the group over new years

I have to tell you, I really couldn’t be more excited!  Aside from the predictable awesomeness that I can expect from hanging out with these folks, the wedding is in the JERZZZ!

oh gosh, i really hope they're invited!

SO unbelievably stoked!  And, I’ve been practicing…

Okay, so, when I asked Slick this morning about the attire for the wedding, he alleges that he talked with the bride and she said “any dress will do…” which means he actually didn’t talk to the bride because no girl in her right mind would ever leave wedding-related attire so vague.  After I gave him a hard time about it, he consulted reinforcements and we now know that the attire is black tie (Bumpit) optional.

My dress is set, but one very important question remains:  To Bumpit or not to Bumpit?  

totally bumped

Although the Texas girl in me always defaults to my vintage cowboy boots as my signature way to jazz up an otherwise blah outfit, I am REALLY considering trading in my country kicks in for my very own Bumpit for the occasion!

bye, bye my beloveds

I’ve just been so inspired by my favorite Jersey Shore party girl, Snooki:

And, my favorite Jerseylicious villianess, Tracey:

Plus, hair height is kinda in my Roberts’ blue jeans…

mother.

I think I’m going to BUMPIT!  Heading to CVS in 10…wish me luck.  Ahhhhh! 

xx, L

We checked off almost everything on his Bucket List, with the exception of a visit to The Varsity, which we both decided was just not possible this trip (him) or ever (me).  We did, however, visit some of my favorites – which are now some of his:  Holeman + Finch, Bakeshop, Antico Pizzeria, Pancho’s, Rosebud and Ormsby’s.  The poor kid had never been to a Trader Joe’s, either!  We scheduled in a special trip to show him what Texas is missing… 

After we got back from Lake Burton on Saturday, we met some folks at Antico and then hit up Midtown Art Cinema to see Cyrus w/ Slick + the Barocai.  Michael and I thought it was really well done – very smart + funny.  (Know before you go:  Cyrus is a SXSW + Sundance film – so the humor is a bit different from the other movies in Jonah Hill’s catalog.)

Here’s the Q+DD on Cyrus:

Cyrus is a comedy drama film written and directed by brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, and starring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei and Catherine Keener.  The main character, John, is seven years divorced from his wife and is having trouble adjusting to his new life.  After meeting Molly at a party, he thinks that maybe he has found the perfect person again.  There’s just one problem: Cyrus, Molly’s grown son.  John must find a way to make his romance with Molly work despite intentional and unintentional interference by Cyrus.  The film has received generally positive reviews.  Review aggregate, Rotten Tomatoes, reports that 80% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 69 reviews, with an average score of 6.7/10.  The critical consensus is: “While it may strike some viewers as slight, Cyrus is a successful hybrid of mainstream production values and the mumblecore ideals of directors Jay and Mark Duplass.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Catch it @ Midtown Art:  http://tiny.cc/hialo

I’d also like to mention that we destroyed Ormsby’s maple cotton candy on Sunday.  It was one of the few things on the menu that I hadn’t tried before.  We had some serious yumz on our hands – and it was only $3!

In a flash, it was gone…

It was super fun to eat + a perfect treat for the end of the World Cup!  Viva Espana!

Also in other Ormsby’s news, the owner told Slick + Michael that they are in the process of building a ping pong (beer pong?) room downstairs.  AND, there’s a new bathroom downstairs, too.  Thank you for being so incredible, Ormsby’s!  I’m really likin’ what you’re doin’.

Miss you already, MR.  Come back to visit again soon!  (I promise to at least consider a Varsity run…)

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

We had a great time!  The three main festival highlights for me were:

3 - Seeing Bob Schneider for FREE on the Summerfest Main Stage!

the best.

2 – Cheesecake-on-a-stick-dipped-in-chocolate-and-sprinkles.  (ohhhh yeaaaaa.)

not for festival-beginners...

1 - Lorri Honeycutt’s Big World Photo.  BWP was my favorite vendor, by far, this year at Summerfest!  Lorri absolutely stole the show with her unique + whimsical photos.  She’s so talented – and is from Austin, so that certainly didn’t hurt!  I had no problem with taking a 15 minute break from desperately seeking shade + cold beverages at Summerfest to peruse her booth and admire her creative brilliance.  Love!

Definitely check her out:  www.bigworldphoto.com
BWP slogan:  “Art that makes you think, then smile.” 

(her store in NC)

Do I really have to wait 365 days until next year’s Summerfest?!  Ugh…

P.S.  The awesome reader who spotted me at Bob’s show and came over to say “hello” - YOU rock.  Thanks for making my afternoon!!

xx, L

hello!

Although Gtown J got a bit lost getting there, I thought Farm Burger’s Decatur location, right next to Watershed, was pretty straightforward + easy to find.

the bright orange sign was difficult to miss...

I read extensively about Farm Burger on Urbanspoon + other food blogs, and I was painfully aware that some folks think that it’s more hype than burger.  Did this deter me from trying my very own farm burger?  No.  Did I go into the experience with sky-high expectations?  No.  Was I impressed from the moment I stepped foot in the restaurant?  Yes!

i'm down with farm-to-table.

Although the farm-to-table AND the fancy hamburger joint concepts are both getting kind of old, I really enjoyed myself at Farm Burger.  I liked that when Slick and I arrived, the line was out of the door – and it remained so for the 1 1/2 hours we were at FB.  Not that this is their target market by any means, but Slick and I counted eight very-visibly pregnant women at Farm Burger over the course of the evening.  (Not really sure what you are supposed to do with that information, but I still felt it was noteworthy…)  I also liked the here’s-what-we’ve-got menu presentation.  It was simple + efficient enough for me to navigate on the last evening of a long, lazy three day weekend when my brain was functioning at a much slower pace than normal…

FB menu

I liked this picture at the restaurant. 

mooooooooooo

After a short while, we made it up to the front of the line and placed our orders. 

cattle call for farm burgers!

All I really wanted was a hamburger w/ cheddar + lettuce, but I felt like I needed to be a little more adventurous – so I swaped the cheddar for pimiento cheese.  Slick and Gtown J got slightly-altered versions of the house special – the original farm burger.  We sat down at an open table + bench and sipped on our wine (me) + beers (the boys) while we waited for our much anticipated FB beef + fried potatoes to arrive.

my wine

cow-stamped placemats were a hit w/ me.

(i'm a sucker for mason jars, too!)

Right before the delicious aroma of the restaurant finally won me over and I started to drool on my kitschy cow-stamped placemat, our food arrived.  The fries came in a cute little tin, and they were just how I like them: SSS = soft + soggy + lots of seasoning (in this case, garlic).

original fries

I started to quickly fill up on the fries, so I made the executive decision to concentrate on my burger.  The pimiento cheese was an excellent call.  It wasn’t too mayo-y and melted perfectly on my burger.  Growing up, my parents always made + ordered our burgers well or well done (no pink).  Over the years, I guess I’d gotten used to ordering them kinda over-cooked, and so my burgers never really taste like meat.  Although farm burgers come what to me looked like medium or medium rare, I didn’t feel like my (amazing – love you, mom!) Jewish mother was shaking her finger at me all the way from Texas when I quickly devoured the burger, because the beef came from v. happy grass-fed cows (e. coli risk free).  I will admit that this was actually one of my first, true on-the-rare-side hamburger experiences and that kind of blew my mind, but I also thought that the burger, itself, was pretty great – very juicy and flavorful.

my farm burger w/ pimiento cheese

Slick + Gtown J enjoyed their burgers, but they thought the sauce on the original farm burger was slightly too heavy.  Both of them thought I ordered the best of the group.  (I win!) 

the remains of slick's farm burger - it wasn't there for long...

Slick still likes the late-night Holeman + Finch hamburger the best, but I am torn between H+F and Farm Burger.  At the very least, I think Farm Burger gives H+F a run for it’s money – and I liked the fries better.  Will I go back?  Yes.  Do I think that I should buy into hype more often?  Definitely!!

xx, L

Farm Burger
4108 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA  30030
404.378.5077
www.farmburger.net

I may be a proud Texan, but tortilla chips (even the blue ones) are a thing of the past.  Risotto Chips are where it’s at!  They come in three flavors: sea salt + parmesan and roasted garlic + spicy marinara. (Sea salt is my personal fav.)  Here’s the breakdown on these guys:

Risotto Chips – Sea Salt Flavor
Nutritional Facts Per Serving
Calories: 140
Fat: 7 g
Carbs: 19 g
Protein: 2 g

Best of all, they are gluten-free (Ams – you can eat these!) + they have 11 grams of whole grains (so basically they just burn your fat… ) + they taste really great!  Next time you’re throwing a party and need munchies, hosting a dinner and need something to go with your appetizer dips or you went to the grocery store when you were hungry (don’t EVER do that), try out Risotto Chips.  They are delish! 

(I would never survive on an Atkins diet…)

Pick them up at Publix, Kroger or Sam’s Club – or check them out here:
http://www.newyorkstyle.com/newyorkstylerisottochips.php

xx, L

mara (right) + me (middle) in L.A.

The other day I received a small package in the mail from Canada.  I thought my probiotics had finally arrived, but instead it was a silver whistle necklace and a small white booklet with the words “FALLING WHISTLES” written on it in large grey letters.  A note from Mara was enclosed. 

As I read the booklet, my heart began to ache.  Falling Whistles is a non-profit campaigning for peace in the Congo.  The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the world’s largest and most deadly war.  During the past 10 years, roughly 6 million people have died and nearly 1,500 people continue to lose their lives daily.  Sexual violence is more rampant in the Congo than anywhere else in the world, and thousands of children are involved in the war.

There are a number of reasons for the war, dating back over a century.  However, most of the conflict is tied directly to the country’s vast natural resources.  They are both a blessing and a curse, making the Congo a country of great potential and a frequent victim of exploitation.  The minerals found in Congo are used in consumer electronics, including laptops and cell phones.   While many benefit from the mineral trade, it is the Congolese people who bear the consequences of a conflict that sustains profitable mining enterprise.

The Falling Whistles story reveals two urgent needs:
1.  Children escaping the war-region.
2.  Children forced to the frontlines of war.

The escaped children are often traumatized and have few options for survival.  The result is that they are regularly pulled back into the cycle of war.  In the Congo,  the Falling Whistles organization is developing partnerships with community leaders who are rehabilitating these children through education, art, sports, music, human rights education, vocational skills training, medical treatment and nutritional services.  Each organization is working to give children the tools to be whistleblowers and stand up for peace within the war-region.  

To help the children forced to the frontlines of war, the war must end.  The first step toward that goal is to change the way we advocate in the West.  Sold out of pockets, living rooms, garages, concerts, warehouses and retail stores, the falling whistle necklace gives you the opportunity to spread the word about the Congo and speak up for peace.  Wear your whistle necklace as a simple of protest and help to elevate this important conversation.

join the coalition for peace in the congo

I spent the weekend in Austin, and actually saw a number of falling whistles hanging in windows at the vintage + hipster stores lining South Congress.  Apparently, it’s becoming the new TOMS shoes…   My whistle is now hanging from a tall floor lamp in my room.  If I can put together the right outfit, I am definitely planning to wearing it.

the original falling whistle necklace: $34

Get your falling whistle here:   http://bit.ly/qA57
***100% of the proceeds are used to rehabilitate war-affected children in the Congo and advocate for their freedom.***

Thank you so much, Mara.

xx, L

i'll see you this afternoon, old friend.

I’m heading to the Live Music Capitol of the World this weekend to fill up on Tex-Mex and visit these schmegegges:

camp folks

greenspan + nalick

the other stac shap

goldie + ms. graham

lovely lara

the hardins!

cutest baby ever, little miss hadley hardin

leiber

mr. wolkove

I’ve been living in Atlanta for almost six years now, and I love it, but I make sure to get back to Austin twice a year to see close friends and to remind me of my precious Texas roots. 

Think that’s annoying?  Too bad.  You can’t pretend to ignore the lyrics, “God blessed Texas with his own hands/ Brought down angels from the promised land…”  I mean, it’s science.

don't judge

The purpose of this particular trip, however, is to celebrate Amy’s birthday!  The weather may call for rain, but that won’t stop us from having an excellent time.  Happy almost birthday, Ams!  Can’t wait to see you!

the brilliant mind behind our amazing Q+DD logo

Catch y’all on Monday! 

xx, L

we saw HIM

HERE (the "USA" is my favorite part...)

(P.S. Alternate titles for this post are: “Things I Never Planned to Admit to,” “This Doesn’t Look Like Kansas Anymore, Toto Slick,” and “Oh, the Places You Will Go!”)

Believe it or not, it wasn’t as far away as I’d imagined.  I don’t know why I thought Alpharetta was two hours away from my doorstep.  It’s not.  And, I have to say it was really clean out there.  Maybe worth the drive?  The jury is still out on that… 

sporting our boots for the show

slick even wore his driving cap for the journey

Regardless of how skeptical I was about the trek to Alpharetta, the VW Amphitheater was pretty awesome – like a bigger, cleaner, updated Chastain Amphitheater.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Alpharetta

We had a great time at the show.  I didn’t think I knew too many AJ songs, but once he started signing it turned out that I knew at least half of his set from either flipping stations on the radio while I was growing up in Texas or from old Ford commercials. 

@ Alan Jackson

The best part of the show, however, was spotting THIS:

Heinz Ranch Dressing Dispenser

I mean…RANCH?  That’s awesome!  Slick told me he’s seen Heinz Ranch dispensers before, but it was new to me.  So cool!  What will they think of NEXT?!*

Alpharetta, it was nice meeting you.  I’m not sure that I’ll be seeing you ever again, but for the record – you weren’t half as bad as I’d imagined.

xx, L

*Note: If I can put in my suggestion for “what will they think of next” – I told Slick this weekend over brunch at Goldberg’s that my dream would be for someone to make black + white cookies that burn calories.  I’m just SAYING…I don’t ask much, and that would be pretty rad.

…I’ve only been watching the Super Bowl for one reason: the commercials.  Admittedly, I’m pretty much the worst person to invite to a Super Bowl party.  If asked, I will make food (last night I whipped up a hearty 6-layer dip), but I require complete silence during the commercials.  Or, I will nicely – but sternly – request that we rewind and watch them again.  Sorry, it is what it is.

I didn’t think that last night’s commercials were the best I’ve ever seen in my life, but I definitely had a few favorites.  Here’s a countdown of my Top 5 Favorite 2010 Super Bowl Commercials:

5 – Google: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-commercials/09000d5d816441a2/Google-commercial
This one made me feel all fuzzy inside.  (Or was that the chicken wings?)

4 – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-commercials/09000d5d81644114/Universal-Studios-Orlando-commercial
I “want to go to there” IMMEDIATELY.  Can’t wait until it opens in April!

3 – Kia Sorento: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-commercials/09000d5d81643d98/Kia-commercial
My favorite part was the robot doing the robot.  Brilliant.

2 – Doritos: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-commercials/09000d5d816448d0/Doritos-smack-commercial
This kid killed Slick.  “Keep your hands off my momma…keep your hands off my Doritos!!”

1 – E*TRADE: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-commercials/09000d5d81644636/eTrade-commercial
Every year, E*TRADE does my favorite Super Bowl commercials.  I just love the talking babies.  Lindsay, “the milk-a-holic…” was TBE (the. best. ever.)  AMAZING!

Not ranked commercials that I also really liked:

Alice in Wonderland: http://superbowlads.fanhouse.com/2010/disney-alice-in-wonderland/
Tim Burton is so visionary.  I can’t wait to see this!

Bridgestone Tires: http://superbowlads.fanhouse.com/2010/bridgestone-bachelor-party/
This one made me giggle.

I have to say that the best part of the entire Super Bowl didn’t even happen on CBS.  It was on Animal Planet: PUPPY BOWL 2010. 

Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl

I literally almost died watching this.  It started around 3:00 p.m. and was pretty much non-stop coverage of puppies playing in a football-themed pin in Discovery Studios – referee and all.  My favorite parts were when the referee threw flags for “illegal use of paws” and “unnecessary ruff-ruff-ness!” 

Puppy Bowl

Bunny rabbits were situated around the pin next to pom poms as cheerleaders, hamsters flew in a blimp and there was a kitty halftime show.  KITTY HALFTIME SHOW!  I don’t even like cats and I thought this was unbelieveably precious! 

Kitty Halftime Show

Watch Puppy Bowl VI highlights here: http://animal.discovery.com/videos/puppy-bowl-vi/

P.S. Did anyone see Kim Kardashian at the game?  I was looking for her the whole time and she wasn’t shown once.  Just saying…

xx, L