Points North

CONTENTS

POINTS NORTH MAGAZINE

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In the last three decades, Lori Allen of Atlanta’s

Wedding experts and former brides agree — photo-

bridals by lori has become one of the foremost experts of bridal couture in the country, so it’s only

graphy is quite possibly the most important aspect of your wedding. Thankfully, local wedding photogra-

natural that TLC would choose her bridal salon for the Atlanta edition of the popular show “Say Yes to

phers have offered some tips about current trends, can’t-miss photographs and how to ensure the

the Dress.” Now approaching its second season, “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” takes viewers along

photographer you choose is a match made in heaven.

as local brides seek the dresses of their dreams at bridals by lori; here, we offer a glimpse at the woman

30

LORI ALLEN, BRIDALS BY LORI

behind it all.

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WEDDING PLANNING: WHEN TO SPLURGE VS. WHEN TO SAVE The industry says weddings are recession-proof; the economic downturn isn’t going to stop lovebirds from saying “I Do.” But it might make you tighten your purse strings just a bit. The key to planning a wedding on a budget? Determine which aspects are most important, so you can decide when to splurge and when to save. Read on for local wedding experts suggestions.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

CUSTOM-MADE RECEPTIONS

55

DEPARTMENTS COLUMNS 6 | POINTS OF VIEW 8 | ALL POINTS BULLETIN 42 | A PASSION FOR FASHION 62 | CALENDAR 66 | 5 THINGS I MUST DO THIS MONTH TRAVEL | RECREATION

How can you ensure your wedding makes a state-

46 | BARBADOS

ment about who you are as a bride? Choose a venue that fits your personality, of course! From charming

52 | TRAVEL TIDBITS

historic treasures for the O’Hara of the Old South to picturesque settings for the Natural Beauty (plus a few destination venues for all you Beach Babes), we’ve got recommendations for reception venues that will suit your personal bridal style.

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GENUINE ADVENTURES Ah, love is in the air … a love for adventure, that is!

Whether you are smitten with surfing, captivated by canyoneering or impassioned about pale ales, get ready to rendezvous! You may even rekindle a passion you didn’t know you already had.

4 Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF 52 BISTRO

24

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DESAFÍO ADVENTURE COMPANY

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA LAYNE | THE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION

PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAFORCE PHOTOGRAPHERS

ISSUE 129 | FEBRUARY 2011

FOOD 55 | FOOD FOR THOUGHT: BRIDAL LUNCHEONS

CHECK OUT MIX IT UP ONLINE!

Spend Valentine’s Day with your “Sweet Tart,” a seductive cocktail that’s pink, fun and festive. Visit us online for the recipe, courtesy of W-Atlanta Midtown’s Whisky Park and W-Atlanta Buckhead’s Whiskey Blue.

On the Cover: Photo by Anna and Spencer Photography, www.annaandspencer.com

POINTS OF VIEW Once Upon A Time Once upon a time there were three brides who wanted a pictureperfect wedding. What they got was reality — 200 customized reception napkins were mistakenly left at home, a torrential downpour moved the wedding indoors and a round wedding cake arrived when the bride had ordered a square one. But this story has a happily ever after — they all married the loves of their lives, so in the end, none of it really mattered at all.

Those “bridesâ€? just happen to be the editors of Points North. While planning your wedding is a joyous event, we also know it can be a hair-pulling, nail-biting pressure cooker. But don’t fret just yet, we have a feast of information to help plan your special day in our annual Wedding Guide for the Northside Bride. And as three seasoned brides, we offer you these personal tips, friend to friend, to ensure your day goes nearly without a hitch: UĂŠĂŠ ivÂœĂ€iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠLˆ}ĂŠ`>Ăž]ĂŠLÂœÂœÂŽĂŠ>ĂŠLĂ€Âˆ`>Â?ĂŠÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂ€>ÂˆĂŒĂŠĂƒiĂƒĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ“ÂœVÂŽÂ‡Ă•ÂŤĂŠÂœvĂŠÂ…ÂœĂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœ>Â˜ĂŒĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ…>ÂˆĂ€ĂŠ>˜`ʓ>ÂŽiĂ•ÂŤĂŠ done for the wedding. You will see how you look in the photos and can change anything you don’t like.

UĂŠĂŠ iĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤĂ•Ă€VÂ…>ĂƒiĂŠĂƒÂ?ÂˆÂŤÂŤiĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠyÂˆÂŤÂ‡yÂœÂŤĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠLĂ€Âˆ`iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠLĂ€Âˆ`iĂƒÂ“>ˆ`ĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ`ÂœÂ˜Â˝ĂŒĂŠw˜`ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒiÂ?vĂŠ`>˜Vˆ˜}ĂŠ the night away in your bare feet.

UĂŠĂŠ >ÂŽiĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?ĂŠÂ?ÂœĂ›i`ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂƒĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠĂœÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠv>“ˆÂ?ĂžĂŠÂŤÂ…ÂœĂŒÂœĂƒĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠLiĂŠĂŒ>ÂŽiÂ˜Â°ĂŠ/Ă€Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂ“i]ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂƒiĂŠ cousins will scatter fast!

UĂŠĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Â˝ĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€}iĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ?ivĂŒÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂƒÂ°ĂŠ >Â˜ĂžĂŠLĂ€Âˆ`iĂƒĂŠĂƒ>ĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…iÞÊ>Ă€iÂ˜Â˝ĂŒĂŠ>LÂ?iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠi>ĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠLÂˆĂŒiĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂˆĂ€ĂŠĂœi``ˆ˜}Ăƒ]ĂŠĂƒÂœĂŠLiĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ have your caterer pack you or your family a plate. After all, you paid for it!

UĂŠĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iĂŠ>ĂŠĂŒ>Â?iÂ˜ĂŒi`ĂŠĂ›Âˆ`iÂœ}Ă€>ÂŤÂ…iĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠV>ÂŤĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ`>Þ°Ê Ă›iÀÞÊÞi>ÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ>Â˜Â˜ÂˆĂ›iĂ€Ăƒ>ÀÞ]ĂŠĂœiĂŠĂŒ>ÂŽiĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ›Âˆ`iÂœĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ Ăœ>ĂŒVÂ…ĂŠÂˆĂŒÂ°ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠÂŽÂˆ`ĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠiĂ?VÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂœ>ĂŒVÂ…ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“ĂžĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >``ÞÊ}iĂŒĂŠÂ“>Ă€Ă€Âˆi`Ê­>}>ˆ˜°Ž UĂŠĂŠ >ÂŽiĂŠ>ĂŠÂ“Ă•ĂƒÂˆVĂŠ

ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVÂœĂ•ÂŤÂ?iÂ˝ĂƒĂŠv>Ă›ÂœĂ€ÂˆĂŒiĂŠĂƒÂœÂ˜}ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ}ÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠv>Ă›ÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ}Ă•iĂƒĂŒĂƒÂ°ĂŠ7iĂŠĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠvĂ€Âˆi˜`ĂƒĂŠ ĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ

ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽ]ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠV>Ă€]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂˆĂ€ĂŠÂˆ*Âœ`° Just remember, in the history of the world there has never been a “perfect wedding,â€? but there are many happy marriages. And really, that’s the most important thing. So relax, enjoy, and take it from me, don’t sweat those customized napkins!

ĂŠ ĂŠ

Points North All Points Interactive Media Corp.

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Carl Danbury Jr.

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Editorial Interns Š 2011 Points North

Lindsey Bartell Andrew Neveils

Circulation Manager

Tiffany Willard

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e Pl e as

Amy Meadows Sara Shelton Alicia Stafford

Re

c yc l e T h i s M az i n e

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Points North is published monthly by All Points Interactive Media Corp.

The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the editor, the publisher or of Points North. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

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Nate Curtis Tom Tolbert Justin DeCusati Hannah Davis Harry Bowden

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FEBRUARY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BARNSLEY GARDENS RESORT

ALL POINTS BULLETIN

ENTER TO WIN A STAY AT BARNSLEY GARDENS Few places evoke such an incredible sense of enchantment as Barnsley Gardens. Sure, it’s nestled on 3,300 acres far away from the fray of every day life and couples can settle into cozy cottages complete with fireplaces, but the real romance is found in the resort’s storybook history, which tells the story of Godfrey Barnsley, who built the original manor for his wife Julia, the love of his life. That was in the 1840s and though this award-winning destination now offers a variety of outdoor amenities such as golf, horseback riding, tennis, lawn games, canoeing and hiking as well as the opportunity to indulge inside the resort’s luxurious European spa or poolside, Barnsley Gardens still maintains the charming vision a prince once had for his princess. As if history and an amazing 160-year-old heirloom garden aren’t enough, the resort also One lucky Points North reader will win a employs its very own Fairy Godmother, whose sole two-night stay with one dinner for two in the job is to create once-in-a-lifetime romantic experiWoodlands Grill. This prize, valued at approxiences through her Love Spells, from unforgettable mately $710, does not include tax, gratuity or meals in intimate hideaways around the property alcohol. The prize expires on Nov. 2, 2011 and is to romantic in-room experiences. Should you and based on availability and some black out dates your sweetheart decide to rev up the romance any do apply. Please go to the Giveaway section of time of year, visit www.barnsleyresort.com. our Web site at www.ptsnorth.com to enter the

The Prize

drawing for this prize.

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

KODAK MOMENTS If a picture is worth a thousand words, we’ve got the perfect gift idea for expressing your love to your Valentine this month — a personalized photo keepsake from the Kodak Picture Kiosk at Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta. The pop-up shop, open throughout the month, makes it possible to create customized photo gifts like collages, books, calendars, mugs, greeting cards, posters and prints for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes, making it a great option for that last-minute gift. Several unique features set this shop apart from your typical photo booth, like the ability to capture still shots from digital videos and social network connectivity, which allows users to pull photos from Facebook, Picasa Web Albums and Kodak Gallery. Plus, Kodak associates are on hand to answer questions and offer advice. Check it out in Northpoint’s Center Court, downstairs just outside of Macy’s.

PHOTOS COURTES

Y OF KODAK

HERE COMES THE BRIDE When the Big Day arrives, you want everything to be immaculate — every hair in place and each and every toe and fingertip perfectly painted. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to add in a little “me” time to make sure you are utterly relaxed before your walk down the aisle. To that end, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta has recently introduced its “Here Comes the Bride” pampering mani-pedi package featuring FarmHouse Fresh products. Start with a rich whole milk bath with a touch of blueberry for your hands and feet, followed by a sweet cream sea salt and bran oil scrub to rid any dry skin. The treatment culminates with a soothing white velvet buttercream hand and foot massage, which works wonders to soothe any wedding day jitters, as well. To book your $130, 1-hour and 20-minute treatment, call 404-253-3848 or visit www.fourseasons.com/atlanta.

GIVEAWAY WINNERS To find a list of giveaway winners, take a look in the “Online Only” section of www.ptsnorth.com!

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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A PB ALL POINTS BULLETIN

FEBRUARY

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

PHOTO COURTESY OF ©TMI TOURING COMPANY

If I were the king of the forest, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to see “The Wizard of Oz” at the Cobb Energy Centre. From Feb. 3 through 6, this refreshing production will dazzle the first timer or the 100th timer with its art deco sets and special effects. The movie sparks fond memories for all ages, and you won’t have to go over the rainbow to be engrossed in this production. So, click your heels three times and say, “There’s no place like home,” avoid the Wicked Witch of the West and smile whenever you and your family leave Kansas for this journey. Not that you’d even consider bypassing the yellow brick road, but with tickets starting at $20, this performance is simply too good to pass up. The Cobb Energy Centre is located at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway in Atlanta. For tickets, contact the box office at 770-916-2800 or visit www.cobbenergycentre.com.

— Andrew Neveils

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEEANN RIEVES CARSON

BRAVE EMBRACE JOURNALS Passionate about journaling, Atlanta artist Deeann Rieves Carson started printing journals that allow those of us interested in documenting our lives with photos and quotes a fun way to do so. “Journaling like this really helps you soak in your life — the thoughts and things that you might otherwise let pass by because life is so fast paced and busy. I wanted to make a journal that would inspire people to bravely embrace all the gifts they have in their life and to take the time to write, ruminate and be grateful for their unique life and the people around them.” The result of her ambition is a 7-by-10.5-inch bound journal with 96 full-color pages packed with prompts, lists and plenty of open space for incorporating your writing and creativity. At $10, plus shipping, it’s a super sweet deal, so buy a journal for yourself or as a gift for a loved one at www.deeannrieves.com/embrace.html.

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

NORCROSS IS FOR LOVERS Valentine’s Day is a time for imagination and fantasy. So, imagine this: a charming town lined with Victorian homes and beautiful parks, tree-lined streets that seem to hold the stars inside tiny white lights and glowing luminaries.

Not enough? Continue strolling down the sidewalks that wind through town, passing century-old buildings that now house trendy shops and scrumptious restaurants. Sounds romantic, right? If so, you should visit historic Downtown Norcross this Valentine’s Day from 7 to 9 p.m., where you can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides and renew your wedding vows for free, then stroll to a nearby restaurant for an intimate dinner and Champagne. A donation of a nonperishable, canned food item is requested as part of the city’s “Open Your Heart” food drive campaign.

Norcross truly is a place to imagine and a place for lovers.

Visit www.aplacetoimagine.com for more information.

— Andrew Neveils

THE MOM MONOLOGUES If your passion for writing is second only to your love for your kids, this one’s for you. To celebrate Mother’s Day, Points North is looking for essays about motherhood to publish in our May issue or online, from humorous anecdotes to heartwarming accounts. In 500 words or less, please tell us a story about your life as a mom. Essays should be sent to editorial@ptsnorth.com by March 14.

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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Yes

THE ANSWER IS Lori Allen, Owner of Bridals by Lori, Gives Atlanta Brides a Reason to Celebrate

[ WR I T T EN BY A M Y M E A D OW S ]

Walking into bridals by lori,

the largest full-service couture bridal salon in the nation, can be rather intimidating. With three stories, 25,000 square feet of space, 20 dressing rooms, an in-house runway, more than 1,000 dresses from the most renowned designers in the bridal gown industry and a staff of 45 highly trained and sophisticated bridal stylists, who all dress in chic black, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit overwhelmed by the illustrious Sandy Springs-based bridal boutique. However, when Lori Allen, owner of the family-owned salon, introduces herself, it’s like you’re standing in the quaint 1,000-square-foot shop she started 30 years ago, complete with 25 dresses and four

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

dressing rooms. Her disarming Southern charm and boisterous laugh can assuage uneasiness in a heartbeat and turn the sometimes-daunting task of choosing a wedding dress into a truly rewarding occasion. And that’s exactly how Allen wants it.

“For us, it’s about making the bride feel like she’s welcome here. Our job is to make her feel comfortable enough to tell us her wants and needs,” explained Allen, who has become one of the country’s foremost experts on bridal couture over the last three decades. “We need her here, and we want her here. We’re listening, and we try to convey that constantly.”

That sincerity has captivated viewers of TLC’s “Say Yes

PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAFORCE PHOTOGRAPHERS

to the Dress: Atlanta,” the 30-minute television show that features Allen, fashion director Monte Durham, bridal manager Robin Gibbs, bridal assistant manager Flori Waters and the bridals by lori staff as they help brides navigate the process of finding the dress of their dreams. Entering its second season soon, “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” has placed a national spotlight on the beloved local bridal salon, which has grown steadily through the years to draw customers from the United States and Canada and as far away as Russia and Australia. It’s an exciting development that Allen never expected when she became a young business owner fresh out of college — but one that makes her exceedingly grateful.

Here Comes the Entrepreneur Allen was out of college a mere two weeks when she decided to open her own bridal shop in Atlanta in 1980. At the time, there were very few bridal salons in the local market, and she felt that she had something unique to offer. Armed with a degree in business from Columbia College in South Carolina and inspired by her mother’s twin sister, “Aunt June,” who owned a bridal shop in Birmingham, Ala., the budding entrepreneur decided to turn her longtime passion for bridal fashion into a career.

“I worked in a couple of bridal stores in college, and nothing made me happier — and still does to this day — than ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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bridals by lori PHOTO COURTESY OF TLC | WALLING MCGARITY

“It’s rewarding for me to make a bride feel

fabulous.

I still get excited.

It’s like a little rush.

”

LORI ALLEN | bridals by lori

Left to Right: Bridal Manager Robin Gibbs, Fashion Director Monte Durham, Owner Lori Allen and Bridal Assistant Manager Flori Waters

helping a bride find the right gown,” said Allen, who also took a summer job at her aunt’s store prior to starting her own business. “I think I’m good at dressing people. I’m good at figuring out what is going to look best on somebody’s body and educating her about why it does. And I love the creative aspect of it, from choosing the garment to the accessories. It’s almost like you get to do a little bit of designing, and I love that aspect of it. It’s rewarding for me to make a bride feel fabulous. I still get excited. It’s like a little rush.”

Allen coupled that passion for the creative side of the bridal industry with an innate and keen business sense that includes a solid understanding of the power of superb customer service. Over the years, word spread about bridals by lori as happy bride after happy bride left the salon not only with the perfect silhouette and embellishments for her wedding day, but also having had a wonderful experience with the process. That led to steady, strategic growth; today, the location sees more than 100 brides on a typical Saturday. And with more than 450,000 gowns sold, ranging in price from $1,300 to $15,000, the salon, which also offers 15 bridesmaid collections, seven tuxedo collections and a multitude of mother-of-the-bride looks, shows no signs of slowing down.

Much of that can be attributed to Allen herself, who is now well known for her extensive knowledge of the bridal industry.

In fact, she has developed an extraordinary knack for being able to recognize what styles customers will want to see from season to season, and her expertise is often included in reporting by such media outlets as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN,

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

The Wall Street Journal and The New York Daily News, as well as on television shows like “Get Married Atlanta.”

“I really think I’ve always had that [ability], but it’s gotten more defined and refined over the years, as I can really zero in on it now,” she said. “And a lot of designers will send me sketches or call me before they present their line because I can tell them straight up if it’s going to [sell] or not.”

Monte Durham agreed, noting, “We don’t follow the bridal trends of today — we’re actually setting the trends. We really do have our finger on the pulse of what’s going on, and we know about the current events in the bridal industry.”

I Now Pronounce You a Television Hit With so much buzz surrounding bridals by lori, it’s no surprise that TLC came calling when it was searching for another bridal salon to feature on its popular series “Say Yes to the Dress,” which follows brides as they search for the perfect wedding day attire. It all began when North South Productions contacted Allen about shooting a pilot set in the store.

Having been approached by networks before to consider doing a show, Allen felt the opportunity with North South Productions was right. “We didn’t know who we were shooting the pilot for,” she recalled. “But we shot the pilot, and we were very nervous. You’re not used to the cameras being in your face when you’re trying to make a sale. And then Monte and I started kidding with each other, and we started to relax. It made all the difference. The production company sent the pilot back to TLC, and we had a call a week later.”

Filmed onsite at bridals by lori, the first season of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” took viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions with the featured brides-to-be, who applied to participate on the show and were chosen by TLC, based on the interest level of their personal stories. The bridals by lori staff is not privy to those background anecdotes when the brides arrive for filming, so they go about their business in a very normal, everyday fashion, providing the same excellent service afforded every customer. And sometimes, they face challenging situations along the way, which are all captured by the cameras. “You’re walking a tight rope between the bride and her emotions and feelings, and often she has a group there that is very vocal,” Allen explained. “A lot of times you’ll see on our show that the bride’s voice gets lost in the shuffle. So we are the advocates for the bride.”

“We are definitely trying to hear her voice,” Durham added.

“And sometimes we have to encourage the family and friends to turn the process over to the professional. But it’s understandable — everyone wants to say they had a hand in helping the bride choose her gown.”

Of course, meeting the bride’s individual wishes is the name of the game for Allen and her team. “It’s a delicate situation sometimes,” Allen observed, noting that the salon’s consultants will

H OW T O F I N D T H E B E S T F IT T I N G G OW N Looking and feeling your absolute best on your wedding day is what Lori Allen and her staff at bridals by lori want for every bride. To help you fi nd the most fl attering gown for your figure, Allen offers these recommendations for you to keep in mind as you begin your search: ❥ For girls with curves: An A-line skirt will make your curves work to your best advantage by slimming your hips and defining your waist. ❥ For super-slim ladies: Select a gown with texture; it adds interest without overwhelming your small frame. Fuller skirts also add the illusion of curves. ❥ For petite brides-to-be: Choose a gown with an empire waist; starting the skirt higher on your frame elongates the body and makes you seem taller. ❥ For ladies with an hourglass figure: Fit and flare gowns are one of today’s top trends and really show off a bride’s shape. ❥ For women with a thicker waistline: Sashes and waistlines help define the waist; look for dresses with these details, or try gowns that could easily have a sash added. ❥ For brides with large chests: V-necks help de-emphasize a large chest and provide ample coverage; if you fall in love with a strapless gown, it’s best to add straps for extra support. ❥ For those who are smaller on top: Look for a gown with ruching around the bustline to make your bust appear fuller; also remember that the right bra can work wonders.

SKETCH COURTESY OF AMSALE

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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bridals by lori

“[Lori is] not up in an ivory tower. She’s a very large part of the store’s activity on a daily basis, and she works very diligently. And I greatly her for that.

respect

MONTE DURHAM | Fashion Director, bridals by lori

”

love what we do, and we hope that shows,” Durham asserted.

“But there’s a seriousness as well. We take what we do very seriously, and we want it to be a pleasant experience.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAFORCE PHOTOGRAPHERS

CURRENT TRENDS IN B R I DA L C O U T U R E Lori Allen points out the following trends as some of the most popular in the bridal industry today: ❥ Gowns are no longer limited to shades of white. Ivory and champagne are very popular colors, while some adventurous brides are opting for shades of pink or dove silver. ❥ Gowns with colored sashes and lace accents are gaining popularity. ❥ Fit and flare gowns are “all the rage” today. These softer versions of the mermaid style show off a great figure by skimming the body to the hip and opening to a trumpet skirt. ❥ Strapless styles are here to stay.

When fitted properly, these gowns are comfortable, stay in place and allow the most movement. ❥ Textured skirts are extremely popular today. Flowers and appliqués created by intricate fabric techniques add a modern touch of sophistication.

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make recommendations based on a bride’s body type but will always yield to what she really wants. “It’s not my day,” Allen said. “I can make suggestions, but ultimately she’s the one who has to be happy. I would never stand in the way of her getting her dream gown.”

Michelle Simpson, 23, who will marry fiancé Rob Hill on March 26, can attest to that. “My consultant and Monte were both so nice and helpful,” said Simpson, who will appear on the second season of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” with her sister, Diane, 25, who will be married six months later. “They were very honest, and they cater to you — they just want you to be happy and make sure that you do feel beautiful … And it takes the weight off of your shoulders because they make sure that your opinion is heard.”

“When you turn on TLC to watch our show, you’re going to see an incredible sense of humor. The show has not changed us — we are who we are. We

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Happily Ever After Currently filming season two of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta,” which will premiere this summer, Allen is still amazed at the turn of events that landed her salon on television and garnered her and her staff fans from across the country. “It’s really unbelievable,” she said. “Right now, I’m just so thankful for each day and for what we have going on. Filming the show has been great fun, and we’re just thrilled to death.”

However, Allen doesn’t mince words about the tireless effort that went into getting her bridal couture business to where it is today. “It’s not an easy industry — the day-to-day, nitty-gritty of the bridal industry is hard work,” she noted of the family business, adding that her husband, Eddie, and both of her parents have played major roles in its long-term success. “And I’m no different from anyone else. I have two children — one is married and one is in college. I’ve been able to raise a family, and I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am. I’m no overnight success.”

“Lori is caring and giving, and she also has very high standards that we all have to — and want to — meet,” Durham observed. “But she’s not up in an ivory tower. She’s a very large part of the store’s activity on a daily basis, and she works very diligently. And I greatly respect her for that.”

That’s because keeping bridals by lori moving forward is key for Allen. “I know it’s a good time and I’m so fortunate, but you can’t sit back and pat yourself on the back because I wouldn’t grow. The show has been good for our store, and we all see the big picture,” she revealed. And as she looks forward to what the future will bring, she happily reflects on the past and the perfect marriage of creative inspiration and business know-how that resulted in Atlanta’s bridals by lori.

“It just goes to show you that if you find your passion, have a good work ethic, are stubborn as a mule and won’t give up, if you go after your dreams, anything is possible,” she concluded. PN For more information visit www.bridalsbylori.com and http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/say-yes-to-the-dress-atlanta/.

N O RTHSIDE

wedding guide

To Spe nd OR NOT TO SPEND? Planning a Wedding on a Budget? Consider These Tips from Local Wedding Planners About When to Splurge and When to Save [ WR IT T EN BY SA R A S H E LTO N ]

Within weeks of

celebrating her engagement, Atlanta native Megan Dean found that the excitement of being newly engaged quickly gave way to the stress of planning a wedding. Sitting down with a list of everything she wanted for her wedding in hand and a strict budget in mind, she found herself stopped at every decision, wondering incessantly “Am I spending too much? Can we afford this?

Can I really get everything I want in my wedding on the budget I have?”

This seems to be the story of most brides working to plan the wedding of their dreams on the budgets of their realities.

From favors to dresses and location to pictures, one financial decision has to be made: Where should I save and where should I splurge? In regard to budgets, most wedding planners and event coordinators come to the same consensus: There’s no need to panic! With a little research and good guidance, even the most budget-conscious bride

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

TES Y PH OT O CO UR

can afford to splurge on the things that she really wants for her big day.

Monica Jackson, executive director of Extraordinaire Affairs and Events with locations in Austell and Alpharetta, offers a simple solution to beginning the save vs. splurge debate for each bride.

“Starting off with a realistic budget is the first key to providing savings,” Jackson advised. “From there, you can really figure out what you want and work to incorporate those things within your budget.”

Wedding planner Jennifer Mineo of North Georgia’s Events by Dezine echoes this statement, advising brides to focus on

EV EN T OF A DIV INE

the important details first before worrying over spending money on the things they could do without.

“I always tell brides that they can have the wedding they want on a conscious budget,” Mineo said. “The most important thing is to consider what you splurge on as an investment into a piece of your wedding that is really important to you.”

So before budget-burdened brides like Dean succumb to the pressure of deciding where to spend the majority of their money on such a big day, take a look at what area wedding experts and planners have to say about where to splurge and where to save.

RINE BIRKBE CK PHOTO COURT ESY OF KATHE

PHO TO COU RTE SY OF EVE NTS

BY DEZ INE | NIN A SUT HER LAN D PHO TOG RAP HY

Splurge

Photography Easily the biggest and unanimously advised budget splurge for a wedding is photography. Spend most of your time researching here and allocate a good portion of your wedding budget toward making sure you choose the right photographer to deliver the best product on your wedding day. After all, your pictures are what will last beyond the main event.

“A lot of people don’t understand sometimes why photography can be so expensive,” said Rebecca Hansmann, owner of The Bridal Bar in Atlanta. “I always tell people to remember, this is what you have to hold onto and help tell the story of your wedding after it’s all said and done.”

Jackson whole-heartedly concurred, adding, “This is the area where you truly get what you pay for. Photography is timeless and I think it is priceless when it comes to your wedding.”

Additionally, Jackson advises against cutting corners in this area by using friends, family or acquaintances.

prior to the event. Though this does save on costs, the atmosphere at the reception can suffer without a constant flow of entertainment or music to keep the party going.

Newly married Blake Thibodeau of Alpharetta can attest to this.

“Looking back, I would’ve splurged on a DJ,” she said. “I used a family friend to save money and it ended up being more chaotic due to their lack of experience.”

Food Another suggested splurge at the reception is food. While you can save money by opting to provide only desserts or appetizers rather than a full, three-course meal, the quality of food you serve shouldn’t suffer because of your budget.

PH Y “The meal is the main A R G PH O TO LA N D SU TH ER | N IN A E IN event of the reception; I think if it’s good D EZ TS B Y F EV EN TE SY O COUR food you want, splurge on it!” suggested PH O TO Lacy Wilhoit, senior account executive “I’ve seen couples want to use a friend with A Divine Event, an award-winning or relative to save money, but I always reccatering company serving metro Atlanta ommend hiring a professional photographer and Athens. that not only takes great pictures but has a Hansmann agreed, “There is no good eye for capturing the moments you shortage of great food options in the area, may have missed.” most of whom are willing to really work with you to help you get the best food for the best price. But you can’t be afraid to Entertainment splurge a little to get the best quality and Along with photography, most planners taste for your reception.” suggest a no-skimping policy on entertainTo create a fabulous wedding menu ment. What your guests remember most is without blowing your budget, Wilhoit usually the great party that follows your offers a few suggestions. ceremony, and the right entertainment is “Keep in mind what the most imporimportant. tant element of the reception is to you,” she “Entertainment is crucial because it said. “If it’s the cocktail hour, plan on great sets the mood and it brings people together,” passed hors d’oeuvres and maybe an action Jackson said. station to get your guests excited about the Mineo agreed. “I never recommend event … if the focal point is the dinner porcheaping out too much on entertainment, tion of the meal, cut back on cocktail treats like a band or a DJ. This always makes the and go for a unique entrée for dinner.” party, and everyone loves a good party!”

“Regardless of what type of reception In such a digital age, a lot of brides will you are having, splurge on what you want opt to save money simply by using an iPod your guests to remember about the meal,” and creating a playlist for their reception ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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ESI S | WW W.P HO TO

OF PH OT OS YN TH

PH O TO

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Sanity Most brides forget that the key to making sure you really enjoy your wedding is to stash some cash that will help you take care of yourself.

Include some room in your budget to splurge on things that will help save your sanity.

“This ‘do-it-yourself’ idea is really popular with brides these days,“ Hansmann said. “It’s not a bad idea but the idea of making one really cute invitation or favor is totally different than doing 150 [of them] weeks before your wedding. I would recommend adding in some room to splurge on things like this in order to save yourself the un-needed stress.”

Craft stores are a great place to shop around for small, ready-made favors or simple invitations to have printed. Though it may seem like a silly expense at the time, having the time to enjoy a stress-free wedding preparation will prove invaluable.

“Planning a wedding is a major task,”

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added Rachel Broach of Notable Weddings and Events, a complimentary wedding concierge in Alpharetta. “If you must cut costs, you can act as your own wedding planner to a certain extent, but make sure you have a day-of coordinator. You cannot do this and get married at the same time.”

SAVE

Dress What most brides might consider the biggest splurge can actually be the best area to save. With a little research and shopping, most women can find the dress style they love at a smaller price.

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“Again, we always ask women what the most important thing to them is and if it is the dress, go ahead and splurge,” Hansmann said. “But I know there are ways to get a great wedding dress for so much less than what most women spend.”

Brides may purchase a sample dress rather than a custom-ordered gown.

Though you may have to spend on alterations, the overall cost will come down significantly. In Atlanta, many bridal boutiques offer sample sales and discounts.

With enough research, brides can get a splurge-worthy gown for a steal.

SY NT HE SEI SST

O TO LA ND PH TH ER | NI NA SU

she continued. “If you love lobster and can’t afford to have it in the entrée, put it into a passed hors d’oeuvre or as a complementing flavor in the first course option.”

NE

BY DE ZI EV EN TS

wedding guide

GR AP HY

N O RTHSIDE

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Location Where to have the wedding is often the first question on a bride’s mind, but your venue should reflect your budget, so be sure to have one in place before putting down any deposits.

“Some people want to put tons of money into a location but then end up having little else to offer,” Mineo explained.

“Character can amp up any event location and help to create a great atmosphere without having to drop the majority of your budget on renting a venue.”

Some venues include the ceremony fees in the overall rental cost, so you may be able to save money by holding your wedding and reception in the same location. Or choose a space that is personal to you: a church, a family home or a local haunt. Weddings are meant to be a personal expression of the couple and choosing a location special to you can help save money and add a personal touch in one fell swoop.

Determined to have your wedding at a pricier venue? Ask about holding your event on a weeknight — even a Friday or Sunday — as opposed to a Saturday. Often doing something as simple as moving the date can cut the price for renting a venue nearly in half! Broach also suggested holding your wedding earlier in the day, which could save you money in venue rentals, and also makes it possible to save on food by serving appetizers instead of a full dinner.

Décor Another easy place to save money on your wedding is in the area of décor. Any venue can be decorated on a dime without extravagant expenses.

“I never really advise spending money on additional décor,” Mineo said.

Saving on décor can come down to a series of simple choices. Rather than choosing the most expensive linens or centerpieces, opt for the lower priced alternatives. No one will know the difference and you still get the same effect! You can also save money by using flowers that are in season during your wedding. Additionally, use the flowers from your ceremony to decorate your reception, or use the bridesmaid’s bouquets as table centerpieces.

Some planners recommend avoiding flowers altogether in favor of cheaper, more creative items. ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

21

NORTHSID E

wedding guide “A lot of people opt not to go heavy on the floral side of the wedding and hit up a great craft store or even their own knick knacks to decorate with a personal and affordable touch,” Hansmann said.

Drinks It seems nowadays most weddings are synonymous with the offering of free alcohol.

While this can make for a great party, it can quickly turn into a huge bill.

“You can easily still entertain and only serve what is necessary or what you want to have,” Mineo explained.

Couples can still have a great party without the expense of an all-inclusive, open bar. Instead, offer only a selection of beer and wine or perhaps one signature cocktail.

Overall for new brides like Dean, the stress of wedding planning doesn’t have to overwhelm the joy of planning a day to remember. By figuring out what’s most important to you, you can have the best of what you want at the price you can afford. PN

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wedding guide

Picture

PRETTY AS A

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLE & ROB WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA & SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA & SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY

Local Wedding Photographers Discuss How Best to Capture Your Special Day

24

[ W R I TTE N BY J U L I E H O STE T T E R ]

Every time I look at it,

I smile and the joy I felt on our wedding day comes rushing over me. On a whim, my husband wrapped me in his arms and lifted me up to the sky, and our photographer snapped the picture. I see it even when I close my eyes. A fall day on Canton Street, we are both wearing sunglasses and smiling at each other with his arms around my waist and mine around his neck with my bountiful bouquet cascading down his back. It is the one photo that capsulated all the emotions I felt the day we became husband and wife. That photo graced our first Christmas card, our album cover, our bedroom dresser and my office desk, just for good measure.

Our photographer never directed or posed the shot, my husband just did what was in his heart, and now that memory is saved for the ages. That’s the power of photography. The bouquet will wilt and the dress will be packed away, but the photos are what bring your wedding to life again year after year. So, it’s clear, when choosing a photographer and discussing what are your “can’t-miss” moments, a bride has

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLE & ROB WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLE & ROB WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA & SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA & SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY

to be prepared to make the best decisions.

Thankfully, local wedding photographers have offered some tips about current photography trends, can’t-miss photographs and how to ensure the photographer you choose is a match made in heaven.

Diary of a Wedding Day Today, the most popular buzzword when it comes to weddings is photojournalismstyle photography. This means photographers rely less on heavily posed shots of the past, fading instead into the scenery to catch the real, unscripted moments of your special day. In fact, Atlanta photographer Denis Reggie is world-renowned for being one of the forefathers of this style of wedding photography. Reggie pursued photojournalism-style wedding photography with gusto after attending a friend’s wedding and was aghast at the pushy photographer who barked “look here and smile” all night.

Over the past 10 years, brides have embraced that photojournalism approach

as a wonderful way to artfully document their wedding day.

“The biggest challenge is capturing a compelling image without interfering whatsoever,” said award-winning documentary wedding photographer Spencer Clark of Anna and Spencer Photography. “We want the people to remember the moment, not us photographing the moment.”

Clark works side-by-side with his wife Anna, and is passionate about the benefits of photojournalism-style photography for documenting weddings. “I really prefer capturing real emotion, it’s very important to me,” he said. “At every wedding, I try to take one photo that sums up how the couple is feeling for each other in just one image.”

But that’s not to say that traditional photography or portrait shots are thrown at the wayside; rather, it’s more of an amalgamation of both.

“I think posed shots are important, too, so the mix between the posed and photojournalism is a good option,” said Jessica Layne from The Photography ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

25

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wedding guide

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLE & ROB WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA & SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA & SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHY

Collection. “Even if it is a posed picture, you are laughing or crying real tears, and you will be able to feel the emotion in the picture afterwards.”

Kelle McEntegart of Kelle & Rob Wedding Photography stressed that comfort is critical when it comes to photojournalism on your wedding day. “The relationship is key for photojournalistic-style photography. If the bride [and groom are] comfortable with you, you are going to be able to shoot them without being noticed, but if they are nervous around you or if they feel your presence there, I do think that has a lot to do with what you will catch, those genuine moments.”

As for how to tell what style you like?

Take a good, hard look at a photographer’s portfolio, as the proof is in the picture.

“When photographers show their portfolio, it tells you a lot about their style,” Spencer added. “Look at the images and see if they are really posed or if it’s photojournalistic. A picture’s worth a thousand words, and once you look at their

26

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

portfolio, you’ll figure it out pretty quickly.”

Can’t-Miss Moments Your mind will be in a tizzy on your wedding day, so it’s best to give some careful consideration about your “can’tmiss” photographs and share them in writing with your photographer.

But some of those precious photos may not be so obvious, so do some brainstorming.

“The picture of the groom’s face when he first sees her, and the bride’s face when she first sees him is touching,” Layne said. “I think it’s also important to capture the family during the ceremony, to see how the mother and father are reacting. Seeing their emotions during the day is really important.”

Added Clark, “One of the things that I’m so sad if I see it missed, is right when the couple walks up the aisle, having a few minutes before anybody else comes to them. I think it is one of the most important moments at the wedding. Another great photo is the father, the first time

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA LAYNE | THE PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION

he sees his daughter in the dress, that’s a really big moment.”

Rob Smith of Kelle & Rob Wedding Photography concurred that there is much to be captured in that “daddy’s little girl” moment. “That small moment before she walks down the aisle with her dad or whoever is escorting her down the aisle, it seems that they always look at each other and share that ‘here we go.’ That’s a really special thing.”

He also advised not to forget the little things when it comes to your wedding photography. “I look for details and composition,” Smith said. “I’m catching those details that people forget, like shoes, textures, colors that everyone thinks and dwells on before the wedding but then gets lost and forgotten afterwards. I try to catch all that hard work that’s been put into the wedding.”

And while many brides may opt to save money by skipping on the pre-ceremony “getting ready” shots, McEntegart urges them to reconsider.

“My favorite are the pre-wedding

shots, which a lot of people forget about,” McEntegart said. “There is something to be said for the anticipation, for the building up for what’s about to happen.”

Smith also added, “Let the photographer go to the places that aren’t fi nished yet, the places they are still setting up. So many great shots are taken in those pre-wedding moments when people are rushing around trying to get ready. You get some funny stuff, some touching stuff, some really good memories.”

Do You Take this Photographer?

While choosing a photographer is not quite as important as choosing your spouse, it’s pretty darn close. This is the person you will entrust to capture the day perfectly, and there are no do-overs. If the photographer is gruff, and annoys you or your guests, that can leave a blemish on your wedding day that sadly you can’t Photoshop out. So choose wisely, and make sure that you not only like their photography style, but that you like them as people as well. So heed Clark’s warning: “A photographer’s personality can make a difference of enjoying those group photos or people remembering forever that that was the worst time of the day.”

When you meet in person, try to find some common ground. “Be sure you click with your photographer, that’s really going to show in your pictures,” McEntegart advised. “And look for passion in the photographer for shooting weddings. Do they talk about it like they love it, or in a cold, technical matter?”

To ensure you fi nd the right match, first determine what kind of style of wedding photography you like and meet in person with at least three photographers whose work represents that style. Then choose the one whose personality meshes well with you and your grooms’. One excellent opportunity to get to know your photographer and their style is during an engagement shoot. Think of it as a test run for the big day.

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NORTHSID E

wedding guide engagement shoot,â&#x20AC;? McEntegart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can hang out together, there is no pressure, you can laugh and have fun. You can create that comfort level there.â&#x20AC;?

And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to admit that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a match made in heaven, advised Clark. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you are hiring a photographer, yes, you are hiring them to take photographs, but you are also hiring their personality, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a really key thing. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t laugh together, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably not a great ďŹ t,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ok to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I really like you but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think our personalities are a match.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; They wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be offended by that, every photographer knows that they want to have a ďŹ t with their couples.â&#x20AC;?

Regarding pricing, the average bride may pay about $2,000 to $3,000, but you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shocked to discover the more esteemed and seasoned photo-graphers charge $5,000 and up.

Also, be sure to check how a photographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pricing works. Some have higher prices up front, and very little cost added, while some are cheaper up front, but charge a lot for albums, photos, etc.

According to Clark, some important questions to ask are: Do you get to keep the digital ďŹ les? When do you get them? Do I have the right to print them at will?

As for when to start looking for a photographer, the answer is unanimous â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as soon as you have a date, preferably eight months to a year or more prior to the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sooner, the better, before ďŹ&#x201A;owers, even before picking your dress,â&#x20AC;? McEntegart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It should be as important as locking in your location. The photographer is the same as the location â&#x20AC;&#x201D; once itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booked, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booked.â&#x20AC;?

Layne added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you are getting married in the summer, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deďŹ nitely best to book as soon as possible.â&#x20AC;?

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hyperventilate just yet, as you are in luck. Atlanta is blessed with some of the best wedding photographers in the nation, and just like Prince Charming with his glass slipper, you are sure to ďŹ nd the perfect ďŹ t. PN

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N : Anna and Spencer Photography Atlanta, 404-357-5304 www.annaandspencer.com Kelle & Rob Wedding Photography Atlanta, 678-595-0770 www.krweddingphotography.com Jessica Layne Atlanta/Nashville, 615-915-0093 www.thephotographycollection.com

N O RTHSIDE

PH O TO

C O U RT

ES Y O F C H ÂT EA

U ÉL AN

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARNSLEY GARDNES

wedding guide

Custom-Made R E C E P T IONS

Château Élan , BRASE

Barnsley Gardens, ADAIRSVILLE

LTON

Wedding & Reception Venues that Fit Your Personality [ C O M P I L ED BY L I ND S E Y B A RTE L L ]

F O R TH E O’ H A R A O F T H E O LD S O U T H

FOR THE DEMURE SOUTHERN BELLE

Scarlett’s got nothing on you at these charming historic

Understated elegance and simple Southern charm make

treasures from the Old South.

these venues as sweet as a Georgia peach.

Blackberry Hall on Lanier

ME NT S MO OM 0 RO 142GIC OFMA TESYYOF URTES COUR PH OTOOCO PHOT

PHOTO COURT ESY OF WOLF MOUN TAIN VINEYA RDS

It’s a day of union, yes, but a wedding is also the ultimate expression of the couple and, let’s be honest, particularly the bride. Searching for the site that’s just right for you?

Read on to find the wedding reception venue that fits your personal bridal style.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards, DAHLONEGA

PH O TO

CO UR TE

UN DE SY O F FO

RS HA LL

PH OT O CO UR TE SY OF KA TIE MC GE E PH OT OG RA

PH Y

1420 Room, ATLANTA

The Foster House, CUM

MING

30

, ROSWELL Fourders Hall

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

5975 Blackberry Lane, Buford, 404-358-6149,

Hollycrest Hall 2235 Sewell Mill Road,

www.blackberryhallonlanier.com Flint Hill

Marietta, 770-565-4146, www.hollycresthall.com

539 S. Peachtree St., Norcross, 770-263-7669, www.flinthill.com

Kimball Hall 881 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell,

Ivy Hall 85 Mill St., Roswell,

770-518-0225, www.kimballhall.com

770-518-9220,

Mansell House & Gardens

www.eventscatering.com Little Gardens

1835 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, 770-475-4663,

3571 Lawrenceville Hwy. NW, Lawrenceville, 770-923-3434,

www.ahsga.org Marietta Educational

www.littlegardens.com Naylor Hall

Garden Center 505 Kennesaw Ave. NW,

1121 Canton St., Roswell, 770-642-9409,

Marietta, 770-427-3494, www.mariettagardencenter.com

www.naylorhall.com

Roswell Mill Club

Payne-Corley House 2987 Main St., Duluth,

85-A Mill St., Roswell, 770-518-9220,

770-476-5366, www.paynecorleyhouse.com

www.eventscatering.com Primrose Cottage

Carl House 1176 Atlanta Hwy, Auburn,

674 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell,

770-586-0095, www.carlhouse.com

770-594-2299, www.primrosecottage.com

The DeVore House

Roswell Founders Hall

34 Church St., Alpharetta,

1076 Canton St., Roswell,

770-565-4146, www.devorehouse.com

770-992-4120, www.roswellfoundershall.com

The Grande at Kennesaw 3030 N Main St. NW, Kennesaw,

Stonehedge 406 East Shadburn Ave.,

770-514-8524, www.grandeevent.com

Buford, 770-932-9329, www.stonehedgeevents.com

Y

OF MAG IC MOM ENTS PHO TO COU RTES Y

The Atrium,

Neverland F arms, CLE

NORCROSS

The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

Persimmon Creek Vineyards

Nature lovers will revel in

One Lake Oconee Trail, Greensboro, 706-467-0600,

706-212-7972, www.persimmoncreekwine.com

Collins Hill Golf Club

the beauty of Mother Nature at these picturesque venues.

www.ritzcarlton.com Waters Mill

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery

585 Camp Perrin Road, Lawrenceville,

765 Guy Waters Road,

180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, 706-867-9862, www.wolfmountainvineyards.com

770-822-5400, www.collinshillgolf.com

FOR THE QUINTESSENTIAL E U R O P E A N L A DY

Roswell, 770-475-7800, www.ccroswell.com

A taste of the Old World

6310 Hampton Golf Club Drive, Cumming, 770-205-7070,

FOR THE ARTISTIC BRIDE

US Hwy. 18, Pine Mountain,

Your wedding will be a masterpiece at these

706-663-5179, www.callawaygardens.com

stunning galleries.

offers a stunning backdrop to your big day.

Hampton Golf Village

www.hamptongolfvillage.net Hawks Ridge Golf Club

Chattahoochee Nature Center 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell,

Hudgens Center for the Arts

770-992-2055, www.chattnaturecenter.org

6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth, 770-623-6002,

Bona Allen Mansion 395 East Main St., Buford, 770-

1100 Hawks Club Drive, Ball Ground, 770-205-6889,

The Chimneys at Big Canoe 592 Big Canoe, Jasper,

www.thehudgens.org Roswell Cultural Arts Center

271-7637, www.bonaallenmansion.com

www.hawksridge.com Pinetree Country Club

706-268-3178,

950 Forest St., Roswell, 770-594-6232,

Château Élan Winery & Resort 100 Rue Charlemagne,

3400 McCollum Pkwy. NW,

www.roswellgov.com

Braselton, 800-233-9463, www.chateauelan.com

www.bigcanoe.com The Gardens at Great Oaks 786 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, 770-693-6010,

F lint Hill, NORCROSS

Kennesaw, 770-422-5902, www.pinetreecc.org

RTE

www.barnsleyresort.com Callaway Gardens

Country Club of Roswell 2500 Club Springs Drive,

MEN TS SY OF MAG IC MO PHO TO COU RTE

597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville, 770-773-7480,

Dahlonega, 706-867-7324, www.watersmill.com

VELAND

TO C OU

Barnsley Gardens

81 Vineyard Lane, Clayton,

PHO

FOR THE N AT U R A L B E AU T Y

AND

ittle Gardens, L LAWRENCEVILLE

SY O F TH E ST R

Norcross, 770-409-7601, www.simpsonwood.org

PH O TO

G RA PH

4511 Jones Bridge Circle,

SL AV IK

Marietta, 770-428-1495, www.whitlockinn.com

www.gardensatkennesaw.com The Lodge at Simpsonwood

ES Y O F SL AV A

770-396-5361,

1127 White Circle NW, Marietta,

C O U RT

www.foster-house.com The Whitlock Inn 57 Whitlock Ave.,

Kennesaw Mountain

PH O TO

The Gardens at

MEN TS SY OF MAG IC MO PHO TO COU RTE

The Foster House 305 W. Main St., Cumming, 770-887-9905,

The S trand, M ARIE TT

A

Polo Golf & Country Club 6300 Polo Club Drive,

Houston Mill House 849 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta,

Get ready to step into the

404-712-6015,

Cumming, 770-887-7656, www.pologolfandcountryclub.com

6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, 404-851-9111,

spotlight of Old Hollywood

www.houstonmillhouse.com Montaluce Winery & Estates

Olde Towne Athletic Club 4950 Olde Towne Pkwy.,

www.heritagesandysprings.org

The Strand Theatre 117 N. Park Square, Marietta, 770-293-0080,

501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, 706-867-4060,

Marietta, 770-578-9901,

Lake Lanier Islands 7000 Holiday Road, Lake Lanier Islands, 1-800-840-LAKE, www.lakelanierislands.com/weddings/ Neverland Farms

www.earlsmithstrand.org Fox Theatre

456 Neverland Trail, Cleveland,

www.foxtheatre.org

706-865-0184, www.neverlandfarms.com

FOR THE HONEYED B O N V I VA N T

The Atrium

Wine lovers will fall in love with these mountain views

FOR THE CLASSIC D E B U TA N T E

www.otac.net St. Ives Country Club One St. Ives Country Club Drive, Johns Creek,

The classy sophisticate can’t

770-623-1239, www.stivescountryclub.org

resist these venues for a smashing good time.

The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farms

Montaluce, DAHLONEGA

3030 Bradshaw Club Drive, 350 Tournament Players Drive,

Woodstock, 770-592-2222,

ripe with budding vines.

Milton, 770-442-8801, www.atlantanationalgolfclub.com

www.bradshawfarmgc.com Woodmont Golf and

www.the-atrium.com The Cherokee Retreat Center

Frogtown Cellars

Canongate at Windermere Golf & Country Club

Country Club 3105 Gaddis Road,

370 Wilderness Camp Road, White, 877-647-8542,

700 Ridge Point Drive, Dahlonega 706-865-0687,

5000 Davis Love Drive, Cumming, 678-513-1000,

Canton, 770-345-9260,

www.cherokeeretreatcenter.com

www.frogtownwine.com

www.canongategolf.com

www.woodmontgolfclub.com

139 Norcross-Tucker Road, Norcross, 770-840-9949,

PH OT O CO UR TES Y

660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, 404-881-2100,

www.montaluce.com

OF MO NT ALU CE

FOR THE H O LLY WO O D S TA R LE T

www.historicgreatoaks.com Heritage Green

Atlanta National Golf Club

ational AtlantaubN LTON MI , Cl f Gol

A SY OF ATL ANT B PHO TO COU RTE F CLU NAT ION AL GOL

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

31

N O RTHSIDE

wedding guide

BeaBcEh BA

INN OF HEN DERS ON PARK PHO TO COU RTES Y

for the

Planning a destination affair? Consider these sun-soaked locales for your wedding or honeymoon.

Emerald Grande and Ascend a grand staircase ng nni stu a on s vow ge exchan tin Des the g kin rloo deck ove in Harbor and Gulf of Mexico ers off also nd Gra The .

Florida ms roo t que ban d nte poi well-ap epexc an and s ion ept for rec er to tional culinar y staff to cat m. whi ry your eve tin, 4100 Legendary Drive, Des , 091 6-0 -67 Fla., 800 ww w.emeraldgrande.com

ns. 201 Southern culinar y creatio nd, Isla ons Arnold Road, St. Sim , Ga., 877-662-5598 ww w.kingandprince.com What’s more, plenty adtions ditional picturesque loca s, ion ept for ceremonies, rec oons eym hon rehearsal dinners, r you for and travel options rgia’s guests abound along Geo the and coast in Brunswick Golden Isles. For more

intimate wedding.

140 W. First St., St. George , Island, Fla., 866 -534-3785 .com ties per npro atio vac sort ww w.re

Sterling Resorts tion If you’re planning a destina ng alo oon eym hon or g weddin the te ina elim st, Coa f the Gul h stress of where to stay wit ge of ran a h Wit . orts Res g Sterlin orts accommodations from res in es tag cot Inn y k coz Par to son els to hot Hender information, visit th Sou bed tin, tyle Des d-s like lan s Eng tion destina This New astawhile.com. eco om w.c ww Pensag Walton, Gulf Shores and and breakfast overlookin options and cola, there are plenty of the white-sand beaches on Hilt tin des San t is the for the per fec t beach-fron emerald ocean in Destin packChoose from a number of dantic We e. rom a s anc hap rom per for or ce g, pla t din wed per fec Sand Dreams” gar “Su like s age ce your e pla haven to hole up in with ding ceremonies may tak ters” to create Wa ld era “Em and chside spouse after the big day. on the beach, on the bea s the wedding of your dream tions, t” cre “se ed lud sec a in or Various Gulf Coast Destina lawn you need for the ing ryth eve h wit 866 -573-7678, garden before the celebra nts for big day, plus spa treatme view anoce the to ves ww w.sterlingresorts.com tion mo the the bride and groom, and te ma inti the or k Dec ah Verand s like option for special touche the Watercolor Inn & Resort Beach Walk restaurant for recepr you ke tiki torches to ma . ion Located on a sugar-white recept ember. tion a beach bash to rem d by tin, Des 98, y.

Hw nic Sce stretch of beach surrounde 2700 destin Blvd., South San 0 400 ry, Mother Nature in all her glo Fla., 866 -398-4 432, 850 -267-9612, , Fla. tin, Des us Watercolor offers numero ww w.hendersonparkinn.com .com ww w.sandestinbeachhilton ues ven l ura nat and t ron chf bea ion. ept and rec ch and Bea g ce din Prin wed & r g you for The Kin St. George Island’s Resort t on Enjoy your ceremony righ Golf Resort Vacation Properties k, Par ulti an the ule be Cer in will g or din ch bea wed the Your a memorable for s ion opt The new this then raise a toast to your mate low country affair at natural event are endless on this ge ndhan isla Exc an r ort. ove res er ry eth luxu tog s live historic Gulf barrier island off Florida’s ntry an Cou oce Low ive a or ans ner exp din the d on me s the vow lachicola. Say Apa r nea st Coa st, Santa coa Boil. 34 Goldenrod Circle, front lawn on the Georgia unspoiled beach, an on Do” “I oor 1-7711, ind Rosa Beach, Fla., 850 -23 or in one of four elegant, pavilion, or e squ ure pict a in t ww w.watercolorresort.com venues before a magnificen for an at a private rental home ed icat hist sop h wit tion bra cele

32

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

OF TH E RIT Z-C AR LT

ON

idge Golf Club, R ks aw H D BALL GROUN

FOR THE CHIC U R B A N IT E The city girl will fall in love with these Atlanta hotspots.

The Mansion on Peachtree 3376 Peachtree Road NE., Atlanta, 404-995-7500, www.rwmansiononpeachtree.com The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta, 800-241-3333, www.ritzcarlton.com

FOR THE V I C TO R I A N R O M A N T I C Weddings at these settings are as pretty as a love sonnet

by Elizabeth and Robert Browning.

The Ritz-Carlton, ATLA

NTA

MEN TS SY OF MAG IC MO PHO TO COU RTE

TES Y PH OT O CO UR

GE OF HA WK S RID

PH OT O CO UR TE SY

rimrose Cottage, P ROSWELL Barrett Hall 2543 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta, 770-420-6490, www.barretthall.org Duluth Festival Center 3142 Hill St., Duluth, 770-497-5291, www.duluthfestivalcenter.net

The 173 Carlyle House

Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville,

173 South Peachtree St., Norcross, 770-662-5800,

770-822-5450, www.gwinnettcounty.com

www.173carlylehouse.com The Marlow House

The Metropolitan Club 5895 Windward Pkwy.,

192 Church St., Marietta,

Alpharetta, 678-527-2000, www.themetropolitanclub.net

770-426-1887, www.marlowhouse.com

The Pavillion

The Stanley House Inn 236 Church St., Marietta,

736 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, 770-578-1110,

770-426-1881, www.thestanleyhouse.com

www.pavillioncatering.com Winfield Hall

FOR THE TRADITIONAL VA LE N T I N E These popular venues are perfect for a wedding celebration to remember.

3890 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, 770-495-8099, www.winfieldhall.net

Online Exclusive

Once you determine your bridal style,

1420 Room

visit www.ptsnorth.com for descriptions and Web links of the venues that are

1420 Dunwoody Village Pkwy., Atlanta, 770-587-9117,

right for you.

www.1420room.com

www.ptsnorth.com ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

33

SEE WHAT ATLANTANS ARE SAYING ABOUT ALPHADERM “Before you have [plastic surgery], go see Dr. Glavey. Try Thermage and Fraxel. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to look refreshed and renewed.”

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The very first day [after Thermage], I could see the results. They were immediate and long lasting.”

“It’s been three weeks since I had the Sculptra process done. My expression lines have been minimized substantially. When I look in the mirror, I see a more youthful appearance. One thing I love about Dr. Glavey is that she took the time to explain everything to me.”

“My skin had sun damage, uneven skin tone, brown spots, freckles, and wrinkles. After my second Fraxel treatment, it had become much softer and the brown spots were disappearing. It just looked so much clearer.

The end results were remarkable!”

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GO TO www.Alpha-Derm.com TO SEE THE FULL VIDEO TESTIMONIALS!

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Dr. Glavey is recognized by the Thermage Corporation as an expert and educator in the Thermage process serving as a member of the Thermage Advisory Panel.

401 South Main Street Suite C-7 Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 770.475.2004 www.alpha-derm.com

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PASSION

for

FASHION

secrets of the BRA WHISPERER THE PERFECT FIT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

[ W R I TTE N BY A L I C I A STA F F ORD ]

As

an adolescent girl, I spent hours performing the exercise depicted in Judy Bloom’s epic teen girl novel, “Are you there God, it’s me Margaret?”

Chanting “we must, we must, we must increase our bust,” became an unusual pastime that my friends and I would perform on cue in hopes of finally becoming “woman” enough for a training bra.

No matter what your personal dilemma might be — too small, too big, two different sizes — it seems as though most of us have some sort of problem in this area. Just short of getting enhancement or reduction surgery, women agree that a great fitting bra helps your chest looks its best.

But finding a great fitting bra is much easier said than done. Sifting through racks at retail stores and even specialty shops, it seems as though “variety” in bras is 32 – 40 AA – DD, which is hardly adequate when thinking of the widespread differences in women’s chest sizes. The secret is not in the finding, however, it is in the fitting.

“Most women blame their bodies, rather than the 42

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

fit of their bras,” said Susan Nethero, who quickly became known as the iconic Bra Whisperer when she appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2005.

“This results in [more than] 80 percent of women wearing the wrong size bras.”

Nethero, herself a former victim of ill-fitting bras, launched several business plans in the early ’90s to try to help women better understand and deal with such a common problem. In 1992, she opened her first retail store in Atlanta, called {intimacy}, and recently opened her 13th store in Troy, Mich.

“We are looking to expand to every major market where women everywhere can access our store within an hour or an hour and a half,” Nethero said. “It’s amazing to see what the confidence of a good fitting bra can do for a woman, and the vision for {intimacy} is to spread that confidence to as many women as possible.”

Perhaps we owe Nethero for bringing bra fitting back to the United States. A student of June Kenton, most noted for fitting Queen Elizabeth II and other

WEDDING DAY B R A TIPS FROM THE BRA WHISPERER ❥ Get professionally fitted and bring your wedding dress with you. ❥ Make sure you wear your bra a few times before your wedding day. ❥ Wear a bra separate from your dress, so you can reuse it. ❥ Use Spanx and other control and shaping gear. ❥ Any bra works, strapless, low back, halter, adhesive, etc.

The key is getting the proper fit!

EVERYDAY BRA MAINTENANCE TIPS ❥ Wear a bra twice before washing. ❥ Never wear a bra two days in a row. ❥ Always wash bras (clasped) in a lingerie bag. ❥ Dry bras laid out flat on a table.

NEVER put bras in the dryer. ❥ You should actively rotate 7 to 10 bras. ❥ You should get a bra fitting once a year, but you should also be sure to get a fitting after childbirth, or after major weight gain or loss.

PHOTO COURTESY OF INTIMACY

Susan Nethero, {intimacy} founder ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

43

PASSION

for

FASHION high society members in the U.K., Nethero believes in a more holistic bra fitting. That is, rather than using tape measures, she fits you by simply trying on as many bras as needed until she finds the perfect fit.

“You would think that tape measures would be more accurate, but in fact, there is much more room for error when using them,” Nethero explained.

As described by Nethero and Stacey, my personal bra-fitting expert, it all comes down to the bodice band. The back band gives you 90 percent of the support, while the cup and shoulder straps only provide about 10 percent of the support.

“A lot of times people measuring may measure too high or too low on the back,” Nethero said. “This leaves a rather large window of error. That’s why a trial and error process for bra fitting will get you better results in the end.”

To make sure the back band is providing the support you need, it should fit level from front to back. It is something that Stacey described as the seesaw effect.

“When a band fits properly, it fits evenly from front to back. When it rides up in the back because it is loose, it pulls in the front causing you to lose support.”

Stacey goes on to explain that people are afraid a firmer band will make their back fat show even more and Nethero admits that at least 50 percent of her clients come to her in hopes of eliminating back fat from showing through their bras. “Again, if everything is level from front to back, it’s going to make

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

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your body proportionate, causing everything to fit where it should,” Stacey said.

“Typically, ladies go looser in the band and smaller in the cup, but it actually should work the opposite,” Stacey continued, adding, “The key to a good fitting bra means the back band fits you like a second skin.”

In fact, a third of all bras are made with lycrabased materials, which means they stretch very easily, so a new bra should fit firm on the body in the loosest setting and work its way to the tighter settings as it wears, which will make it last much longer.

Experts say that cup size and band width are just numbers, and it is typical for a lady to wear two to three different sizes, depending on what style she has on. When searching for styles, a common misconception is that a lacy, sexier bra has less coverage. Lace bras are actually more supportive because the seam structure is much more intricate, giving you stronger support.

Whether your reason for finding the perfect bra is for comfort or for style, it’s clear that being fitted by an expert makes a world of difference. “The celebrities are always exciting to fit, but it’s the hard-working, everyday woman that means the most,” Nethero said.

“If I can help these women feel good about themselves, then I know I’ve done my job.” PN For more information, visit www.myintimacy.com

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45

t TRAVEL Barbados

Haute Sophistication, Island-Style An Invitation to The Holders Festival in Barbados Opens the Door to Cultural [ W R I T T E N BY B R E H U M P H R I E S ] Exploration in the Caribbean

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORAL REEF CLUB

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRE HUMPHRIES

My

Top Left: Hunte’s Gardens; Top Right: Coral Reef Club Bottom: A small fishing boat on the sandy tropical beach of Barbados

46 Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

spring fever was in full blast and I had been presented with a unique opportunity — an invitation to The Holders Festival in Barbados, touted as the Caribbean’s most exclusive and glamorous cultural arts event. Holders features a series of diverse musical and theater performances in an outdoor setting and promised to provide audiences with unforgettable “nights under the stars with the stars.” I was instantly intrigued and a bit incredulous. After all, aren’t cultural arts festivals supposed to take place in more sophisticated and, well, cultured destinations while the Caribbean is reserved for fun in the sun? The Caribbean I knew was more casual than classy, but perhaps I had been viewing it with tunnel vision, failing to relinquish my lounge chair to look for any cultural offerings. In any case, my curiosity won out, along with a desire to broaden my tropical horizons. If there is an arts culture in Barbados, I wanted to experience it.

Country Club of the Caribbean Owing much of its culture to the influence of English colonization in the early 1600s, Barbados is quite sophisticated indeed, and I got my first glimpse at its glamour upon arrival at my resort, the Coral Reef Club.

Originally a private, 9-acre home, the property has since expanded to encompass 12 acres and 88 rooms, suites and cottages under the care of the O’Hara family, who revitalized the resort in the 1950s to exude muted elegance with a Colonial-meets-Caribbean-meets-West

travel | BARBADOS

Beach at Coral Reef Club

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORAL REEF CLUB

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

47

| BARBADOS

travel

Owing much of its culture to the influence of English colonization in the early 1600s, Barbados is quite sophisticated indeed.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORAL REEF CLUB

Above: Coral Reef Club; Top Right: St. Nicholas Abbey great house; Bottom Right: St. Nicholas Abbey rum and sugar museum

Indies vibe and an exquisitely manicured landscape with lush, tropical gardens. (Take the tour on Wednesdays and Fridays to learn about the local flora.) The O’Hara family runs the operation to this day, and hospitality is their specialty. Mrs. O’Hara herself, a petite and amicable woman with impeccable style, even hosts chic cocktail parties for guests on Monday evenings. Coral Reef features two mosaic-tiled pools, an al fresco restaurant, beach access, a fitness center, a salon and a luxurious spa that transports guests into a tropical haven, complete with thermal spa gardens, waterfalls, an outdoor hydro pool with shaded cabanas, a crystal steam room and the soothing scent of lemongrass wafting through the air.

After a day of travel and a late afternoon arrival, I sat down to a light snack at Coral Reef’s restaurant verandah, which overlooks a portion of the Caribbean known as the Platinum Coast for its rich, silvery color. I was instantly greeted with a rum punch welcome cocktail, touted as the best in the islands, and after taking a sip, I had to agree. This is not the stuff of booze cruises; rather, Coral Reef’s version is made simply with lime juice, sugar, rum, a dash of angora bitters and a sprinkle of nutmeg for a slightly spicy flavor and a nod of refinement. I suppose it’s only appropriate that the best rum punch would be served on the island that introduced rum to the world when plantation workers began to ferment the molasses produced from sugar cane. That rum punch is the drink of choice at 4 p.m., when Coral Reef honors the British tradition of afternoon “tea” with a Caribbean spin, serving

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY

glass after glass of the heady libation to guests watching the sun sink over the ocean.

Rum Punch in Paradise In an effort to learn more about Barbados’ beverage of choice, we set out the following day to explore St. Nicholas Abbey, a 17th-century plantation with a working rum distillery. Along the way, I took the opportunity to soak in the island views of

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITY

today — houses in bright colors of tangerine, kiwi and robin’s egg blue, goats gazing roadside and miles of sugar cane fields — but once we arrived at the Abbey, I felt as if I had been transported back in time. The great house, built in 1658, is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere, complete with curved Dutch gables, chimney stacks, coral stone finials and an expansive estate flourishing with exotic plants and majestic mahogany and silk cotton trees. After venturing up to the distillery to watch a steam mill crush sugar cane for rum, we toured the mansion briefly before making our way to the tasting room for glasses of rum punch, hunks of rum cake and sips of St. Nicholas’ own brand of rum, which is made using pot still distillation and aged in bourbon oak casks to produce a distinct flavor. The Abbey’s gift shop sells its prized rum in ornate bottles, along with jars of gourmet sugar, molasses, jams and sauces.

Visitors can dine at St. Nicholas’ peaceful Terrace Café, but we made our way to the Atlantis Hotel for a lunch overlooking the ocean on the southeast coast of the island. This hotel, converted in the 1850s, offers a more laid-back, beach vibe as opposed to the country club feel of the Coral Reef, and we washed down our seafood with glasses of local apple juice, made from a tropicaltasting fruit that is quite different from any variety you’ll find at home.

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| BARBADOS

travel

The Little Theatre, Holders House

H O LD E R S S E A S O N 2 0 1 1 This year’s Holders Festival takes place March 19 – April 2 and features eight events at The Little Theatre, Holders in Barbados. Highlights include comedy nights, African music night and an evening with Jim Dale, actor, comedian and Oscar-nominated film star. For more information and tickets, please visit www.holders.net.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITY

With that sweet-tart taste still tingling our tongues, we left to explore yet another of Barbados’ tropical wonders, Hunte’s Gardens, a lush paradise in the heart of the rainforest and undeniably the highlight of my trip. Once a working factory for sugar production, current owner and eclectic horticulturalist Anthony Hunte built his personal estate here five years ago and opened the gardens to the public so visitors could delight in the beauty he’s created in his magical oasis.

Whimsical paths meander through the gardens, offering a vibrant, visual feast of rare and exotic plants, plus mythical statues and peaceful benches where you can sit to commune with nature or enjoy the soothing sounds of classical music drifting from the house. Hunte welcomes each guest as a close personal friend, giving a tour through his gardens and then inviting everyone up to his home on the hill for a drink of rum punch made with limes straight from the tree just outside his door.

A Star-Studded Affair As night fell, it was finally time for a taste of the cultural event that drew me to Barbados in the first place. Founded in 1993, the Holders Festival takes place at the Little Theatre, a stage set against a magnificent natural backdrop of native island trees strung with colorful lights on the lawn of a historic 17th-century plantation. The setting and caliber of performances makes this affair quite chic, yet there was a casual air reminiscent of events like Screen on the Green, and many people had brought picnics or bottles of wine.

Though Holders typically features concerts, operas or plays, this particular performance was a tribute to Hollywood, with

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theatre critic Clive Hischhorn leading a presentation of clips from classic musicals, featuring such time-treasured dancers and singers as Shirley Temple, Rita Hayworth, Bing Crosby and Judy Garland.

After the Hollywood screening, the trendy Scarlett restaurant was just the place for a late dinner. Appropriately named, the rich, red-hued building boasts equally red interior walls and a single dining room with glitzy décor, disco balls and an abstract painting of Jackie O behind the bar. Scarlett boasts a menu of global fare and Barbados’ most extensive cocktail list, so we toasted our star-struck evening with fancy martinis before calling it a night.

Setting Sail The next day, we ventured to Speightstown, an active port town on Barbados’ northwest coast. Speightstown’s history, which dates back to the early settlement of Barbados, is evident in its charming colonial architecture, but for a real dose of island history, a visit to the Arlington House Museum was in order. Located in a restored 18th-century house, the museum is a living history lesson in itself with three levels of exhibits. A tour here begins with a brief educational video, but this is not your typical humdrum history museum. Rather, the Arlington House also incorporates a funhouse full of interactive exhibits specifically geared to children — there’s a video projected on sand, a scale that tells your weight’s worth in sugar and a ship simulator that lets you navigate the Caribbean.

After traveling back in time, we revived the Hollywood essence of the previous evening by paying a visit to Star Bar,

a wine bar on a shaded, breezy stretch of beach in Speightstown. The ultimate “après plage” destination, Star Bar opens at sunset and recreates the magic of “Old Barbados” in a casually elegant atmosphere under the stars. During the high season, from midDecember through April, you can also come here to catch classic movies from a table for two, set with candlelight over a bottle of wine and a picnic dinner.

Having sufficiently explored the cultural and historical elements of the island, we spent our last day in Barbados enjoying the quintessential Caribbean pastime of sailing. Our charter was arranged through the Coral Reef Club, and we set sail for a three-hour tour just off the coast. As I relished the wind in my hair and the sun at my back, our captain pointed out renowned estates along the coast and served platters of cheese, fruit and cold hors d’oeuvres, plus an endless supply of Coral Reef’s famous rum punch.

We returned to the Holders Festival that evening for one last performance, a production of vignettes from Shakespearean plays by a talented monologist before a farewell dinner at The Mews, a quaint seafood bistro, where a rich, chocolate-coffee gateau for dessert was as bittersweet as my final evening on this island. I had come to Barbados for a taste of culture in the Caribbean, and I had found just enough to leave me longing for more. PN

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TRAVEL tidbits

[ W RI T T E N BY L I N D S E Y B A RT EL L ]

Pause to take in

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT PENSACOLA

It can only mean one thing when piles of glittered beads clink and countless feathered masks pass you by — Mardi Gras has arrived!

Release your inhibitions in Pensacola, Fla., the perfect backdrop for colorful parades and costumes to celebrate the 5,000-year-old tradition of Mardi Gras. Since 1874, Pensacola has been hosting four parades with vibrant floats, fun throws and masked characters. This year’s grand parade takes place downtown on March 5. If you’d rather celebrate with your feet in the sand, then the Krewe of Wrecks parade floats along the beach the following day. To place yourself moments away from the heart of the party, take advantage of weekend specials at Pensacola’s deluxe hotels and inns.

New World Inn downtown has rates starting at $109, and if you stay in a beach condo, you get the third night free from JME Vacations. Check out www.visitpensacola.com for more information and places to stay.

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the snow-laden trees clustered around a stunning ski lodge with chimney smoke filtering out into the crisp air. Is this the winter wonderland you dream about? Then pack your bags for Breckenridge, Colo., where two special packages are up for grabs at One Ski Hill Place through April 24, both featuring condo accommodations and wine tasting at The Living Room restaurant.

For ski bunnies, the “Peaks, Pins and Pinot” package starts at $2,370 for a group of four and also includes three-day lift tickets per person and one lane of bowling at The Mine Shaft bowling alley. For non-skiers, the “Un-Wined” package starts at $862 based on double occupancy and includes a complimentary bottle of wine and 50-minute massage per person. For each package, you’ll be saving 15 percent, so carve out a few days and make reservations online at www.oneskihill.com or call 877-354-6747.

Release your cares into the clean air as you move fluidly into yoga positions in the presence of awe-inspiring red rock formations. The Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa in the painted deserts of Arizona is hosting a special yoga and spa retreat March 3 – 6 with Ultimate Wellness and Yoga expert Sadie Nardini, who will guide you through Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga. The retreat includes four relaxing nights, a welcome reception, two-hour daily yoga classes, a three-course dinner at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Red’s, and 20 percent off any spa treatment at the spa center.

To rev up your vacation for some PHOTO COURTESY OF SEDONA ROUGE HOTEL & SPA action, you can tour Sedona’s gorgeous backcounty for wine tasting excursions or trips in the famous Pink Jeep Tours, one of Points North’s 64 Genuine Adventures! (Find MGD64 Adventures on Facebook for details). The retreat costs $995; for more information on relaxation and adventure, visit www.sedonareouge.com or call 928-203-4111.

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Brunch with the Bride 52 Bistro Toasts the Future Mrs. in Style [ W R I T T E N BY A NDRE W NEVEI L S ]

Selecting

the right place for a bridal luncheon is crucial; you’ll need the proper balance of ambiance, service and food. 52 Bistro in Alpharetta is such a place — my fiancée, Whitney, approves.

As you walk toward the front door, you’ll pass a pine gazebo strung with white icicle lights.

“That would be so cute for a spring or summer luncheon,” Whitney exclaimed. “It’s right next to that beautiful koi pond and has just enough seating for my girlfriends.” Her imagination was already pumping and we hadn’t even walked in yet. Once inside, the bistro was warm and toasty, with a 15–foot copper bar that reminded me of my favorite whiskey and added to the warmth. Though small, it certainly felt like home.

As general manager Aaron Slattery took us upstairs to our table, he pointed to a room called The Treehouse,

with windows and sides that open up when weather permits, turning it into a balcony.

“That would be perfect for viewing the historic square and sipping on drinks with my girlies,” Whitney interjected. She was clearly ecstatic and I couldn’t stop smiling — I hoped the food was as good as the mood.

Brides can choose entrées off 52 Bistro’s seasonal menu in advance, or let each guest order upon arrival, so we sampled a few ourselves. We started with the seafood risotto fritters, a blend of rock shrimp, scallops, blue crab, avocado relish and red chili glaze that created a wave of crisp, salty and slightly sweet flavors followed by a hint of heat, and ending with a bed of sweet corn. This was a pleasant surprise, perfect for a gathering of girls.

Laying eyes on the patty melt that Whitney ordered

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Selecting the right place for a bridal luncheon is crucial; you’ll need the proper balance of ambiance, service and food.

52 Bistro in Alpharetta is such a place.

PHOTO COURTESY OF 52 BISTRO

made both of our mouths water. It came with a side of house cut fries (truffle fries optional), the perfect complement to this medium-well cooked Angus beef sandwiched between slices of toasted sour dough bread with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and just enough Thousand Island dressing.

As Whitney sipped her sweet tea, and I my Bex Riesling, we continued to enjoy our “loft,” which was cozy and intimate — perfect for up to 22 people. We couldn’t get over how wonderful — and relatively hidden — this place was in Alpharetta, and best of all, there’s no rental fee for luncheons.

As our meal came to an end, we both noticed the

stained glass windows above the front door. I smiled knowing full well we were both thinking of our upcoming wedding. She turned to me, flashed her pearly whites and said she would be back soon. Love was in the air as we walked to my car, and I can give you at least 52 reasons why.

52 Bistro 52 S. Main St. Alpharetta 770-667-0852 www.52bistro.com

C H E C K O U T T H E S E B R I DA L B RU N C H S P OT S A RO U N D TOW N Park Café Ambiance: Park Café is casually sophisticated, maintaining all the comfort and charm of a historic home, with a touch of modern elegance.

Rental Costs: No rental costs for parties lasting less than 2 1/2 hours in a single room; $100/hour for each additional hour; food and beverage minimums begin at $275 for single rooms Menu: Private event menus range from $17.50 – $22.50/person Location: 3579 W. Lawrenceville St., Duluth For more information: 770-476-2989, www.parkcafeduluth.net Located in the historic Knox House on the Town Green in Downtown Duluth, Park Café offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere that makes the bride-to-be and her guests feel perfectly at home, albeit with the service and hospitality you’d expect in a fine dining experience. And with two options to accommodate luncheons — the front room inside the quaint building and the outside lawn overlooking the Town Green, you and your group will have all the privacy you need for a charming PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANNAH J. SMITH

affair.

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The neighborhood bistro specializes in Southern comfort food with a classical French twist, and two group menu options are available as guidelines, though brides may choose anything off the menu to serve on this special day. Popular options are the fried green tomatoes with warm brie, candied pecans and bacon balsamic emulsion; the dill chicken salad on a toasted croissant with a side of crunchy homecut fries; and sweet finishing touches like rich, warm bananas foster bread pudding. Liven up the party with mimosas, sake Bloody Marys

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Catering: Menus range from $10.95 to $24.95 per person depending on selection Location: 953 Canton St., Roswell For more information: 770-643-0020, www.partychic.net You can feel the vibe the minute you walk up the stairs from Historic Roswellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening Canton Street. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feminine, fun and ready to party. Party Chic offers a hot brunch spot or evening soiree awash in pink and black, with trendy artwork and ceilings dripping with crystal chandeliers. Several of the rooms boast comfy animal-print sofas and chairs to lounge, sip and chat to ensure your party will be as beautiful as it is comfortable.

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that little girl who always imagined herself as “Alice in Wonderland.” Perfect for tea parties and bridal luncheons, Tea Leaves & Thyme allows the bride-tobe and her leading ladies to enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea in a private room and even offers a wide collection of pretty vintage hats, scarves, stoles and dresses to borrow, making this the perfect place for girlfriends to gather and play dress-up before sending the bride off into married life.

The most popular option for luncheons, the Full Afternoon Tea includes a choice of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, a chicken salad croissant or a sun-dried tomato tartlet along with buttery scones, assorted finger sandwiches, pastries and miniature tea desserts like crème de menthe brownies, carrot cake muffins and lemon bars. (I recommend the chicken salad, with a creamy honey-herbed mayonnaise that perfectly juxtaposes the crunchiness of toasted almonds and sweet red grapes). You can also choose to have a Light Afternoon Tea or simply opt for other choices from the lunch menu, which includes soups like sun-dried tomato and roasted pecan, quiches and salad trios. Everything is made from scratch, right down to the Amaretto cream and luscious lemon curd to complement the scones.

To me, nothing spells love more than spending an afternoon with tea and your favorite characters. So gather your gals for a light-hearted afternoon as you say goodbye to your single days with a Cheshire grin on your face. As Alice would say, “Why yes, I am very fond of tea.”

— Lindsey Bartell

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

[ C O M P I LE D BY A N D R E W N E V E I L S ]

Welcome to the Points North calendar. Events are listed by genre and each listing includes a description, date, a Web address (if available) and a phone number. Calendar submissions should be sent to calendar@ptsnorth.com two months prior to the month in which the event will occur. Please be advised that dates and times might change.

[ Feb. 1 – March 13]

PERFORMING ARTS “SIRENS”

[Through Feb. 6]

[Feb. 18 – Mar. 5] “THE CURIOUS SAVAGE” The Polk Street Players present this timeless comedy that is a warm and insightful tale of Ethel Savage, a very wealthy widow matching wits and will with her foolish adult children who have committed her to a mental institution because they object to her plan to create a memorial fund honoring her late husband.

Performance times vary by date. Tickets are $12.50 – $20.

St. James’ Episcopal Church, 770-218-9669, stjames-marietta.episcopalatlanta.org [Feb. 28] “FIRE AND PASSION” Tango Buenos Aires has become one of Argentina’s great cultural exports, known throughout the world as the uncompromising representative of the tango. This group is phenomenal, and their world-renowned program is making its way to the Fabulous Fox again. Get your tickets today and prepare to burn with passion. The Fox Theatre, 800-745-3000, www.foxtheatre.org

ART EXHIBITS [Through Feb. 4] THREE STUDENT SHOWS The Roswell Visual Arts Center is featuring students who have studied under the tutelage of RVAC instructors. Absorbing instruction and knowledge has helped them to develop their own unique individual styles. Come celebrate these talented students by viewing their works. Roswell Visual Arts Center, 770-594-6122, www.roswellgov.com [Through Feb. 5] A GRAND AFFAIR Huff Harrington Fine Art has an exhibit that is grand in scale, quality and value. The show will feature new works from gallery

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANN WEISS

After 25 years of marriage, the passion in Sam Rose’s marriage has ebbed. The cure seems to be a romantic cruise to the mythical Greek Isles. That is, until washed-up songwriter Sam hears a siren calling and chucks himself overboard. Embark on this captive comedy about finding one’s muse. Aurora Theatre, 678-2266222, www.auroratheatre.com

The Last Album These “Cherished Photographs From the Past” showcase life for Jews in Eastern Europe pre-WWII. Many of the images are the last taken of those individuals before being sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp. This photo exhibition is based on the book “The Last Album: Eyes from the Ashes of AuschwitzBirkenau” by Ann Weiss. Marcus Jewish Community Center, 678-812-4000, www.atlantajcc.org

artists, all priced $1,000 and less. You will be wowed by the work and the fabulous prices. Huff Harrington Fine Art, 404257-0511, www.huffharrington.com “NATURE’S MIRROR IMAGE” PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT [Through Feb. 16] Recapture the feeling of lush summer days in this imaginative photography exhibition from Steven Tanner. He captures and transforms natural spaces in a way that creates worlds that are both familiar and surreal. Prepare to be amazed!

The Chattahoochee Nature Center, 770-992-2055, www.chattnaturecenter.org ABERNATHY ARTS CENTER INSTRUCTORS’ SHOWCASE [Through Feb. 26] This exhibit seeks to show the AAC instructors’ creative expressions and artistic achievements. This is also a great opportunity

to pair yourself with one of AAC’s talented instructors for their spring classes. Come on out and support the arts, and perhaps learn how to develop your own creative expressions. Abernathy Arts Center, 404-303-6172, www.fultonarts.org

CONCERTS COMEDY

Creating comfortable, sophisticated interiors that reflect your personality and lifestyle.

Space Planning t 2D and 3D Autocad Drawings Architectural Drawings t Custom Window Treatments Hard Window Treatments t Lighting Design Kitchen & Bath Design t Selection of Furniture, Fabrics, and Finishes t Paint Consultation & Faux Finishes Aging-in-Place Assessment & Design

PATTI DRANE, allied member asid 404 918 0004 tel www.interiorsbypattillc.com

[Feb. 10] BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE The doors open at 8 p.m. for this less-than-traditional indierock band. This 20 member “collective” from Toronto creates a sound so unique and varied that seeing — and hearing — is believing. Tickets range from $26 and up and are available on Ticketmaster. Buckhead Theatre, 404-962-8700, www.thebuckheadtheatre.com NUTTIN’ BUT STRINGS

[Feb. 10]

Tourie and Damien Escobar are the dynamic duo behind this urban rock violin group’s eclectic sound, which combines classical music with pop, R&B and hip-hop. You may recognize the brothers as the runners up from “America’s Got Talent” Season 3. Catch them this month during the 10th Annual Roswell Roots Festival. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 770-641-1260, www.roswellroots.com

CELTIC WOMAN AT THE FABULOUS FOX [Feb. 23 & 24] This global smash hit tour is making its way to the Fox Theatre.

The awe-inspiring vocalists and mesmerizing Celtic violinist continue to capture the heart of fans across the country. You will be enchanted and your heart will be captivated — get your tickets today! The Fox Theatre, 800-745-3000, www.celticwoman.com

CHARITY EVENTS “IT TAKES A VILLAGE” BENEFIT CONCERT

[Feb. 4]

Enjoy the music of Mandy Gawley as she works with DreamWeavers to promote and enhance the lives of foster children. For $35 per ticket, you can give to a great cause, enjoy some incredible music and take in the sights of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta from 8 to 11 p.m. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 770-2551019, www.dreamweaversofgeorgia.org

TASTE OF LOVE GALA [Feb. 12] Love is in the air at this fundraiser for the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. This elegant black-tie event features a gourmet

ptsnorth.com | February 2011 | Points North

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FEBRUARY

dinner, premium wine pairings, live entertainment, top-notch silent and live auctions and the chance to dance the night away. Tickets are $250 with group rates available. The RitzCarlton, Buckhead, 404-527-7155, www.epilepsyga.org

SPECIAL EVENTS [Feb. 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13] GEORGIA HOME & GARDEN SHOW More than 150 experts in the home remodeling industry will showcase the latest services and products for home interiors, exteriors and landscapes. Tickets are free for children 12 and under, $5 for military with ID, $6 for seniors and $7 adults.

Gwinnett Center, 770-998-9800, www.atlantahomeshow.com [Feb. 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27] SOUTHEASTERN FLOWER SHOW This is about more than just ďŹ&#x201A;owers. This is a call for all green thumbs to come together and celebrate through music, a book signing with Vince Dooley and tons of fun and education. All ages will ďŹ nd this event to be enjoyable, educational and artistic. Tickets range from $7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $15 per day, or $35 for an allaccess pass covering you everyday. Cobb Galleria Centre, 404-351-1074, www.sehort.org [Feb. 26 & 27] GPB PRESENTS PARENTS PALOOZA GPBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Slangman, from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slangmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World,â&#x20AC;? will host this event for parents of all ages. Parents Palooza is a fun-ďŹ lled parenting expo bursting with information, products and services for parents with infants through teens. This is the place to go to get the best information on how to be a better parent. Cobb Galleria Centre, 678-566-3606, www.parentspalooza.com

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Authentic Greek, Persian & Italian Cuisine Dine-In | Take-out | Delivery | Catering Try our Lamb, Kubideh, Chicken, Steak, Pork & Cornish Hen Kabobs!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss our Spanakopita, Baba Ghanush & Mirza Ghasemi!

Enjoy our Gyros, Souvlaki, Falafel, Moussaka & Chicken Wraps!

Our Italian entrees are the best in the area!

Penne Milano, Chicken Parmesan, Ravioli ala Vodka and more.

Also serving beer and wine.

Mention Points North & receive 20% off dine-In and 10% off take-Out. (max discount 10%)

2310 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Suite A Cumming Open 7 Days a week: 11am - 10 pm 770-888-8100 | www.babasgyros.com

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Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

Mythic Creatures at Fernbank Museum

PHOTO COURTESY OF FERNBANK MUSEUM

BABAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GYRO & KABOB

[ Feb. 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aug. 14]

Sightings of unicorns, dragons, mermaids and more are available for viewing in this majestic exhibition. Revealed will be the fossils, beliefs and origins behind many of historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tales of mythic creatures, but the exhibition will no doubt leave visitors asking, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you believe?â&#x20AC;?

Tickets range from $13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $15, and are free for children 2 and under and museum members. Fernbank Museum, 404-929-6300, www.fernbankmuseum.org

5 THINGS I MUST DO THIS MONTH

[ W R I T T E N BY L I N DS E Y BA RTELL ]

FEBRUARY

1

Awaken Your Senses. Imagine riding with your sweetheart through the ancient routes of the Silk Road, traveling through Asia, the Mediterranean, southern Europe and into Spain to savor the exciting local flavors along the way. Maybe you don’t have the time or funds to indulge in a romantic journey like that; however, you and your partner can try sensual flavors from these very countries at Atlanta’s new Tantra Restaurant & Lounge for Valentine’s Day. Visit www.tantraatlanta.com or call 404-228-7963.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HENRIK ABEDIAN

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Craft Your Love. This Valentine’s Day, consider an original gift that has been made with love. On Feb. 19 and 20, the Fireside Art & Craft show at Unicoi State Park near Helen features more than 60 of the Southeast’s finest artists and craftsmen peddling Appalachian items like pottery, pine needle baskets, folk art and more. You can even stay in a rental cottage for a romantic weekend in the mountains. Call 800-573-9659 Ext. 305 or visit www.georgiastateparks.org/unicoi for more information.

Points North | February 2011 | ptsnorth.com

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Give Your Skin Some TLC. Breathe in deeply the aroma of cranberries as their natural extracts bring life back into your winterworn skin. The cranberry peel at William David Salon will leave your skin smoother than silk, brighter with glow and younger due to its large quantity of vitamin A, an anti-aging and skin-softening property. The salon is offering this re-hydrating peel through the end of February. Visit www.williamdavidsalon.com or call 678-9279065 for Buckhead or 678-762-1414 for Alpharetta to make your appointment.

Send a Sweet Treat. Instead of that standard box of chocolates, consider another sweet treat for your Valentine this year. Tank Goodness Cookie Co. can deliver warm, baked-to-order cookies directly to your sweetheart’s door. Cookies are made with allnatural and premium ingredients such as decadent Ghirardelli chocolate chips. The orders are delivered within an hour of leaving the oven and, because you can’t have cookies without milk, Tank Goodness also offers half-gallons of milk from Whole Foods with every order. For more information, please call 404-432-8025 or visit www.tankgoodness.com/atlanta.

Find Your Inner Fashionista. Fashion meets philanthropy at Fashion Uncorked! Admire the work of seasoned and amateur designers alike as their beautifully crafted clothes sashay down the runway on Feb. 19 at Artist Trifecta Gallery in Downtown Atlanta. The event, which features a fashion design competition and a celebrity host, will benefit Easter Seals, an organization that helps individuals with disabilities. For more information, call 404388-8757 or visit www.artisttrifecta.com.