loren not lauren

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Ahead of the Game: Let’s Talk Taxes…

01/27/2012 in Organizing, Reminders, Vendors, What we're Doing by Lindsay | No comments

Guess what I’ve already filed?? 

Yep, you guessed it…  My 2011 taxes.  Look who’s on the ball!  (It’s me, it’s me!)

For the past few years, I’ve taken my tax info down the street to HR Block, simply out of convenience, to have one of their employees quickly chew me up and spit me out.  “See ya’ next year!” they’d say with a smile as I wrote a large check for their data entry, and moseyed out confused as to why my fairly simple tax return was so expensive.  Not this year, readers.

THIS year, I changed it up.  I’m using a firm to prep my taxes who was highly recommended to me by blog regular + close friend, Loren S.  They don’t advertise – they rely on word of mouth.  (And, we like that!)  They’ve done such an excellent job with my taxes this year, and really handled me with care.  So, I want to help ‘em out a little.

siegel & siegel, p.c.

Siegel & Siegel, P.C. is a small, family-owned firm that was started in the 1950′s by Abe Siegel.  All three of Abe’s sons became CPAs and all worked there (and still do).  Josh Halpern, my new CPA (um, do I sound fancy pants or WHAT?!), is the newest addition to the group.  He started working there in 2007, and has been a CPA since 2009.  Josh is a Georgia Bulldog (which I didn’t hold against him), and an all-around really awesome guy.

Siegel & Siegel provides accounting and tax services for individuals and small businesses.  This includes compilations (another way of saying financial statements), as well as tax services.  Many of their business clients are service-oriented (doctor, lawyer, dentist, real estate), but they can also work on any small “closely-held” businesses.  Josh had no problem at all helping a little guy (girl) like me with my super-simple tax return, either.

Clients like Siegel & Siegel because of the personal attention they receive from the firm.  They don’t have young staff for partners to hand over their clients to ”to be worked-up” and then passed back for a quick check-over and a signature.  They do the work themselves, and they each know their clients issues/ business versus having to find the staff person who worked on that client (larger firms are like this) to inquire about what is going on.  They do not bill solely based on time, so they are happy to take calls and respond to e-mails.  (Even I know that this is very old school – and I appreciate it.)  Siegel & Siegel considers itself to be a “vintage firm.”  The kind where you receive the personal attention you deserve.

Siegel & Siegel’s office is located in Sandy Springs near Roswell Road and Hammond, close to Breadwinner Cafe.  Give Josh a call.  He’s a great guy (I absolutely vouch for him), and he will very thoughtfully walk you through your taxes.  I sincerely appreciated the care with which he explained everything to me, and the speed at which he prepared my return.  If you’re looking for some tax help this year, I highly recommend Siegel & Siegel. 

P.S. Tell Josh that the Q+DD sent you!  We don’t get a kickback or anything (I can’t even imagine what it would be if we did…), but it would be nice to know that we were able to help out a really great, small business that we believe in!  :)

xx, L

Siegel & Siegel, P.C. – Josh Halpern
140 Hammond Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
404.252.6667 ext. 106
joshua@siegelcpa.com
www.siegelcpa.com

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2012 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam (1/14)

01/09/2012 in Downtown, Events, Guilty Pleasures, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 2 comments

OMG, Y’ALL.  One of the most exciting events of the year is THIS weekend: Advance Auto Parts 2012 Monster Jam at the Georgia Dome at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14!

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh, Monster Jam!

Last year, Kev and I went to the Jam with our friends Seth + Loren and we had a B.L.A.S.T.!  (In full disclosure, it was my second Monster Jam experience since I’ve lived in Atlanta.  I’m super into this event.)  This year, Monster Jam will be even more exciting (how can that be possible??) as they’ll celebrate Gravedigger’s 30th anniversary!  More on Gravedigger HERE.

go, gravedigger, gooooo!

Fact: Monster Jam is the single best people watching opportunity in Atlanta.  (NASCAR is a distance second to this.)  Here’s a sneak peak at what’s in store for you shot from yours truly last year…

overalls EVERYWHERE

And, here are a few more for your viewing pleasure:

monster jam 2011

Tickets are cheap.  Beer is…also cheap.  And, this is an out-of-the-ordinary event that is sure to spice up your MLK weekend!  Ticket information here: Let’s go to MONSTER JAM!!

Coming from a girlie-girl raised going to the ballet and to see musicals, I’m tellin’ you that you DO NOT want to miss this!  (Consider that a warning…)

xx, L

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Fancy Summer Snow Cones @ the Ritz Downtown

06/22/2011 in Cocktails, Downtown, Guilty Pleasures, Happy Hour, Hotels, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Odds are that you’ve already heard the shaved ice scoop about the fancy summer snow cones at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta (Downtown) from Atlanta Magazine and Daily Candy, but the Q+DD would also like to jump on that train…

Every day from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Atlanta Grill or Lumen lobby bar at the Ritz Downtown, chef Brian Jones is offering boozy snow cone cocktails for $12!   These sweet summer treats are made with locally sourced fruit purees.  And, here’s what you can expect to see on the menu:

Watermelon with Lime + Anejo Tequila
Passion Fruit with Lemon + Bourbon
Blackberry with Honey + Moonshine  (yep, you read that right!)

Dang, Ritz-Carlton, you sure are sexy this summer!  I CAN’T WAIT to try these!!  :)

xx, L

Ritz-Carlton Atlanta (Downtown)
181 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA  30303
404.659.0400
http://www.ritzcarlton.com

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Burgers by Boat on Lake Lanier

06/03/2011 in Holidays, Out of Town, Random Musings, Suburbs, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Slick + I spent a gorgeous day at Lake Lanier over Memorial Day weekend with our friends Seth + Loren (SeLo).

(seth: this is your big break!!)

Although I have been living in Atlanta for the past seven years + have done a pretty swell job – if I do say so myself – of exploring our great city, I somehow avoided ever spending time at Lake Lanier.  My lake trips have been confined to a work-related event I throw each year at Lake Burton – which is a calm + peaceful, relatively uncrowded lake that looks like THIS: 

lake burton

Lake Lanier, however, looks like THIS:

sunset cove - lake lanier

Eighteen boats tied up next to each other to form a massive party on the water!  How have I missed this awesomeness?!  Shame on me.  Shame on me!  The fact of the matter is that I HAVE been missing out.

Anyway, as I was saying…we spent a phenomenally beautiful day on Lake Lanier with SeLo.  About halfway into our Firefly + diet lemonade drinking, sunscreen-protected sunbathing afternoon, we were pretty hungry and wanted to stop to grab lunch.  SeLo highly recommended a restaurant located in Aqualand Marina (a little trivia: AM is the world’s largest inland marina) where they had recently eaten the “best burger they’ve ever had.”  Slick is kinda on a hamburger kick for some reason + I really needed to check out this “best burger” for myself, so we docked for lunch at Dockside Grill.

Behold its wooden quaintness:

And, freshly-laminated menus:

I started to believe the bold burger rumor a bit more as we sat down + glanced over the menu which proudly announced that Dockside Grill was voted “best burger” by Southern Living.  Not quite as skeptical, I ordered a huge burg and out came THIS guy: 

The picture doesn’t quite do it justice.  The burger was MASSIVE + super juicy.  I devoured it in every sense of the word.  It was, indeed, a great burger.  And best of all, it reminded me of the burgers my dad used to grill when I was a kid.  It tasted homemade + like home – which may sound silly, but really added to the dockside burger-eatin’ experience.  It was the perfect way to cut the alcohol, get us out of the sun for a bit + satisfy a burger craving without grease dripping everywhere and a mandatory post-lunch nap. 

I ate so much that I felt like I needed to wear my cover up on the boat for the rest of the afternoon, but I didn’t mind one bit.  That meal was worth it + it certainly didn’t stop Slick from enjoying the rest of the day on the lake…

Lake Lanier:  I’ll be back for you, new friend!  :)  

Dockside Grill:  Your burger is pretty darn amazing.  I can’t think of a place I’d rather eat at on the lake.  Keep up the excellent work!  I’ll be back for another burg soon!

xx, L

Dockside Grill – Aqualand Marina
Open Fridays, Saturdays + Sundays (Seasonal)
Call for Hours: 770.363.2318
Menu: BIG BURGERS
Map: FIND DOCKSIDE

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Summerfest + Food Truckin’ – What a Life!

06/01/2011 in Festivals, Highlands, Midtown, On the Street, Random Musings, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

And the summer festivals roll on and on and on…

The 28th Annual Virginia Highland Summerfest is this weekend, folks! 

The Q+DD on VaHi Summerfest:
When: 6/4 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. & 6/5 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Summerfest takes place along tree-lined Virginia Avenue, in the heart of the historic + charming Virginia Highland neighborhood.  (Between North Highland Ave. and Park Dr.) 
Tickets: FREE ADMISSION – donations to the VaHi Civic Association are appreciated.
Buzz: Regularly recognized by local media as one of Atlanta’s best neighborhood festivals + consistently revered by art professionals as one of the best artists’ markets in the southeast, Summerfest is a great event for the entire family.
Arts: The juried artists’ market features work + exhibits from more than 220 of the best artists in the southeast and beyond, in a variety of media including painting, clay, glass, jewelry, photography, printmaking, fiber, wood, metal + mixed media.
Music: The 92.9 Dave FM music stage will feature a variety of renowned local musicians, along with nationally acclaimed singer songwriters.

summerfest '10

And, and, and….I will be there!  Hooray!!

Click righttttt HERE for more info about Summerfest.

dave fm stage at summerfest

Summerfest is a seriously solid festival.  I always end up buying something awesome, eating something fried and terribly delicious + having a great time at it.  The only way that Summerfest could get any better is if there are going to be food trucks this year.   For sure King of Pops (love!) will make an appearance, but I’m talking about FOOD TRUCK food trucks.

Which brings me to one of my favorite parts of last weekend when Loren + Seth (congrats on your engagement guys!) and Slick + I chased down (from Little Five Points to Midtown) two of the trucks remaining in the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.  We found out that they were filming in and around Atlanta from our friends, Mr. Casey + Foodie Buddha.  Once we did a little research on the contenders, we knew that we were going to set aside time to find them. 

On the show, food trucks travel across the country seeing which can sell the most food.  At the end of each stop, the food truck that made the least money goes home.  Atlanta was the last stop before the finale in Miami.  Hardcore readers may remember that I recently tried the Nom Nom truck in Palm Springs, which was runner up in last year’s The Great Food Truck Race.  I guess that this is sorta becoming my thing…

We only had time to sample two trucks, both of which were fan-freaking-tastic + we plan to root for on the show.  Here’s what we ate:

Truck #1: Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese (Boston, MA) 

(Slick ordering from Roxy’s.)

Oysters ROXYfeller.  Cute.

Grilled CHZ: Vermont cremont cheese, proscuitto de parma + quince.

Grilled CHZ: Private stock cheddar, foie gras, applewood bacon + peach preserve.

So nice…

…it got photographed twice!

We were in cheesy heaven.  And, I got a Roxy’s t-shirt which I proudly wore to the gym yesterday!  Somehow, we found inner-hunger, strength, whatever you want to call it, to check out The Lime Truck up the street.

Truck #2: The Lime Truck (Irvine, CA) 

Crab + Bay Scallop Ceviche.

Green Curry Tofu Quesadilla.

Ahi Tuna Poke Nachos.

Blistered Shishito Peppers.

And, the coolest part of all is that we got to see them filming!

Even now, I’m still stuffed.  Total.  Both trucks were SO good and for such different reasons.  There is a time and place for a loaded grilled cheese.  Likewise, there is a time and place for creative, fresh fish + tofu.  Last weekend, it was time for both.  :)

Don’t miss Summerfest this weekend in the Highlands.  And, if they have food trucks – I’m sure I’ll see you there.  Play on, players + good luck to Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese + The Lime Truck! 

xx, L

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Please Call Me “Picasso”…

05/13/2011 in Dunwoody, Parties, What we're Doing by Lindsay | No comments

Remember when I harnessed my inner-Pablo Picasso + went to Sips n Strokes last year for Loren’s birthday?  THIS happened:

Not to brag or anything, but I was pretty impressed with our artwork…and we had so much fun painting + partying!  Remember?  Okay well if not, here’s a refresher about the evening: Y’ALL NEED TO WORK ON YOUR MEMORY…

Sips n Strokes is an instructional painting class.  Picture Bob Ross minus the serious afro minus just sitting and watching him paint on TV plus a classroom full of friendly folks plus BYO wine + beer + snacks plus you leave with your very own work of art! 

Well, news flash aspiring artists, Sips n Strokes went through a little name change + is now called Canvas By U.  Everything is the same except for the name – AND (oh, this is big) they’ve opened up a few more locations including one in my old ‘hood off of Druid Hills: CANVAS BY U LOCATION INFO.

Anyway, last night I went with some colleagues for a class at the Dunwoody location.  I fought rush hour traffic, but it was worth it because as soon as I arrived I was greeted with fresh sushi (we brought it in), a glass of wine + an empty canvas.  The world is YOURS!

This was the beginning of my “masterpiece”…  (We can use that term v. loosely):


And a few glasses of wine later…

TADA!

Is it going to be on display at the Louvre?  Probably not.  Was I able to sorta follow the instructor with my paint brush while chit-chatting while drinking wine while trying not to get any paint on my J Brands?  Absolutely!  Did Slick talk to me like a child when I came home after the class and say “Babbbbbeeeee….that is so greattttttttt!”  He sure did. 

Did I leave my mark on the customer-painted walls at Canvas By U?  You betcha!

Canvas By U is a fantastic way to spend an evening + it’s a super fun treat to leave the studio with your very own artwork to appreciate after the tipsyness wears off a bit…  I love this place for bachelorette parties, corporate events (amazing to witness Type A folks bringing out their creative sides), an out-of-the-box date (maj. points, men!) or a girls night out!  Check out the schedule here: BRING ON THE PAINT!

xx, L

Canvas By U
Dunwoody Village Shopping Center
5525 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA  30338
678.954.8399
https://www.canvasbyu.com/home.aspx

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Are You Ready for MONSTER JAM 2011?!

01/18/2011 in Events, For Men, Guilty Pleasures, Reminders, Sports, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 3 comments

I am!  :)

 
Here’s the very Q+DD:

Monster Jam 2011 @ the Georgia Dome
Saturday, February 12 @ 7:30 p.m.
Now you just need…

Tickets.  YOU need tickets – ASAP!  And, they’re sold out already on Ticketmaster, so get them on StubHub here:  MY WIFE PERSUADER IS READY TO GOOOOO!

Seriously, y’all, this is one of the most fun (+ cheapest) events I’ve been to in Atlanta.  Tickets are almost all under $50 a piece – and you really don’t need to spend more than that for them b/c the cars are HUGE + impossible to miss!  Super loud, too.  They pretty much shake the Dome…

Grave Digger is my Fav.

You DO NOT want miss out on this – especially if you’ve never been before!  Heck, I’m already working on my outfit…

Yeah, that’s right.  Go big or go home!

xx, L

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Mark Your Calendars, Ladies…

08/17/2010 in Events, Sports, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 1 comment

Now THIS looks like fun.

Red feather boa?  Yes, please!  :)

More information + tickets here:  GO BRAVES!

xx, L

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Happenings @ Atlanta Grill.

06/04/2010 in Downtown, Events, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Check THIS out!

 

For more information (or at least a readable version of the photo above – SORRY!):
http://alturl.com/3h3t 

Visit the link below to reserve a spot: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Atlanta/Dining/AtlantaGrill/Default.htm 

Sounds fantastic to me!  Just love, love, love Atlanta Grill… Yum!  :)

xx, L

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Opa!

05/26/2010 in Costco, Health, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 7 comments

Every morning before work, I eat a cup of Publix fat free light yogurt w/ a sprinkle of almonds.  On the suggestion of Loren (not Lauren), I recently switched to Greek yogurt.  Have y’all tried it yet?  I’m totally sold!  How did I not know about this before?!

Greek yogurt is much thicker and creamier than regular yogurt. The reason for its thickness is that in the process of making it they strain and boil away excess liquid, leaving behind a yogurt that is thicker and higher in protein.  I’ve tried Trader Joe’s and Yoplait’s Greek yogurt, but I like Chobani’s the best.

Visit Chobani’s website to see all of their flavors (the fruit on the bottom blueberry flavor is my personal favorite)! :)

Here’s the Q+DD on Greek yogurt:

- Twice the protein of regular yogurt
- No fat. No cholesterol.
- All natural: no artificial flavors or preservatives
- No synthetic growth hormones
- Includes 3 types of probiotics
- Kosher certified
- Gluten free
- Safe for people with soy, corn and nut allergies
- Vegetarian friendly: made without gelatin
- Only 20 carbs and 140 calories

Yum!  I like Greek yogurt for breakfast, but it would also be excellent for a healthy dessert.  Pick some up at your local Publix or Kroger ASAP!

xx, L

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I’m an Artist!

03/30/2010 in Dunwoody, Parties, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 3 comments

(Not really.  Well, not at all…)  But I pretended that I was on Friday!

monet has nothing on me...

I was outside of the Perimeter almost all weekend.  I get disoriented OTP and I’m not obsessed with driving behind slow-moving minivans, but I will tell you WHAT – I would go back to Dunwoody absolutely anytime for Sips n Strokes!  We went for Loren (not Lauren’s) birthday and it was so much fun!

the birthday girl

Sips n Strokes is an instructional painting class.  Picture Bob Ross minus serious afro minus just sitting and watching him paint on TV plus a classroom full of women (and man – there was a singular man present) plus BYO wine + beer + snacks plus you leave with your very own work of art! 

Here’s the Q+DD on Sips n Strokes:

All you need to do to attend a class is visit the Sips n Strokes website @ www.sipsnstrokes.com.  Peruse the calendar and select a class you’d like to attend, keeping in mind that you paint something different in each class.  I attended a class where we were shown how to draw a pink flower.  You reserve a spot in the class (the Dunwoody location can fit up to 55 people) with your credit card.  Classes range in cost from $25 – $45.  You can cancel your reservation without being charged if you do it more than 24 hours in advance.  You pay for the class when you arrive for it.  You are instructed to select paints and sit at a stool in front of an easel with a canvas.  As you sit and watch the instructor, you following along with your paints on your canvas.  At the end of the class, you take your creation home with you!  It’s pretty simple.

Still not getting it?  Our night in pictures will help…











If you are looking at these pictures and think that what we did looks difficult at all, you couldn’t be more incorrect.  I went into the class with zero confidence in my artistic ability to reproduce what the instructor was doing on stage.  Believe me, it’s so much easier than it looks!  The instructor really walks you, step by step, through the process and Sips n Strokes employees canvas the store ready to help you if you need a bit more direction or assistance with your artwork.

Sips n Strokes is perfect for a girl’s night out, as part of a bachelorette party or shower, birthday party or for no other purpose than to just paint with friends!

Here’s the best news of all: They are opening a location in Buckhead soon!  So, throw on an apron + harness your inner Georgia O’Keefe and head over to Sips n Strokes for a class ASAP!  :)

xx, L

Sips n Strokes
Dunwoody Village Shopping Center
5525 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA  30338
678.954.8399
www.sipsnstrokes.com

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The Greatest Drink Ever Made

03/23/2010 in Buckhead, Cocktails, Midtown, PSAs, Random Musings, What we're Watching by Lindsay | 15 comments

I’m a martini drinker.

me + martini

But, I have three critical martini-related rules. 

(Please take note if you plan on ever ordering me a drink..)

Rule #1:  Under no circumstance do I want olives anywhere in or around my drink.  Ick!  HATE olives.  It’s a shame, too, because olives adore me…

Rule #2:  I want to be able to taste the vodka in my martini.  I am an adult – I am not 19 years old and I don’t want to be consuming mostly liqueur.  Thank you very much!  (A few too many nights at Carlos + Charlies in Puerto Vallarta put me off of sweet drinks fo’ life…)


Rule #3:  If I am drinking a martini, I’m going to be seated.  The martini glass is an incredibly poorly designed alcohol vehicle.  Further, I wear heels when I go out – but I am not great in them.  I’m telling you, I know my limitations, you do not want to be anywhere near me when I have a martini glass in my hand and I’m standing up.  I spill them when I’m sitting down!  So please bring the drink to me at a table and we won’t have to worry about our clothes making an immediate dry cleaning trip in the morning.  :)

Moving on…

I love Holeman + Finch.  (This all ties together, I promise.)  I just love it.  The food is excellent, the scene is superb and I really like the staff.  They are hipster w/o the grease + cut off jean shorts.  And, they are super friendly and attentive.  The high boys in the bar are my favorite location at Holeman to plop down + have a few drinks and small plates. 

holeman

So, I’m there on Friday w/ EZ, Ms. Meri + Loren (not Lauren) and we’re ordering our second round of drinks when our server informs me that my go-to-Gimlet is kind of a boring order.  I quickly assess him and realize that (1) he is wearing skinny jeans (funny + appropriate hipster-waiter attire, which I applaud) and that (2) I’m fairly certain he looks like he knows what he is talking about, so instead of taking offense – I ask for his expert advice.  I made sure he was clear re. my three martini-related rules and he said he’d run with it.  A few minutes later as we were all digging into the Holeman 10:00 p.m. burger that we’d patiently been waiting for since 8:00 p.m., our server came back to the table with my drink.  BIG problem.  He tells me there’s gin in it.  Gin??  I don’t drink GIN.  I drink VODKA!  Needless to say, I’m incredibly skeptical…

However, all it took was one magical sip to win me over.  I like gin!  Who would have thought?!

certainly not us...

I mean it when I say that this was the best drink I’ve had in my life.  It was like flying.  Like a day at the beach.  Like winning a new car on The Price is Right!!  

"one dollar, bob!"

The drink was an AVIATION.  Sayonara, Gimlet, you’ve officially been replaced…

behold its majesty

My old partner in crime, Mindy, is in town and last night we cooked dinner for her family, and then scooted over to Ormsby’s.  We were there for one drink + a meet up w/ the famous FB, when I heard the Aviation summoning me from Holeman.  So, at 11:00 p.m. on a Monday night we headed to Holeman for a late night burger + a few Aviations.  I’m addicted. 

It really is the most amazing drink.  You don’t taste the gin too much, it’s not too sweet at all and it’s surprisingly refreshing.   (“it’s magically delicious!”)

mindy + me + martini = perfection. (math is fun!)

You have to try an Aviation immediately.  Order it @ Holeman tonight.  Seriously!  Or, learn how to make it yourself + impress your friends:

Ingredients:

2 oz of Gin
1/4 oz Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Dash of Creme de Violette (optional)
Flamed Lemon Peel for Garnish (optional)

Directions:

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled w/ ice
Shake shake shake…
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish
Sip + Enjoy! :)

How to Make an Aviation Video: http://bit.ly/93rnBF

If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.

xx, L

Holeman & Finch Public House
2277 Peachtree Road NE Ste. B
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.948.1175
www.holeman-finch.com

Holeman & Finch Public House on Urbanspoon

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