Gimme a Gyro

I don't have much to say, except I'm going to eat a gyro tonight and I am super jazzed. This is what I had last time and I'm getting it again. Old Athens Grill, you are amazing.

YUM :)

Chic City Guide: Atlanta

I am absolutely tickled to share with you one of the many Chic City Guides that I'll be posting. I was thinking about the purpose of my blog and I also got a little inspired by one of Natasha's blogs about Nashville. If you're looking to travel to one of the many destinations that I've visited and you're wondering what you should do while you're there, look no further!

My dear friend Shannon has been living in ATL for two years now and is officially a local. I visited her a few times during my Athens stint and we had such a great time. Shameless photo of me and my friend:

Also, here's a link to my post about my trip to visit her!

Here are some of her ATL highlights!

To Play.

The Fox Theatre - Designed in the late 1920s, this lavish, historic landmark was originally the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque. Today, The Fox Theatre presents shows by Broadway in Atlanta and Theater of the Stars. It is an amazing “old-timey” theatre with beautiful architecture and ambience! Classic! [Shannon saw Wicked there!] Check the site for upcoming shows!
CNN Tours - Tour the core of CNN Worldwide for an up-close look at global news in the making. Guided walking tours offer behind-the-scenes views of Atlanta’s CNN studios and an exclusive glimpse of news and broadcasting in action. Tours happen every day from 9 - 5 and it's only $15 - very cool!

World of Coca-Cola - Experience the intriguing World of Coca-Cola! The museum features a multi-sensory 4-D theater, an extraordinary 1880's soda fountain, and unique live-action bottling line, plus an opportunity to sample nearly 70 different beverages from around the world. If you are a caffeine lover, this is the place for you!
GA Aquarium - Dive into a one-of-a-kind aquatic experience at the Georgia Aquarium, where imaginations go to play. At the world's largest aquarium, you’ll discover graceful beluga whales, spectacular whale sharks, playful penguins and aquatic animals from around the globe.
Braves Game at Turner Field - The Atlanta Braves play from April through September at Turner Field. AMAZING ticket prices (start at dollar seats!) Great fun for everyone!
Piedmont Park - Piedmont Park features lush woods, Lake Clara Meer, picnic spots, skating paths and many annual events. More than 180 acres, the park is situated between 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue. With tons going on, it's always fun on the weekends! Large park offering a great spot for picnics, day drinking with friends or just some old fashioned people watching!

To Eat.

RA Sushi in Midtown is FABULOUS! Not too pricey but very cool ambience with a large indoor and outdoor bar! Plus, they can also make Gluten Free sushi rolls! A very big plus!
Uncle Julio’s - Best margaritas in town! High class Mexcian cuisine with festive décor... ey yi yi!

Marlow’s Tavern - Offers a FAB Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosa’s! Mmmmm!
The Varsity - Their famous slogan,“What’ll You Have!” You better be ready to order! Greatest burgers and onion rings! You gotta try a “Frosted Orange!”

Three Dollar Café - Laid back place for wings and beer! Best wings EVER!!!
Rusan’s – All the locals know you get your sushi from Rusan's. Wonderful, well-priced and the staff is super fun and laid back!
Canoe - I haven't been to Canoe but I've heard wonderful things. After taking a look at the website, it looks like the most relaxing and romantic dinner spot ever! Definitely on my list for when I go back!

To Drink.

Fado Irish Pub - 3 floors of non-top partying! Stop by the rooftop bar for a drink and some live music!
East Andrew’s -Upstairs bar is a very classy and exclusive nightclub.
Buckhead Saloon - Huge patio with weekend DJ! Country music and drinks!

Whiskey Blue - 125 floors up, on top of the W hotel in Buckhead, you'll find a swanky and breathtaking bar called Whiskey Blue. Have a whiskey drink, have a vodka drink, have a lager drink... okay, I'm distracted.

To Shop.

Perimeter Mall - Stores range from Fransesca’s to Nordstroms to American Eagle! Wide range of stores at all price levels!
Fab’Rik - Great boutique with amazing dresses and clothing for every occasion! Whether you’re looking for a great sweater wrap or cocktail dress…you’ll find it here!
Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza - Designer boutiques such as Hermes, Cartier and Kate Spade add a touch of glamour to any visit. Luxury retailers are found throughout Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany & Co.

Did I miss one of your favorite spots? Let me know! And stay tuned for more CCG :)

Everything But The Campfire

On my last night in Tennessee, I went to my best friend Danielle's house and she made a mean homemade lasagna [when she suggested lasagna, I seriously thought we would just do Stouffer's]. I'm super glad she made it herself because it was yummmo and it was with whole wheat noodles so it was healthier!

And then I came in the door with something not so healthy but oh so delicious: Baked. Smores. This is what it was supposed to look like:

And then then this is how mine looked:

Either way, they were a hit and they are even better the next day. I made an adjustment and made them in a smaller dish and did two layers of the chocolate and marshmallows.

The blogger who made hers used an 11 x 7 pan but I did 8 x 8 and I also really screwed up [see left side of picture]. I'm definitely not a perfectionist when it comes to baking. This was super fun to make and extremely easy! Also, people love it - I brought it to work and they are gobbling it up quick!

Grab the recipe from The Apron Gal here :)

Adios, Nashville!

Last night, some of my Nashville ladies came out to help me celebrate my big move [ahhh it's happening so soon!] I am so thankful for these ladies and I am going to miss everyone so much! 

We started with a bottle of champagne... I feel like 2012 is going to be my year so why not start celebrating now!

Love this :)

I am not going far and I'm going to a place where Tiki Bars are in walking distance! Bring it, people! XOXO

Crock Pot Mania!

One of my amazing Christmas gifts was [drumroll, pleaaaase]... A crockpot!!!

In my week home for Christmas, I made three meals in my sweet crockpot! I highly recommend all of them!

Hands down, most amazing comfort food ever. Get the recipe here.

Healthy Chicken & Brown Rice. My advice: follow the directions carefully. When I made it, the rice wasn't done. Check it out here.

This was delicious but the chicken fell apart so maybe don't cook it for the whole time. Here's the recipe :)

What are your favorite crockpot recipes?! Please share!!

Cajun Creole Cuisine

Let me tell you one thing Hattiesburg has not been good for... my waistline. I have eaten some amazing food here! If you ever end up in this strange city, you have to venture downtown. Even though the entire town was eerily deserted, we still had some fantastic food.

Brownstone's is a creole cajun restaurant [as many restaurants are in this area] but Brownstone's was absolutely incredible. We started with something that sounds scary but was so delish...

Fried Alligator! Suck it gator!!!

Not the best picture but omgaaah this might be in my top 5 of best meals ever. Filet with asparagus and loaded mashed potatoes. I die.

My coworker Kyle ordered Buttermilk Pie and it looked amazing [he doesn't let people eat his food so I can't say from personal experience. ALSO, he eats everything seperately, so he ate the pie first and then the ice cream... FREAK!]

Creme Brule anyone?? :)

Third Times a Charm!

This past weekend, I woke up on Sunday and decided, "Hey, I'm an hour from New Orleans, why not drive down there". Boy, was that a great decision. My coworkers had never experienced Nola's glory and I had been twice before [best trips ever, btw]. So, I drove us and let them experience everything while I stayed sober [I deserve some type of award, right?]

We got there at about 11:45am and walked around, to get every one's feet wet. My two coworkers had their chins on the floor for most of the day :)

I was hoping to find a great painting for my new place but no such luck :-/

New Orleans: before the LSWho and Bama fans woke up from a crazy Saturday night

St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square

Ohh heyyy Andrew Jackson.

This is a shot of one of my favorite places in New Orleans - Razzoo! Amazing drink specials and people watching. Do it!

I told my coworkers that they had to get hand grenades. They went with the small ones... amateurs.

This broad was so creepy! She kept winking at me!

I made sure my coworkers got a picture with the Huge Ass Beers sign. When you do this, make sure you pay da man.

Lots of LSU fans. Boooo! ;)

And look who I ran into.. some of my family!

Uncle Steve!!! We actually had plans to meet up and we had lunch at Acme Oysters... YUM

Some of the most amazing oysters I've ever had! Chargrilled with parmesan on top.

This is called Poo Pah. It's gumbo in a bread bowl and it's awesome.

The Roll Tide Gnome! He had a wild time in Nola.

P.S. My best trips [yes, plural] to Nola included this man....

Hahahah he's going to love seeing this picture that he probably never knew existed :)

Have you ever been to New Orleans? If not, what are you waiting for?!

Best BBQ in Hattiesburg... possibly the world

During my first trip to Hattiesburg, I was introduced to some of the most amazing barbeque I've ever had. And I've had some pretty good BBQ in my day, okay? I'm from Lexington, NC... BBQ capital of the world.. ya ever heard of it?? It's amazing. But I have to be a traitor and say that Leatha's Bar-b-que Inn might be the best in the land.

This is the sign when you pull in.

Might not look as good as it was but ohhmaahhgaaah.. so amazing. And that sauce was incredible.

Potato Salad. Amazing.

Pecan pie that I didn't order but was given... and then charged for?

This is on the front of the menu - sweet Leatha!

Featured in the Best of Mississippi... these were framed all over the place. I think it's safe to say they win something every year.

I only took a few pictures of the articles that I saw but I had to snap a pic of the article in Southern Living.. how cool!

Welp, who's hungry now? Don't go here unless you're PREPARED to be in a food induced coma for the rest of the day :)

Movin' on Up!

It's almost two weeks until I move to FL to live with my love. We have been talking about this for a while and it is finally happening! If that's not exciting enough, I haven't seen Gregg in almost 3 months... Needless to say, I am so pumped I could scream!

Since we found our dream rental in Florida, I've been daydreaming about cooking, baking, relaxing in my own place with ole GL, and something that's not my forte... decorating.

Although, I just discovered the IKEA catalog app for the iPad and the wheels are spinning! I am coming up with all of these ideas that Gregg is going to hate at first and then eventually love.. and he'll really love it because IKEA is so freakin' affordable!

Look how freakin' cheap that bed is on the right. It's not my dream bedframe but it'll do for what we've got going on.

This would be lovely... if I were in college or like living in New York or something. I don't think Gregg would be down for this!

I want mirrors EVERYWHERE. Yep, I'm that vain.

Ahhh hello organization!

The vase with the pretty purply pink flowers is $2.99. I want flowers everywhere! Again, Gregg isn't going to like this at first.

Cooking gear! I want need it all!

Gregg's mega desk

I love gray and I'm loving those curtains to the left!

What other sites should I be looking at for some design inspiration?!