Moxie? We got it.

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Dear Oprah (an open letter)

09/03/2010 in Gifts, PSAs by Lauren | 2 comments

Dear Oprah,

Hello, I love you.

Now that that’s out of the way, I need to tell you about your new Favorite Thing: Chay J’s Creole Pretzels. These delicious little salty, crispy pretzels, coated in delicious buttery caramel, tossed with enormous pecans, are about the best things I have ever tasted. 

I must have done something seriously right in my past life to have deserved superstar treatment (usually reserved for your highness!): darling New Orleans-born Channon “Chay” Powell made them especially for The Q+DD and delivered them right to my doorstep along with your next Favorite thing: Creole Popcorn!


Both bags were gone before you could say Pat O’Briens. Trust.

Bonus: Chay also makes other goodies such as pies, tarts, brownies, pralines, strawberries, and peanut brittle and as much as I’d love to have you here in the Peach State, O – you can have Chay’s delicious treats shipped right to your Chicago doorstep at Harpo.   I’m not sure Dr. Oz would approve, but hey – you only live once, Opes.

Double Bonus: Delivery is available within Metro Atlanta.  Just another reason for you to own a home down here. Just sayin.
So, seriously Oprah – give them a whirl, I just KNOW you’ll want to invite  Chay to your Favorite Things episode taping.  (It’s her life goal!) Feel free to invite me too. I LOVE stuff and things.


Almost as much as I love you.

xx, L

PS Check out ChayJ’s New Orleans Candies here!

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I’m Lovin’ It!

08/18/2010 in Costco, Guilty Pleasures, Highlands, Jewelry, Random Musings, Trend Alert!, What we're Doing, What we're Listening To, What we're Reading, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 11 comments

(Hope Mickie D’s doesn’t lawyer me for borrowing their slogan for my lil’ post…  I’m v. nice + I love your $1 ice cream.  I do!)

So, y’all, work is busy for me right now – but I still have a lot to tell you.  Particularly about a few things I’ve been lovin’ lately…

1- Shorty’s Short Van.  Shorty’s – one of my favorite pizza joints in Atlanta - has a new marketing mobile.  Love!

Shorty's short van

2- The Life Is A Runway Blog.  The amazing Mrs. Jessica Liszt, shares her impeccible style with us daily in her new fashion blog.  I’ve been constantly reading it, and admittedly I’m not a biggest blog reader…  Check it out – you’ll love her stylish tidbits:  http://www.jlrunway.blogspot.com/

mrs. lizst, fashion blogger extraordinare

3- Giant Bears for Sale @ Costco.  I went to Costco for my first time ever (“Hi, my name is Lindsay, and I’m a Sam’s Club member) on Saturday and fell in love.  Just saying… 

love at first sight

4- Little Kids in Jeggings…  Cari celebrated her big 3-0 over the weekend.  Happy birthday, CB!  We partied at the birthday girl’s diggs w/ a bouncy castle + all.  Please witness this awesomeness:

brilliant

My favorite part, however, was meeting her mini-fashionista niece who was sporting tiny tot jeggings.  The cutest!  Q+DD trivia: Our trend alert about “jeggings” is our second most viewed post next to the one about ”SHARK WEEK!”

so freaking adorable, i can't stand it.

5- My new Stella & Dot earrings.  Aren’t these gorgeous?  They are the Deco Drop earrings from Stella & Dot’s Fall/Winter collection.  Very glam for only $39.  BTW: My friend, Meagan, who just hosted a super-fun S&D trunk show at my place would be more than happy to be your rep: www.stelladot.com/meaganb  :)

stella & dot deco drop earrings

love their fall/winter collection...

6- Zooey Deschanel.  I just kind of want to be her.  I re-watched 500 Days of Summer over the weekend and fell in love with her all over again.  Plus, I love that she was in Elf  and rocks out in the very rad indie band, She & Him. 

she & him

7- These shoes!  Going out to buy them this afternoon.  Thanks, DSW, for the nifty $10 off coupon I received in the mail yesterday and I fully plan to cash in today.  Just thanks.

you're MINE!

That’s about all for now…  :)

xx, L

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L+L Report: Chef Alex Friedman of P’Cheen

08/13/2010 in Buckhead, Events!, Guilty Pleasures, L+L Report, Old 4th Ward, PSAs, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 6 comments

Monday, Lindsay and I were invited to sample P’Cheen’s famous, award-winning barbecue at Monday Night Mike’s Bone Lick BBQ and afforded the opportunity to sit down with Chef, co-owner, and ATLANTA FOOD RAVE participant Alex Friedman.  Both were amazing.  This post will be divided into 2 parts: The Man and The Meat.

1. The Meat: Monday Night Mike’s Bone Lick BBQ

Homemade BBQ sauces of every variety

OK so here’s the Q+DD: Monday nights, Chef Alex takes a rest and Mike LaSage (P’Cheen sous chef and lead singer/guitarist of Mike LaSage & the Stumbling Troubadours) takes over the kitchen to serve up some undeniably spectacular Q.   Though it was a tough call between the “Roadside Boiled Peanuts” and the “Redneck Charcuterie” (house-made jerkeys, homemade ketchup, Mountain Dew and RC Cola Jellies, and homemade “Velveeta”), we started with “Died and Gone to Bacon”

Smoked jalapeño bacon wrapped around hickory bacon, wrapped around andouille sausage

For dinner, we couldn’t decide which meat to choose. Linds and I both find that we default to pulled pork in matters of BBQ, but Natalie, our dining companion, and CWPR darling, raved about the brisket. Plus, the ribs looked delish! We debated.  We hemmed and hawed. Then – divine intervention – we discovered that they ring a BELL when someone orders a platter with all 5 meats (pulled pork, antouille, “Texican” beef brisket and the international BBQ of the week).  Otherwise known as the FAT ASS SAMPLER.

As in, DINGALINGALINGALINGALING! “Who ordered the Fat Ass Sampler?”

We did!

Yup, and some jalapeño mac and cheese and collard greens.  And we finished every. last. bite.   JUST when we didn’t think we could eat any more, we managed to finish some of the BEST banana pudding I have ever had (that’s a huge statement.  I am from Alabama) and a FRIED TWINKIE.


YUM. If you haven’t made it over to Mikes Bone Lick at P’Cheen on Mondays, you’re missing out.  Fact. Go immediately.   You gotta trust a man who’s so committed BBQ he has a tattoo of the cuts of a pig on this arm:

Mike LaSage's lifetime commitment to Pork

2. The Man: Chef Alex Friedman

On to our interview. Now, we may not have made him cry like Barbara Walters would have, or jump on a couch like Tom Cruise on Oprah… make no mistake, we are serious, hard-hitting investigative journalists and we take no prisoners.  Chef Alex didn’t even know what hit him.

Truthfully, neither did we.  Alex is a special brand of awesome.  We came all prepared with 20 questions (exactly!) but our conversation took a lot of unexpected turns.  Of course, the first thing we REALLY wanted to know was…which tattoo is your favorite?

Strong contenders were the “road map of his life” that encompasses his forearm (which started out as a doodle in his notepad) and the birthdates of his immediate family around his fingers like rings.  But his favorite serves as a daily reminder of the virtue he wishes he had in higher supply…

“Patience”

We were also very interested to learn about his upbringing in an artistic home and how he started his academic career on a ceramics scholarship.  Even more interesting still was his transition from prep cook and dishwasher to sous chef to chef and how he came to own P’Cheen with his business partner (and former DJ!) Kieran Neeley.  It was immediately obvious that Alex is a guy who’s constantly evolving.

When we asked him about his colleagues in the Atlanta food scene, Alex said he especially appreciates “any chef that’s out there doing his own thing” a few who came to mind were Richard Blais, Jay Swift, Scott Serpas, Shane Devereux, and Ryan Stewart.

We covered the most underrated and overrated trends in food (molecular gastronomy? Mad Science isn’t for Chef A-Fried.) and the highly topical street-food movement. (“Long overdue!” Alex said.)  We may just see a food truck from P’Cheen sometime soon…

We got him talking about his resto – Alex let us know that both his best and worst days in the kitchen were P’Cheen’s opening day and that his 3 favorite items on the menu are the mussels, the fish + chips, and the hanger steak a la plancha.  Natalie was shocked that the mushy peas didn’t make the cut and we HAD to ask him about the burg.

I must tell you, our web guru, Mark Wolfe, swears up and down that even among all the recent burger hoop-la, P’Cheen’s burger remains his favorite.

A “Frankenstein of his own creation” (speaking of mad science!) Alex confided there are 19 ingredients in the burger that create the “layers of flavor” responsible for it’s amazingness.  Among them?  Mushrooms, curry powder, hoisen sauce. Alex loves to cook with an Asian influence.

Asian influenced food.  One American owner, one Brit.  A Celtic name (which translates to “moonshine”) a BBQ night.  P’Cheen truly is an International Bistro.

But what would Chef Alex request on death row?  “Jewish Penicillin:” His mother’s potato latkes (with apple sauce and sour cream, duh!) and chicken noodle soup. (Alex confesses, “I am the worst Jew.  I love bacon, I’m covered in tattoos and I’m terrible with money!”)

That’s when we realized: we were just three Hebrews hanging out and enjoying some delicious pork!

Not Kosher. Not sorry.

 Chef Alex, thanks for having us!  We’re looking forward to shots of Jameson and fist bumps at the Atlanta Food Rave!  See you there, sir!

xx, L+L

P'Cheen on Urbanspoon

P.S. Thank you, also, to Caren, Natalie and Caren West PR!  We LOVE you.

 

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Are You Trying to Seduce Me, Ms. Duff?

08/10/2010 in Events!, Theatre by Lauren | No comments

Mark your calendars! Our very own Joanna Duff...

…of Shots and Cupcakes fame…

Will be appearing at the Cumming Playhouse in THE GRADUATE starting THIS THURSDAY August 12th! (sidebar: Jo plays a GoGo dancer, not the cougar, obvi)

The show runs Thursdays – Saturdays 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm through August 28th.  I can’t think of a better reason to go OTP.

So here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson Ms. Duff!

Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee…

xx, L

PS It’s always a good time when Jo is on stage.  Trust.

Melissa, Greg and me rocking out to Joanna Duff at Smith's Olde Bar

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Are you there, Buckhead? It’s me, Lauren.

08/03/2010 in Buckhead, Cocktails, What we're Doing by Lauren | 4 comments

Buckhead and I seem to be at an awkward in-between stage. I fear I may have graduated beyond my CJ’s Landing/Buckhead Saloon days.  (um, yeah.  It’s a good thing, since neither of those places, at least how I knew them, exist anymore) and sometimes it’s just not a 5P/Fado kind of a night. And though I LOVE the St. Reg and sipping Stoli Dolis at at Capital Grille, sometimes I’m just not feeling THAT chi chi la la.  I need something in-between.

Enter Buckhead Bottle Bar.


LOVE.  Love at first sight.  It was love before I even walked in the door.   Even the outside is adorable.  Witness:


Here’s the Q+DD: Buckhead Bottle Bar, opened by A.D. Allushi and Chef Ian Winslade (of ADI Restaurant Concepts: Thrive, Market, Spice Market) and Atlanta Hawk Zaza Pachulia, sits right in the heart of Buckhead at East Paces Ferry and Peachtree.  Described as an “all-day cocktail house featuring bar food favorites,” I was praying the cocktails were at least liquid because I was digging the vibe so much!  It’s just so zippy-snappy-poppy.

My prayers were answered: the drinks were superb, the service was great, and though Alison and I only noshed a little bit, the food we had was ridiculously good.  We LOVED the seared tuna salad and calamari we sampled.  (Alison asks me the next day, “Is it wrong that I dreamed about balsamic vinaigrette last night?” I told her, if fantasizing about food is wrong…I don’t want to be right!)

Alison making hard menu decisions

What started out as a casual Monday girl-date turned into a full-fledged evening activity. We even had our boys meet us to experience this fabulousness and extend the night a liiiiittle longer!

Bonus: A.D. himself came over to refill our water glasses and lucky for me, I had done enough internet stalking research I recognized him immediately and we got into a long discussion about restaurants in Atlanta, social media, and hair products.  (Ok, I made that last one up, but his hair is so amazing, I’m surprised the topic didn’t naturally arise…)

A.D. also informed us that he’s opening another new restaurant, 5th Street Cafe, at 5th and Peachtree, re-conceptualizing what is now Eno by Zaza.  I can’t WAIT to check that out.

Definitely give the BBBar a shot.  It’s the perfect bridge for the Buckhead gap…

xx, L

P.S. Use your ScoutMob until 10/14/10!

Buckhead Bottle Bar
(404) 474-9892
268 E Paces Ferry Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
www.buckheadbottlebar.com
Buckhead Bottle Bar on Urbanspoon

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New(ish) and Noteworthy

08/02/2010 in Baby Chic, Cocktails, Downtown, Midtown, Westside, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 1 comment

I’ve been doing a LOT of eating out lately and not enough writing (or working out for that matter…) I’ve hit up quite a few new (or new to me) restos that are definitely worth mentioning.   In light of the fact that this is a blog and not a novel…here are 2 for now:

Of all the restaurants in Atlanta, Top Flr will always hold a special place in my heart.  I have never had a bad meal or a bad time there…and you’ve just got to love a place like that.

So, as you can imagine, I was very excited to give The Sound Table, Darren Carr’s new restaurant in the Old Fourth Ward, a try.  Bonus: (and I don’t want to name-drop…but I’m-a gonna)  Greg and I enjoyed our meal with supercute and understated-yet-ultrafabulous DanaPop.com, the Atlanta editor of Daily Candy (!!!!!) and her hilarious and adorable hubs, Dan.

Here’s the Q+DD on The Sound Table: I absolutely loved it. The concept is “street-to-table”, focusing on the exploding street food trend and like Top Flr, TST is also a small-plates restaurant.  The vibe is laid-back and trendy and the food was, in my opinion, superb.

Dan and I both started with the Pho (pho real!) which came with fun little bowls of condiments: oxtail, bean sprouts, cilantro, and shitake mushrooms (while I gingerly played with these items…Dan happily dumped them all in at once, announcing, “everybody in the pool!”)  we each followed it up with the steamed pork belly buns… both dishes were per-fection.

Other memorable dishes on the table included a citrus-y ceviche, a shrimp salad, the chorizo burger (actually, it was 2 chorizo sliders…cute AND delish!) and my favorite, the Arancini. If you’re not familiar with Arancini, they’re basically fried balls of risotto and The Sound Table’s were made with black truffle, pecorino, and roasted garlic.  YUM.

Note: The Sound Table is located on Edgewood at Boulevard and the signage is not great.  In fact, we drove right past it several times before Dan had to come out and wave us in.  FYI: this is what you’re looking for:

juuuuust a little TOO discreet, if ya ask me!

Also, parking is a little bit difficult.  You MIGHT get lucky and get a spot in the lot right next door, otherwise…don’t forget your quarters.

All in all, I give it two freshly manicured thumbs up.  Can’t wait to go back!

The Sound Table
483 Edgewood Ave. SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
www.thesoundtable.com
The Sound Table on Urbanspoon

NEXT:

Miller Union opened up late last year, so it definitely falls under the New(ish) category or just plain old New to Me; and though neither La, Dr. Amy or I had ever been, Miller Union somehow seemed like a perfect place to celebrate…and we had a LOT of celebrating to do. Dr. Amy finished residency, had an outrageously gorgeous baby girl, and returned home to Atlanta just as darling La announced her pregnancy!

The 3 of us with "our" new addition...and one on the way!

I know this is a bold statement to make about a restaurant I have merely tried once, but I think that Miller Union could easily become one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

I dig rustic-chic décor and I always love a scene-y bar (and believe me, it was scene-y.)

So immediately upon walking in the door, I had high hopes. From the time we were seated at our enormous wooden farm table, my expectations were met.  First of all, the cocktail menu is amazing.  I tried not one but TWO specialty cocktails…very unlike me as usually I tend not to stray from vodka or red wine…but they were both outstanding.  First, the Miller Thyme: miller’s gin, lemon, thyme syrup then the Gold Digger: muddled tomatoes, gin, lemon, and ginger-honey syrup

get down girl, go 'head get down

I didn’t have one BITE that wasn’t outstanding.

Every part of this meal was fresh and fabulous.  We started with the grits fritters with country ham (to DIE for) and the simple yet delicious feta snack…

Then, between the 6 of us, we had the rest of the menu pretty well covered.  My favorite dishes were probably the grouper, the NY strip, and the pork loin…

scamp grouper, summer squash, sweet corn, fennel, tomato

grilled pork loin, field peas + tomato salad

but I think the best part of the meal, for me, were the fresh vegetables.  I want a VAT of their succotash to eat at home at my leisure.  If someone could make that happen for me, I’d be forever in your debt.  The food just did me right; it actually felt good.

You guys, I LOVED Miller Union. It was a great place for a large, somewhat rowdy group such as ours, but I saw several love-birds there on romantic dates as well.

Great times, GREAT restaurant. I recommend it 100%.

Miller Union
999 Brady Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30318
www.millerunion.com
Miller Union on Urbanspoon

Ok, that’s it for now!  Stay tuned…more to come!

xx, L

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Beat the Heat

08/01/2010 in Cocktails, Guilty Pleasures, Happy Hour, PSAs, Tricks of the Trade, What we're Doing by Lauren | 1 comment

While shopping for poolside refreshments this weekend, I was the happy recipient of a Random Act of Kindness in the form of a cocktail recommendation and I feel I’d be remiss in my responsibilities to you if I didn’t Pay it Forward.

At Disco Kroger Fresh Fare by Kroger, I made immediate friends with this supercute girl in line ahead of me who was OBVIOUSLY PLU* – she, like myself, had visible bathing suit straps under her sundress and a basket full of trashy gossip magazines, grill-friendly foods and a few bottles of Prosecco. We both recognized this immediately, and, after discussing our respective Bachelorette predictions, she noticed a missing item from my basket...The steps are easy.

1. Pop your Prosecco (or champagne.  I just really like alliteration.)

(or have someone else do the honors. Thanks, Ted!)

2.  Fill your red Solo cup with equal parts vino and Orangina

3. Enjoy!

xx, L

*People Like Us.  Duh.

P.S. The chilled and vodka-soaked gummy worms and bears (per the suggestion of Mrs. Mendes!)were not a bad pooside snack choice either.  Thanks, Greg!

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Empire State of Mind

07/26/2010 in Baby Chic, Beauty, New York, Product, Tricks of the Trade, Vacation by Lauren | No comments

You know my heart belongs to Atlanta and ever since I traded the Big Apple for Georgia Peaches in July of ‘05, I’ve never looked back.

However, that didn’t stop me from having the TIME OF MY LIFE this weekend celebrating Randi’s BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, Randela!

If you happen to be making a trip to NYC anytime soon, let me point out a few highlights from my trip:

1.    Soul Cycle – It’s like a dance club and a spin class all rolled into one.  My girls have been RAVING about it forever and now I know why!  It’s an AMAZING workout and we had a BLAST.  If you have the opportunity to try it out, I recommend it 100%.  3 NYC locations: Upper East, Upper West, and Tribeca (even one in the Hamptons!) Visit Soul Cycle for more information and be sure to reserve a bike well ahead of time, there wasn’t a seat to be had!


2.   Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa – Jess and I had massages at the Flagship 5th Avenue Red Door Spa

between 54th and 55th

…complete with complimentary makeup touch ups by Monique…a Sophia Loren lookalike who has been working at the spa since…well…suffice it to say she’s been there a long time and has done a TON of makeup. So when Monique recommended the Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup, who were we to refuse?  SO glad we took her advice, it’s perfect for summer. The makeup comes out light and airy and it doesn’t sit on your skin like most foundations will in hot humid weather.  LOVE.

3.    Blow-Outs at Salon Nouvelle – I hesitate to tell you because I think this is the city’s best kept secret. Amazing hair for a mere $30 at this discreet little salon on 1st Avenue at 61st street.  (212) 813-0736 for an appointment.

(Another option: if you’re closer to Murray Hill…I used to be a blow-out regular at Monhair on 3rd Avenue between 36th and 37th.  I heard today my girl is still there!  Ask for Lolita and tell her Lorena sent you! (212) 447-7744 for an appointment)

4.    Dinner at Lure Fishbar – It was love at first bite. Lure is the cutest little seafood restaurant located directly underneath the SoHo Prada store at Mercer and Prince. I chose the miso-glazed salmon over crispy soba noodles and it was to DIE for.  I was able to steal bites of the girls seafood platters, scallops, and various other fish dishes – everything was excellent.  Plus, inside is cute and swank all at the same time…perfect place for our perfect dinner!


Lure Fishbar
(212) 431-7676
142 Mercer St
New York, NY 10012
Lure Fishbar on Urbanspoon

5.    Drinks at Betel in the West Village– LOVED Betel.  This Asian-Fusion resto was a really fun location for post-dinner drinks.   It’s very nondescript (in fact, you could easily miss it!) and understated and with ample bar seating for a small-ish joint, it was the perfect place to accommodate the flood of people who showed up to celebrate Randi’s birth!  The drinks were DELICIOUS – we especially liked the Tart ‘n Tasty – made with lychee juice and ginger (You know how I usually shy away from anything with a kitchy name…but this drink was fantastic and not too sweet!)

(The cutie in the middle is Randy's Mister!)

Betel
(212) 352-0460
51 Grove St
New York, NY 10014
Betel on Urbanspoon

6.    Brunch at The Smith – catty-corner from my old East Village Karaoke standby – Nevada Smith’s – The Smith really hit the spot for brunch. Mostly, I just loved hanging with 4 of my favorite people over egg white mushroom and fontina omelets and complimentary bloody marys!

The Smith
(212) 420-9800
55 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10003
Smith on Urbanspoon

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to see my girls and the wonderful guys they love…

but I have to say – of all the cute couples I know in The City, my favorite pair is undoubtedly these two:

…Don’t worry, A+E…Aunt LK will be back soon!

xx, L


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Announcements:

07/23/2010 in BIG FAVORS, Baby Chic, Vacation by Lauren | No comments

"If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter!"

announcements announcements annooouuunnnceeements!  a terrible way to die a terrible way to die a terrible way to be bored to death a terrible way to die! (Does anyone else still sing that in their head when announcements are made?)

Anyway.  Now that’s out of my system…

1. Lindsay and I will both be out of town this weekend.  Please hold down the fort.

2. Don’t forget about Spiral X-Mas in July this Saturday night at Red Door! Use promo code “kraselskyxmas” for $5 off your ticket! 

3. Also, PLEASE don’t forget to vote for us in Creative Loafing’s “Best Of” Survey.

Remember:

Being the Best of Atlanta is pretty much our life goal and we can’t do it without you!

Please vote for us by clicking here:

http://bit.ly/bu3bo8

Best Local Bloggers: Lauren Kraselsky and Lindsay Roberts
Best Local Blog: “The Quick + Dirty Dirty” or “Q+DD”

You have to vote for 5 things in order for your ballot to count.

3. While we’re shamelessly self-promoting: Make our day by “Liking” us on Facebook by clicking here!

(I have over 1600 Facebook friends and the Q+DD has just under 200 fans. I’m about to start deleting friends. Kidding!   Sort of.)

4. You’re awesome.

5.  I CAN’T WAIT TO BE IN NYC THIS WEEKEND and stomp around my old stomping ground see all my PEEPS!

Happy BIRTHDAY, Randi!

A+E, Aunt LK's a-coming!

Leaving the peaches behind for a weekend...I’m heading to the BIG APPLE!

xx, L

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Smart Summer Travel Tips

07/19/2010 in College Park, Maintenence, PSAs, Tricks of the Trade, Vacation, Weddings, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 6 comments

I usually travel about two weekends each month, but July is completely out of control.  By the time July is over, I will have spent at least part of every weekend in another city…

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

One Flew South on Urbanspoon

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Mom Visit: Our Weekend in Pictures

07/18/2010 in Buckhead, Entertaining, Guilty Pleasures, What we're Doing, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 5 comments

DK and I had the BEST weekend together! Here’s a quick recap in pix…in case you wanted to recreate. FIRST…you need a mom as cool as mine.

Hanging out with her "granddogger"

Then you do the following:

1. Dinner at the bar at 4th and Swift

Amazingness.

We both acknowledge that a bottle of red wine, a cheese plate, and an order of ceviche would not qualify as dinner when men are present…which is why we enjoyed every. last. bite.

2. IMAX and Martinis at the Fernbank

It was “Salsa Night.” 

Honestly, it was a little loud for our tastes, I much prefer the light jazz.  However, it was fun to see all the dancing and all the outfits while we sipped on our martinis.  (Love that DK and I drink exactly the same: Vodka Martini.  Up. Olives. Fin.) Plus, after a martini or two…I find IMAX movies hilarious. (Friday was no different. Cirque was a riot.)

3. Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market

As I suspected, DK LOVED it. All the fresh produce, local wares, and homemade treats were RIGHT up her ally.  We split a mint lemonade, had breakfast pizza, and DK had a Cucumber Basil Fresco Pop.  It was great! Bonus: we ran into a zillion friends (and lots of people who came per the Q+DD reccomendation…which obviously made my day...including this young man and his parents, whom I adore:

lil' Flounder. Son of Flounder and Jen Flounder

DK made out like a bandit (and consequently, so did I!) check out her loot:

Emily G's Jam of Love, classic and chipolte bacon, I heart bacon shirt for Brian, and an assortment of cheeses from Calyroad Creamery

4. Shopping. Major shopping happened on Saturday afternoon. Mostly my bed got a makeover.  Witness:

IN LOVE with my new aqua coverlet, my watercolor duvet cover, and quilted euro shams.  Also exciting: I scored a Calvin Klein Khaki Collection down duvet for $80 at Macy’s.  (I shopped 3 other places, this was the cheapest BY FAR.)  Macy’s is having a crazy linen sale. I replaced every pillow on my bed. Check it. Trust.

5. Lovely lunch at Prime. I always forget about this resto because it’s in the mall.  But DK loved her sushi and I had a great lump crab meat and bibb lettuce salad.  Deeeeeelish.

6. Drinks + Dinner at Holeman + Finch: in that order.  We met my friend Victoria and her husband Hakim, who were visiting from Chicago…because they are MOVING HERE! WOOT!

Reunited...and it feeeeels so good!

It didn’t seem that crowded, but we definitely got there at 8:30 and weren’t seated until our burger (yes.  singular.  We scored the last one. Thanks, Reagan!)  was  served.  (10:30ish?) But we had a great time at the bar. DK LOVED the Aviation and I enjoyed the Shrub (blackberry + tequila on Saturday night).  We demolished a pretty amazing charcuterie plate, I rediscovered the pancetta carbonara, and we tried 2 things that I LOVE that somehow I have never ordered at H+F: the steak tartare and the mussels.  Both were PHENOM. Special thanks to Hakim for showing me how to eat mussels with other mussels.  (ie sans tiny fork.)  I’m so euro now!

Sidebar: Everyone in the WORLD was at Holeman on Saturday night.  Including Eli Kirshstein (from Top Chef.  Yes, we are both obsessed.) and Lauren…my neighbor from Birmingham!

+ about 934829235 other people! fun!

7. Brunch at Craftbar with La + Shecky

The company alone would have made this brunch phenomenal. However, there was nothing to be desired.  At the end of the day, I think Craftbar is so gorgeous and our food was incredible.  We started with biscuits and fresh blackberry jam

I had shortribs and baked eggs, La and Shecks had poached eggs and steak, and DK (true to form) ordered exactly what I wanted: bacon gravy and biscuits.  Everything was perfect: the coffee, the food, the service.  It was a lovely brunch.
Craftbar Atlanta on Urbanspoon

8. More shopping. No pictures.  I was too busy taking full advantage of my last few precious hours with DK.  Sorry not sorry.

LOVED having my mom in town. I’m a lucky girl to have my own personal stylist, decorator, role model, and best friend all rolled up into one woman!  Thanks for coming to play!

and thanks for showing me how people sharpened their lipliner in the olden days!

Bonus: Today is my parents’ anniversary!  Happy, happy anniversary to the cutest couple I know!

I love you!

xx, L

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While You Were Sleeping…

07/15/2010 in PSAs, What we're Doing by Lauren | 2 comments

When Greg awoke on Saturday morning, I’m sure he was more than a little confused to find me up and at ‘em making breakfast.

I am here to tell you that before G even woke up, I had made my way to the Peachtree Road Farmers Market and back.  It’s even weirder still because when I awoke at 9am with this burning desire to check out fresh produce under tents, I was completely without transportation. Yep, Olive and I CABBED IT to the Cathedral of St Philip (across from Fellini’s on Peachtree) to meet Seth…

Seth Says!

…check out the local wares, and witness a cooking demonstration from Mr. Kevin Gillespie himself.

You guys! That early morning cab ride was $10 well spent.  The Peachtree Road Farmers Market was SO FUN! I ran into a zillion friends (life before noon on a Saturday…who knew?) and learned a LOT about our local farmers and artisans.   After killing a delicious fresh-squeezed Mint Lemonade from the Native Juice Bar

Made with fresh whole apples, oranges and lemons with fresh ginger and mint

Seth, who Farmers Market-s it every weekend, took me on a tour!  I expected to see a lot of fresh produce, which I did, but I also found local cheesemakers, flowers, charcuteries, bakeries, and all kinds of other cool stuff!

Homemade Jerky? Yes please!

Fresh yogurt and cheeses

Even homemade treats for Olive!

Also at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market: super creative homemade jams, fresh crepes, artisan soaps, and all kinds of other fun things including FRESCO POPS!

Ohhh yeah

I’ve been dying to hop on the paleta train for eons and Saturday? TOOT TOOT! Strawberry Lavender Lemonade, my friends.

Strawberry Lavendar Lemonade, my friends.

So, after Seth drove me to my car, I made my way home with two delicious Holeman + Finch Bread Co. bagels

AND THE MOST DELICIOUS BACON I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED:

Chipolte Applewood smoked Bacon from Pine Street Market. AMAZING.

Needless to say… I was a TOTAL brunch hero on Saturday.  And I had a DELIGHTFUL morning doing it. Whoddathunkit? In fact, I’m taking DK back this Saturday… come join us!  (10am Chef Demo with Keira Moritz of Pacci and live music by David Stephens & John Mickelson!)

Can’t wait for DK to visit this weekend!  We will not be black tie for the farmer’s market, swear.

See you at the market! 

 

xx, L

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