I love you.

It feels good to say it out loud.  

How obsessed am I, you ask?  Well, I’ll tell you.  For the last 7+ months, I’ve been driving up, up, up 400 to exit TEN to ALPHARETTA on the regular just to see him.  Yep, he is OTP BIG time…and I couldn’t care less.  I’m pretty sure I’d travel further because my hair has NEVER been better.

This weekend, I left with much more than bright, shiny, blonde blonde blonde hair!   I also made three purchases that I’m very excited about:

1. Kerastase Ciment Thermique  Daniel turned me on to this product months ago and it’s doing wonders for my poor, processed locks.  It’s a leave-in protective reconstructive cream for your hair and I adore it.   I use the tiniest amount, and though this little tube will run you upwards of $40 – it lasts forever.  I recommend 100%. 

2. Youngblood Mineral Lengthening Mascara

Whether or not this mascara’s “volumising formula” or “conditioning benefits” remains to be seen since I’ve only had it for a few days.  But what I can tell you is this – it’s a fantastic mascara.  In my opinion, the trick is to apply one coat and allow it to dry before applying the second.  Trust me – if you do this, you will have a gorgeous set of full, lush lashes that will NOT flake or smudge.  I love this stuff already –and if it improves the health of my lashes – well that?  That’ll just be gravy.      

3. Iso Clamp-less Curling Iron

I love my big heated rollers, but I feel like all they do is give me volume and lift and when I use a regular curling iron, I feel like I look like I’m an adult contestant in Toddlers and Tiaras…

…with tightly twisted curls in place of the the soft beachy waves I’m craving.  Well, no more – with this “twister,” I can finally achieve them!  This tool is amazing and I absolutely love it.  BIG time bonus: it’s blonde-proof.   It comes with a nifty glove so you literally CAN’T burn your fingers.  Genius.

And that?  Is all I have for you today.  Go forth with longer lashes and stronger, bouncier hair, my friends.

xx, L

Please tell me that you are watching this show.

I’ll brilliant.  I love it.  Thank you, HBO, for such extreme cleverness + awesomeness neatly wrapped up into a glorious 30 minutes.  I’m a big fan – HUGE! 

Please watch everyone.

xx, L

Camp Twin Lakes CAMP DANCE! 

Please see my recap of last year’s event by clicking here and please view some of my favorite Camp Dance memories over the years: 

Camp Dance Preparty 2009

Camp Dance Preparty 2007

Camp Dance Preparty 2007

Camp Dance 2008

Camp Dance 2006

Camp Dance 2009

Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2010: Fun Fact - I met this guy planning Camp Dance 2010

Camp Dance 2011

Camp Dance 2011 (work it!)

Camp Dance 2011

Camp Dance 2011

 Here are the deets for this year:

You can get your tickets by clicking HERE: CAMP DANCE TICKETS! 

Open bar, delish dinner, music, dancing…all for $60?

That’s not even the best part.  It’s all to benefit Camp Twin Lakes!

Come on, get your tix TODAY and party with me on 05/19 at the Georgia Freight Depot!

xx, L

9. Katy from Mean Girls.  You go, Glen Coco!

8. Andrea Sachs from the Devil Wears Prada.  Bangs?  Check. Amazing handbag?  Check.  Ridiculously amazing clothing montage?  Checkity check check checkkkkk!

7. Two words: MRS. DOUBTFIRE.

6. Elfaba’s POPULAR Makeover in Wicked….

5. Sandy from Grease.  Now that’s one way to get some attention…

4. Ronald Miller from Can’t Buy Me Love.  Don’t make me laugh, lawn boy!

3. Eliza Dolittle from My Fair Lady (even though her “before” would be totally acceptable in Little 5.  What a hipster!)

2. Vivian Ward from Pretty Woman  Enough Said. 

 and… the #1 Makeover of all times is……

The QUICK + DIRTY DIRTY!!!!!!

Thanks to our amazing web designer, Mark Wolfe, of Wolfepack Creative – we have a brand new style and we’re feeling GREAT.  

What do you think of our new look???

xx, L + L

What does this mean??  I’ll tell ya!  $50 treatment deals at a number of Atlanta’s best local spas including Exhale Spa, Bella Med Spa & Boutique, Angela Michael Skincare & Spa, and Solera Salon & Med Spa! 

Check out the deals here: 2012 Spring Spa Week

Book now!  You will not want to miss out on this! 

xx, L

Clearly we love a scandal and can’t get enough of the drama.  Why not treat yourself to a little classic scandal and drama?   That’s exactly what Fabrefaction Theatre Company is promising us with it’s latest production…

March 15 – Sunday March 25 you can enjoy Molière’s classic French farce, Tartuffe! 

If you’re not up on your classic French literature, the Q+DD is this: the show is about Tartuffe, a scam artist who preys upon a good-natured family in order to lie, steal, and seduce them out of their fortune.   (Scandal: the show was SO controversial that back in the day, the Archbishop of Paris issued an edict threatening excommunication for anyone who watched, performed in, or even read the play. Yowza!)

Fabrefaction is doing it up for us: powdered wigs, neo-classical costumes…and in your face – the show will be performed in the round! 

Here’s the BEST part:  for you lovely Q+DD readers: ½ price tickets opening weekend if you use the code Q+DD!  Get tickets HERE.

This is a limited run… and you can watch a Bachelor Pad contestant self-destruct any ol’ time…so get your tickets now!

xx, L

PS. The other best part? Apparently, “Fabrefaction presents an evening with the French aristocracy, so style and indiscretion (and elaborate hair-do’s) are presumed and encouraged, both on stage and off.”  Yuesss.

Fabrefaction Theatre Company

way to go, adele!!

And, she looked STUNNING in Armani.  Watch her Grammy performance here!  She was simply perfection!

yowza!

I’m a really big fan.  And, I don’t only appreciate Adele for being an unbelievably talented artist, but also for how she has addressed negativity in the press regarding her weight.

“I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines.  I represent the majority of women and I’m very proud of that,” she said, according to the U.K. edition of Marie Claire.  “I’d lose weight if I was an actress and had to play a role where you’re supposed to be 40 pounds lighter, but weight has nothing to do with my career.  Even when I was signing [a contract], most of the industry knew if anyone ever dared say [lose weight] to me, they wouldn’t be working with me.”

Now THAT is an incredible sense of self.  A true role model.  What a beautiful, strong woman!  I think we could all learn something from Adele.  Many congratulations, lady!!   

xx, L

love her. LOVE HER!

Personally, I was BEYOND impressed!  Y’all just face it – it’s Madonna’s world + we’re just living in it.  M.D.N.A.  what, what whatttt! 

xx, L

Let’s be honest – I’ve been obsessed with skin for a while, but I’ve noticed that as my age advanced…so has my obsession. 

Here are my latest tricks of the trade:

I have to thank Jenn Falik for recommending the first two.  Are you guys following her?  She’s amazing.) 

1. iT Cosmetics “No-Tug™” Heavenly Luxe Dual Eyeshadow Brush 

Ok so here’s the Q+DD: this is the “first ever” anti-aging and age preventative shadow brush that won’t pull on your delicate eye skin while applying your shadow.  Am I 100% convinced?  No.  Will I try absolutely everything?  You betcha.

It’s actually a pretty great brush, too.  It’s dual-sided for contouring.  For $24 – I’d say give it a go. 

2. Vichy 3-in-1 Cleanser

It’s a cleanser, toning lotion, and an eye makeup remover all in one.  You can actually wipe it off with a cloth once you’ve cleansed or rinse with water.  My skin has been AMAZING with this.  So super soft and fantastic. 

3. Natura Bisse “The Cure” Cleanser

So, at $57 a bottle (to Vichy’s $20) this cleanser is definitely less economical, but it’s great also.  Its a little less “milky” and I still feel like I need to use a separate eye makeup remover when I use it.  But, not only does it clean, but it detoxifies skin and is extremely gentle as well.  PLUS: when I use it with my Clairsonic Mia – there’s virtually NO residue left over when I’m done and I feel squeaky clean.  (Without the squeak, of course.)

It also has Green Tea Extract, which is lovely and supposedly neutralizes the effects of free radicals, “diminishing irritation and dryness.”

4.  Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Cream with SPF

I’ve blogged about it before and I’ll probably blog about it again.  I absolutely love this stuff.  It’s a foundation.  It’s a moisturizer.  It’s a SPF.  It’s a firming treatment. It’s amazing.  Get it today.  You will thank me.  (many of you already have!)

5. Water.

Yep.  Good old H-Two-Oh.  I’ve been drinking it like a fiend.  Just like they always tell you to and I can tell a huge difference in my skin! (somewhere in Birmingham my mom is saying “I told you so.”) 

There you have it.  My new plan for reverse aging.  Who knows.  Next year I might just turn 29 again!  (nah, 31 has been pretty awesome so far)

La and me at my 31st birthday last Saturday

Enjoy, lovelies!

xx, L

Y’all know how much I heart my second home in Atlanta, Exhale Spa.  Y’all know.  (And, welcome LK!  So happy you’ve joined!!) 

Well, I had my first facial at Exhale last week and JUST when I thought I couldn’t love it any more there, I fell even more head over heels!

It was the absolute greatest facial.  The greatest!  The one I got was the 60-Minute True Facial w/ a Cool Beam Treatment. 

Here are the deets:

True Facial: Enliven your skin with our customized facial appropriate for all skin types.  We use a layer of our most coveted mushroom enzyme mask to lift away all dull, tired skin and reveal a fresher, brighter version of you!  Trust that all of your need will be thoroughly addressed in this one hour facial – a true transformation!

Cool Beam Treatment: Monochromatic coherent light penetrates into the dermis sparking a physiological collagenic growth spurt.  This healing therapy inflates fine lines while simultaneously reducing post-surgical inflammation and decreasing hyperpigmentation and cystic acne.

My therapist, Kathryn, was absolutely amazing, too.  I highly, highly recommend getting a facial at Exhale.  My skin has been glowing since and feels like silk!

Also newsworthy at Exhale is…one of my favorite Atlantans + fitness gurus, Anne-Marie Berte, Manager of Guest Experience for the spa.  Do you know her?  Do you know her?  You should!  Y’all have seen me reference her in every single one of my Exhale-related posts, but you guys REALLY need to know how awesome Anne-Marie is! 

anne-marie berte

In addition to all her responsibilities at Exhale, she is also the ambassador for the 100 Women Project, the Lease Luxury Properties lifestyle & wellness concierge, and all around excellent person.  Anne-Marie is really into brand marketing and promotions, and is constantly working to connect people and create relationships and cross promotions for brands.  She has a contagiously positive and uplifting personality – this girl is going places, people!! 

super-fit, A-M!

Stay tuned for more Anne-Marie awesomeness – you are sure to see her around the ATL as the “fit girl blogger” bringing you up to date on the latest and greatest workouts to try, studios, and healthy lifestyle tips!

Love, love, love Exhale + Anne-Marie!  Just the best in 2012. 

xx, L

Exhale Atlanta
Anne-Marie Berte, Manager of Guest Experience: amberte@exhalespa.com
1065 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.720.5000
http://www.exhalespa.com/Locations/GAtlanta/Default.aspx