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

And, I can’t wait!! 

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

Why would you wait in line at Highland Bakery or Murphy’s when you could hop on over to BWB?  Their menu is creative + delicious, the brunch isn’t crazy busy (yet), the service is great, and you really can’t beat the atmosphere.  I heart.  I heart.

This is what I ate most recently at BWB brunch with Gorms + Rosh…

Bread Pudding French Toast to share.  TO. DIE. FOR. 

Goat Cheese and Chorizo Crepes with sweet and sour fig jam.

Plancha Omlette with herbed goat cheese and mushrooms.

Fried Egg Sandwich with bacon, manchego, sliced tomato, garlic aioli, and served with grits.  (Didn’t photograph too well, but it was really tasty.  Manchego was excellent on it.)

Here are a few other BWB brunch menu items that made my mouth water: 

- Short Rib Hash with crispy potatoes, bell peppers, and two eggs.
- Gulf Shrimp and Grits with stone ground grits and chorizo gravy.
- Scottish Smoked Salmon with kumato tomatoes, whipped cheese, and pumpernickel toast.

Don’t those sound divine??

Check out more of Barcelona’s brunch menu here: BRUNCH TIMEEEE!

And, I’ll you there next week!! 

xx, L

Barcelona Wine Bar
240 N. Highland Avenue
Atlanta, GA  30307
404.589.1010
http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/atlanta.htm

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/

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

barkley

Barkley’s owners are our great friends, the Sands.  We wanted to see them, too, of course.  They recommended that we have brunch at nearby Atmosphere Bistro and then head down to the Chattahoochee River Trails for Barkley’s first swimming lesson.  To me, that sounded like the best. day. ever. 

So, we met at Atmosphere pre-church crowd rush.  It was my first time at the restaurant, but even before setting foot inside I knew four things about it.

1 – I pass by it driving on Piedmont (Morningside intersection) almost every single day.
2 – It’s a French bistro that has won a lot of local dining awards.
3 – The patio looks like a great place to have dinner or brunch cocktails.
4 – Everyone I know who has tried it has recommended it to me.

Here’s a picture of Atmosphere at night.  So impossibly cute.

Anyway, we successfully snagged a table on the patio and ordered up some champagne cocktails + coffee.

We literally wanted to order everything on the menu.  It all sounded so splendid!  We ultimately decided on two appetizers to share – both of which I strongly recommend.

Crab with avocado, tomato + pineapple chutney served in a martini glass.

Breaded + fried brie with an arugula salad.  OOOOMMMMGGGG.  Awesomesauce, y’all!

After we’d effectively wet our whistles with a few cups of coffee, brunch-y cocktails, and delicious appetizers, we quickly eased on to our entrees.  The Sands both settled on Benedictine: poached eggs benedict over toasted bread, ham, and hollandaise sauce, served with homemade French fries and mixed greens.  A perfect brunch-on-a-patio dish.

Kevin selected the L’Omelette du Jour which happened to be filled that day with thick cut bacon.  There were no complaints from his side of the table.  His omelet arrived with French fries Oeufs and mixed greens, as well.  Kev thought that Atmosphere’s French fries were spectacular!  (Obviously cooked in duck fat and with love.)  He was thoroughly impressed.

I ordered the Carpaccio de boeuf: thin slices of raw Kobe beef with shaved Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh lemon juice.  Simple and delightful.  I was very pleased with my selection.

By the end of the meal, we were completely stuffed.  I was so glad that the Sands suggested we try Atmosphere, and now the delicious restaurant is no longer just a quaint house with a sign that I pass by on Piedmont each day, but rather a destination for really enjoyable French cuisine.  I am looking forward to going back to try their dinner menu, and taste their famous French Onion soup!

Shortly after brunch, we headed out to the Chattahoochee with Barkley – who had been patiently awaiting our return. 

I’m sure you will all be pleased to know that he is a total water pup and had a very successful first swimming lesson!  The Sands are sure to become river regulars!

Hoping that everyone had as lovely of an Easter as we did! 

xx, L

Atmosphere Bistro
1620 Piedmont Ave.
Atlanta, GA  30324
678.702.1620
www.atmospherebistro.com

Here’s the Q+DD on Flywheel: Crafted by Ruth Zukerman, legendary fitness instructor, Flywheel is a spinning “experience” that cultivated a cult following in NYC and is now out to claim the nation!

Each choreographed spin routine is 45 or 60 minutes long and includes arm work with weighted bars. Awesome news: the studio is set up with stadium seating, so no matter where you are, you’ve got the best seat in the house.

Big time bonus: One of Atlanta’s BEST spin instructors (and all around cool guy), Jeremy Levison is now teaching there (although I hear ALL the instructors are amazing.)  

If you’re asking yourself what’s different about this class than a typical run of the mill spin class, here are a few other things you should know:

1. You reserve your bike ahead of time like a seat on an airplane. This is HUGE for chronically tardy front row geeks like myself.

2. They rent you special spin shoes with clips

2b. If you are too blonde to get out of said clipped in shoes after class, some kind Flywheel employee will help you.

Don't worry, I'm not still here!

3. The tailor-made bikes are completely customizable to your preferences and have a “tech-pack” which shows your resistance (“torque”), your speed (RPMs) and your “power output” (current and cumulative for the class)

4. For the overly competitive, you can opt in to participate in the in-studio “Torqueboard” – a leaderboard that show’s how participants in the class are doing. BONUS: your stats for every ride will be recoded and made available in your private account on the website!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE.

Also open: FLYBARRE

Billed as the perfect compliment to your Flywheel cardio, Flybarre combines yoga, dance, circuit training, pilates, and strength building and I am here to tell you that I was lucky enough to be invited to a class by my girls Hess and Kate and I think I speak for the group when I say: “Seriously, OUCH…but when can I go back?”

The studio is small-ish. Witness:

But no fear of running out of space - you reserve these mats airplane-style too and trust me, you are feeling WAY too much in your muscles to feel any claustrophobia whatsoever. Fact.

It was fast paced and fun and they do this super cool “dynamic arms” routine that changes monthly with the idea that you’ll come back enough times during the month to learn the routine and look like a cheerleading squad.  I like.

Confession: You do a full-on lights-off stretch twice in the class and I was a little heartbroken when I found out the first stretch wasn’t the end… but very proud of myself at the legit end.

They’re both incredible workouts and I’m SUPER excited to have our very own Flywheel here in the ATL!

Welcome, welcome, Flywheel!

xx, L

Flywheel Sports Atlanta
102 W Paces Ferry Road NW
Suite A
Atlanta, GA 30305

P.S. EXTRA BIG THANK YOU to Flywheel for donating a Spin Party for the silent auction I’m working on for The Tasting next Tuesday!  Please come to the event and bid on it… I will try not to elbow you out of the way or give you the side-eye if you outbid me.  

xx, L+L

LOVE a Monday night out!  I will definitely be there next week… 

More on my recent visit to adorable Cucina Asellina HERE.  And, I’ll see you there!

xx, L