I am not the world’s best chef.  I really like quick + easy meals (time is money, people!), and I LOVE my microwave.  So, I was Meagan’s “most eligible” friend to invite to join her for a cooking class she won at The Cook’s Warehouse.  (Thanks, Meagan!)

She selected the “Brunch Basics” class, and I felt pretty confident that I wouldn’t be the most remedial chef in the room since the word “basic” was used in the description.  (I still was, by far, but it wasn’t a big deal.)  We met for the class early on a Saturday morning at The Cook’s Warehouse in Ansley Mall (pictured below).

We sat down at a table full of friendly-looking aspiring chefs and the instructors brought us over a cocktail.  NOW they had my attention!  They started the class by introducing themselves and running through the tasty items we’d make over the course of the next few hours.

Then, cocktail in hand, they turned us loose in their massive kitchen!  (I didn’t get a picture of the CW Ansley Mall’s actual kitchen, but this one of their Brookhaven location is pretty close to what it looks like.)

Over the next two and a half hours, we made a breakfast strata, mix and match muffins of various kinds, two fruit salads (we learned how to properly cut fruit – Meagan is demonstrating what we learned in the picture below), and stuffed french toast.  The instructors also made us another brunch cocktail.  I certainly didn’t turn my nose up at that!

I learned so much over just a few hours in the Cook’s Warehouse kitchen, and Meagan and I had an excellent time working on the recipes.  She got married the weekend before I did, and we joked that we were practicing our “wife skillz” during the class.  (The wife skill I’ve been practicing the most over the past few blissful months of marriage has been letting Kevin think he’s making our decisions when I’m actually doing it. #marriedlife) 

I really enjoyed our cooking class at Cook’s Warehouse, and I’d recommend checking out a class to anyone who would like to learn a few new recipes or cooking techniques or anyone who wants to plan a fun date.  There is definitely a lot of teamwork involved!  Oh – and the very best part of all is that you get to eat everything you make! 

Click HERE for information about Cook’s Warehouse classes.

xx, L

Continue Reading | 0 Comments

So Brittany was all like: Let’s do something different this Saturday night!
And everyone was all like: Yeah?  What do you have in mind?
And Brittany goes: How about checking out Atlanta Rollergirls?
And we were all like: Do we have to rollerskate, because…
And Brittany was like: No, dorks!  Check out the Atlanta Rollergirls HERE.
And THEN we were all like: Heck yeah!  This sounds awesome!
And we bought our tickets. 

The Atlanta Rollergirls, a founding member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), took shape in November 2004, when Angela Ward, a.k.a. Tanya Hyde, put a call out to strong, athletic women to join her in bringing Roller Derby to the Dirty South.  The sport, once on par with the theatrics of professional wrestling, evolved to become an all-female, full-contact sport that’s writing a new chapter in athletic history.

The Atlanta Rollergirls are proud to be part of the movement that has exploded into hundreds of leagues worldwide, and inspired women from all walks of life to strap on skates and take to the track.  Younger girls are getting in on the sport now too, as junior leagues like Atlanta’s own Atlanta Derby Brats take root.

The league features four home teams, the Apocalypstix, Denim Demons, Sake Tuyas, and Toxic Shocks, that compete each season for the championship trophy.  The home teams battle it out at the Yaarab Shrine Center on Ponce (pictured below) during their February-to-September season.

Sounds cool, huh?  This is what it looked like inside.

And here are a few more action shots (a few of which are borrowed) to give y’all a better idea of what roller derby is like!

It’s intense, to say the least!  These ladies are totally bad ass.

We went to the March 23 match up between the Apocalpypstix (the team I was going for + is pictured below) and the Sake Tuyas.  Tickets were cheap ($15 a piece) and the game was BYOB and BYOFood.  There were also vendors outside of the gym selling food and drinks, but it looked like most people brought their own refreshments.  It was a sold out game and the bleachers were completely full before we arrived, so we had to sit on the floor.  Good thing we all dressed very casually!

We followed the detailed paper program for the game very closely, and we appreciated all the info about roller derby rules, as well as the “Ask Me” folks walking around to explain to us what we were watching.  We eventually got it!

We had a really fun girls night out (although boys would totally be into this, too!) at the derby, and I definitely recommend seeing the Atlanta Rollergirls if you are looking for something different to do on a Saturday night!  It’s fun to see these women knock each other around on the track, and it is an excellent event (I can’t emphasize that enough) for people watching!

Great idea, Brittany!  Keep ‘em coming!

xx, L

Continue Reading | 0 Comments

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

Continue Reading | 0 Comments

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

Continue Reading | 2 Comments

Twenty five years ago this June, Keith Pepper, Meredith Bass, and Hilary Nelson, lost their mom, Shelley Steinman Pepper, to breast cancer.  Not a day goes by that they don’t think about her, count their blessings for the time they had with her, and do their best to make her proud about the lives they lead.

Part of the work they do to honor her memory has been their involvement in Kate’s Club, an Atlanta non-profit organization set up a decade ago to work with children after the death of a parent or sibling.

They have been asked to serve on the Host Committee for this year’s 10th Anniversary Gala, and they are hoping that they will be able to raise $25,000 in memory of their mom.  This money will assist Kate’s Club to bring hope and magic to even more children in need in Atlanta.

Please consider joining them as they remember their mother and honor Kate’s Club for 10 years of amazing work.  In addition to that, there will be a seated dinner, cocktails, live entertainment, dancing, and a live and silent auction!

Tickets are available HERE.  Buy before Valentine’s Day for the early bird price of $125 per ticket.  Tables (10 people) are $1,250 before V-Day and $1,500 after.  The money raised goes to an important cause + it will be a very fun evening!  The Loews is also offering guests of the Gala a discounted room rate of $159 until April 26.  Book now!

xx, L

Continue Reading | 2 Comments