That’s what she said

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Attention I have two more books to add to your summer reading list

Sloane Crosley (pictured below) is one of my favorite young authors/ girl crush.  I just adore her.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Sloane wrote a book I’m obsessed with: I Was Told There’d Be Cake.  If you haven’t read this book, you absolutely must!  She’s hysterical – in a very David Sedaris-manner.  It’s a excellent poolside book, too, because the essays are incredibly engaging and easy to get through so you can read-dip in the water-read-talk on the phone-read-dip again-read-check out lifeguards-read-drink a cocktail-read-FINISH w/o feeling like you are having trouble keeping track of what you’re reading.

If you’ve already read I Was Told and you are looking for some more of Sloane’s brilliance, you are IN LUCK b/c she’s recently released her new book, How Did You Get This Number.  I can’t wait to read it!  (Thanks for the heads up, Mindy, and many, many congrats on graduating from law school last week!  xx)

Here’s the Q+DD on How Did You Get This Number:

Nine thoughtful, unfussy essays by the author of the collection I Was Told There’d Be Cake navigate around illusions of youth in the hope that by young adulthood they’ll all add up to happiness.  The account of Crosley’s footloose adventure to Lisbon on the eve of her 30th birthday starts things off in rollicking fashion in Show Me on the Doll: without proficient language skills, getting hopelessly lost in the labyrinth of Bairro Alto, and panicking in front of the myriad QVC channels offered by her hotel, Crosley recognizes that Lisbon was a place with a painfully disproportionate self-reflection-to-experience ratio.  There is the requisite essay about moving to New York and replacing her anorexic-kleptomaniac roommate with a more acceptable living arrangement: in Crosley’s case, delineated in Take a Stab at It, she is interviewed by the creepily disembodied current occupier of a famous former brothel on the Bowery, McGurk’s Suicide Hall.  As well, Crosley delivers witty, syncopated takes on visiting Alaska and Paris, and finding much consolation from a two-timing heartbreak in New York by buying stolen items from her upholstery guy, Daryl, who found them fallen Off the Back of a Truck, as the delightful last selection is titled.  These essays are fresh, funny, and eager to be loved.  (Publisher’s Weekly)

If Sloane isn’t quite your cup of tea - I have something else for you from another one of my favorite Jewish funny ladies…Ms. Sarah Silverman, herself.

Caveat: I haven’t read it yet, but Amy told me that she absolutely cannot put it down.  Amy is brilliant.  She knows everything.  Trust Amy.

Here’s the Q+DD on The Bedwetter:

Demonstrating that her penchant for swearing began at an early age, comedian Silverman begins her hilarious memoir by describing how, at age three, she gleefully responded to her grandmother’s offer of brownies with shove ‘em up your tush.  Growing up in New Hampshire (where cows are well done and Jews are rare), Silverman naturally gravitated toward performing and moved to New York, where she attended and eventually dropped out of New York University to pursue a standup comedy career.  Mixing show business moments (she wrote for Saturday Night Live for one season, but none of her sketches made it past dress rehearsal) with stories of her childhood and adolescence (punctuated by a persistent bedwetting problem), Silverman never shies away from poking fun at her own expense.  Though she’s best known for sexually explicit jokes, Silverman is able to address more serious subjects in the book without losing her edge, particularly her teenage struggle with depression and that her often abrasive public persona allowed her to say what she didn’t mean, even preach the opposite of what she believed…. It was a funny way of being sincere.  (Publisher’s Weekly)

I can safely say that neither of these books will likely be nominated for a Pulitzer anytime soon, but they will certainly make you think, giggle + they are perfect for the beach/ pool. 

Enjoy!  :)

xx, L

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I don’t want to alienate any of our incredible Q+DD male readers, but I really NEED to tell the world (or at least metro-Atlanta) that Spanx’s Bra-llelujah has changed my LIFE.

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

xx, L

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As previously mentioned, I just finished reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo for book club.  It was incredibly loooooonggggg and detailed, but I really enjoyed it.  I want to see the Swedish movie, but I feel like something might get lost in translation with the English subtitles.  Lucky for me, it looks like they are remaking it in the U.S. with none other than Mr. Brad Pitt:  http://alturl.com/am7t  Now that’s exciting!

For June, book club decided to move on to The Help.  I just got it in the mail today, and it is kind of a beast – but I’m really looking forward to reading it.  I’ve heard it’s a bit like the Million Little Pieces of 2010.  (Not in the storyline, of course, but the fact that everyone is reading it poolside.)

Here’s the Q+DD on The Help:

The Help is a 2009 novel by American author, Kathryn Stockett.  It is about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s.  The novel is told from the perspective of three characters: Aibileen, a middle aged African American maid who has spent her life raising white children and has recently lost her only son; Minny, an African American maid who has often offended her employers despite her family’s struggles with money and her desperate need for jobs; and Skeeter, a young white woman who has recently moved back home after graduating college to find out her childhood maid has mysteriously disappeared.  These three stories intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around “the help;” yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.  The novel is Stockett’s debut.  It took her five years to complete the book, which was rejected by at least 45 literary agents.  The Help has since been published in 35 countries and in three languages.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Simultaneously, I’m reading Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Jhumpa Lahiri’s, latest book, Unaccustomed Earth.  She is my one of my favorite authors, and I’m absolutely tearing through UE!  If you liked Interpreter of Maladies, you will love UE.

Here’s the Q+DD on Unaccustomed Earth:

After Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Unaccustomed Earth is her second collection of short stories.  Much like her other books, Unaccustomed Earth is also a reflection of life with two separate cultures, and how people cope with one and the other.  It made number one on the New York Times Book Review list of “10 Best Books of 2008″ as chosen by the paper’s editors. (www.wikipedia.com)

She’s so pretty, too…

you are brilliant.

AND, without further adieu, here’s a picture of our adorable book club:

nerds

Happy reading!  :)

xx, L

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Thanks so much to everyone who joined us on Friday at Whisky Blue @ the W Buckhead for our first Q+DD Happy Hour! :)

(this one is my personal favorite)

We’ll definitely keep everyone posted on the next one!

xx, L+L

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A close friend + colleague went to Miami last weekend for a bachelorette party, and just guess who she was drinking bubbly with on S. Beach…

(her picture)

AH HAHAHA!!!  None other than my favorite fist-pumping, gym-tan-laundry-ing Mike the Situation + his posse from the Jersey ShoreApparently, they are filming the new season of the Shore down there.  Gosh, I have the coolest friends…

P.S. She said they totally live up to their “classy” reputationSoooooo jealous!

xx, L

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I share a condo in Midtown with my roomie + landlord, Paige, and we’re actually approaching our four year anniversary of living together.

happy almost anniv., p!

In ‘06, I moved my stuff into Paige’s fully furnished + decorated home.  Not a bad deal for me at all – I only had my bedroom and bathroom to handle.  We have very different personal style regarding home furnishings, but it’s never bothered me.  However, one day, I definitely look forward to decorating a condo or house of my own, and when I do, I hope that this vendor I found at the Inman Park Festival is still going strong (Yikes, there were a lot of commas in that sentence…)

Of the hundreds of vendors at the Inman Park Festival this year, Go Jump In The Lake was my favorite.  Their rustic, cedar signs can be custom made or you can browse their online selection here:  http://www.mapledriveworkshop.com/

slick liked them, too...

Love!  The signs are perfect for a lake, mountain or beach house, an urban cottage or a rustic patio.  (Also, they’d make a fun housewarming gift!)  Sadly, I have no free space or actual need for any of their adorable signs at the moment, but I’m definitely stocking GJITL away in my trusty mental filing cabinet for when I do!

So cute!  :)

xx, L

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You may recall Q+DD trend alerts about the cap-sacjeggings and college snuggies - well believe it or not, this one is even more incredible than all of those combined! 

Please allow me to introduce you to the Uni-Lazy. 

Like most ridiculous trends, I am ready to jump on the Uni-Lazy bandwagon ASAP.  Brilliant, brilliant idea! 

Here’s the Q+DD…

What is the Uni-Lazy:

A comfortable adult onesie for everyday wear!  It’s the most comfortable garment ever created – 100% anti-pill polar fleece and can be worn comfortably anytime, anywhere!

Featured on the Today Show: http://www.foreverlazy.com/as-seen-on-today-show
In the news: http://www.wisn.com/news/22904878/detail.html

Why the Uni-Lazy:

Because being lazy and comfortable should extend to all ages!  Whatever age, young or old, when you are wearing the Uni-Lazy you’re telling the world “Why not?  I’d rather be comfortable than anything else!”  The Uni-Lazy can be worn anytime the user feels that comfort is of the utmost importance.  Why would you want it any other way?!  Our philosophy at Forever Lazy is simple, do what you want to do, wear what you feel great in, be happy, and most importantly, be comfortable!  Life is too short to live every day by other people’s rules or opinions.  Forever Lazy encourages everyone to express themselves in a manner that gets them excited about their own comfort, and by doing so you are sure to exude the utmost confidence and creativity.  We want people to loosen up, let go of their insecurities and forget about the harsh and judgmental opinions of those around them!

Special Uni-Lazy Features:

The Drop – Stay warm + cozy when nature calls.  The patented zipper drop is completely hidden and folds down with ease…

Double Pull – Guys: Have to go #1 but don’t want to get cold?  Well this is your answer!

No Footsies – There are simply too many blood vessels in the feet to be wrapped in fleece and not get sweaty.  Shoes + Footsies = a disastrously gross result.  You should be able to enjoy this lazy, comfortable garment both inside and outside your residence!

Hoodie – Super warm, attached hoodie!  Cotton woven draw cord to tighten as needed.

Deep Pockets – Forever Lazy research concludes you can fit three 12 oz. beverages of your choice in each pocket.  If for some reason you find it necessary to run (which is very un-lazy like) you won’t have to worry about things popping out of your pockets.  Keep your hands warm on those cold days and nights…

How Forever Lazy Got Started:

The release of the 1999 movie “Office Space” played an instrumental role in forging the foundation of Forever Lazy and creating the founders’ business philosophies.  Specifically, Peter Gibbons’ famous rant to the Bobs, “It’s not that I’m lazy, it’s that I just don’t care…you see it’s a problem of motivation” really struck a chord and took on new meaning as the founders started their fancy corporate careers.

Both founders quickly realized in their post collegiate careers at a corporation that closely resembles Initech from Office Space (rhymes with Mohl’s Memartment Lore), that for them it was simply a problem of motivation.  It took co-founder Tyler Galganski 17 months to realize he had just about enough of pointless meetings, annoying touchbases, corporate politics and enough repetitive busy work to make just about anybody think to themselves…  “Screw it, they can take this job and shove it!”  Tyler knew no matter how much he did, or how hard he worked, if he were to continue on in that corporate environment… each day would potentially be the worst day of his life.

Co-founder Dave Hibler’s stint in the corporate world lasted less than six weeks after learning it was not acceptable to joke about throwing somebody out of a window.  After HR informed Dave he was canned due to a “zero tolerance policy on threats,” Dave vowed never to work in any environment in which his sweetness and sense of humor was not embraced and promoted by his co-workers.  To this day, Dave has refused to set foot back into a traditional office setting.  As the oh-so-wise Peter Gibbons so shrewdly summed it up, “human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements.”

The things that did motivate Dave and Tyler (often referred to as Davyler for their similar personalities and close friendship since the age of two) could not be found at any typical job, but only at a newly formed and over the top awesome company like Forever Lazy.  More than anything, they wanted to work for themselves, and make their work their passion.  For Davyler their passion is to spread the word of laziness and comfort and promote the apparel that embodies these sentiments.  They believe in the simple things in life, enjoying what they do, not living by anybody else’s rules or standards, and not taking themselves too seriously.  Here at Forever Lazy there aren’t CEOs and Presidents, instead there is the CEA-Chief Emperor Awesome (Tyler), and the CSS-Chief Sultan of Sweet (Dave).  Because really, there are too many big wig corporate CEO’s and Presidents, and not enough Emperor Awesomes or Sultans of Sweet.

Now I know what you may be thinking, “Because you guys are Forever Lazy, will you be too lazy to deliver awesome customer service and still grow the lazy apparel industry?”  The answer is simple.  Like we mentioned earlier, for us it’s all about motivation, and because this is our passion we will remain motivated to work tirelessly to spread our ideals of laziness.  We just refuse to work in an environment that exhibits annoying and out-dated corporate practices.  When we work, we concentrate on serving our customer, coming up with awesome new ideas, and doing this all in a fun and entertaining fashion.  Because isn’t that how it should always be?  Isn’t life too short to be otherwise?

masterminds behind the uni-lazy

Buy your very own Uni-Lazy here:  http://bit.ly/8gryju

a gift that keeps on giving...

THIS has Lindsay written all over it…

Think they could make them in hot pink + sequins for lil ‘ol L+L??

let's hear it for the uni-lazy!!

xx, L

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Y’all.  This is BIG.  As many of you know, Chelsea Handler will be @ the Fox Theatre on March 28th for two shows on her Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang Tour*.

love!

One show is at 5:00 p.m. and there’s another at 8:00 p.m.  (With the way this woman takes down Belvedere Vodka, the 8:00 p.m. show is sure to be memorable…)  Tickets start around $80ish.  That’s old news, though…

genius

absolutely brilliant

What I’m really excited about is a recently announced book signing Chels is having @ Outwrite Bookstore + Coffeehouse on Sunday, March 28 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.!!  As a frequent viewer of Chelsea Lately + proud owner of all three of her hilarious books, My Horizontal Life + Hello Vodka It’s Me, Chelsea + Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang (my book club’s book of the month) – I can’t wait to pawn off these babies to some kind soul willing to stand in line to get Ms. Handler’s famous John Hancock all over them.  (I have a conflicting wedding shower…)

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet this comedic genius!! 

FYI:  I showed up three hours early to get Amy Sedaris’ signature before her show in Atlanta and I wasn’t even close to the front of the line when she had to stop signing.  I’d suggest getting in line really early!  Outwrite is on the corner of 10th Street + Piedmont in Midtown. 

*Desperate Plea: With big, looming trips to Austin, Puerto Rico and upstate New York on the horizon, I needed to draw the excessive spending line somewhere.  So, sadly, I will not be attending Ms. Handler’s show.  However, if you’ve recently planted a money tree and would like a companion on the 28th – I can be that girl!  I can.  I’m that nice!  Just something to keep in mind… :)

If any of you are going to the show or happen to meet Chels – I want to hear e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.!

xx, L

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My prayers have been answered: The 2010 Winter Olympics are finally OVER!!

I have never been so uninvested in pop culture before…

Not to sound uncultured or un-American or anything – but the Winter Olympics ruined my life for the past two weeks.  I do not care about curling. 

Since they started on February 12th, I’d been counting down the minutes until they blew out the torch and I could finally be reengaged in evening programming I am actually interested in.  (For the record: I’m normally glued to the Summer Olympics…) 

What I really want to know is:

How’s the weather in Scranton?

What is Liz’s junk food of choice today?  Shells + cheese?  Doritos? 

Ooooh, I just can’t take the suspense any longer!!

(Also, where has this show been?  I really need a weekly dose of Barney…)

what's the deal, CBS? you don't run the Olympics...

My point is that I’ve just really missed you, Primetime NBC. 

And, I’d like to be the first to officially welcome you home!  Hooray!!  :)

xx, L

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I have puffy eyes today and I’d like to address them.  There is no need to assume the worst (the demise of  Big Red) or that I’m sick.  You do not need to ask if I am tired or if I forgot to wear make-up.  I am and I happen to be wearing it – thank you very much.

After dinner club@ Cari’s last night, which was predictably delicious, I stayed up really, really late to finish my book club’s book of the month, The Glass Castle.

I just couldn’t put it down; I absolutely had to finish it – regardless of how astonishingly late I had to stay up to do it…

Here’s the Q+DD on The Glass Castle:

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation.  Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children.  In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains.  Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly.  Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn’t stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an “excitement addict.”  Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town — and the family — Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape.  He drank.  He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days.  As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents’ betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so amazing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity.  Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots.  Now she tells her own story.  A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.  (www.barnesandnoble.com)

The Glass Castle stayed on the New York Times Best Seller list for 100 weeks and is now under development as a film by Paramount.   By late 2007, The Glass Castle had sold over 1.5 million copies, had been translated into 16 languages, and received the Christopher Award, the American Library Association’s Alex Award (2006) and the Books for Better Living Award.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Water for Elephants still holds down my 2010 #1 spot, but TGC is a very close runner-up.  (WfE really had me pondering what the zebra running around downtown Atlanta last week must have been thinking…)

The Glass Castle is under 300 pages,a selling point for some, and it’s a story that is definitely worth reading.  In fact, it’s really hard to believe that it’s someone’s memoir.  I encourage you all to put it on your book list ASAP!

Good luck finishing it soon, LK!  Book club will be here before you know it…  :)

xx, L

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I’ve died and gone to cupcake heaven!  I never thought I’d enjoy eating a cupcake as much as I love eating petit fours, but Cami Cakes has completely won me over!

Let’s take a step back, shall we? 

I’ve never turned my nose up at a cupcake, but they aren’t my favorite dessert in the world.  I can take ‘em or leave ‘em pretty much any day.  Magnolia (NYC), Sprinkles (Dallas) and Belly General Store (Atlanta) all have excellent cupcakes, but I’m not writing home about them.  Hey Cupcake (Austin) is definitely the closest I’ve come to cupcake-on-the-brain.

Hey Cupcake (Austin, TX)

Until now…  A girl in my book club brought a box of Cami Cakes to a meeting last week, and well, that’s all it took.  I’m officially hooked!  After talking about/ thinking about Cami Cakes for what seemed like days and days and days, Slick and I popped in yesterday after a visit to the Atlanta Humane Society to get a few treats for a little dinner celebration we had last night @ Fat Matt’s (more on that later). 

I’d frequently passed Cami Cakes on drives down Peachtree St. from Midtown to Buckhead, but I’d never noticed it.  It’s situated in a short, kinda boring strip (dry cleaners, tax advice, etc…)  nearby Varasano’s - so it’s easily overlooked.  I will most certainly NOT miss it from now on!

When you walk inside Cami Cakes, you are overwhelmed with the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cupcakes.  Slick’s first question to the gentleman behind the counter was, “How IN THE WORLD do you work here and you’re not 900 pounds?!”  Slick has excellent people skills.  :)

The cupcakes are artistic and creative, while at the same time flavorful and very moist.  Nothing is compromised in the making of these beauties!  You can choose from delicious flavors in their long glass case including – THE ELVIS: Creamy banana and peanut butter frosting topping their classic chocolate cake garnished with a hint of salt, and SWEET POTATO: Cinnamon and real sweet potato mixed into their buttery yellow cake and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.  Yum!

We eventually left the store with a small box of the following:

Top Left – RED VELVET: Their classic Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting studded with lightly toasted pecans.  (Their best seller!)

Top Right – CHOCOLATE COCONUT PECAN: Rich and creamy caramel frosting with loads of coconut and pecans topping their classic chocolate cake.  (My least favorite…)

Bottom Right – CARROT: Moist spice cake loaded with carrots and pecans beneath cream cheese frosting studded with lightly toasted pecans.  (Absolutely delicious.)

Bottom Left – CLASSIC CAMI: Their signature yellow cake with classic pink buttercream frosting.  (Can’t beat the classics!)

After dinner, our cupcakes were gone in a flash!  SUGAR RUSH!!

Stop by Cami Cakes ASAP and you’ll see what I mean.  This just may be the second happiest place on Earth (next to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, of course!) 

Welcome to Cupcake HEAVEN!

xx, L

Cami Cakes
2221-B Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.748.4288
www.camicakes.com

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Y’all!  I just bought the most powerful hair dryer known to (wo)man!  It’s love.

this blows!

best hair dryer ever

Here’s the Q+DD on my Elchim 2001 Professional Hair Dryer (aka Elchim Classic):

The Elchim Classic 2001 is a high pressure hair dryer – the only hair dryer in the world that reduces drying time by 50%.  It also protects hair by producing a high flow of air that does not overheat to the point of harming the hair.  The dryer is fitted with top quality components that include a very long-lasting double balanced motor and a Swedish Kanthal wire heating element.  Elchim Classic’s exterior is made of shock and flame resistant polycarbonate plastic which is non-aging.  The dryer has been manufactured according to EEC specifications with double insulation.

Features and Benefits:

  • Seven switch combinations for ranges of fan speed and temperature
  • 1800 watts of power (yowza!)
  • Lightweight
  • Air flow of 40 liters per second
  • Concentrator nozzle
  • Removable lint filter

This hair dryer actually makes me look forward to getting ready in the morning! :)

I don’t have the longest hair in the world (although I am trying), but I have a lot of it.  My new Elchim has cut down my drying time by roughly 5 minutes!  Swear to it.  It’s like a leaf blower.  And, we all know that time is money…  My Elchim + an excessive amount of Biosilk + my new Sebastian “Drench” shampoo/conditioner = silkier hair than I’ve had in years.  

Pick up an Elchim at www.folica.com for a Benjamin or use a Bed Bath + Beyond coupon, like I did, and get it at BBB in Buckhead Station for only $78.  (I am sure you can find an Elchim other places, but these are the two I know of off-hand.)  Your hair is definitely worth it. 

Happy hair days to you! 

xx, L

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