I just want everyone to know how much I love my new gold sequin TOMS. 

(Inspired by the supa-chic Mrs. Wolkove.)

The raccoon in me could only resist them for so long…

They are going to look amazeballs w/ the printed Spring dresses I picked up at Bloomingdale’s + Urban Outfitters last night to wear in Austin this weekend! 

Can’t. hardly. wait.

Just can’t. 

xx, L

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Slick + I had our respective holiday parties on Friday.  I called it a night shortly after mine ended, but he kept on going strong.  I was impressed.  However, the next morning he was feeling like 50 cents (or 50 Cent – whichever you prefer is fine w/ me).  As we contemplated our brunch/ lunch plans + which cuisine would most efficiently break up the alcohol in our systems, I reminded him of how much of a champion hangover annihilator I was while I was living in Austin thanks to the city’s plentiful supply of early morning breakfast tacos.  They always did the trick.

And like a flash, we were off to The Original El Taco (El Taco for short) to test out their new weekend lunch menu.

As soon as I spotted this guy, I felt right at home…

(He’s so festive, too!)

Before we could even order our drinks, Slick + I asked our pleasant server to zip over a Queso Royale:melted Mexican cheese w/ jalapenos, Mexican chorizo, chili rajas, charred onions + lime-salted corn chips.  Behold the Q. Royale in all its cheesy glory…

We killed it immediately.  At one point, we used our fingers to make sure that we got the last little bit of cheese.  We’re just fancy like that.

It filled me up more than I’d expected, so I decided to order two small tacos for my entree.

1 - Mexican Chorizo (p.s. I LOVE chorizo.  LOVE.):  yuca, raja, Fresno arbol salsa + flour tortilla.
2 – Pork Carnitas:  fresh cilantro, diced onion + corn tortilla.

Slick, however, was ready for more.  He ordered the Sloppy Jose (we got a serious kick out of that name):spiced ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato, Monterey Jack cheese topped with an over-easy egg.  Served on a fresh, crusty roll with Mexico City grilled corn. 

He won.  My tacos were good, but Slick’s order really hit the spot!  Not only did it almost instantaneously cure his hangover, but it filled him up for the entire rest of the day.  It was pretty solid.  The corn was delicious, too.  I can’t remember exactly what was in it, but I know it had a little mayo + cheese.  Definitely try the MC corn the next time you visit.

We were impressed with El Tacos lunch menu + we are thrilled to now get to include them in our VA Highlands weekend brunch/ lunch options running list – particularly when a hangover calls.

Click HERE to view El Taco’s new lunch menu + don’t forget that they also do take out!

xx, L

The Original El Taco
1186 N. Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA  30306
404.873.4656
www.eltaco-atlanta.com

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One of the first restaurants I visited when I moved to Atlanta from Austin almost six years ago is still one of my favorites.  Agave sure knows how to make this southwestern girl feel right. at. home.

Established in October 2000 and set in the historic Cotton Mill general store, Agave has frequently been named the Best Southwestern Restaurant in Atlanta.  

More about Agave’s history HERE. 

I love this restaurant for many reasons, but in particular I am passionate about a specific menu item: STUFFED MOUNTAIN TROUT TOMATILLO.  It’s an Idaho trout stuffed with crawfish, mushrooms (which I typically don’t eat), onions + basil over Spanish rice w/ a roasted tomatillo sauce + freshly cut cilantro.  I’ve tried many, many of Agave’s entrees over the years (also love the Sashimi Pan Seared Tuna), but the trout is my hands down favorite.

The menu will make your mouth water.  Check it out here:  TOLD YOU SO

If the menu isn’t enough to put this restaurant on your radar, allow me to introduce you to their extensive Tequila + Margarita List:  DON’T MIND IF I DO…

Impressive, huh?  Very appropriate, too, for a restaurant named after the base ingredient for my old friend, Mr. Tequila.

Agave Tequilana

I mean, Mr. T and I are just tight like that. (Here I am hanging out w/ one of its relatives in El Paso.)

It’s important to choose your friends wisely, you know…

Anyway, I always suggest Agave when asked for a restaurant recommendation, but I hadn’t been for dinner in quite a while.  Slick + some of his colleagues + I dropped in last week + I was quickly reminded of how much I really enjoy it there.  Slick ordered the Spicy Tequila Anejo Shrimp + his colleagues ordered the Sunburned New York Strip Steak + Agave Cayenne Fried Chicken (which was a big hit at the table).  Naturally, I got the trout…and I didn’t share.

If you haven’t been to Agave before – GO.  Don’t forget about this amazing Atlanta staple.  The tequila will be waitin’.

xx, L

Agave Restaurant
242 Boulevard Southeast
Atlanta, GA  30312
404.585.0006
www.agaverestaurant.com

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My favorite sporting event of the year took place a week + 1/2 ago @ East Lake Golf Club – The PGA Tour Championship.

I try to go every year, and have been to it three out of the past five.  Do I play or follow golf?  No.  (Although, I do LOVE mini-golf!!)  Peter Pan Mini-Golf in Austin is one of my favorite places in that city + it’s BYOB!  It was pretty much made for my personal enjoyment…

Peter Pan Mini Golf - Austin, TX

Okay, back to big-people-golf:  I don’t play “real” golf or particularly enjoy watching it on TV, but I love watching it in person!  And, I love any excuse to throw on a preppy dress + pearls and stroll around East Lake w/ Slick + his buddies.  The course is gorgeous and I fully consider the walk around it with a beer in my hand to be a proper workout for the day.

East Lake Golf Club

My favorite part, though, is the amazing concessions!  At football, basketball or baseball games, I normally eat pretty healthy as far as concessions are concerned. (Minus the beer, obv., which burns off the longer you stand up and shout at your team.)  At the Tour Championship, however, I always eat a cheeseburger.  I don’t know what they do to make them so unbelievably good.  Maybe it’s just eating them outside on a pretty day in a pretty dress w/ beer?  I still think there’s more to it…  Those hamburgers keep me coming back every year! 

just seems like such a great combo to me

And, this year they had a photo booth!  Lucky, Slick… 

If you went to the Tour Championship this year, I wish I’d known so that I could have borrowed some sunscreen…  (Hope you had fun!)  If you didn’t, I highly suggest buying tickets or getting someone to hook you up to go next year.  Those burgers aren’t worth missing, and the golf is kinda fun to watch, too!   

P.S.  For those into golf, we saw: Paul Casey, K.J. Choi, Charley Hoffman, Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Michelson, among others.

Thanks, Brooke, you’re the best!  Really.

xx, L

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…y’all know the rest. 

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

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