The Extras I Miss Most

Being on a budget, I have had to cut back on some things -- the little "extras" that I really wish I could have back. Grande Nonfat Chais a few times a week. Random shopping trips to Target. Hitting up the Nine West Outlet each season. Martinis out on the weekends. Even silly things like driving in to work instead of riding MARTA and paying the daily rate without a parking pass.

Hands down, though, the "extra" that I miss most is the weekly manicure and bi-monthly pedicure I used to be able to treat myself. Living at home, I had much more expendable income, and kept up the polish on my fingers and toes like you wouldn't believe. The girls at the nail salon would ask where I'd been if I missed a week -- that's how routine a customer I was. It was a perfect end to a day after work, sitting down and being pampered.

Have you been able to keep up with all of the coupon sites out there? I haven't. I won't lie. As much of a fan as I am of saving money, menu planning, and coupon clipping, I just can't seem to keep up with the deals. I have gotten a ton of deals from ScoutMob that just sit in my Blackberry, waiting to be used. I have a handful of coupons from Restaurant.com that I really want to use but always seem to forget about at the last minute. Like last night -- we wanted to go out to eat, and I didn't even think to consider any of the places I had discounts for already. Duh.

Today, I am passing on yet another coupon site to you, but it's because today's deal struck a cord with me, and I think it might sound fab to some of you ladies, too. Thanks Bela and Sarah for sending this one, it's perfect!

It's a mani/pedi deal for $20 at a Buckhead salon. In fact, it's actually only $15 if you haven't signed up on LivingSocial before. Use the link below -- I apparently get more DealBucks if you do! You can also get more DealBucks if you send along a link to your friends. It seems like a nice little deal for all involved :)

https://livingsocial.com/deals/1143?ref=conf-jp&rpi=128310

A mani/pedi for only $15 is something that I am SO excited to treat myself to. The gunmetal gray polish, while rocker-chic for the winter, is now looking dull in the warm weather. I need some hot pink, and now I can have it, just in time for flip-flop weather and my Easter dress! Enjoy!

XOXO
Katherine

Hit the Coast on West Paces

I heard rumor of this a week or two ago, but then yesterday I got notice again from Here 2 Serve that their latest restaurant is opening here in town, Coast.

Earlier this year, H2S opened Cantina, which, from what I have heard, is a blast and has very good food. Some of my neighbors swear by it as their new favorite neighborhood Mexican joint. I haven't been there, so I can't vouch for that yet, but something tells me it's probably more Rio Grande than Pancho's in terms of authentic Mexican food :P But hey, if it's tasty and (likely) affordable, why not!

Regardless, the first I heard about this next new place Coast was that it was taking over "the old place of Home." Wait, what? Home is awesome! Why would they close it? The one time I was there, and all others when I drove by, it seemed to be crowded with the West Paces Buckhead crowd. And I can believe it's prime location by The St. Regis was only helping. I can also say that it was at Home where I had, hands down, some of the best salmon I've ever had. And I don't even usually like salmon very much!

The website is unclear as to where Coast will be other than an address, and says nothing about Home closing. But when I mapped it, sure enough, Coast appears to be taking over Home's location. Sad days!

The new menu looks great though, and quite affordable -- seafood is obviously a strong factor, as it is in other H2S restaurants. It should be a fun place to continue to dine al fresco on the front porch for this upcoming warm spring weather. It opens Thursday, and I will be looking forward to trying it out!

What is your favorite H2S restaurant?

Every Week is a New Week

Do you watch The Biggest Loser?

I am a recent addict to the show. I watched an episode or two in the past, but something about this season has just hooked me in. Maybe it's because I am trying really hard to lose those last few pounds. Or maybe this was just the Spring where I wanted some extra motivation with a healthy life in general, and there is no doubt, the contestants on The Biggest Loser are incredibly inspiring. One of them literally has lost (in pounds) the equivalent of a size 8 woman. It is ridiculous.

Granted, these contestants are also in an atmosphere where all they do is workout and train their bodies. For the first 8 or so episodes, they did not have to go to work, socialize with friends, or take care of a family. They don't have to menu plan or stick to a budget with their foods.

Starting in the last few weeks, though, the show started shifting them back into regular life. They had to go work at a food bank for 8 hours each day, then fit in their normal workouts afterward. They spent a week at home with family and friends, and had to pick healthy food and drink choices despite their old habits. It was great to see the amount of success they all had back in the real world -- the healthy lifestyle concept is really sticking with them.

I have been on the WW bandwagon since Jan. 4, and I am so excited for where I am right now with it. But I am not going to lie, it's been a road of ups and downs. Some weeks I rock it. I stick to healthier choices, hit the gym a lot, and lose a few pounds. Other weeks (last week, ugh) I go out to too many social engagements, have too many drinks and fantastic meals out on the town, and don't lose anything or gain a pound (plus spend way more money than usual to boot). It's very frustrating. My body likes where it has been all these years, and so unless I can jolt it out of it's norm, it will happily just stay where it is.

I know where I want to be in a few months, and I can SEE it right there -- it is attainable. I also trust my sense of picking the healthiest options and really changing my lifestyle, rather than being "on a diet." So this week, it's game-on again. I have some good workouts planned, and I already stepped it up from last week and not only went grocery shopping (yay), but made soup for the week too.

This is another recipe I am trying this week, and wanted to pass it along since it is not only healthy, but very cheap to make, too. I am going to add a few cloves of garlic and some hot sauce to the mixture to kick it up a notch, and am going to serve them on those new Bagel Thins that I have heard are amazing.

It's the start of a new week. What is motivating you this week?

Veggie Burgers
Serves 4; 2 WW points per patty

1/4 c. each: minced onion, green pepper, carrot, celery
2/3 c. drained canned cannellini beans
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 c. Italian bread crumbs

In a nonstick skillet, heat a small amount of oil. Add onion, pepper, carrot, celery; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft. Set aside.

Using a fork, mash beans in a medium mixing bowl; stir in egg. Add breadcrumbs and veggies. Mix until thoroughly combined. Shape mixture into 4 equal patties. Set patties on plate, cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

In same skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of oil. Add 2 patties; cook over medium heat, turning once, until browned on both sides. Repeat with another teaspoon of oil and 2 patties.

Serve with buns, tomato, and lettuce, or whatever toppings you like on burgers.

Thank You, Ma'am

It doesn't matter if you are a WASP, a Betty, or a Junior Leaguer. If you are a girl in the South, you were raised with a certain level of manners, or have picked them up as you grew up. You give up your seat on the train for an elderly woman. You hold open doors for people coming in behind you. You write thank-you notes and bring hostess gifts. You say "please" and "thank you," and "ma'am" and "sir." Country-wide, America is a very polite nation. But I think this is especially true in the South.

I actually spent the entirety of my childhood in a cozy suburb of Richmond, VA. Richmond is a fun little town steeped in the traditions and culture of the Old South. We are talking bronze monuments of famous soldiers lining the streets, and Revolutionary War cannons on the grounds by the airport. Now that I am a grown gal, I actually would like to head back there and explore what I have heard are adorable little parts of downtown Old Richmond for the shops and restaurants. Tea sandwiches and iced tea? Yes, please.

Part of growing up in Richmond meant going to Cotillion. I'm not really sure if this is a tradition in the Atlanta area, as I haven't heard too much about it from friends. But in Richmond, everyone went, and not just the debutantes and their dates. 5th graders got all dressed up on a weekend night; the boys put on their sports coats and ties, the girls put on their little white (required) gloves. And we learned how to dance the waltz and the salsa. We learned how to eat at a proper formal dinner and which fork was which. Boys learned how to pull out chairs and open doors, and girls learned how to properly accept an invitation to dance, including a curtsy. At the end of the season, parents were invited to share in the evening with us, so that we could show off our new social skills.

Ok, I admit it. I was (am) a sucker for this stuff. I LOVED it. I already love getting all girly and dressed up, but add in ballroom dancing and yuppy formal dining? Sigh. It forced girls and boys to hang out despite the cooties and realize that acting grown-up could be quite fun.

This morning, I encountered a woman whom I am pretty sure never had a manners lesson from anyone in her life. It was a little thing about cutting people in line at a restaurant, but it spoke volumes about her as a person, just from that brief encounter. I feel that the most successful people in life are gracious and considerate. It applies everywhere -- at a job, at home with family, on the street with strangers. Everyday niceties make a difference.

If you had to pick one thing, what is your manners pet-peeve? What's one etiquette thing you learned that you have never forgotten?

PS. If you are like me and are addicted to the Etiquette columns in the paper, you will like the fun weekly column my friend The Broke Socialite does, Modern Manners. These things really just make you think!

Nothing to Eat, but All You Can Eat

This is going to be a very random post. Just all sorts of thoughts in my head today!

First of all, this is the second day where I have absolutely FAILED at packing my lunch. I have brought a "lunch" each day, yes, but its pathetic and not at all inspiring to eat. Which means that by 2pm, I am going to be heading downstairs to buy some sort of granola bar or something to add to it. WW or not, I really need to do a better job at planning my lunches, and all the time. A Zone bar or a Slimfast shake plus a yogurt and apple does not a well-rounded and exciting lunch make. Fail, Katherine.

What are your go-to lunches for weeks like this when you feel lazy? I need some better stand-by options.

Second - Two Urban Licks announced today they are doing a few more editions of the All You Can Eat promotion that I blogged about a few weeks ago. We went to the lamb one last month and it was amazing. You sit down family style at long tables, they bring you your choice of the house beer or wine (and then they leave the bottle, score), and then almost immediately they start bringing out these massive platters of an appetizer, followed by the main course. And then they repeat. Because it's all-you-can-eat, of course. The BBQ one looks fantastic for next month. If you haven't gone yet, I highly recommend it. You can't beat the $21 price for what you get, and it's a really comfy Sunday night meal.

Third - Chicks in Atlanta started following me on Twitter yesterday. I had never heard of them before, so I clicked through to their site, and it seems to be a pretty big social circuit in town. It reminds me of our PR Girls Group, but times 100 in size. They are having their next function at Lenox Grill Wednesday in honor of their two year anniversary. Something worth considering, especially if you are looking to expand your gal's group, or if you are looking to network for your job.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Faux Empty Nesters

On Sunday, the NYT had a great little article about how more and more young adults today are moving back in with their parents. Remember back when it was considered kind of uncool to move home after graduation? You are what, 22 or 23 or so, and God forbid that you live at home with Mom and Dad again. You are supposed to be an adult. Ready, set, go succeed.

I am so glad those days are over.

When I graduated, I was lucky enough to be able to move home to live with my parents in Roswell, GA. Roswell is about 25 minutes North of downtown Atlanta, and just 15 or so from the Buckhead area. In other words, it wasn't far from my job and my friends, and made for a perfect place for me to hunker down and save some serious money. I had a new job, no debt, and just wanted to save money to buy my own place. My other friends living at home had similar missions - paying off student loans, saving for a new car, unsure of their next career moves, etc.

Granted, not everything was easy. Dating, for one, was challenging. "Thanks for taking me out tonight. Do you want to come in and ... sit in my parent's living room?" (Ack). And my parents and I worked out a system so they wouldn't worry if I was out later than usual with friends (I would call with my evening plans ahead of time).

But when I look back on those 16 months I lived at home, I hold no bad memories. I really did love it. My parents are fun and I really enjoyed being an adult at home with them again - I felt like I was able to become their friend in addition to their daughter. There's nothing quite like coming home to the comforts of your family home. And oh my goodness, I was able to save for my condo's down payment in no time.

Did you move home after you graduated, or did/will at some other point in your life? How did you work out arrangements with your family?

Come Sail Away with Me

This morning, I got to work early. And I caved, and did something that I have been debating about for weeks. Months, even. Ok, I will not lie, I have been jonesing for this for about a year.



I booked a cruise.

Oh Lord help me. I LOVE cruises.

Let me back up a second. Why was I debating about this so much, if I love them so much?

Budget. Oh yes, that word again. Sadly, vacations and budgets don't really go hand in hand. The only vacations I have taken in recent time have been to NYC, and I have been lucky enough to stay with family for part or all of the time. Hotels, dinners on the town, and flights can just be ridiculously expensive for someone like me watching their pennies and paying off a mortgage. It always worked out though - I love getting to visit with family AND be on vacation.

But cruises fall into a special category called ALL-INCLUSIVE. Drive yourself to the port, stay one night prior in a cheapo hotel (or motel. But after that one unfortunate time of me sleep-walking and opening the front door to the outside at 2AM, I am wary of staying in open-air places, even if they are ueber cheap...), and then get on a ship and sail off for a week. You can sunbathe all day, karaoke, ride on the slide, watch a show, be pampered, eat amazing 5-star meals, and then at the end, fall into this most amazing bed with Westin-ish bedding. Each day, you get off the ship onto a new island, do fun things all day, then come back aboard for cocktail hour. And you already paid for it. Amazing.



Some of you may wonder about the extras. It's not all-inclusive if you factor in excursions on each island, or the alcohol, or the hotel beforehand, true. But, its budget-able. In a city somewhere, the dinners and shows add up, and hotel costs fluctuate from street to street. You can end up thinking too much about how much you are spending rather than just enjoying the trip.



On a cruise, you can pretty more or less double the booking cost, and that is the total max price you will pay for the entire thing, and many times, less. Hotel, drinks, excursions, gas, tip, everything. And from my experience, it is way less than any other vacation. I love the beach. But I could never get close to this much for this price for your standard beach vacation. And this way, we get to go to so many places, instead of just one beach! Maximum bang for your (budgeted) buck.

Have you been on a cruise? Where did you go? What do you like or dislike about cruises?

Mexican on the Cheap

This is a quickie post today, but so is the recipe, so it works out :)

Do you like refried beans? If so, you are going to really enjoy this soup. I don't even remember where I got it -- maybe out of a WW booklet somewhere? -- but I wrote it down because I LOVE refried beans. This is incredibly easy to make, and costs next to nothing because you can buy store-brand for all the canned goods. It's a wonderful lunch or snack, and makes an easy dinner with the addition of a cheesy quesadilla and a salad. Enjoy!

Refried Bean Soup
Makes 8 servings, 1c. each
WW points: 1 cup = 1 point

1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. olive oil
1 14-oz can vegetable broth
2 14-oz can stewed tomatoes, Mexi-style
1 can of Rotel
1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 16-oz can fat free refried beans
1/2 teaspoon cumin

In a Dutch oven, saute the onion and garlic in oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer 15-30 minutes before serving.

Great Finds at Pier 1

Last night, as I was driving home with my new pair of nighttime driving glasses (I am getting old and blind, apparently), I took a spur-of-the-moment detour into Pier 1 before stopping at Publix. I am SUCH a Pier 1 addict, and I saw a bunch of things I wanted to share with you in case you haven't gone deal-shopping there recently. They have some amazing finds, especially if you are willing to look.

Note: These are all camera phone shots. I was in the moment and didn't have a real camera with me, sorry :)

First up, their stemware. This display is usually right up front with a variety of styles. My favorite, though, are these, mostly because holy cow, they are only $2.50 a piece. Compared to the lightweight kind that I have from IKEA, these sturdier, more masculine glasses are much more durable. Confession: I have totally gifted these to men who needed wine glasses for when people (ok, me) came over that wanted to drink wine :P




Can you believe these mini ramekins are only $1/each? Adorable. Perfect for mini creme brulee.



So cute - these nested ceramic measuring cups reminded me of a post I saw on one of my fav blogs, Marriage Confessions. These ones were on sale for $11.95.



The red sale tags at Pier 1 right now are insane. They are everywhere! Check out these cute Flour containers for $5.98. They also have Sugar and Cookie ones.



Note to self: Don't attempt to find good tablecloths and placemats anywhere else again. This section is HUGE and oh so affordable to supply the next dinner party you want to throw.



And then this one is just random. At the back of Pier 1, they have a great assortment of (affordable) creative art. This reminded me of my green bedroom theme, so it caught my eye. Very cool and only $50.



Do you shop at Pier 1? What bargains have you found there that you loved?

Some Love from Shop It To Me

I am very excited. Some time ago, I was contacted out of the blue by one of my favorite go-to shopping sites, Shop It To Me. I have posted about them before -- if you like getting online shopping deals, definitely sign up for their email shopping assistant. You pick out your favorite brands, set price search terms, and then get email alerts for the best sales happening. So easy and so budget-friendly.

On their site, Shop It To Me maintains a list of bloggers they call "trendsetters" -- their favorite blogs about fashion, shopping, and "other trendy topics." I actually have found some great new people to follow through this list, like this cool girl working her closet to incorporate the latest fashion trends (more on her later this week, she is awesome).

So you can imagine, I was very excited when they asked me to join their list! As of today, I am one of their newest Trendsetters, and have a cool little badge on the left down there to show for it. Hooray! Thanks!

I hope you have fun "shopping" through their site, and checking out the other Trendsetters. Let me know if you find any blogs to follow that seem awesome, because I'd love to check them out, too.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Slainte!

Lasagna with a Vegetarian Twist

First, can I say that I really, really adore my readers. You all rock. I have found that when you write a blog, sometimes you wonder if anyone is reading it. If anyone cares about that random post you did last Thursday and just talked about fun, silly things. If the readers want constant info and if you don't post for one day, will they all abandon you?

I have also found out, though, that when I think those things, I am being silly. Countless times, you all have mentioned to me in passing that you enjoyed post X, Y, or Z and how you feel about that topic, too. I love it! That's exactly why I write it - to get the discussion going. So I promise to not get antsy, worrying about nonsense things, if you promise to keep reading and (hopefully) enjoying :)

On to today's post - I could not NOT post this recipe. While I may be 100% Irish, I am also a Northern Jersey gal by blood and birth. Thus, Italian food holds a special place in my heart. Right up there with Mexican. Ok, I do not know how to explain that one with any proof like bloodline, but whatever. Italian makes this girl very, very happy.

Italian and WW don't always mix very well, though. My favorite, Eggplant Rolletini, is chock-full of cheese, with more cheese baked on top. I now save that kind of meal for special occasions, and have found some great everyday Italian to put in its place. This recipe is one of them. I just made this on Friday and had it for lunch again today. Absolute fabulousness.

Italian Vegetable, Raisin, and Pine Nut Lasagna
Adapted by KM from WW
Serves 8; WW points per serving: 6

1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups fat-free evaporated milk
2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
12 dry lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
2 yellow squash, sliced thin
2 zucchini, sliced thin
1 container sliced baby portabella mushrooms, rinsed
2 cups fresh spinach, rinsed
1 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
3/4 cups golden raisins
2 Tbsp pine nuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°F.

While cooking the pasta, prep the vegetables: Put squash, zucchini, and mushrooms into a pan over medium heat with a little olive oil. Cover and stir occasionally, until vegetables are cooked. Add spinach and toss so that spinach wilts from the heat.

Make the sauce: Place flour in a small saucepan and very gradually whisk in milk and garlic. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until sauce simmers and is thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Assemble the lasagna: Spread 1/4 cup of cheese sauce over bottom of a 9x13 glass or metal pan and cover with 3 lasagna noodles; top with 1/3 of veggies and 1/2 cup of cheese sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of raisins. Cover with 3 more lasagna noodles and spread with 1/3 of remaining vegetables and 1/2 cup of cheese sauce; sprinkle with 1/4 cup of raisins. Cover with 3 more lasagna noodles and top with remaining vegetables and raisins; cover with last 3 lasagna noodles, pressing sheets firmly down. Top with remaining cheese sauce; sprinkle with pine nuts and remaining mozzarella.

Bake until lasagna bubbles around edges and is browned on top, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Great with a side salad and crusty bread.

Slainte!

Anyone that knows me well, knows that St. Patrick's Day is my second-favorite holiday. Christmas takes the top spot, with the birthday connection two days prior, the music, the lights, and all the festivities. I am one of those obnoxious people that is totally ok with Christmas music being on the radio before Thanksgiving, and when the decor shows up in stores in September :P

But during the regular calendar year, while I love ALL holidays (and decorate for all of them!), St. Patrick's is a blood thing for me. I am a third-generation Irish American on my Mom's side, and have only one great-grandparent that is NOT of Irish descent. Hello, fair skin, freckles, and blue eyes! Ireland is at the very top of my to-do list for travel in the near future.

So when it gets to March each year, I can't help but get excited to plan for 3/17. I've been heading out in Buckhead on this night for as long as I can remember. Some were higher-end nights (2008 when we helped re-open the new Fado and it was VIP only, so fun!), others were a bit more chaotic (2005 when we jumped the fence (Sigh. Yes. Have done that. Pathetic.) at Peachtree Tavern, of all places, to drink some cheap green beer). But always, I am in green, having a beer, and enjoying the company of friends.

This year, however, our crowd is (thankfully) sick of the over-priced scene. Between all the holidays like Halloween and Cinco de Mayo, we are tired of paying a pricey cover just to get into an over-crowded bar, and then paying upwards of $7 for a beer. Plus more for food. And more for cab fare. What a mess.

So this year, we are staying in. My brother and I are cooking up the full Irish feast - corned beef, carrots, red potatoes, and Irish soda bread. Lots of butter and salt and green beer. People are bringing some cash for the food, and then whatever beer they want. It will be low-key, full of our own green-festiveness and my fav Pandora Irish music channel. And you know what? I am more excited for this than I usually am for the bar!

What are your plans for the holiday? Has the economy shifted how you plan for these nights at all?

PS. Slainte: pronounced "Slan-cha." Means "health." A common Irish toast - use it at your house on Wednesday!

Tow-Away Zone!

The day has arrived. It really is no big surprise, we knew it was coming. But now that it is here, it's frustrating. My fabulous high-rise condo has decided to start restricting street parking. Sigh.

When I moved into the condo, I was (and still am!) thrilled with all of the "extras." A valet. A 24/7 concierge. A huge amenities deck. Walking distance to stores and restaurants. Walking distance to sMARTA. Life in the city is good!

The downside: we live in the city. Most high rises have limited parking for visitors. I knew this, and took it in stride. Imagine if I lived in NYC. There is zero parking there! So with the few large parties I have thrown, I have encouraged people to carpool, or take MARTA. The valet can park a few extras, but you never know who else in the building might be hosting a blowout on the same night. There has always been somewhere for people to cram their cars in. So far, so good.

Well, apparently the City of Atlanta has gotten involved. Street parking is no longer considered ok, and they are going to put up those sad "No Parking" signs. Tear. That means, I may have to ask people to pony up some dollars in the future so that I can pay off the valet to park them all in overflow lots nearby. You all have been warned. Sorry :(

On a slightly related note, I walked to the store the other night, rather than drive. It was wonderful! I forget how close these places are to my home, and how spoiled I am. I had some extra time, and it was a great way to get in a little bonus exercise.

But the weird thing is, no one walks anywhere in Atlanta. Whether we live in town or in the suburbs, it's likely that there are sidewalks, and that a grocery store or pharmacy is within one mile of our front door. But do we walk? Rarely. And what a shame! This time of year is when it's fantastic to be outdoors, and if we were in NYC, we'd laugh at ourselves if we attempted to get our cars out of their coveted spaces and drive. I don't walk when I have to pick up a week's worth of groceries, but what about when you just need that one item? Why not?

So I challenge all of you - walk somewhere this weekend, instead of drive. It's so refreshing. And in any case, you may need to apparently walk to my place in the future, since there literally may be nowhere to park ;)

Happy Weekend!

Password, Please

Last Fall, Gossip Girl (LOVE!) main character Chuck Bass (LOVE!!!) opened up his very own prohibition-style speakeasy right off the streets of Manhattan. Everything was glamorous and secretive, and of course all of the main characters were on the guest list for the big opening night. The place got crashed by the police at the end of the episode, but that helped launch it into true urban myth, because they decided to keep it open on the down-low after that, giving access only to the most worthy.



Here in Atlanta, we had a similar joint open in Buckhead in December, aptly named Prohibition. It's located in the back of East Andrews, and you can only get in by dialing a special code into an old-school London phone booth. Then (apparently) the wall opens in the booth to let you inside, or they give you directions to the entrance, or something. Drinks are all old-fashioned too, and word is that you can choose what you want from big leather-bound books. Cigars abound, and I can only imagine how swank the interior decorating is.



I won't lie. I really want to go here. I want to see what it looks like! But, of course, none of my friends have gotten the hook up, except one, and he won't reveal his source (ugh). Places like this love that we hate them because they are so exclusive, yet we all want to become members - it's the perfect combination for high buzz. But how will they keep the buzz going, if none of us can get in to spread the word? And I don't care if other cities think these types of places are "so last year." ATL hasn't really had them before, so they are still new and cool to us!

Prohibition or friends of Prohibition, if you read this, help a gal out. I won't spread the secret, but definitely will enjoy becoming one of your secret members :)

Look Like the Runway for Less

I can't wait - at the end of May, our big Sex and the City 2 party will be here! Cosmopolitans, cocktail dresses, and lots of fun with the ladies will be on the agenda for the night. And obviously, the movie itself. SATC1 was so fantastic, so I can only imagine how fun the second one will be.

Note to self: start planning this soon, ha! Contemplating different locations for the pre-party... And maybe a more organized after party this time?? If you'd like to be on the guest list, add your name and email to the comments!

I don't know of a more perfect way to celebrate the fab four on the big screen than by wearing some fantastic threads, but who has the money to splurge on a pricey designer cocktail dress that we might only wear once, maybe twice? Not I!

Well, thanks to my friend Hannah, I discovered this fabulous site this morning called Rent the Runway, and it could not have been more timely. The site works like the Bag Borrow or Steal site, where you can rent designer labels for cheap, for 4 or 8 days at a time. Perfect for those random occasions like a wedding, a holiday party, or your birthday night on the town. They even let you sort the dresses by occasion, color, and designer, and send you two sizes of the same dress for the price of just one, just in case. 

I love, love, love this Angel Sanchez number. It retails for a huge $3500, but you can rent it for $350. How adorable and swank. I love little dresses with puffy skirts!



This one is perfect for SATC2 (on my mental checklist, actually) - hot and mini, just like what Samantha would wear. In fact, I feel like I have seen a similar one on her in some episode...  It rents for only $50, retails at $360.



Boasting big designer names like Helmut Lang, Christian Siriano, Diane von Furstenburg, and Alice + Olive, this site has a huge assortment of fantastic dresses for your choosing. It's wait-list only, so let me know if you would like an invite, and I'd love to send you one! Thanks Hannah for passing it along!!

Books for Some Light Reading

As you may know, I ride MARTA into work each day. I planned this when I bought the condo, since I work downtown and driving on the Connector each day would make me insane. The train is pretty cost-effective, and I can zone out and do other things instead of drive. Plus the walk to/from the train is bonus exercise.

Most days on the train are ok; others are ... "interesting." Homeless men with long tirades about how they just got out of jail and need money for "food." Loud school age kids riding home from Woodward Academy. The inevitable tourists wondering aloud why the trains are stopping every two seconds. Please just leave me alone!

So for those more interesting days, I have found that while an iPod helps distract, diving into a good book really takes me away from the 20 minute ride, making it much more pleasurable. Now the challenge is, what to read?

The community site Good Reads was great in concept: to help friends share what they are reading and their reviews of the books with each other. Some of us joined this site over a year ago, but it's really hard to keep up with it. I give the site kudos though, since it now has Facebook Connect to make it easy to share your books. Are any of you members? Should we revive our accounts on it?



My gal pal Deb gave me a bagful (literally) of chick-lit books last year, and I am so excited about it now that I am looking for some new light reading for the train rides. The one I finally picked up today was Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. And oh my goodness, only one chapter in and I am loving it. Why did I not read this before? The girl has a one night stand with her best friend's fiance, and one can assume that drama will shortly ensue!

I wanted to share some of my favs - have you read any of these?

* Everyone Worth Knowing, Lauren Weisburger (of Devil Wears Prada fame). This one is perfect chick lit fluff -- a PR girl climbing the corporate ladder with cute boy toys around to keep it interesting.

* Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown: Notes from a Single Girl's Closet, Adena Halpern. This one made my favorite book list on Facebook. Short little chapters, and right up my alley as a bargain-seeking Betty.

* Any Pat Conroy book. Seriously. He just has a way of wrapping you into the story. Not "light" or chick-lit, just perfect for any reader (male or female) that loves lyrical wording and stories about dark family pasts in the South.

* Peachtree Road, Anne Rivers Siddons. This one is fab for any Betties since it's set in our own backyards. Similar to Pat Conroy style with twisted family tales, but entrenched in early Buckhead Society.

Do you have any recs for us on ones you really liked? The goal is to have books that you can pick up and put down easily, but that totally get you hooked in, too.

Wining and Dining Creatively

It's been about 9 weeks worth of WW so far, and life is good! Lots of weight is coming off all around, and everyone feels motivated. With the spring weather coming up, I know it will continue to boost our motivation to get moving and be slim and trim for the summertime. Yesterday was one of those gorgeous early-spring days here, and all I wanted to do was run at the park! My, how times have changed since the mornings where I'd rather lounge with a bagel and schmear :)

This weekend, we hosted some friends for a home-cooked meal, and it gave me the chance to face one of my bigger challenges - socializing while on A) a budget, and B) WW. It can really be a struggle these days with tighter wallets and (hopefully) looser jeans, to have the same kind of fun that we were all used to. Wining and dining is just not the same today. One of my most popular posts recently was the one about Girls Nights, and how we can't always live the lifestyle we all dream about. You all vocalized that you feel the same way. We have just had to get more creative! We are staying "in" more often than going out. But I am pumped, because out of this, something fun has arisen. The Dinner Party has been reborn!

What I have realized is that it's ok to wine and dine on a budget, and also while watching what you eat - you just have to have a plan of attack! Here are some of my strategies for throwing a dinner party at home with those ideas in mind, many of which I used for Saturday's fun evening.

* Plan the menu early in the week. This gives you time to get excited about the special meal, and to figure out what supplies you need.

* Get in a workout first thing that morning, before you get too busy with party prep. My new fav is spin class on Saturday mornings. This way you can feel perfectly fine about having a glass or two (or three!) of wine that night.

* Pick menu items that won't have you slaving in the kitchen, and do as much prep work as you can earlier in the day before guests arrive. Then, if the menu does require some cooking, you can just pull out the prepped ingredients.

* Big cuts of meat are often on sale, and can be wonderful main dishes. A big pork loin is one of my new favorites, and was only about $9 for 10 (huge) servings.

* Include lots of healthy menu items. If the main course is going to be a splurge (calorie or money-wise), pair it with simple sides like sauteed spinach, roasted potatoes, or carrots. You can always "fancy" those up with herbs.

* Appetizers don't have to break the bank (either way) either. Some of the best dips have only a few ingredients, and store-brand ingredients keeps it cheap.

* Dessert does not have to be complicated. Forget tiramisu. Recently I have done cut-up fruit drizzled with honey, and a brownie "pie" with whipped cream and berries. Yummy and so simple.

Enjoy the party! Have that glass of wine and relax, knowing your bank account and your waistline can all be happy too :)

Old-Fashioned Info and Fresh Design Ideas

In today's world, we all get our info on the go - checking Google on our phones, looking up a restaurant number on our TV's before making the reservation on Open Table. It's insanely convenient.

But every once in a while, I actually find it fun to flip through the more old-fashioned guides to get information. The restaurant guides that come out every few months are great for reviews, just like Atlanta Magazine's list in the back of each issue.

I stumbled across the Buckhead Coalition's Guidebook yesterday on Twitter, and wanted to share it with you here - it looked like a great coffee-table resource for other Bettys to have around their homes. It's only $5 to pick up in a Barnes and Noble, and you can check it out for free first here online. Yes, I know this is info you can easily get online, but how convenient that they put together a huge directory for us of things like restaurants, doctors, kid's camps, and running and biking routes - all in one book?

On an unrelated note, I also ran across this GORGEOUS condo this morning on a blog I follow, charm home. Actually, she is covering another blog that covers the spread in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine. So I am just extending the chain today, because goodness, the home is fabulous in all that is Buckhead and I can't help but pass it along. I only wish I lived up on a higher floor so I could do the same window treatment-less look too. How fantastic - definitely design inspiration for me!





Have a wonderful Friday and an even better weekend, friends!!

XOXO ~ KJM

Dining out in Buckhead

There was no question what I would be posting about today - it's almost Buckhead Restaurant Week! Buckhead Life Restaurant Group has done it's own thing in the past, but it appears that this year, some other restaurants will be stepping up and joining in with their own prix-fix three course fabulous menus.

Here's a little taste of some of the combos available, all for $25/person ....

Atlanta Fish Market: Thai Chili Calamari, a skillet of shrimp, scallops and crab au gratin, and chocolate toffee crunch pie

Home: Baby spinach salad, braised beef short ribs, and molten chocolate cake

Market: Warm goat cheese custard, slow cooked salmon with truffled mashed potatoes, and warm green apple crumble

BRW starts on Saturday and runs through next Sunday, March 14. I don't know about you, but I am going to coordinate any meals out on the town with this fabulous deal in my own backyard! If you go, let me know where and how it was, I'd love to hear. The BRW link above has the full special menu from each restaurant.

Which of the BRW restaurants is your favorite?

Thirty-One Reasons You Should Buy These Items

I will give you two of them -- Affordable and Adorable.

I got the most adorable bag in my Easter basket from my Mom and Dad a few years ago (yes, we still do Easter baskets, and yes, they are awesome. They include my coveted Tagalongs that I can never eat during Lent, and usually a cute little present like this --- plus Peeps x 10, duh). How sweet is this insulated lunch bag with my pink monogram? So much cooler than a lunch box. I use it every single day.



Well, I come to find out recently that these bags come from ultra-adorable catalog biz Thirty-One, which has consultants all over the country throwing parties so that you, too, can have some for yourself!

So I decided to host a party as a fun addition to the most recent PR Girls Night at my place. The gals came over with their wine and snacks as usual, and then we got to sit around and watch a cute presentation by my consultant friend Laureen. She put all the bags out on display and demonstrated how each one could be used and why they'd be perfect to have around.

Like this one that I couldn't help but order. It holds 3 bottles of wine and keeps them chilled! Yes, please.



Or this one, that they show either with toilet paper for the bathroom, or as an adorable condiments holder for a tailgate. I also ordered this one. I couldn't help myself, what can I say.



The best thing about these bags are the prices - these things are cheaper than our fav Vera Bradley but with similarly fun prints, and can be personalized just like the more standard Lands End totes too. They are absolutely perfect for gifts for your mom or your bff. Many of the bags are perfect for moms, with lots of pockets for toys or bottles and stain-resistant materials.

If you are in the Atlanta area and are interested in meeting up and checking out these bags in person, please leave me a comment here or DM me on Twitter - I'd love to host another gals night for it!

Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful...

I love that song. Too bad it's a Christmas song, too, because honestly, in Atlanta, we seem to get our worst weather all the way through early March! Or at least this year we have - it's snowing again today. A gross mixture of snow, sleet, and rain like today makes you wish you could be all curled up inside under a blanket. But if you are like most people, you are at work and trying to keep warm at your desk.

I finally got to check out Noon|Midtown today for lunch - and oh my goodness, what a perfect day for it. Granted, having to go out in this sleety mess was not a treat, but the restaurant's menu paid off - it is a great cold-weather meal. If you are already following them on Twitter, you know what I mean when I say that their tweets about daily soup specials make me absolutely salivate. Like the one from earlier today:



Drool. And look at that grilled cheese special. The tweets are literally that tasty-sounding every day. Today I had both of the specials - the grilled cheese was insane, and I totally want to make a poblano soup at home now.

Noon|Midtown is on Crescent Ave in Midtown, right next to Ri Ra. It's a close drive if you are in downtown or on the Westside, and they actually even deliver to you lucky Midtown folks. They specialize in breakfast and lunch, so are only open until 3pm on weekdays. I am going to try and hit them up on a Saturday soon though - they would be a perfect take-out for an afternoon at Piedmont Park. Their European-inspired menu reminds me a lot of another one of my favorites, Alon's Bakery (over in the Highlands, or up at Perimeter), and the prices are very reasonable for the gourmet fare they serve up.

Have you been to Noon before? What is your favorite thing to order?

Wine for a Cause

Last Thursday I was lucky to be able to attend a cool event here in Atlanta courtesy of one of my closest friends, and I just had to share!

The Atlanta Wine Opener event is an annual gala put on to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Each year they feature some of the top restaurants in town, live music, a silent auction, and many fabulous wines to taste - all to benefit the Foundation's goal of funding research to find a cure for this difficult disease.

This year, the event was held at Mason Muher Fine Arts over by Sweetwater Brewery in Midtown/Buckhead. The huge, open floorplan made for easy navigation to the food and drink stations, and also allowed for easy viewing of the cool art on display. They were expecting 500 people to attend, and it definitely was packed out. A live flamenco guitarist kept the crowd lively while they perused the huge auction.



Our favorite item? This gorgeous lab puppy. Sigh. Look how precious with the pink collar!!



And the food, oh! The food! The featured restaurants were sampling some amazing bites. And by bites, I mean huge portions. We were amazed - I could have eaten a whole dinner's worth. Dantanna's was my favorite with massive slices of medium rare tenderloin, a horseradish sauce, and blue cheese mashed potatoes. Also fantastic were Crepe Revolution (a friend's husband owns this Smyrna gem!) and Fifth Group's pan beignets, yum! Those establishments launched themselves onto my to-do restaurant list with those tasty items.

At first glance, tickets to the event were a tad pricey at $75, but given the amount of food and wine available, it was actually a perfect price for a charitable event. If you ever get the chance to attend in the future, do! It was a swanky night on the town for a great cause.

Have you attended any events that you really enjoyed and thought were put on well for a good cause? What did they do right that made it such a success?