Brian my brudder

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Sending a Smoke Signal!

08/17/2011 in Out of Town, Random Musings, Vacation, What we're Doing by Lauren | No comments

So, between starting a new job last month….and all this crazy traveling, things have been noots over here in LK land.

I JUST flew in from (darling, adorable!) Milwaukee, WI where I got a brain full of mind-blowing information at corporate training in seriously the most gorgeous office building I have EVER seen.  

(and maybe chuckling a little picturing Wayne and Garth in the bottling plant to the Laverne and Shirley theme song)

“Yes, Pete, it is. Actually, it's pronounced 'mill-e-wah-que' which is Algonquin for ‘the good land.’ “

Listen, if you’re ever in the area, I definitely suggest visiting The Safe House – a spy-themed restaurant/nightclub that you access via an unmarked door down an ally on Front Street.

If you don’t know the password (which I didn’t) you need to be prepared to do some sort of embarrassing stunt (I did 3 intimidating strong-man poses while giving a hearty “GRRR”… little did I know the entire thing was being broadcast throughout the bar on various TV screens)

It’s a SUPER eccentric place full of spy memorabilia, nooks and crannies, doors that lead nowhere, and all kinds of other quirky things.  My FAVORITE part was the “House Mentalist and Magician” Scott Xavierwho SERIOUSLY blew my mind.  (Sidebar: he’s also pretty smooth with the ladies.)  He definitely earned every dollar in his tip jar…which he’s saving for a very worthy cause:I gotta say – The Safe House was just as cool as it was peculiar… and definitely quite the experience.

Safe House on Urbanspoon

Other notable events in Milwaukee?  I rocked my first Owl.

Yep, Milwaukee was awesome.

Bonus: I am a super lucky girl because tomorrow I head out to DESTIN to recreate this picture:

2 of my favorite guys in the whole wide world and my seestah!  Can’t WAIT!

Hopefully normal blogging will return asap.  I hope you’re having an amazing end of summer also!

xx, L

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Team Katie 2K11!

06/07/2011 in Events, Health, PSAs, Reminders, Volunteering, What we're Doing by Lauren | 2 comments

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you already know a LOT about my sister.

First of all, you know she’s absolutely adorable


married to the best guy in the world

and a doggie mommy to the cutest little furry child you’ve ever seen!

Milo!

You also probably know that she’s…

a wine enthusiast

a lover of fine food

an excellent dancer
a Jenga ninja

a shoe expert
and generally awesome and a total riot to be around.

I think that hits all the high points, no?

What you may NOT know is that she suffers from a chronic auto-immune disorder called Lupus.

The Q+DD on Lupus is this: Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints and/or organs inside the body). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from foreign substances, like bacteria and viruses. With lupus, your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues and creates autoantibodies (“auto” means “self”) to attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. (www.lupusfoundation.org.)

While Katie’s Lupus does affect her everyday life in many ways, Lupus is largely a disease of “flares” and “remission” and Katie is a total fighter and does a good job of showing Lupus who’s boss.

However, for many people, Lupus is quite debilitating and can be fatal. As of now, the cause of Lupus is unknown and there is no cure.

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support and services to all people affected by Lupus and next weekend my sister will once again be leading TEAM KATIE in the Birmingham “Walk for Lupus Now”

Last year’s team was incredibly successful in their fundraising goals and in being VERY ATTRACTIVE.  Witness:

Team Katie 2010

In fact, Team Katie was the #2 ranking fundraising team (missing out on first place by a VERY narrow margin!)

This year, however…Team Katie is TAKING NO PRISONERS. So far, TK has raised over $5K for this very worthy cause and is currently in the lead!

Please consider making a donation to TEAM KATIE…every little bit helps…and if you are a Birmingham reader, Katie would LOVE to have you as a part of her team next Saturday, June 11th (and if you wanna come with us from Atlanta, there’s room in the car with Greg, Olive and me!)

Please click here to visit Katie’s personal fundraising page!

Get your PURPLE ON next weekend in BIRMINGHAM!

xx, L

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TODAY!

10/28/2010 in Holidays, PSAs, Vacation by Lauren | 2 comments

Sorry I’ve been MIA. But it’s about to continue. Because today I leave for…

Destin, FL

with these people

Seestah and Brother in Law

and this guy

Hunk.

And 4 other superfun people and I.  Just. Can’t.  Wait.

xx, L

P.S. Happy Halloween. I’m not gonna lie…I miss the costumes already.  If you’re going to Spiralween (don’t forget $5 off with promo code “kraselskyween”) be sure and step it up. The judging is done via pix (so I still get to weigh in!) and there are TWO $500 prizes…

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TEAM KATIE!

05/31/2010 in Events, Volunteering, What we're Doing by Lauren | 10 comments

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you already know a LOT about my sister.

First of all, you know she’s absolutely adorable

Duh.

and married to the best guy in the world

Love the Helds.

You also probably know that she’s…

a wine enthusiast

a lover of fine food

an excellent dancer
a Jenga ninja

a shoe expert
and generally awesome and a total riot to be around.

I think that hits all the high points, no?

What you may NOT know is that she suffers from a chronic auto-immune disorder called Lupus.

The Q+DD on Lupus is this: Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints and/or organs inside the body). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from foreign substances, like bacteria and viruses. With lupus, your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues and creates autoantibodies (“auto” means “self”) to attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.  (www.lupusfoundation.org.)

While Katie’s Lupus does affect her everyday life in many ways, Lupus is largely a disease of “flares” and “remission” and Katie is a total fighter and does a good job of showing Lupus who’s boss.

However, for many people, Lupus is quite debilitating and can be fatal.  As of now, the cause of Lupus is unknown and there is no cure.

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and cure for lupus and providing support and services to all people affected by lupus and next weekend my sister will once again be leading TEAM KATIE in the Birmingham “Walk for Lupus Now”

Last year’s team was incredibly successful in their fundraising goals and in being totally adorable. Witness:

Tiaras for everyone!

Please consider making a donation to TEAM KATIE…every little bit helps…and if you are a Birmingham reader, Katie would LOVE to have you as a part of her team next Saturday, June 5th (and if you wanna come with us from Atlanta, there’s room in the car with La, Brooke, Olive and me!)

Please click here to visit Katie’s personal fundraising page!

See ya in Birmingham!

xx, L

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Urban Pl8: What I 8.

05/27/2010 in Pampered Pooches, Westside, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 4 comments

After a night of fiercely competitive Jenga at Ormsby’s on Saturday…

(That's my sister's game-face)

…Sunday morning Greg and I decided to revisit the general scene of the crime for sustenance: back to the Westside for brunch at Urban Pl8.

Well, that and because we had both a Scoutmob AND a Groupon for Urban Pl8. (For the record: we had been dying to go there anyway.  I am seriously TRYING not to let SM and Groupon dictate all my activities but it’s just becoming so darn hard not to!  Especially with the iPhone apps!)

Anyway, after calling to see if Urban Pl8 is dog-friendly…

(they are!)

…we made our way over to the decorator district. Now, you should know that Urban Pl8 is all the way down Huff Road in a bit of a random location.

Luckily, we knew where it was because we had both, on separate occasions, tried (unsuccessfully) to dine at Urban Pl8 during their afternoon siesta (please note somewhat funky hours of operation below.)

Here’s the Q+DD: Urban Pl8 was opened last July by chef and owner Betsy Pitts, former sous chef at Bacchanalia and Floataway Café.  Betsy aimed to create a restaurant that focused on “high quality, affordable food in a casual, cool, friendly atmosphere…an everyday kind of place with exceptional food and service.” She says, “It’s about local, sustainable products, healthier options, and affordability.”

I REALLY enjoyed my brunch.   After we checked in on Four Square,

Greg ordered a bloody mary

I snapped a photo just in case you forgot what a bloody mary looks like. Ta dah!

I opted for a Greyhound.  (I forgot about Greyhounds!   Vodka + grapefruit  = perfect brunch cocktail!)  They also offer “bottomless” mimosas for $10 and “bottomless” bloody marys for $15.  Hello!

Our food was delish. Greg had the grilled chicken pesto omelet:

made with 3 farm eggs, goat cheese, roasted red peppers and pesto

Which was served with a whole wheat English muffin and creamy polenta. Not grits. (in case you thought they were secretly the same thing…a la Superman/Clark Kent…: Polenta = yellow cornmeal.  Grits = hominy. Thanks, TK!)

I had the veggie burger

made with pinto beans, jalapeños, shitake, roasted corn, and cilantro topped with mixed greens, spicy tomato salsa, and spicy sour cream

I don’t know if the consistency would be for everyone – but I liked my v. burg a LOT. It was served with a fresh little green salad with golden raisins and sunflower seeds and I thought it was perfect.

We also split a slice of the peanut butter French toast which was To. Die. For.

I took this pic with my glorious iPhone to send to TK to make him jealous...it worked.

I don’t really have words for this.  I just think you should try it.  And bring me with you. Please.

There were a lot of things on the menu that I’d like to try, plus, the menu changes almost daily – I am excited to go back for any meal!

Also worth mentioning: the crowd was really cool.  Funky little hipsters brooding over coffee, a table full of mimosa-swilling girlfriends, cute couples of all varieties, post-church patrons, solo brunch diners– it was a nice little slice of Atlanta life there at Urban Pl8 that day.

"Europe? I know that place."

Plus, I loved that the patio served as a patch of green among all the surrounding buildings. Sort of a little urban garden.  All-in-all, it was a lovely brunch – a gr8 way to start the day! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

xx, L

Urban PL8
1082 Huff Road, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-367-0312
Hours:
Lunch – Tuesday – Friday 11-2:30
Brunch – Saturday + Sunday 11-3
Dinner – Wednesday – Saturday 6:30 – 9:30

Urban pL8 on Urbanspoon

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Cruise Control!

05/01/2010 in Vacation, What we're Doing by Lauren | 2 comments

It’s come to my attention that I’ve neglected to tell you about the FABULOUS time we had on our cruise last month!

Listen, I know that anywhere I go with my family will be superfun and amazing (because they are superfun and amazing) but I’ll be honest, I was a little apprehensive because of my preconceived notions about cruises.

My vacation personality is much more “push your toes into white sand, drink a cocktail, and chill” than “bingo and poolside games on the lido deck.” Additionally, I don’t like fruity drinks (except for the tiny umbrella part) and I loathe buffets.  Sorry, not sorry.

I am here to tell you that the Celebrity Solstice was anything BUT a floating conga-line in the sea.

From the ENORMOUS staterooms…

(stocked daily with chilled champagne, fresh raspberry or peach iced tea, and fresh fruit)

to the SPECTACULAR spa and gym area…

I enjoyed some amazing pilates mat classes, a fabulous mani/pedi and an incredible massage…all Bliss products… and took full advantage of the truly heavenly relaxation areas complete with eucalyptus steam rooms and heated stone loungers

to the unbelievable food and beautiful restaurants…

I think everyone’s favorite was the Asian-themed specialty restaurant where we ate our weight in dim sum and polished off a bottle of some of the best unfiltered sake I’ve ever had…but I think my favorite was the French restaurant…I can’t remember what I ate, but I certainly remember that I loved it!

to the beautiful décor, it really was a breathtaking ship.

space after gorgeous space…they even had genuine muppet-fur curtains!

Fancy!

Also wonderful were the excursions that my dad planned in each port! If you are ever in the following places, here are my recommendations:

1.    San Juan, Puerto Rico. YOU MUST CALL Leslie Wiggins who owns Flavors of San Juan.  Leslie, a native of EAST COBB, fell in love with her Puerto Rican husband and they moved right into the heart of San Juan where she guides small groups on a boutique restaurant and food tour.

OK so first of all, Leslie is precious. Total PLU. And each restaurant we went to was better than the next (and I was THRILLED to have resto recommendations for Linds’s trip this week!)

I can’t decide whether my favorite part was the mojito demonstration we received at Café Chic

Or all the delicious tapas we ate at each of the other adorable restaurants

or the whiskey shot we took as a family at local dive bar El Batey!

She also did a great job of giving us the lay of the land and educating us on the history of Old San Juan…without boring us in the least. If you ever find yourself in San Juan you’ve gotta call Leslie Wiggins!

Flavors of San Juan
info@flavorsofsanjuan.com
(787) 964-2447
www.sanjuanfoodtours.com

2.    St. Kitts – we booked an open-air Jeep tour of the countryside through Greg’s Safaris. We had a fun day, even though we kinda got the bait-and-switch from an open-air Jeep to an SUV with the windows rolled down…

…and if you like botany, this is the tour for you.   We learned a LOT about the plant-life in St. Kitts.

Right, B?

3.  St. Maarten – Ok so I LOVED St. Maarten. We all did.  I want to go back ASAP and park myself on the coast there.  We spent the day on a private boat with Carlos of Captain Alan.   

We went snorkeling  (well, Dad, Brian, and Katie went snorkeling while DK and I chatted on the boat and sipped cocktails), ate fresh fruit and sandwiches on an amazing French baguette (St. Maarten is ½ French and ½ Dutch so it was the real deal, yo) and went tubing

(I finally broke down and got my hair wet, oookaaaay?)

We had a wonderful, memorable, fabulous day and we all fell in love with Carlos!

Before we went out, the owner of the company asked Carlos to go over the day’s itinerary with us, to which Carlos winked – “I like to wing it!”

Kudos to my awesome dad for doing such a great job planning our non-sea days!

As far as our sea-days were concerned…we spent a LOT of QT with each other, some cocktails… oh, and Chelsea!

(I tore through this baby the first day while Katie burned through Are You There Vodka… and we and passed them around to the group!)

In conclusion, as it turns out, I may just be a cruise-person after all.  And true confession…

…nothing goes with a steel drum quiiiiiiiiiiite like a fruity cocktail. Trust.

Oh and happy 61st, Dad!

xx, L

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Bon Voyage!

04/03/2010 in PSAs, Vacation by Lauren | No comments

Dear lovely readers,

Starting TOMORROW I will be HERE:

and HERE:

and HERE:

On a cruise with these awesome people (aka my family):

So… I will NOT be HERE:

or HERE:

or HERE:

But I will miss YOU! So have a great week and my tan and I will see you after the 11th!

Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…

xx, L

P.S. You should know that I am absurdly excited about getting to use BOTH of my fabulous Marcia Leighter luggage tags:

Available here at Panache Gifts.

P.P.S. I’m on a BOAT

Everybody look at me 'cause I'm sailin' on a BOAT!

I got my swim trunks, and my flippie-floppies

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CAMP DANCE 2010: 05.08.10

04/02/2010 in Camp Twin Lakes, Events by Lauren | 1 comment

Lindsay, Christine, and I* officially invite ALL of you to CAMP DANCE 2010!

Invitations designed by our very own Mark Wolfe of Wolfepack Creative!

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

 

Camp Dance Preparty 2009

 

Camp Dance Preparty 2007

Camp Dance Preparty 2007

Camp Dance 2008

 

Camp Dance 2006

Camp Dance 2007 (nothing ever changes)

Camp Dance 2009

Besides being just an amazing event, Camp Dance benefits Camp Twin Lakes, a fabulous camp for children facing serious illnesses and other physical, emotional and life challenges will be held on May 8th, 2010. For more information on Camp Twin Lakes click here.

Christine, Stacey and I hard at work at the CTL Service Day a few weeks ago:
Here’s the Q+DD on Camp Dance:

Remember when Color War was your favorite activity?
When Bug Repellent was the preferred scent?
And when hand-written letters were the only form of outside communication?

Well pull out your favorite camp photos,
Re-read those cherished camp letters
and put on your favorite camp attire

‘Cause It’s Back!
Camp Dance 2010
presented by Camp Twin Lakes’ Junior Board
Saturday, May 8th
6:30pm-11:00pm at Zoo Atlanta

A Night Amongst the Animals

6:30pm-8:00pm
Sip, Watch, Gasp
Enjoy some complimentary spiked bug juice while you observe the pandas, orangutans, gorillas, and other animals during feeding time
(Animal viewing only during this time)

8:00pm-11:00pm
Eat, Drink, Party
Enjoy complimentary camp-style finger foods, beer, and wine
while you dance the night away to hot jams from Band X.

Cocktail Bar
Each admission ticket includes 2 free drink tickets to the cocktail bar.
Additional drink tickets may be purchased by cash at the event.
Beer and wine are complimentary all night.

Tickets:
$55 through April 4
$65 through April 30
$75 through May 8th

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

THE EVENT SOLD OUT LAST YEAR and I had NO strings to pull, PLUS ticket prices increase on Sunday, so get your tickets TODAY by clicking here and click here to see the event on Facebook.

I JUST CAN’T WAIT!

xx, L  (+L + C!)
*actually, you are invited by the three of us, plus the entire Junior Board of Camp Twin Lakes and all the fabulous people on the host committee, which I am lucky enough to chair. For a complete list of hosts, click here.

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