The Great Rain Boot Expedition

In high school, I had just moved to Georgia and met my J, an old soul and free spirit, we quickly became best friends as it is impossible not to be drawn in by her fun attitude and infectious laughter. We even wore matching outfits on the first day of senior year. We might have done the same thing for Music Midtown this weekend as well... 

 

One of our first actions as friends was the invention of the Cackie. It had humble beginnings as a drink but quickly developed into a noun/verb/location for any activities we participated in. On occasion we would invite our other friends to join us "Cackie-ing" and when we wouldn't answer their calls, they knew we were roaming our city out cackie-ing somewhere. 

So a weekend staying with my best friend in the Highlands started as most weekends of our life have - with the Cackie as we waited on our Uber ride to drive us to Piedmont Park. I can't recommend Uber enough, there is no better way to arrive than in a sleek black town car. I promise it is so worth the few extra dollars to sit on nice leather seats and enjoy complimentary waters and AC.

You will become addicted. Download the app now to enjoy your first ride FREE.

There is not much better than a Friday night in Piedmont Park. The weather was beautiful and there was excitement in the air as the first of the crowds strolled in for Happy Hour, concerts, and frolicking in the park.

We arrived to catch Phoenix, Cake, and Journey as the finale and danced the night away, met some new friends, and probably had a bit* too much fun.

as usual*

Last year I said I hated the proximity of the stages and although I still agree with this, I also hate that the two stages farthest from one another had everything I wanted to see. We were forever running from one stage to the other. Not so much of an issue on Friday but at a sold out show on Saturday - it was a pain!

Due to the amount of fun we jam packed into Friday evening, Saturday started off slowly. Sleeping in, game day on TV, and finally Yeah! Burger for organic burgers, fries, and fried pickles. 

I can't explain how needed this lunch was. I didn't have time to retake this non-blurry picture, I had a burger to tend to.

So while we enjoyed a leisurely morning on the patio of Yeah! burger in the Highlands, the rain began to fall. And down pour. And not let up at all. So the rest of the morning was spent calling every store I could think of, racing from one location to the next, and begging store clerks to hide a pair of size 7 rain boots for my feet.

It is said that every pair of rain boots were purchased this weekend. The last of which ended up on my feet! Thank you Dale at DSW in Buckhead. I am forever in your debt.

I was a happy girl even if this great hair day was ruined in the downpour - and so I am sharing it here. The rest of the afternoon was a rainy mess but we were prepared. Rain boots, rain slicker, and happy SMILES - CHECK.

We caught Arctic Monkeys on the main stage and then stumbled through the mud to Tegan + Sara and Imagine Dragons.

Many people were NOT prepared for the weather and I was so happy I was not one of them. They were imaginative at least.

And just to be sure you know. YES, there was MUD.

As the rain tapered off, the crowds grew and the mud slides picked up. I am sure poor Piedmont Park is a mess today.

We finished the day with Kendrick Lamar, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Thanks Piedmont. Thanks Music Midtown. It was a beautiful weekend!

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Come Together Mumford

 It isn't often you wake up and regret NOT going to Clermont Lounge the previous night. Usually the morning after Clermont is a stumbling hangover to your roommates bed to ask what happened the night before as you slowly recall karaoke, awkwardly crushed cans, and a little old lady that looks so sweet until she gives your friend a lap dance.

Don't get me wrong - I love the place and last night I wish I had been there to meet Ben Lovett and to watch Mumford + Sons get kicked out after their show in Centennial Olympic Park.

Yesterday was the kind of afternoon that makes you love Atlanta - which is not an emotion I usually feel to this city.

However, it was a perfect evening to frolic in Centennial Olympic Park and crowd with thousands of other fans that won the lottery show for Mumford + Sons, the Vaccines, and Bear Den.

I don't usually love concerts in Centennial as they tend to be a madhouse with everyone pushed together and my only view of someones shoulders in front of me that I have to rest my forehead on.

But on this night we had a great little spot with extra room and lots of red heads. I have always believed that red head radar is an actual thing. They are a cult of people that all seem to know one another and when I turned around in the crowd to speak to J, I was surrounded.

I do love some gingers! And a perfectly timed photobomb.  

Of course Mumford + Sons put on an amazing show. If Mumford isn't your thing, you should check them out anyways - you will be pleasantly surprised. I only began to enjoy them after seeing them live when my friend, L dragged me to see them in the dusty Arkansas heat during Wakarusa years ago but I am glad she did.

They ended the show with Come Together and I may need to post the video (you will have to excuse my dancing half way through) to appreciate the wonderful night.

Atlanta even put up SkyView in Centennial, which has already made the to-do list! If you are planning on going as well, click on the link to check out a deal that includes drinks at the Glenn Hotel - a fun date idea! 

Though I am still regretting Clermont Lounge and gladly would have put up with the headache and extra long shower...

Game Day+Cupcakes+Flowers (with a side of puppies and robberies)

It is that time of the year for the leaves to change, the weather to cool, and cookouts and Georgia football to start again. I would say I am excited, but I'm not. I am still waiting on my humid summer nights, dark tan lines, and throwing my pack on to roam around Europe. Summer, you owe me.

But you have heard me whine about Summer enough this year so while I am stuck in Georgia I plan on celebrating all of our Fall festivals accordingly. Staring with GAME DAY and my little, K's birthday.

In college, this became a crazy birthday weekend and although we missed out on the Athens bar scene we still created it as best we could.  

We did our best to annoy help A as he grilled up steaks, brats, and chicken.

and set up the projector to watch the game like the best days at STA.

We also had a guest of honor because K's birthday present was a sweet pup named Hoover!

One more, because look at this guy and those puppy eyes...

He is the sweetest and we were all smitten instantly. We all had to be as close as possible to the little guy.

The whole day had the great gameday feel. It is a bit like Christmas morning, waking up and turning on Gameday and getting into the kitchen to whip up some gameday goodies. The first place that notices its football season is my kitchen. When else would I whip up bright red cupcakes...

Since we were also celebrating a birthday, I decided to make "Cupcake Flowers" so the best things in life were covered.

 To make your own you will need a terra cotta pot - I covered this with chalkboard paint for all of the "Happy Birthdays" and "Go Dawgs" messages I could squeeze in.



 Styrofoam to fit into the flower pot. I used a round ball to fit snuggly into the pot and cut it into halves, because these types of items are always good to have on hand. You can find these at any hobby store around you.

After frosting the red cupcakes with icing, to complete my red+black requirement, or whatever team you choose to celebrate, use wooden spokes to spear each cupcake into the Styrofoam.  

Helpful hint: make some cupcakes smaller with less frosting for the sides. Since they will be speared into the Styrofoam on a bit of a slope, they should not be top heavy. I also popped it in the freezer for a few hours until the game - because humidity kills in Georgia. 

If you are presenting it as a gift like I did, make sure to bring some chalk because everyone will want their turn signing. 

Gerogia football+cupcakes+flowers.

We even ended the night with some Hobbin + Bobbin.  

Happy Fall from The Landing.