My two most beloved online-shopping-deal-finder sites are:

Gilt Groupe: www.gilt.com or join for free @ www.gilt.com/invite/lindsayrob
(I’ve gotten Diane von Furstenberg shoes, Amrita Singh jewelry, Cole Haan + Vineyard Vines purses for next to nothing.)

Smart Bargains (Loehmann’s online):  www.smartbargains.com
(Recently got a really killer deal on a Sir Alistar Rai handmade scarf!)

As far as bargain shopping in Atlanta is concerned, I’ve been very impressed with the extensive shoe and purse departments at Marshalls near the Peachtree + Piedmont intersection, where I’ve seen Badgley Mishka, Furla and Michael Kors purses, and L.A.M.B. and Diane von Furstenberg kicks.

Slick’s been out of town for a week, and I always find that when he’s away on a business trip is such an excellent time for some retail therapy.    Last month when he was gone for two weeks for work, I went out on a Saturday afternoon to buy a new swimsuit for our upcoming cruise over Labor Day, but instead accidentally came home with a new Phoebe Couture dress, two work shirts from J. Crew and a pair of Tory Burch sunglasses.  Oops..

I decided to reel myself in just a little bit over his business trip this week, and went to Target instead. 

I’m usually not a big fan of their shoe department, but I found two pairs of the greatest shoes on sale there yesterday!  Feast your eyes on:

These pumps…

+ these sandals…

And, surprisingly, I have to say that both were priced under $20 – and they are COMFORTABLE!  I’m wearing the pumps to work today, and my feet feel just fine. 

The Tarjeys in Buckhead and Atlantic Station (rumor has it that it’s the largest one in the U.S.) are my personal favs.  I’m just sayin’…  Retail therapy works wonders for me, but it’s not always as pleasant for my wallet as it is for my well-being and wardrobe.  Tarjey made that a whole lot easier this week!

i mean, we're just tight like that.

xx, L

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

The tone was set early by the totally rad 80’s mix compiled by one Elizabeth Ceaser (of Phliz fame) which included every memorable song from the years 1979 to 1991. We enjoyed Blow Pops and Pop Rocks (ok no Pop Rocks, but that would have been awesome.  Where do you find them, anyway?) as we jammed out to Liz’s mix

(Photobomb: Lumpy)

Ted: 80's Cowboy.

Strike a pose there's nothing to it: Vogue.

Ellen: So Strong! (PS I'd like to buy a vowel...)

If only we had any idea what was waiting for us at Sweetwater…

There were fanny packs, taffeta...

dance offs...

...complete with break dancing...

Amazing makeup

and lots of 80's love

Sidebar: I just don't know who I love more: Liz for putting this outfit together or Phil for wearing it...

Demon eyes courtesy of my iPhone

Miami Vice Joe

He mowed 200 yards to save my white suede outfit!

It was a GREAT night and my friends Jason and Lila, two of the organizers of this amazing party, told me they raised a HUGE chunk of change for the Elliott Galloway Scholarship Fund…nice work!

Bonus: Our Electric Ladyland SAVE FERRIS coozies came in quite handy the next day as we recovered poolside, trust.

Electric Ladyland, THANKS for a great night! We can’t wait for next year!

xx, L

P.S. Do you like us?  We like you!  Please make it official by “Liking” us on Facebook!  Click here to make our day!

THIS is going to be spectacular.

Last year when Michael visited, we did it UP:  St. Patty’s parties @ Park Tavern + Fado, burgers @ The Vortex, the Stone Mountain snake trail, driving down Tuxedo + Peachtree Battle to look at old homes, Gladys Knight’s Chicken + Waffles, drinks in the Highlands, DeKalb Farmer’s Market, etc…we pretty much both had mono after the trip from sheer exhaustion + alcohol overload.  And, Michael’s trip is what inspired LK + I to create The Bucket List.  (Just a little Q+DD trivia for ya…)

This trip is going to be even better!  We already have wheels turning on late night burgers + drinks @ Holeman tonight, Antico Pizzeria + Pancho’s + disco bowling tomorrow, trip to Lake Burton on Saturday, and Ormsby’s for the World Cup on Sunday.  It’s his last hurrah before he starts law school in a few weeks, so I have to make it memorable.  Needless to say, I’ll be M.I.A. until Monday. 

Happy weekend!

xx, L

Apparently, I spend WAY too much money at CVS, because as I was checking out my reciept appeared with an attached coupon for $7.50 free CVS $$$ for being such a good shopper. “Hey, Big Spennnnderrr!”  Instead of saving it for a rainy day, I turned right around and picked up some mascara I’d been eyeing only three hot minutes earlier.  In order to take advantage of the entire $7.50 credit, I also threw in the first pack of gum I spotted that was within an arms reach.

Wrigley's 5 Gum

I consider myself to be sort of a gum aficionado.  After years of research and serious contemplation, Orbitz sweet mint flavor + Trident Layers (generally) are my personal favorites. 

This was my first experience with 5 gum. 

I’m pretty sure that it was designed for boys.  The pack of gum is the size of a money clip, and could easily slip into a guy’s back pocket.  You don’t pop the gum out of a crinkly foil wrapper or pull it out of a chunky pack, but instead 5 gum has sort of a fancy paper clasp that, when opened, reveals neatly lined up gum – like a pack of cards.  Its sleek black packaging with masculine designs reminds me of an Affliction t-shirt.

what's up? you from around here?

Boys:  Purchase this gum, throw on your overly-designed graphic tee + totally rad shades, slather on some hair gel + spike up that faux hawk (don’t forget your Axe deoderant), move straight to Dallas (do not pass go or collect $200), but DO watch this video:  http://www.30kmillionaires.com/

Or not.  The flavor that I picked up is called “Solstice.”  The first couple of pieces initially tasted a little bit like mint, and then more like peanut butter.  I couldn’t decide if that was awesome or gross, so I kept chewing.  Just now – half a pack in – I noticed the expiration date for the gum: 10/20/09.  Thanks, CVS.

Ick.  Orbitz fo’ life, yo.

xx, L

congrats guys!!

However, when we weren’t busy with our numerous wedding festivities…

posing for pictures

spending time w/ the bride

being awesome

getting ICED (thx, slick...)

…we passed the time chowing down at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que!  There wasn’t a whole lot to do in Syracuse, but Dinosaur kept us busy + stuffing our faces for hours – and we anticipated each return over the weekend!

Salt Lick + Fat Matt’s, who??  Seriously.

Here’s the Q+DD on Dinosaur Bar-B-Que:

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a restaurant, blues venue, and biker bar in Syracuse, New York.  Opened in 1983 on Willow Street in downtown Syracuse, it specializes in authentic barbecue using a wood-fueled barbecue pit.  The restaurant markets its sauce, pulled pork, chili, and baked beans at local supermarkets, and at Wegmans, Fairway, D’Agostino’s, Price Chopper, and Shaw’s Supermarkets across the Northeast.  Two additional locations have also opened in Rochester, New York (in the old Lehigh Valley Railroad Station) in 1998, and Harlem, New York in 2004.   In May 2009, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que was voted America’s best barbecue in ABC’s Good Morning America poll, beating out entrants from across the United States.  Approximately 4,000 out of the 7,500 participants in the poll selected Dinosaur Bar-B-Que as the best in the nation.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Words do not do it justice.  You must witness…

I know I can be a bit of an exaggerator from time to time, but I MEAN it when I say that this was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had.  It was even better than it looked!  I can’t believe how much I ate there - I really can’t.  The ribs.  Oh, the ribs! 

P.S. You can buy the Dinosaur cookbook + BBQ sauce online here:  DINOS!

Point of this prehistoric post:  Next time you are in NY, you absolutely must, must, MUST make a point to visit The Dinosaur!  Honestly, booking a special trip for it might be necessary…  DO NOT pass up an opportunity to get down and dirty w/ some BBQ there!  Trust me. 

RARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

xx, L

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
246 W. Willow Street
Syracuse, NY  13202
315.476.4937
www.dinosaurbarbque.com

I should never have purchased them.  I know better than that.  Now I just can’t stop.   I might need an intervention. If you run into me and my fingers have even the slightest tinge of orange…call my sponsor.

xx, L (and Chester.  Yeah, he’s here too.)

Seriously, y’all.  Halle-freaking-julah for the Bra-llelujah!  (That’s all.)

xx, L

Cafe Agora - Buckhead

Upon arriving at Cafe Agora, Slick introduced me to Al and he slid two glasses of tap H2O in our direction.  I told Al that it was my first time at the Cafe, which had come highly recommended from Slick.  Without saying much, Al walked to the back and came out with a small maza plate of hummus, baba ganoush, ezme, kisir + piyaz and eggplant salad, as well as a small plate of spanakopita.  He sternly informed us that we had to finish everything on the plate if we wanted to eat dinner there.  (It didn’t take long for me to realize that this isn’t a man you want to argue with… ) Instead, I mentally prepared myself to ingest large quantities of Mediterranean food over the next hour and a half – whether I wanted to or not.

As soon as some more of our Eat Squad arrived, we sat down at the somewhat rickety, unassuming tables in the small restaurant and waited to order.  When the server approached our table, he brought over a large version of the maza plate w/ warm pita for the table to share – a nice welcome gift from our friend, Al.

Once we polished it off, the server took our orders.  Everyone except for Foodie Buddha and I got the Agora Mixed Grill (mixed plate of meats).  FB and I ordered the Gyro.  (Honestly, I didn’t really have a choice – I was told (or commanded may be the better word?) by Al to get it.)  Sure – whatever he says.

LISTEN TO AL!!  I loved it.  It was awesome.

I was concerned that the gyro was going to be fatty, but I seriously didn’t find an ounce of fat on it.  Instead, when I unwrapped the aluminum foil holding my huge gyro together, it overflowed with meat, lettuce, onions and tzatziki.  It was delicious, and I ate all of it.

Al brought over a large plate of pistachio baklava for dessert.  I thought that it was pretty greasy, but it was certainly tasty and we didn’t have a problem finishing it.

What a fun experience!  That’s really what it was – an experience.

Al isn’t for everyone – I will say that.  I’m not sure how my father would feel about Al forcing a forkful of food in his face…  And, I kind of think that Al arbitrarily makes up his own prices when you approach the register, which is more than a little eyebrow raising – frankly I’m not sure it’s even legal.  Regardless, I got a kick out of him, and the Cafe Agora gyro has been summoning me back ever since I left on Sunday.  I definitely recommend checking this place out, and please send Al my regards when you do.

xx, L

Cafe Agora
262 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA  30305
404.949.0900
www.cafeagora.com/index.htm

Walking dead people?  Yes sir!  In fact, I can quote both of these classics:

Weird?  Whatever…  I don’t judge you for watching Miley Cyrus movies.  (Okay, I do.) 

Anyway, there’s a point to all of this zombie nonsense.  Thanks to Kurt K., I heard about THIS awesome zombie-related opportunity:  http://alturl.com/x9go! 

AMC is filming The Walking Dead in downtown Atlanta and they need zombie extras!  You even get to attend zombie school!  So. freaking. cool.  If you are free in June to participate – DO IT.  Check out the deets in the link above!

I love this city.

xx, L