Giveaway: Cirque du Soleil Amaluna

Part of my favorite part of living in the suburbs is the peace and quiet we have nearly at all times. This morning, a bird chirping woke me up. A bird. What has happened to me? I used to sleep through helicopters whizzing overhead, honks of cars on the nearby roads and the beeps of trucks backing up our high-rise driveway. Now? It's birds. Oh, and the school bus engine idling up the street at 6:42AM, every weekday morning. That's only if I am snoozing much past my alarm and not already walking out the door with this new commute :)

A part of me will always live in the city, though, and I just can't stay away for too long :) I still work in town, and most weekends, I am in town for something, whether it's hanging with friends, or checking out the big game (don't get me started on our Jackets this year, though. Sigh).

This past weekend, it was Cirque du Soleil that drew me into town, to the blue and yellow tents at Atlantic Station. We put on our matinee outfits, grabbed a quick pint next door at Meehan's, and strolled in for the Sunday afternoon show of Amaluna.

Side note: Isn't it amazing how quickly the Cirque du Soleil show seems to set up when they come to town? Those tents go up seemingly overnight, even though in reality, it takes eight days to set up, and three to take down, all via a team of 85 people. Either way, it always makes me think of that opening scene in Dumbo with the men singing as they raise the big top :)

     ATLANTA, GA- OCTOBER 2: The cast of Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna performs during a dress rehearsal for the show. (Photo by Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing)

Copyright:2014 Pouya Creative/Allied Integrated Marketing

Amaluna was a fantastic experience. First of all, the vibe under the tent is awesome. The crowd sits really close to the stage, all 2,600 of us, and the seats go probably three-quarters of the way around the stage. That means that there is not a bad seat in the house! If you want to see the action really up-close, you can grab seats up front. Or, you can sit a bit further back to get some amazing full-picture views of everything going on. On top of that, there are circular parts of the stage that revolve so that everyone can see everything from every angle.

One of my absolute favorite parts was the band. I noticed a big part of the show was made up of female performers. I found out later that my hunch was right -- the cast is 70% female! The band was all-female, and they brought out the electric cello for a number of the great ballads. I am a cellist myself, so of course I loved it! I always thought it'd be cool to play the electric cello. This woman rocked it. Seeing a show that's a self-titled tribute to the voice and power of women was empowering in and of itself.

     ATLANTA, GA- OCTOBER 2: The cast of Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna performs during a dress rehearsal for the show. (Photo by Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing)

Copyright:2014 Pouya Creative/Allied Integrated Marketing

From the costumes to the acts, the show was wonderful. Just wait 'til you see what this performer does with the pile of sticks at her feet!

     ATLANTA, GA- OCTOBER 2: The cast of Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna performs during a dress rehearsal for the show. (Photo by Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing)

Copyright:2014 Pouya Creative/Allied Integrated Marketing

Have you been to a Cirque du Soleil show before? What was your favorite memory? How about going to see Amaluna while they are in town? If you are game ... I have tickets to give away right here, y'all! So, get your raffle entry on because I am going to pick a winner later this week! First, read on to learn a bit more ...

About Cirque du Soleil 

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2014, Cirque du Soleil brings a new show to Atlanta. Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Amaluna's Tony Award-winning Show Director, Diane Paulus, drew from a series of classical influences when creating the concept of the show -- including tales from Greek and Norse mythology, Mozart's The Magic Flute, and Shakespeare's The Tempest. Now playing under the famed blue-and-yellow Big Top at Atlantic Station until November 30, 2014, great seats start as low as $35.  

Ticket Giveaway Details

I have four (4) tickets to give away to lucky readers for the Wednesday, November 5th show of Amaluna, at 7:30PM. Ready to win?! Be sure to enter your info in the below form! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not so lucky on the giveaway? 

Buy discounted tickets here, thanks to Amaluna. Take advantage of this offer and buy four tickets for the price of three. Bring the whole family, or all the gals - and enjoy the show! 

Disclosure: I received two free tickets to the Amaluna show in exchange for this post. However, all opinions are my own! Thanks to Amaluna and Cirque du Soleil for the great afternoon! 

Laughs for Ladies Nights

As we have all continued to grow up since our early days of entry-level jobs and internship projects, our PR Girls crowd has gotten more refined in our get-togethers. And by refined, I really mean, simplified.

Early days of happy hours at local restaurants shifted to our single girl apartments, where the wine flowed cheaper and we tried out new appetizer recipes. Now, we have shifted things to our homes, while the husbands are tossed out for the night. Fancy appetizers have given way to quick runs past the store for prepared hummus and chips to add to a few "semi-homemade" treats (since we all know that the wine is the true star!).

We don't go out for PR Girls nights very often anymore. Every so often, though, we break habit and head out onto the town. A girl's gotta live it up every once in a while, after all! Plus, it's fun to throw on some heels and sparkles and have a true ladies night.

We did just that a few weekends ago, ditching the men and hitting up our former stomping grounds over at East Andrews. We weren't heading out for a crazy late night at the bar, however. Or at least, not totally :) We went to have a few good laughs at the Atlanta Improv Theater! 

About the Improv: Founded by Budd Friedman in New York in 1963, many know the Improv from the A&E show “An Evening at the Improv”. Over the decades, the talent who has played center stage include Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Adam Sandler and Dave Chappelle, to name a few. Today, the Atlanta Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre hosts national touring comics with up to five shows per week.

The comedians that performed the night we attended definitely brought the laughs. The headliner act was my favorite. Ryan Singer had a fun blend of topics that appealed to the mixed audience there that night -- something that's important to me. I enjoy comedy, but don't want to hear raunchy or off-color jokes all night. I like it when a comedian can read the audience, and blend jokes together, from witty to raunchy with a little silly throw in.

One thing to note for your visit is that the Improv has a full food and drink menu. There is a two drink minimum (not hard for us to hit that, ha) and then the food comes from fellow Andrews Entertainment District restaurants, including Stillhouse, Cellar 56, Czar Bar and Stout. Good to know in case you are combining dinner and entertainment for date night at the 8PM show, or have a case of late night munchies at the 10PM show. We stuck with easy champagne and wine, but the full bar looked promising, too.

All in all, it was a great change of pace for the night! We finished out with late drinks at the bar downstairs, part of the old East Andrews -- pretending to be 22 again, but smart enough now to know that the easiest way to head home on a late Friday night is to call Uber ;)

More info: 
56 East Andrews Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30305
(678) 244-3612
www.theimprovatlanta.com

Disclosure: I was compensated with tickets for the Improv, but all opinions here are my own. 

Burgers and Boozy Libations

Whew. What a busy October it has been! You know when you look at your calendar, and you think to yourself, when is the next free day?! Yep, that's been our world over here. We're busy at work, the hubs is also busy at school, and both of us were topping it all off with crazy busy weekends including two football road trips, a cabin getaway and a wedding.

Seriously, though, I always love October for this scheduling. Every year, it happens again, and every year, POOF we are thrown right into hard core Fall with the holidays right around the corner. Just like that, the trees are turning colors, tomorrow is Halloween and family comes into town in a few weeks for Thanksgiving. It might be busy, but it's always a gateway month leading into a few months of holiday fun. Long time readers of this blog know that I am a sucker for this entire time of year, from Fall to New Year's, so I do love the rush of it all.

Amongst that busy schedule, we found time to try out a new restaurant in town, Stillhouse Craft Burgers and Moonshine. The restaurant was kind enough to invite us to a media tasting, and so we had fun testing out the various burgers ... and of course, the moonshine :)

Photo courtesy of Stillhouse

One of the first things we noticed was that Stillhouse has taken over the space previously occupied by the East Andrews downstairs bar, making it a great spot for a late evening bite, perhaps before heading to a concert at Andrews Upstairs. The restaurant opens out onto a patio area that you can see from the street. Plus, the bar area has seen an awesome upgrade, complete with barrels filled with Stillhouse's signature moonshines and whiskeys.


We tried out a few different items on the menu. The pimento cheese, smoky as described, was quite good -- and that's coming from this Betty who of course has a recipe of her own momma's that she stands by! ;) We also tried out a few drinks. I really liked the Thyme to Shine -- herby and not too strong a flavor of moonshine, a nice late Summer/early Fall drink.

Photo courtesy of Stillhouse

Brad tried out the "Smoke Your Drink" feature, where the bartender infuses your selection of bourbon, whiskey or 'shine with the smoke from woods like Cherry, Apple or Pecan. They did the smoking effect tableside for us, which I don't think is standard, but I told them it should be -- it was cool to watch!

Our burgers were tasty as were the sides. We tried out the PB&J, which featured peanut hummus and fig jam, and the Southern, which had collard greens and gouda. The sides were really, really good -- try out the fries with gouda and the Spicy Mac and Cheese. Then (as if we had room in our stomachs to fit this, ha), we also tried out some desserts. The Chocolate Marble Cheesecake S'mores were decadent.

All in all, we had a good meal. The restaurant staff was really nice and helpful, and eager to share more about the restaurant's burger and moonshine theme. A quick side note to you Medium/Well burger types, their standard is Medium-Rare ish, they told me, so remember when you order to ask for what you'd like :) 

Have you been to Stillhouse yet? How did you enjoy your meal? I also noticed that they are on Scoutmob, which would be a fun way to try out the menu with a cash discount, if it's your first time. 

Disclosure: We received a complimentary meal from Stillhouse in exchange for this review. However, all opinions are my own!

Be Yourself, Together

We are entering into the end of wedding season. I can't believe another one has nearly come and gone! It seems like just yesterday we were walking down the aisle ourselves, and now here we are, five months into married life and heading into the last month or two of wedding mania for 2013.

Fall is a super popular time to get married. The cooler weather and pretty leaves add up to a gorgeous weekend for the party and photos alike. I always thought I might get married in the Fall. Although, the Fall is not an ideal time to get married here in the South. We take our Football Game Days seriously, y'all. So it worked out just fine that we got married in the stunningly gorgeous month of April instead ;)

We have just one more wedding to attend this year -- the wedding of one of our own Best Men, actually. We are so excited to celebrate with him and his fiance, and have already been thinking about all of the great wedding gifts we can give them to help them celebrate together as newlyweds.

When I shop for wedding gifts, I love finding something that fits the couple just so. Most of the time I shop from their Registry, since I know those are things that they really need and want. That's what the Registry is for, after all! Also, I will confess: I always have fun checking out what everyone has registered for. It's like getting a little, secret glimpse into their life-to-come, all via their flatware, china and bedding.

My favorite types of gifts are the ones that combine something "Registry" with a little "bonus" something that says something about them as a couple. Like a set of their rocks glasses paired with pretty cloth cocktail napkins -- the guy can enjoy his evening beverage while the girl enjoys playing hostess with gal pals. We got a fun gift along the same lines; bath towels combined with bubble bath and a book all about love. Utilitarian towels for him; girly relaxation time for me. Hooray! We both win!

This is why I love this year's Target Wedding theme of "Be Yourself, Together," which celebrates the unique qualities each individual brings to a relationship that, when combined, result in something beautiful. The Target Wedding Registry line includes traditional wedding items like vacuums and stand mixers, as well as some fun, non-traditional items to help make that gift extra special.

I went shopping around the store this week for my own Be Yourself, Together gift idea, and had fun pairing up these two items --



Gorgeous Fieldcrest bedding (who doesn't love that line, seriously? I have eyed that brand for YEARS,  am telling you!) with ...

A yoga set! Sleepyhead snoozer meets early morning gym rat. This is such a fun way to look at gift giving, and takes shopping off the registry to a whole new, personalized level. Plus, in this case, who's to say that the snoozer can't appreciate the yoga set as an evening routine, instead? It's not all about sun salutations, after all!

Follow along on Twitter for inspiration on other fun "Be Yourself, Together" gift ideas by searching the hashtag #TargetWedding. And be sure to check out the Target Wedding Catalog for even more fun ideas, and the Target Wedding website as you finish out shopping for these last few 2013 weddings -- or if you, yourself, are on the list to get married next!

Happy Shopping, and Best Wishes!!

Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. I truly love both Target AND weddings :) Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Running to the Finish

It's been nice to have been back in a bit of a workout routine of late. Until today, when I had a mild asthma-meets-low-blood-sugar episode at the end of my trainer session (dizziness is not cool, body, step it up!), I have been feeling stronger and stronger as I have been adding in new routines to my workouts. The scale hasn't budged as much, but I know I am adding muscle, dropping some fat, and things will even out soon enough. I haven't been in the gym more, per se, but have been trying to make the most of the time I am in there.

... Five weeks til that dress ...

On Saturday, for example, I visited the brand new LA Fitness in Buckhead (omg gorg by the way!), and ran a mile on the treadmill before hitting spin class for an hour. Double duty? Kind of. But I have to show up early to reserve a bike, anyways, so I might as well get in a little jog. I only wish that I had the time (and energy) to do that kind of workout every day!

This coming weekend, I am making the most of the day by participating in a cool race right here in town. The 9th Annual Junior League of Atlanta’s Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race presented by Verizon Wireless and Belk is being held on Sunday, March 10, 2013.  The Shamrock ‘N Roll features a family friendly 5k, 10k and the Leprechaun Dash for Gold Tot-Trot for little runners ages five and under (cute!!). 

I have actually done the Shamrock before, and love it because it is actually a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Depending on the time you get at the Shamrock, the better your seed at the PTRR! Plus, kilts and other Irish-themed attire is highly encouraged for runners, making for an entertaining crowd :)

Are you running the Shamrock too this year? It's not too late to sign up. Here are some details, if you are interested in the race.

Big and small feet hit the streets of Atlantic Station at the following times:

• 8:00 am - The Leprechaun Dash for Gold Tot-Trot for ages 5 and under  
• 8:15 am - 5K  
• 8:30 am - 10K

Hosted by The Junior League of Atlanta (JLA), this ninth annual event raises funds to train and educate the membership of JLA for effective community service, as well as to continue its work in the community.

Register Today and Save
Registration is $30 in advance, $35 at packet pickup and $45 on race day. Tot Trot registration is $8. Register today at Active.com or www.shamrocknroll.org.

Packet Pick Up

Pick up your packet and finish late registration at West Stride Running Store, 3517 Northside Parkway #11, Atlanta, GA 30327, (www.weststride.com) Friday, March 8 12-7PM. or Saturday, March 9 10-5PM. Packets can also be picked up race morning at the registration desk.
 

Stay up-to-date on all the Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race news and updates as a fan on http://www.facebook.com//ShamRockNRollRoadRace or by following @JLShamRockNRoll on Twitter.

Disclaimer: The JLA has provided me with registration for the race, but all opinions are my own. Happy racing, everyone!

BBQ and Beans

One of my favorite parts of living in the South is the food. While I am not a greens and fried chicken kind of gal, I will take a fried green tomato alongside shrimp and grits any day of the week. I can't wait to see what types of NoLa goodies make their way to the big game parties happening tonight. What are you making for your party?

If there was one Southern food that trumped all others in my book, though, it would be barbeque. I just can not pass up that slow cooked meat, y'all (yes, Northern relatives, I sometimes say "y'all," ha!). BBQ is a Southern's soul food. It's a perfect year-round meal, but it especially goes well with tailgating, cornhole and beers.

Oh wait, it's not football season yet ;) But while I am at it, Go Jackets and War Eagle! :)

People in the South are really serious about their BBQ. There are all styles of making it, first of all. From Memphis-style to Carolina, they vary in the types of meat, sauce, rubs and how they are served. On top of that, there are the sides. Some love theirs with cornbread; others can't have it without mac n' cheese or okra.

For me, I don't think there is any one "best" style. I love trying all styles of BBQ, which is what brought me to Moe's Original BBQ on 14th Street in Midtown. 

When the team behind Moe's invited me out for a meal, I knew I needed to swing by, because their storefront has grabbed my attention every time I have driven past. Local ATLiens will know their space as the renovated Kool Korners. I love that the space, once know by the Georgia Tech crowd for the cuban sandwiches, is now known as a great spot to grab some BBQ.

Moe's has a cool history. Here's a tid-bit from their site:

Moe’s Original BBQ was founded by three Bama boys: Mike Fernandez from Tuscaloosa, Ben Gilbert from Athens, and Jeff Kennedy from Huntsville. After meeting at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, they instantly became friends and had a mutual interest in all things Southern: BBQ, blues, college football, and whisky.

In 1988, Mike hooked up with Moses Day in Tuscaloosa and began learning to fire roast meats. When Moses fired up his backyard barrel pit, everyone in T-Town knew where to go. The boys were lucky to learn from Moses and his distinct style makes up Moe’s original flavor of BBQ.

Source: Uploaded by user via Moe's Original on Pinterest

Even though I am an Auburn gal, I am willing to forgive them of their Bama roots ;) because their BBQ is really that awesome. The guys at the Atlanta location, including owners Brett and Preston and GM Glen (also known as Schaffer), set us up with a huge sampler spread so we could try everything out. From their smoked turkey breast to the pulled pork sandwich and ribs, Moe's has their BBQ down. I trouble picking a favorite style. The white sauce they offer up was a really cool twist on your usual red sauce. If you pick their "Bama Style" sandwich, it comes with the white sauce right on top.

Photo courtesy of Moe's Original BBQ

The other thing Moe's does really well are those sides that I was talking about. Whether you are a baked beans person or prefer the classic slaw, Moe's has what you are looking for. They also feature a rotating menu of special sides that change daily. Among others, we got to try out some gumbo (amazing) and black-eyed peas (also stellar). I personally really enjoy cornbread with my BBQ, and Moe's cornbread (seen above on the top left) was fantastic, too - a huge slice, fried up crispy in a griddle, if I had to guess.

The thing I really loved about Moe's is that their staff is just so gosh darn friendly. This is a place that would be clutch for hanging out and watching the game with a beer, talking stats with the owners. They make everyone feel at home. It's a little touch of college town, smack in the middle of Midtown. It would also make a great pre- or post-game stop for GA Tech basketball, since it's within walking distance of the coliseum. 

Many thanks to the team at Moe's Original BBQ for having us for dinner! Can't wait to swing past again soon -- I highly recommend that you all do, too!

PS. For my fellow AU fans, you will be proud to know that there is a Moe's located right by Toomer's Corner, too :) :)

Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary meal, but all opinions are my own.

The After: Cirque du Soleil

Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated
Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

You guys.

Last weekend, we had the chance to go see the latest installment of Cirque du Soleil, TOTEM. I had never seen a Cirque show before, but now, I can't wait to see their next installment.

It was SO GOOD. 

We were first wowed by the size of the signature Big Top tent once we got inside. You would never know once inside that you are sitting in stands on top of a blacktop parking lot like the one at Atlantic Station. The Big Top encompasses a huge area and includes multiple full-service bars, concessions stands and vendors selling TOTEM merchandise. The vibe was that of an upscale traveling show -- but one where you can relax with a glass of wine while watching the act. My kind of entertainment, indeed!

Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

Hands down, our favorite act were the girls on the unicycles. They pedaled out one by one, ten feet plus in the air, which at first I thought was the main feat. Nope! They then took what had appeared to be a "hat" off their heads, revealing a stack of bowls.

Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

The girls continued to pedal around, and then stopped and flipped the bowls from one foot to their head, or the head of the ringleader or their neighbor, all while balancing on their unicycles. The crowd ate it up -- it was just amazing!

After the show, we also were invited to attend a special backstage tour. Some of the actors were stretching out on huge gymnastics mats while others rushed to change clothes and head off to their hotel in Midtown to relax for the rest of the night. Our tour guide told us that every show is recorded and sent back to HQ for review -- the costumes and acts are watched from every angle just in case anything needs to be tweaked before the next show. Their attention to detail makes a difference; the show's costumes and decor was flawless that night.

All in all, I absolutely loved Cirque du Soleil. Our tour guide said that usually people love the first show they attend the most, and I am up to the challenge to see if that is true -- I can't wait to go to another one! It's neat to think about how each show is completely custom and brand-new; no Cirque du Soleil production is the same as the next.

So tell me: Have you gone to see TOTEM yet? The show will be in town until Sunday, December 30, 2012. Grab your tickets, if you haven't already, and let me know what you think about the show!

About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Disclaimer: I was provided a pair of press tickets for the show, however, all opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Idea: Jolly Nuts

When you have family and friends spread out across the country, it's easy to get stuck on what you can buy and send their way to really show you are thinking about them during the busy holiday season. And even harder, what about that boss or special client? Those are even harder gifts to buy.

Last week I received a wonderful box in the mail from the Jolly Nut Company, a family-based company out of Fort Valley, Georgia. Jolly Nut has combined the perfection of buying local and sending national with their selection of treats. 

You know those words that are pronounced differently in different parts of the country? Tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to? Ant vs. ahhhnt? I usually don't realize how I say these words, but sure enough, I noticed the other day that despite my Jersey blood, I say "pecan" like "puh-cahn." My Georgia friends will love knowing this :)

Either way you say it, roasted nuts make the perfect gift idea for that special aunt or corporate client. Jolly Nut was founded in 1924 and grows their own pecans down on their farmlands. They sent me a sampling of some of their most popular nuts to try out myself:

* Roasted and salted pecans
* Chocolate halves
* Sugar n' spice pecans
* Praline pecans
* Peach pecans
* Sweet and salty pecans

I thought I would be all in control and, you know, open one of the bags at a time to sample. Nope. I was a little ridiculous and opened each bag and tried a few of each right there on the spot. So good! My favorite three were the chocolate halves (my chocolate-loving Grandma would love these), the sweet and salty pecans (tasted like a sugar and spice pretzel from the mall!) and what they said was their most popular product, the roasted and salted pecans. That variety in particular made an excellent post-game treat for us after watching the conference playoff games last weekend, and would be great for any sports lover in your life. The roasted and salty flavors were addicting!

Jolly Nut Co. Bountiful Baskets

Are you interested in Jolly Nuts for your holiday shopping? Head to their website and check out their full selection. They offer a variety of gift baskets and tins as well as huge party packs of their basic pecans that you could have on hand for parties or baking.

Thanks, Jolly Nut, for sharing the goodness! They were all wonderful!

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own.

Flying Through the Air

I just turned on the TV to get a little down time this evening, and what is on but Wall-E, one of my favorite recent Disney/Pixar flicks. I simply adore how Wall-E introduces himself to all of the other robots and slowly "wakes up" the humans on the ship. When he and Eve fly through space, it is like magic, and it makes me so happy :)

This coming weekend, I will get to witness some flying similar to Wall-E's in person, because I am getting to attend my first ever Cirque du Soleil show here in Atlanta!! 

The dress rehearsal for Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM at Atlantic Station, 2012.
Credit: Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

Here's a little bit about the show, TOTEM:

TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations.

Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.

Fun! I have heard that the Cirque du Soleil shows are always a creative experience, and it sounds like this one will be no exception. This show world-premiered in Montreal in 2010, and has been traveling the world ever since. This TOTEM “hybrid show” is the first Cirque du Soleil Big Top show to be created in such a way that it can be adapted to the reality of arenas and other venues from the very outset.

Anyone driving by Atlantic Station when Cirque du Soleil is in town can't help but notice the show site off to the right of the stores. Their mobile village includes the distinguishable blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (or Big Top, which can seat 2,600!), an artistic tent, box office, kitchen, school, offices, warehouses and more. Completely self-sufficient for electrical power, the site relies only on a local water supply and telecommunication facilities to support its infrastructure.

The dress rehearsal for Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM at Atlantic Station, 2012.
Credit: Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

Every time Cirque du Soleil has come to Atlanta in the past, I seem to miss it. One thing leads to another, time flies past and their big yellow and blue tents at Atlantic Station come down before I know it. This year, that isn't going to happen! We are having a special date night out on Friday before the busy holiday season begins and I can barely wait.

You, too, can check out the show this year, which will be in town until Sunday, December 30, 2012. What's more, due to popular demand, six performances have been added to the Atlanta engagement; 8 pm performances on December 19, 20, 26 and 27 as well as 4 pm performances on December 21 and 28.

I will be back next week with a bit more about the show, including what we learn on a behind the scenes tour! In the meantime, grab up tickets, if you haven't already, and I will see you under the Big Top!

About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Disclaimer: I have been provided a pair of press tickets for this weekend's show, however, all opinions are my own. 

Look Good, Feel Better

While Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over (where did October go this year? And half of November, for that matter?!), I always love hearing about organizations that support breast cancer research initiatives, patients and survivors all the year round. Breast cancer is something that has hit my family all too often, and I hope with everything that I have that over the next number of years, a cure can be found.

Look Good, Feel Better is one of those organizations. When I heard about them, I wanted to share the word with each of you!

Ladies, I don't know about you, but on days when I am feeling down and out, doing my make-up and hair can make me feel like a whole new person. It's hard to imagine having to battle not feeling well AND not being able to easily "fix yourself up" with a quick coat of mascara. For women battling cancer, that is the reality, though. Look Good Feel Better is an organization that helps them feel like themselves again.

Here's a little bit about what they are all about: 

For the past two decades, the Personal Care Products Foundation, supported by the cosmetics industry, the American Cancer Society and the Professional Beauty Association, has worked to give confidence to people undergoing cancer treatment through the Look Good Feel Better program.  

Founded more than 23 years ago, the Look Good Feel Better program has helped more than 1.2 million people across the U.S. and in 24 countries around the world regain confidence during cancer treatment by helping them to cope with the appearance side effects of cancer treatment. Workshops are FREE, available in all 50 states, and staffed by local expert volunteers that offer lessons in how to apply cosmetics and hair accessories that help address the changes in skin and hair loss that often accompany cancer treatment, as well as tips on wardrobe/styling to help mask weight changes, surgical alterations, and other changes.  

Look Good Feel Better is dedicated to changing the way people with cancer approach their disease, reminding them that they are beautiful inside AND out. The program helps women regain confidence some normalcy in a life that is by no means normal.

If you are like me, you are sitting here smiling, just thinking about how awesome this organization is! A woman who is battling cancer deserves to feel pretty just like anyone else. This group helps makes that happen.

If you'd like to help the Look Good Feel Better cause, definitely head over and check out their website. However, Elizabeth Arden is also on board to donate on your behalf with just a quick click over on Pinterest! For each repin of an image from Elizabeth Arden’s “Pin It to Give It” Pinterest board, they will donate an eyeliner to the Personal Care Products Council Foundation for use in the kits used in the Look Good Feel Better group workshops. 

Love it! Head on over to their Pinterest board to get pinning. And please, help us spread the word about this awesome organization by sending out a quick tweet or Facebook post!

Look Good Feel Better is dedicated to improving the self-esteem and quality of life of people undergoing treatment for cancer. It is our aim to improve their self-image and appearance through complimentary group, individual, and self-help beauty sessions that create a sense of support, confidence, courage, and community. 

More information on Look Good Feel Better, including a program finder, virtual workshops
and web‐based tips, expert posts on the LGFB Blog and a donation mechanism can be found
at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org. Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lookgoodfeelbetter or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LGFB.

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between my site and LGFB. This could include the LGFB providing me w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Freezer to Table

While I may be four days into this ten-day regiment of antibiotics for what turned out to be a sinus infection (don't you hate those?), I am really only starting to feel like myself again today. My energy levels are returning to normal, and I was motivated enough this evening to clean up around the condo, something that always falls to the wayside when I am feeling sickly (much to my OCD chagrin!). Even better, last night I actually wanted to help cook dinner, days and days after not wanting to even step inside the kitchen since it meant abandoning the cozy couch.

Whether you are single or married, a corporate ladder-riser or self-employed entrepreneur, coming home in the evenings and tackling dinner is always a bit of a chore, and adding sickness or any kind of issue to that makes it that much worse. Sure, the weekly grocery shopping definitely helps -- I am pretty sure there is a scientific negative correlation between having done grocery shopping and the number of meals purchased on a whim out that week -- but sometimes there are those nights where you come home and just think "ughghgh" when you realize it's time to make dinner.

Sure, I'd love to be the one living up to the Buckhead Betty hype, staying home on Sundays and prepping meals ahead for the week. Ha. As if! We all know that it gets down to Thursday and all you want to do is call up the local pizza joint. Then any diet regimen and exercise momentum are gone and gone right with that empty pizza box.

I recently had the opportunity to try out a local life-saver for just those said occasions. Half-Baked is a local Buckhead operation that serves up oven-ready casseroles, perfect for any person or family wanting some delicious home-cooked meals without the effort.

J.J., Half-Baked's super chic co-owner and cook, was kind enough to pull out a few of her special frozen meals for us to try. It didn't take me but just a few days to have one of those nights where I knew cooking wasn't going to be happening. Knowing it was going to be a doozy of a day, I pulled out her Eggplant Lasagna the night prior, dropping it into the fridge to start defrosting. An hour later in the oven that night and we had a lightened-up version of lasagna that tasted absolutely nothing like a "light" version. In fact, I forgot it was technically a "light" version until just now, ha! The lowfat cheeses, sauce, eggplant and mushrooms combined into something homemade and awesome.

The second dish we tried was the "Cheese-o-roni" -- a fun name for what was insanely amazing mac n' cheese. It had crackers all over the top and a rich cheesey sauce that definitely satisfied the guys' munchies one late evening at home. Since I hadn't defrosted the meal ahead of time, I popped the dish out of the tin foil and into a glass casserole, dropped it in the oven as it was preheating and cooked it for about 40-45 minutes.

While we have not yet tried our last sampler meal, the Chicken Tetrazzini, I am anxiously awaiting another "busy" day where we can let J.J. and Lee do the cooking! I think it might be this week ... :)

Ready for some home cooking that you don't have to do yourself? Check out Half-Baked's menu for appetizers, main dishes, veggies and desserts (oh, the desserts!!). All of the dishes come in three sizes. The small meals, just $11.99, served up two generous portions perfect for a hungry couple, but you can also order a Medium for $22.99 that will serve a family of four.

Half-Baked is located on Roswell Road just north of the merge with Peachtree. They are open 10-6pm on Monday-Friday and 10-12pm on Saturdays.

Buckhead Betty tip: These meals would make fantastic gifts for new moms, or for a neighbor family if someone is in the hospital or really sick! 


Disclosure: I was provided complimentary meals from Half-Baked as part of this review, but all opinions are my own.

Let's Talk: Prepping for Guests

Despite the fact that I live in a one-bedroom condo, I absolutely love to entertain and host overnight guests while they are in town or just stopping by. I have a really nice queen-sized aerobed that I can pull out in a minute to set up a temporary bedroom in the living room, and tons of great pillows and sheets, too. Some guests are planned, like my cousin Erin who was just in town a few weeks ago, and others are more spur of the moment. My brother and his friends frequently crash here after a late night on the town, and sometimes the girls nights go all night, literally!

Even if this place isn't huge, I like to make it seem so by setting up a hotel-like environment for guests, no matter who they are. I straighten everything up, giving the house a quick vacuum and putting away extra clutter, and have the kitchen stocked with cold sodas and coffee for the morning. I have a "what's yours, is mine" mentality with house guests, and so I make every effort to set things up just right in advance so that they can enjoy their stay here. I want my guests to feel like they are at-home ... or better yet, at a hotel!

The only area where quarters are a bit tight when guests are here is the bathroom. While a generously-sized master bath, there's just one in here, so we all have to take turns with showers and getting ready. Last summer, I was lucky enough to host my BFF's bachelorette weekend here, and after an afternoon at the pool cabanas, all of the girls rotated in and out of the bathroom and master bedroom, prepping for dinner on the town. It was quite a production, but so fun to spend time with everyone while getting gussied up!

I was excited when this opportunity came up with Kleenex because no matter how big or small your bathroom, I think it's a really important area to have ready for guests! Here are some of my tips for readying this space, whether it's a main or guest bath.

Keep it fresh: Fresh flowers add so much to a space, and the bathroom is no exception. I love to put a small vase or bowl full of freshly-cut blooms next to the sink. Along with their fresh scent, they look pretty, too, and can make even the smallest space look fancy. This is a great idea if the in-laws or your parents are visiting -- they will definitely notice this nice touch. I love the blooms from Trader Joe's for an inexpensive bouquet.

Make like a hotel: You know how when you are a hotel, they stock your room with supplies, just in case some of your personal items got snatched up at airport security or left behind at home? I like to do that in my own bath, too. This is a trick that I learned from my mom. Whenever I travel, I take the complimentary samples of shampoo, conditioner and lotion home with me (unopened, since I usually also bring my own!) and then keep a basket stocked with these goodies ready for guests to use if they need them! A bonus, if you have room, is to add in extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, razors and face wash.  The bonus items from Clinique are perfect for this basket for any of your gal pals spending the night. Point out the basket and let guests know that they can help themselves to whatever they need. Sure enough, my poor cousin forgot her toothbrush amidst her travels, and thankfully, I had an extra one on hand for her to take!

A basket of toiletries makes any bathroom feel hotel-quality!

Light it up: Candles are a clutch accessory in the bathroom when guests are visiting. Since this condo sees a lot of dinner or late-night parties with all the girls or other couples, I make sure to light a candle in the bathroom before guests arrive to add a fresh scent and also provide some extra mood lighting. My favorites are the Yankee candles -- I am out of my favorite summer scent, Sand and Sun, but with my favorite season right around the corner, soon I will be able to pull out the Pumpkin Spice one :)

Pick your favorite scent to add mood light and freshness to the bath!

Provide the little extras: I usually overlook my bathroom cleanliness for longer than I probably should when it's just me here (don't we all??), but we've all got to step our bathroom games up for the guests. I like to spray the sink faucets with Windex to give them an extra shine, and while I take my own shower before guests arrive, I take the opportunity to spray down the curtain and tiles and give them an extra scrub down, too. A quick wipe-down of the counters gets things ready, and all of my everyday items get stored away in the cabinets, out of sight.

What things do you do in your bathroom to prep for guests? Do you have just one bathroom like me, or do you have a guest bath, too? Join the 14 million people who have already joined the Clean Hands campaign by using Kleenex Hand Towels, and click here for savings and more!   

I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.