Bachelorette ATL

It's so fun to be at an age where a lot of your friends are getting married! I'm fortunate to have a husband who doesn't fuss about me taking a weekend away with the girls. This particular trip was to one of my favorite cities: Atlanta, GA. We did have an incident there a couple of years ago, but I'm trying not to let it ruin my happy memories.

I got in late Friday night and met the girls at Flip Burger. I'm very sad I had to miss the meal, but I had to work and make the long drive. Flip Burger is owned by Richard Blais one of the hubby and I's favorite chef's from Bravo TV's Top Chef. I did however, make it in time for dessert: a nutella and burnt marshmallow liquid nitrogen milkshake. It was SOOO yummy but even too rich for the bride and I to finish together. Definitely a place I want to go back with the hubby.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for some drinks and games. Another bridesmaid planned the whole weekend and she did a FABULOUS job. Our hub was the Hyatt Place Buckhead. Perfect location. Safe. It was a short walk to many restaurants, stores, and a MARTA station. She made the whole board game herself with bachelorette themed charades cards and trivia cards personalized to the bride and groom! It was so thoughtful and fun!

Saturday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and took MARTA down to Georgia Tech where we did the Taste of Atlanta food/wine/beer/cocktail festival. It made for a PERFECT day. The weather was amazing and it set the tone for the whole day. We ordered VIP tickets (definitely worth the extra money). The allowed us access to the VIP tent all day (read: all you can drink and eat). The bridesmaid who planned everything had costume challenges throughout the day. We started with stick on mustaches (a big hit with the crowd). progressed to pirate eye patches (those didn't last long--a safety hazard when you're drinking), and skeleton gloves. I would do this again in a heartbeat. We got to sample all kinds of different foods and beverages. I finally got to try Korean BBQ (yum!!) and also had a mini burger, white beans with kale, duck sausage, gourmet grilled cheese, a crab springroll, spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, black bean chili, a mini chicken taco, and I'm sure there's more. Everything was just a small sample and it was fun to try so many new and different things. Also, I drank a lot of great wines. After about 5 hours, we rolled our gluttonous selves back to MARTA and to the hotel.

Everyone needed a nap, but I was not going to pass up my chance to head down the street and hit up my favorite grocery store of all time: Trader Joes. I could have waited until Sunday, but GA doesn't sell alcohol on Sundays. (Come on, people! Jesus turned water into WINE!) I've made that mistake once before (See Roanoke, VA post). This time, I wasn't missing my "Two-Buck Chuck." So, I forfeited my much needed siesta and headed to shop. I loaded up a serious cart full of wine, dried fruits, sauces, tortilla chips (they have the best) and whole wheat gnocchi (a favorite of the hubby). WHYYY CAN'T THERE BE ONE CLOSER???

We pushed our dinner reservations back to 9:00...after all we had been eating and drinking ALL day. We got all fancied up (and then made the bride wear the customary ridiculous bachelorette tiara, veil, sash, and beads) and took a taxi to Eclipse di Luna. Tapas was the perfect choice. If we had all ordered full meals, I think we would have exploded. Instead, we had a scrumptious pitcher of red sangria, salads, fried green beans, patatas bravas, and atun a la placha (herb encrusted tuna). 4 people. 4 tapas dishes. And we didn't even finish them. But, they were very yummy. It was a great atmosphere! Live music! We sat on the heated patio. We ordered a 2nd round of drinks (beer for everyone, very yummy mojito for me) and things were starting to die down. The waitress brought out this contraption and it brought the whole patio back to life!! So much fun and definitely a way to liven things up!

I did some research and finally found one. It's call an El Porron. My heart says "buy it!" my head says, "do we need something else to sit in the cabinet?"

Like the last bachelorette party, we passed around a notebook everywhere we went asking for funny or serious marital advice. If you're planning a bachelorette party... I would definitely recommend doing this! It can be sweet, hilarious, and makes a great souvenir for the bride!

The checklist came out...
















and headed for the clubs/bars. We hit the Buckhead scene and had fun! I think the bride had a blast and accomplished most of her checklist! Note: Boys in Buckhead were not nearly as willing to buy the bride drinks as the boys in New Orleans and Nashville. Maybe a younger crowd?? I don't know but she had fun and that's what matters!

Sunday morning: walked to breakfast at The Flying Biscuit Cafe. Had to wait a while to get in but it was DELICIOUS!! Their grits were creamy and dreamy (as advertised)...best I've ever had. Found this recipe online...must try. Everyone (except me) had the Southern Scramble with collard greens and said it was very yummy. I decided to try something totally different and went with the Egg-Ceptional Eggs. HOLY BREAKFAST COW! Sometimes trying new things is disappointing...this whole weekend new choices were amazing and broadened my horizons. Blackbean cakes topped with over-medium eggs, topped with rosted tomatillo salsa, sour cream and feta cheese! And of course, everything came with a scrumptious biscuit.

After breakfast, we parted ways. I dropped two of the ladies off at the airport and headed home. Everyone had a good time, especially the bride. Successful weekend! :)

The South Rises! RI

What a special trip! We took a lovely trip to Rhode Island with my grandparents, parents, sister, and aunt. We flew out Friday after work and arrived into Providence around midnight.

We stayed in a older, but nice lake house right outside of East Matunuk beach.

Saturday morning we woke up and had breakfast at the house. Then, we all loaded up and Grandpa took us to all of the places he grew up. They moved around a lot and I'm pretty sure we saw the whole state.

It was so nice to hear him reminisce about the places he lived, worked, went to school, etc. We made stops throughout the day to get out and walk around. And we had lunch at the FAMOUS Olneyville N.Y. System. We enjoyed the scrumptious hot wieners (read: wee-nahs), french fries with vinegar (read: vine-ee-gah), and coffee milk (read: coif-ee melk). It really was yummy, but even better for the soul. They even (by our special request) unsanitarily stacked the wieners up their arms like the used to in the old days...

 It's fun to think that my grandpa was sitting at that exact same counter eating the same things in the 50's! The people there took great care of us and embraced our touristy nostalgia. 

Like any good tourists, we also made a stop at the LaSalle Bakery. I'm not a huge sweets person, but maybe because they don't have sweets like this in the South. The chocolate eclair was to die for!!!

We also stopped and picked up some local wines and a bottle of Rhode Island Hard Cider for my sis's upcoming 21st bday and then headed back to the beach house. We rested for a few minutes and then headed out to pick up my great aunt and my dad's cousins. Then, we headed through Massachusetts to Bristol, RI. Here, you find one of my Grandpa's favorite restaurants. We went on our last trip to RI (10 years ago). They're famous for their baked stuffed lobster. The group also chowed down on stuffed quahogs (eh) and steamers (gag me!) But they really seemed to enjoy them. My sister and I enjoyed the bread basket and they had a fabulous house Italian salad dressing! Going back would not be my top choice, but I'd go anywhere to see my grandpa happy!

Sunday morning we went to a really nice grocery store... I wish I could remember what it was called... it was very "Fresh Market--y". Us girls enjoyed just wandering around and looking at all of the different products. My mom got the most beautiful dahlia. 

After that we went and walked on the Atlantic and drove down to Point Judith. We were in a hurry and didn't get to stop at the light house... next time. The Atlantic is pretty, but we all know I'm a beach snob. I'll take our white sand and pretty seashells over gray muck and rocks any day :) 

Next on the agenda was the cookout. Beautiful weather and lots of family and friends. I think it was a perfect day! I got to meet some new family and that is always special. It was such a casual day. We talked, grilled, watched football, and just enjoyed each other's company. I love to get all gussied-up and go out, but sometimes the laid back days are the best ones. 

There were some beautiful swans at the lake. Andrew and I took some of our younger cousins down and fed them some left over hamburger and hot dogs. Who doesn't love acting like a kid and feeding the birds (unless they're seagulls, pigeons, or any other bird that's likely to poop on your head)? 

AND THERE WAS A BUNNY! I get excited about the little things in life, I know!

Monday morning we went out to Newport to visit some of the Newport Mansions. First, we made a stop at the visitors center and then drove down to see the mansions. Our first stop was accidental. We thought we were going to The Breakers. When we all unloaded out of the van, I thought it looked smaller and less extravagant than the last time we went. But, that was ten years ago, so I thought maybe I was wrong. I wasn't. It was Salve Regina University. However, it ended up being one of those beautiful mistakes because we could wander around and take photos. The building was exquisite!

 Could you imagine having a fire in here??? I would have loved to live back in the days when these houses were happening! I could have definitely schmoozed with the Vanderbilts! Wait! I would like to bring modern plumbing, heating/AC, and my smart phone with me though, OK?

Anyways, we then actually made it to The Breakers. Andrew and I took the cliff walk. It is very nicely done and a great way to see the houses and a charming view of the ocean if you don't mind walking a little.   Have you ever been to the Biltmore in Ashville, NC? If not, you should go...it's FABULOUS! I want to go back at Christmas someday. I digress. The Breakers is the people who owned the Biltmore (the Vanderbilt's) summer home. It is overly-extravagant to a ridiculous point. It is much like going to a museum. When you get there, they give you a player and headphones for a self guided tour. (Note: I asked and they do not sanitize the headphones between visitors, but you can opt for no headphones and just hold the player close to your ear!)

After The Breakers, we went to the Newport Creamery. It was recommended by a friend. I think it must be more of a nostalgia place. Their big thing is the Awful, Awful.  

The food wasn't "awful, awful (hah! i crack myself up)." Just typical diner food. I probably wouldn't go back again...
After lunch we went to The Marble House. It is another part of the mansions of Newport. I really liked it as well.

It's a ginormous, magnificent house with so much marble. My favorite was the red marble. The woman who owned it, Alva Vanderbilt was very big in the women's suffrage movement and she was from Mobile, AL. Her divorce was one of the first among New York society. It sounded like she was a pistol! Out back is this cool little pagoda they use as a tea house. So, you have this huge house with all of this imported marble that took years and tons of $$ to build... they lived there for 3 summers!!!! Then, Alva decided to move down the street but keep the house for a closet and to do her laundry. Ahem! Excuse me to HAVE her laundry done for her. Big money, big problems, right? I keep telling myself that...

Monday night we went to one of my dad's cousins house for dinner with the whole family. I think there were about 20 of us. They're Italian so we ATE (and then ate and ate and ate) and drank and talked (and yelled) and talked and laughed all night. It was so fun to see my Grandpa with his only sister. Family is a beautiful thing whether it's people you see every day or every 10 years!

It was truly a beautiful trip and happy memories that will last a lifetime.

Ideas for the next trip:
-Plan a long enough trip for side trips to Boston and maybe NYC.
-Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival (September)
-Take the ferry from North Kingston to Martha's Vineyard