Leesburg, GA’s Phillip Phillips was the big winner of the night!  (Kev is totally obsessed with this guy and threatening to change his name to Kevin Kevins in honor of him… Oy.)

AND, former Idol contestant Ace Young proposed to Snellville’s own Diana DeGarmo (another former Idol) on the show!!  It was sooooooooo exciting to watch!  I still have chills!

Congrats Lady Di!! 

What a great night!  Let’s hear it for state pride, y’all!  Georgia!  Georgia!  Georgia!

And now I’m ready for this to dominate my DVR… 

= SYTYCD addict.  Don’t judge.

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

We kicked off Friday night with Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.  I walked with the Sparks Grove/North Highland team who were proudly the TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM for the event!

The whole experience was so fun – dunk tanks, face painting, live bands, people of all ages, lots of good energy and my favorite part: a mass Zumba lesson! 

Witness:

The most powerful element of the evening were the luminaries that lined the track purchased in honor and memory of loved ones.  Walking past these symbols of love and hope over and over again was definitely touching.

I learned that Relay for Life is the BIGGEST fundraising event in the world…and I can definitely see why.

Then, Saturday we did a charity event double feature!

Part 1 was ParTee Fore a Cure also benefiting the American Cancer Society and kicking off tomorrow’s Tee it Up for Life golf tournament.

This was my third year to attend the event and although I didn’t win ANY of the items on which I bid in the silent auction, I had a fantastic time as usual.

Part 2 was Camp DANCE!  We had so much fun.

I mean if you're gonna have a canoe as decoration...

It was a really spectacular weekend for me - I hope yours was, too! 

Now, if you’ll pardon the cheesy, It did occur to me that this was the FOURTH Camp Dance Greg and I have both attended.

In 2009, we didn’t even know each other.

(but I did attend the event with some other LK-Lifers...)

We met planning 2010′s Camp Dance and, by the time of the event, we had been dating only a few months…

At 2011′s party, we had just moved in together…

This year, we’re engaged!

…I can’t wait to stroll into next year’s event as a Mrs!

(What?  I warned you it was going to be cheesy.  Sorry I’m not sorry.)

xx, L

I. AM. TOTALLY. OBSESSED.  What a great way to jazz up some empty wall space!

These are some of my personal favorites…

Check out Minted’s Art Collection HERE!  I want it allllllllll.

xx, L

This is one of my favorite summer events, y’all! 

Not to be confused with the youth soapbox derby, Red Bull Soapbox Race is a national race for amateur drivers, which is fueled by creativity and competitive fun – not to mention the need for speed.  This unique non-motorized racing event challenges both experienced racers and amateurs alike to design and build outrageous, human-powered soapbox dream machines and compete against the clock in a downhill race. 

Did I catch your attention??  If so, click HERE to find out super-fun info about the event like what the cars typically look like, how many Red Bull Soapbox Races have been produced, entrance fees (spoiler alert: FREE!), how teams are chosen to participate, the rules, what the winners get, etc. 

Soooooo, mark your calendars for Saturday, June 9th at Piedmont Park.  Pits open at 10:00 a.m.  First race is 12:00 p.m.  You do not want to miss this awesomeness!

Here are some pictures from previous races…

CK + I were there in full force two years ago!  See you again this year!

Can’t. Even. Wait.  Visit Red Bull Soapbox USA for more info!

xx, L

OMG, y’all, it was DELICIOUS!  Ben & Jerry’s Greek Frozen Yogurt tastes just as good as the real thing!  No lie – I would never.  They’ve combined the creamy richness of Greek yogurt with their notorious colossal chunks + swirls.  B&J GFY comes in four decadent flavors: Peanut Butter Banana, Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Vanilla Graham, and Raspberry Fudge Chunk.

This is seriously the best ever.  Enjoy! 

xx, L

I’m sorry I’m not sorry. 

I can’t even help it. Please don’t judge. And I am EXTRA excited because I LOVE EMILY MAYNARD.  

I don’t care if you think she’s boring. She’s so pretty and classy (please don’t let me down, Em) I can’t WAIT to see the degree of idiocy these guys reach over her.  It’s going to be amazing.   Plus, I can stare at her and her amazing clothes for 12 episodes.  #GirlCrush

Tonight at 9:30PM CANNOT come soon enough! 

I love you Emily…

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