I loooooooooved them!  Gobbled them up!  (Took several weeks because I’m a v. slow reader.)  I even dreamt about them.  I was totally transported to Panem for WEEKS!  Needless to say, it was exciting to find out what happened to Katniss + Ko., but I’m SUPER bummed that it’s all over.  Blahhhhhhh.

So, what am I supposed to do now? 

Shall I read these bad boys??

May the odds be forever + ever if your favor…

xx, L

I mean, I’ve been obsessed with Harry Potter and the Twilight series, and so many of my favorite shoes have to do with the supernatural (The Walking Dead, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, the list goes on…)  So, I guess I am a Fantasy geek.  Whatevs.  I’m totally entertained, at least!  

Anyway, I felt a little left out of all the commotion (and y’all know how much of a pop culture freak I am) about The Hunger Games movie coming out last weekend + I kept hearing my friends talk about how much they loved/ quickly read the book.  So naturally, I HAD to buy it. 

Ummmmm, I had no idea what I was in for!  This books is SO unbelievably addictive – I may need a support group.

(1) I’ve never read a book so fast in my life.  I haven’t been sleeping to finish it.
(2) I’m completely OBSESSED with it now!  Move over Harry Potter…
(3) I can’t wait to see the movie this weekend!!  It’s pretty much all I can think about.

Are y’all reading?  Are y’all reading??

I’m taking a two-day breather + then diving into the 2nd book in the series, Catching Fire!

May the odds be ever in your favor,

xx, L

I breezed through the first two books and the first two Swedish movies.  The characters are so interesting and well-developed.  The plot is addictively, intricately detailed and twisty.  I couldn’t wait to see the American-made movie version of the first book over X-mas…

And, it was more than I could have EVER hoped for!  The movie was totally chilling, pretty true to the book, and the acting was spot on perfect.  I’ll say it – I’m kinda obsessed with Rooney Mara.  What a badass!  (I’ve decided it’s okay to use profanity to describe her.  See the movie and you’ll agree.)

Inspired by the American GWTDT movie, I’ve recently started the third book in the series: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.  (I was saving it because I didn’t want the series to end…)  = ADDICTED.  I love that it picks up right where the 2nd book left off.  I. Can’t. Put. It. Down.  I’m not sleeping at night.  I’m not kidding.

Read it.  See the movie.  (Pass on the Swedish ones if you’re not a hardcore fan.)

Stieg Larsson: You were brilliant.  Thank you so much for the hours and hours of addictive entertainment.  R.I.P.

xx, L

In hopes of finding inspiration + getting my wheels turning, I’ve been reading a pretty disgusting amount of Twitter feeds.  This one is my recent favorite.

You’re welcome. 

xx, L

I have literally spent the last 4 days with my toes in the white sand, in not one stitch of makeup, with a gin + tonic in one hand and in the other? ...my new NOOK!

I am OBSESSED.

FYI the “Nook” is Barnes and Noble’s e-reader.  My mom has an Amazon Kindle and we spent the whole trip debating the merits of each…  she still loves hers but I’m still pretty happy with my choice for 2 main reasons: #1.  I got the new color version so in addition to books, I can also read my trashy gossip magazines AND #2. I have the CUTEST Jonathan Adler Nook-case EVER.

Witness:

How cute is this!? I mean, please!

The Nook is great.  Greg loaded my iTunes into it and I can also Tweet and check my email!  You can do everything with this thing. I was worried that would be a double edged sword- because I’m often too busy (distracted) to finish a single book, but lo and behold: I have read 4 books on this trip! (a book a day!) Here’s what I read:

1. Bossypants by Tina Fey
You guys…it was GREAT.  Not only was it laugh-out-loud funny (if you’re planning on reading this in public, you’ve officially been warned.) but Tina also shares some pretty interesting insights – I think my favorite was the section entitled “The Rules of Improvisation That Will Change Your Life and Reduce Belly Fat* (*Improv will not reduce belly fat) and I really appreciated her commentary on media influencing politics…and vice versa.  I recommend this book 100% to anyone. The cover alone had me chuckling:

2. Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me
This is a compilation of essays written by her staffers, friends, and family (her dog, Chunk, even has a chapter!) It was really funny and informative and definitely worth the afternoon I spent reading it.  I still prefer Chelsea’s first person books (Are You There, Vodka, Its Me, Chelsea and Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang)

3. My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
What can I say? Chelsea makes a great beach read.  In case you’re living under a rock  and didn’t know this- MHL is the first book my lady love Chelsea wrote and if I’m not mistaken – written before she had her own talk show (while she was appearing in the hidden-camera show “Girls Behaving Badly”…which I LOVED)  I still prefer Are You There Vodka and Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang…but this was a great beach read and I’m happy to have completed the series in its entirety.  I love you, Chelsea. I’d order room service and watch TBS movie marathons with you anyday.

4. Skinny Bitch by Rory Friedman and Kim Barnouin
I picked this book up on the recommendation of my friend Angel.  Angel told me this book changed her life and her body…and since has a totally smokin’ hot figure I figured I’d better comply.  Witness:

Sandwiched between two of my favorite skinny b--s. Stefani (left) and Angel (right)

Angel wasn’t the only one to recommend this book to me, many of my skinny b— friends have read it and I am here to tell you it TERRIFIED me.   It probably got a LITTLE too conspiracy-theory-y for my taste (pun intended) and it’s pretty extreme, but you know, I think there’s some pretty valuable information regarding our food supply in the US and it gave me a lot of food for thought (pun intended) about my diet.  (I’ll let you know how that goes.) I think it’s a must-read.

And there you have it!  It seems I DID actually accomplish something other than this wicked tan* these last few days!

Catch you when I’m back in the A!

xx, L

(*Deep apologies to my dermatologist and to my airbrush tan artist, Tiffers.)

Slick + I caught it with some friends over its opening weekend.  It was fine.  The first one I saw twice in the theater the same weekend (Friday + Sunday – I’m hardcore like that…) and laughed SO hard both times I could hardly breathe.  My abs were pretty stellar afterwards, I must say…  Part II was just okay in my opinion.  Same exact format as before, but more vulgar than funny.  See it, but I don’t think you need to spend $12 to see it in the theater.  Just saying.

I also recently watched (Netflix) Matt Damon-narrated Inside Job, a documentary profiling the 2008 Wall Street financial crisis. 

The subject matter is heavy, but important.  Inside Job was reportedly well received by film critics who praised its pacing, research + explanation of complex financial material.  I thought it was fantastic.  Now, I may still count on my fingers, but I definitely felt like I had a good understanding of what caused the crisis by the time the film ended.  I strongly recommend it if you are in the mood for an interesting docu.  Matt Damon’s voice isn’t too difficult to listen to for a few hours, either…

Please tell me that y’all have seen Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.  PLEASE.

It’s an oldie but a greatie!

It used to be one of my favorite movies (came out in 2006) + I hadn’t seen it in f.o.r.e.v.e.r., BUT it was recently on IFC (Independent Film Channel) and I TiVoed.  I’ve since rewatched it 2 1/2 times over the past week.  Working on the third… Love Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, the music Sophia uses in her movies, all the opulence.  I love!  And, you need to see it.

I promise that I’m not just watching movies…  I also recently started reading Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain.  It’s super cute.  Not a Pulitzer Prize winner or anything, but it did motivate me to stop by the Atlanta Humane Society during lunch last Friday to hold puppies.  True story.

It’s a good, quick read + Enzo is an unbelievably adorable dog. 

Really, all this movie watching and reading is just helping me bide time until True Blood (Season 4) returns on Sunday, June 26!

Is it time yet?  Is it time yet?  Is it time yet?  IS IT TIME YET?!  I can’t wait.  I’ve been SO vampire deprived lately…

I’ve also started to make plans for the midnight showing of Harry Potter + The Deathly Hallows Part II on Thursday, July 14.   AHHHH!!!!!

I just may go into shock when it’s finally over. 

Seriously.

xx, L

I didn’t post for an entire week + now I feel like there’s almost too much to update you all on and it’s not exactly stringing together clearly…  So bear with me, folks.  I’m just going to lay it all out there + make of it what you will. 

The weather is getting gorgeous, the hemlines are getting shorter + there are more and more reasons to play outside, try new restaurants + spring into summer!  (I feel like I just wrote an Old Navy commercial.)

Ready or not – here I go!  Wheeeee…..

Ms. Reynolds, Sayako + I recently recruiter summit-ed at Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park, which has been all over Urban Spoon, etc., and we really enjoyed it!

Pictured below are our sandwiches, all of which are meant to be eaten in multiples (i.e. you don’t order just one sandwich – they are small-ish) at only $4.00 a piece.

We tried the New Bomb Turkey: turkey, arugula, avocado spread + baconaisse; The Hambo: prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, apple + reduced balsamic; and the Castro: slow-roasted pork, ham, fontina cheese + yellow mustard. 

I love this place for a casual lunch and strongly recommend trying it out!

Victory Sandwich Bar
280 Elizabeth Street
Atlanta, GA  30307
770.676.7287
http://www.vicsandwich.com/
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Next up, Bloomingdale’s just started showing some gorgeous turquoise-y blue stone necklaces.  So cute for summer!  Here’s a shot of the one I bought on Monday.  It’s my new favorite accessory.

Moving right along…

On my Palm Springs/ L.A. flights, I started reading John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces.”  I will admit that I fall in love with most books I read + can’t put them down until they’re finished, and that remains the case with this Pulitzer Prize winner.  It’s so thoughtfully written and a great (albeit very wordy) read.  The story of how the book came to fruition after JKT’s suicide is super interesting, as well. 

Let’s talk food trucks.

Slick + I got tacos at Tex’s Tacos recently, the new food truck in Buckhead, which urbandaddy.com dubbed the “Antonio Banderas” of food trucks.  Cute.

Tex’s is a fully-equipped kitchen + restaurant on wheels serving up an array of “Nueva Texicana” eats w/ “style + grace.”

While I’ll admit that they weren’t the best tacos I’ve ever eaten, they did the job.  Tex’s will be a goldmine for late night Buckhead frat boys who need to cut through the alcohol a bit before stumbling into bed.  And it’s not just stationed in Buckhead, which is why food truckin’ is so exciting.  Check out Tex’s schedule here: http://www.texstacos.com/

Speaking of food trucks…  When I was in Palm Springs, the Nom Nom truck drove up from L.A. and I got to try it!  Not familiar w/ the famous Nom Nom truck?

It’s a L.A.-based mobile food truck specializing in Vietnamese food, especially banh mi.  Nom Nom was the runner-up in season one of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.

Their food is RIDIC. 

On Easter Sunday, Slick + I had a date night at Ecco, one of my favorite Midtown restaurants to order up a load of small plates + drinks.  (Also, to potentially spot the Vampire Diaries cast…)

As usual, our meal was predictably delicious.  To accompany it, I ordered a glass of pinot gris.  Slick, however, ordered one of the most interesting cocktails I’ve ever seen.  Here’s the description of it from the menu:

ZAFARAN: Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin, housemade Shindeldecker tonic + a custom icy hot cube will remind you that, while temptation is a reality, there are repercussions in all things we do.

It was so different and had a very special, unique flavor.  You guys have to try it!

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.  I’m obsessed with mochi ice cream.  Recently, I’ve been satisfying my sweet tooth with an all natural strawberry flavor found at Trader Joe’s.  Um, yum!

Y’all, today is Thursday which means…

So, back to food trucks + street food.  Can we?  Thanks. 

My favorite Midtown Street Food Thursday vendor is definitely The King of Pops!

I get so excited when I see the Pops cart!  And you know who else does…

slick: king of the mountain (stone mountain, that is)

He LOVES KoPs!  Our favorite flavors are: Mexican Chocolate, Banana Pudding, Sea Salt Chocolate + Pineapple Ginger.  You must, must try a pop!

It really is perfect popsicle weather, too.  Speaking of perfect weather, I had it in California.  The entire week was truly gorgeous!  Although the main purpose of my trip was to meet Mrs. Wolkove’s adorable new addition to her family, I did have time to enjoy the outdoors when I went on a hike at Fryman Canyon Park located in the Santa Monica Mountains with Mrs. W’s madre.  The views were amazing + the workout was seriously intense.  I work out quite a bit in Atlanta, but I almost never go hiking.  I have to say that my legs were throbbing the morning after our hike.  If anyone knows of good hiking spots in Atlanta, please let me know. 

Even while hiking in the heat, my hair looked pretty perfect.  (OMG, what a bragger!)  But, I have to credit that to Daniel Carter at Mint Salon who does my 2-day keratin treatments.  (LK goes to Mint, too, for hers.)  Daniel is a fantastic stylists who has also started to do my cuts + color.  If you happen to be looking for a new stylist, I highly recommend Daniel!  Tell him you heard about him on the Q+DD!

Mint Salon
Stylist: Daniel Carter
404.724.9669
www.mintsalon.net

Since we’re focusing now on “maintenance,” I’m really looking forward to my spray tan today at RAW Organic Bronzing Studio.  (LK is a fan, too!)  I adore the owner, Tiffany Terranova, and have been very pleased with my tans!  They are made from 100% organic ingredients that are actually beneficial to the skin.  Read more about RAW Organic Bronzing Studio here: LK’s post about RAW.

And, RAW is conveniently located right next door to Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park!  Bringing it all together. 

Skipping around skipping around…

I’m in the market for a french press.  I drank french pressed coffee several times during my L.A. trip + don’t think I can go back to my Keurig any more.  It’s like two entirely different planets of coffee!  This Bodum one is pretty cute.  (Hint, hint.)

OH!  And isn’t this the most precious picture you’ve ever seen or what?!  Mrs. Wolkove, her one week old (who obv. cannot fit into those yet) + I all rock the glitter TOMS!  Love.

We’ll focus on this much more as it draws closer, but who’s pumped for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival?! 

THIS event is going to be nothing short of incredible.  Can’t wait! 

More info here: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

And finally (have I worn you out yet?), the Q+DD has some very special news to share!  One of our best readers, Jessica Gorman: Concierge at the Ritz Carlton – Buckhead, was featured in the newest edition of The Atlantan Magazine!

Click here to see the article mentioning Jess on page 36 of the new issue today!  (Reading Instructions for the Online Version: Click on the link mentioned in the previous sentence.  Type in page 36.  Full screen view + click magnifying glass to zoom in.  Silly technology…)  We are very proud of you, Jess!

So…did you get all that?!  It was pretty beastly.  (TWHS? Sorry, mom…)

There WILL be a quiz later.  It’s great to be back! 

xx, L

that guy

He sends weekly e-mails + wrote these books…

If not, here’s a recap, readers:  AARON KARO, THE RUMINATOR-ATOR.

Well, guess what?  He’s on tour + he’s making a stop in the D. Dirty.

(looks like i'm not the only one using a hipstamatic...)

AARON KARO LIVE IN ATLANTA: 2011 WIN WIN TOUR
Where?  Atlanta Punchline
When?  Thursday, May 19 @ 8:00 p.m.

This is def. going to be a good time, folks. 

TICKETS:  http://bit.ly/AtlantaKaro
FACEBOOK EVENT:  http://on.fb.me/dOvS9Y
FULL TOUR DETAILS:  http://KaroShow.com

Welcome to the A, Mr. Karo. (Unsolicited writing tip for you: Skip on referring to us “Hotlanta.”  Just trust.)  Break a leg!

xx, L

In no particular order…

1) RYAN BINGHAM: My favorite singer of the moment.

Ryan Bingham

Never heard of him?  You’ve been missing out, buddy…

This 30-year old singer sounds like what I would think the Marlboro man would sound like if he could sing.  For such a young age, his voice is weathered like Ray LaMontagne after three packs of cigarettes and a bottle of whisky.  He sings country + bluegrass-y music, but he’s not over-produced Nashville, and he doesn’t seem to polarize anti-country music folks.

well, hello there.

He’s also more than a little attractive, if you ask me.  (Although, he is no Slick.)

Ryan won an Academy award for the music he wrote for Crazy Heart, and Slick + I have been big fans of his ever since we saw the movie.  In my humble opinion, some of his best tracks are: “Southside of Heaven,” “The Weary Kind,” “Long Way from Georgia,” “Country Roads,” and “I Don’t Know.”  It’s the kind of music you want to listen to while getting ready for bed or driving home after a long day at work.  If you hear some of his stuff + like it, check out his new CD with his band, The Dead Horses, called Junky Star.

Ryan Bingham Tour Dates
Watch Ryan Bingham on YouTube
Follow Ryan Bingham on Twitter
Stalk Ryan Bingham on Facebook

2) ASK MISS A: My favorite advice-giver.

Andrea Rogers, a.k.a. “Miss A,” is the editor-in-chief + publisher of the national lifestyle e-magazine AskMissA.com. 

Miss A

AskMissA.com provides heartfelt – rather than commercial – content for women’s well-rounded lifestyle interests – political and social issues; art and cultural events; charity galas and volunteer opportunities with nonprofits; women’s organizations and networking events; art and literature; design and entertaining; local fashion and beauty. 

Readers turn to “Ask Miss A” for advice + recommendations on everything from style to self-help, and are assured to get an answer that is heartfelt with a touch of Miss A’s Southern charm and sass.  AskMissA.com tosses aside the superficial and shallow to deliver sensibility and substance with style through authentic, informative and witty editorial voices of women-in-the-know across the United States.  AskMissA.com informs, inspires and entertains an audience of more than 70,000 unique monthly visitors. 

And, I’m a newly-inducted contributing writer for AskMissA.com!  Check out my Valentine’s Day post about Norman Love Chocolates!  I’ll be posting several times a month, along with some other fabulous Atlanta women, so check back frequently!

Read AskMissA.com
Follow Ask Miss A on Twitter
Check out Ask Miss A on Facebook

(photo credit: The Man Repeller)

The Man Repeller is brilliant + hysterical, and has been featured in The New York Times, Lucky Magazine + a number of other impressive publications. 

Read w/ Caution:  Once you start reading TMR’s blog…you won’t be able to stop!  (Don’t say I didn’t warn you…)

Read The Man Repeller
Follow The Man Repeller on Twitter
Like The Man Repeller on Facebook
Tumble with The Man Repeller

4) CHUNK HANDLER: My favorite “person” to follow on Twitter.

Chunk + Chelsea Handler

As I’ve made very clear over the past year and a half, I’m kinda obsessed with Chelsea Handler.  So, it’s expected that I’d be a fan of her dog, too.  In fact, he’s my favorite celebrity dog – for sure.  What a cutie pie!

Here are some of my favorite of Chunk’s recent tweets:
“I just saw a cloud that was shaped exactly like a cloud.”
“I zone out therefore I aren’t.”
“Remember that movie where Arnold Schwarzenegger was pregnant?  “Junior” I think it was…that was pretty underrated.”
“That skateboarding bulldog pisses me off for whatever reason.”

who's a good boy???

Follow Chunk Handler on Twitter

(I’ll bet he was watching The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet last night, too!)

Congratulations, everyone!  You are now officially in the know. 

xx, L

Duh

…but I must admit, I have not even cracked our current assignment, The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

As one of my favorite authors, Augusten Burroughs says, “I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.”

Luckily, my book club ladies’ love is unconditional and they didn’t appear to judge me one bit when I managed not to read a single sentence of last month’s book, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, even though I hosted the club at my condo.

Luckier still, the group is comprised of some pretty spectacular chefs! So while the girls were discussing Steig, I found myself face first in all their delicious offerings.

The Club and The Carnage

There wasn’t a bad dish on my coffee table that night, so I BEGGED the girls to send me their recipes ASAP so I could share them with you now…almost a whole month later. (please refer to the Burroughs quote above.)

Anyway, better late than never!

Buffalo Chicken Dip a la Jen DiLorenzo
1. Mix: One pound chicken (cooked and shredded) and one bottle of your favorite wing sauce and layer in your oven-safe serving dish (like a Pyrex)
2. Mix: one small bottle of Ranch dressing and two blocks of cream cheese
NOTE: It mixes best if you warm the cream cheese in the microwave (be careful not to overheat!)
3.  Layer cream cheese/ranch mixture over chicken mixture
4.  Cover with shredded cheese (Jen likes Monterrey Jack).
5.  Bake at 350 until cheese is melted…and serve!

Avocado and Serrano Salsa a la Ellen Terchila
Ingredients:
1/2 Cucumber, diced
2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 red onion, diced
2 Serrano chilies, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Juice of 1/2 Lime

In a large bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients.  Toss well.  Gently stir in the salt, pepper, and lime juice (take care not to let avocado get mushy!)
Serve immediately or cover and put in fridge for up to 1 day.  Return to room temp before serving.

BONUS: Ellen notes,  “I learned that this also makes a fabulous “day after” sandwich by toasting two pieces of whole grain bread, scooping on a delicious helping of the salsa, and a slice of Havarti cheese…just saying.” (You are so adorable, E)

Last but not least…

Spicy Corn + Cheese Dip a la Shanon Perry

Ingredients:
1 bar of cream cheese
1 4-5 oz package of goat cheese (S likes to get the kind that has the seasoning in it, but get what you like)
4 cups of sharp white cheddar cheese
2 regular sized cans of white corn kernels (drained)
5 fresh jalapenos – remove the ribs and the seeds, then dice into small pieces (you can obviously adjust this to your own palette)
3-4 scallions – finely chopped
S says that the following ingredients are estimates…she just likes to add and taste as she goes and suggests you do the same.
2 tsp of garlic salt
2 tsp of fresh ground pepper
1 tbsp of Mexican Chili Powder

Add cheeses and corn to an oven/microwave proof bowl. Warm in the microwave for about 2 minutes to soften the cheeses.  Stir in remaining ingredients, but keep aside enough cheddar to sprinkle over the top of the mixture.  Once you’ve sprinkled the rest of the cheddar over the top of the mixture, then put the bowl back in the microwave for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melted on top and the mixture is heated through – OR – you can place the bowl in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or so.

Serve each of these with your favorite chip…pita chips or Fritos scoops have been tried and were proven to be a success!

I can’t tell you which was my favorite…they were ALL delicious! It’s always good to have a good go-to dip, so next time you have to bring an app or a side, try one of these!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta dip! (couldn’t resist.)

xx, L