dinner // cleaning // happy fall

For whatever reason weekends have been feeling long lately - in the best way possible. They've been crowded but cozy, busy but restful, and so happy. 

On Friday Phil and I went to Empire State South (bucket list #21) and I am not exaggerating when I say it might be my new favorite restaurant in Atlanta. 

Aside from the amazing view, atmosphere and food, they also have a bocce court. Yes. A bocce court. It's surrounded by adirondack chairs, which leads to the perfect feeling of intimacy and community among the table-waiting crowd. And quite possibly my favorite part was that they call their apps Snackies. 

Was this place made for me? 

If you're in Atlanta and haven't been, I highly recommend it. If you're not in Atlanta and haven't been, I highly recommend booking a flight. 


On Saturday, Katie and I deep cleaned our house. From floor scrubbing to porch sweeping - and everything in between - we wouldn't stop until the place was shining. We joked that we were a perfect and equally-anal cleaning pair, as we simultaneously chased single leaves around the front and side porches - just making sure every.last.one was gone. 

When we finished we opened up our windows to the beautiful fall day and breathed in the scent of fresh air and Lysol and let that feeling of control wash over us. It was blissful, is what I'm saying. :)


Saturday afternoon, I got to spend one baby second with Duke as he was catching a flight home to Indy. I tried to convince him to let me get in his suitcase so I could spend the weekend with my parents, too. But he didn't think that would work.

Saturday night, I worked at a benefit for Ian's Friends Foundation, which raises money for pediatric brain tumor research. Although I was sad to miss some Halloween party opps, it was an amazing benefit, especially when Ian - the little boy who has a tumor - got on stage to thank everyone. Halloween loving would have been nice, but this kind of loving wasn't bad, either. 


I hope you got a little celebrating in, and your weekend was spooktacular!

images via my instagram

atlanta bucket list, here we go...

Atlanta Bucket List

Atlanta is a city of transplants, natives being a rare breed. It leads to a widespread attitude of: I might leave Atlanta tomorrow. Or I might stay forever.

Which is exactly how I feel. Some days, I am in love with this city, and can imagine myself raising my family here, sweet little y’all saying babes. And other times, I think: what’s next? Where will my next adventure take me?

Regardless of how long I will be here, it’s high-time I put my bucket list into writing. So here we go. Every ATL must-do, for your partaking pleasure. I've already checked off a few long-standing bucket listers. But there are still quite a few to go.
Let's do this...

  1. Dahlonega to hike and wine taste
  2. Dogwood Festival ✓ done
  3. Grant Park Farmers’ Market ✓ done
  4. Braves Game ✓ done. a lot.
  5. Peachtree Road Race ✓ done, albeit a last minute decision and a bandit entry.
  6. Triathlon at Lake Lanier ✓ done
  7. Serenbe Farm for brunch and exploring ✓ done
  8. BBQ at Fat Matt’s done
  9. Breakfast at Ria's Bluebird ✓ done
  10. NASCAR at Atlanta Motor Speedway
  11. World of Coke Museum ✓ done
  12. Live music at Eddie’s Attic ✓ done
  13. Six Flags Over GA ✓ done
  14. Pizza and gelato at Antico ✓ done
  15. Go to the original Chik Fil A in Hapeville ✓ done - with this crazy broad - not even on purpose
  16. Fernbank ✓ done
  17. Night out at MJQ and El Bar ✓ done
  18. Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles
  19. 420 Fest ✓ done
  20. Live music at Northside Tavern (must be there for band's entrance) ✓ done
  21. Dinner&bocce at Empire State South ✓ done
  22. Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
  23. Explore the BeltLine ✓ done
  24. Bottomless wine night at Barcelona
  25. Atlanta Botanical Garden ✓ done
  26. Taste of Atlanta
  27. Atlanta Hawks game ✓ done
  28. Free Beer Friday at Diesel at 5:37
  29. Concert at Chastain ✓ done
  30. Concert at Aaron’s Amphitheater ✓ done (Jimmy Buffett, Toby Keith and Def Lepperd. Kind of an assortment...)
  31. Burgers at Ann’s Snack Bar
  32. Prohibition
  33. Drive in movie at Starlight
  34. Johnny’s Hideaway ✓done. but not until this weekend. how did i go that long without it?
  35. Blast 900 ✓done and was so sore.
  36. Go to a political debate at Manuel’s Tavern
  37. Atlanta Falcons game ✓ done
  38. Georgia Aquarium ✓ done
  39. Dad’s Garage
  40. Oyster Fest ✓ done!
  41. Volunteer at CHOA ✓ done
  42. Monster Truck Rally at the Georgia Dome ✓ done
  43. Sweetwater on a Friday afternoon ✓done
  44. When it Rains We Pour at Park Tavern ✓ done
  45. Explore ethnic restaurants on Buford Highway ✓ done
  46. Holeman + Finch burger ✓ done. good burger. not so good date.
  47. Karaoke on Buford Highway ✓ done
  48. The Goat Farm ✓ done
  49. Hike Stone Mountain ✓ done
  50. Shuffleboard at Twain’s ✓ done
  51. Tuesday nights at Star Bar
  52. Martinis & IMAX
  53. Picnic in Historic 4th Ward Park
  54. Eat at Vortex (Little Five Points) ✓ done
  55. Drinks at the Sun Dial ✓ done
  56. Rocky Horror Picture Show (in costume)
  57. Kayak the Chattahoochee at sunrise ✓ done
  58. Brunch at West Egg ✓ done and a major addiction
  59. Shoot the Hooch ✓ done. many times. (and will do many more times)
  60. Ride the Silver Comet Trail ✓done, while tri training
  61. Eat at Waffle House ✓ done, but only had chocolate milk. so did it count?
  62. W rooftop pool ✓ done
  63. Feed to duckies at Piedmont Park ✓ done
  64. Tailgate for Tech ✓ done
  65. Tailgate for UGA (I know. It’s a blog divided) ✓ done
  66. Brunch at Sun in my Belly ✓ done
  67. Decatur Farmers' Market ✓ done
  68. Ice skate at Park Tavern ✓ done
  69. Summerfest in the Highlands ✓ done
  70. Lunch at Mary Mac’s Tea Room ✓ done
  71. Go to Flip Burger, Farm Burger and Yeah! Burger (but not in one night) ✓ done, done and done
  72. Buy something at Paris on Ponce ✓ done
  73. Scott’s Antique Show ✓ done
  74. CNN Center
  75. Falafel King in Emory Village
  76. Zoo Atlanta ✓ done
  77. FlyWheel Atlanta ✓ done
  78. Coffee at Octane in Grant Park ✓ done
  79. Tour Oakland Cemetery
  80. Lucky Fest ✓ done
  81. Dinner at TOP FLR
  82. Jewelry making class at Brina Beads
  83. Drive and sip coffee down Tuxedo Road
  84. Games at Ormsby's ✓ done
  85. Helen, GA Oktoberfest ✓ done
  86. Hot&fresh doughnuts at Krispy Kreme
  87. Eat at One Midtown Kitchen and Two Urban Licks ✓ done and done
  88. Hummus plate at Cafe Agora ✓ done
  89. Pumpkin Carving Contest at P’cheen
  90. Screen on the Green 
  91. Thrashers game ✓ done
  92. Food Truck Park ✓ done
  93. King of Pops ✓done
  94. Fireworks at Lenox ✓ done
  95. Eat at the Varsity ✓ done
  96. Callaway Gardens
  97. Music Midtown
  98. Milkshakes at Woody's ✓ done 
  99. Yum Yum cupcake Truck ✓ done
  100. Souper Jenny ✓ done
  101. Piedmont Park Arts Fest ✓ done
  102. Café Jonah ✓ done
  103. Yacht Rock ✓ done and done
  104. PureBarre ✓ done
  105. Grocery shop at Your Dekalb Farmers' Market ✓ done
  106. Stone Mountain Laser Show
  107. Carryout from Little Bangkok ✓ done
  108. Governor's Mansion at Christmas
  109. A show at the Fox done
  110. Brew at the Zoo
  111. Atlanta History Center ✓done
  112. Hike Sweetwater Creek State Park
  113. Apple picking in north Georgia
  114. Christmas tree lighting at Lenox
  115. Fox Bro's BBQ ✓ done
  116. Tasting at Red Brick Brewery (formerly ABC) ✓done
  117. HIGH Museum
  118. Improv at Village Theatre
  119. The Glen Hotel Rooftop Bar
  120. Green Market at Piedmont Park ✓done
  121. Dinner at Watershed ✓done
  122. Juice the town: Arden's Garden, Juicy Jenny and Kale Me Crazy ✓ done
  123. High tea at Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party ✓ done
  124. Chomp & Stomp ✓ done
  125. Run in Lullwater Preserve ✓ done
  126. Drinks at Wrecking bar ✓ done
  127. Downtown Ferris Wheel ✓ done
  128. Dinner at an Underground Supper Club ✓ done, but really want to try PushStart, too. 
  129. Brunch at Murphy's ✓ done
  130. Spin the rock at the corner of 10th and Piedmont ✓ done
  131. Breakfast at Highland Bakery in Old Fourth Ward (must have sweet potato biscuit) ✓ done
  132. Chattahoochee Coffee Company ✓ done
  133. Explore the Bellwood Quarry ✓ done
  134. JCT Sunday Supper ✓ done
  135. Doughnuts at Sublime (strawberry shortcake for me!)
  136. Bottomless wine & cheese plate at Parish ✓ done
  137. Victory Sandwiches (+spiked slushies) ✓ done
  138. Games & Moscow Mule slushies at the Painted Pin ✓ done
  139. Grab a glass of wine and see a movie at Midtown Arts Cinema ✓ done
  140. Westside Provisions District crawl: dinner at JCT, dessert at Jeni's ice cream, games at Ormsby's and music at Northside Tavern ✓done
  141. Rooftop dinner at Six Feet Under 
  142. Dinner at Bartaco ✓ done
  143. Brunch at Buttermilk Kitchen ✓ done
  144. African food at 10 Degrees South
  145. Music at Blind Willie's ✓ done
What am I missing?

PS: A HUGE thank you to everyone who added to this list via comments and emails. I love that it is a work in progress and a compilation of the ideas of so many amazing people! Let me know what you try :)

hold on tight

I've never prescribed to the idea of organized chaos. In general (note: general meaning always) I prefer it all organized, and no chaos. 

However, while I thrive on a diet of order and routine, nothing stimulates me like a small change. Reorganizing a room. A quick house project. A new blog design. 

But here is where I struggle. When do you make changes in friendships? When do you let go? 

I'm a keep in touch addict, always trying to maintain long distance friendships from college, high school and beyond. Because I am so grateful for the friendships that have gotten me where I am today, and I care deeply where these friends end up.

But at some point, do you just have to let go? And realize there isn't enough time to be everything to everyone all the time? And that by letting things fall away, you make room for new things to blossom? Or for friendships that have stayed strong, and grown together for years, to continue to grow into something beautiful and new? 

It scares me. Very much. Because nothing warms my heart more than talking to someone for the first time in a while and realizing you never skipped a beat at all - that everything feels the same, and you can still connect deeply.

But maybe that's what makes it not scary at all. That in letting go, we're just giving a little bit of space to grow - not apart - but as individuals. And if, in fact, we do come back together down the line, we'll not only have more perspective to share, but will also be able to pick right back up where we left off.

I know it's not about forgetting. Certainly not. 

In fact, it might not fully be about letting go of people, either, but instead realizing that we are all moving, every day, in different directions. And sometimes, we may be heading a different direction than someone who was once by our side. While it's scary not to have them holding our hand, it's the chance to step back, watch one another grow, and be grateful for them getting us this far along. 

&we unplug


Oh week of unplugging, how I have been dreading you so.

When I first took on the challenge, I thought I deserved a pass on this week, because my job relies almost entirely on being online, many of my relationships are long distance, warranting lots calling and texting, and blogging helps me stay connected to those I love.

But then, last week I had a conversation that I can't seem to shake. A friend told me: you can tell what people care about based on how they spend their time.

And yes, I spend a lot of time on the phone, because I care oh so much about the loves in my life that are far away. And I care about my job. And I care about being connected.

But I also spend a lot of time Instagramming. And Tweeting. And sometimes a little Facebooking. I.e. I check Instagram when I get in bed, and when I wake up. And OK. When I walk to the bathroom at work. And at stoplights.

Yikes.

That's not necessary. I don't need to see every photo my friends put out into the universe, the minute it happens.

And maybe, if I stop filling every empty moment with thoughts and images from the lives of others, I will more easily get centered and find the peace that I am so dearly missing during this running&yoga hiatus.

So here's to a week ahead of less Gramming and Tweeting. And this time, seeing really is believing. So when you don't see my social mediaing, you better believe I'm doing it.

[image via my instagram. ironically enough.]