It’s no secret that I’m totally, completely, head-over-heels in love with the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.  I gushed about it HERE and again in major detail right HERE.  And since then my affection for it has only grown stronger and stronger…

Kevin and I spent V-Day/Prez Day weekend at the RC Lodge.  It was the first time I’d been there when it was too cold to use the outdoor pool and hot tub, but it certainly didn’t stop us from having an amazing time.  There is SO much to do there even in the winter!

hi! i love you!

Here’s a peek at our chilly weekend…

All aboard the Linger Longer Express!

We walked around the gorgeous property and played a little Horse on the outside basketball court.  (I did not win, but there’s always a next time!  Watch out, babe…)

We took advantage of the swings.

We sipped on wine and watched folks ice skate.  (Drinking + skating was not in the cards for me this trip, but it was really fun to watch other people.)  #totalclutz

We relaxed at the indoor pool and hot tub.

We made friends with Dooley, the resident RC Lodge lab.  Hi buddy!

We whipped up some serious s’mores.

We had a delicious dinner at Linger Longer Steakhouse, which we both agree is home to the best steak in Georgia.  And you can quote me.

We chilled on our balcony overlooking Lake Oconee.

And we didn’t want to leave.  I mean, really, why can’t I just live there?!  It’s only 75 miles from Atlanta – I could commute!  #whowantstogivemeahelicopter

I’m never more relaxed than I am at the RC Lodge.  I highly, highly recommend visiting!  There’s something awesome to do there any time of the year, so don’t let the winter weather deter you.  It’s truly lakeside paradise!

xx, L

Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
1 Lake Oconee Trail
Greensboro, Georgia  30642
706.467.7196

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I don’t eat at this restaurant often enough for how many super famous celebrity chefs have started their careers there and how close it is to our condo, but One Midtown Kitchen is a really fun place to celebrate a birthday!  Their creative cocktails + wine lists truly are something to write home about.

And, One Midtown Kitchen is home to my favorite piece of art in a restaurant in Atlanta.

I want this.  I need this.  I’m obsessed.  Truly transfixed whenever I see it.

Don’t come looking for me if it suddenly goes missing one day… 

(Obviously kidding, but still I really, really want it.)

xx, L

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Happy 30th birthday to my totally awesome hubs, Kevin!  Welcome to your dirty 30s, babe!  (They are pretty much the new 20s – so get ready to party this decade!)

Wishing you a wonderful day and a tremendous year!  Love you!!

(photos by the incomparable, Robin Nathan)

xx, L

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…Marc by Marc Jacobs Globetrotter Calamity Bag in Rock Lobster.

Is it adorbs or what?  Just sitting here dyingggggg over it.  Don’t mind me!

xx, L

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It’s Valentine’s week + the big day ‘o looooove is upon us!  Plenty of Atlanta-area restaurants are offering prix fixe menu options and specials for the holiday.  Below are a few of my personal picks and a couple of other last minute V-Day suggestions to ensure that you plan something special for that special someone…

Atlantans can celebrate Valentine’s Day in Midtown at Ecco.  In addition to the regular menu, the restaurant is offering decadent specials of calamari ala plancha with pears, harissa and basil ($9); roasted quail with chorizo, farro verde and radish green salsa verde ($15); crispy black cod with young collards, hazelnuts, brown butter, capers and lemon ($27); and milk chocolate torte with blood orange coulis and spiced pecans ($9).  For more information or to make a reservation, call 404-347-9555.

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant is offering a hearty Irish prix fixe menu to share on Thursday, February 14 from 5 to 10 p.m.  For $34.95 per person, couples will start their meal off by sharing an appetizer of cheese puffs or smoked salmon bites.  For entrées, guests can choose two of the following dishes: farmhouse salad, fish and chips and steak or black pudding boxty.  Finally, couples will share a dessert of either chocolate dipped profiteroles or harvest bread pudding.  A glass of prosecco is also included with the meal.  For reservations, call 404-841-0066.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar in West Midtown is filling the bellies of loved ones this Valentine’s Day.  On Thursday, February 14, the restaurant is offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $60 per person.  Guests start with a taste of house-cured lox followed by a starter with choices of roasted local golden and red ace beets, crispy poached farm egg or pan seared diver scallops.  Main courses include wood grilled Muscovy Duck breast, “chicken stand” fried young chicken and butter poached Maine lobster.  Couples choose from chocolate “PB” pie, white chocolate ice cream or champagne truffles to share for dessert.  A 20 percent gratuity is applied to parties of six or more and there is a $10 corkage fee per bottle.  For reservations, call 404-355-2252.

Guests are warned to beware of being struck by cupid’s arrow when biting into cupcakes from Buckhead’s Little Cake Bakery.  Special Valentine’s Day flavors include lemon lavender, passion fruit vanilla, chocolate dipped strawberry and French kiss.  To order cupcakes for that special someone or to treat yourself, call 404-841-8856.

For $55 per person, No. 246 in Decatur is offering a four-course prix fixe menu this Valentine’s Day.  Examples of entrée options include wood-oven baked red snapper in cartuccio, butter poached Maine lobster and braised Wagyu beef cheeks.  Tax and gratuity are not included.  A credit card is required to hold a reservation.  To reserve a table for the Valentine’s Day meal, call 678-399-8246.

The Optimist is offering a four-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day.  Guests can begin the meal at the West Midtown restaurant with a taste for the table of she-crab soup, followed by starter options such as east and west coast oysters, hearts of palm and beet salad or Spanish octopus.  Entrée options include items such as white steelhead salmon, Georges Bank scallops or grilled duck breast.  To sweeten the meal, three dessert options are available.  The cost is $65 per person and does not include tax or gratuity.  A credit card is required to hold a reservation.  To make a Valentine’s Day reservation, call 404-477-6260.

South City Kitchen Midtown + Vinings are preparing a Southern-style, three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner for $42 per person.  Guests can nosh on appetizers of pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes or fried gulf oysters.  Entrée picks range from buttermilk fried chicken, braised short rib or vegetable plate.  Dessert options of velvet Elvis cake, caramel apple toffee pudding and buttermilk chess pie round out the meal.  Tax and gratuity are not included.  For reservations at the Midtown location, call 404-873-7358 and for the Vinings location, call 770-435-0700.

No time for dinner, but want to get your lady-friend a gorgeous + reasonably priced gift?  Kendra Scott can help you out with her Valentine’s gift guide.  So many adorable new styles!  Love, love, LOVE KS! 

None of this sound up your alley??  Creative Loafing’s got some more suggestions for you.  Check out their extensive Valentine’s Day events list HERE.

Or is all of this just too overwhelming and you really just want to snuggle up with your special someone at home?  If so, you’re covered on that front, too!  Check out Atlanta-based Pretty Swell Parties own Melissa Bloomfield’s tips in HuffPost Home for spending V-day at home.  Such adorable ideas!

Whatever you decide to do to celebrate – have a really great one!  V-day may be a commercial holiday, but it’s also a designated time to remind those special someone(s) in your life how much they mean to you.  Take advantage of it!

Happy Valentines Day from the Q+DD! <3

xx, L

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