Shrimp and Grits, Shrimp and Grits! Oh My!

The one thing I love about the South is all that good ole' comfort food. I'd like to pretend like I'm one of those time honored Southern cooks when I make dishes like this: West Coast Shrimp and Grits via Southern Living Magazine (all good Southern ladies read it). Seriously, how have no boys stuck with me? I'm a serious catch (at least in the kitchen). I mean look at those creamy, dreamy grits?!

I Spy in July: Cool Treats

TWIMOer Sabri (yes, you are an official TWIMOer now) once told me his dream would be to have the cake at his wedding made out of Chik-fil-a nuggets. Well my food dream would be to have a swimming pool full of Nutella and this creamy, dreamy treat maybe as close as I will get. Chocolate hazelnut ice cream (aka Nutella) from Morelli's (voted best ice cream in the ATL). My tounge took a dip in this cone of amazingness.

TWIMO Travels: Savannah, Beautiful and Delicious....

I recently took a trip to my love, Savannah, GA for my bestie and faithful TWIMO follower Alison's Hen Night (aka Bachelorette Party in British). Now this was my type of party. Spa, eating, and to bed by ten. This trip also made me remember how much I loved living in Savannah and to try and hold onto these memories I made Alison, even though it was her party I made her go to all my favorite memory lane eateries (I'm an only child, people. I have trouble sharing.) So here is an edible trip down the best (introspective and developmental) three years of my life that I spent in what I think is one of the most beautiful cities in America.

Delicious, huge, fresh salad at Screaming Mimi's  

The cheapest lunch in the SAV. $2.50 slice with onion and pineapple. C'est magnifique!

Back in the Day Bakery. Voted Best Cupcakes in America by Ellen. True Story. 

Red Velvet Cupcake. One thing I love about the South. 

Chicken and waffle sliders at Rocks on the River

Fried Chicken, Waffles, Boursin cheese, Arugula, and pepper jelly.

My other man, Leopold. As in Leopold's Ice cream. Coffee chocolate chip. Sorry Ben... and Jerry. 

The world has ended.... at least in Atlanta, but never fear red velvet pancakes are here.

The past three days I have been snowed in because of Atlanta's inability to deal with snow. I'm not trying to give them a raw deal. I get it. Why invest a ton of money in snow equipment when it rarely snows, but city of Atlanta, I dare say I think the world is changing and the South might just be the new Northeast. So the 6 inches of snow and 1/2 of ice that blanketed the city have had it at a stand still for the past three days and let me tell you, I'm going NUTS being stuck in my apartment. Sure, sure, I could have been using my time productively and finishing my graphic design project or applying to jobs (which I did a little of), but with 48 hours of seclusion I probably could have whipped out a lot more. Instead I watched an NCIS marathon and a show on food trucks, which brings me to my post.

On the food truck show they explored the different types of food trucks out there and one stuck out to me. It's a breakfast food truck called Buttermilk!!! Unfortunately for me (and you unless you're a cali girl) it's in LA.


How cute is that?? Anyway their top selling item are red velvet pancakes with maple buttercream frosting. Ever since I saw this I've been jones-ing for some and since I can't get out of my house, I found a recipe online at the Kitchy Kitchen Blog and stared at the pretty picture. So if you all can get out of your abodes please go make these and call me to tell me how they are... yum...

Why October is one of my favorite months.

Today is the beginning of October, one of my favorite months of the year. First, it is usually in October that fall (my favorite weather season) sets in. Here in the ATL, we're running a sunny 75 with a slight breeze and it's fantastic. October is also the start of my favorite holiday seasons. First we get Halloween (when I scoff at people that say it is just for kids. Trick or treating is for kids. Halloween is for everyone). I LOVE dressing up and pretending to be something I'm not. Last year I was a "desperate" housewife and it was fantastic fun running around Savannah with my dear grad school friends. The best might have been E (a lumber jack) chasing her log, Miss C-line. Good times. Then comes Thanksgiving my all time favorite holiday and then Christmas, which doesn't really get me all hot and bothered, but this year I'm living abundantly, so the fact that I have very little family left is not going to bother me. :) Now other reasons to love October:


1) Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Having a family plagued with this disease (both my grandmother and mother and the very high chance that I too will get to deal with it) makes me want to spread the word. Go out there support the cause! Since it's directed at women, there are lots of cool products you can buy that give money back to research, for instance this new bracelet I just bought from Ann Taylor Loft designed by Me & Ro (really awesome jewelry designers that I could not afford otherwise). $5 of the cost goes to research AND if you're a TWIMO thrifty shopper, like myself you will have scored this beautiful find for 50% off retail ($35) (Loft is currently running a %25 off everything in the store sale and I had a coupon for %25 off full price merchandise, hence %50 off). So go get one!!! If you're less into material things may I suggest a book to read about the language of cancer, Disease as Metaphor by Susan Sontag. Not as fun as a bracelet, but it will definitely get you thinking. Also, PSA, don't forget to do your monthly breast exam. The DJ on the radio this morning wanted me to remind my friends. So you've been reminded.



2) Oktoberfest!

Now as some of you might know, I come from German heritage. Oh really Sarah? With that last name? A few years back when travelling in Europe I checked into my hostel in Munich and the receptionist said, "Welcome Home." So I may not look like Heidi Klum, but I'm German and one of my favorite parts of German culture is their FOOD. That's right. Hook me up with some sausage, German potato salad, mustard, pickles, and pretzel and I'll be all right. Now if I just liked beer... I think that gene got lost somewhere. Anyway back to the point. In honor of Oktoberfest the lovely people over at World Market are having a sale on German food items. I saw the sale advertised in the monthly e-newsletter I get from them and saw the gem of all gems being thrust at me through my computer screen, Curry Ketchup. Now I know what Miss E is thinking. Disgusting. Well, it's not. Trust me. I discovered curry ketchup while travelling with my ex boyfriend in Europe. We were always on the look out for a cheap eat so in Germany we became obsessed with Curry Wurst, which is essentially a hot dog/sausage with this tomato-y curry sauce aka curry ketchup served piping hot with a little fork. Yum. So now I can have all the curry wurst I want since I am now the proud owner of a giant bottle of curry ketchup.



So go out crack open a nice brew (or lovely Germany white wine) and raise your glass to October.

DIY Monday

And we're back for DIY Monday... I've got a lot of DIY posting to do today too (mostly because I am refusing to apply to jobs).

Quick aside. On the job front I've changed my strategy, because let's face it, I'm 25, I have a masters degree and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up (don't tell my parents), so I've of late been applying to places I may not be trained to work in, but that I think I would be great at and would love doing. Now not all of these places are in Atlanta, which might make my dad have a heart attack if I actually get hired by any of them. They range in places from Columbus, OH, Chicago, and Boston. Oh, and Martha Stewart Weddings in NYC. HAHAHA. I think it just makes me happy to apply to these places and right now that is my main concern. My happiness. Anyway I applied to a Marketing/ Retail strategy place called Big Red Rooster and of course they want to talk to me, because as my mom pointed out you're going to sound really funny when people ask you where you work and you say Big Red Rooster. You know what mom? I think it would be AWESOME. So.... back to DIY.

1) Halloween Costumes

With Halloween fast approaching (only one more month, people) I decided to buy a ticket and join my friend Mandy's Alice in Wonderland brigade in Columbus as the White Rabbit. Plus, I felt bad, because she made me a costume without me even committing to coming. Anyway at first I thought OH DEAR when I saw the costume, but now I'm pretty stoked. I get to wear a wedding dress and let's face it I'm always going to be the bride's maid so I might as well relish in this delight. Plus, Mandy is letting my make my ears, so DIY project coming up. I'm thinking birdcage veil with the bows etc. on it. I'll post pics when I'm done.

My White Rabbit Gown

2) Penny Tile take a whole new meaning...

Yesterday I was wasting time on Craft Gossip when I came across this Apartment Therapy (awesome blog, check it out) post where a hotel in D.C. tiled their bathroom in pennies. Kinda ironic in the nation's capital, where they made money. I think it's pretty, but my OCD is also grossed out, as money is pretty dirty (not that I would lie down and roll around on it. Okay, maybe if I was drunk). Also, I wonder if it is legal to use money as a flooring material? Isn't there some law about defacing money? Anyway start saving those pennies so you too can tile your floor, as I think this might be the ultimate DIY, because you're literally saving your money.

Penny Tiles for those of you who are not interior design geniuses

And "penny" tiles for those of us who take things a little too literally

3) A last bite of summer recipe

This weekend I went to Athens, GA to visit the lovely TWIMOer, Erin and we had a great culinary tour of the city. We had dinner at this great little place called Farm 255 which has all local and organic foods. I had shrimp and grits which was delicious, but we also had a fresh peach crostini with cracked black pepper that you could totally make at home and enjoy those last bits of juicy summer, so here's what to do:

Toast or Broil some lovely bread. I like a rustic French.
Spread some ricotta cheese on it.
Top with sliced peaches and sprinkle with some cracked black pepper.
** Now being a chronic sweet tooth I drizzled the final product with honey and I have to say it was magnifique!

So go out start planning your Halloween mischief, tile your floor with pennies, and eat some fruit. As always, the world is your oyster.

DIY Monday as in Didn't (do) It or anYthing

DIY Monday... I didn't really DIY this week, which could be attributed to my gallivanting off to Vegas and not being thrifty (I went against the one TWIMO axiom...). I haven't even gone shopping lately to leave you with the unemployed shopper update. My life is so lame. I did however make dinner last night, so I will share that recipe for you. I decided to try out quinoa, since the peeps at my WW meeting raved about it. Apparently it's like crack for your body, full of protein and fiber. WHOA, who doesn't like fiber! Now normally I'm not one to buy into this healthy food business. Just give me good food and I'll eat less of it (that's my dieting mantra), but alas I fell down the dark hole to quinoa. If you like couscous then you will like this grain. It's about that consistency and prepared in a similar manner. Note: Do not spill. It is a pain to clean up as I found out. Anyway here is the recipe I made. It was pretty good, although could have used a little more pizazz.

Quinoa Goat Cheese Risotto
1 ½ cup quinoa
1 T olive oil
1 T Butter
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
3 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
½ cup white wine
1 lb spinach
4 oz goat cheese
Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest for garnish
Directions
- Rinse quinoa in a fine metal sieve until your water turns clear.
- Spray a skillet with cooking spray. Sauté spinach until tender. Set aside.
- Heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender. Add garlic and cook for one minute.
- Add quinoa, wine and cayenne pepper. Cook until the wine is almost evaporated, stirring frequently.
- Add enough broth to cover quinoa. Simmer uncovered over medium low heat. Add broth as the liquid absorbs and stir frequently. Cooking quinoa will take about 15 minutes
- Stir in spinach in last two minutes of cooking.
- Remove from heat and add salt, pepper and 3 ounces of the goat cheese. Stir.
- Crumble remaining goat cheese, parsley, lemon zest and parmesan over the quinoa.

Saturday Play by Play

I'm having a quiet little Saturday here in the ATL, enjoying the finally bearable weather. I started the day off with my weight watchers meeting (if you didn't know I've been doing ww since January when I hit the highest weight I've ever been and according to the BMI I was in the obese category. This was of course not okay with me, so my mom and I joined in our respective cities and have been losing weight slowly but surely ever since). Today though I hit one of the goals I've been trying to make since May which was 17 lbs! I finally made it. I think I reached it because I sort of started exercising much to my own chagrin, because I discovered the machines at my apt. complex's gym have individual tvs on them. Watch tv and exercise. That I can do. Anyway being proud of myself I thought I deserved a treat (but a healthy one) so I went to the grocery and bought a chocolate cake mix and made these awesome ww approved muffin/cupcakes from the Hungry Girl Cookbook (also so easy a monkey could make them):

1 Dark Chocolate Cake Mix
1 15oz can of pumpkin (this is hard to come by these days, but I can usually find it in the organic section where of course you're going to pay double, but I guess it is worth it)

Preheat oven to 400
Mix cake mix and pumpkin together (DON'T add anything the mix's directions say). The batter will be really thick.
Divide batter between 12 lined muffin cups.
Bake for 20 minutes
EAT! YUM!
*Only 3 points too. Which I'm sure if better than the chocolate cake I'd been eating before.

Other things I did today were read my book The World to Come which is this week's book of the week over at Noveltease while enjoying my porch and teach myself how to do a slip stitch so that I could finish the pillows I was making (pics to come soon. I'm too lazy to take them now). What a day, what a day. I'm exhausted. I think I'll go take a nap in preparation for doing more nothing.

Would you like some butter with that triffle?

While killing some time at Target last week with E, we discovered this amazing magazine cover. A lovely blue tinted hair Paula Deen holding an entire triffle while lounging by the pool, because why not eat an entire triffle while soaking up some rays? You're Paula Deen and you fry butter, so you can do what you want.

How the TWIMO magic happens. My photog skills. Check out Paula's shelf partner. A match made in heaven.

*Photography by Erin

A Sarah's Favorite Saturday

Happy Saturday! Hope yours has been more exciting than mine. I've quarantined myself to my apartment so that I don't leave and go shopping and hense buy something with money I don't have. So here I am surfing the Internet in boredom, but no worries, you shall benefit from my turning my brain to mush. In my quarantined state I decided to do something crafty, because if you've ever known me at any stage of my life, you know I love making a good craft. In fact in high school one of my friends proclaimed that in Sarah's world she can make anything, even a TV. Now I haven't tried my hand at electronics, but how cool would it be to say, "Hey I made that TV you're watching right now. Like the rhinestones?"

So to get inspired I looked up some craft blogs and found you all some pretty great stuff:

The first is http://www.craftgossip.com/. Craft Gossip looks at other blogs and finds the best projects in a variety of crafting categories (my favorite is sewing. I think it's the problem solving it takes to put the pieces of a pattern together, plus the freedom of picking from all the beautiful fabrics out there). This led me to some other blogs such as Tatertots and Jello which then led me to where I found this recipe:

Banana Nutella White Chocolate Cupcakes

I think this person is my soul mate. These look pretty complicated, but 100% more food-gasmic than my nutella s'more, so if I make them I'll be sure to give you a review.

After finding all of these great sites I made a headband with fabric flowers (it's a bit juvenile so I might take it apart and make it for a child) and a patchwork pillow which I have to say is pretty cute. Pics will be coming soon.

While I worked on all of these fab-o projects I listened to my new favorite song: Sara Bareilles' King of Anything. You should check out the music video here. This song makes me so happy, because I think it reminds me that I am who I am and no one can take that away. A good reminder at a time in my life when I finally think I'm comfortable in my (extremely pale) skin.

Interiors: Places I spend time in when I'm not being bored

I know, I know, I've been a bad leader of the TWIMO clan as I have been missing for almost a week. I appologize and assure you I was just following the TWIMO motto of the world being my oyster and looking for the pearl. So what has Sarah been up to you ask? Well, first as you knew I sent momma TWIMO (whom I showed my blog to and pronounces TWIMO as TWE (as in twe-ed)MO which I think is hilarious) home. The next big event in my week was to get my first big city haircut since momma TWIMO said my hair looked bad and she would pay for it. So I booked a cut at a salon my Atlanta/Wash U friend Sara recommended called Grow. Now Sara is pretty hip (as in she does roller derby!) so I knew this would be an okay place.

I walked into the salon to see a large raw space with gray walls and cool mid century touches and large mirrors leaning against the wall (note to hair salon designers: I do not like these mirrors as I am unattractive to look at sitting down (as I assume everyone is). I generally sit in these chairs and pray that the stylist will quickly drape my rolling body in the large black cape, because quite frankly I look better as a head peeking out of a triangle of black fabric). Now for the second first, I had my first haircut with a male stylist. Not that this is monumental or anything, but he was straight and married! I wonder what it is like to be in a world where most male stylists are gay or presumed to be. Probably like being a straight man in interior design. Anyway Eric, the straight stylist, cut my hair fabulously and even showed me how to blow dry and use product, because to most people's disbelief (as I am very put together in my appearance and quite knowledgeable about clothing and makeup, I know very little about hair. In fact in 5th grade (a questionable time in our hygienic lives) I didn't wash my hair for 4 days, because I didn't want to deal with it. I have since gotten over my anti hair washing stage, but still don't really like styling).



For the next big event of the week the lovely Erin of Athens can to the ATL so that we could go on a hotel tour that one of the hospitality design groups was hosting (we're so chic and involved). The hotel was the Loews Hotel and let's just say I at least was not that impressed. Everything was beige. Like blah beige. Now I know neutrals have their place, but come on people let's spice it up! I would def. have snoozed in that room (which I guess isn't horrible, as hotel rooms are meant for sleeping). Another dislike of the design was the copious amounts of velvet-like material used on their soft goods (sofas, chairs, for you non-design people). Velvet is a no no in hospitality. It doesn't wear well and it picks up everything (the cleaning staff is going to need giant lint rollers), plus Erin who has a deep seeded hatred of the feel of velvet (think nails on a chalk board to others) would have to just stand in the middle of the room as she couldn't touch anything. Just sayin'.

After the tour Erin and I had a lovely dinner at an Atlanta based chain called Figo Pasta which was del-ish. Imagine butternut squash ravioli in an amaretto cream sauce... The next day E and I went bridesmaid dress shopping for her upcoming nuptials and I think we found some gems, but I'm not sharing more than that as E hates when I ruin the end of a movie or book by revealing too many details. My lips are zipped.

Now that all the excitement in my life is dying down I think I will drink a glass of wine, lay on my floor and roll around (for those of you not familiar with this activity it is my most favorite to partake in when I'm had too many libations.) Remember to seize the day and always eat dessert first or only eat dessert. Whatever. You're an adult.

-------beep-------beep----beep-beep-beep

I'm BACKKKKK..... I know you all were scared there for a minute. You thought you'd lost me, but never fear, I would never leave my adoring fans without their TWIMO. So, what's up? What have you all been doing? I decided to write a novel tonight aka use chapter headings to organize the events in my life since we last chatted.

Chapter 1: Momma TWIMO comes to ATL

My mom came last Wednesday so that she could drive back to Ohio with me for a little "be a responsible 25 year old and move out of the parental nest" trip. She came a few days early though, so that we could do some fun ATL things such as eat at Flip Burger Boutique which is this really cool gourmet burger joint (as in Osso Buco Burger, which is what I had) with an awesome interior as in everything is "flipped." That's right. Cheeky. Love it.

Chapter 2: Sarah has her first real interview

So, the raison d'etre for going to Flip was because it was designed by the firm I was going to be interviewing with the next day. Remember how every year on the first day of school your parents would take your picture (oh wait maybe that was just my overly sentimental only child parents). Well I could technically have 20 of these as that is how many first days of school I have had in my 25 year lifetime. Well, the depressing thought came to me that I would no longer have a 1st day of school photo (until my PhD of course), so I made my mom take my first interview photo. In other news the interview went really well and I'm in LOVE with the firm, but alas they are just preparing for the possibility that they might have work and need to hire, so cross your fingers and toes (and whatever other body parts you can cross and please don't share which ones) they get work!

Chapter 3: An oxymoron along I-75

While driving through I believe Kentucky (but it may have been Tennessee (is there really a difference?)) I saw the greatest highway oxymoron of all. A XXX Adult shop with a giant cross in front of it. I mean giant. That's right Porn and God. Who knew those things went together?

Chapter 4: My online heart breaks

I'm sure many of you know I have been trying to get a date, well, I have been very modern about it and used various online dating sites. Now I have not had a ton of luck with this online dating. I get a lot of guys who just don't know how to talk to girls. So I'm perusing the available gents and find one that I not only think is cute, but looks like we have a lot in common as well. Well I e-mailed him (perhaps a little enthusiastically) and wait and wait and wait. Nothing. So I e-mail him again saying "I'm guessing you're not interested, but I thought I'd give you the chance to get to know me again." And he writes back. "I've found someone already. Sorry." (okay he said it a little nicer than that) So I'm crushed. Why can't I find someone (okay someone I actually like)!? What is wrong with me?! All these things go through my head. Basically I'm getting a little frustrated. Dear Male Gender that is cute, slightly nerdy, and may not be obsessed with sports I'm here, I'm awesome, and I might give you a shout out on the Today Show if you want to chat. Okay good. Thanks.

As you can see life is full of the good and the bad and the in between (porn, religion, whoa). We have to take it all in, enjoy it and make the most of it, because the world is our oyster (do you smell that? What is it? Oh, cheese).

The End.

A little housekeeping and obvi... Sarah's Fav. Things Wed.

First things first, welcome to TWIMO's two new followers. You will not be disappointed. We are on our way to stardom and no worries I will be giving shout outs when I make it to the Today Show (and crash on Caroline's couch, or between her and Sabri, whichever is more comfy).

Second, I may be MIA for a bit because Momma TWIMO (the woman who gave me all my brains and my beautiful porcelain skin) is going to be in ATL buying me things and feeding me, so I might not be updating as prolifically as I have been.

Third, it is SARAH'S FAVORITE THINGS WEDNESDAY!!!

Today I have two favorite things.

First, is my friend Erin's new blog http://thenoveltease.blogspot.com/ which is all about books and her life reading them. Now if you are my friend you probably enjoy a good book every once in a while and Erin has read almost everything, so she makes great recommendations and she's super smart and a great writer, so it's a win win either way to read her blog. Plus, I hear she gives out prizes. Just sayin'

Second favorite thing might be my best idea ever. Genius really. So, it's summer and in the summer in the back woods of Ohio (where I hail from originally. Crazy, I know.) we always made campfires and s'mores. Now I hate being outdoors, but I love sugar, so I indulged in this activity. With nostalgia knocking on my door (or taste buds) I decided to prepare my own s'mores in the city with the help of the ever wonderful microwave. I go to my pantry to get the supplies to make my micro s'mores and find the new secret (or not so secret as I am soon to reveal it) ingredient. Drumroll please..... NUTELLA. Yes, I have invented or at least thought of unknowingly the Nutella Food-gasm S'more. Sweet, gooey, a little bit European, deliciousness. Seriously, it will change your life.

Sarah's Favorite Things Wednesdays

So now Etsy Wednesday is Sarah's Favorite Things Wednesday (Side Note: I've decided my blog is a D-list blog, like Kathy Griffin's Life (Watch the show on Bravo, people. It's hilarious). For example Kathy Griffin tries to live like an A-list celebrity, but doesn't quite get there. Well that's what my blog is. It's trying to be like those fancy, we get money for our blogs, blogs, but it just isn't quite there mostly because of lack of consistency on Wednesdays.)

Now drumroll please...... Sarah's Favorite Thing this Wednesday is.....

Her new Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Pot (in trendy lime green of course)

Now if you love coffee and haven't had French Press coffee you're living a lie. A sad, sad lie. It is amazing. I don't know why or how it works, but the coffee is so smooth, almost creamy. Yum. So go get one. It will be the best unemployed $20 you will ever spend. Trust me. And it will save you money on Starbucks and coffee filters. Win win.

My Prospects are Lookin' Good

Since I'm unemployed I have made a schedule for myself to follow daily as a person once told me my full time job is finding a job, so I work 8 to 5 (or 9 or 10, really when I wake up). It begins each morning with making the daily schedule while I eat breakfast. The morning usually involves making follow up calls to firm's that I have sent things to and leaving messages on their voicemail (btw how many messages is too many? I mean I'm using the philosophy that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, but they may just take me off and put a new wheel on). There may also be some cover letter writing going on. I'm getting so bored writing cover letters that I'm starting to get creative with them, which could be bad. I'm thinking about starting one with Hire Me. I'm Awesome. Thanks. Wouldn't it be funny if that landed me a job?

Then I usually take a lunch break. I tend to give myself 2 hours for this. I mean I'm unemployed WHY NOT? So, yesterday I was craving some sushi, but didn't want to pay a lot for it. So I went to yelp.com (you all should use it) and looked up cheap sushi and found a chain of places called Ru San's which got mixed reviews. Not being a food snob I decided to check it out. I mean they have a $10 all you can eat sushi buffet. That there ladies and gents should have been my first warning.

I arrive at Ru San's and they seat me at the Sushi bar where the sushi artists can stare at me while I eat, which they did. After consuming some dried out, unidentified sushi (I mean even though it was bad I needed to get my $10 worth) and some fried bananas I was getting ready to pay the bill when the oldest sushi master bats his eyes at me and asks my name while the younger sushi sans (I'm totally making this Japanese language stuff up. I hope I'm not offending anyone) giggle (okay they were men, so they didn't exactly giggle). Here's what this guy kinda looked like for those of you who are not visual people:





The older guy then procedes to flirt with me in an old man way and tells me to come back many times. So, at least I can get an old Japanese sushi chef at the world's worst sushi restaurant. I'm feeling really confident about my prospects in the dating world. I wonder if there is a bad Italian restaurant where I could pick up some ragazzi?

Tap that Yogurt

So, my newest food obsession since coming to Atlanta is The Yogurt Tap on Church St. in Downtown Decatur. It's one of those serve yourself yogurt places but it makes all of its flavors on premise with REAL fruit. The flavors change weekly so every trip is exciting. After you tap yourself a big ol' bowl you can pile on the toppings (just don't pile too much as they charge by weight and you might end up with a $12 concoction). So if you should find yourself in Atlanta or if you visit me, you can be sure this will be a stop on the tour.

My Current Flavor Combo: Wild Blackberry and Mango topped with white chocolate chips and strawberries. Mmmm....

Tour de la Stomache du New Orleans

Sorry I've been MIA. I've been starting my new life in Atlanta (more on that later) and didn't have high speed internet until today which makes blogging difficult. First I'd like to share my trip to New Orleans for Caroline's wedding. After spending a week there I have determined that all you do there is eat and drink. So here is a tour of my week in NOLA.

1st Stop: Po Boys at Johnny's PoBoys. This sandwich was seriously the size of my head and some guy laughed at me because of the look on my face when they brought it to me. "You gonna eat all that honey?" Ummm... yes.

2nd Stop: Meltdown Popsicles. Gourmet Popsicles. Enough said on a HOT New Orleans Day. I sampled Salty Caramel and on my second trip Blueberry Lime. I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with any of the flavors though.

3rd Stop: Cafe Beignet for obvi Beignets and Cafe au Lait. I actually never made it to Cafe du Monde (to eat that is), but my guidebook argues that this place's are just as good with a little less powered sugar. Let's just say they taste like funnel cake and that fried dough in the morning didn't really do it for me on a 100 degree day.

4th Stop: Green Godess for lunch with Courtney. This place has a hippy vibe with a gourmet menu. We had a wedge salad with shrimp and some pretty rockin' sweet potatoe biscuits with orange honey butter and pepper jelly. (Image courtesy of Courtney)

5th Stop: DESSERT at Sucre. This cute little shop is in the Garden District and makes a sweet tooth's heart melt. I had the salty caramel cupcake (which was GIANT). Courtney had the gelato and said it was delish.

And the 6th and final stop on the Tour de la stomache is Brennan's. The ultimate brunch place. Caroline's aunt treated us to brunch at this luxe place. The breakfast was THREE courses. First we had mimosas with fresh orange juice, then strawberries in cream, then Eggs Hussarde which was basically eggs benedict except with a special sauce and on a toast like thing instead of an English muffin (we are in a French city), and lastly Bananas Fosters made in honor of the bride. Oh and did I mention the voodoo bathroom attendent. Told me to buy the bride and groom a broom and have them pull out one straw a day and when all the straw is pulled they will have lived a good life together. I thought to myself I better get them a BIG broom.

Yum. And I only gained 1.8 lbs.

Chocolate Shoe. Need I say more.

Who knew someone would combine two of my favorite things Shoes and Chocolate? Genius! (Thanks to Angie's mom for sending this AMAZING find to me).