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Trend Alert! Hipster Puppies

02/23/2010 in Pampered Pooches, Random Musings by Lindsay | 1 comment

How hip is your pupster?

(this one takes the cake!)

I mean…this is the most amazing blog I’ve come across since, well, we started the Q+DD!  AMAZING!!  :)

Check out more hipster heartbreakers like these guys + submit your pup @
http://hipsterpuppies.tumblr.com/  These pooches are just too cool for school!

This weekend, Slick and I were finally ready to move on from our beloved Reggie, and we adopted Big Red.  We hope he leads a much longer life than poor, old Reg!

Big Red

(Someone please get me a puppy…)

xx, L

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Trend Alert! Puppy Tweets

02/15/2010 in PSAs, Pampered Pooches, Random Musings by Lauren | 2 comments

So, I’ve been on Twitter for the better part of a year now and I have to admit…I don’t think I fully get it yet. In fact, just yesterday I learned what a “hashtag” is. (Thanks, @GCohen85!) But I’m learning. One thing I know for sure? I LOVE TWITTER. Although I’m certain that the creators of the technology had a more sophisticated purpose in mind, I really enjoy “tweeting” my whereabouts and random thoughts (@LaurenKAtlanta: just caught up on HIMYM. Barney’s suit song + dance just changed my life 7:03 PM Jan 13th) and reading my friends’ (@Lindsaywhat44: combating the rainy day with lunch @ Ra, drinks @ Ecco + book club tonight! 6:56 AM Feb 2nd).

You can follow me here and Lindsay here if you haven’t already!

I check in with Twitter as often as I check in with Facebook. Having access to it on my Blackberry is particularly helpful when I am, say, killing time at the hair salon or waiting in lines or while trying to look v. busy and important before meetings.

I also learn a lot of stuff! Some of my favorite “tweeps” include @womensweardaily (fashion + celebrity sightings), @jennfalik (beauty + style expert), @ATLCheap (great deals around town) @FoodieBuddha (only the most awesome food blogger in town), @lululemon (trust me on this one) or @lululemonbhead, and @Oprah (Yes, Oprah.)

Ok, but today? I learned about something so ridiculous its awesome. Mattel is set to release Puppy Tweets, a high-tech toy that will allow dogs to “tweet” via sound and motion sensor.Per the LA Times, “Attached to a dog’s collar, the plastic tag randomly generates one of 500 canned tweets when it detects barking or movement and automatically posts an update to Fido’s own Twitter page.”

As they said, the tweets are pre-written and randomly chosen (Such as, “I finally caught that tail I’ve been chasing, and . . . OOUUUCHH!”) and are triggered by a device attached to your dog’s collar which communicates with your computer.

Imagining Olive’s hypothetical Twitter page REALLY cracks me up.

I think it would read like this:

@OliveSchmolive “Mommy needs a new “get ready to go out” iTunes playlist. There’s only so much “Party in the USA” one dog can take…”

@OliveSchmolive “Who cares about the 64,000 toys I have laying all over the apartment floor? This Prada stiletto is delicious!”

@OliveSchmolive “Don’t mind me, I’ll just be barking at the Pomeranian across the hall. All Day. Long. #getsomeearplugs”

@OliveSchmolive “I’m eating boiled chicken and white rice while Mommy eats a veggie burger over the sink. There is something wrong here and I LIKE it!”

or

@OliveSchmolive “Had a spectacular time at brunch on the Café di Sol patio. Got to debut my new pink collar and met the cutest Jack Russell! Date next week at the dog park!”

Olive and her bestie, @OscarMeyerson!

Maybe Olive will trade a few yaps for tweets?

What would your dog say?

xx. L

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Yessssssss.

02/05/2010 in PSAs, Random Musings, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | 2 comments

Please tell me that I am not the only one excited about this:

The New Dip + Squeeze Heinz Tomato Ketchup Packet

The New Dip + Squeeze Heinz Tomato Ketchup Packet

“The ketchup packet has been around for more than 40 years, and complaints about it for nearly as long: too messy, too small, too hard to open. Now ketchup giant, H.J. Heinz, is unveiling the first major packaging change to the to-go condiment. The new design has a base that’s more like a cup for dipping and also a tear-off end for squeezing, plus it holds three times as much ketchup than a traditional packet.

“The packet has long been the bane of our consumers,” said Dave Ciesinski, vice president of Heinz Ketchup. “The biggest complaint is there is no way to dip and eat it on-the-go.”

Heinz has long struggled to find a design that lets diners dip or squeeze ketchup that could also be sold at a price acceptable to its restaurant customers. For this effort, it bought its design team a used minivan two years ago to test if their ideas really worked while eating on the road.

Heinz sells more than 11 million cases of its ketchup packets in the U.S. every year and it will continue to sell the traditional packet. The new packet is in test markets in the Midwest and Southeast and will roll out at select fast-food restaurants in the fall.

Heinz is still working out prices with customers but said packets will cost a little more than regular packets.

Will they catch on? It’s hard telling, but the news may cheer up some ketchup fans like Matt Kurtz, a 22-year-old student who finds the problems are as ubiquitous as the packets themselves.

The self-proclaimed ketchup aficionado became so annoyed two years ago after spilling ketchup on his jeans while on a road trip, he started one of hundreds of anti-ketchup packet groups on Facebook. He dubbed it “Prop 57″ as a gentle poke at Heinz, saying it is to “draw awareness” to the packets’ shortcomings.

“I said ‘There has to be a better way’,” he said.”  (www.usatoday.com)

 Okay, back to me.  I’m sorta accident prone and have always thought that ketchup and mustard packets (which I use liberally) are as dangerous for me to open as martini glasses are for me to hold.  I think the new packet is fantastic!  My dry cleaner, however, will be very disappointed to hear about this…  Thank you, Heinz!

xx, L

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All The Rage…

02/04/2010 in Athens, Sports, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 8 comments

Bocce ball is so hot right now.  All the cool kids are playing it.

i_love_bocce_ball_hat-p148205265103380533trur_210

Leon’s has a court, Ormsby’s put theirs inside and now a construction crew is ripping up the outside of the 999 Peachtree building preparing for the new Hugh Acheson restaurant, Empire State South’s, court.  (He’s the chef I love from Five & Ten in Athens!)  Friends, it is time to become an expert on bocce ball.

Bocce Ball

Bocce Balls

Here’s the Q+DD on Bocce Ball:

Bocce is a precision sport belonging to the boules sport family, closely related to bowls and pétanque with a common ancestry from ancient games played in the Roman Empire.  Developed into its present form in Italy, it is played around Europe and also in overseas areas that have received Italian migrants, including Australia, North America and South America, initially amongst the migrants themselves but slowly becoming more popular with their descendants and the wider community.  The sport is also popular in the former Yugoslavian countries of Slovenia, Croatia (predominantly in the coastal regions), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro.  Bocce ball is traditionally played on natural soil or asphalt courts approximately 20 to 27 meters in length and 2.5 to 4 meters wide, sometimes with wooden boards of approximately 15 centimeters in height surrounding the court.  Bocce balls can be made of metal or various kinds of plastic.  Unlike lawn bowls, bocce balls are spherical and have no inbuilt bias.  (www.wikipedia.com)

Court @ Ormsby's

Court @ Ormsby's

Now that you know what it is, here’s how you play it:

A game can be conducted between two players, or two teams of two, three or four.  A match is started by a randomly chosen side being given the opportunity to throw a smaller ball, the jack (called a pallino or a boccino in some areas), from one end of the court into a zone about 5 meters in length, ending 2 meters from the far end of the court.  If they miss twice, the other team is awarded the opportunity to place the jack anywhere they choose within the prescribed zone.  The side that first attempted to place the jack is given the opportunity to bowl first.  Once the first bowl has taken place, the other side has the opportunity to bowl.  From then on, the side which does not have the ball closest to the jack has a chance to bowl, up until one side or the other has used their four balls.  At that point, the other side bowls its remaining bocce balls.  The team with the closest bocce ball to the jack is the only team that can score points in any frame.  The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that is closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other team.  The length of a game varies by region, but is typically from 7 to 13 points.   Players are permitted to throw the ball in the air using an underarm action.  This is generally used to knock either the jack or another ball away to attain a more favorable position.  Tactics can get quite complex when players have sufficient control over the bocce ball to throw or roll it accurately. (www.wikipedia.com)

 raos_bocce

Well, there you go.  Now you’re officially cool.  You’re welcome.

xx, L

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So, back to vampires…

01/20/2010 in Vampires, What we're Watching by Lindsay | 5 comments

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I’m a pop culture addict.  For the past two years, my poison has been vampires.  I went cold turkey roughly two months ago, but as of Thursday…I’m officially BACK!

Time to get excited - The Vampire Diaries (TVD) Season 2 starts tomorrow on the CW at 8:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. Central).  Over the past year, I made a point to watch less MTV and CW and more HBO documentaries and Nat Geo, but when it comes to vampires…a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.  TVD Season 1 was pretty rad.  I watched it all on a Sunday marathon and didn’t leave my house the entire day, so I have pretty high expectations for Season 2. 

gallery_main-vampire-diaries-promos-07272009-04

In case you’ve just recently jumped on the undead bandwagon, here’s the Q+DD on The Vampire Diaries to prepare you for tomorrow night’s premiere:

The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural-fantasy horror television series developed by Kevin Williamson, based on the book series of the same name by L. J. Smith.  The series follows the life of Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), who falls in love with vampire brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder).  It also focuses on the lives of Elena’s friends and other inhabitants of the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia.  The series is a mix of teen drama and the supernatural.  It premiered on September 10, 2009, on the CW Television Network, and has become its best performing show.  On October 21, 2009, the series was given a full, 22-episode first season.  Forbes.com includes the series in a so-called recent “vampire craze” in entertainment, beginning with HBO’s True Blood and the Twilight series, and continuing with Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant and Daybreakers. (www.wikipedia.com)

The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries

Plus, Ian Somerhalder isn’t too hard on the eyes.  He’s no Slick, but then again I am pretty sure Slick is not a vampire…

Slick (the wolverine)...not vampire

Slick (the wolverine)...not vampire

Also, it’s kind of cool that TVD is filmed in and around Atlanta: http://bit.ly/1n9sVF

If you’ve been sold on the whole Hollywood vampire craze as hard as I’ve been – I suggest checking out The Vampire Diaries on the CW tomorrow night.  It’s no Twilight, but it’s a close enough fix to settle my vampire cravings until True Blood starts again or Eclipse eventually comes out in theaters!  Enjoy!    

xx, L

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“No, I won’t be needing a gift receipt…”

12/14/2009 in Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 4 comments

Over the weekend, I was on a serious hunt for a pair of jeggings.  I asked Meri to accompany me on my shopping voyage to (a) make sure I didn’t get lost at Phipps (she’s seasoned)and (b) provide honest feedback regarding the jeggings + Lindsay collaboration.  After I successfully spotted, tried on and purchased my very first pair of jeggings from Armani Exchange, we set off to find some comfortable over-sized shirts to pair with my new purchase.  We weeded through a number of tempting, overpriced options at Intermix, Barneys Co-Op and Saks, but I didn’t find anything I truly loved.  Meri suggested that I try American Apparel.  Meri is brilliant.

American Apparel in Buckhead, situated in the strip beside Lenox Mall next to Tootsies and Fab’rik, is enormous compared to the smaller version I frequent in Little Five Points.  AA has the world’s softest t-shirts (fact.) and they are excellent quality.  I hate when t-shirts lose their shape or pill after only a few washes, but I’ve never had trouble with my AAs. 

Not only does American Apparel carry excellent, versatile t-shirts, but they also have an impressive variety of mostly solid colored leggings, hoodies, tights, belts, dresses and skirts that are perfect to spice up a tired winter wardrobe.  I am big on layering shirts, so I was in heaven at the massive AA in Buckhead.  I did some serious damage. 

(Happy Hanukkah to me! :) )

Below are a few of my favorite purchases from my spree at American Apparel yesterday:

Ribbed Nylon Spandex Leggings: $36

Ribbed Nylon Spandex Leggings: $36

 

Stripe Thigh-High Sock: $15

Stripe Thigh-High Sock: $15

 

The Shiny Sash: $24

The Shiny Sash: $24

 

Unisex Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck: $19

Unisex Organic Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck: $19

 

Opaque Pantyhose in "Cement:" $14

Opaque Pantyhose in "Cement:" $14

 

Faux Denim High-Waist Skirt: $38

Faux Denim High-Waist Skirt: $38

If you are looking for creative gift ideas or for fashionable basics to add to your cold-weather-armor, American Apparel has a lot of great stuff in store for the holidays.  Also, don’t forget to check out their hip vintage eyewear collection.  I have such a weakness for large sunglasses…   Happy holiday shopping! 

(P.S. Do everything you can to avoid Lenox Mall’s parking garage and lots = nightmare.)

xx, L

american_apparel_logo_3

American Apparel – Buckhead
3400 Around Lenox Road NE
404.812.0010
www.americanapparel.com

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Trend Alert! Jeggings

12/12/2009 in Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 6 comments

Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings.  (Think Top Shop coined that brain buster.)

Here’s a visual:

Jeggings

Jeggings

Y’all, I just don’t know about this one.  Leggings are like a uniform for me.  Love them.  Jeans – sure.  Not my favorite, but I’ll rock a pair.  Jeggings?  I’m on the fence…and this is rare because usually I am the first one to jump at a new trend.  Snuggies?  Yes!  The Cap-Sac?  Don’t mind if I do… 

Sienna Miller in Jeggings

Sienna Miller in Jeggings

Maybe you have to be stick-skinny like Sienna Miller to pull them off?  Maybe not.  Either way, I am hitting up Urban Outfitters this weekend to see what these bad boys look like in dressing room halogens…

xx, L

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TREND ALERT!

11/18/2009 in PSAs by Lauren | 10 comments

Confession: I have never been into cats…ever.

(Sorry.)

(Sorry.)

I know they are cute…
cutecatAnd cuddly…
cuddlecatsAnd do funny things…

http://icanhascheezburger.com/

http://icanhascheezburger.com/

But I am mildly allergic and find them a little…sneaky…and well, I have always just been a dog person (even though my dog definitely weighs less than your cat.)

BUT: I have discovered that I DO like cats in wigs.

Witness: pinkcatblondecatbluecatsilvercatAll brought to you by Kitty Wigs®. kittywigs(Yes, it’s for real!)

The Q+DD is this (from the website): Kitty Wigs® is a product of the feverish imagination of Julie Jackson & her siamese partner in crime, Boone. Sometimes the pressure of Julie’s day job, combined with Boone’s constant state of leisure results in loud music, wigs and dancing. This has brought such great stress relief (particularly during the holidays), that we decided to share our passion for wigs with the world.

Then we met our match in Jill Johnson, official Kitty Wigs photographer, who is just crazy and stealth enough to catch cats in the act of daydreaming about their bewigged lives. Jill is an insane talent who recently embarked on what promises to be a stellar freelance career after years of working for the man (the newspaper man, that is.)

They even have a book: glamourpussI don’t think I need to point out how brilliant this is. And trust me, if I had a cat – it would DEFINITELY have a wig. Fact.

Visit Kitty Wigs® here and get yours today! package3You’re welcome.
xx, L

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I don’t think it’s asking too much…

09/04/2009 in Exercise!, Random Musings by Lindsay | 2 comments

…for me to request that someone starts this in Atlanta, immediately.  I don’t want - I need this now.  I just knew something was missing from my life…

Hipster Dance Class in Silver Lake (photo credit: nytimes.com)

Hipster Dance Class in Silver Lake (photo credit: nytimes.com)

Here’s the Deets:
NY TIMES:  A Los Angeles Dance Class With A Retro Dress Code
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/fashion/13fitness.html?_r=1&ref=nutrition

Here’s an Excerpt: 
“Around 11:40 a.m. every Sunday, they arrive at Foresight Studios, a rehearsal and performance space in the heart of Silver Lake, a hipster neighborhood in Los Angeles. They wear pink leg warmers, sparkly headbands and the type of tiny shorts not seen since Richard Simmons felt the burn in them in the 1980s. They are here for Sweaty Sundays, a dance class taught by Ryan Heffington, a choreographer, performance artist and designer with a soft spot for Lycra and bright pastels.  Here, members of this creative class — artists, photographers, fashion designers and screenwriters — dance off the previous night’s excesses to a soundtrack of indie rock, techno, and 1980s new wave hits. And they do it while looking fabulous in Jane Fonda leg warmers and belted leotards.  “It’s kind of an American Apparel ad come to life,” said Terence McFarland, 40, the executive director of the Los Angeles Stage Alliance, who is a regular.” 

I mean, that is so me it isn’t even funny.

Sadly, I don’t have any time to start this on my own, so I need to entrust this important undertaking to one of our awesome Q+DD readers.  I am accepting applications for awesomeness – please e-mail at thequickanddirtydirty@gmail.com :)

All you need to apply:

(1)  suggestions for warehouse or funky dance space/ location

Check out Foresight Studios, where Sweaty Sundays are held in L.A. : http://www.foresight-studios.com/  P.S. Rumor has it that Princess Brit practices there when she is in the Sunny.  Love!

 

(2)  some sweet moves…

Every day is Van Damme Friday!

Every day is Van Damme Friday!

(3)  80’s/ American Apparel/ hipster clothes you can flail around in for hours

Mindy & Dave are PREFECTLY attired!

Mindy and Dave are PEFFECTLY attired!

(4)  to feel nostalgic reading this:

Hipster (defined):  Listens to bands that you have never heard of. Has hairstyle that can only be described as “complicated.” (Most likely achieved by a minimum of one week not washing it.) Probably tattooed. Maybe gay. Definitely cooler than you. Reads Black Book, Nylon, and the Styles section of the New York Times. Drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon. Often. Complains. Always denies being a hipster. Hates the word. Probably living off parents money – and spends a great deal of it to look like they don’t have any. Has friends and/or self cut hair. Dyes it frequently (black, white-blonde, etc. and until scalp bleeds). Has a closet full of clothing but usually wears same three things OVER AND OVER (most likely very tight black pants, scarf, and ironic tee-shirt). Chips off nail polish artfully after $50 manicure. Addicted to coffee and cigarettes. Claims to be in a band. Rehearsals consist of choosing outfits for next show and drinking PBR. Always on the list. (www.urbandictionary.com)

(4)  moustache optional - but strongly encouraged…

Sheer awesomeness

sheer awesomeness

yessss

yessss!

And, by way of payment, I promise to be your very best friend and dance-buddy fo’ life.

Thanks in advance!

xx, L

 

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Trend Alert! Canvas Sneakers

08/30/2009 in Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 1 comment

Urban Outfitters on Ponce and N. Highland is selling these bad boys in a variety of colors and patterns for a whopping $12 bucks.  Although I opted for the navy, they have a rainbow of fun neon ones to choose from – yellow, orange, green, purple, etc. 

Canvas Shoes on sale at Urban

Canvas Shoes on sale at Urban

I wore mine last night and they were a hit – and really comfy, especially considering their price!

Guinness liked them, too!

Guinness liked them, too!

There’s nothing like cheap fashion.  Now if I could just find my scrunchie socks…

xx, L

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Trend Alert! College Snuggies

08/06/2009 in Gifts, Sports, What we're Watching by Lindsay | 1 comment

Football season is right around the corner.  You may think you are your college team’s biggest fan, but you aren’t – UNLESS you are rocking one of these bad boys!  I thought the original blue Snuggie was as good as it gets, but now they have introduced College Snuggies!

Love the tagline: “Show Your Team Spirit and Stay Warm with the Blanket with Arms!” 

snuggie-sport-2-12

AMAZING.  I plan to order my Texas Longhorn Snuggie ASAP  – who’s with me?! 

Stay warm this football season!  www.collegesnuggies.com

xx, L

P.S. I think Snuggies are really cute gifts.  Just look how excited Slick was to get his!

IMG_4580

IMG_4583

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Trend Alert! The Cap-Sac

08/03/2009 in Deals + Steals, Gifts, Where we're Shopping by Lindsay | 3 comments

I’m not sure, but I’m pretty sure that this is the next big thing:

pink_big

THE CAP-SAC:  Don’t leave home without it!  You can have your very own for a mere $12.99!  Buy it here: http://www.cap-sac.com/site/?page_id=2

It’s a fannypack for your head and sold in a rainbow of neon colors.  I don’t even have words for how hipster this is, and you saw it first on the Q+DD!  Just remember, I told you so.

xx, L

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