Lisa Brown Atlanta- Closing its doors :(

So sad, Lisa Brown Atlanta is such a great store- they will be missed! Make sure you visit them this week and next week to stock up on jeans, tops, dresses, etc. Everything in the store is 50% off. I would go ASAP so that you can get the best selection.
Thanks for a great store Lisa!



6301 Roswell Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 255-4949

Gilly Hicks- Online Store now open!

Gilly Hicks (Abercrombie's answer to Victoria's Secret and Gap Body- see past post) recently opened their e-commerce site!

Check them out and stock up on adorable unmentionables (well, I guess I did just mention them). So many cute things- I especially love their camis and the signature scent- La Perouse.

http://www.gillyhicks.com

New Consignment Shop- Labels Resale Boutique

Ok, you need to check this place out! I've lived in Atlanta for over 4 years and I had yet to find a good consignment shop with decent brands up until yesterday. Labels Resale Boutique in Buckhead (by the Whole Foods and across the street from Richie Arpino Salon) is amazing. They have tons of high end brands at ridiculously low prices. On top of that, they are very good about editing what comes in, so all the items I saw were in amazing shape. Anne Fontaine tops, 7 and True Religion jeans, Monolo and Prada shoes, BCBG tops and dresses, lots of organic tees (which are brand new and $10-$15).

When I was there yesterday they had a ton of Anthropologie items that were just brought in- I got an awesome skirt for $20 that looked like it had never been worn (I heart long skirts). In addition to the skirt I got a La Rok cropped jean jacket that was only $15 (it was probably over $200 when it was new) and a kick ass snake ring. After I trading in 2 pairs of jeans and a cotton skirt, I only ended up paying $6 for all three of these items.

The store works like a regular consignment shop- you can bring in your stuff to sell on consignment, or you can bring in and trade (what I did) or you can outright sell it. As you would guess, if you sell on consignment, you can get more $ for your items, but you have to wait for them to sell. If you trade for other items in the shop you get a little less for them, but you also walk out of the store with something new. And lastly, if you take the cash, you get the least amount for you clothes, but you do get $. I personally like the trade option.

So make sure you stop by and bring any of your high-end jeans, tops, dresses, etc. that you don't wear anymore and walk out with fun new stuff! Trust me, this blows Plato's Closet or Psycho Sisters out of the water. I will be taking my mom when she comes in May for sure. I highly recommend checking Labels out.

Labels Resale Boutique
202 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-446-6700

(photo source- Labels website)

Salon Review (and free deal!)- Richie Arpino Salon

A few weeks ago, I went to Richie Arpino salon for a deep conditioning treatment and a haircut.

(Check out this blog for an amazing FREE deal on a deep conditioning treatment plus 20% off all other services now through the end of March at Richie Arpino- Jessica Shops Atlanta. I don't want to take any credit for this offer since it is through her site, so check out the blog and support Jessica Shops. It is a great site to bookmark).

I will say that I had a really positive experience. Everyone at the salon were very friendly and it wasn't snooty or intimidating, like many salons around the city who like to think they are tragically hip. The vibe was very warm- stylists and clients were all taking about TV and current events all together. It didn't feel like a "hair factory" which many larger salon are guilty of.

I actually had Richie himself cut my hair (I felt very special). He did a great job and listened to what I wanted. He did take off a little more than I expected at first, but overall I am really happy with the haircut. I would recommend checking them out if you need a new stylist.

Richie is known all over Atlanta and has been featured in a TON of magazines as well as a stylist for the TBS show Movie and a Makeover.
I also found out that he is a talented photographer and was impressed with his work behind the camera as well as his "work" on my head :)

Salt Sunglasses

OK, I am sorry I haven't posted in a while. Things have been really crazy, amongst other things, I moved (yay Toco Hills).

After wearing glasses for over twenty years (I got my first pair in kindergarten. They were blue with the Pink Panther on the sides. And yes, my mom has saved them all these years) I finally got contacts. Now, besides being totally overjoyed that I don't have to wear glasses all the time, I am also ecstatic that I can buy any pair of sunglasses I want, without having to get them made with custom lenses.

I have always wanted a pair of aviators and found the most perfect pair at Salle Opticians at Phipps. They have an amazing selection of high-end designer frames and sunglasses. Additionally, their staff actually know what they are talking about (though I will say not super friendly).

The pair I ended up getting is made by this great independent company out of California called Salt Optic. Their sunglasses are worn by all the stars and have been in tons of magazine. I have to admit, I had never heard of this brand, but am now a huge fan. Check out their site to learn about how much effort and detail go into each pair. I think they are worth the $$ for sure. I got them because I just love how they look, but after reading about the company, I am very happy to have purchased such a well-crafted pair of glasses. Now I just need to pray that no one sits on them!

CYOA at Shaun's tonight PLUS a chance to win 50% off!

Do you miss those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books? Haven't you wished that you could do that in real life?

Finally, as an adult, you can! And it will be even better than you imagined because it involves wine and food from Shaun's! Take a gander:

Choose your own wine country adventure with winemakers Kate

Michaud of Covey Run and Jeff Stewart of Buena Vista.

$60 per person plus tax and gratuity, wines inclusive in pricing.

Reception at 6:30, seated at 7:00.

Appetizer

Cauliflower soup, green garlic, smoked trout, buckwheat sprouts

Covey Run Riesling

Or

Warm brussels sprouts salad, sweetgrass dairy goat cheese, guanciale

Buena Vista Chardonnay

Intermezzo

Lemon ricotta raviolis, wild nettle pesto

Buena Vista Pinot Noir

Or

Ricotta gnudis, wild mushroom broth, jasmine

Covey Run Gewuritztraminer

Entrée

Porchetta, sea island red peas

Covey Run Cabernet

Or

Amish chicken, grits, turnip greens, pot likker

Buena Vista Merlot

Dessert

Parsnip cake, white miso ice cream

Reserve Semillon Ice Wine

Or

Lemon curd, homemade graham cracker crumbs

Covey run Late Harvest Riesling

This all happens TONIGHT so don't delay in making reservations!

Don't want to among one of the common folk at dinner tonight? Would you prefer the DI treatment? Fine. The first two people who write me at Disposable Income and mention this post will get 50% of tonight's dinner for themselves and a guest!

Amazing Designer Discount Site- Gilt.com

This site is fantastic! It is a members-only shopping club that gives you access to designer sales each day that are over 70% off regular price-It is like an online sample sale every day. How it works is that each day, they pick 3-4 designers to feature at 12 noon (ET). The sale continues for 36 hours or until they sell out. Here is the blurb the site gives:

Gilt Groupe provides fashion enthusiasts online access to designer fashion from top brands at sample sale prices.

• You'll find apparel, accessories and jewelry for Women, Men and Children at prices up to 70% off retail.
• All items are guaranteed to be authentic and sourced directly from the brand.

Just to give you an idea of the brands, here are just some of the ones coming up this week- Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kooba, Oscar de la Renta, Just Cavalli, 7 Jeans, Gryson, White and Warren ... and those are less than half of the sales that will be going on this week.
I recently bought a Me & Ro bracelet for 70% off. Yay!
Since it is members only, I am inviting you to join now for free. I promise you will be addicted. Just click on this link to register:

http://www.gilt.com/invite/annaavery

Threading and Henna at Lenox?

While GrabMol and friends are having a very frugal week (that is an understatement!), I just got tricked into spending $6 on a cup of tea at Teavana. I think Grabmol spent less on food in the last 3 days than I did on that stupid drink.
Anyway.... I digress....

While drinking my overpriced beverage at Lenox, I did see that they opened a new store, Da Arches, that specializes in threading, waxing and (so excited!) henna tattoos. It looks like there are other locations around the city, but the Lenox location is across from Crate and Barrel on the lower level (behind Wolf Camera).

I have several friends in NYC that swear by threading. Basically it is a hair removal method that uses a little string to pluck out unwanted hair. Click here if you want to know more about the process. Everyone says that it hurts much less than plucking or waxing and is more precise. I must admit I haven't tried it myself, but have heard great things about the method.

I am excited to try the henna tattoos that they offer. Click here to learn more about henna. Basically it is a plant-based "dye" that is applied to the skin in an intricate pattern that last from 2-3 weeks. Henna tattoos are popular all over the Middle East, Morocco, India, Iran, especially for the wedding ceremony. I love all things Middle Eastern (take that however you want... :) ) so I have always wanted to get a henna tattoo (maybe not as elaborate as the picture above), since I would NEVER get a real tattoo (come on, I'm Yenta Girl!) The prices are really reasonable at Da Arches. I am thinking about going to get one soon, so I will make sure to report back.

$30/week Challenge - Day 1

The first day seemed pretty daunting. Eating on less than $5 a day hardly seemed possible. I was nervous.

I wasn't the only one who was skeptical. One person in a meeting told me flat out, "You won't last a day." Thanks for the vote of confidence, guy!

Nevertheless, I wasn't off to a bad start.

Instead of getting ready and then grabbing a latte on the way to work, coffee was brewed at home for about 20 cents a cup.

mmm...home brewed!

It was actually quite nice to drink coffee at home. It made me feel like that time in the morning where I sit in bed and hit refresh on Facebook for 10 minutes straight ("Hello?? Where is everybody?!") wasn't wasted.

For breakfast, I ate some of the corn flakes I bought for only $2.70 for a 1 pound box! In fact, it was sooo good, I had it for lunch. (Either that or I didn't get my shit together to pack a lunch the night before.)

seriously - this box is HUGE!

When I went for seconds during lunch, I began to gaze longingly at the sliced nectarines in the picture on the corn flake box. Man, I really wanted one. (I kind of still do, actually.)

By the time the end of the day rolled around, I was so hungry. I probably need to plan better, as corn flakes don't really stave off hunger.

For dinner that night, Extraface and I cooked up some beans and rice. I was so hungry at this point, I was hovering over the stove, stealing beans from the hot pan and burning my mouth.

don't worry - I didn't let that dog get any of MY dinner!

By the time I ate the beans and rice, it felt close to the best meal I'd ever had. I was that hungry. (I'd like to point out that my hungry probably had more to do with poor food choices on my part than the amount of money spent. In fact, I'm sure Tami - who made a mushroom and spinach burrito for dinner on her Day 1 - did not experience the hunger pangs that I had. I didn't get too creative with my food.)

mmm...gotta love the beans!

Day 1 Totals

Breakfast: Coffee & corn flakes at $1.30

Lunch: Corn flakes and diet cokes at $1.32

Dinner: Beans & rice at $1.03

TOTAL: $3.65

Full disclosure: I did have some Starbursts from a coworkers candy stash and a homemade cookie for dessert that was given to me as a gift. I feel that these shouldn't count towards the total but feel free to debate within the comment section!

$30 a week Challenge

When Tami of Running with Tweezers asked if anyone was interested in participating in a challenge to only spend $30 on food for a week, I was totally on board. The $30 is a small bump up from the $23 national average per person that those receiving federal assistance receive for food per week.

doesn't seem like much, does it?

This couldn't come at a better time for me as, lately, I've been spending money on food with wild abandon. A not out of the ordinary day for me can look like this:

Breakfast: Latte & oatmeal from Starbucks at about $7

Lunch: Soup and fruit from Metro Fresh at about $13

Snacks: Diet cokes and/or some cereal from the work cafeteria at about $3

Dinner: Delivery ordered from Zifty.com at about $20

TOTAL: $43

Spending like this puts me at almost 10 times my budget this week - and that doesn't even include what I would spend to eat out on the weekends. Oy.

Yesterday, Extraface (who is also participating) and I went to the grocery store for some cheap eats for this week. We got some bread, peanut butter, beans, and corn flakes.

I'll document my participation on the challenge here. Anyone have any ideas on how to keep my spending on food down this week? How about any ideas on how to get fruit and veggies in?

Food 101 Morningside & Zaca Mesa Wine Pairing Dinner

I got the heads up on a really yummy wine pairing dinner that Food 101 Morningside is putting on next month:

"Food 101 Morningside is partnering with Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards (Santa Ynez Valley, CA) to feature a 5-course dinner paired with Zaca Mesa's award winning wines. Zaca Mesa is a Santa Ynez Valley estate winery dedicated to Rhone varieties. Since 1972, they have hand crafted wines from grapes grown in their vineyards to express their distinct character and genuine quality, offering you a unique experience to share. In 2007, Wine & Spirits named Zaca Mesa the Estate Winery of the year.

Chef Ron Eyester, Food 101, and Mike Ramsey, Zaca Mesa, will be presenting their dishes and wines. The dinner is only $65 for the 5 paired courses and is on Wednesday, March 4th at 7pm"
(Scroll down to see the menu for the night.)

I am going to be there and hope to see some Disposable Income readers there, as well!

As a thank you for coming, All DI readers (and ONLY DI readers) will be entered into a drawing for a free bottle of Zaca Mesa's Z3. Just be sure to mention that you heard about the dinner through Disposable Income when you call the restaurant (404.347.9747) to make reservations.

________

Zaca Mesa Winemaker’s Dinner at Food 101 Morningside Wednesday March 4, 2009

George’s Bank Scallops
Red Curry Aioli & Apricot Chutney

Zaca Mesa Viognier 2007

________________


Benton’s Country Ham & Goat Cheese Ravioli
Spiced Pear Butter & Ashland Farm Arugula

Zaca Mesa Chardonnay 2007

___________________


Fricassee of Duck Confit
Pearl Onions, Baby Fennel & Riverview Farm Grits

Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006

_________________________________


Lamb Meatloaf
Sweet Potato Hash & Balsamic Mushroom Jus

Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee 2005

____________________________________________


Brioche French Toast Sandwich
Nutella, Sage & Blackberry Syrup

Zaca Mesa Syrah 2004

______________________________________________________


executive chef/partner ron eyester

$65 per person + Tax & Gratuity

Orla Kiely at Target!!!

I was ecstatic to hear that Orla Kiely was going to be designing kitchen and home items for Target this spring. But my excitement pales in comparison to my dear friend LD, who is a Orla Kiely aficionado and huge fan. I invited her to review the new line and loop us in on where to find these items here in Atlanta, as the line is now available online and in stores:

As YentaGirl knows, I am a big Orla Kiely fan. Her classic handbags are cotton with PVC coating, but she has spread out to leather bags as well. Her line also includes wallets, cosmetic bags, clothing, housewares, and stationery. She's fashionably taking over the world in a big way, and her new line at Target is proof! Check out her website.

Check out a NYC blog about her new line of Target tableware. The line includes melamine and ceramic cups, plates, bowls, serving pieces, and more! Keep in mind that the melamine pieces are not microwave safe and are only dishwasher safe in the top shelf. That key piece of information led me to buy 2 apple & pear plates and hang them on my kitchen wall. They look super cute, but I'm too attached to my microwave to use them as plates. I did get a couple coffee mugs that are ceramic (hence microwave safe).

So far, the tableware line is available at Atlanta-area Targets - it's definitely at the Caroline Street location off of Moreland and on 18th Street near Atlantic Station, but they were already running low! The housewares line will include pillows, doormats, storage containers, and kitchen linens - not yet available in Atlanta.

And if you're looking for a handbag, check out Star Provisions on Howell Mill. Besides an amazing selection of housewares, cheese, desserts, charcuterie, and more, they also have an entire wall of Orla Kiely bags!

Taste Boutique giant sale!

'Nuff Said. Check them out when you are at Atlantic Station using your 20% off coupon for H&M. I love this store- they have a great selection of tops, jeans and unique jewelry. Def worth checking out, especially now that they are having a fab sale.

H&M Discount!!! Yay for Coupons

Even more of a reason to shop at H&M! Click here for a 20% off coupon on the bottom right of your screen. Their prices are ridiculously low, so now you have no excuse not to check them out at Atlantic Station. I think H&M is the perfect place to get a cute new outfit for a party this weekend or a Valentine's Day (night?) outfit. Now if Atlanta could get a Top Shop then we would be set.
Enjoy!

Woo Skincare and Cosmetics- New Store!

I recommend you check out Woo Skincare and Cosmetics in Buckhead. They are a new make-up boutique (in the same vain as Entebello and Tracey Ewell). I was very impressed with the general knowledge of the staff and the well-edited selection of products.

If you read my post on Bobby Brown concealer, it was their staff that took the time to help me find the right shade and taught me how to apply it properly. What I think sets Woo apart from a Sephora or mall make-up counter is the personalized attention. I also like the relaxed atmosphere and they offered me a warm cup of tea right away, which was a really great plus!

As for the selection of products Woo has many of better cosmasutical lines like Skinceuticals (I got their eye balm, it is amazing), Darphin, DDF, Perricone, Peter Thomas Roth, Caudalie, etc. For cosmetics, they carry Bobby Brown (of course), YSL, Darphin, and several others. I also thought Woo had a really great selection of hair care lines.

In addition to their boutique, they also have a wonderful skin spa. I personally haven't tried any of their services, but their prices are very reasonable and they are one of the few places in town that have diamond micro-derm abrasion. Comment if you have had one of their services, I would love to hear about your experience!

Check them out:
Peachtree Battle Shopping Center
2339-A Peachtree Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 477-5000

Blow-out HELP!

So on Saturday, I wanted to get my hair shampooed and blown out. Of course I could do this myself, but it NEVER looks as great as when a professional does it.
ME + Round Brush + Blow-dryer = rats nest hair. It isn't pretty and I end up just using the idiot-proof flat iron.

I called around to get general prices and most places were $35. I did find one salon that charges $65 for JUST A BLOW OUT!!! Vidal Sassoon in Lenox...are you nuts??? You are in a mall for goodness sake! I can get a haircut at Carter Barnes for less than that! Am I paying for the extra "O" in your name? What gives??
I almost laughed at the girl when she said $65. I actually called back later to double check.

Now I don't mind spending a few dollars on this, but I would love to find a place that charges less than $35. HELP! Can you all suggest some great places that charge a little less? Or throw in some kind of fun perk? Note- I'm not a huge fan of the Aveda Institute because they are always booked and their talent can be hit or miss (which I totally understand, they are a school). I would like to see if you all can come up with any other.
Can you help!?

In local coffee news

Latte Deliciousness: If you haven't been to Danneman's and tried out their Salted Caramel Latte, you are missing out! Co-owner Kate Pedrick created this latte after reading that Obama loves salted caramel candies. It is super good!

mmm!

No glove, no love: Aurora Coffee is now carrying reusable coffee gloves handmade with love by friend of Disposable Income, Glue & Glitter.

the lovely little coffee glove display

The coffee glove is being sold at both the Little 5 Points and Highlands locations. I recently stopped in to the Aurora in the Highlands to pick up some for me and a bud:

cute, huh?

There is a reason why Siren songs should be ignored

Typically, I'm not one to get any of the baked goods that Starbucks serves. In fact, I usually don't buy any food there, although I do enjoy their oatmeal from time to time.

This morning, however, I could not resist the siren song of the Reduced-fat Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake. It looked tasty with its chocolate chips sprinkled throughout and, while I know that reduced-fat baked goods still have plenty o' fat, it was still reduced-fat. So, I couldn't feel SO horrible about it - right?

at least the latte was good

Oy. I will not be ordering it again. It was moist and cakey, as coffee cake should be. But, the overpowering fake banana taste could not be surmounted. Blech.

Don't let the siren song of chocolate chips and reduced-fatness trick you, people!

A foodie's worst fear realized

Food Poisoning.

Yeah, it doesn't get much worse than that.

Over the holidays, I decided to check out one of the newish restaurants to hit Atlanta. I was excited, tried a lot of dishes, and got very, very sick later that night. So sick, in fact, that I didn't leave my bed for several days. It was miserable. (On the bright side, it did give me uninterrupted time to watch all of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in one sitting!)

I should point out that my date also got sick that same night. Which is why I feel positive it was food poisoning from the restaurant.

a picture from the offending restaurant

Almost everyone I talked to asked me if I got in touch with the restaurant to let them know. Some even asked if I contacted the health department. It was my intention to do both but, instead, I did neither. Through the worst of it, I was just too ill to do it. Then, once I was feeling better, there was much to catch up on. Plus, the holidays were over and, with work starting, I let it go. They're all excuses but also somewhat valid, I think.

So I began to wonder what other people have done in similar situations. Have you gotten food poisioning? What did you do about it? Did you contact the restaurant or the health department? What do you think I should have done?

a scene from the happier times that fateful night

Sad News- Tracy Ewell Store Closing!

I have been really happy about all the sales and great deals out there... but my tune changes when great people with a beautiful vision are forced to close their stores due to the economic times. Sadly, Tracy Ewell Cosmetics and Skincare are closing their doors very soon. Go ahead and visit them for last minute make-up tips and to stock up on some of your favorite products that are now on sale.

Tracy and Natalie- you will be greatly missed and we wish you the best of luck on your next endeavors!!!

We are offering 50-75% off the following:

Caudalie (body care)

Select FACE STOCKHOLM items

Lexi Lu Jewelry

Charles Albert Jewelry

Lamp Berger (we mostly have lamps)

Makeup Brushes

Pursekets

Makeup Bags

Purses

Better get 'em while they're still around! Closing has been the hardest thing Natalie hand I have ever done. Everyone has been so kind with their hopes and wishes for us. We want all of you to know we love you and are grateful for your undying support!

Our hours are 10-6pm Tuesday-Saturday. Call if you need to come in later

We hope to see you very soon

Tracy & Natalie

New Wave of Pricing?

Check out this article.... It will be interesting if prices in the coming year really do shift.

A Glimpse of the Future of Luxury: Expect Lower Prices, Bargain Outlets, More Outsourcing

-source: Wall Street Journal, January 29, 2009

What to do this weekend- SHOP!

Here are 4 great opportunities going on this weekend:

1) Don't forget about the Local Designer Trunk Show this weekend. Click here for more information. Try to stopping by to support some amazing local artists and see what they have created for spring.

NOTE! There is a venue change for this event-
It is now being held at Vino Libro in Glenwood Park:
933 Garrett Street
Atlanta, GA 30316

2) And so it begins.... the parade of Boutique Warehouse sales for the winter season kicks off this weekend. This one is being held at Atlantic Station, above Z Gallery. Over 25 local boutiques are participating and this is a great way to stock up on gorgeous items at ridiculously low prices. And although stores are starting to push out their winter merch and bring in sundresses for spring... it is still 20 degrees outside. So you will get lots of wear out of the items that are being sold at this warehouse sale.

3) Both Saks and Neimans have done their final mark-downs of the winter this past week, so swing by for some really low prices. Granted, the selection will be really, really picked through, but if you are willing to put in the time, you may find some great stuff.

4) Taste Boutique in Atlantic Station is doing "Half Store, Half Off" starting today. I believe this includes not only winter items, but their new spring merchandise. I would def check them out. They always have a really well- edited selection of premium designers.

Miracle Concealer- I kid you not!

I think one of the things that bothers me about my complexion are the dark circles under my eyes. No matter how much water I drink, potions I slather on (my derm says there is nothing you can put on that can fix them) or how much sleep I get, I always have these purple circles plaguing me.
My sweet friends all say they have never noticed, but I'm not buying it. Up until this point, I have not found a concealer that does a good job of covering up the circles. They are either too cake-y, too yellow, not heavy enough, too sticky... I could go on and on.

BUT I have now found the best concealer product in the world (yes, that is a bold statement, but I am making it).
Bobby Brown Concealer kit plus Corrector. Ok, it take 2 products, but it is worth every penny and the extra 10 seconds.

I went to Woo Skincare and Cosmetics in Buckhead (more on them in a later post) and had a crash course in concealer. The lovely make-up artist explained that almost all concealers out there have a yellow base. And when you have very dark circles (blue or purple), layering on a yellow concealers just makes them drab and greenish (think back to kindergarten- yellow + blue makes green).

Bobby Brown as identified this flaw and has made a Corrector product that you put under the concealer as a base. It has more of a peach color and cancels out the blue circles.
Here is what her site says:

"For very dark circles and extra coverage Bobbi's secret is her Correctors. Designed to be layered under your regular, yellow-based concealer shade, Correctors come in Bisque and Peach shades. Bisque neutralizes pinky-blue undereye darkness and is ideal for most skin tones. Peach neutralizes purple-brown undereye darkness common in olive, golden and tan skin tones. Use the Corrector daily or just when you need extra coverage."

I am a bisque and use that under the Bobby Brown concealer. The concealers comes in a little kit with a traditional creamy concealers and then a powder to set everything. The creamy concealer goes on very easily because of the great texture and the setting powder does a good job of keeping it in place all day:

"This kit includes Creamy Concealer on top and Sheer Finish Loose Powder on bottom to set concealer for long-lasting wear. This concealer has skin conditioning ingredients like Vitamin A, which helps minimize the appearance of fine dry lines and wrinkles and Vitamin E, which moisturizes and provides antioxidant protection."

I went out last night and when I came home and looked in the mirror, my make-up still looked fresh like I just did it!

I'm sold- Check out Woo for a great experience and color match.
Peachtree Battle Shoppping Center
2339-A Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404.477.5000

New Tazo® Tea drinks at Starbucks + a DI Giveaway!

If you've been to Starbucks lately, you've probably seen the new Tazo® Tea drinks on the menu. According to a friend at Starbucks, these drinks are super healthy for you:

"Loaded with antioxidants, which are essential to protecting the body's immune system, tea makes for the ultimate soothing and good-for-you beverage.

Most of Starbucks new tea offerings are less than 200 calories for a tall size (12 fl oz) and provide more antioxidants than an 8-ounce glass of orange juice. (Starbucks Black Tea Latte has more than three times the amount of antioxidants than orange juice!)"

If you're not sure whether these new drinks are something you would like, you can try a sample for free today at 2pm at all company-operated locations in Atlanta. (That means everything but the locations at Target, hotels, etc.)

To celebrate their new drinks, Starbucks is offering a giveaway to a few lucky Disposable Income readers: two $10 gift cards (so two readers can enjoy tea with a friend) and five one-time-use cards good for one complimentary cup of tea!

I'm gonna make this super, super easy! The first two people who write me at Disposable Income and mention this post will be the lucky recipients of the gift cards. The next five who write me at Disposable Income and mention this post will be the lucky recipients of the one-time-use cards good for one complimentary cup of tea. So write me now!

Pizza Fusion pinch hits lunch

Running out for errands during the lunch hour has its perks. Like grabbing lunch from H&F Bread Co.!

There were three sandwich choices - ham, fried turkey, and roasted beets - and everyone in my lunch party (Yenta Girl, Rachel, & I) fancied the beet sandwich. To our great consternation, there was only enough roasted beets to make one sandwich and none of us were too excited by the other choices.

Can I vent for a moment here? I love Holeman & Finch and adore the baked goods that come out of H&F Bread Co. but I'm feeling dismayed by their lunch. Why don't I get those weekly lunch menus I signed up for? What is going on with their website? And out of their veggie sandwich during (what appeared to us, anyway) a slow lunch on a Monday? Lame. Okay, yes, this is sacrilege for me to be saying this about anything related to Holeman & Finch but - come on!

Alright, I'm done venting. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. I feel better already!

Luckily for us, Pizza Fusion is now open right up the block from H&F Bread Co. So, we decided to give it a go.

Pizza Fusion is a national pizza chain in 12 states and their first location for Georgia is the one on Peachtree right up the block from the Aramore. The chain prides itself on its gluten-free offerings (pizza, brownies, and beer), as well as its earth friendly attitude. From their website:

"While you might see Pizza Fusion as a fun place to eat delicious food, we see ourselves as players in the transition to a healthier, cleaner society. It’s this desire to make a difference that lead us to deliver our food in company-owned hybrid cars, purchase renewable energy certificates to offset 100% of our power consumption and build LEED certified restaurants, among many other environmental initiatives."

the bar at Pizza Fusion

All three of us decided to take advantage of their lunch special where $9.99 buys you a personal pizza, a side salad, and a drink. And, possibly due to the small lunch crowd, the pizzas where ready in 15 minutes.

my personal pizza - a veggie with no cheese
yeah, I said no cheese. deal.

I'm happy to report that it was pretty good. It's not going to change your life but there is no denying the fresh ingredients and toppings. Yenta Girl even noted that the pineapple on her pizza was fresh and not from a can. And for those who cannot eat gluten, this pizza will be a refreshing sight. (At least when it's available.)

Pizza Fusion
2233 Peachtree Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30309
404.351.9334
www.pizzafusion.com

Sunday Bruncheon at Pura Vida

In our quest to find more places that do brunch and booze, we tried out the brunch at Pura Vida this morning. Pura Vida has been serving brunch for the past few months but it still seems like a well-kept secret, as the crowd was minimal.

the only picture I got of the coveted mimosa was with my phone for twitter.
clearly, I have priorities.

I thought the brunch was fantastic, really. The tapas are a nice change of pace for the typical brunch in town. You'll still get your eggs, meat, and potatoes fix - just with a twist.

tortilla espanola "deconstructed": fried potatoes, pearl onion confit,
slow cooked eggs & pimenton de la vera

fried papitas con sofrito: potatoes, onions, peppers & garlic

And, if you're more of a sweet tooth bruncher, they have quite a few delicious options for you.

ETK proudly displays the sweet corn masa pancakes with the citrus pilon sugar syrup

pineapple roll french toast with bananas, currants, and coco cajeta espuma

For something that you won't find at other typical Atlanta brunch spots, Pura Vida has yuca fries, shrimp ceviche, and caramelized maduros that were all quite scrumptious.

in the background is the partially devoured ceviche "a la piedra": sizzling shrimp ceviche,
yuca, onions, cilantro & cirtus aji broth
in the foreground is the churros con chocolate

yuca fries with rocoto ketchup and cotija crema

carmelized maduros with mexican cajeta, fried peanuts, and goat cheese foam

No complaints at brunch today! Only full bellies and satisfied faces.

Pura Vida
656 North Highland Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30306
404.870.9797
www.puravidatapas.com

brunch + mimosas = no other way to live

My friends and I have turned one impromptu bruncheon date into a standing affair every Sunday. There are plenty of good places for brunch in town (places that do NOT have the word "biscuit" in their name) but, you see, we're a bunch of lushes. We need alcohol to have a good time and brunch is no exception.

"another mimosa, miss?"
"by now, do you even have to ask?"

I'm pretty sick of Murphy's, enjoyed Watershed, and was quite disappointed by the brunch at Solstice Cafe last Sunday.

So I ask you, lovely blog readers, what is your favorite bruncheon place in town that serves booze? We need suggestions!

30% off EVERYTHING at Loft of Syle

I think the title pretty much sums it up, but every item in the store is 30% now through Saturday. It does not include their $19 bin, but everything else is 30% off.

They are a pretty cool store- very similar to Sage or Fabrik, but with more well-known brands like 3J, Hale Bop and Plenty. I feel that Loft of Style is a great place to purchase cute tops and sweet dresses. Additionally, they have a solid jewelry selection.

Loft of Style
1441 Dresden Dr
Atlanta, Georgia 30319

Sale is going on now through Saturday.

Local Designer Trunk Show- Jan. 24 & 25

D.I. readers are invited to check out this fun trunk show event featuring great local Atlanta designers. Feel free to invite your friends for a preview of Spring 2009 collections and enjoy cocktails and snacks all day. GrabMol and I will be there!

The trunk show will be held
Saturday 1/24/09 1:00 - 7:00pm & Sunday 1/25/09 1:00 - 6:00pm

Location:
Glenwood Green Clubhouse
951 Glenwood Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30316
***Gate Code Access: 027***
Telephone Number: 404.254.4371


Some of our favorite designers will be there including:
Nikita Lynn Designs ~ handbags & accessories
Concrete Lace ~ letterpress & mandala coloring books
Breathless Paper Co. ~ customizable invitations
Talulah B ~ vintage jewelry & accessories
Lastnight Designs ~ one of a kind vintage jewelry
Will Randall Designs ~ handmade jewelry
Coleccion Luna ~ handbags & accessories

2 Hair Products You NEED- trust me

OK, you really need to get these 2 hair products, no matter what type of hair you have. I'm serious, you will thank me.

1) Dry Hair Shampoo- This is a lifesaver product- it allows you to save your blow-outs. It also does a great job of refreshing your hair if you don't have the time to wash and style (this should live in your gym bag). I would not say that it is a substitute for real shampoo, but rather lets you go a little longer between washes (which is much healthier for your hair).

This stuff has been around forever, but up until recently, most hair powers were in shake-on containers which made application very tricky (no one wants to look like they are wearing a George Washington-inspired powdered wig). Now, lots of brands come in aerosol versions. My favorite brand out there is René Furterer; though Oscar Blandi does make a decent product.
You can get both brands at a variety of salons, or Sephora.

Bumble and bumble makes a dry shampoo line for different hair colors, which would be great for darker shades. Note- I am blond and the one that is made for blonds in the B&B line was way too dark, so you may want to try a shade lighter than you actually are.

2) Elnett Hairspray- I hate hairspray. I even hate the name- it conjures up visions of 80s prom queens, hard hair, and memories of being a bridesmaid. Well, this product changes everything. Last year I read in a few fashion magazines that this stylist favorite was going to be finally available in the US. Apparently top stylists have been using this product for years and had to bring it back in their suitcases from Europe. Now it is available at Target! (reason #403 why I love Target).

Unlike most hairspray, the mist is SUPER fine and not sticky at all (really I promise). You can run a comb through your hair even after it is sprayed. It also adds shine without weighing it down with silicone like many products. The best part is that it helps keep humidity out- I really put it through that test the last 5 days here in Atlanta. Click here to see if your Target carries it. They have an extra hold formula, but the regular one works just fine in my opinion. This shouldn't even be called "hairspray", it should get a better name (suggestions welcome!).

How would you like cook your steak?

It's not food or fashion but it sure is a fun way to spend your money...

Peelander-Z is coming back to town on Friday, April 24th at The Earl!

"us laughing watching this"

If you've never been to one of their shows, you really owe it to yourself to go. They are a fucking BLAST! (Take a gander at some of the pictures I took from last April when they played The Earl with Attractive Eighties Women.)

You can preorder tickets through Ticket Alternative here,as well as at all Ticket Alternative outlets (including Fantasyland Recods, Decatur CD, and Ella Guru) and The Earl.

Store to watch- Gilly Hicks Sydney

So while in Miami for New Years, I checked out Abercrombie and Fitch's new store concept called Gilly Hicks. Basically it is a women's intimates and lounge-wear store- think Victoria Secret meets Abercrombie. Now, I will not wax on about my personal feelings for Abercrombie and will not take those into consideration for the purpose of this review.

I actually do love the store. As with any of the Abercrombie brand stores, they go above and beyond to create a concept, physical store and overall shopping experience. In the spirit of Hollister and Ruehl (we don't have a Ruehl in Atlanta, but think an older version of Abercrombie, as in the Banana Republic of Abercrombie) the space is not just your average store. It is a gorgeous, dimly lit maze, filled with with dark cherry wood, small separate rooms with antique furniture, and crystal chandeliers.

Abercrombie likes to come up with a back-story or concept for all their stores. Here is the one that was conjured up for Gilly Hicks (click here for source info and complete article)

"The inspiration for Gilly Hicks came about from an Australian-themed concept two years in the making. Named after a fictional English girl named Gilly, the store’s layout and design is a reflection of her British colonial-style manor house on the shoreline of her home in Australia.

In the story, created by Abercrombie & Fitch CEO and Chairman, Michael Jeffries, the Hicks family traveled from England to Sydney in 1932. Years later, Gilly’s granddaughter returned to her grandmother Gilly’s historic manor house and opened up an underwear shop in the modern day."

In the middle of the store is their fragrance section with old apothecary-style glass jars and elaborate displays of their signature fragrances and body care products. (I purchased the house scent called Le Perouse- it has a lilac base note which I love. My friend KJF hated the scent, so to each is own... I personally can't get enough of it).

The pièce de résistance of the whole experience is their "bra library" where they have over 40 different style to choose from. Shockingly, the sales associates (A&F likes to call them "brand reps") are actually very helpful and write down all the styles and sizes you try on, so that you can remember what worked of you.

As far as quality, I think that the prices are very reasonable for the product they deliver- ranging from $10-$55. If you happen to be in the Miami area (Aventura Mall), they are having a major sale now (along with the rest of the retail world).

I personally would recommend checking them out, if for nothing else than seeing the physical store, it really is amazing. Unfortunately, you cannot order their items online yet. I heard a rumor that the e-commerce portion of the site is going to be up in Feb., but I cannot confirm that. As of now, you can either shop at one of their 13 stores or on eBay (if you dare). I will update when you can shop online.