In the meantime, here is a mish-mash of stuff I think is very important right this very minute.

1. TONIGHT: Young Professionals of Atlanta American Cancer Society EventThe Ginger put this one together so it has to be cool! He says, “Come join the Young Professionals of Atlanta for the American Cancer Society as we begin our fundraising push for the 2010 Relay For Life, being held April 9th. Our free networking event will give everyone a chance to mix and mingle while your suggested donation will allow you to be eligible for our prize drawings, including merchandise from our Relay for Life partner, Banana Republic/GAP.

100% of the Straits Happy Hour donations will be donated to Relay for Life. Relay for Life is an all day event designed to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Each team has a member walking the track during a 24-hour period to symbolize cancer never sleeping.

Visit our ACS Young Professionals Relay for Life page by clicking here.”

I think it sounds like an awesome time for an awesome cause. Just go, OK?

2. Jenn Falik
Are you following Jenn Falik on Twitter and reading her blog? If you’re not, then you should be. Jenn is genius. I’m not just saying that because she’s my sister’s cousin by marriage, Jenn is an actual style and beauty expert (for real, y’all. Check it.) Whenever Jenn recommends a product or an article of clothing or whatever I will buy it the next day: Fact.

Case in point: today I had the most amazing shower and my skin feels incredible because of this phenom product she recommended the other day:

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

I can safely tell you that I would never have purchased this on my own because ordinarily almond scented ANYTHING makes me want to hurl but I figured, if Jenn is this into it, it must be awesome. And it was.

Read her post here. Everything she said is true. Brilliant. Plus, she is so cute, right?
3. LuckyFest is SATURDAY. Don’t forget $5 off with promo code “kraselsky” (no caps) The weather isn’t going to be great, but less than great weather = a great excuse for GREEN WELLIES!
4. I will be performing in 2 more performances of A Sunday Afternoon at Loehmann’s. 03/21 and 03/28 both at 2pm. www.ansleyparkplayhouse.com for tickets (or email me at thequickanddirtydirty@gmail.com)

Camo Baby will be there too

I think that is it for today. I am off to get my spray tan on so I can be dazzling at this cute couple’s wedding this weekend:

Can't wait!

Happy Thursday, y’all.

xx, L

Although Slick + I just saw Spring Awakening @ the Fox Theatre last night w/ the Barocai…

@ the Fox through March 14! Get tix ASAP!

…and it was wonderful, all I can think about is Avenue Q!! 

Avenue Q, Spring Awakening and Jersey Boys are my favorite plays I’ve seen on Broadway.  I’ve seen them in Atlanta, too, and I think they all have good traveling casts – particularly Ave. Q.  I’m not thrilled that Ave. Q is going to be @ Cobb instead of the Fox this time, but hopefully the acoustics will be better in a new location.  (Love the Fox, but that theatre has the worst acoustics EVER.)

Anyway, I hope you have all already seen Ave. Q, but if you haven’t – you absolutely must!  This play is perfect for everyone – except, well, children.  Parents: Don’t be fooled by the cute puppets!  However, I definitely suggest you drag along your football-lovin’, anti-musical, short attention span buddies and better halves to the show!  They’ll love it.  Promise. 

Pre-sale tickets are already available.  For a limited time, you can insert the password “IMPACT” into the Ticketmaster promotional box and receive $5.00 off of each ticket purchased.  Ticketmaster will make a $5.00 donation to the organization, Positive Impact.

More on Positive Impact here:
http://www.positiveimpact-atl.org/

Click here to look for Avenue Q dates + seats and purchase! 
http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/1c8d3i?camefrom=CFC_BAAABS_AveQPriority

See you @ the show! 

xx, L

INGREDENTS:

- 1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1-1/4 cups KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
- 1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
- 8 small boneless skinless chicken breasts halves (2 lbs.)
- 1/3 cup KRAFT Roasted Red Pepper Italian with Parmesan Dressing

DIRECTIONS:

Mix tomatoes, 1/2 cup of cheese and basil in a medium bowl.  Add stuffing mix; stir just until moistened.

Place chicken breasts on a cutting board.  Spread chicken with the stuffing mixture. 

Starting at the narrow end of the chicken, tightly roll up each breast.  Place the chicken, seam-side down, in a 9×13-inch baking dish.  Drizzle with dressing.

Bake 40 minutes on 350 degrees or until the chicken is done (165 degrees).  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake five more minutes or until the cheese is melted.  

voila!

Cool – serve – ENJOY!!

I hope it’s as big of a crowd pleaser for you as it’s been for me! 

xx, L

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

You know, in Paris they're just "fries"

I know it’s late notice, but the INMAN PARK SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK is also 03/08 (today!) through 03/14!

The Q+DD on IPRW: You know the drill. Great restaurants at a crazy discount. One week only! Although, as a good-karma extra, this Spring, the event will benefit the Believe In Me Foundation, which supports the education and welfare of children with autism and is led by Chef Shaun Doty.

Bonus: $1 raffle tickets will be sold and will go towards the charity.  The Winner will win an hors d’ouerves, beer and wine party for 30 people hosted by Kevin  Rathbun.  Each participating chef will create an appetizer, chooose beer and wine, and celebrate the evening  with thirty of the winner’s friends.  

As in IPRWs past (view my previous post here) the restaurant discounts are in tiers:

$15: Fritti, Pure Taqueria, The Albert, North Highland Pub (dinner for 2)

$25: Wisteria, Parish Food & Goods, Fritti, Park’s Edge, Rathbun’s, Sauced, Shaun’s, Zaya Mediterranean Cuisine

$35: Kevin Rathbun Steak, Sotto Sotto

I must admit: I am SHOCKED that I can even THINK about food after the amazing amount of homemade Pizza Rolls and Milk Duds I consumed at our friend Meredith’s fabulous Oscar party last night…

= LK on the red carpet

xx, L

Instead, I just bought + finished these:

Don’t judge – but please learn from the error of my ways… 

Only ever grocery shop on a full tummy!

xx, L

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

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

The hair that grows out of my head, however? Something more like…

Sideshow Bob.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to beat my mane into submission, but between the straightening irons, curling irons, hot rollers, velcro rollers, blowdryers, highlights, lowlights, bi-yearly Keratin treatments and products, products, products… My poor hair takes a LOT of abuse.

Eventually, it starts looking and feeling well, a little like…

…you know what I mean.

Friends, I have FOUND A MIRACLE PRODUCT:

Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat

Here’s the Q+DD: You can use this product either as a leave-in conditioner OR a masque-type treatment. The instructions say that if you are using it as a leave-in, to apply a dime sized amount to towel dried hair before styling. If you’re using it as a treatment, apply liberally to your hair and leave in for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

But being from the school of “More is Better”, I have been sleeping in gobs of this stuff for the last 3 nights and my hair did a 180!

No lie, I picked Linds up last night and she asked me if I had in extensions. My hair isn’t any longer, it’s just healthier and shinier and fuller.

If you are having haystack head problems, I am begging you to run out to your nearest CVS and pick some up. Just so you don’t have sticker shock, it’ll run you about $20, which seems like a lot for something you don’t get at a fancy-pants salon, but just do it, ok?

In short: Celebrity Hair, HERE I COME!

…and just in time for the Oscars!

xx, L

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

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

1 – Starbucks Reduced-Fat Egg White Turkey Bacon Breakfast Sandwich*

yum!

It’s excellent!  Trust me.  I’d eat this over a bagel w/ cream cheese any day…

Nutritional Facts: http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/starbucks/reduced-fat-egg-white-turkey-bacon-breakfast-sandwich

2 – Starbucks Tomato Mozzarella Ciabatta*

double yum!!

I ate this for lunch twice this week.  It’s really great!

Nutritional Facts: http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/starbucks/tomato-mozzarella-ciabatta

*Note: Make sure you have your friendly Starbucks barista heat up these sandwiches for you if you plan to eat them right away. 

The nutritional breakdown of these two sandwiches are about the same as a Lean Cuisine - which isn’t terrible.  You could certainly do much worse getting fast food pretty much anywhere else besides Evos, of course!  :)

Thanks for healthy fast food alternatives, Starbucks!  See you tomorrow for breakfast…

xx, L