights from my trip:

1.    Soul Cycle – It’s like a dance club and a spin class all rolled into one.  My girls have been RAVING about it forever and now I know why!  It’s an AMAZING workout and we had a BLAST.  If you have the opportunity to try it out, I recommend it 100%.  3 NYC locations: Upper East, Upper West, and Tribeca (even one in the Hamptons!) Visit Soul Cycle for more information and be sure to reserve a bike well ahead of time, there wasn’t a seat to be had!

2.   Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa – Jess and I had massages at the Flagship 5th Avenue Red Door Spa

between 54th and 55th

…complete with complimentary makeup touch ups by Monique…a Sophia Loren lookalike who has been working at the spa since…well…suffice it to say she’s been there a long time and has done a TON of makeup. So when Monique recommended the Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup, who were we to refuse?  SO glad we took her advice, it’s perfect for summer. The makeup comes out light and airy and it doesn’t sit on your skin like most foundations will in hot humid weather.  LOVE.

3.    Blow-Outs at Salon Nouvelle – I hesitate to tell you because I think this is the city’s best kept secret. Amazing hair for a mere $30 at this discreet little salon on 1st Avenue at 61st street.  (212) 813-0736 for an appointment.

(Another option: if you’re closer to Murray Hill…I used to be a blow-out regular at Monhair on 3rd Avenue between 36th and 37th.  I heard today my girl is still there!  Ask for Lolita and tell her Lorena sent you! (212) 447-7744 for an appointment)

4.    Dinner at Lure Fishbar – It was love at first bite. Lure is the cutest little seafood restaurant located directly underneath the SoHo Prada store at Mercer and Prince. I chose the miso-glazed salmon over crispy soba noodles and it was to DIE for.  I was able to steal bites of the girls seafood platters, scallops, and various other fish dishes – everything was excellent.  Plus, inside is cute and swank all at the same time…perfect place for our perfect dinner!

Lure Fishbar
(212) 431-7676
142 Mercer St
New York, NY 10012

5.    Drinks at Betel in the West Village– LOVED Betel.  This Asian-Fusion resto was a really fun location for post-dinner drinks.   It’s very nondescript (in fact, you could easily miss it!) and understated and with ample bar seating for a small-ish joint, it was the perfect place to accommodate the flood of people who showed up to celebrate Randi’s birth!  The drinks were DELICIOUS – we especially liked the Tart ‘n Tasty – made with lychee juice and ginger (You know how I usually shy away from anything with a kitchy name…but this drink was fantastic and not too sweet!)

(The cutie in the middle is Randy's Mister!)

Betel
(212) 352-0460
51 Grove St
New York, NY 10014

6.    Brunch at The Smith – catty-corner from my old East Village Karaoke standby – Nevada Smith’s – The Smith really hit the spot for brunch. Mostly, I just loved hanging with 4 of my favorite people over egg white mushroom and fontina omelets and complimentary bloody marys!

The Smith
(212) 420-9800
55 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10003

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to see my girls and the wonderful guys they love…

but I have to say – of all the cute couples I know in The City, my favorite pair is undoubtedly these two:

…Don’t worry, A+E…Aunt LK will be back soon!

xx, L


bentonville's finest.

(“Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset?  And he’s carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he’s carrying a very beautiful painting with his feed.  And also, you’re drunk.” – Jack Handy)

I think not.

glamour shot (was happily COVERED in powdered sugar...)

Thank you, Nutella, for making my life so much more enjoyable + delicious! 

behold its glory

Fine, I’ll just come out and say it already…I LOVE CREPES!!

“Just say it Ricky Bobby…” “I…Love…Crepes!”

Well, that’s all I’ve got.  As a result of my weekend in Arkansas, my brain is barely functioning today.  “We are all now dumber having listened to you…  I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

xx, L

In retrospect, I feel like I did pretty well for having extremely hunger-impaired judgement in the TJ’s aisles.  I wasn’t thrilled with my decision to pick up a loaf of freshly-baked raisin walnut bread or TJ’s rice pudding (insert Adam Lambert’s ballad “What Do You Want From Me?!”)…

trust me - shopping while hungry can be a recipe for disaster...

…but I DID end up with some healthy staples: flattened bananas, hearty trail mix, frozen shrimp and organic blueberries.  My three most impressive items, however, seem pretty unhealthy, but actually aren’t that bad when you really look at the nutritional breakdown:

Trader Joe’s Fat Free Crumbled Feta (recently featured in the AJC)

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 1 oz
Calories: 35 g
Fat: 0 g
Carbs: 1 g
Sodium: 260 mg
Protein: 7 g

Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 1/8 container, 2 Tbsp
Calories: 45 g
Fat: 3 g
Carbs: 2 g
Sodium: 170 mg
Protein: 6 g

Trader Joe’s Soy & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips

hi, i'm blurry.

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 10 oz, 7 chips
Calories: 130 g
Fat: 8 g
Carbs: 13 g
Sodium: 50 mg
Protein: 6 g

Not too terrible, huh?  The items that took the cake, though, were definitely THESE guys:

love

love even more!

Moral of the story:  It’s always smart to follow my Rule #84 (just here to help, y’all!) and avoid the grocery when you’re feeling hunger pains, but if you absolutely HAVE to go  – go to Trader Joe’s.  The healthy nutritional content of your seemingly-bad-for-you-thrown-into-the-cart-in-a-hunger-rage loot just may surprise you! 

xx, L

Trader Joe’s – Midtown
931 Monroe Dr. NE  30308
404.815.9210
www.traderjoes.com

red velvet cupcakes

peanut butter french toast

turkey sausage + egg + cheese on a croissant

peanut butter + chocolate cupcakes

mini cinnamon rolls

Highland Bakery’s Old Fourth Ward location on Highland Ave. is consistently delicious – and always packed.  So predictably packed that I’ve started completely avoiding it on Saturday and Sunday mornings for brunch…  However, my carb-craving prayers have been answered with Highland Bakery’s new Midtown location, which officially opened last week.  Food blogs were listing the opening date as “the last quarter of the year,” but I called the OFW location this morning to confirm that I did, in fact, see people eating in there on Friday.  And, I did.

Visit Highland Bakery – Midtown in the 1180 Peachtree Building around the corner from TAP, where TROIS used to reside.  And, please, do yourself a favor and go ahead and order that cupcake.  It’s worth it. 

P.S. All you Midtown suits:  H. Bakery is great for a quick workday lunch, too!

xx, L

Highland Bakery – Midtown
1180 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.586.0772
http://www.highlandbakery.com/

Syracuse + Skaneatles:

d's wedding

hellloooooo from heaven

N. Georgia Mountains:

gorgeousness @ lake burton, but watch out for...

...this guy. eek!

Columbia (SC):

levin wedding @ columbia museum of art

dancing machines

Random Arkansas:

Even random-er New Jersey, where I really hope to see:

my fav. gym-tan-laundry homies, the cast of Jersey Shore!

(Love things + people + awesomeness from New Jersey as much as I do?  If so, you may want to know about Jersey Shore’s Mike “the Situation’s” first stab at literary excellence: http://tiny.cc/gj75j!  I digress…)

I’ve learned a few things here and there throughout my travels, and I am confident that I can reduce some travel-related stress with just five points to remember below:

5-  If you are flying out of or connecting in Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport and need food or want to waste away a few hours at a bar while waiting for your departure, head directly for Terminal E.  They have my favorite food selections, including some healthy options, and a really great wine bar located right next to the duty free store = dangerous.  Also, Term. E has the only fine dining restaurant in the airport, One Flew South, for you fancy-pants travelers, you.

One Flew South (Terminal E)

4- Go through security in the first class + medallion gate.  I am a Delta medallion flyer and always go through the security gates all the way to the back of Delta’s check in area, and I have NEVER had anyone ask me to show them proof of my status.  Don’t be a schmo, if you are in a rush to make your flight, take advantage of a faster line for security.  I promise I won’t tell on you…

don't do it.

3-  Need a last minute mani/pedi before the big trip, but don’t have much time?  No problemo.  Head on over to the XpresSpas in Terminals A + C for some quickie pre-flight spa services.

XpresSpa (Terminals A + C)

2-  Why waste $30 to check your bags when you can just be a thoughtful packer and save yourself some dough?  Carry on your baggage whenever possible – particularly if you are flying Delta, which has the highest incidence in the airline industry for losing traveler’s baggage.  Slick lost his luggage on Delta five times out of the last eight flights he’s taken.  Fact. 

Ladies:  Do not EVER pack your make-up or a bridesmaid dress.  Trust me – it’s never worth the risk.

delta hates you, slick

1-  Talk to your neighbor(s) on the plane – at least for a little while.  You never know who you’ll meet.  I’ve had friends who have met people who have set them up on dates, helped them to network for jobs and made some pretty cool random connections – even if it’s just a new book recommendation.  Who knows, you may even find a friend to chow down w/ at One Flew South in Terminal E… 

pleased to meet you - i am your new friend, lindsay.

Just, please, watch out for snakes.  (Don’t say I didn’t warn you, oh weary travelers…)

Snakes on a Plane

Safe travels this summer.  See y’all around Hartsfield-Jackson! 

xx, L

One Flew South
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
600 N. Terminal Parkway (Terminal E)
Atlanta, GA  30320
404.816.3464
www.oneflewsouthatl.com

Hanging out with her "granddogger"

Then you do the following:

1. Dinner at the bar at 4th and Swift

Amazingness.

We both acknowledge that a bottle of red wine, a cheese plate, and an order of ceviche would not qualify as dinner when men are present…which is why we enjoyed every. last. bite.

2. IMAX and Martinis at the Fernbank

It was “Salsa Night.” 

Honestly, it was a little loud for our tastes, I much prefer the light jazz.  However, it was fun to see all the dancing and all the outfits while we sipped on our martinis.  (Love that DK and I drink exactly the same: Vodka Martini.  Up. Olives. Fin.) Plus, after a martini or two…I find IMAX movies hilarious. (Friday was no different. Cirque was a riot.)

3. Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market

As I suspected, DK LOVED it. All the fresh produce, local wares, and homemade treats were RIGHT up her ally.  We split a mint lemonade, had breakfast pizza, and DK had a Cucumber Basil Fresco Pop.  It was great! Bonus: we ran into a zillion friends (and lots of people who came per the Q+DD reccomendation…which obviously made my day...including this young man and his parents, whom I adore:

lil' Flounder. Son of Flounder and Jen Flounder

DK made out like a bandit (and consequently, so did I!) check out her loot:

Emily G's Jam of Love, classic and chipolte bacon, I heart bacon shirt for Brian, and an assortment of cheeses from Calyroad Creamery

4. Shopping. Major shopping happened on Saturday afternoon. Mostly my bed got a makeover.  Witness:

IN LOVE with my new aqua coverlet, my watercolor duvet cover, and quilted euro shams.  Also exciting: I scored a Calvin Klein Khaki Collection down duvet for $80 at Macy’s.  (I shopped 3 other places, this was the cheapest BY FAR.)  Macy’s is having a crazy linen sale. I replaced every pillow on my bed. Check it. Trust.

5. Lovely lunch at Prime. I always forget about this resto because it’s in the mall.  But DK loved her sushi and I had a great lump crab meat and bibb lettuce salad.  Deeeeeelish.

6. Drinks + Dinner at Holeman + Finch: in that order.  We met my friend Victoria and her husband Hakim, who were visiting from Chicago…because they are MOVING HERE! WOOT!

Reunited...and it feeeeels so good!

It didn’t seem that crowded, but we definitely got there at 8:30 and weren’t seated until our burger (yes.  singular.  We scored the last one. Thanks, Reagan!)  was  served.  (10:30ish?) But we had a great time at the bar. DK LOVED the Aviation and I enjoyed the Shrub (blackberry + tequila on Saturday night).  We demolished a pretty amazing charcuterie plate, I rediscovered the pancetta carbonara, and we tried 2 things that I LOVE that somehow I have never ordered at H+F: the steak tartare and the mussels.  Both were PHENOM. Special thanks to Hakim for showing me how to eat mussels with other mussels.  (ie sans tiny fork.)  I’m so euro now!

Sidebar: Everyone in the WORLD was at Holeman on Saturday night.  Including Eli Kirshstein (from Top Chef.  Yes, we are both obsessed.) and Lauren…my neighbor from Birmingham!

+ about 934829235 other people! fun!

7. Brunch at Craftbar with La + Shecky

The company alone would have made this brunch phenomenal. However, there was nothing to be desired.  At the end of the day, I think Craftbar is so gorgeous and our food was incredible.  We started with biscuits and fresh blackberry jam

I had shortribs and baked eggs, La and Shecks had poached eggs and steak, and DK (true to form) ordered exactly what I wanted: bacon gravy and biscuits.  Everything was perfect: the coffee, the food, the service.  It was a lovely brunch.

8. More shopping. No pictures.  I was too busy taking full advantage of my last few precious hours with DK.  Sorry not sorry.

LOVED having my mom in town. I’m a lucky girl to have my own personal stylist, decorator, role model, and best friend all rolled up into one woman!  Thanks for coming to play!

and thanks for showing me how people sharpened their lipliner in the olden days!

Bonus: Today is my parents’ anniversary!  Happy, happy anniversary to the cutest couple I know!

I love you!

xx, L

T. Bloom

Out of the four years I’ve thrown this event, I’ve never seen Table 1280 as packed as it was last night.  Way to go, Tracey!  We had cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the bar area, which I think is just perfect for a smaller event, and then headed back to my personal favorite room at Table 1280 (the one to the left of the entrance) for a seated dinner.

table 1280

Simply, dinner was delicious.  We had a large group of people, and the folks at my end of the table ordered some pretty yummy starters to share, of which this one was my favorite:

Serrano Ham, Manchego, Piquillo Pepper, Arugula, Breadstick  (loved!)

I also had a bite of a brisket slider and someone’s organic salad – and both were great, too.  For dinner, most of the table ordered one of three items: the wild salmon (which came very highly recommended from our fabulous server, Lynn), the pork chop and the ribeye.   Everyone raved about all three!  I knew that my salmon was very tasty, but I was floored that there was such a strong positive consensus about the food from this very opinionated group of mine.  To finish off the dinner, I had the lemon panna cotta with Georgia blueberries.  It. was. heavenly.

What was the best part of the evening you ask?  Well, let me think…meeting Tracey Bloom was kind of awesome!

!!!!!

We found her to be very personable, and we got a kick out of her Top Chef stories.  It was particularly interesting to hear about the filming of the show, as well as some tidbits regarding producer-created drama among the contestants.  Although Tracey will not reign as season 7’s “top chef,” she is doing some pretty stellar things at Table 1280.  No longer will I consider this restaurant merely a pre-HIGH Museum destination.

P.S. If you throw an event at Table 1280, make sure that you order the miniature quesadilla with chorizo and manchego + the truffle chix salad on a crostini as hors d’oeuvres.  They are really, REALLY addictive!

xx, L

Table 1280
1280 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.897.1280
www.table1280.com

“I’d like to talk to you both…about a good opportunity for you – and your loved ones.  (insert awkward pause)  We all have dreams.  I know I do!  I’d like to talk to you about an exciting opportunity that people are talking about…”  – Karl Benson, Garden State

And now, I’d like to…

Have y’all heard about The Atlanta Food Rave?  If you are into food, you abolustely NEED to know about this very “exciting opportunity that people are talking about.”  (Thanks again, GS.)

Here’s the Q+DD on The Atlanta Food Rave:

THE EVENT:  The Atlanta Food Rave is a new high-energy event that brings together an eclectic mix of Atlanta’s finest culinary talent.  Expecting an interactive night of food, fun, cocktails and live entertainment, attendees are invited to sample chef offerings and catered fare that will be placed throughout the expansive host venue, the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery.  Adding a bit of competition to the occasion, attendees are also encouraged to vote for their favorite chef of the evening, helping him/her to win The 2010 Rave Review, an award reserved for the chef that is best in show.  The evening will also feature a premium open bar with signature alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages, live entertainment and a number of surprises.  The menu will be revealed upon arrival and vegetarian options will be present.  A percent of the proceeds from The Atlanta Food Rave will be donated to The Atlanta Community Food Bank.

DATE & TIME:  Friday, August 27, 2010, 7-11 p.m.
 
VENUE:  Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery  (if you haven’t been before, it’s fabulous!)
                      199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30324

The 24,000-square-foot Mason Murer Fine Art gallery has become an art and special event destination, hosting  several exhibitions a year and showcasing a wide range of work from the Southeast and around the world.  Its  unique interior has made the gallery an in-demand venue for corporate parties, non-profit fundraisers, cultural  events and the perfect location for The Atlanta Food Rave to create a delicious evening to remember for all of its  guests. 

Check it out:  www.masonmurer.com
 
FEATURED CHEFS:  The Atlanta Food Rave will give food and cocktail lovers the opportunity to mix and mingle with an eclectic group of  Atlanta-based chefs in an informal and fun atmosphere.  With a goal to showcase some of Atlanta’s best culinary  talent, this year’s chef lineup includes:

·        Chef/Owner Alex Friedman of P’cheen International Bistro & Pub
·        Executive Chef Delroy Bowen of the Georgia International Convention Center
·        Executive Chef Keira Moritz of Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge
·        Executive Chef Lance Gummere of The Shed at Glenwood
·        Personal Chef/ Caterer Latoya Starks of Noorish Personal Chef and Catering  

GIVING BACK:  The Atlanta Food Rave is proud to donate a portion of the proceeds from the event to The Atlanta Community Food Bank.  With a mission to fight hunger by educating, empowering, and engaging the communities of Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, The Atlanta Community Food Bank currently distributes nearly two million pounds of food and other grocery items each month to more than 700 non-profit agencies and 38 counties in the Atlanta area.  Visit www.acfb.org for more information.

TICKETS:  Tickets are on sale now and are $55 per person for ages 21 and up.  Tickets are available at www.atlantafoodrave.com and 404-856-0157.  Tickets will not be sold at the door.    

PARKING:  Complimentary valet parking will be available.

FOR MORE INFO:  Visit www.atlantafoodrave.com or e-mail info@atlantafoodrave.com
                                    
This is going to be so much fun!  LK and I can’t wait! 

Come find us – we’ll be ready to party…

(one last homage to Garden State)

Hope to see you there! 

xx, L

This is a pretty sweet deal, y’all.  Park 75 is delish!  Such a great place to escape the heat/ see + (most importantly) be seen this summer.  And, seriously, is there really a need to eat anywhere these days w/o some sort of deal, coupon or discount?  I think not…

(P.S.  Aren’t I getting so much better w/ my flyer-posting skillz?  Baby steps…baby steps…  Thanks, LK!) 

xx, L

We checked off almost everything on his Bucket List, with the exception of a visit to The Varsity, which we both decided was just not possible this trip (him) or ever (me).  We did, however, visit some of my favorites – which are now some of his:  Holeman + Finch, Bakeshop, Antico Pizzeria, Pancho’s, Rosebud and Ormsby’s.  The poor kid had never been to a Trader Joe’s, either!  We scheduled in a special trip to show him what Texas is missing… 

After we got back from Lake Burton on Saturday, we met some folks at Antico and then hit up Midtown Art Cinema to see Cyrus w/ Slick + the Barocai.  Michael and I thought it was really well done – very smart + funny.  (Know before you go:  Cyrus is a SXSW + Sundance film – so the humor is a bit different from the other movies in Jonah Hill’s catalog.)

Here’s the Q+DD on Cyrus:

Cyrus is a comedy drama film written and directed by brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, and starring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei and Catherine Keener.  The main character, John, is seven years divorced from his wife and is having trouble adjusting to his new life.  After meeting Molly at a party, he thinks that maybe he has found the perfect person again.  There’s just one problem: Cyrus, Molly’s grown son.  John must find a way to make his romance with Molly work despite intentional and unintentional interference by Cyrus.  The film has received generally positive reviews.  Review aggregate, Rotten Tomatoes, reports that 80% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 69 reviews, with an average score of 6.7/10.  The critical consensus is: “While it may strike some viewers as slight, Cyrus is a successful hybrid of mainstream production values and the mumblecore ideals of directors Jay and Mark Duplass.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Catch it @ Midtown Art:  http://tiny.cc/hialo

I’d also like to mention that we destroyed Ormsby’s maple cotton candy on Sunday.  It was one of the few things on the menu that I hadn’t tried before.  We had some serious yumz on our hands – and it was only $3!

In a flash, it was gone…

It was super fun to eat + a perfect treat for the end of the World Cup!  Viva Espana!

Also in other Ormsby’s news, the owner told Slick + Michael that they are in the process of building a ping pong (beer pong?) room downstairs.  AND, there’s a new bathroom downstairs, too.  Thank you for being so incredible, Ormsby’s!  I’m really likin’ what you’re doin’.

Miss you already, MR.  Come back to visit again soon!  (I promise to at least consider a Varsity run…)

xx, L