If someone could do something about my horrendous commute downtown, that would be great… but I am NOT moving anytime soon.  I mean, I suppose I’ll have to grow up sometime and get a real house and a real mortgage, but right now, I am seriously enjoying renting my little piece of Heaven at The Goodwynn.

I love you.

Even better – all the amazing things RIGHT in my front yard.

In addition to the obvious (LA Fitness, Costco, Publix Greenwise…) here are a few highlights: 

Flying Biscuit - It’s so nice to be able to stumble out of bed, run down and put my name on the list, go back upstairs and slick on some lipgloss and run a comb through my hair, and pop back down and totally bypass the enormous line.  Bonus: They are also offering “Breakfast in Bed” delivery service for Town Brookhaven residents.  I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t take advantage of that.

Boogaloos - Seriously adorable women’s clothing and accessories, at somewhat reasonable prices.  I like.

Bua - Thai/Sushi.  I didn’t have grand expectations…but they blew me away.  Full post coming soon, but in the meantime – give it a shot.  You won’t be disappointed.

Noche - Somehow they got the same vibe from the Highlands location up here in the ‘haven.  It’s always rowdy and it’s nice to have right in my building.  With the exception of the time they accidentally set off their fire alarm at 3:30AM on a Sunday - they are great neighbors to have.

Baci by Cafe at Pharr: Ok I haven’t been yet, but Cafe at Pharr is seriously my favorite place in the WORLD.  I can’t wait to go here. 

THIS WEEKEND:

Saturday on the Town:  The Town Brookhaven Merchants Association invites the public to “Paint the town Red” in Town Brookhaven Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a day filled with special prizes, sampling, and fun!

Check out their Facebook Page for more info!

I’ll be in Birmingham doing Bride-y things this weekend.  (I’m coming for you, White Room, Bella Bridesmaid Birmingham and Table Matters.)  But if I weren’t, I would surely be hanging out on the Town…(ok and definitely heading to Oysterfest, too!)

Have fun!

xx, L

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q Fried Ribs Appetizer

I ate one of those this weekend when my fam was in town, and I’m just gonna come out + say it…  I DIDN’T regret it.  Not even for a minute.  I didn’t.

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q’s fried ribs are definitely a splurge, but they are totally worth it in my book! 

JUST sayin’. 

xx, L

To support this claim, I offer the following information:

1. Holy shellfish: there will be TONS of Blue Point and Malpeque oysters flown in and promptly steamed or fried for your eating pleasure

2. You can enjoy live music from local bands (full lineup below) as well as DJs whilst you munch on your marine mollusks

3. Ice cold beer will be provided so you can wash ‘em down

4. Most importantly, please witness my final piece of evidence:

Clearly this party is awesome.

Here’s the Q+DD:

Spiral Entertainment Oysterfest
Saturday, February 11th
Doors open at 1pm
Park Tavern in Piedmont Park*

Tickets: $20** but increase to $25 on Friday!  

Use promo code LKFest for $5 off!

(Please note that the price WILL increase and Oysterfest sold out last year. I am cool…but not cool enough to get you into a party that’s already full. Fact.)

Live Performances by:
The Issues (local Atlanta rock band)
Six Shot Revival (southern rock)
Red Zepplin (Led Zepplin tribute)
Talk Journey to Me (80s cover band)
Plus DJ Mike Walsh and DJ Mason Gill

Hope to see you guys there!

xx, L

http://www.spiralentertainment.com/events/oysterfest
**price does not include food or drink

hi, i'm barkley!

Call the hospital!  I’m DYING of cuteness. 

(That’s all.)

xx, L

The AJFF is a 22-day cinematic exploration of Jewish life, culture, and history.  Seeking to use the power of film to both entertain and educate, AJFF challenges conventional perspectives on complex and challenging issues facing both the Jewish and global communities.

Founded in 2000, AJFF ranks as the largest film festival in Atlanta, and second largest Jewish film festival in the United States, having attracted an audience of more than 26,000 moviegoers in 2011.  This year, the festival will feature an international collection of 70 narrative and documentary films that explore the Jewish experience.  Screenings are supplemented by guest appearances with filmmakers, actors, authors, academics, and other expert speakers.

The festival runs from Wednesday, February 8 – Wednesday, February 29.

This year will be my first to attend the AJFF, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the movies I selected!  I plan to see…

RABIES  (Rabies is playing during the Young Professionals Night at Strip and Regal Atlantic Station.)

Hot off the international film festival circuit, Rabies is the ultimate popcorn flick—a sexy survivalist thriller, a campy, clever whodunit, a devilishly fun heart stopper, and the first horror movie from Israel.  Subverting expectations at every turn, the action opens in a remote forest as a guilt-ridden brother and sister flee home only to become ensnared in the trap of a psychopathic serial killer.  Rescue efforts soon involve a group of unsuspecting tennis players, a grizzled park ranger and his dog, and a pair of rogue cops.  An impressive cast of Israel’s top talent is gradually drawn into a whirlwind of dark secrets, mix-ups and bloody mayhem.  Describing Rabies as a twisted parable on fear and rage in Israeli society, first-time directors Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado shot this slick homage to American B-movies in just 19 days on a shoestring budget.

rabies

THE APPLE PUSHERS

The Apple Pushers is the uplifting story of immigrant street cart vendors and an urban initiative to bring nutritional food to those who need it most.  Attempting to address a lack of access to fresh and affordable produce, New York City launched an experiment in which “Green Carts” bearing fruits and vegetables would be deployed to “food deserts,” low-income neighborhoods where obesity rates are skyrocketing.  In the face of entrenched political opposition, immigrant small business owners (including a Russian Jew who fled anti-Semitism) align with health advocates to take on this tough task with dignity and sacrifice, overcoming extraordinary challenges to carve out an economic niche.  Narrated by Oscar nominee Edward Norton, The Apple Pushers chronicles public-private efforts to mitigate a national health crisis through the intersection of entrepreneurship and the American Dream.

Also, don’t forget about the special 25th anniversary screening of Dirty Dancing on Sunday, February 12! 

Click here for a complete list of movies: 2012 AJFF Roll Call!

Reserve tickets here: So many AJFF movies…so little time!

So, grab some popcorn + get ready for the 2012 AJFF!  It’s going to be the greatest one yet! 

xx, L

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

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

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

siegel & siegel, p.c.

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

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

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

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

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

xx, L

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

Never heard of it??  Allow me to enlighten you…

Memphis: A New Musical is loosely based on Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s.  She’s a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can’t break out of the segregated clubs of 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee.  He’s a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves.  When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock ‘n’ roll takes flight.  But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music – or their love – is put to the test.  Memphis won the Tony Award for “Best Musical,” along with three other awards, at the 2010 Tonys.

Read more about Memphis here: I can’t WAIT to see THIS!

Soooooo, I’ll be there on opening night - what about YOU?   

Ticket information here for Memphis’ quick stint at the Fabulous Fox Theatre: Show running from 1/31 – 2/5!

theatres just don't get more magnificent than the fox...

This show is going to be so great!  (Now, we just need to work on The Book of Mormon (oh please, oh please!) to travel down south, and I’m pretty. much. set.) 

xx, L

A really radical DJ will be spinning your favorite 80′s tunes, and the bar will be pouring classic 80′s cocktails.  For $6 each, try a Long Island iced tea, Mai Tai, Blue Hawaiian or one of the new concoctions from Fadó’s winter drink menu. 

don't forget these bad boys!

Start the evening with the Atlanta Dance Marathon from 7:00-10:00 p.m.!  Join this fun-lovin’ group donning their best 80′s outfits for non-stop dancing to raise money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 

Cost is ONLY $15 per person + includes a pint of beer and all-you-can-eat complimentary appetizers.

yessssssss

There are few things that LK + I love more than a good 80′s party…

rock? ON!!

Sounds so super fun! 

xx, L

Fado Irish Pub + Restaurant
273 Buckhead Ave.
Atlanta, Georgia  30305
404.841.0066
http://www.fadoirishpub.com/atlanta/

Also FACT: My most delicious meal was eaten at Aria. 

This Buckhead institution is known for its delicious food, excellent service, extensive wine list, and super-exclusive wine room table.  It’s a restaurant that I think of for celebrations.  Turning 30 was an appropriate one.  I was treated to this fantastic dinner by my fantastic friend, Gorms.  You are going to be so disgusted impressed by how much we ate!

We began our feast by polishing off Pastry Chef Kathryn King’s Warm Focaccia Bread and a glass of pinot gris.  If there was a such thing as a winter coat made out of bread – I’d want it to be this bread. 

Next up was Aria’s Creamless Celery Root Soup with black truffles and parmesan.

Potato and Goat Cheese Ravioli with lamb and mushroom bolognese and reggiano parmigiano followed.

Warm Lobster Cocktail with butter braised Maine lobster, broccoli, and black truffle potatoes were next.  This was incredibly delish!  Gorm’s favorite, in fact.

For entrees, we shared the Blue Ridge Mountain Trout with sweet potatoes, black trumpet mushrooms, Maine lobster, and white corn…

…and the Painted Hills Ranch Natural Beef Short Rib with celery root whipped potatoes, tender carrots, sugar snap peas, and celery hearts.

They were cooked to perfection.  So many lovely flavors!

Dessert began with a sensational Warm Apple Tart with caramel ice cream to share…

…and ended with a delightful birthday plate of chocolate surprises! 

The meal was OUT OF THIS WORLD (as predicted)!  If you have something to celebrate – celebrate here.  I would also tell you to order exactly like we did.  We had such a nice variety of savory and pastry, and I really feel like it was an excellent sampling of Aria’s menu.  I’ve never heard anything negative about this restaurant, and I only have very positive praise to add!  So well done! 

Enjoy, restaurant-goers!  And, thank you Gormsie, for such a delicious night!

xx, L

Aria
490 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE
Atlanta, Georgia  30305
404.233.7673
www.aria-atl.com

He arranged for a number of excellent meals over the weekend, but my favorite thing we did was have a little stay-cation at The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast in Grant Park.

Here’s the Q+DD on The Social Goat:

The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast is located in downtown Atlanta, and is in the community surrounding the oldest city park, Grant Park.  The park was established in 1882 when Lemuel P. Grant gave the city of Atlanta 100 acres and the city acquired an additional 44 acres to create a park for its citizens, eventually developing Atlanta’s largest historic neighborhood.  A failed circus traveling through town in 1889 was purchased and animals were placed in what is now Zoo Atlanta for spectators.  In 1892, the circular painting of the Battle of Atlanta was exhibited in the park and is now housed in the Atlanta Cyclorama.  Just one block from the park, guest can enjoy all the attractions and much more while the stay at The Social Goat.

the social goat exterior

The Social Goat was originally built in 1900 as a Queen Anne Victorian to accommodate 13 children.  Once a working farm and homestead, the house was located on a large piece of property that eventually was sold to make way for suburban building.  This property is now 3/4 of an acre and once again has a miniature barnyard.  Residents include two nigerian dwarf goats named “Sherman” and “Tallulah”, three cats named “Monkey, Leon, Tanuki”, three black spanish turkeys, 12 chickens, and plenty of goldfish and koi that inhabit the pond.  The Social Goat welcomes you with southern hospitality, and invites you to stay and relax on their little city farm.

Prior to our stay at The Social Goat, I hadn’t heard about this bed + breakfast before, so I was super impressed that Kevin had booked our stay at such a unique place!  When we arrived, we took a brief tour of the house – which was beautiful. 

Here’s a peek:

barcelona wine bar

The next morning, Kristy (The Social Goat owner + innkeeper) made us breakfast in the dining room.  She borrowed eggs from the chickens on her farm behind the house.  The breakfast was DE-licious.  A true feast.

Finally, it was time to meet the animals!  This was the biggest highlight for me!  We hung out with the most friendly, dog-like, dwarf goats named Sherman + Tallulah. 

I. fell. in. LOVE!! 

They, however, were slightly less interested in us, and way more interested in my bright purple jacket.  Oh well.  Still soooooooo unbelievably cute!

Then, we met the roosters who had woken us up in the morning.  This one is named Fabio. 

Kevin and I did not make friends with the turkeys.  They were jerks.

We really could have played with the animals all day…

The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast truly deserves the positive reviews and praise it’s received on Yelp!  I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a little getaway within the city.  It was such a unique experience – one that I know I will never forget.  I just loved!

More info on The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast here: Gobble til ya Wobble!

Miss you, Sherman + Tallulah…

xx, L

The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast
548 Robinson Ave.
Atlanta, Georgia  30315
404.626.4830
http://www.thesocialgoatbandb.com/