The Atlanta Street Food Festival

Review of the Atlanta Street Food Festival

Saturday, July 13 my in-laws and I headed to Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta for some food truck goodness.  Well, it ended up being a terrible idea.  

The host of the event did not provide any instructions as far as where to park (we circled the same few blocks several times before settling on a parking lot that was still a few blocks away from the park... I guess the park's parking garage was not for festival participants) and then getting our tickets and finding certain trucks and stands was a pain.  Then, my husband spend over an hour standing in line for his dinner.  And by the time we got there a lot of the food was gone (we arrived about 5pm when the festival would be over about 8pm).  But what do you expect?  I don't blame the food trucks at all.  This was a great idea to get their name out!

Needless to say, this will be our last food truck festival.  BUT we can look up online and see where our favorite food trucks are and just go check them out whenever we want and not deal with the crowds.  Sounds much better.  In fact, my husband's company has my favorite food "truck" vendor once a month at their Farmer's Market for employees and their families.  

The Food Trucks

Speaking of my favorite food cart vendor, if you're in Atlanta, he's the King of Pops.  He makes homemade popsicles out of local fruit.  Delicious.  I remember when he first got started and he was always hanging out around Georgia State University.  

I tried Happy Belly Curbside Kitchen with their locally grown foods and vegan and vegetarian options.  

Husband tried Freckled & Blue and highly recommends the steak sandwich saying that it was "awesome."

You can also check out the Atlanta Food Truck Park & Market.

Atlanta has dozens of food trucks ranging from southern cooking, asian cuisine, crepes, and gelato.  I know where we live in the summer there are mini food truck festivals every Thursday and then all the farmer's markets seem to have a food truck or two.  My mom even says her office has a different food truck at her office every day for the employees to try for lunch.  I think Atlanta is proud of it's street side cuisine options -- and I'm pretty proud of it, too!

Kyma Birthday Dinner

To celebrate both my dad and I's birthdays, my family went to Kyma in Buckhead.  It is by far my favorite Greek restaurant. 

Kyma's fresh cuisine mixes amazing flavors together in a unique but refresing way.  Our favorite was the fresh grilled octopus.  I also loved the melitzanosalata hummus (with eggplant and walnuts).  The restaurant serves tapas style, which makes it even better for sharing and sampling.  Be careful, though, you can walk out with a hefty bill if you don't be careful!  However if you're just looking to share a few amazing items, it's priced about right with tapas starting at $7.  

If you like Greek food and drinks, this is definitely the place to come, especially with it's lovely atmosphere.  The grilled octopus is the most popular dish on the menu, but you can also get whole fish for the table, sardines, all types of Greek foods like dormades and spanakopitas, oysters, and more.  I'm not a big fan of the desserts because I don't like raw honey, but there's a banana dish that is superb (really only the banana part; the chocolate cake, which is flourless, is a little too dry tasting for my liking, but I did love the banana!).

You may also get lucky and spot a celebrity.  For Kyma in particular, Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman have both been spotted there.  However, I would just go for the food alone!

A Charming Birthday

Dress: T.J. Maxx

Cardigan: Kohls

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Jewelry: gifts from family

At 1:44pm on a Monday, July 16 many moons ago I was born to two amazing parents.

Today, as I turn one year older, the only thing that matters it that for one or two days I get to be like

"This is what we are doing" and then spend those moments with loved ones.

On Saturday, July 13, I went with my in-laws and we went to the Atlanta Street Food Festival at Piedmont Park (pictures to come).  On Sunday, it was my daddy's birthday and my family went to celebrate at this amazing Greek restaurant in Buckhead (pictures to come).  Today, on the anniversary of my birth (thank you, Mom & Dad for saying "yes" to my life), I am being productive and just grateful to have so many people that love me.  Plus, my husband said he might cook me dinner...!

P.S. two years ago, is when my husband got down on one knee and proposed.  

So today is doubley special!

#Tia&Tamera Season 3 Kicks off TONIGHT

I loved Sister, Sister growing up.  And then I loved following Tia & Tamera as they grew up and then watching Tia Mowry on The Game.  I guess that makes Tia my favorite of the two -- who is yours?

(via)

Anyways, The Style Network reached out to me to help promote the new season and I had no problems saying yes! :)  So here is a little information for you to get you ready for tonight!  I'll be tuning in -- will you? 

THIS SEASON

For Tia, she embraces her fun, sexy side now that Cree is a little older while she prepares for a new TV series role that will allow her to showcase her comedic chops once again. Tamera begins to stand up more to her sister by expressing her opinions – even if it’s opposite Tia’s – and looks to turn her ability to gab into a full-time gig as a talk show host. As business partners, the sisters are eager to debut their next product line for moms – a cream to help reduce stretch marks. Yet, they have different views on how to run their business which causes tension between the close twins.

When to Watch – Sundays, starting July 14th 8/7C on Style Network

PAST SEASON UPDATE

Season 1: Twin sisters and best friends, Tia Mowry Hardrict and Tamera Mowry-Housley, who became overnight teen sensations for their hit comedy series “Sister, Sister,” take viewers behind the scenes and into their real life excitement in the new Style Network docu-series “Tia & Tamera.”  From an early age, the sisters have grown up before the cameras, blossoming into beautiful, successful women with thriving acting and producing careers.  Now in their 30s, Tia and Tamera face their biggest and most challenging roles yet – for Tia, becoming a first-time mother and for Tamera, it’s making the transition from fiancée to wife.  Fans will have an all-access pass to Tia’s baby shower and arrival of the new baby and Tamera’s bridal shower, bachelorette party and wedding as the cameras document the good times and the dramatic moments.

Season 2: While her sister may have written a book about being pregnant, Tamera is determined to carve her own path during her pregnancy, often making very different and divisive decisions. With acting gigs, travel plans and business opportunities placed in front of her, Tamera vows not to let the pregnancy slow her down.  For Tia, the threat of losing her long-standing role on her television series forces her to turn to other career opportunities, giving her the chance to spread her wings in business with an eye on her image and brand.

Learn more about Tia & Tamera here, including an interview with Tamera discussing her new mommyhood.

Thanks to The Style Network for sponsoring today's post.

Watch TONIGHT as Tia & Tamera kick of season 3 on 

The Style Network where they, too, try to have it all.

 

(images via)

#Tia&Tamera Season 3 Kicks off TONIGHT

I loved Sister, Sister growing up.  And then I loved following Tia & Tamera as they grew up and then watching Tia Mowry on The Game.  I guess that makes Tia my favorite of the two -- who is yours?

(via)

Anyways, The Style Network reached out to me to help promote the new season and I had no problems saying yes! :)  So here is a little information for you to get you ready for tonight!  I'll be tuning in -- will you? 

THIS SEASON

For Tia, she embraces her fun, sexy side now that Cree is a little older while she prepares for a new TV series role that will allow her to showcase her comedic chops once again. Tamera begins to stand up more to her sister by expressing her opinions – even if it’s opposite Tia’s – and looks to turn her ability to gab into a full-time gig as a talk show host. As business partners, the sisters are eager to debut their next product line for moms – a cream to help reduce stretch marks. Yet, they have different views on how to run their business which causes tension between the close twins.

When to Watch – Sundays, starting July 14th 8/7C on Style Network

PAST SEASON UPDATE

Season 1: Twin sisters and best friends, Tia Mowry Hardrict and Tamera Mowry-Housley, who became overnight teen sensations for their hit comedy series “Sister, Sister,” take viewers behind the scenes and into their real life excitement in the new Style Network docu-series “Tia & Tamera.”  From an early age, the sisters have grown up before the cameras, blossoming into beautiful, successful women with thriving acting and producing careers.  Now in their 30s, Tia and Tamera face their biggest and most challenging roles yet – for Tia, becoming a first-time mother and for Tamera, it’s making the transition from fiancée to wife.  Fans will have an all-access pass to Tia’s baby shower and arrival of the new baby and Tamera’s bridal shower, bachelorette party and wedding as the cameras document the good times and the dramatic moments.

Season 2: While her sister may have written a book about being pregnant, Tamera is determined to carve her own path during her pregnancy, often making very different and divisive decisions. With acting gigs, travel plans and business opportunities placed in front of her, Tamera vows not to let the pregnancy slow her down.  For Tia, the threat of losing her long-standing role on her television series forces her to turn to other career opportunities, giving her the chance to spread her wings in business with an eye on her image and brand.

Learn more about Tia & Tamera here, including an interview with Tamera discussing her new mommyhood.

Thanks to The Style Network for sponsoring today's post.

Watch TONIGHT as Tia & Tamera kick of season 3 on 

The Style Network where they, too, try to have it all.

 

(images via)

Today

One year ago.

One year ago I woke up on a couch in our hotel lobby.  I didn't get much sleep the night before (surprise surprise), and shared the room (and bed) with two delightful amazing friends.  So, I went to the lobby to just get a change of scenery.  It was suppose to be the most important day of my life.

When I noticed it was a decent hour, you know, after a hotel person made sure that I wasn't a drunk homeless girl, I texted my soon-to-be-husband. I then snuck in his room for a quick hug and kiss before I went to get ready for the day.

What do I remember most about that day?  So much!  I hope that in eighty years I can still remember Ali and Sharelle getting ready with me at the hair salon. Ali running to get me a cappuccino and Sharelle painting my toe nails.  My mom's ear-to-ear smile, while my dad got choked up.

I remember my dad coming to tell me how nervous my fiance was... with a smile on his face.  He kept peeking through a crack in a slightly open door to check out the processional before the ceremony.  I remember a college friend leading my bridal party in prayer.

I remember arriving to the entrance of the chapel in the Church where we would marry.  My husband was turned around, reminded me of what Prince William did when he got married to Kate Middleton.  Then, the Bridal March (or whatever I chose), began on the organ.  He turned around.  I  cherish the pictures our photographer got of his cheese of a smile as he watched me walk down the aisle.  I did the whole blusher veil thing, so I was looking at him with some fancy tulle in front of my face.

My dad gave me away and our Matrimonial Mass began.

I remember our first prayer as husband in wife.  It was right after we received Holy Communion.  We held hands and we prayed.

I remember our embarrassing first kiss and so incredibly grateful our photographer capturer our kiss!  It was so quick because I was so petrified to kiss him in front of everyone.  I hate PDA!  But, there is a set of five or so images that capture this embarrassing moment.... And then that one perfect photo of us kissing and my maid of honor, Sharelle, smiling from ear-to-ear as she watched on.

The pictures afterward?  Embarrassing and time went to quickly.  I hate that we didn't get some amazing formal shots of us together.  But, we went to the reception.  And we had fun.

We left the reception feeling so incredibly blessed by the amount of love and support surrounding us on our "big" day.  We were pretty over the moon, you know? Back at the hotel, family and friends joined us for an after party.  Some amazing memories with great people.  We drank, laughed, ordered pizza, and smoked cigars. 

Whenever I drive past that hotel, I feel happy.  For that hotel hosted us the weekend we became man and wife.

Today.

My heart is filled with my love for you.

My best friend, my biggest supporter.

The smartest and most generous man that I know.

You lead our family so well and

I am forever blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you for all that you do for us.

Happy anniversary!

Cheers to another eighty plus.

Wedding recaps:

A Glimpse // The Ceremony // Formals

Details // The Reception // The Dress

For wedding planning tips and ideas

read the following labels: 

Our Wedding // Wedding Planning //Wedding Wednesday

#DIHworkshop by @HomeDepot

On Tuesday of last week I became aware of this awesome program hosted by The Home Depot.  It’s a program for women called Do-It-Herself workshops (#DIHworkshop).  Upon hearing about this opportunity, I texted a good friend of mine and invited her to join me at a location close to where she lives.  I was sold and she was sold!  It would be a fun (and free!) girls night for us.

The event that we attended was at the Cumberland Home Depot store in Atlanta.  According to the girls running the workshop, this is an event that happens every third Thursday of each month.  Each session goes over a different project and they will teach you and provide the materials for it.  The projects are either Pinterest-inspired ones (like the one I attended last week) or some fun DIY home improvements.  

Our session's project: a mirror framed with tiles!  

I partnered up with some great ladies already at the event and we all attempted the project.  It was definitely an easy project, it was just our first time using grout!  We learned about the different types of grout (sandy versus nonsandy) and when to use each type.  The Home Depot team was so helpful and informative.  Plus, there were some nice refreshments there, which was nice because it was around dinnertime.  My friend who came with me was actually pretty familiar with grout and ended up doing a great job taking the lead so that the other Home Depot members could help other tables.

Thoughts

I personally think it is such a great event!  I am definitely planning on attending some more!!  There is a Home Depot a little bit closer to me that I would go to next time so that I’m not late because of traffic.  But I’m always eager to learn more about DIY projects for the home and the different tools you could use.  You can find out about what workshops are coming up in your area by using www.homedepot.com or using the Facebook page.

Kudos, Home Depot, on the great event idea!


This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of
The Home Depot Cumberland (Store 121).

#DIHworkshop by @HomeDepot

On Tuesday of last week I became aware of this awesome program hosted by The Home Depot.  It’s a program for women called Do-It-Herself workshops (#DIHworkshop).  Upon hearing about this opportunity, I texted a good friend of mine and invited her to join me at a location close to where she lives.  I was sold and she was sold!  It would be a fun (and free!) girls night for us.

The event that we attended was at the Cumberland Home Depot store in Atlanta.  According to the girls running the workshop, this is an event that happens every third Thursday of each month.  Each session goes over a different project and they will teach you and provide the materials for it.  The projects are either Pinterest-inspired ones (like the one I attended last week) or some fun DIY home improvements.  

Our session's project: a mirror framed with tiles!  

I partnered up with some great ladies already at the event and we all attempted the project.  It was definitely an easy project, it was just our first time using grout!  We learned about the different types of grout (sandy versus nonsandy) and when to use each type.  The Home Depot team was so helpful and informative.  Plus, there were some nice refreshments there, which was nice because it was around dinnertime.  My friend who came with me was actually pretty familiar with grout and ended up doing a great job taking the lead so that the other Home Depot members could help other tables.

Thoughts

I personally think it is such a great event!  I am definitely planning on attending some more!!  There is a Home Depot a little bit closer to me that I would go to next time so that I’m not late because of traffic.  But I’m always eager to learn more about DIY projects for the home and the different tools you could use.  You can find out about what workshops are coming up in your area by using www.homedepot.com or using the Facebook page.

Kudos, Home Depot, on the great event idea!


This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of
The Home Depot Cumberland (Store 121).