careful cowboy!

You are currently browsing articles tagged careful cowboy!.

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

Tags: camp boys, careful cowboy!, comfort food, I'm just saying..., Ridiculous., Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A, Yowza.

The Mane Event!

03/05/2010 in Hair, Maintenence, Product by Lauren | 1 comment

SO here’s the thing: I have a very specific idea of how I want my hair to look. The hair I WANT is like Cameron’s:
Or Jessica’s:
Or Reese’s:

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

Tags: Beauty is as beauty does., careful cowboy!, drugstore junkie, Things we love!

Cocktail Experts.

02/09/2010 in Buckhead, Cocktails, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 4 comments

VIP: Lindsay and I were asked to be a part of a panel of cocktail experts (!!!) to evaluate the specialty cocktail menu for a new restaurant in Buckhead. I just knew the day would come when this particular skill set (which we have been diligently honing at various bars and restaurants for the last 10+ years!) would come in handy… lkcocktail

Varsity Team.

…and last night at Saskatoon was the night, my friends.

OK so the Q+DD on Saskatoon is this: It’s a wild game restaurant located in the Alexan on Pharr Road (in the space where ill-fated Spondivits and Harry Bisset’s once were…) Think hunter’s lodge: über masculine, warm and cozy. Soft jazz playing, fires roaring, lighting fixtures adorned with antlers, and deer heads on the wood paneled walls. The menu is chock full of wild boar, elk, ostrich and the like. I even tried my first fried alligator! (This thrilled Lindsay: “I’m so glad we can be a part of this!”)

And hey, we like antlers!

laurenantlers lindsay antlers

Anyway, our table consisted of the two of us, our +1s (Linds brought Steph Cheeseman and I had Doc Hollywood in tow) and our new best friend Alison Abby, a fabulous freelance writer whom we met last night.

They brought us several appetizers to sample, and I have to say – we all really enjoyed the food we tried. Of course, wild game was the main protein in each dish, and they were all very creative as well as delicious!

The real purpose of our visit last night was to provide feedback on their cocktail menu. We tasted everything from the Saskatoon Sling (a variation of the Singapore Sling) to the Espresso Martini (cinnamon-y and not too dessert-y! Our favorite by far.) For the most part, we all thought the specialty cocktails were a little sweet (and perhaps tropical?) for our taste BUT we were there to help them tweak, and I’m sure they will. (Also, in the interest of full disclosure, Lindsay and I are pretty straightforward in our cocktail preferences. Any more than 2 ingredients and we’re raising an eyebrow and I have never seen the Doc drink anything but scotch. Ever.) So if you’re a specialty cocktail type of person, you may totally disagree with our evaluation. IJS.

Additionally, the GM seems pretty passionate about having an impressive, yet affordable wine list and the wait staff was just lovely…and happy to pour me a vodka on the rocks after all was said and done. (With 3 nice, big, fat queen-sized olives. DK always told me you can judge a bar by the size of their olives...)

My verdict on Saskatoon is this: I think it’s a pretty interesting addition to Buckhead’s restaurant scene and if you enjoy that type of atmosphere, (or if you’re in the mood to envision yourself as a ski bunny taking a break from the slopes!) I would encourage you to try it for yourself.

Bonus: FYI, Saskatoon is a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada and I find Saskatchewan really, REALLY fun to say.

Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan…Saskatchewan…

xx, L

PS. Thanks for the folks at Melissa Libby for the invite!

Saskatoon
(404) 891-1911
360 Pharr Road
Atlanta, GA 30305

Tags: Beef., blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol, careful cowboy!, I'm just saying..., Moxie? We got it., say CHEESE(man), Table for Two, You Can Find Me in the A

5 Reasons Saturday Was Awesome:

11/23/2009 in Festivals, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lauren | 4 comments

1. Brunch with Maura. I started out at Apres Diem for brunch with adorable, happy little Maura. If someone can think of a better way to kick off a Saturday, I wish they would tell me. I have never spent any time with her when I didn’t leave in a fabulous mood and Saturday was no exception. Fact. Plus, Apres was doing a lively brunch business!

2. SHOPPING. After I left Maura, I was in such a good mood that I proceeded to SPEND. ALL. MY. MONEY. If you are looking for my benjamins, you can find them at the following places: Mitzi and Romano, Paper Source, Barney’s Co-Op and, of course, Nordy’s.

Mitzi + Romano in the Highlands

3. Super Amazing Chili Cookoff. I found FoodieBuddha (crying in his cocktail over Michigan’s loss…) and we made our way to the Atlanta Brewing Company for the 3rd Annual Liberty Park Chili Society Cookoff hosted by Jimmy who writes the blog Eat It Atlanta.

(Sidebar: Y’all. I have blog friends now. !!!!.)

The scene at Atlanta Brewing Company

It. Was. Awesome. There were a GRILLION different kinds of chili. Traditional chilis, creative chilis, superspicy chilis, chocolate-based (mole) chiles, chilis with all kinds of fabulous toppings (hello, pimento cheese on chili!) chilis with various proteins: beef, chicken, turkey, venison, bison, bean (vegetarian)….I mean…I was on chili overload. The best part for me, though, was the shameless lobbying that each charismatic chili chef was doing for their own chili. Loved it. I think it was safe to say that equal parts moxie and chili were served that evening. The Buddha felt like personality weighed heavily on the way he would cast his vote and I had to agree. Eventually all votes were cast…

brilliant. I straight up stole this picture from Eat It, Atlanta.

And tallied…

(counting ballots)

The ultimate winner was, as I predicted, Cowboy Hat Chili. Dude had on a cowboy hat and reminded voters of his moniker as he doled out ladlefuls. Sage advice from the musical Gypsy, “you gotta get a gimmick if you want to get ahead…”

"Don't forget Cowboy Hat, y'hear?"

Jimmy + friends raised a chunk of change for Project Open Hand and everyone seemed to have a blast…I know we did!

My new chili friends. Hi!

4. Post-Chili Beverages. The Buddha and I decided to wash down our chili with a few drinks at the Bookhouse on Ponce. Y’all: I adore this bar. It’s low key and cozy and funky and just a perfect little place to hang out. We were, of course, NOT eating, but the menu looked pretty darn good. Gastro-pubby. You know.

I ordered a flight of delicious beer, mostly selections from the specials menu:

hand-crafted beer thingy

and FB got a super-manly Cape Cod:

Our adorable server. The umbrella was a nice touch, thanks!

Fab fab fab. Thanks for taking me, FoodieBuddha! Even though you make me take pictures by myself, you’re a riot and you show me great places, so I forgive you.

The BookHouse Pub
(404) 254-1176
Ponce de Leon Place
Atlanta, GA 30306
www.thebookhousepub.com

5. Face-time with 4 Gorgeous Faces. Bonus! On my way home, I popped over to Eclipse di Luna to say a quick hello to these lovely ladies…

My friends are cu-u-u-u-ute!

…before they danced the night away at the newly-opened Gold Room on Piedmont.

It was a fabulous little Saturday…have I mentioned I love this city?

xx, L

Tags: careful cowboy!, EZ, I heart Foodie Buddha, mari, Moxie? We got it., my little maura, PLU, Staceyyyyy!, Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A

“A Magical Encounter b/t Man + Horse”

10/27/2009 in Deals + Steals, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 3 comments

I am dying to see Cavalia!

cavalia

Have y’all heard of it yet or spotted the big top pitched in Atlantic Station??

If not, here’s the Q+DD on Cavalia:

Tagline: “A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse”
I mean… That is really my only complaint. I am trying to be mature here, but it’s making it hard to convince Slick to buy into this with that tagline. He’s asked me about four times already if I am sure that this is NOT “Equis” b/c he has “no interest in seeing the Harry Potter dude get in on with a horse.” Rest assured, it’s not…

Cavalia (not Equis)

People are referring to the show as “Cirque du Soleil w/ horses,” but don’t get confused, Cirque does not use animals – so it’s technically not affiliated. It’s definitely a similar upscale performance experience, though.

From the Cavalia website:

Equestrian arts are infused with unprecedented magic and emotion in Cavalia, an innovative multimedia extravaganza. Homage to the poignant history and fascinating bond between human beings and horses, Cavalia is a poem written in the language of sound, image and extraordinary performance. Blending dramatic visual effects, live music, dance and acrobatics with the bold presence of over sixty magnificent horses, Cavalia raises the bar for spectacular entertainment in the 21st century.

Cavalia is presented under the largest touring big top in North America, a totally white structure rising about 100 feet above the ground. The seats are arranged theatre-style, facing an enormous 160 foot-wide stage, which allows the horses to gallop and play with the artists.

Cavalia

The show is running from October 27 – November 15 in Atlantic Station. Tickets range from $29.50 – $189.50 depending on the night of the week and seat location. Order tickets one of three ways:

1- Call the Cavalia Box Office: 1-866-999-8111
2- Visit the Cavalia Box Office in Atlantic Station
3- Online: www.cavalia.net

(Use the promo code: Taste of Atlanta for a 30% discount on tickets if you buy them for the evenings of October 29th, 30th or 31st.)

Don’t miss it!!

xx, L

Tags: careful cowboy!, I'm just saying..., LMR, More culture than frozen yogurt!, slick, Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A

“WE LOVE YOU BRITNEY!”

09/05/2009 in Britney Spears, Downtown, What we're Doing, What we're Watching by Lindsay | 1 comment

All of the sudden it was Friday – the night we’ve been waiting for was finally upon us! L and I went to BRITNEY SPEARS last night at Philips arena and it was (wait for it – wait for it)….INCREDIBLE! Here’s our night in pictures:

Getting ready for Brit!

Let the Countdown Begin...

We've arrived!!

Almost time...

Master of Ceremonies - Perez Hilton!

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

"Circus"

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

"Toxic"

Encore! Encore! Encore!

Look - other fans as excited as us!

Overall, Brit's concert-goers were mostly female...

...but there were a few men!

Everyone had a great time...

...Especially us!!

Synopsis: We had so much fun at Britney and the show was amazing! L’s favorite part was all of the media Britney used on stage – and I liked the carnies who performed during her numerous costume changes. The Princess of Pop lip-synced, but we didn’t feel like it compromised the show at all because the dancing was awesome and she really worked each of the four corners of the stage. There definitely was not a bad seat in the house. Brit’s wardrobe was very skimpy and the show was a little oversexed, but I think it’s just part of her appeal. She’s obviously shed everything that was ever Disney about her - and now, as a mother of two, she can wear bedazzled lingerie on stage and be as fabulous as ever!

Thanks, Britney, for an awesome show!

xx, L

Tags: careful cowboy!, girl crush, I'm just saying..., LMR, Ridiculous., Things that are awesome..., very important people, You Can Find Me in the A

Katie’s latest pick…

07/30/2009 in Katie's Picks by Lauren | No comments

…seems to be made JUST for us! girl

“Girl” by Jeffrey Campbell
$215*

Charcoal in color, vintage-looking with hand washed leather, hand stitching, precious little celestial cutouts. Delish Delish Delish!

Katie says:

“Woah Nelly! The hottest look for fall is the urban cowgirl and this adorable Western style ankle boot is the perfect way to achieve it.

But don’t hold your horses, the first shipment just arrived and we are already having to re-order. Apparently these boots were made for walking… out the door!”

xx, L+L (+K!)

(*10% off if you call and mention The Q+D(D) when you call Gus Mayer at 205-877-8554)

Tags: careful cowboy!, Things that are GORG