Snowpacalypse, Part Deux

The Snowman { Snowlady? } Saga continues.  Two mystery neighbors, whom I saw out the window from a distance today, brought a costume change for the Viking-Clad-Material-Girl and Bikini-Martini-Babe.  Girls, clearly you are fun.  Please come join our Bunko group!

Meet Snow White...

{ Get it?  Snow White?  Clever neighbors. }

And Alice in { Winter } Wonderland.

{ At least the cards on the skirt lead me to believe it's Alice. }

And then we took a field trip to CVS.  To pick up really important provisions { i.e., diet Coke }, since it's looking more and more like we'll be home again tomorrow and we're running low.  Guess whose idea it was to brave the weather in the car?

{ 10 and 2, buddy.  10 and 2. }

Oh yes.  I white-knuckled it the whole way.  And do you know what his response was when I asked if he was sure we wanted to do this?  "If your Dad can make it all the way to the airport, we can make it to CVS."  Gee, thanks, Jimmy Boy.  Thanks for setting a good example.

The hardest part was getting out of the neighborhood, but the main road was fairly decent.  Fairly.  I'm guessing this is because we only drove about a mile and that the one bridge we had to cross is so notoriously icy it was covered in like four inches of sand and salt.  When this mess freezes hard again tonight, any hope of a morning commute is toast.

Needless to say, we made it back safely and even got to see Taylor-Brawner park all snowy and beautiful.  The Snowpacalypse lives another day.

Snowpacalypse 2011

We missed the snow at Christmas because we were at my parents' house... but not to worry.  Jack Frost brought even more last night!  We went to bed to find big, fat flakes falling at an alarming rate.  And we woke to a email saying the office was closed because of the winter wonderland.  And good thing, too, because we'd have never gotten out.  Observe Exhibit A:

{ This is after ten minutes of trying to open the door to the deck because there were 6" of snow in the way. }

And at 4:00 this afternoon when we finally ventured out of the house, all of that nice, fluffy snow was covered in about a half inch of ice.  Observe Exhibit B.

Which, coincidentally, makes for some seriously craggy peaks when you walk. { Does the word "craggy" or any reference to the word "crag" remind anyone else of Nickelodeon GUTS?  No?  Okay.  Moving on then. }

On our afternoon expedition we came across a few other neighbors out and about.  There was sledding in a kiddie pool { and not just for the kiddies } ...

And of course you know Spencer was all about making some snowballs.

We also discovered that we have talented neighbors in coming across two hilarious snowmen.  One of which resembles some strange combination of Madonna and a Viking.  The other one is wearing a bikini and has a martini.  Please someone take credit for these!

My husband will tell you that the cool thing about ice is that it enables large pieces of snow on the bridge railing to stick together like a sword... and that they're fun to throw into the creek.

Even our cute little royal bulldog, who's under a covered porch, was blanketed in snow.

{ Alison, we LOVE him! We named him Rex. }

Given that the temperature isn't supposed to get above freezing for several days at least... we'll be home tomorrow, too.  Good think I fought the madness at Publix on Saturday!

Stay warm out there!

A Little Stay-cation...

Given that our Christmas Eve Eve included a trip to the emergency room and subsequent hospital admission, Spencer and I wanted to ring in the new year without a whole lot of hooplah.  We wanted it to be special, but definitely still low key and not break the bank.

{ On a side note, Spencer goes back to the doctor tomorrow and I think he's just about back to normal. No one told me that our first year of marriage would have so much medical drama! }

Back to NYE.  Enter William Shatner.

Now, I've always been kind of skeptical of Priceline.  But after a friend suggested we use it to snag a last-minute nice hotel room for NYE at an equally nice price... well, we didn't have much to loose.  And in the end we scored BIG!  Not only does Priceline let you name your own price, but it lets you narrow down the exact area of town you want to stay in.  So I was able to tell Mr. Shatner that we wanted Buckhead and Buckhead only { to avoid some of the older "four star" hotels downtown in need of renovation }... he definitely delivered.  We got a Wonderful Room at the W Buckhead for $250 less than the listed price!

{ Somehow I'd really never noticed this little gem nestled in bseide the Westin on Peachtree. }

The hotel was exactly what we wanted.  Small enough to not feel crowded, and Market by Jean-Georges downstairs would have made for a draw in and of itself.  So in this case it made for a stellar and unbelievably convenient NYE dinner.  They had a prix fixe menu especially for the occasion, but it was a whopping five courses so we decided to go with the standard dinner menu instead.

The food was fantastic.  Spencer had a NY Strip and I ordered their existing prix fixe dinner with Parmesan Crusted Free-Range Chicken.  We'd highly recommend both entrees, and I loved that my meal had wine pairings matched with each course for $12.  But by far, the standout of the night for us was the Cheesecake with Sour Cherry Sorbet.  Ohmyword.  So good.  Plus, the service was excellent.  Attentive without being overbearing.  And that's a hard balance to strike.

{ Seriously.  Get the cheesecake. }

So if you're ever looking to spend a fun night in town and away from home... we definitely say that Priceline is the way to go.  We got dinner, valet parking and the room for $75 less that what we'd have payed for just the room if we'd booked on the W's website.  And if you're ever looking for a fabulous dinner with great service that isn't fussy?  We say Market by Jean-Georges fits the bill.  A hidden gem!

And in other news... the W stocks their rooms with Bliss spa products.  And I'm officially obsessed with the Lemon + Sage Body Butter and the bumpy little "soap slab".

{ It's like sunshine in a squeeze bottle. }

Cheesecake and beauty products.  No wonder I loved this place!

There's a first time for everything.

Not gonna lie, I love me a cheeseburger.  Usually of the turkey variety, but occasionally beef. { Don't tell the Chick-fil-A cows. }

Earlier this month on my trip to the Pacific northwest, I had the opportunity to eat at Burgerville.   It's a pretty unique concept.  Their motto is simple { Fresh.  Local.  Sustainable. } and their menu is stellar.

With choices like their classic Tillamook Cheeseburger, the Echo Mountain Blue Burger, a Wild Smoked Salmon & Hazelnut Salad, and a Rosemary Chicken Sandwich... I had a hard time making up my mind.  Sweet Potato Fries were a no-brainer, but the entree selection was more difficult.  Beef?  Turkey?  Chicken?  Veggie?  { Wait.  I'm sorry.  Veggie?!? }

Now, I am not a veggie burger eater.  They look so processed and I've always thought it was something I wouldn't like.  Up there with things like sweetbread and escargot.  But then again I didn't think I'd like guacamole, and it rocked my world the day I tried it.

{ Yes, veggie! }

{ Click to enlarge }

So... I went for it.  They have two bean options and I chose the  Yukon & White Bean Basil Burger with Tillamook cheddar cheese.  It was delicious!  As were the sweet potato fries and the fresh, hand-spun Pumpkin Milkshake I split with Amy.  Their seasonal menu changes unbelievably frequently, with some items only being available for a few short weeks while a key ingredient is at season's peak!

One more surprise was in store, though.  Burgerville uses a system called Nutricate to print the nutrition information for the exact meal that you ordered on your receipt.  Granted, the bean burger and the sweet potato fries weren't as healthy as I had hoped, and it would've been nice to see the calorie count before placing my order, but the functionality is still pretty cool!

If you're ever the Oregon/Washington area, check out one of their nearly 40 locations.  And maybe give the Yukon & White Bean Basil Burger a try!

Give a Little, Save a Lot!

When a stellar opportunity for saving comes along, I feel the need to share it.  Especially when said opportunity benefits an awesome cause in the process.

Enter the Camp Twin Lakes Partners Card!

For $60 you can get 20% off at more than 500 Atlanta area restaurants and shops from October 22-31, all while benefitting the kids at Camp Twin Lakes.  CTL is a state-wide network of camps for children with serious illness, disabilities and challenges.  I went on a retreat at their facility near Athens, and it is clear that the work they do is very impactful for these children.

But back to the card.  Some of my personal favorite opportunities to save include:

• Anthropologie
• J. Crew
• Pottery Barn
• Williams-Sonoma
• Paper Affair
• Ginger Howard Selections
• Atlanta Fish Market
• Bisto Niko

... and the list goes on!  Hey, Christmas is coming.  You'd better believe that I'm going to be putting this bad boy to good use.

This may be just the push I need to finally put our Pottery Barn gift cards from the wedding towards the Garrett Glass Cabinet I've been drooling over for months.

Vera Wang china, don't you get comfortable in that linen closet.  Soon you may have a new home!

Smoky Mountain Weekend

Spencer and I just got back from a much needed weekend away.  We spent Friday through Monday here.  If you're ever looking for a place to rent in the Smoky Mountains, we highly recommend Blacklab Properties!

The place was immaculate and fully equipped. { There was even a salad spinner in the cupboard.  Which, of course, means I brought my own, but still! } Plus, the folks in the management office were wonderfully helpful when we locked ourselves out without a wallet, phone or car keys a mere 15 minutes after unloading the car. : )

The illustrious Maude { aka my sister } gave us a Flip video camera as a wedding gift.  We took in on our honeymoon, but neglected to charge it before we left so it didn't last long.  So, I took this trip as a chance to put it to good use.  Enjoy!

{ Music by Alabama, of course }

Seattle In A Few Thousand Words

Long time no post!  It's been a crazy week, but it was a good one filled with new experiences.  My first visit to the Pacific Northwest was picture perfect.  Not a drop of rain in sight.

Eleven people in one really large white van.  I ate my first meatless burger at Burgerville { cool place; more on that later }, met with a few folks from Starbucks, explored Pikes Place Market, took a trip to the nation's largest single dedicated yard waste composting facility and a made a visit to the Cascade Recycling Center to see what happens to the stuff in your blue bin after it leaves the curb.

So here's the week in { 15,000 words }.  Well, at least the pretty parts.  I'll spare you the waste diversion photos.  Overall, though, not too shabby for a point-n-shoot if you ask me!

{ The SBUX HQ.  Every bit as cool as you think it would be.  But alas, no photos allowed inside. }

{ Pikes Place Market.  Can we please get one of these in Atlanta?  I could LIVE here. }

{ The first SBUX, at Pikes Place Market.  Pretty sure I drank more coffee this week than I have in my entire life combined. }

{ These people are not kidding about throwing fish.  Watch out! }

{ I was about to pick one of these up for a cute picture when the girl beside me did it, and the little booger pinched her hand.  I'll pass. }

{ Rows and rows of the most beautiful dahlias.  These bouquets were seriously only five bucks! }

{ Home of the "World's Best" Macaroni & Cheese.  They aren't kidding.  And it isn't even macaroni! It's penne.  Whatever.  I don't discriminate when cheese is involved. }

{ The white stuff?  Curds.  As in, "curds and whey."  Who knew? }

{ J. Ashley, this one's for you! I may have very well sampled every single one.  No shame. }

{ We ate lunch at a cute little cafe called The Pink Door. }

{ See?  Not a rain cloud in sight! }

{ "Black Sun" by Isamu Noguchi in Volunteer Park. }



{ I took about a zillion pictures of the Space Needle, but this one through the eye of "Black Sun" is one of my favorites. }



{ Another of the Space Needle. Also taken from Volunteer Park. }

{ Seattle seen from dinner at Salty's across the lake.  Or the sound.  Or whatever it's called. }

 Have a wonderful weekend!