The Q+DD on Junior Achievement:
Junior Achievement is the only organization focused on economic, education, and workforce development.  We believe that inspiring and preparing Georgia’s young people to succeed in a global economy will result in a skilled workforce that will allow Georgia’s business community to flourish and grow.  We strive to impact tomorrow’s business and community leaders by bridging the gap between the business and education communities, encouraging Georgia’s youth to set long term career goals and showing them the value of education.  Our turn-key curriculum aligns to the Georgia Performance Standards, enhancing what students are learning in the classroom with real world examples and hands-on application of knowledge. 

Junior Achievement of Georgia partners with corporations, organizations, schools, and individuals concerned about the success of our students and our state.  Our volunteer-led programs teach K-12 students about business and entrepreneurship, personal financial literacy, and workforce readiness.  Volunteers share their personal and business experience to bring JA curriculum to life, helping students understand the real-world application of what they are learning in school.  This added relevancy inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy.

Pretty amazing, right? 

Well, Junior Achievement has teamed up with Fogo de Chao to bring financial literacy education to even more metro Atlanta students.

Mmmmmmmm…Fogo….

Here’s the deal: You and as many guests as you like can dine at Fogo de Chao on Thursday, April 26, 2012 for a discounted meal to raise money for Junior Achievement.  All you need to do is call JA of Georgia to make a reservation anytime between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.  Your meal will include a whopping 15 cuts of meat, all you can eat salad bar, soft drinks, dessert, and a cocktail.  The price of the meal is normally $75 per person, but by making a reservation through JA your meal will be ONLY $50 per person!  JA will receive 100% of the proceeds from the evening.

Seating is limited to 150 people + seats are filling up quickly, so make your reservation ASAP, y’all.  Reservations can only be made through the Junior Achievement office by calling 404-257-1932 x 210 or e-mailing cmajors@georgia.ja.org. 

Major beef-age + serious do-gooding.  Sounds excellent to me!  BRING ON THE BEEF! 

xx, L

Fogo de Chao
3101 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30305
404.266.9988
http://www.fogodechao.com/

Here’s the Q+DD:  Restos and food trucks from the Cheap Eats issue, the BBQ issue, the Best New Restaurants issue, and the December Best of Atlanta issue were invited to create samples of their signature dishes for 2,000 hungry (and well dressed…) Atlantans!

Georgia’s own wineries, breweries, and distilleries also participate.  The combination of the aforementioned components falls squarely inside my definition of A Good Time. 

(pssst: please see the below as evidence.  Mini H&F Burgers and drinks with the Captain?  Oh yuesss.)

Here’s the very BEST part: historically, Atlanta magazine and the Best of Atlanta Party have raised more than $2 million for Camp Twin Lakes!

I’ll be at the Camp Dance booth dishing up lovely s’mores with the help of some of my buddies and a fantastic Chocolate Fountain from Atlanta Chocolate Fountains/The Cappuccino Connection from 7:00-8:00ish… and then sampling some tasty vittles for the rest of the evening.  Join me!

Atlanta Magazine’s Best of Atlanta Party

7:00 at the Cobb Galleria

Regular tickets are all-inclusive and cost $65.

Buy tickets HERE! 

Hope to see you there!

xx, L

Love the shoe, love the company’s One for One movement, love it all.  They are one of my favorite pairs of shoes that I own, in fact!

my gold sequin TOMSies

The style isn’t for everyone, though.  Good news is that TOMS is now making super cute ballet flats!  Although they aren’t available quite yet, you can pre-order them.  Just adore these: so cute + feminine.

Pre-order at Nordstrom here: TOMS ballet flats!

Super, super cute.

xx, L

The purpose of this incredible walk is to raise money for breast cancer research and community programs.  Without a cure, one person will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.  Together we can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. 

The 3-Day commences tomorrow in the wee hours of the morning at Stone Mountain and ends on Sunday in the early evening at Turner Field.

Friends, family + general spectators are encouraged to come out to cheer on the 3-Day walkers!  Closing Ceremonies, in particular, on Sunday are easy to attend and very, very moving.  Spectator information can be found here: 3-Day Atlanta Spectator Info!

Look out for LK, G$, Randodi and Kevin at Closing Ceremonies!  And, best of luck to all the fantastic 3-Day walkers!!  We’ve got THIS! 

xx, L

In addition to sampling chili, Brunswick stew and cornbread, guests of all ages are invited to enjoy live music from some of the nation’s best tribute bands + partake in games such as the Mullet Flop (dying – OMG) and the Jalapeno Eating contest.  As in previous years, 100% of the proceeds will benefit Camp Twin Lakes!  Since 2005, The Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off has raised more than $380,000 for Camp Twin Lakes. 

Recap: Chili, tribute bands, mullet flop + jalapeno eating contest, AND Camp Twin Lakes.  My brain is exploding with awesomeness…

Here’s the Q+DD on The 32nd Annual Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off:

When: Saturday, September 24: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stone Mountain Park, GA – Coliseum Meadow
Tickets: Tickets are $10 for adults.  Children 12 + under are free.  Tickets can only be purchased on-site the day of the event, and will not sell out. 
Parking: Each vehicle will be charged $10 for entrance into the park.
Benefit: 100% of the proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes!
Sponsors: Miller Lite, Aaron’s Sales and Leasing, Waffle House, Metro PCS, Rock 100.5, Camp Twin Lakes, Caren West PR
Event Website: www.theatlantachilicookoff.com

Sounds super fun + delicious!  If I wasn’t going to Music Midtown, I’d definitely want to check it out. 

This weekend is going to be ridic. 

xx, L

I really, really LOVE this. 

Of all the gorgeous items I’ve bought from Anthro + loved dearly over the years, a furry friend might just be what I’ve been needing most…  I will definitely be there!   

xx, L

Anthropologie – Howell Mill
1207 Howell Mill Road NW
Atlanta, GA  30318
404.355.4889
www.anthropologie.com

On Sunday, October 2nd, you can relive the glory days of Elementary School Field Day – with an adult twist!

Get a team of 4 people together and come out to the Buckhead Saloon Parking Lot to enjoy the games, music, football, giveaways, free hot dogs + hamburgers, and $1 beer specials/ Sinless Margarita specials!

Events include: Dizzy Bat Beer Relay, 5-Legged Race, Beer Limbo, Obstacle Course, Flip Cup, Beer Pong and more!  The team with the best uniform gets bonus points!

Here’s the Q+DD on Adult Field Day 2011:

Why: Cause it’s AWESOME.  And, proceeds from the event will be donated to Bert’s Big Adventure!  BBA is a non-profit organization that provides a spectacular 5-day journey to Disney for kids with chronic and/or terminal illnesses and their families.

When: Sunday, October 2nd, Check In + Pre-game @ 1:00 p.m., Field Day Events Begin @ 1:30 p.m., Falcons Game Starts @ 4:00 p.m. – TVs will be showing the football games ALL DAY.

Where: Buckhead Saloon Parking Lot, 3227 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA, 30305

Fees: $80 donation for a 4 person team ($20 per person) to Bert’s Big Adventure.

Registration + Info: http://sinlessadultfieldday2011.eventbrite.com

Questions??: E-mail sinlessevents@gmail.com

This is going to be such a total blast!  Can’t wait for October! 

xx, L

The Q+DD on The Chelko Foundation and Jaden’s Ladder is this: Jaden’s Ladder is a non-profit organization that assists survivors of domestic violence with life-enhancing, post shelter programs and support that build confidence and foster self-reliance. please visit the website HERE. The Chelko Foundation seeks to empower women through art, education, and partnership by awarding scholarships in the arts and making individual humanitarian grants.  The Chelko Foundation is a 501(c)3 domestic non-profit organization founded by Artist Paul Chelko in honor of his late wife, Debbie, in 2005. For more details about the organization please visit the website HERE.

General admission is $75. VIP tickets are $150 and include access to the VIP party starting at 6 p.m., two drink tickets and passed hors d’oeuvres.  Click HERE for more information or to purchase tickets.
Talk about “euro fit”

xx, L

(Totally kidding!!  Obv.) 

Here’s me with some of my favorite furry friends:

And, I even had the great honor of meeting this famous pooch at the San Juan airport in Puerto Rico.  I spoke to him in Spanish. 

Anyway, I was recently watching the local news while on one of my morning 3-Day treadmill training walks, when I heard about an incredible dog in Maryland named “Dozer.” 

Dozer is a 3 year-old goldendoodle who ran away from his home (broke out of his invisible fence!) and ended up running most of the Maryland Half Marathon! 

Here he is at the finish line:

dozer crossing the finish line

Dozer got out of his yard and joined runners near his home at the five mile mark of the race.  Runners saw him throughout the end of the half marathon and posted videos of Dozer crossing the finish line on YouTube.  After he completed the race, he found his way home. 

Race officials later presented Dozer with a medal for running in the half marathon.  In response to all of Dozer’s attention, his family set up a fundraising page to benefit the University of Maryland’s Greenebaum Cancer Center.  So far, Dozer has raised more than $23,000!!

so proud

What an unbelievable story!  This dog is AMAZING…and is now a celebrity on World News Tonight, Good Morning America, Fox News and all over local TV and radio stations!  Keep up the good work, Dozer!  You’re an incredible pup.

Check out Dozer’s Fundraising Page: Doggie Donations!
Like Dozer’s Facebook Fan Page: Dogster…What? I’m on Facebook!
See Dozer on YouTube: Canine Against Cancer!

Go, Dozer, go!  Good boy.

xx, L

We know our blog is usually all about the happy, the silly, the posh, the wonderful, fun and funny things in life, but we want to call your attention to a truly heartbreaking story and show you a way in which YOU can help.

If you aren’t familiar with this story already, the Berry family from Houston, Texas was traveling home from an annual family road trip to Colorado on July 3rd and suffered a horrible head-on collision tragically killing parents Joshua and Robin and leaving their three children, Peter (9), Aaron (8) and Willa (6) severely injured. Willa is expected to make a full recovery, but her brothers are both paralyzed below the waist.

These now orphaned children are in CRITICAL need of funds. Not only are their immediate medical bills astronomical, but they will also require ongoing physical therapy and psychological support.

I first became aware of this terrible situation because the children attend the school where my college roommate is employed as a kindergarten teacher, but since then I have seen fundraisers and outreach programs pop up in cities across the nation spearheaded by wonderful people with enormous hearts. I’d strongly encourage you to attend any bake sales, cocktail parties, etc. for this cause.

But if you’re looking for a way in which to send immediate financial help to these children – please check out the following:

1. You can write a check directly and send to:

Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust
Bank of Texas
510 Bering, 5th Floor
Houston, Texas 77057

(For very large donations please email admin@theberrychildren.org)

2. You can donate online by clicking HERE

3. Participate in Show Your Hearts:

Click HERE to donate right now. 

All donations through Show Your Hearts will be made directly to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust.

Show Your Hearts was spurred, in part, by Justin Bieber, and has received attention from celebrities such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and the Kardashians among countless others. (Just when I thought I couldn’t love that set any more than I already do.)

Please consider making a donation to this VERY worthy cause and SHOW YOUR HEARTS for the Berry kids.

xx, L + L