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!