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

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

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

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

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

First of all, it’s in a great spot. Though not visible from the road, it’s nestled in the strip where B.Braithwaite, Dry Bar, and Flywheel are located…good company indeed! AND only a stone’s throw from the glorious St. Regis Hotel – I’d say this little resto has some primo real estate!

Secondly, it is ADORABLE. The design is so fresh and clean. You walk through the wine cellar straight into the fresh and sleek interior like the world’s most amazing tunnel.

Photo lovingly ripped off from my girl over at Baxter Bark Twice. Thanks, lady.

There are a few small tables, but most of the seating is a large U-shaped double-sided bar with this super cool riser for your pies! Bonus: your wine glass fits neatly underneath

They also have a pretty fantastic wine list with some very affordable vinos – which our server said was by design. (um, THANK YOU.) You can also choose your wine via their wine pairing app loaded onto an iPad at the table.

You had Greg at “iPad.” I loved watching him “help” my mom figure out how to use it:

Most importantly…the food was fantastic.  We started with the spring pea, prociutto, mozzarella, and rosemary bruschetta and it was DELISH. Witness:

Then…onto the pies. We went with

Pomodorini, oregano, garlic, and mozzarella

And

Mozzarella, fontina, taleggio, gorgonzola, and thyme

You’d think that 2 huge pizzas would be way too much for 3 people… but you’d be wrong. We ate almost every last bite. In our defense, they were surprisingly light.

You guys, I really liked this place a lot and can see where I could easily become addicted. (and um, hello – Flywheel, then Drybar, then STG? Sounds a little TOO convenient.)

And although I’m done with first dates, it did occur to me that this would be an excellent first date spot – it’s lively and sleek yet causal enough – and pizza is always a crowd pleaser. Plus – you can dash over to the bar at the St. Reg for an après dinner nightcap… I’m just saying.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up for STG Trattoria. I WILL be back.

xx, L

STG Trattoria
102 West Paces Ferry
Atlanta, GA
404 – 844 – 2879

I’ve done Pilates mat classes in the past and thought they were okay, but for the past year or so I’ve really wanted to work out on a Pilates reformer.  People rave about the reformer, but the two gyms I belong to do not offer classes.  So, a friend of mine recommended Meredith to me.  I recently spent an hour in her home studio in the Highlands under her instruction on the reformer, and it was one of the best workouts I’ve EVER had!  I’m not at all exaggerating. 

Pictures of Meredith demonstrating some positions we worked on during our session are below.  Watch her gooooooooo! 

After my session, I was sore in places where I didn’t even realize I had muscles – which means that I haven’t been engaging these areas in my regular workouts.  Meredith was SO awesome, and now I’m addicted to the Pilates reformer! 

Meredith charges $55 per one hour session or you can purchase a pack of 10 classes with her for $500.  This is excellent pricing for one-on-one Pilates reformer workouts, y’all!  I highly recommend.  Swimsuit season is right around the corner, after all…

Contact Meredith Bass at meredithpbass@comcast.net. 

xx, L

Behold the two most impressive Food-Stuffed-Inside-Food contenders I’ve EVER witnessed anyone eat.  (Bold statement, I know.)

1 – The Nook’s Award Winning Shrimp & Grits Stuffed Burger: certified angus beef stuffed with sauteed shrimp and gouda cheese, topped with an andouille sausage-studded grit cake + a smoked tomato beurre blanc sauce.

Holy hamburger!!  I’m pretty sure that’s not fat free.

2 – The Nook’s Award Winning Southern Comfort Burger: certified angus beef patty stuffed with a ball of homemade fried bacon mac + cheese and topped with cheddar cheese and The Nook’s secret peach and Southern Comfort barbecue sauce.

Wait for it….  Wait for it….

BAMMMMMM!!  

You haven’t LIVED until you’ve seen these monsters in person.  Take my word for it.

Move over Totchos…

xx, L

The Nook
1144 Piedmont Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.745.9222
www.thenookatlanta.com

I am so excited about this! I wonder if they’ll let me set up a food plan? 

xx, L