July August 2014 ISSUE 24 • FREE
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
BOLD WOMEN OF BUCKHEAD 5 PAGES OF ACCOMPLISHED, LIFE-LOVING LADIES
Hamburger Hunt THE SEARCH FOR BUCKHEAD’S BEST PATTY
Wear White: 4 SEASONALLY INSPIRED OUTFITS
“Our Bank Takes the Cake” “Our grandmother would have never believed it! Her original recipe that we all loved as kids has led to our thriving cheesecake company, which produces more than 40,000 cakes a day and provides desserts to top retailers and restaurants in the country. A business like ours needs a banking partner that understands how to provide the customer service, flexibility and financial products needed to be successful. We have a great partnership with Georgia Commerce Bank. The bank took the time to understand our business and get to know us personally as the owners of a family-run business. They created a banking relationship that is tailor-made for the way we run our operations. As siblings, we don’t agree on everything. But we are all glad we made the switch to Georgia Commerce Bank.” — Dina Birch, Margret Sapp and David van der Blom Atlanta Cheesecake Company Co-Founders
Georgia Commerce Bank has nine locations in metro Atlanta. Acworth • Brookhaven • Buckhead Century Center • Cumberland Johns Creek • Marietta Peachtree Corners • Woodstock Seth Gray
Christin Nally Viola
Tripper Mansfield
Senior Vice President Commercial Lending
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Senior Vice President Private Banking
2970 Peachtree Rd., NW, Suite 100 • Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 240-5000
gacommercebank.com
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Melanoma cancer treatment that results in Salsa dancing.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s physicians are leaders in melanoma diagnoses and treatment, which is why people from across Georgia trust Northside with their melanoma care. In fact, Northside has one of the fastest growing melanoma programs in the state—helping more and more people get past their cancer and onto the dance floor. For help finding a cancer specialist, call 404-531-4444.
Where the Extraordinary Happens Every Day
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SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |
JULY/AUGUST 2014
Photos: Sara Hanna Photography
[ C OV E R S T ORY ]
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BOLD WOMEN OF BUCKHEAD 5 PAGES OF ACCOMPLISHED, LIFE-LOVING LADIES.
Contents [ F E AT U RE S ]
30 22 24 52
[ DE PA RT M E N T S ]
HOME: FLYING HIGH
11 LETTERS
51 SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A modish condo is the ideal headquarters for an entrepreneur’s jet-setting life
13 SIMPLY NOW
61 SIMPLY DELICIOUS
29 SIMPLY STYLISH
81 SIMPLY HAPPENING
TRAVEL FAR: MALLORCAN REVERIE A visit to this Spanish island delights all the senses
34 SUMMER FASHION
TRAVEL STAYCATION: THE CLASSIC CITY, REVISITED An Athens homecoming
OVERNIGHT SENSATION CNN anchor juggles working through the wee hours with raising a family
62
White-out: the colorless trend of the season
HAMBURGER HEAVEN Our critic goes on a belt-popping mission to find Buckhead’s best Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs JULY/AUGUST 2014 | ISSUE 24 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 www.simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates call: 404-538-9895 Publisher and Founder
[ F E AT U RE D C ON T RI B U T OR ]
Joanne Hayes Chief Financial Officer
Sonny Hayes Editor-In-Chief
Giannina Smith Bedford Creative Director
Alan Platten Associate Photo Editor
Sandra Platten Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Cheryl Isaacs cheryl.isaacs@simplybuckhead.com
Account Executives
Kyle Wilcox Garges kyle.garges@simplybuckhead.com
Amy Barbieri amy.barbieri@simplybuckhead.com
Lillian Charles
Director of Audience Development
After a stellar female-focused education at Agnes Scott College and a brief stint in Paris, Lillian Charles established a wardrobe consulting business for women of all ages, shapes and sizes in Atlanta. Coaching women through the process of getting dressed in a way that is both effortless and exciting is a dream come true. Charles offers virtual styling, in-home consultations, personal shopping and Stylish Empowerment seminars to women, clubs and corporations across the country. When she’s not working her magic in closets near and far, she can be found (in her brightest lipstick) teaching spin at The Forum Athletic Club or ”patioing” with her fellow entrepreneurial friends. For this issue she wrote the Simply Accessorize and Fashion features, the latter which she also beautifully styled.
betsy.harvey@simplybuckhead.com
Betsy Harvey Contributing Writers
Kate Abney Wendell Brock H.M. Cauley Lillian Charles Carly Cooper Jim Farmer Jennifer Bradley Franklin Natalie Mae Fressell Catherine O’Connor Hough Olivia Putnal Kate Parham Kelly Skinner Karina Timmel Chief Photographer
Sara Hanna www.sarahanna.com Photography Assistant
Tyler Welbron Graphic Designer
Gvantsa Giorgobiani Copy Editor
Ellen Glass Editorial Intern
Natalie Mae Fressell Legal Counsel
Scott I. Zucker
We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright © 2014 by Simply Buckhead®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech, Network Communications, Inc., and Distribution Services Group.
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
FIND US ONLINE Read Simply Buckhead online at
www.SimplyBuckhead.com with click-through capability
Facebook facebook.com “Like” or “Friend” us at LivingWellATL
Twitter twitter.com Follow us @SimplyBuckhead
WARDROBE AND ACCESSORIES: (Clockwise from left to right on cover) CHRISTIAN ROSS • Vince sweater and Kay Unger skirt, Neiman Marcus ELICIA MONROE: • All Saints Arina Dress and Stuart Weitzman shoes, Bloomingdale’s • Jewelry: Deux Filles, Morgan Kylee
[ B E H I N D T H E C OV E R ] What do you get when you bring together a group of admirable women and pamper them with hair, makeup and fabulous clothing? A memorable afternoon of glamour, giggles and girly conversation. Arriving at the luxe Mandarin Oriental ballroom from their busy workdays— cell phones in hand—each of our “Bold Women” was transformed by stylist Morgan Henzlik and a team of hairstylists and makeup artists. When everyone was ready for their moment in the spotlight, Chief Photographer Sara Hanna worked her magic as they seamlessly followed directions of “Move a little to the right, arch your backs, smile!” The character of each woman was captured through the lens and when the shutter stopped clicking, many ladies stuck around to nibble on sandwiches from Highland Bakery, sip wine and trade business cards. After all, it’s not every day you can get this many accomplished women in the same room. Producers: Giannina Smith Bedford, Joanne Hayes and Sara Hanna Chief Photographer: Sara Hanna Photography Assistant: Tyler Welbron
Stylist: Morgan Henzlik Hair: Loree Dorchester, Shawn Cumberledge, Sarah Nelson and Ally Garrett for Van Michael Salon Makeup: Julian Reynolds and Crystal Rock of Julian’s
[ P ROU D M E M B E R OF ]
SARAH FISHBURNE • BCBG Leandra dress and Stuart Weitzman shoes, Bloomingdale’s •Jewelry: KZ Noel, Morgan Kylee JULA JANE • Carmen Marc Valvo dress, Neiman Marcus • Stuart Weitzman shoes, Bloomingdale’s • Jewelry: Deux Filles, Morgan Kylee LINDA MCIVER-DUXBURY • Maje dress, Bloomingdale’s MOLLY DARBY • Ralph Lauren Summer dress; Stuart Weitzman shoes Bloomingdale’s DR. TEJAL M. LALAJI • Badgley Mischka gown, Neiman Marcus LISA SENTERS-MCDERMOTT • Rebecca Taylor dress, Neiman Marcus • Stuart Weitzman shoes, Bloomingdale’s
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |
Letters
[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]
I
FROM OUR TWEET HEARTS AND FACEBOOK FANS! Follow us @SimplyBuckhead and on Facebook (LivingWellATL)
It is an honor to be mentioned and highlighted as part of such an intriguing article. I was very excited. For me personally and as a business owner, I could not be happier! So glad to be a part of your piece. I love it! – Chris Elise, Chris Elise Skincare As past Chairman of the Buckhead Coalition, I certainly appreciate your focus on promoting Buckhead … I look forward to seeing more of Simply Buckhead. – John “Sonny” Morris, Morris, Manning and Martin LLP On behalf of the whole team I would like to thank you for using two of our projects and recognizing our firm in the beautiful article, “A Drive-By Tour of Buckhead Doors.” It always fills us with great pride to see our projects mentioned in the press and to be acknowledged for contributing to Buckhead’s extraordinary collection of distinctive homes. – Stefanie Pouthier, Pak Heydt & Associates Thanks for the publicity. Our program started yesterday and we have a great group of students this year! – Marian Cover Dockery, Marian Dockery & Associates LLC Thank you for such a beautiful piece! I will treasure this forever!! – Jennifer Hankey, Healthy Green Schools
JULY/AUGUST 2014
Thank you @SimplyBuckhead for highlighting our product in your June issue #SydellSkincare SPF 25 Moisturizer! Order: spasydell.com – @SpaSydellATL Thank you @SimplyBuckhead for featuring us in your June issue! You captured us perfectly. – @CatherinesTable @SimplyBuckhead @ATLphotos A stunning cover indeed! – @BHaberdashery Fun seeing our pickled okra featured in the basket of Georgia goodies in @SimplyBuckhead! Thx Rumson Gifts! – @PhicklesPickles Excited to share @SimplyBuckhead magazine with our fashion and beauty moms at HotMommaHaute Experience. – @themonicabyrd What a wonderful time to reflect on the magazine’s success. Simply Buckhead is terrific, and you must be deservedly proud. Congratulations! – Sharon Silva via LinkedIn
[ L E T T E R B OX ] Tell us what you think! Send your comments, compliments and criticisms to editor@simplybuckhead.com. All letters will be considered for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.
’ve been lucky enough to have many positive female role models in my life, one of the most influential being my mother.
This wonder woman raised three kids (including my two very Photo: Sara Hanna Photography adventurous older brothers), worked, taught aerobics, home cooked breakfast and dinner every day, packed healthy lunches and still found time to sneak me away to secret hot fudge sundae dates at Dairy Queen. She juggled so many balls in the air at once, all while keeping a smile on her face. As I get older and start throwing more balls up in the air myself, I realize how difficult it is to keep this act going (and just how handy superpowers would be). My mother’s grace through it all reminds me very much of the women we highlight in this issue. Many of the “Bold Women of Buckhead” profiled by writer Karina Timmel in our cover feature have fearlessly gone after their passions and worked hard to rise to the top of their fields. And while they all manage successful careers, many also are active in the community, raise families and find time for hobbies. And they don’t forget to lend a helping hand to the generations of women behind them. Michele Rhea Caplinger worked day and night (literally), rising through music industry ranks to her current position as executive director of The Recording Academy in Atlanta. Molly Fletcher blazed a trail as a female sports agent and today runs her own company and travels the country for speaking engagements at Fortune 500 companies (oh, and did we mention she is the mother of three young daughters?). When not developing strategies for Wells Fargo’s retail sales and marketing division, Elicia Monroe straps on pads and a helmet to hit the field with the Atlanta Steam–Legends Football League U.S.A.— looking fabulous in both a business suit and football uniform. The chutzpah, infectious energy and character these women possess blows me away. Like my mother, they are superheroes with manicured fingers and toes. For that, they’re an inspiration.
Giannina Smith Bedford editor@simplybuckhead.com
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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A FRESH GRILL AND WINE BAR SEASONALLY INSPIRED DINING CHOICES CASUALLY SOPHISTICATED AMBIANCE AWARD-WINNING WINE LIST PRIVATE DINING & CHEF’S TABLE AVAILABLE WINE FLIGHTS & FLATBREAD OFFERINGS UNTIL 6 PM LOCATED ON PEACHTREE ROAD AT W. PACES 3050 PEACHTREE ROAD NW ATLANTA, GA 30305 404.846.1552
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
For details on group and event dining, visit www.Seasons52.com
E V E N T S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R AV E L | A P P R O V E D | P E T S
SIMPLY NOW
TRAVEL STAYCATION
The classic city, revisited P24
Just an hour-and-fifteen-minute drive, Athens seems
Built in 1832, University of Georgia’s chapel is an architectural centerpiece of historic North Campus, which borders charming downtown Athens. Photo: VisitAthensGA.com
a world away from the bustle of Buckhead’s streets. July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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Ideal live copy area border Minimum copy limit area
We don’t expect perfection from our work. We insist on it. We know the style of your home or business is often defined by its finishing touches. Castle is the premier provider for your painting and remodeling needs. Using only the highest quality products, we provide onsite project management to deliver our legendary five-star service. We’ve served thousands of satisfied customers in the greater Atlanta area and we would love to serve you.
Three coats of service. Four coats of craftsmanship.
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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E V E N TS
Above: Bask in the upscale ambience of the Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta between workouts. Below: Take a dip amid Buckhead’s gleaming towers and enjoy a poolside movie at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta.
Enjoy a view of Buckhead’s skyline during a summertime shindig at the W Atlanta – Buckhead’s WET Deck.
[ F E AT U RE D E V E N T ]
BE OUR GUEST PLAY TOURIST AND KEEP COOL AT SOME OF BUCKHEAD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SWIMMING POOLS
W
hile taking a dip in one’s own backyard has its charms, so does a swim in the pristine pools of Buckhead’s top-caliber hotels, which, from time to time, open their doors to the public. Whether you’re seeking a summer-long membership or a sporadic rooftop pool party, you can find a setting to fulfill your poolside longing. Here, a few swanky places to get your feet wet:
Stylish swim Posh pool parties are a regular occurrence at W Atlanta – Buckhead during its weekly SUNDAZE soiree. Every Sunday from June through August, stretch out on the WET Deck, a cool beverage in hand for a luxurious dip. Bring pals and enjoy skyline views while swimming at the rooftop infinity-edge pool and ordering deep-end bar service, all set to the beats of a live DJ. Bask from noon to
6 p.m. Admission is $30; register online at www.watlantabuckhead.com/sundaze to reserve a spot. When you get to the hotel, check in at the Feature Lift (the big elevator out front) to snag your pool pass and complimentary parking.
Film with flippers Take family movie night to the next level and grab your crew for the seventh annual Dive in Movie nights at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta. Every Saturday through Aug. 30, movie buffs can hang out at the hotel’s gorgeous pool for some alfresco film viewing starting at 8:30 p.m. Take a dip, or enjoy the show from the pool deck while snacking on free popcorn, courtesy of the hotel. The full pool menu (full of goodies like quesadillas, salads and red velvet High Road ice cream sandwiches as well as wine, beer and iced or chilled cocktails, like strawberry
Grand Hyatt Atlanta’s Dive in Movie Schedule July 12 – Saving Mr. Banks July 19 – Turbo July 26 – Planes August 2 – Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 August 9 – Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters August 16 – Legends of Oz: Dorothy Returns August 23 – Muppets Most Wanted August 30 – Rio 2
mai tais) is also available. The best part? Entry is free. Just show up before the movie and head straight to the pool! Valet your car for $12, or self-park for $6. MAKE A SPLASH
Indoor interval Swimmers seeking a luxe space to get in their laps may want to consider purchasing a spa membership at the Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. For $200 a month (or $190 per couple, per month), you can score access not only to the immaculate, 60-foot climate-controlled indoor pool, but also to the state-of-the-art fitness center and the hotel’s top-notch personal trainers. Post-workout, treat yourself to a spa treatment, like the heated Aroma Stone Massage. Your membership gets you 20 percent off spa services booked Mondays through Thursdays. We could get used to this. – Kelly Skinner
W Atlanta-Buckhead 3377 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 678.500.3100 www.watlantabuckhead.com Grand Hyatt Atlanta 3300 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.237.1234 www.grandatlanta.hyatt.com Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta 3376 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.995.7500 www.mandarinoriental.com/ atlanta
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S I M P LY NOW
E V E N TS
[ FA M I LY-F R I E N DLY ]
A roaring good time PARTY LIKE A PROTOCERATOPS AT FERNBANK’S DINOSAUR BIRTHDAY BASH How do you celebrate some of the most amazing creatures ever to walk the Earth? With a birthday party fabulous enough to make even the fiercest T. Rex smile: the Dinosaur Birthday Bash. This rip-roaring event takes place among the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Giants of the Mesozoic exhibition, which immerses visitors in a prehistoric snapshot of life 150 million years ago. Standing at the feet of fossil casts (replicas of the original specimens) of the world’s largest dinosaurs in various states of play and conflict, visitors—who are encouraged to dress like dinosaurs themselves—can experience a day in the life of a prehistoric giant while they stomp, chomp and growl like their favorite giant of the Mesozoic Era. The party, which is included with the price of museum admission, features dinosaur- and birthdaythemed activities, games and crafts. So put on your most menacing, or friendliest, dinosaur getup and run to Fernbank for the party of the era.
Previous activities at the Dinosaur Birthday Bash have included bubble-making for children of all ages. Photos: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
– Catherine O’Connor Hough
DINOSAUR BIRTHDAY BASH Saturday, Aug. 23 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Price: Included with museum admission ($18 for adults; $16 for children 3-12 years old; free for children under 3 years) Fernbank Museum of Natural History 767 Clifton Road N.E. Atlanta 30307 404.929.6300 www.fernbankmuseum.org
[ F RE E E V E N T ]
AN ARTFUL EVENING Jennifer J L Jones, who recently published her first book of paintings, views the creation of her art as a form of meditation. Shown are her paintings “Soyala” (top) and “Colombier” (bottom). Photos: Alan Avery Art Company and Jennifer J L Jones
SEND OFF THE SUMMER WITH A LITTLE CULTURE After a summer full of outdoor activities, escape the heat for an evening and start the weekend off with an event brimming with culture, beauty and a few adult refreshments. The opening night reception for artist Jennifer J L Jones’ exhibit at the Alan Avery Art Company is the perfect excuse to experience all of the above, with the additional perk of mingling with other art lovers. Jones, who lives in Atlanta, credits nature as the primary influence on her ethereal paintings, which combine multiple mediums and a refined glazing technique. In addition to having her work exhibited across the U.S. and in Europe, collectors of her paintings include Oprah Winfrey and the Atlanta Botanical Garden—just to name a few. What could be better than sipping a cocktail while looking at beautiful art along with the artist herself? And who knows, you might just find the perfect painting to start your own collection (or complete the one you already have). – Catherine O’Connor Hough
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JENNIFER J L JONES ART EXHIBITION Opening night reception Friday, Aug. 22 7-10 p.m. Alan Avery Art Company 315 East Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 404.237.0370 www.alanaveryartcompany.com
Spend a day or evening on t h e To w n !
Discover over 50 shops, services and restaurants. Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping and dining destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services. Based on the book by Dr. Seuss
Photo © Center for Puppetry Arts
Play originally produced by the
National Theatre of Great Britain
NOW-JULY 20 Sponsored by:
GUYI-GUYI: the other ugly duckling By Periferia Teatro de Títeres of Murcia, Spain Photo © Periferia Teatro
July 22 - Aug 3 Sponsored by:
ANCHORS
CinéBistro/Cobb Theatre • Costco • LA Fitness • Marshalls • Publix
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
The Bilt-House • Boogaloos • Collage Boutique Dress Up Boutique • Edyn Boutique • Lila Boutique
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By Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia of Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
Aug 5 - 17 Sponsored by:
SHAKE A TALE FEATHER WITH
MOTHER GOOSE
Adapted and directed by Amy Sweeney
Aug 21 – Sept 21 theater for the very young!
Photo © Center for Puppetry Arts
DINING
Baci by Café at Pharr • Boneheads • Bua Thai and Sushi The Flying Biscuit Café • Lucky’s Burger & Brew • Marble Slab Creamery Moe’s Southwest Grill • Newk’s Express Café • Noche Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub • Olive Bistro • Shucks Oyster & Wine Bar Smash Kitchen & Bar • There Restaurant and Bar • Which Wich?
Photo by Margo E. Gesser
HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY
18/8 Fine Men’s Salon • Brookhaven Orthodontics European Wax Center • Fantastic Sams GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Hydration Station • InShapeMD The Joint - The Chiropractic Place • Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare Massage Heights • Nail Talk & Tan • Salon Red • Salon Red Kids Town Dentistry • Vein Clinics of America
1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
www.townbrookhaven.net Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.
Season supported in part by: Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council and City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Dr. Seuss text, characters and images TM and © 2009 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street New York, NY 10019 / Phone: 212-541-4684 / Fax: 212-397-4684 / www.MTIShows.com
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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Dedi
The P
Leza Bennett
Owner & Founder of The Perfect Brows by Leza
DEDICATED TO CREATING BEAUTIFUL BROWS!
Eyebrows are the frame of the eyes and face, and Leza is the most sought after eyebrow artist in Atlanta. The Perfect Brows by Leza was voted one of the top brows studio in Atlanta for 2013 and featured in Simply Buckhead Magazine as the Publisher Joanne Hayes’ favorite treatment. Voted one of the top beauty experts of 2014 by the Atlantan. You can also see Leza’s commercials on one of Atlanta’s many metropolitan stations.
Whether you’re having your brows threaded, waxed or tweezed, Leza and her team feel no one should leave The Perfect Brows until their brows are perfect, because they’re “dedicated to creating beautiful brows.” Leza’s Services also include lashes, The Perfect Brows’ signature facials and express facial, full body, Brazilian and bikini waxing. Makeup service is also available. LOCATION Buckhead Studio, 56 E. Andrews Drive, Suite 27, Atlanta, GA 30305 404.816.LEZA (5392) theperfectbrows@yahoo.com www.theperfectbrows.com Tues 11-4pm • Wed 11-6pm • Thur 11-7pm • Fri 11-6pm • Sat 10-4pm
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S I M P LY NOW
LOCAL SALUTE STORY:
Andreas and Nonnie Preuss and Jillian and John Cook at the 2014 Angels on Earth luncheon.
Angels Among Us Nonnie Preuss and friends quietly support those fighting cancer A Peachtree Hills resident, Nonnie Preuss joined Angels On Earth—a nonprofit organization that supports cancer wellness—in 2007, right after her friend Jillian Cooke founded it. Cooke had undergone cancer treatment and wanted to raise awareness about prevention and treatment of the disease, as well as give back to Cancer Wellness, a Piedmont Hospital group that had been her lifeline. “[Jillian] needed quiet angels to support the men and women going through the program,” Preuss says. “We started small and have grown to an annual 200-person luncheon [with] serious fundraising.” Since the organization’s inception, Angels On Earth has raised more than $70,000 through the annual luncheon for Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Hospital, and the Angels’ work never stops.
They decorate Christmas trees, drop off Valentine’s Day treats and more—much of the work coming from anonymous volunteers. Preuss chaired the 2014 luncheon, which featured a panel discussion about the mindbody-soul connection. “We do not speak of cancer specifically,” she explains. “Attendees are often survivors also wanting to give back to Cancer Wellness, people touched by cancer through a relative or friend, members of the Piedmont community, and usually several patients going through treatment.” Come August, Preuss will pass the torch to the 2015 luncheon chairs, Kris Robinson and Anne Olmstead, who will begin planning immediately. For more information or to get involved, visit the Angels On Earth Facebook page.
Carly Cooper Row Henson and her dog Mac’s book can serve as a guide for those traveling to the south of France, Spain and Italy.
A Story of Rescue Together, Row Henson and her dog Mac support animals who need it most Buckhead resident Row Henson’s story is one of rescue. Eleven years ago, she rescued an American Labrador Retriever named MacKenzie—Mac for short—from a hunting kennel. Six years ago, Mac “rescued” Henson, as it was discovered that her blood pressure is 30 percent lower when they are together. (As a result, Mac is now a certified service dog.) This year, the duo began assisting animals at rescue shelters by donating all proceeds from their book, Travels with Mac ’n’ Row, to organizations like PAWS Atlanta, Best Friends Animal Society and Labrador Friends of the South. Henson always loved dogs, but her job in human resources technology kept her too busy to own one—for most of her career. After a bout with stage 2 breast cancer in 2001, Henson vowed to slow down and focus on what’s important.
“When I met Mac, it was love at first sight,” she says. In 2007, Henson purchased an old farmhouse in the south of France where she and Mac now spend 6 months a year. When she began planning her retirement, she realized that at age 13, Mac, too, was nearing retirement. Henson decided to pay tribute to her pooch “for all she has done to make my life better” by writing a book about travel and unconditional love from Mac’s point of view. Mac even signs copies with her paw at book signings. l Travels with Mac ’n’ Row is available for purchase at Boxwoods, The Mercantile, Huff Harrington Home, and www.travelswithmacandrow.com, among other locations. Book signings will be announced throughout the summer.
FOCUS on Disabled Children and Teens Deborah Denechaud strives to help medically fragile families A Buckhead resident and director of sales for WSBTV, Deborah Denechaud first heard about FOCUS—a nonprofit organization that hosts social and recreational programs for medically fragile and disabled children, teens, and their families—three years ago. “It sounded like such a worthy cause and, for those of us with healthy children, a way to be reminded every day of how fortunate we are,” she says. Denechaud sits on the FOCUS board’s
communication committee and works to spread the word about the cause in the community. This includes airing a WSBTV segment on FOCUS summer camps, held at Camp Twin Lakes in July and August each year. The first, Camp Infinity, offers those ages 14 to 27 a funfilled week away, complete with boating, archery, ziplining and more. “Many of the campers do not have the opportunity to spend the night away from home because of their disabilities,”
Denechaud says. “This is their week to enjoy friendships, try outdoor activities, and be away from their parents.” The second camp is called Under the Stars and offers families the chance to spend two days and nights enjoying their time together. “Meals, activities and fun are all provided—families just have to show up,” she says. l For more information, visit www.focus-ga.org
By raising awareness for FOCUS summer camps, Deborah Denechaud helps give medically fragile children something to look forward to each year.
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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TR AV E L N E A R
BITTEN BY
AMELIA ISLAND
FEATURE:
Wendell Brock
North Florida resort a blissful blend of sports, nature and fine dining
T
he look on my face must have been a giveaway. I had come to Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort for a self-indulgent weekend of eating, drinking and sunbathing. Anything requiring brains and movement felt too much like high school P.E. to me. So when a bit of gusty morning weather sabotaged our plans for an easy-peasy salt-marsh kayaking adventure, our choices were either a Segway tour—or a Segway tour. “Are you OK with that, Wendell?” said one of the gracious hostesses assigned to coddling our group of visiting travel journalists. “Wendell?” For a second there, she thought she’d lost me. As it turned out, the Segway excursion was a highlight of my first visit to this world-class resort, which sits at a cockeyed slant about 25 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Florida. Scooting under moss-draped live oaks on my super-smart motorized pogo stick, I got a mini-sampling of the history, the landscape, the flora and fauna of this north Florida barrier island, which is part of the Sea Island chain that includes Cumberland, St. Simons, Jekyll and so on. Georgia founder
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James Edward Oglethorpe named the island for Princess Amelia, daughter of England’s King George II. Today it is five hours by car (or an hour and 15 minutes by plane) from Atlanta and a prime destination for lovers of golf, tennis, swimming and fishing. Though my group was there for the launch of a special culinary weekend and never had a moment to explore the surrounding island, we really had no reason to: The 1,350-acre luxury resort is a self-contained paradise with endless opportunities for sports activities, exploring and just plain chilling. Here are five good reasons to go:
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A GEM OF THE ATLANTIC. As far as the property goes, Omni Amelia Island strikes me as a mix of Miami Beach and Sea Island—with a bit of the W Hotel chain’s clean contemporary design thrown in. All of the newly “reimagined” 40-year-old hotel’s 404 rooms offer spectacular views of the ocean. The commodious rooms are soothingly decorated in shades of sea-glass blue and sandy white. A multi-level pool deck, accessed from a stunning glass lobby, has various pockets of interest and outdoor lounges. (Are you ready for
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
the Rum + Tequila Experience? It’s a poolside bar.) An adults-only infinity pool is a haven of peacefulness overlooking a 10,000-square-foot family-friendly pool. Don’t feel like hoisting yourself out of the water? Let the server bring you a margarita. There are two hot tubs, blazing fires on cooler nights, and 3 1/2 miles of pristine, virtually empty beaches. Omni Amelia is the perfect place to be as active, or as pampered, as you want. After a bracing massage at the spa and a steamy, head-clearing shower, I was pure jelly.
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A TASTE OF NATURE. On-site naturalist Levi Welling loves to talk about the birds, the trees, the flowers, the fish, the sea grass and the Native American history and folklore. Welling and his team lead excursions around the resort by foot, bike, kayak or Segway; the mode of transportation is up to you. Our 6-mile bike ride, over golf courses and around the island’s private homes, was so low-key that it felt like half that distance. And if I can Segway, anyone can. The resort staff puts you through a fairly comprehensive training session before
letting you loose. Once you find your balance, it’s as simple as leaning forward, backward and sideways.
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CULINARY DELIGHTS. From the Sunrise Café’s fabulous breakfast bar to a surf-inspired pizza joint (Natural Slice) to the luxurious fine dining of Verandah, the resort features a multitude of culinary options. Executive Chef Daven Wardynski and his team excel at sophisticated and inventive cuisine. One day at a special chef’s table luncheon, we enjoyed seven decadent courses with wine pairings—starting with an oyster doused in moonshine mignonette and continuing with an appetizer of salmon, blood orange, avocado mousse and lime; tassocured snapper; a refreshing basil, honeydew and coconut soup served in a coconut shell; smoked short rib; a deconstructed carrot cake with sassafras ice cream frozen with smoking liquid nitrogen; mignardises and coffee. Unreal! Off to one end of the property, Marché Burette is a French-style deli with sandwiches, salads, cheese, wine and delicious ice cream. Get the fixings—maybe a ham and Gruyère melt and a salmon
Left: The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort brings a touch of Miami Beach style to north Florida, sans noise and hassle. Below: Executive Chef Daven Wardynski led his team to victory at the first Fish to Fork competition at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, where he is top toque.
Above: This basil, honeydew and coconut soup was a cool, refreshing pick-me-up, served by the Omni Amelia Island culinary team in a darling little coconut shell.
St. Simons Island, the largest of the Golden Isles, is the perfect year round Georgia vacation destination. From beautiful beaches and waterways to kayak or fish to miles of biking trails and endless holes of golf, the Island provides plenty of activities and hobbies to fit almost everyone’s interests. But wouldn’t it be nice to call this gorgeous island town home and not just a vacation destination. Above: The property’s pool deck is a wonderful place to do nothing—admire the view, have a drink, take a swim, and repeat.
BLT—for your beach picnic here. As a final flourish, ask for the luxurious hotel turndown service. We aren’t talking about a single mint on your pillow but cleverly packaged riffs on peanut butter and chocolate; caramel apples; and oranges. The latter included champagne, OJ, and little orange tree, which I brought home and potted up.
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TALKING TENNIS. I am a horrible tennis player, so a lesson with a pro would be a grand fiasco. But I did get to watch a ball-hitting exhibition put on by tennis director Scott Colebourne and his pros, and it was awesome. At a dinner after the event, I sat next to Colebourne and found him to be a soulful New Zealand native who loves the sport and the island. Sal Barbaro, his assistant director, is also an ace conversationalist and killer tennis player. If tennis is your game, talk to these guys.
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HOOK, LINE AND SINKER. Plan ahead for next year’s Fish to Fork, a two-day culinary event in which top chefs from the South-
east test their skills at fishing, then cook up their catch for a voting audience. A benefit for the James Beard Foundation, the inaugural Fish to Fork was launched this May, and Chef Tom Catherall of Atlanta’s Here to Serve restaurant group made quite a splash with his Fish ’n’ Chips: deep fried grouperand-fingerling-potato cakes, served with a gaufrette (thin waffle potato chip), faux “beluga” caviar (Israeli couscous cooked in squid ink) and Bermuda fish chowder. Over two days, eventgoers enjoyed a sumptuous Friday night dinner at Verandah; a lovely Saturday lunch served in the property’s converted greenhouse; and Saturday night’s al fresco main event. It was a blissful, wine-soaked weekend in which Omni Amelia’s superbly talented culinary team totally rocked the boat. n OMNI AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION RESORT 39 Beach Lagoon Amelia Island, Florida 32034 904.261.6161 www.omniameliaislandplantation.com
Marsh’s Edge is St. Simons’ premier retirement community. Nestled among the moss-draped oaks, Marsh’s Edge is home to those who are looking for an Independent Living community that delivers first-class amenities that cater to a carefree lifestyle. • Resort-like Amenities: A stunning Clubhouse that features a fullservice Bar, Beauty Salon, state-of-the-art Wellness Center, and Library. • Stunning Accommodations: Cottages Homes and Villas are available to fit your needs. • Maintenance-free Lifestyle: Leave your worries behind and truly enjoy living like you are on vacation – from plumbing to light bulb replacement, it is taken care of! • Elegant, Fine Dining: Delicious, restaurant-style meals prepared by the community Executive Chef. We invite you to visit Marsh’s Edge on St. Simons Island. Schedule a tour today and find out how you too can call this beautiful vacation destination home!
Call 912-291-2000 to set up a tour today!
136 Marsh’s Edge Lane • St. Simons Island, GA 31522 912-291-2000 • www.Marshs-Edge.com Independent Living • Assisted Living • Skilled Nursing Alzheimer’s Care • Rehabilitation
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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TR AV E L FAR
Above: The protected port of Sóller is the largest natural port on Mallorca’s northern coast. Left: Sip a margarita and take in the unobstructed coastal views from the hotel’s spectacular infinity pool. Below: The Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa’s main entrance recalls a Mallorcan tower once used to watch for pirates.
Mallorcan reverie A visit to this Spanish island delights all the senses
M
allorca is a 360-degree canvas of visually arresting panoramas. Look one way to admire limestone cliffs cascading into the vast blue sea; look another to survey fertile landscapes blossoming with olive, orange and lemon trees. Its mountainous terrain offers trekking and cycling adventures galore while its coastal villages preserve history and culture with a dash of the new and sophisticated. All around, the easygoing personality invites you to sit back and breathe in the salty air, with eyes wide open. Floating in the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain, Mallorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago, which also includes the infamous Ibiza. Much more laid-back than its neighbor, Mallorca is a popular vacation spot for Europeans and celebrities—wellknown visitors include the King of Spain, Michael Douglas and Andrew Lloyd Webber, to name a few. During a recent visit, I skipped the island’s capital, Palma, and opted
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to spend my time in quieter Sóller. This picture-book nook with winding cobblestone streets and traditional stone houses is on the northwest coast, surrounded by the peaks of the Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Near the top of a steep, winding road sits a white castle-like structure of eleven low-rise buildings. This is the majestic Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa— my regal home for the next few days. Upon my entrance into the cylindrical atrium-lit lobby adorned in Mallorcan stone, I encountered a circular water feature the size of a medium pool and a winding staircase encircling a twinkling chandelier inspired by the steering wheels on old ships. Check-in was in the Spanish tile-backed reception area where a smiling staffer presented me with a refreshing towel and fresh-squeezed orange juice (made from local fruit, of course). While the friendly receptionist dealt with paperwork, I took in the captivating vista of the Mediterranean Sea through the floor-to-ceiling
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
FEATURE:
Giannina Smith Bedford
windows—a sight I knew I’d never get enough of. And the resort’s design would ensure I didn’t. In my spacious guest room—one of 120 on the property—the view through the sliding glass doors was a snapshot of the ocean, Tramuntana mountain range and picturesque Port de Sóller. This postcard-perfect scene accompanied me to every corner of the room, even the bathtub and shower, which offered vantage points of the landscape through large glass walls. During my stay I often found myself lounging on the breezy outdoor terrace, pretending this was my usual afternoon activity. When you are not drooling at the view from inside the room, you can do so while enjoying one of the resort’s enticing diversions. Spend an afternoon sprawled out munching on ceviche at the infinity pool (for those 12 and older) or splashing about with the kids at the larger family-friendly pool complete with a casual bar and alfresco dining. To completely unwind, a visit to the
three-level Talise Spa should do the trick. And don’t worry, you can still take the views with you. The wellness and fitness facility’s outdoor heated hydropool overlooks a Tramuntana valley, and the thermal area with salt bath and sauna comes with mountain and ocean sights. You may have to break from the scenery for just a bit to enjoy a signature treatment, many of which use local ingredients like olive oil, lemons, oranges and almonds. But don’t let this pampering palace keep you from exploring—there is a ton to see beyond its borders. I opted for a gander down the steep road (not thinking about the trek back) to Port de Sóller, which was buzzing with beach-goers, shoppers and those sitting idly over a drink at one of the many cafés. I strolled through the craft and gift shops, purchased one (OK, three) of the locally made straw purses, dipped my toes in the ocean and then found myself also sitting idly at a cafe getting a more grounded view of the coast, which I’d been admiring from my ac-
Above: Opened in 2012, the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa is perched on the cliffside surrounded by pine forests on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Its maximum height of three stories was designed to follow the natural gradient of the mountain. Left: The two-level Lighthouse Suite is named for its view of the historic Cap Gros lighthouse.
Lady Marmalade For a unique cultural experience, spend an afternoon at the Cooperativa Agricola de Sóller (Sóller’s agriculture cooperative). Learn about local farming, try your hand at making orange and lemon marmalade, and tour the olive packing and oil-making facilities. And don’t forget to stop by the cooperative market and pick up some wholesome goodies to take home! www.cooperativasoller.com
commodations high above. Nearby Sóller—accessed via a picturesque 30-minute ride on a 100-year-old wooden tram—is also a local point of interest. It features the 12th century church of Sant Bartomeu, a variety of artisan shops, bars, restaurants and a popular Saturday market of fresh produce and Mallorcan crafts. Although the port and downtown offer numerous restaurants serving local seafood, I missed my elevated perch and opted to hike back up the hill to earn my dinner at one of the resort’s dining spots. I started with happy hour at the Sunset Lounge—the perfect spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon—and ended the evening with an exquisite meal at Cap Roig: tomatoes, Sóller prawns and olive oil; fish soup with vegetables and saffron; and sole with fideuà
(noodles), garlic dip and parsley oil. The most impressive of all was the “lemon cake” dessert—sorbet and lemon custard housed in the skin of a softened, hollowed-out lemon served with an almond cookie. Absolute heaven. I continued the out-of-body experience lounging on my terrace listening to the ocean crash against the cliffs. Although it was too dark to see the view, it was etched into my memory as I closed my eyes— and knew it would remain long after I returned home. n JUMEIRAH PORT SOLLER HOTEL AND SPA Calle Belgica s/n 07108 Port de Sóller Mallorca, Spain 34 971 637 888 www.jumeirah.com
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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TR AV E L S TAYCAT IO N
Downtown’s streets bustle nearly round-theclock with restaurants, bars and shopping.
Left: Homegrown coffee roaster Jittery Joe’s is one of Athens’ most-loved, with locations around town.
Photos: VisitAthensGA.com
Below: The University of Georgia’s iconic arch is a popular photo opportunity for students and visitors alike.
Explore Athens Stay. Hotel Indigo 500 College Avenue Athens 30601 706.546.0430 www.indigoathens.com
The Classic City, revisited E An Athens homecoming
ver since my days at the University of Georgia, Athens has always felt like home. Though I’m happily installed in a just-built home here in Atlanta, I feel the pull of that all-American city to the northeast. Just an hour-andfifteen-minute drive, it seems a world away from the bustle of Buckhead’s streets. Athens marches to the indie beat of its own drum, a melody infused with great food, a hip music scene, tree-lined downtown streets, up-andcoming breweries and charming shops. On a recent weekend visit I dove into the city with gusto, like a child tearing through birthday presents and trying to fit all of my favorite things— and a few new discoveries—into just two days. My first stop was Jittery Joe’s Coffee, where the ultimate indulgence is their decadent Yin Yang Mocha, a creamy blend of dark and white chocolate, steamed milk and locally roasted espresso. A stroll through the University’s north campus, which borders downtown’s main thoroughfare, Broad Street, was the obvious next choice. Its wide lawn, bordered by historic buildings (founded in 1785, UGA is the oldest state-chartered university) is a popular place for picnics, outdoor lounging and pick-up Frisbee games. Athens was the city that gave Chef
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Eat. Big City Bread 393 N. Finley Street Athens 30601 706.353.0029 www.bigcitybreadcafe.com
FEATURE:
Hugh Acheson his Southern start (the Top Chef judge lives in town) and his newest restaurant, Cinco y Diez, is a triumph. With Chef Whitney Otawka at the helm, the quaint, dimly lit restaurant offers complex cocktails (the “South by Southwest” packs a punch with bourbon, chipotle morita, cumin and citrus) and playful, creative Latin fare. After a delicious dinner of a fried banana with queso fresco, banana vinegar and toasted pistachios and spice-rubbed sirloin with green garlic chimichurri, it was time to indulge in one of the pastimes for which Athens is perhaps best known: drinking. A bit out of the way of the main downtown drag, which lends credibility to the university’s party school image, sits Normal Bar. It has a dive bar feel, but boasts a robust selection of craft brews—including new Athens brewery Creature Comforts’ Tropicália IPA—and cocktails made from freshsqueezed juice and bitters. It’s like the grown-up version of a college town bar that invites you to stay awhile and relax. While I didn’t linger out nearly as late as the college set, I was ready to fuel up for breakfast the next day. I headed to a quaint stop near the top of my must-visit list: Big City Bread. With its wide, sun-dappled patio and madedaily scones, biscuits and bread (all the
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
better to create heavenly cinnamon French toast), it was always a weekend indulgence during my time in Athens. For this trip, crispy herbed potatoes and an omelet with applewood-smoked bacon, arugula and blue cheese were a delicious start to the day. It’s hard to be in Athens and not take part in a little shopping, so out I went in search of some retail therapy. Whether you’re looking for stylish new duds (Alta Moda is trendy and affordable for the ladies, and Onward Reserve offers Southern-made styles for gentlemen) or vintage vinyl from Athens-originating artists like REM, the B52s and Widespread Panic (Wuxtry Records is an institution here), it’s easy to find something commemorative to bring home. For me, I’m completely décor-obsessed these days, so I made a beeline to Classic City Consignment, an upscale home furnishing shop in a cute area called “Normaltown.” The shop stocks affordable, gorgeous wares and I was thrilled to score an antique Persian rug at a bargain price. In my visit to the Classic City I was happy to learn that Athens still has the college town charm I remember so fondly and continues to add new points of interest to its already burgeoning ranks. Who says you can’t go home? n
Cinco y Diez 1653 S. Lumpkin Street Athens 30606 706.850.2020 www.cincoydiezathens.com
Drink. Jittery Joe’s Coffee 297 E. Broad Street Athens 30601 706.613.7449 www.jitteryjoes.com Normal Bar 1365 Prince Avenue Athens 30606 706.548.6186
Shop. Alta Moda Boutique 688 S. Milledge Avenue Athens 30605 706.850.3301 www.altamodaathens.com Classic City Consignment 1368 Prince Avenue Athens 30606 706.543.9333 Onward Reserve 146 E. Clayton Street Athens 30601 706.543.0106 www.onwardreserve.com Wuxtry Records 197 E. Clayton Street Athens 30601 706.369.9428 www.wuxtry-records.com
©www.wollwerthimagery.com
©www.wollwerthimagery.com
Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort Picture a storybook wedding on an intimate island against the backdrop of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Add to that everything you and you guests could possibly want to enjoy as you prepare for that magical day. This is Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort - casual elegance on the most beautiful of South Carolina’s barrier islands.
one
866-261-7239
cool store
www.FrippIslandResort.com
BIG SALE hot deals
aug. 15th sept. 6th
everything on sale
Kolo Collection
1189 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30318 Westside Provisions District 404.355.1717 www.kolocollection.com
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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A PP ROV E D 2. Buckhead Bread Company: Molasses ($1.95) This writer has a confession to make: This ultra-soft cookie might be my favorite of all time. The spicy ginger and robust, bittersweet flavor of the molasses (the bakery uses the Piknik brand, which also imparts a natural caramel color) is music to the taste buds. It’s sprinkled with fine, white sugar, so that each bite is faintly crunchy. They are, in a word, heavenly.
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3070 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.240.1978 www.buckheadrestaurants.com/ corner-cafe
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3. Henri’s Bakery: Shortbread ($0.99) Founded in 1929 and occupying the Irby Avenue location for 45 years, it’s safe to say this quaint bakery is an institution. It’s fitting, then, that one of their most popular treats is the classic shortbread cookie. These dense little two-bite biscuits boast nearly their weight in butter (as it should be, any shortbread aficionado will tell you), melt in your mouth and are topped with a small round of icing in a variety of colors. As a result, they’re often sweet additions to Buckhead’s baby showers, graduation parties and Fourth of July celebrations. 61 Irby Avenue N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.237.0202 www.henrisbakery.com
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4. Whole Foods Market: Jumble Cookie ($1.29)
That’s the way the
cookie crumbles Delicious, decadent and milk-ready STORY:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin PHOTO: Sara Hanna
If you have a serious sweet tooth, this could be your perfect treat, since it features just about every conceivable cookie ingredient. A combination of raisins, dark chocolate chips, almonds, white chocolate and pecans, it earns the apropos name of “jumble.” Plus, it’s hearty enough that it could be considered a legitimate (sugary) snack, rather than being relegated only to the dessert category. 77 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.324.4100 www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ stores/buckhead
5. The General Muir: Black & White ($2.50)
They’re the childhood treat no one outgrows loving. Cookies are simple enough for an everyday treat, special enough to celebrate a special occasion and come in so many flavors that there’s sure to be one that tempts the most discriminating of connoisseurs. Here are some of the sweet standouts, baked in our neighborhood.
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
These crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-onthe-inside chocolate walnut cookies have a secret: They’re gluten-free. However, we didn’t miss it, thanks to the rich but simple ingredients, including egg whites, powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, walnuts and vanilla. With the absence of butter and flour, these cookies are light enough that we didn’t feel too guilty when reaching for seconds.
A staple at bakeries across the North, black and white cookies seem almost too perfect and pretty to eat. We encourage you to get over it and dig right in. These airy, gargantuan sweets are made with care at one of our city’s foremost Jewish bakeries. The cake-like vanilla base—with a distinct hint of lemon— provides a near-perfectly flat surface for the sugary yin and yang of the white glaze and chocolate (black) icing. This particular sweet is best enjoyed with a coffee or, better yet, an espresso. The cookie is so delicate, it disintegrates in milk—we tried!
30 Pharr Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.373.8527 www.thecookiestudio.com
1540 Avenue Place, Suite B-230 Atlanta 30329 678.972.9131 www.thegeneralmuir.com
1. The Cookie Studio: Chocolate Walnut ($2)
Award-Winning Cuisine. Memorable Dining.
ATL ANTA F ISH MA R KE T Seafood
B ISTRO NIK O Neighborhood French Bistro
B U CK HEAD DIN E R New American
CHO PS L O B STE R BA R
Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Invisalign® Certified
Prime Steaks & Seafood
CO RNER CAFÉ European Style Café & Bakery
K Y MA
International Association of Mercury Safe Dentists International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Mediterranean Seafood
PRICCI Contemporary Italian
VE NI VIDI VICI Classic Italian
1 0 3 WEST Private Events
B O CA RATO N CHO PS L O B STE R BA R Prime Steaks & Seafood
CITY F ISH MARKE T Seafood
F O R T L AU DERDA L E L O B STER B AR S E A G R I L L E Pristine Whole Fish, Live Lobsters & Prime Steaks
Michaela McKenzie, DDS Accredited by International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology Member of American Academy of Facial Esthetics
770-993-9217 NEW LOCATION! In the Heart of Buckhead 2986 Grandview Avenue Atlanta, GA 30305 www.dazzlingsmiles.org
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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PE TS
Calming SIGNALS Ways to soothe an anxious dog STORY:
Karina Timmel
F
rom separation anxiety to thunderstorms, your dog may deal with various fears and behavioral issues. It certainly can be frustrating and, at times, even scary. First, it’s important to understand that there are two main categories of anxiety: trait (this is the chronic, always-nervous form) and state (this is when something specific triggers it). Some dogs may easily overcome their anxiety with the right products, while others may need rigorous training to get over more deep-seated issues. The best thing you can do is work with an experienced behavioral dog trainer to customize a behavior-modification strategy for your dog. You may also want to consult your vet regarding possible anti-anxiety medications. Mark Spivak, head trainer at Comprehensive Pet Therapy in Sandy Springs, recommends the following tricks and tools for relaxing an anxiety-ridden dog.
Gear up for late-summer storms with these soothers
Under Cover
STAY CALM, COOL AND COLLECTED.
OFFER TOY RELIEF.
Your dog’s not, but you should be. When you “speak” like a pack-leader, your pet will be able to draw confidence from you. “That means projecting a calm, composed demeanor that encourages and praises exploration; avoids punishment; avoids the communication of irritability, concern, frustration or anger; and that emphasizes silent physical communication in lieu of verbal coddling.”
“Any toy or chew item is beneficial if it will refocus the dog onto the toy and away from the source of the stress. In addition, chew items may instigate a dopamine release that aids in systemic relaxation.”
Designed to provide your dog with a gentle, constant pressure (kind of like a continuous hug!), the ThunderShirt ($39.95$44.99; available at Petco stores in Buckhead and Sandy Springs) may help your pet with anxiety triggers—not only thunder, but also travel stress and more.
MAKE IT LESS SCARY.
Classic Tunes
EXERCISE. Most dogs need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. “There is truth to the maxim that ‘a tired dog is a happy dog and belongs to a happy owner.’ Exercise can elevate serotonin levels similarly to the effects provided by prescription antidepressant medication.”
TRY SMART SCENTS. “Empirical research shows that lavender can assist in relaxing an anxious animal. Thus, we often recommend lavender aromatherapy.” You can do this by mixing a few drops of pure, therapeutic-grade lavender essential oil with purified water in a spray bottle and misting it around your dog’s bed or in the car, or rub a couple of drops into their collar. Consult your vet before applying it to their coat.
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Thunderstorm Helpers
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
When you work with an experienced behavioral dog trainer, they should teach you counterconditioning and desensitization techniques. “Counterconditioning helps your dog replace aversive perceptions with pleasant associations, such as food, play, praise and/or massage. At the same time, methodical desensitization gradually increases the amount of stimulus exposure your dog receives as he becomes comfortable at lesser exposure levels. Eventually, your dog should learn to relax without requiring your presence or rewards.” n
COMPREHENSIVE PET THERAPY 6600 Roswell Road N.E. Suite K-2 Sandy Springs 404.236.2150 www.cpt-training.com
The Atlanta Humane Society plays this classical piano music CD by Atlanta composer George Skaroulis and author Jennifer Skiff to relax the dogs in their care: The Divinity of Dogs: Music to Calm Dogs and the People Who Love Them ($16; www.georgeskaroulis.com). Pop it on while you’re away during the day, or for sleeping at night. Alternatively, Spivak recommends leaving on a white-noise machine or using the WhiteNoise HD app.
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Welcoming visitors is a large painting—that looks like a photo—of puckered red lips by French photorealist Hubert de Lartigue that Crandall purchased in a gallery in New York City.
Flying High P30
“I don’t like endless rooms with no point. I use this whole space and it’s a very comfortable place to be.” – Jason Crandall
Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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Above: An entrepreneur, pilot and father, Jason Crandall has created a home that matches his lifestyle and personality. Right: An oversized white and stone-colored cowhide rug measuring a whopping 18 feet 6 inches by 15 feet 3 inches, dominates the spacious living room, which gets a pop of color from the saffron-colored silk pillows covered in Donghia Onde fabric.
FLYING HIGH A modish condo is the ideal headquarters for an entrepreneur’s jet-setting life
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The kitchen’s marble-topped island, illuminated by mini-pendant lights from Roche Bobois, is outfitted with white leather barstools.
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STORY:
Giannina Smith Bedford PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
ason Crandall works hard and plays hard. The owner of Amelia Bay/American Tea, an ingredients manufacturing company supplying the food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, he is a busy entrepreneur who pilots his Pilatus airplane around the world for both business and pleasure. But when he’s home, Crandall retreats to a 2,500-squarefoot condo on the thirteenth floor (yes, we said thirteenth) of the Park Regency condo tower in the heart of Buckhead. “The location is one of the best in Atlanta,” he says. Crandall moved into the building in 2005 and has resided in four different units. In December 2011, while living on the ninth floor, he purchased his current condo at a low price point, which allowed him to completely gut and re-outfit the interior. He signed on architect Staffan Svenson of Dencity and interior designers John Fernandez and Jennifer True of Fernandez and True Interiors and, over a year and a half, trans-
formed the early 2000s contemporarystyled three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath space into a two bedroom, two-and-a-half bath modernly masculine abode. Step inside the open floor plan into a stunningly sleek kitchen overlooking the living and dining areas. Custom-made contemporary furnishings and some purchases from French retailer Roche Bobois dominate, joined by accents like Argentine cowhide rugs and a Herman Miller chair from Design Within Reach. John Fernandez designed and TecnoSedia custom-made the low daybed fronting the television and the two-toned gray sofa, which beckon you to lounge for a cocktail and conversation. “I would call it organic modern,” Fernandez says of the condo’s overall feel. “I wanted it to have a sophisticated, contemporary and definitely sexy feel and with that we did a lot of custom pieces … It was designed toward entertainment.” Edgy photorealist artworks further enliven
Left and Below: At the push of a button, the kitchen transforms from a sleek and uncluttered showstopper to a busy chef’s dream with an oversized pantry and kitchen tools within easy reach.
“I wanted it to have a sophisticated, contemporary and definitely sexy feel and with that we did a lot of custom pieces … It was designed toward entertainment.” - John Fernandez, Fernandez and True Interiors
Crandall’s son, James, and his friends often gather in the sunlit living room to play Xbox games on the Samsung television mounted on the mahogany-paneled walls.
On one side of the tub is a glass-enclosed water closet and on the other, a steam shower big enough to throw a party in. Across the way, an entire wall of washed oak wood cabinetry hides closets and laundry appliances. Concealed storage space is a prominent theme throughout the home—an idea
sparked by Crandall’s adoration for large yachts. “Living in a condo is a lot like living on a big boat. You have to be creative with storage,” he says. “I’ve got tons of storage. I wanted to maximize space in a cool way so that people don’t really notice it.” Answering his call, Kingdom Woodworks created inconspicuous built-in compartments and
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the stylish atmosphere, including a portrait of Kate Moss by Chuck Close that Crandall purchased at the renowned painter and photographer’s New York gallery. He also infused inspiration from some of his favorite hotels. This is most clearly noticed in the master bathroom, one of his favorite rooms, which Fernandez created from a space that once housed two bathrooms and a hallway. He started with an empty shell and designed the room around the necessary placement of the Porcelanosa tub over the drain. Today, a custom oversized ottoman covered in Kravet Fabric Nalu in Smoke anchors the spa-like haven, reminiscent of a swanky Las Vegas hotel bathroom. “I wanted to make sure it was really functional,” Fernandez says. “I wanted him to be able to dress in there, sit down and put shoes and socks on, but also if he’s in there chatting with somebody they could literally recline on the ottoman while he’s getting ready.”
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HOM E
cabinetry throughout. Dark mahogany paneled “walls” in the entryway and living room veil not only storage space, but also doors into a powder room and the bedroom of Crandall’s 12-year-old son, James. The surprises continue in the minimalist kitchen, also outfitted by Kingdom Woodworks. Push a button and like a space ship the cabinetry reveals a pantry, kitchen tool storage area and coffee bar. Miele appliances, including three ovens—a microwave oven, steam oven and convection oven— also seamlessly blend with the gray cabinets finished in a high-gloss automotive lacquer. “I just love design. I love projects like this and this isn’t my first one. You just learn so much every time you do one. All the things you won’t do again,” Crandall says. One item that didn’t work out to the homeowner’s liking is the floor that stretches through the main living area. Designed to look like Belgian walnut, the Florim ceramic tile was shipped from Italy, but at installation Crandall discovered it couldn’t be installed in the staggered design he wanted due to the high-rise building’s flex joints. Instead, it had to be laid in a squared pattern. “Had I known that before the tile took a 6-month journey from Italy, I wouldn’t have picked it,” he says. “The tile was definitely the hardest part of this project.” Overall, however, Crandall is delighted with the result of his design endeavor. If he is not hard at work or up in the sky flying to an exotic destination, he says his home is the next-best locale. “It’s the first place I’ve lived that I truly enjoy,” he says. “I’ve had big homes and I don’t like endless rooms with no point. I use this whole space and it’s a very comfortable place to be.” n
The master bedroom is almost entirely furnished in items selected from Roche Bobois. The smoke-gray lacquer bedside chests of drawers, however, were designed by John Fernandez and made by Kingdom Woodworks.
Adorned in a light fixture from Roche Bobois, the dining room and bar feature Mies van der Rohe chairs that Crandall purchased on eBay and had re-covered with Rubelli Sun Bear Fabric.
Jason Crandall’s favorites stops for … 1. Home design: “Honestly, the Internet. Then ADAC.” 2. Art: “NYC, because the options are limitless.”
3. Dinner in Buckhead: “Kyma, because it has the best food, service and atmosphere in Atlanta.”
4. Clothes: “Bloomingdale’s, because they carry everything and take good care of me.” 5. Great outdoor ambiance: “I love Yebo for its food, service, patio and lounge atmosphere with the live music.”
Washed oak wood, white marble and the Robern cabinets above the vanity give the bathroom a casual but sophisticated feel.
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c a r p e t
styles to fit your style 404.352.8141 | www.myerscarpetatlanta.com | 1500 northside drive, atlanta, ga 30318
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead 
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FA S HION
Have you ever wondered how to achieve a totally glam look while playing it ultra low key? Search no further. We gathered lightweight, breathable cotton blends to create this effortless chic style that we all wish to obtain in the heat of the summer (a great alternative to linen pants and a T-shirt!). The accessories completely elevate and transform this laid-back uniform of neutrals. Look hot, but feel cool in this two-piece combination with stellar accessories.
White-out
The colorless trend of the season STORY:
Lillian Charles PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
MODELS: Charlie Gold and Sarah Cate Stakely, Atlanta Models and Talent | STYLIST: Lillian Charles HAIR: Julia Thaiese, Authentic Beauty | MAKEUP: Macauley Fricano and Marguerite Meta, Authentic Beauty
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Morgan Kylee: Rick Owens skirt, $572, and KZ Noel necklace, $350; Kendra Scott: Jenna bangles, $150; W. Port: Molly Jane calf-hair cuff, $175; Bevello top, $42; Joe’s Jeans: Laney stiletto heels, $135.
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ou’ve seen it on the runway. You’ve seen it on your favorite celebrities. These cool, fresh, neutral ensembles are beautiful for lunch with the girls, drinks in the garden or a night out on the town. We’ve pulled from some favorite local Buckhead boutiques to bring you “wow” white looks (complete with impeccable accessories). We’ve also included some tips on how to put it all together.
A serious mash-up of all that is holy in the realm of summer 2014 fashion: crop tops, a-line skirts, subtle geometric patterns, stacked heels and standout statement pieces to boot. This outfit is killer. Show off your hard-earned bikini bod in the top and bottom that accentuate your waistline like no other. The Joe’s Jeans stacked heels will be the coveted item of your look as they are one size per style in every store—super exclusive. This sexy yet sophisticated little outfit is a fitting getup for patio drinks at the St. Regis or frolicking about town. Morgan Kylee: Novis crop top, $695, and Waldrip skirt, $300; Joe’s Jeans: Macee II sandals, $129; Kendra Scott: Roni cuff bracelet, $120; Stella & Dot: Pegasus necklace, $198.
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FA S HION
One piece, no fuss. Slip it on and entertain in your home or garden in this outfit that is a perfect design for summer in Atlanta. This dress is gorgeous on ladies with smaller chests as it cuts in at the neck and accentuates toned shoulders and arms. Over the light print of the whimsical pattern there are tiny stones scattered about to add a little extra depth to the design. Close your eyes ‌ can you imagine yourself serving up mint juleps on your back lawn in this combo? Tootsies: Elizabeth & James dress, $445; Stella & Dot: Neeya drop earrings, $49.
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SHOP: Bevello 3400 Around Lenox Road Suite102C Atlanta 30326 404.841.1188 www.bevello.com Joe’s Jeans, Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.869.8822 www.joesjeans.com Kendra Scott 3400 Around Lenox Road N.E. Suite 216 Atlanta 30326 404.900.5362 www.kendrascott.com Morgan Kylee 3273 Roswell Road Atlanta 30305 404.307.4668 www.morgankylee.com Range Boutique 3231 Cains Hill Place N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.816.8230 www.rangeboutique.com Saks Fifth Avenue, Phipps Plaza 3440 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.261.7234 www.SaksFifthAvenue.com Stella & Dot www.stelladot.com Tootsies 3400 Around Lenox Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.842.9990 www.tootsies.com/atlanta
This look is ideal for brunch with girlfriends. The airy off-theshoulder striped top is a fun juxtaposition to the sporty ivory leather skort (our photographer’s favorite piece!). The leather on the skort is supple and lightweight, and has tiny perforations across the front with shorts under the flap—an easy piece in which to run around town while looking super fly. We incorporated a bright green necklace to bring a playful pop to the otherwise muted look and brought in the sassy lizard skin-esque, armyprint Manolo Blahniks to add a bit of edge to the softness of the daytime ensemble. Show your girlfriends what’s hot when you step out in this sassy, sporty outfit perfect for sprinting around the city in the summer. Range Boutique: Mickey & Jenny top, $88; Morgan Kylee: Jonathan Simkhai skort, $695; Kendra Scott: Harlow necklace, $195; Saks Fifth Avenue: Manolo Blahnik Lizard-Embossed Camo “BB” pumps, $458; Stella & Dot: Signature hoop earrings, $29.
Want more? Visit the Simply Buckhead website to see another sassy summer outfit. www.simplybuckhead.com
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S I M P LY S T Y LISH
BE AUTY
GET BIKINI READY Buckhead’s beauty experts are ready to assist STORY:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
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pen any celebrity magazine this summer and you’re practically guaranteed to see images of sun-kissed stars, frolicking on the beach, flaunting their near-perfect bikini bodies. Of course, they also have scores of behind-the-scenes experts, making sure they are body hair-free, tanned, outfitted and polished to their best advantage. Never fear: Buckhead has all of the experts you need to be photo-ready for this year’s steamy bikini season.
Spruce. Banish the thought of stepping out in a swimsuit’s requisite footwear—flipflops—with unkempt toenails. Buckhead outpost Sugarcoat will make sure your piggies are polished in this summer’s trendiest shades. “[Some of the] hottest summer nail colors are Neon from O.P.I.,” says salon owner Peiru Kim. “The vibrant and brightly colored hues look absolutely fabulous with a tan.” The temple of nail care offers a Signature Pedicure, which includes a soak, nail shaping, cuticle care, a sugar scrub, foot and leg massage and expert polish ($38). Some of our favorite on-trend colors from the O.P.I Neon line include Juice Bar Hopping (orange), You’re So Outta Lime (green) or Push & Pur-Pull (orchid).
Sugar. It’s hard to imagine donning a swimsuit of any kind without taking care of hair removal. While waxing has long been a popular solution, Marlonda Currie, licensed esthetician and owner of Buckhead’s Defined Sugaring Studio, swears by sugaring as the best way to get rid of unwanted hair. With her L.A. Bikini treatment (often referred to as a “Brazilian” at other studios), which includes a Hungarian Mud Mask ($70 for both), 100 percent of the hair in your bikini area is removed
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by the simple—yet undeniably effective—blend of sugar, lemon juice and water. Because sugaring removes hair in the direction in which it grows, there is no breakage and the complete follicle is extracted, giving a smooth result for longer. “ The ultimate goal is for you to control your hair, not for your hair to control you,” she quips. The service’s finishing touch is the soothing anti-inflammatory mud mask, virtually eliminating any irritation.
Spray. A golden glow doesn’t have to come with dangerous UV rays. Instead, plan to spend an hour at Buckhead’s Spa Sydell for the Body Polish and Airbrush Tan package ($110). “We adjust the spray according to a client’s skin tone,” says airbrush tanning trainer Morning Star, adding “we can choose red undertones for fair skin or bronze for olive skin.” After a thorough scrub to polish away dead or dry skin, the client showers, creating a smooth canvas for the 99 percent natural sugar-based solution. The formula, which contains DHA, the chemical that reacts with skin to produce a tan look, is applied using a micro-sprayer for even coverage. A client’s faux-golden glow can last up to ten days and will fade gradually, much like a natural tan.
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Above: The bright Seafolly Goddess swimsuit, available at Atlanta Beach, flatters a variety of shapes and sizes. Left: O.P.I.’s Juice Bar Hopping shade of polish is on-trend in shocking neon orange. Above: Defined Sugaring Studio is the only outpost in Buckhead solely dedicated to sugaring (no waxing here!). Left: Sugarcoat’s bright white interior and wide selection of nail services make getting sun-ready fun.
SUMMER DREAM TEAM
Style. Perhaps the most important element of being bikini-ready is the swimsuit itself. Atlanta Beach manager Katie McGinn and her team of beach style experts can help shoppers find the right suit to accentuate your best features and boost your confidence. The locally owned and operated store offers more than 50 designer lines in sizes from a tiny 2 to a robust D or EE. For instance, “This top is great for both women with a small or large chest,” McGinn says of the The Seafolly Goddess Moulded Halter (main image). “For women with a large chest, the soft, thick straps can be tied tightly around the rib cage for adequate support. For women with a smaller chest who want to create curves, the removable half pads create lift and cleavage if left in the top.” Who says you can’t have your own stylist? n
Atlanta Beach 3145 Peachtree Road N.E. Suite 153 Atlanta 30305 404.239.0612 www.atlantabeach.com Defined Sugaring Studio 375 Pharr Road, Suite 217 Atlanta 30305 404.464.7146 www.definedsugaringstudio.com Spa Sydell 72 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 404.255.7727 www.spasydell.com Sugarcoat 256 Pharr Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.814.2121 www.sugarcoatbeauty.com
Daily dog walks and pet care services for happy clients all over Buckhead, Brookhaven, and North Atlanta since 2007
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before (actual unretouched photograph)
Phenomenal long-range vistas from this meticulously maintained home in Highlands Country Club. From the Tennessee ranges to Whiteside and Chimney Top, the panorama is spectacular. Four full bedrooms (and bunkrooms too) and five baths. Two levels with great family space. Two-car garage. MLS 79216. $1,895,000.
Classic and convenient mountain living awaits. Grayrocks. Just minutes from downtown Highlands at the top of the world. Superb view. Barnwood interiors. Five bedrooms. Open kitchen, living and dining area. Porch with outdoor fireplace. All the discerning buyer expects. MLS 79216. $1,775,000.
after
(actual unretouched photograph)
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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ACCE S SORIZE
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Shocking shades Sunglasses that protect with panache
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unglasses: They’re a summer staple and, unlike other accessories, they’re occasion-specific. Local wardrobe consultant Lillian Charles scouted out the best shades for all the fun outdoor activities of the season and, as always, all of these classy glasses can be found in our neighborhood.
1. Into the Wild Smith Optics’ “Chief” sunglasses immediately grabbed my attention upon entering The Fish Hawk; the designers truly nailed the look of linen in these high performance shades. A true sportsman’s design—for both ladies and gents—these sturdy frames hold antireflective, polarized and hydrophobic lenses. Whether you’re fly fishing on the Chattahoochee or spending the day on Lake Lanier, these commanding shades will look sharp and provide the protection you need. Chief “Brown Linen”: $209, The Fish Hawk.
2. Rave Reflections Blake Lively, Zac Efron, Jessica Alba—just a few of America’s favorite celebs who are leading the way in the (gender neutral) mirror sunglasses trend. I snagged these frosted frames with rad reflective lenses as our “epic eyewear” for festival season. Eye Haven offers them in a variety of combinations: frosted frames with orange-mirrored lenses, army green frames with yellow-mirrored lenses and more. Sport them all summer long and catch your friends checking themselves out in your glasses. Ray-Ban “CATS 5000 Flash Lenses”: $167 (for polarized lenses), Eye Haven.
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STORY:
Lillian Charles PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
3. Pool Perfection I stopped into the mecca of swimwear, Atlanta Beach, to pick out the perfect pair for the pool and voilà: Michael Stars “blush” sunglasses practically jumped on my face. They’re simple, fun and moderately priced—how many times have you dropped your shades on the hard ground around the pool?— and offer 100 percent UV protection. The blush color is subtle enough to complement a patterned swimsuit or wear with any color solid suit. Michael Stars “Blush”: $88, Atlanta Beach.
4. Wow ’em in White These bright white shades will stand out marvelously against the glow of your fresh summer tan. Channel Jackie O in these chic and sassy sunglasses with polarized lenses, integrated nose guards and the signature Kate Spade logo on the temple. Pair them with a colorful sundress or your new favorite “wear all white” outfit (see page 34 for details). Drop by Kate Spade’s new shop at Phipps Plaza to check out these beauties and an assortment of other fabulous frames. Adamina sunglasses: $158, Kate Spade Stores.
5. Butterfly Beauty Tom Ford’s iconic “butterfly” style is sleek, minimalist and luxurious, free of loud logos and flashy features. I’m loving these for day-to-day wear—around town, poolside, picnics in the park, you name it. Although a largersized frame, the simple nature of the design makes them elegant; they work best on heart, oval and square face shapes. Tom Ford “Abbey”: $380, Sunglass Hut.
SOLAR SHIELDS Atlanta Beach 3145 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.239.0612 www.atlantabeach.com Eye Haven 1418 Dresden Drive Atlanta 30319 404.239.0272 www.eyehaven.com Kate Spade, Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. Suite A-9A Atlanta 30326 404.949.9879 www.katespade.com Sunglass Hut, Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.0931 www.sunglasshut.com The Fish Hawk 3095 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.237.3473 www.thefishhawk.com
MOSAIC’S SUCCESSFUL REMODELING PROCESS
Scott
Allen
ATTENTION TO DETAIL Meet Rick. An avid tennis player, outdoor enthusiast and voted “Best Dad” (by his two teenage kids). Rick is the Architect, the creative force and detail guy, immersing himself completely in a project to track every detail from concept to completion. Thinking outside the lines is a way of life… and a fast forward to award-winning, innovative ideas.
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Kitchens & Baths Whole House Remodeling Decks & Porches Landscaping Simply Buckhead Ad.r2.pdf
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Scott Allen Roell
DeSigneR Mobile: 404-387-7443 eMAil: ScottRoell@gMAil.coM
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Out with the new...In with the old! www.2QueensVintage.com
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WE LLN E S S
Diets abound Which one is right for you? STORY:
Carly Cooper
T
Photo: Terrance Antonio Photography, LLC
hese days, it’s hard visit a restaurant without overhearing other diners inquire about gluten-free, vegan or paleo options. Everywhere you look, someone’s on a diet. But with new ones popping up every day, how do you know what’s right for you? We spoke with three Buckhead residents about their choices.
Erica Militello: Gluten-Free
Reese Fairbanks: Vegan
Laura Foster: Paleo
A buyer for Carter’s, 31-year-old Erica Militello started eating gluten-free in 2009—before it became a trend. “I’ve always had digestive issues, and my dad started eating gluten-free over 15 years ago. Being sick of never feeling great, I thought I would try eliminating gluten from my diet to see if it made a difference,” she says. “I just pay much more attention to what I’m actually eating, and always know the ingredients in all of my food.”
For Brookhaven resident and Pinnacle Fitness personal trainer Reese Fairbanks, 27, becoming vegan was a 2014 New Year’s resolution that actually stuck. He had been vegetarian earlier in life and already couldn’t eat eggs, milk products and seafood, due to allergies.
A Sandy Springs resident and mother of three, Laura Foster, 45, began incorporating a paleo diet into her lifestyle in order to improve her overall health. Following the advice of Julie Mayfield—author of Paleo Comfort Foods and Quick and Easy Paleo Comfort Foods, as well as owner of BTB Crossfit Vinings— Foster focuses on eating quality meats, vegetables, fruits and nuts and eliminating grains and processed foods and oils when possible.
Militello avoids wheat, rye, spelt and barley and instead eats a lot of fish, vegetables and quinoa. She hasn’t lost any weight, but she no longer has recurrent stomachaches! “I don’t love having to talk about my allergy every time I go to a restaurant, [so] it’s nice when I find a place to eat that has the gluten-free items easily labeled—and has a lot of them,” says the Buckhead resident. She frequents Don Antonio and Blue Moon Pizza, Farm Burger (order the Pure Knead buns, she says), and Taka Sushi (ask for gluten-free soy sauce). She also likes the queso and buffalo chicken taco with grilled chicken and corn tortillas at Verde Taqueria. “Always do your research,” she says. Gluten-free peppereroni pizza from Blue Moon Pizza.
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“I realized that my diet was the most important component of living a healthy lifestyle. Hence becoming a vegan was inevitable,” he says. Fairbanks hoped veganism would boost his immune system and heal his acne-prone skin. “Within the first two weeks, I began to notice an increase in energy. Within the first month, my skin began to clear and I lost five pounds with minimum exercise involved,” he says. “Also, my allergic reactions to food have decreased extremely.” He bases many of his meals around beans or tofu. He loves brown rice stir-fries and eats oatmeal with fruit, nuts and almond milk for breakfast. When dining out, he prefers Café Sunflower, where he orders the garden loaf or sesame (soy) chicken. “I eat for nutritional value first, then taste,” he says.
Cafe Sunflower’s sesame (soy) chicken. Photo: Jenny Sun
It’s about “eating foods that are helpful rather than harmful to our bodies,” she says. To Foster, paleo is not a diet but a way to model better eating habits for her children. “I’m focused on making better decisions about my nutrition daily. My overall health has improved, I’ve lost some weight, and my energy level has increased,” she says. She tries to plan meals in advance and keeps a small bag of almonds in her purse for emergencies. She’s also found that most restaurants are willing to make paleo-friendly dishes. At Local Three, she substitutes additional vegetables for grains and avoids white flour and sugar—she favors the restaurant’s short ribs or steak with kale or Brussels sprouts, which can be ordered paleo-friendly. “I have found that when I really focus on keeping my food intake truly paleo, I feel so much better,” she says. Local Three’s Brussels sprouts (order them paleo-friendly).
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Visit www.bigcanoe.com
S I M P LY S T Y LIS H
TA S TE M A K ER
that custom designs unique T-shirts for bridesmaids to wear at bachelorette parties. We’re also working with a children’s clothing line and a handcrafted tote and handbag merchant. How do you pick the items you retail? It’s very important that all products on our site are unique and high quality. Everything has been handpicked thus far. Moving forward we’ll have an application system where a merchant can apply to sell with us, but part of the application process is us reviewing their products.
Crafty chick Lynn Lilly applies her business savvy and stylish eye to a startup venture STORY:
Giannina Smith Bedford
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ecessity is the mother of invention and that is the story of Craft Box Girls. While planning her wedding, Buckhead resident Lynn Lilly found herself jumping back and forth among several websites to research, organize and purchase items she wanted as part of her big day. She wondered why there wasn’t a site that allowed her to do everything in one place. This planted the seed for the growth of Craft Box Girls, a lifestyle brand for women that Lilly launched with co-founders Courtney Covault and Laura Burchfield on Feb. 15. The online community (now with close to 2,000 members) allows users to create profiles, write blog posts, upload pictures and share content. They can also read articles written by 17 on-staff bloggers about do-it-yourself projects, recipes, weddings, home décor, fashion, health and fitness and more. “We want to build a community for women to empower one another and build connections,” Lilly says. Craft Box Girls just added an e-commerce shop and is working to create an offline community through local female-focused events. Here, the 29-year-old CEO tells us about her creative new enterprise and plans for the future.
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What were you doing before Craft Box Girls? Was it scary to start your own business? I was working for Living Social in their experiential marketing division. I got laid off in June 2013 when they completely closed that division. Getting laid off was the sign I needed to jump into Craft Box Girls as a full-time venture. It’s definitely scary not having the stability of a full-time job, but I have a great support system. Despite it being scary and a roller coaster ride, the startup adventure is the most exciting and rewarding experience of my career. What are some of the goodies we can expect to see for sale on the site? We cater to smaller merchants that handcraft items. You can expect to see wedding supplies, handcrafted jewelry and hand-mixed bath and body products as well as organic makeup lines. We also have a merchant, my mother, who does cupcakes in a jar and a T-shirt designer
What’s your favorite retail item on the site? Our line of Craft Box Girls Party Boxes is one of my favorite products that will be available. Party Boxes include everything you need to host a party including décor, plates, utensils, a craft activity, cupcake mix, etc. Where would you like to see Craft Box Girls in 5 years? We want to be doing community driven events in at least 20 markets … We’re also looking at publishing our own book, with input from our bloggers and users, and customizing our own line of goods. As we grow in Atlanta we’re looking to create a clubhouse-style headquarters with an event space to host DIY workshops and cooking classes that will also be available for users to have small events like bridal and baby showers. The space will also serve as our office and creative studio. We’re specifically looking for space in Buckhead. Speaking of Buckhead, when you’re not working, where in the ’hood can we find you? I’m a huge fan of Café Jonah. It’s my go-to meeting spot in Buckhead and favorite breakfast. I’m also a big fan of Del Frisco’s and Genki. As far as nice restaurants, my favorite spot is Pricci. When I am not working you can also spot me getting a blowout at GlowDry and shopping at Festivity. n
CRAFT BOX GIRLS www.craftboxgirls.com
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Let us brighten up your stay with a refreshing summer cocktail. Let us serve you a Southern classic like you’ve never tasted before. Let us transport you to a place where you feel worlds away. Let us show you more ways to make a long weekend last forever.
Escape to the lake or explore the city with The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Georgia. Our sunny skies and Southern hospitality provide the perfect setting for shopping, golf, and sightseeing. For reservations, contact your travel professional, call 888-674-2706 or visit ritzcarlton.com.
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Meet the Bank Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction “Highest Customer Satisfaction in Retail Banking in the Southeast Region" At First Citizens, putting our customers first is at the center of everything we do. That’s why we’re honored that they rated us “Highest in Customer Satisfaction in Retail Banking in the Southeast Region,” according to the most recent J.D. Power & Associates Retail Banking Satisfaction Study.SM First Citizens offers all the convenience and services of a large bank, combined with the personal attention and responsiveness of a community bank. We’ve been focused on helping individuals and businesses succeed for over 100 years. Are you satisfied with your bank? Get to know First Citizens. Call or visit our Buckhead location today.
FirstCitizensonline.com
Kathy Sullivan
Jackie McMichen
Christina Jimenez
Retail Sales Manager 678-589-9023
Senior Mortgage Loan Originator 404-365-4674
Private Banking Relationship Manager 404-365-4672
Buckhead 79 West Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 365-4661
Equal Housing Lender/Member FDIC. First Citizens Bancorp received the highest numerical score among retail banks in the Southeast region in the proprietary J.D. Power & Associates 2013 Retail Banking Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 51,563 total responses measuring 13 providers in the Southeast region (GA, NC & SC) and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed January-February 2013. Your experience may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
L ’ P G . Are you pregnant or considering becoming pregnant? Having a baby is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in life. So, it’s important for you to make decisions now that will afford you and your baby the very best possible outcome. Pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy evaluations can determine risk factors that may need to be considered along the way that will help guide you and your obstetrician through this all important journey. Northside Hospital’s Center for Perinatal Medicine offers you the most comprehensive, compassionate pre-pregnancy evaluation, perinatal care and diagnostic services in Georgia. An experienced team of professionals, including the physicians of Atlanta Perinatal Consultants are among the nation’s most experienced. The physicians are board-certified in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics, Diagnostic Radiology and Medical Genetics. Whether you require a single consultation or comprehensive high-risk pregnancy assessment, look no further than the Northside team who does it exclusively…every day.
The Center for Perinatal Medicine at Northside Locations: Atlanta, Cumming, Alpharetta and Holly Springs (404) 851-8980
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S C from a S P
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Large Format Printing Vehicle Wraps Exhibits Signage Wall Murals Banners ... and Much More
LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configuration and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group.
Business Legal Services + Dispute Resolutions Real Estate Landlord/Tenant Employment Construction Collections
Buckhead Business Association Presents
The July Signature Luncheon Join us for our BBA Signature Luncheon on July 24th at “The Estate” from 11:30 am - 1:30pm featuring keynote speaker Carol Tomé, CFO and Vice President of Corporate Services at The Home Depot. For additional information and to register visit:
Scott I. Zucker, ESQ
404.364.4626 Direct One Securities Centre 3490 Piedmont Road, Suite 650 Atlanta, GA 30305 Scott@WZlegal.com www.WZlegal.com
BuckheadBusiness.org
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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Always Tired? You’re Not Alone
70 million people in the United States suffer from sleep disorders. A good night’s sleep can fuel your day with energy, keeping you refreshed, alert, and less-stressed. However, for more than 70 million Americans, sleep does not come easy.
Northside Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center is here to help. With more than 30 years of experience, our specialists will help you find personalized solutions. To learn more about the benefits of sleep, please contact the center nearest you. Relaxing & Comfortable Settings in 3 Convenient Locations.
CENTRALIZED SCHEDULING: (404) 851-8135 View videos on sleep disorders at northside.com/sleep
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
ON S TAG E | L I T E R A RY | A RT V I E W | TA S T E M A K E R
SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TASTEMAKER
Making her dream happen P58
New to the area just three years ago, Ally Duncan is 2014’s theatre “It girl.”
“It brings me joy I cannot get anywhere else.” - Ally Duncan
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY A & E
ON S TAGE
Overnight sensation CNN anchor juggles working through the wee hours with raising a family STORY:
W
H.M. Cauley
hile her husband and three children sleep snug in their Buckhead beds, Rosemary Church keeps tabs on what the wideawake world is doing. As the anchor for CNN International’s World Report, she heads to work after the kids have had dinner and spends the night reporting on events from time zones where it’s a regular business day. Church, who has 25 years’ reporting experience, is well suited to the international scene. Her own background is a mélange of nationalities: She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland; spent her earliest years in London; then moved to Australia when she was 8. “So I’m not an Australian and not really English,” she says with a laugh. Church graduated from the Australian National University in the capital, Canberra, where she switched from anthropology to media studies. While working in the country’s National Media Liaison Service, she spent weekends reporting for a local station and subbing as the anchor when needed. From there, she headed farther south to Tasmania as the evening news anchor at a Hobart station, where the job led to a national broadcast at noon. “That really put me on the map and got me offered a job for a satellite service,” she recalls. “But it was exhausting; I went out and did stories through the day, then I’d run in, get into makeup and do the show.” Being in the Asian-Pacific region put Church in the scope of CNN. She sent in a tape, flew to Atlanta for an audition and, in 1998, was offered a job. “At that point, it was the most thrilling thing in my life,” she says. Church arrived in Atlanta ahead of her husband of then three years.
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“I can’t even explain the novelty of coming to live in America as an Australian/Brit,” she says. “I got on that plane as if I was getting on a bus, but it was a real turning point.” Some of the biggest adjustments Church has had to make didn’t involve work as much as culture. “What really astounded me—and still does— is the pace at which Americans live their lives. Australians are laid-back; Americans stuff so much in! Australians take more than four weeks for Left: While Atlanta sleeps, CNN International’s overnight anchor Rosemary Church, pictured at work with colleague John Vause, keeps her pulse on the global news scene.
vacation; in America, it’s a badge of honor not to take vacation. And I still have problems understanding what people are saying sometimes.” Her “three little Australian/Americans” are jammed between the two cultures, as well as the intense juggling act she performs to be mom and news anchor. For Church, a typical day begins late in the afternoon, when 11-year-old Madeleine and 9-year-old twins Hannah and James get home from school. “We do homework, soccer, piano, violin, baseball—all that running
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
around, then we have dinner, and I go off to work,” Church says. “I’m home by 5:30 in the morning, and I have a half hour to chatter with my husband—who works in the wine industry here—before he gets the children off to school. It’s very finely balanced, but we keep it on track for the most part. The kids all have their jobs—helping with the washing, doing stuff in the kitchen —and they complain because, apparently, no other kid on the street has chores.” Church has managed to change her body clock so working overnight
isn’t as physically grueling anymore. And, she says, the wee hours are an exciting time to be on the news desk. “We’ve had breaking stories like Bin Laden being killed, Thailand’s tsunami or Japan’s earthquake. And lately, with the search for the Malaysian airliner, all of that is happening on Australian hours.” Most recently, Church and her colleagues on the ground in Ukraine produced live coverage of the breaking story of a shooting in Kiev’s Independence Square, and their efforts were recognized by the Monte Carlo Television Festival with a Golden Nymph award for Best 24 Hour News Program. But in between such intensive global work and her Buckhead family, Church strives to “squeeze in a book here and there.” But that sort of calm doesn’t usually happen very often. “But when I can achieve sitting down quietly with a book, that’s when I know things are going really well!” n
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AT L A N TA N O RT H 770-622-3081
AT L A N TA P E R I M E T E R 770-394-2131
BUCKHEAD 404-233-4142
B U C K H E A D C H A S TA I N 404-233-1492
B U C K H E A D N O RT H 404-814-9000
BUCKHEAD NW 404-261-2700
C O B B M A R I E T TA 770-422-6005
EAST COBB 770-977-9500
FORSYTH/LAKE LANIER 770-497-2000
I N TOW N AT L A N TA 404-897-5558
N O RT H F U LTO N 678-461-8700
SANDY SPRINGS 404-250-9900
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
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S I M P LY A & E
LITE R A RY
For 11 years, members of the Women Alone Together book club have been dishing up dinner and discussion over a variety of literary works. A recent gathering at The Colonnade included the usual fellowship as well as a guest speaker, Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey. Rolader. Photo: Galina Coada
Not completely by the book Local club offers more than literary connections
A
ny time 25 women sit down to dinner, one thing is certain: There’s going to be a lot of animated discussion. The group that meets on the second Thursday of most months at The Colonnade restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road is no different, except that these discussions have a purpose: They’re always centered on a book and a topic designed to inform and enlighten. This gathering is the book club organized by members of Women Alone Together, a nonprofit designed to link women of all ages who are widowed, divorced or single by choice. The group lists a variety of seminars and workshops on its September to May calendar, but 11 years ago, members decided a book club with an educational slant would be an ideal addition to the lineup. “We’ve tried many other things since Women Alone Together started in 2002, but this is the group that really grew legs of its own,” says Sharon Pauli, a Garden Hills resident and Coca-Cola retiree who joined the group right after it launched. “We first met in people’s homes, but it soon was too big for that. Then we tried going to different restaurants, but eight women together in a corner—you can imagine how that was.
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Then someone suggested The Colonnade’s back room, and it turned into something stable that we could manage effectively. Everyone knew where and when we were meeting.” Now most gatherings average 25 to 30 women. The May session, featuring outgoing U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey as the guest speaker, packed the private dining room with about 50 readers. Information about what books have been read and what’s on the 2014-2015 schedule is posted on the Women Alone website, and there’s no fee to attend (but most who show up do have dinner). “We have women attend from all over— Sandy Springs, Chamblee, even one who drives from Newnan,” Pauli says. “Anyone can join the book group; they don’t have to be a member of Women Alone Together.” Prior reading lists have included Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Lives of Bees, Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Some meetings are led by members; others are enhanced by experts such as professors from Georgia State or Agnes Scott, or, in the case of Georgia writer Terry Kay, the author himself. When the group reconvenes Sept. 11, members will have read
STORY:
H.M. Cauley
The Round House by Louise Erdrich. Peachtree Heights West resident Jean Hyman particularly enjoyed Paula McLain’s best-seller The Paris Wife, but she likes that reading the book isn’t a strict requirement. “The book club offers an opportunity for those who are interested in books and learning to be with women of similar interests,” says Hyman, who moved to Buckhead after losing her New Orleans home to Hurricane Katrina. “Without it, these women may never have met and become friends. You don’t go just to hear the book discussed; you sit down with different people at the table and learn about their life experiences. I joined because I am alone and thought it would be a grand opportunity to make new friends of people who are energetic and like to learn. It’s not just about the books.” That will be evident when the group reconnects in the fall, says Pauli. “When people get back in September, the din is amazing. People are happy to be together with good friends. Oh—and yes, we’re very eager to hear about the book as well.” n l To sign up for the September meeting and to review the book list, visit www.womenalonetogether.org.
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July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
S I M P LY A & E
A RT V IE W
“I’ve always been interested in what things mean to people, and sharing those ideas and engaging the public in them is what I love.”
More than just a museum
STORY:
H.M. Cauley
High curator works to connect art and community
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or Brookhaven resident Sarah Schleuning, art isn’t confined to paintings behind glass hanging on gallery walls. In her job as the High Museum’s curator of decorative arts and design, the Oregon native focuses on finding treasures that connect history, creativity and artistic work. And she finds them in the most unusual places. Take cars, for instance. While most might define them as conveyances constantly stuck in Atlanta traffic, Schleuning sees more. Her latest project, the High’s “Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas,” showcases what cars can be, given complete creative license. “I really wanted it to be a show that looks at the ideas of design, innovation and creativity, and concept cars represent those ideas,” she says. “They can start us thinking about cars as symbols of the future and the future’s potential. All 17 of these cars are pretty exotic; there’s an electric bubble car, another that looks like a rolling rocket and one that’s only 33 inches tall.” Organizing a major show gives Schleuning the chance to do something she loves: traveling around the country, talking to collectors, designers, artists and crafts people. It took three years to orchestrate the car exhibit that
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pulled in vehicles from museums, heritage centers and private owners, but now that it’s up and running, she’s already moved on to another idea: this summer’s “Mi Casa, Your Casa” project, inspired by the High’s piazza. “Ever since I came here three years ago, I always wanted to see more out there, and I wanted to do something really enjoyable for the summer,” says the mother of two. “Then the opportunity came to bring designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena together, and it turned out, they loved the piazza, too.” The result is an outdoor installation of 40 framed houses that visitors can touch, feel and sit in—something Schleuning hopes will change the way people engage with the Woodruff Arts Center. “It’s not just a place to see a play, hear the symphony or see a show at the museum,” she says. “It can also be a place to bring your lunch, sit in a hammock and hang out. It’s part of the fabric of the city.” Engagement and connection are areas Schleuning has focused on since studying cultural anthropology at Cornell University. She carried that interest to curatorial positions at the Wolfsonian Museum in Florida and Michigan’s Cranbrook Art Museum. “I’ve always been interested in what things mean to people, and sharing those ideas
and engaging the public in them is what I love,” she says. “Dream Cars” follows the 2010 success, “The Allure of the Automobile,” one of the High’s hottest exhibits, drawing more than 145,000 viewers. The concept cars are also the subject of Schleuning’s new book, Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas (Rizzoli, 2014). Was Atlanta, the city that refuses to be parted from its cars, the inspiration? “Well, there was a lot of interest in doing another project around cars,” Schleuning says. “And I had such creative freedom, doing ‘Dream Cars’ was just a tremendous opportunity.” n
SCHLEUNING’S SHOWS “Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas” Through Sept. 7 “Mi Casa, Your Casa” July 18 -Nov. 2 High Museum of Art 1280 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.733.4444 www.high.org
Morris, Manning & Martin is proud of Louise Wells, our managing partner, and the leadership she has provided our firm. Well done Louise. Well done MMM.
10th Annual Taste of Buckhead We invite you to join us for a night of culinary adventure and camaraderie.
Progress Realized.
September 18, 2014 at the Buckhead Theatre
Louise M. Wells Managing Partner 404.233.7000 lwells@mmmlaw.com
Tickets are on sale at: tasteofbuckhead.org
Chef Art Smith Southern Art
Hosted by:
Chef Linton Hopkins Restaurant Eugene
Learn more: www.mmmlaw.com Atlanta ■ Beijing ■ Raleigh-Durham ■ Savannah ■ Taipei Washington, DC ■ Strategic Alliance Office - São Paulo
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TA STE M A KE R
Making her dream happen Brookhaven performer Ally Duncan turns heads with robust 2014 STORY:
Jim Farmer
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ctress Ally Duncan wasted little time on her way to making big noise on local stages. After graduating from The Boston Conservatory in 2011, the Kansas City native moved to Brookhaven, where her parents had relocated. Duncan, 25, made her Atlanta debut in The Legacy Theatre’s Jane Eyre and has worked steadily ever since. She’s everywhere this season—headlining the Center for Puppetry Arts’ 1001 Nights and Horizon Theatre’s Cowgirls, and is part of Serenbe Playhouse’s summertime Oklahoma! ensemble. Here, Simply Buckhead catches up with the tireless, up-and-coming actress.
When did you know you wanted to perform? There was never a specific moment in my life. I’ve been doing it since I was born. I grew up performing, making up shows (with my sister) when we were three and four. I’ve always had a love for it. When it came time to make a decision on school, it really wasn’t a question. It brings me joy I cannot get anywhere else. Any idols? Julie Andrews was an idol. Audra
Ally Duncan and her rowdy Cowgirls castmates.
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McDonald continues to be one of my idols; she has the most stunning presence and voice. Kelli O’Hara has reinvented the classic leading lady. How was the audition process for 1001 Nights? It was a right place, right time moment. Leslie Bellair had been cast in the role I wound up playing. The good news for both of us—Leslie became pregnant and had to give up her spot. I had already asked to be seen and I got an invite to audition. It was my first time auditioning for a New York director. I thought I had bombed. I walked out thinking, “There is no way.” That following Saturday I was offered the spot. It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. How was working with EGOT (Emmy/ Grammy/Oscar/Tony) winner Robert Lopez, who created 1001 Nights with former Atlanta native Adam Koplan? For most of the process, he was not here. He was off winning Oscars and being a star in New York. But we were in contact a lot; he was very much a part of the
process. During the show he came for a couple of days. He is the most humble, kind, warm person on the planet. What’s behind your current hot streak? I pride myself on working really hard. I’m my own worst critic. I push myself. I attribute it also to knowing lots of people. A lot of the shows I’ve done, I’ve had to ask to audition for. Was it scary quitting your day job (as a sales supervisor at Cox Media) earlier this year to become a full-time actress? It was a tough decision. When I moved here I knew what I wanted to do, but I wanted to be able to live! It’s only been a few months but it’s opened up doors that weren’t here before. n
OKLAHOMA! July 24–Aug. 10 Serenbe Playhouse 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road Chattahoochee Hills 30268 www.serenbeplayhouse.com
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Elegance by Design
You’re invited to visit our design studio: ADAC | Suite 501 | HollandInteriors.com | Open to the Public 404.254.4710 | 1.855.623.7229 | info@hollandinteriors.com HOUZZ // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST
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RE V I E W | DRI N K S | F O ODI E J OU RNA L | TA S T E M A K E R | RE S TAU R A N T S
SIMPLY DELICIOUS
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Bison is the specialty at Ted’s Montana Grill, and the all-American flag-forked patties—like the Ted’s Blue Creek with bacon and blue cheese—are irresistible.
Hamburger heaven P62
Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
The burger business in Buckhead is sizzling. But what makes a truly fine hamburger, and where can you find the best around? Our critic takes a look.
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R E V IE W
Hamburger heaven Our critic goes on a belt-popping mission to find Buckhead’s best
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hat makes a great hamburger? Or more to the point: What makes a sensational Buckhead burger? We recently went on a quest to find the best patty in the neighborhood, and let me tell you: In this town of ZinBurgers, Farm Burgers, Flip Burgers, Yeah! Burgers and everything in between, the competition is as sizzling as it is ridiculous. We live in the golden age of the grass-fed, the gourmet and the gluten-free—a time when it’s possible to order a burger dressed up with figs and goat cheese, slurped down with a foie gras milkshake or moonshine, and topped off with a fried moon pie. (Just make sure your heart surgeon is on speed-dial and your belt has an extra notch or two.) But by our estimation, the best burgers don’t have to try so hard. They are fashionably (but not ostentatiously) dressed, pink and juicy at the center, and they have great buns. We vote for classic over crazy. So just in time for July 4, or for those sultry summer days when the thrill is in letting someone else man the grill, here’s our pick o’ the patties, from the very good to the sublime.
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STORY:
Wendell Brock PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
At Farm Burger, you can build The No. 5. $9.50. a burger with Grade: B+ oxtail marinade, apple slaw, beerbattered onion rings, red-bean chili, pork belly, bone marrow, cured lardo, bacon, fried egg, six kinds of cheese and on and on. Of the locally grown, gourmet-burger chains, Farm Burger has long been a fave. So when I want a decadent, over-dressed fatty melt, it’s my first stop. On a recent visit, I decided to keep it fairly simple. (Ahem.) “Make it a beef patty with tomato, Duke’s mayo, pickles, red onion, arugula and Vermont white cheddar,” I told my server as my friend Monica and I sat at the bar, eager to try the chickenpot-pie fritters. (We were expecting oozy little flavor bombs, but they were firm like croquettes.) My sensibly accessorized burger was perfectly delightful (a little less cooking and a little more salt would have helped). But Monica’s No. 5—from the “Black Board” of seasonal house-concocted options—was the bomb. At once fancy and healthy, the patty was decked out with braised spring Vidalias,
FARM BURGER
green-garlic pesto, goat cheese, arugula—and all that nutritious green stuff really balanced the rich, unctuous beef. The onion rings here are a bit over-battered for my taste, but the sweet-potato fries are wonderful. 3365 Piedmont Road. 404.816.0603. www.farmburger.net
When I worked downtown, The Blue Creek. $16. Ted’s was my Grade: A preferred spot for a business lunch. Love the housemade dill pickles; the fat onion rings with horseradish dipping sauce; the Arnold Palmers; and the allAmerican, stick-a-flag-in-it, “where the buffalo roam” burgers. I’m talking bison, baby. It’s leaner than beef, yet richer and moister, somehow. On a recent visit to the Peachtree location, Ethan, our 15-year-old junior critic, lauded the texture and presentation of his bacon and cheese bison burger, giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars. “I am not a burger person. I always get turkey,” declared another guest. She
TED’S MONTANA GRILL
Above: Grind House Killer Burgers wins extra points for value. At $7.99, the Cowboy Style patty—with cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beerbattered onion ring—is a whole lotta good eatin’.
Above: Smash Kitchen & Bar in Brookhaven offers solid burgers, including a straightforward ground brisket and chuck Steak Burger.
Left: We give Del Frisco’s Grille’s Pimento Cheese Burger top marks because it was cooked to perfection. Below: Farm Burger serves delicious seasonal specials, like this beauty with Vidalias, pesto, goat cheese and arugula.
then proceeded to scarf down her “naked” bison patty with fresh sliced tomatoes and kale salad. Though I enjoyed my No. 11 (with horseradish cheddar, grilled mushrooms, and a topping of shredded, slow-braised bison), it’s the Blue Creek that really rocks my world. Inspired by owner Ted Turner’s Blue Creek Ranch in Nebraska, it comes with bacon crumbles and blue cheese. And that’s all it needs, pardner. Just ask for a side of rings and a little ramekin of that horsey sauce. 1874 Peachtree Road. 404.355.3897. www.tedsmontanagrill.com.
For half the price of that Ted’s burger, The Cowboy Style I can get (double beef patty). a superbly $7.99. Grade: A flavorful, juice-dripping, triple-napkin-soaking, double-beef sandwich at Grind House. Though you can customize your burger, I am smitten with the signature
GRIND HOUSE KILLER BURGERS
Left: Ted’s No. 11 is shredded, slow-braised bison, horseradish cheddar and grilled mushrooms.
Cowboy Style (cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beer-battered ring). To gild the lily, add an order of Frings (that’s fries and rings), and ask for a side of the chipotle ranch dipping sauce. (Do you see a pattern here?) While I favor a brew with my beef (another motif!), it’s hard not to be tempted here by the Boozy Shakes (Puddin’ Out is a play on the classic banana dessert) and Snooty Drinks (El Guapo is a cute-sounding little ’tail of mezcal, tequila, blood-orange bitters, jalapeño and agave nectar). 1842 Piedmont Avenue N.E. 404.254.2273. www.grindhouseburgers.com.
At Tom Catherall’s casual Brookhaven The Steak Burger. $12. joint, you will Grade: Bfind a turkey burger with avocado salsa; a housemade veggie patty molded from brown rice, black beans, beets and quinoa; and an opulent, Southernstyle man-burger with Benton’s bacon and pimento cheese. Washed down with a Terrapin Hopsecutioner IPA and served with a side of salty shoestring fries, the so-called Steak Burger (ground brisket and chuck) hit the spot, and we admired the straightforward approach (lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheddar cheese). But even though I requested it medium, it was closer to well done, so I had to send for condiments to moisten it up. One final quibble: Was the kitchen out of sliced
SMASH KITCHEN & BAR
cheddar? My burger came to the table with cold grated cheese sprinkled on the opposing bun. When I picked it up, the cheese fell off! Still, not a bad way to spend a lazy afternoon. 804 Town Boulevard, Suite 1010. 404.841.4221. www.h2sr.com/smash
This burger gets top billing because it The Pimento Cheese was cooked Burger. $14.50. perfectly, Grade: A+ and needed no bells and whistles to taste delicious. A towering, two-patty stack that riffs, frankly, on a Big Mac, this whopper comes with the standard trimmings of lettuce, tomato and pickle. Housemade “sloppy sauce” (it’s like a smooth Thousand Island) and pimento cheese moistens the sandwich without turning it into a drippy mess. (OK, it was a dripping mess, but the cheese stayed on the sandwich, and though I joke about the ubiquity of the Southern spread, this treatment really works.) Del Frisco’s also gets points for packaging: The burger sits coyly and come-hitheringly in a partly open paper wrapper, while the Parmesan- and salt-encrusted fries are in a little paper cone on the side. A light, lemony Samuel Adams summer ale seals the deal. God, it’s good. Del Frisco’s: I’ll stop the world and melt for you.
DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE
3376 Peachtree Road N.E. 404.537.2828. www.delfriscosgrille.com/atlanta. n
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D R IN KS
At your service Make a splash at your next poolside soiree with these chic cocktail accessories STORY:
Kelly Skinner
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hen gathering friends for an afternoon of poolside entertaining, keep it stylish sans the effort, courtesy of a curated group of tasteful accoutrements. Leave the floaties to the kids and amp up the elegance with these festive, but functional, beverage accessories— all available at Buckhead-area shops.
Even the simplest cocktail looks edgy when served in these modern, stemless vessels. Crafted from an unbreakable BPA-free polymer, they look and behave like crystal, minus the fragility. This glass gets bonus points for the handy thumb grip on the edge. Govino Wine/Cocktail set of four, $13.99, The Cook’s Warehouse, www.cookswarehouse.com.
Minimize spilled glasses and wobbly surfaces with this easy-to-transport bamboo wine table. Just stick it in the grass near the pool deck, or lodge it in the sand when you’re at the beach, and you’re good to go! Portable s Stack this mod, lightweight, acrylic tray with tumblers, a shaker and fresh-picked herbs for instant retro-cool. The durable design makes deck-side service foolproof.
s Dispense drinks with confidence. This rotating bamboo drink holder secures beverages in snug grooves that keep your glasses and carafe (perf for white wine!) in place—and in style. Artland Garden Terrace Beverage Set, $55, Sugarboo, www.sugarbooandco.com.
Outdoor Bamboo Wine Table, $19.99, Bed Bath & Beyond, www.bedbathandbeyond.com.
Jonathan Adler Sorrento Acrylic Tray, $98, www.piecesinc.com.
s Perk up cocktail hour with a punchy pattern in these shatterproof plastic tumblers. Kiwi Polka Dot Tumbler Glasses set of four, $16.95, Paper Source, www.paper-source.com.
s In between icy scoops, this galvanized metal bucket adds a rustic element to your outdoor decor. Oasis Ice Bucket with Scoop, Galvanized, $26, Sugarboo, www.sugarbooandco.com.
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Keep your vino cool and fresh in these vacuum-sealed, stainless steel canteens. Fill the canteens with white, red or rosé (each bottle holds 750 ml of wine!), and tote along with a spread of snacks, lawn chairs and some cute plastic cups. Pool? Prepped! Oenophilia Vino Sport Wine Canteens, $25.99 each, Vino Venue, www.vino-venue.com.
s Your picnic basket just found the perfect little sidekick in this wicker-covered shaker. Between cocktails, keep this shaker on display with the rest of your barware for a casual accent. Outdoor Cocktail Shaker, $59, Pottery Barn, www.potterybarn.com.
Want more ideas? Visit the Simply Buckhead website for more groovy cocktail accessories. www.simplybuckhead.com
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FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY:
Kate Parham
A Cheat Sheet:
How to Eat Sushi I
f anyone in Atlanta knows sushi, it’s Fuyuhiko Ito, executive chef and co-owner of packed-every-night Umi in Buckhead. The Tokyo native has been working in Japanese and French kitchens for nearly 30 years—you may recognize him from now-shuttered MF Buckhead. After an über-successful first year (Umi celebrated its anniversary in May), Chef Ito has agreed to equip Buckhead residents with the ultimate sushi guide.
Q: Deciphering a sushi menu can be more than intimidating. What are the signature dishes? A: Nigiri is hand-shaped rice made with vinegar, salt and sugar that’s topped with raw or cooked fish. Sashimi has no rice; it’s the center cut of raw fish. And then there are maki rolls [made with sushi rice, fish and seaweed], boxed sushi, [pressed sushi rice and fish without seaweed] and tamago, an egg omelet. Q: Is there a progression in which you should eat sushi or can you mix and match?
A: The best way to taste is on a clean palate, rather than one that’s been dulled with fat and spices. Start with a white fish sashimi and then move on to other sashimi. Then nigiri, and end with miso soup. Hot dishes are not found at sushi restaurants in Japan, but we want anyone to come in and be able to find something they like. So we also offer dishes like cooked black cod. It’s traditional Japanese food, just not traditional sushi. Q: Speaking of traditional sushi, what are some of the most Americanized sushi items? A: Flash-fried or California rolls, or anything with mayonnaise, cream cheese, eel sauce or teriyaki sauce. You would never find these in Japan—it’s usually offered here because the fish isn’t fresh enough to serve raw or because restaurants have such a limited variety of fish that they’re trying to find many ways to serve the same fish, like tuna or salmon.
Fish enthusiasts will find more than two dozen varieties in Chef Ito’s case at Umi—they make their way into sashimi, nigiri, boxed sushi and mouthwatering rolls.
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Q: Tuna, salmon and yellowtail dominate most sushi menus. But what do you wish people were eating? A: Snapper. Or scallops, clam,
uni. If you’re unsure, go with what you know. Even if you order the California roll at Umi, it’ll be the best California roll you’ve ever had. Hopefully then we gain your trust and you’ll try something new next time. Q: When in doubt, what should people order at a sushi restaurant? A: The omakase, which is when you leave the selection to the chef. You’ll get to try an assortment of their freshest offerings. But if à la carte is the only option, go for handrolls, [cone-shaped rolls with seaweed on the outside and fish, rice and vegetables on the inside]. I also like chirashi, [a bowl of sushi rice topped with a variety of raw fish and vegetables]. Q: What should we drink with sushi? A: Beer, sake, green tea or water. The tannins in wine make fish taste fishier, but the aminos in sake enhance the flavor and kill that overly fishy taste. The temperature of sake is important—most Americans drink it too hot. Each sake has an ideal temperature—cold, just above body temperature or 140°F at the hottest. Q: Soy and wasabi. What’s the rule? A: People use way too much soy sauce, which takes away from the flavor of the fish. Most sushi chefs will brush soy on the sushi before serving, but if you want more, the trick is to dip the fish side first, not the rice. It’s best to put wasabi directly on the fish— the fattier the fish, the more wasabi you can use. For every six pieces of sushi, I would only use one ounce of soy sauce and a pinch of wasabi.
Q: What about chopsticks? Sometimes I see people eating sushi with their hands. Is that right? A: Sushi started out as a street food—it’s casual, so it’s perfectly acceptable to eat with your hands, especially if a hand towel is provided. We don’t provide one, so chopsticks are good too, but in Japan you’d see it done both ways. Q: If you were going to a sushi restaurant you’d never been to before, what would you look for? A: First, I’d check the color of the fish. Tuna should be red, not brown; white fish shouldn’t look dirty. Then I’d check the temperature. The boxes some restaurants store fish in are potentially hazardous. Fish should be refrigerated. Watch the chef’s knife skills, too. The technique of sushi is like surgery. Q: Sushi prices can vary widely, from all-you-can-eat buffets for $20 to $300 omakase menus. What’s the difference? A: You get what you pay for. Most cheap restaurants use frozen domestic tuna; they don’t have Japanese fish. The fish are often farm-raised, gassed and stuffed with chemicals, and the sushi is made with no love. We get shipments in from Japan every day, plus Scottish salmon and tuna from South America, which is the best tuna in the world because it hasn’t been overfished.
Umi 3050 Peachtree Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.841.0040 www.umiatlanta.com
NOW
OPEN
Above: Made-from-scratch macarons are just one of the irresistible treats you’ll find at the new brick-and-mortar Yum Yum. Below: Yum Yum’s new shop is as bright and lively as it is delicious. Photo: Leigh Gunnels
Yum Yum Dessert Co.: Atlanta’s first licensed dessert truck went brickand-mortar in the Powers Ferry Square complex. While owner Nadia DeMessa’s famous cupcakes make an appearance, costars include made-fromscratch macarons, sundaes, pastries and ice cream sandwiches alongside an espresso counter. Chow Bing: The Disco Kroger shopping center recently welcomed newcomer Chow Bing—the second location of owner and Fujian (China) native Gary Lin’s fast-casual Asian concept. Expect MSG-free dishes chockfull of local veggies, wholesome rice and humanely raised meats, like calamari salad, mouth-numbing chicken wings (made with Szechuan peppercorns) and build-your-own rice/noodle platters.
Chow Bing’s House Bing Platter-Roast Pork
Meehan’s Public House: Buckhead recently became home to the fifth location of 101 Concepts’ popular pub Meehan’s Public House. The old Irish charm and Brian O’Rourke’s classics-for-a-reason menu (think bacon-wrapped dates, lobster bisque, ahi tuna burgers and fish & chips) comes with the new locale, as does a spacious patio, perfect for summer sipping.
Chow Bing 3330 Piedmont Road, 22B Atlanta 30305 404.816.8008 www.chowbing.com Meehan’s Public House 322 East Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 www.meehanspublichouse.com Yum Yum Dessert Co. 3792 Roswell Road N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.405.1999 www.yumyumdessertco.com
Buckhead Food Trucks Midtown may have the city’s largest food truck park, but our neighborhood isn’t far behind. Thanks to the city of Brookhaven and Fork in the Road (a food truck co-op), a weekly food truck extravaganza dubbed Brookhaven Food Truck Nights happens every Wednesday night from May through October in Blackburn Park. Over a dozen trucks (Happy Belly, Philly Connection, Viet-Nomie’s Gourmet Food Truck & Café, and SnoBayou Handcrafted SnoBalls, to name a few) gather from 5 to 9 p.m. alongside live entertainment and a green just begging for families to come picnic. (Tip: Bring your own lawn chairs—there’s limited seating.) Wednesday nights aren’t the only time you can find food trucks near Buckhead. Yumbii, Tex’s Tacos and Bollywood Zing, among Blackburn Park others, make regular stops in town, including 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road N.E. the intersection of Piedmont and Lenox Atlanta 30319 roads. Check their social media accounts for 770.451.1061 the most up-to-date schedules.
Buckheadʼs neighborhood bistro
Lunch|Cocktails|Dinner
Bellini Night every Wednesday evening 5 - 8 p.m. featuring $6 Bellinis
3630 Peachtree Rd. NE Atlanta 30326
404-254-1797 www.fandbatl.com
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TA S TE MAKER
PAUL’S WELL Why the Peachtree Hills standby continues to thrive in a foodie paradise STORY:
Kate Abney PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
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Bavarian-bred chef from a 200-years-strong culinary family, Paul Albrecht arrived in the U.S. in 1968 seeking exciting new horizons. In Washington, D.C., he met his future business partner, Pano Karatassos, and after both families moved to Atlanta, they opened Pano’s and Paul’s in 1979, establishing fine dining for a country club-inclined city that previously had nil. Through his ventures with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group and a stint in Carillon Beach, Florida, Albrecht cooked for such luminaries as Hillary Clinton, Mick Jagger, Elton John, football stars and even the king of Sweden. Later, when the restaurant landscape shifted to a more casual persuasion, he opened Paul’s in 2005, forming the cornerstone of the Great Food Group, which he co-owns with his son Patrick. To this day, Paul’s remains a melting pot of American and European fare heavily influenced by “French mother” cuisine. And its reputation for hospitality is just as impeccable. “It’s how you’re greeted, the name recognition, knowing your likes and dislikes, and timely service with the food,” Albrecht explains. “There’s no one big thing to running a restaurant. It’s a thousand little things.” With that taste of his wisdom, we had to glean more. Because there’s much to learn from a place with as much staying power as Paul’s.
How Sweet It Is!
How is Paul’s different from what you did before? I put my name on the door, so many people followed me here, but we still [had to contend with] the idea of Pano’s and Paul’s being expensive. I wanted a neighborhood restaurant where people would come in all day long. We do have white tablecloths, but it’s not fine dining in that sense. People want fine dining two times a year: first date and anniversary. The rest of the time, they want casual. They can come here many times a week. And they do! It’s like a club. They shake hands and all know each other. But they don’t have to be members.
LEARN HOW TO MAKE CHEF ALBRECHT’S FAMOUS LOBSTER BISQUE CAPPUCCINO Yield: 6 portions
1 pound lobster shells, chopped, or two 1 1/2-pound Maine lobsters 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped carrots 3 tablespoons tomato paste 1 medium tomato, chopped 1/2 cup dry white wine 6 cups water 1 bay leaf 4 cups heavy cream salt to taste 1 pinch cayenne 1/4 cup butter In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until smoking. If using shells only, cook until they turn a roasted color. If using Maine lobster, roast 4 minutes on each side, then remove from pot. Add chopped vegetables and cook until golden brown. Add the tomato paste and chopped tomato and cook for 5 more minutes. Deglaze with white wine and add the water.
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At this point, if using Maine lobsters, remove the meat from the shells, cut the meat into small pieces and set aside (hold at room temperature if the bisque is to be served immediately after finishing). Cut the shells into small pieces and place back into the pot. Add bay leaf and let simmer for 1.5 hours, reducing the volume to half, and strain. Add the heavy cream. Let simmer for 20 minutes or until the cream has thickened the bisque. Season with salt and cayenne. Pour the bisque into a blender and add the butter. Blend until frothy and pour over the lobster meat* in a cappuccino cup. *If using only lobster shells, cooked lobster meat is available in gourmet stores’ seafood section to add to the bisque.
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
What are they ordering? Is it mostly old favorites? First of all, Dover sole. It’s a fish from the English Channel. Very classic. We had it at Pano’s and Paul’s. We grill it or pan-fry it with caper brown butter, asparagus and carrots. People also love our braised lamb shank, veal scaloppine, and Peruvian quinoa salad. Our lobster bisque is the best in the city—no flour, just lobster reduction, butter and cream. It’s a little more on the cholesterol side, but once in a while you can indulge. Paul’s patio is super-popular during the summer months. Do you have as many patrons up there as in the main dining room? Yes, sometimes more. We have televisions up there, but there’s more turnover
than the dining room. It’s the same menu as downstairs, but the sandwiches, of course, are more popular. We do a $5 hamburger on Thursday. On Wednesday, we serve mussels braised in Belgian beer, paired with wine. And the sushi! Yes, we make it for the young and hip of Peachtree Hills. Tuesday nights (sushi specials) are quite busy. We are increasingly attracting a younger crowd. I see customers when they are in a high chair, then they come for prom, and now we’re serving their kids. What keeps guests coming back? Food is only 25-to-30 percent of the [dining-out] experience. It’s more the ambience and the service—a big smile, a great personality and a willingness to fulfill special requests. Aha. So what keeps you coming back? This is my passion and my profession. The best part is going to the dining room and seeing [my patrons’] smiling faces, or someone pulling on my jacket and saying, ‘Are you Chef Paul?’ The satisfaction of our guests is the greatest reward. That keeps me going. n
PAUL’S RESTAURANT 10 Kings Circle N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30305 404.231.4113 www.greatfoodinc.com
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S I M P LY D E LICIOUS
FEATURED RESTAURANTS A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead WRITTEN: Wendell
Brock
PHOTOS:
BHOJANIC After two meals at this North Indian restaurant, I’ve come to admire the flavorful, long-simmered, aromatic home cooking. The Samosa Chat was a wonderful smash-up of potato-andpea samosas topped with tamarind and mint chutneys and cool yogurt. As for the entrées, I really loved the intensely flavored goat curry and wanted to sop up every drop of the gravy with rice. This second location of Archna Becker’s beloved Decatur restaurant is an appealing minimalist space, and it’s easy to get in and out and have a solid and affordable meal. We are delighted that it’s finally here. Tapas and appetizers: $4-$9 Entrées and thalis: $12-$18 www.bhojanic.com
BUCKHEAD DINER This indispensible, neon-splashed diner is a jewel in the crown of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which includes the Greek temple-like Kyma next door and the Atlanta Fish Market down the street. For 27 years, fans have flocked here for the housemade chips with Maytag blue, the “sweet heat” Thai-chili calamari, juicy burgers and
Sara Hanna
the decadent white chocolate banana cream pie—classics all. Simply by virtue of the way it lights up Piedmont Road, this diner has always been, and will always be, a star. Appetizers: $6-$12 Sandwiches and burgers: $13-$16 Entrees: $17-$30 www.buckheadrestaurants.com/ buckhead-diner
BUTTERMILK KITCHEN Chef Suzanne Vizethann offers thoughtfully handcrafted food in a room as pure and simple as its namesake drink. Southern classics are the foundation of this Roswell Road breakfast-and-lunch spot, and you can’t go wrong with the Brunswick stew, chicken salad, pimento cheese, or the fried chicken biscuit with pepper jelly and pickles. Vizethann’s love of sweet confections really shines at weekend brunch, when folks line up in front of the inviting bright-blue cottage for the likes of toasted blueberry coffeecake and poppy-seed pancakes with strawberries and lemon curd. Salads and sandwiches: $8.25-$11.50 Breakfast dishes: $8-$13 www.buttermilkkitchen.com
Bhojanic’s thali showcases (clockwise from top left corner) mandarin orange and mixed bean salad; jasmine rice pulao topped with papadam (lentil crisp); raita (spiced yogurt with cucumber and tomato); alu gobi (potato and cauliflower with a ginger and tomato sauce); goat curry in a ginger, garlic and onion based sauce; and bhindi masala (sauteed okra with caramelized onions).
Buttermilk Kitchen’s pancakes with butter and syrup never, ever go out of style.
CAFÉ SUNFLOWER In a town that’s burger-crazed and churrascaria-packed, chef-owners Lin and Edward Sun’s casual, mid-priced kitchen is an anomaly: a veggie haunt that samples freely from world cuisine with mainstream diners in mind. Here, patrons take delight in consistently delicious salads and soups; soy-based replicas of everyday grub like burgers and ravioli; and a stellar lineup of original dishes. The food is freshly prepared, beautifully presented and accessible to both hardcore vegans and omnivores. Lunch entrées: $9-$12 Dinner entrées: $12-$18 www.cafesunflower.com
CO’M VIETNAMESE GRILL In a Buford Highway strip mall on the edge of Brookhaven, Co’m has for some time now been my favorite place for the vibrant, aromatic flavors of the Southeast Asian nation that ownerbrothers Duc and Henry Tran once called home. While Atlanta has pho shops aplenty, the stars here are the rice and noodle dishes, which can be ordered with heavenly grilled meats,
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chicken or fish. The pièce de résistance, though, is the grilled grape-leaf rolls, stuffed with bits of beef, lamb, salmon, duck or tofu; doused in a pool of sweet-fishy vinaigrette and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and crispy fried scallions. Heaven! Appetizers: $3-$10 Entrées: $7-$18 www.comgrillrestaurant.com
GEORGIA GRILLE Twenty-two years after its opening, Georgia Grille remains true to Atlantaborn owner Karen Hilliard’s original vision, which means she still splashes the bright flavors of Santa Fe onto the plates of her happy and devoted customers. The French-trained Hilliard dresses her creations in voluptuous cream sauces accented with smoky poblanos or tart tomatillos—and drizzles them with colorful squirtbottle squiggles of flavor. We dug her smoked-pollo enchiladas, which are stuffed with onion and sour cream, smothered with green-chile sauce and tomato salsa and served with a little salad in a taco-shell cup. The flat-iron
riuchi holds court at his own Pharr Road sushi bar, where his impeccably fresh fish and hot and cold appetizers compare to the best Japanese food in town. The only difference: His prices won’t shipwreck your budget. Among our faves, the UPS roll is a delicious nod to the Atlantabased Big Brown fleet, and the black cod and okra tempura are packages you’ll be happy to see arrive at your table.
steak, rubbed with salt and spices and cooked until its crust is charred, was another solid choice. Atlanta has plenty of regional restaurants, but a good Southwestern place is hard to find. Hilliard, who lives in nearby Peachtree Hills, knows what her neighbors want, and she dares not let them down. Entrées: $15-$31 www.georgiagrille.com
Appetizers: $6-$20 Nigiri: $2.50-$11 Sushi rolls: $4.50-$19.50 www.takasushiatlanta.com
LITTLE BANGKOK Little Bangkok is a decidedly humble hole-in-the-wall, yet many Atlanta ethnic-foodies insist that it is their favorite go-to joint for casual Thai. Not the fussy business of intricately carved radishes and gilded bowls. Not the throwaway curries and stir-fries of lastchance airport concessions and mall food courts. Little Bangkok is that happy place somewhere in the middle—a spot where the spring rolls are always crispy and the pad thai always a plate of tangy-sweet comfort, and where adventuresome diners can savor the green-peppercorn bite of spicy catfish and the sweet, Rice-Krispie weirdness of mee krob. At its best, Little Bangkok is like a brief, belly-pleasing adventure to the Land of Smiles.
WOODFIRE GRILL
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Presented by:
Hungry for more? Visit the Simply Buckhead website to read all of our Restaurant Reviews! www.simplybuckhead.com
Sponsored by:
www.townbrookhaven.net
ON
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Chef Taka Moriuchi learned from perhaps the most famously finicky and cultinspiring Japanese chef Atlanta has ever known: Sotohiro Kosugi, owner of Buckhead’s legendary (but now shuttered) Soto Japanese Restaurant. Today, Mo-
AND BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE
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TAKA SUSHI AND PASSION
Free movies
Starfish—which can look just a little lost on the block that houses Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch—is exactly the kind of sushi joint I have been trolling for. In a city where Japanese cuisine can be hit-or-miss and sometimes not the freshest, chefowner Seung K. “Sam” Park’s reticent little pearl is a superior catch—cute and compact as a bento box but with
Lunch Entrées: $7-$16 Dinner Entrées: $12-$30 www.starfishatlanta.com
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STARFISH
J U LY 1 7 • P G
According to owner Frank Bonk, the smokers at this 25-year-old Irby Avenue institution puff day and night. And when I drive up to his venerated dive in the heart of Buckhead, I believe him with every bit of my ’cue-loving soul. Before I can park, the sweet, heavenly aroma of long-cooked meat has invaded my tightly sealed, air-conditioned car. Bonk says the brown-sugar-andketchup-laced sauce is the recipe of his wife’s grandfather, who hailed from
First and second courses: $8-$18 Main courses: $20-$42 Five-course tasting menu: $70 Seven-course grand tasting menu: $90 www.woodfiregrill.com
J U LY 3 1 • G
ONE STAR RANCH
J U LY 1 0 • P G
Entrées: $13-$29 www.onestarranch.com
just a hint of luxury. At dinner, we were delighted to see how the kitchen plays around with untraditional ingredients like truffle oil and balsamic vinegar, slicing fish as thin as carpaccio and arranging it in dazzling presentations. When our flounder sashimi arrived, the server told us to place a dab of the ponzu jelly spiked with cilantro, jalapeño and lime on a strip of the fish and roll it up. Exquisite. Starfish isn’t the kind of place that announces itself with screaming klieg lights or red carpets. But in this culture of excess, sometimes being a little bit underthe-radar can be very seductive.
J U LY 2 4 • G
Entrées: $8-$18 www.littlebangkokatlanta.com
Texas. He’s right proud of the beef ribs, too. “We are the only place who does that cut in the Southeast,” he says of the elbow-to-wrist, Jurassic-size gnaw sticks. We like the laidback vibe of this place and the chatty, friendly servers. There’s live blues on Friday and Saturday nights, and we’d love to come back, sit at the fabulous bar and sip a Texas ’rita or two. No wonder this place has such longevity. Blow that kind of smoke up a neighborhood’s skirt, and it will notice.
After a three-hour, four-course dinner with cocktails and wine, we can report without hesitation: The Woodfire team remains at the top of its game. We decided to investigate by checking in on a crucial Tuesday. Woodfire is closed on Mondays, so Tuesday night is the swing shift, when the week’s new dishes are being tweaked, wine pairings selected and the staff is on high alert to absorb it all and not go blank when customers ask what the orange mayonnaise-y stuff in the bouillabaisse is. (It’s the classic aioli-like French sauce called rouille.) While it could use a bit of a makeover on the design end, the food and service show no signs of wavering.
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Little Bangkok’s fried catfish comes with green beans, eggplant, fried basil leaves and small branches of pungent green peppercorns.
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SIMPLY B UC KHEA D C OVE R ST ORY
BECKY BLALOCK MICHELE RHEA CAPLINGER MOLLY DARBY SARAH FISHBURNE MOLLY FLETCHER ANNA GRIFFIN GREGG IRBY JULA JANE DR. TEJAL M. LALAJI ELICIA MONROE LINDA MCIVER-DUXBURY SUSAN NETHERO CHRISTIAN ROSS LISA SENTERS-MCDERMOTT LOUISE M. WELLS
BOLD WOMEN OF BUCKHEAD STORY:
Karina Timmel
15 INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING WAVES IN THEIR INDUSTRIES
These inspirational women apply their bold spirits to a variety of industries, from music and medicine to nonprofit, design, real estate and banking.
In this feature, we celebrate 15 bold superwomen whose enthusiasm for living life to the fullest is contagious. Every one of them is following her passion and is a leader or innovator in her field. And while their professional achievements and all they give back to their communities is impressive, almost every woman we spoke with considered family their greatest accomplishment and what has made the greatest impact on their lives. Kudos to these brilliant women who pour their hearts into both careers and families. They certainly haven’t chosen the easiest of paths. But that’s what makes them bold women, after all.
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Photo: Courtesy Buckhead Theatre / Photographer: Bubba Carr
S I M P LY B U C KHE A D C OVER STORY
BECKY BLALOCK JOB: President of Advisory Capital BORN IN: Greenville, South Carolina LIVES IN: Brookhaven
There is no typical day in the life of Becky Blalock. She may be writing an article for the Wall Street Journal about her book, DARE; attending a customer event for Tech Mahindra, a global IT sourcing company based in India; or speaking to an engaged group of successful women, as one of them. Her first job out of college (University of West Georgia for undergrad, Mercer University for her master’s and Harvard Business School) was with Georgia Power, where, until retiring recently, she worked for 33 years. She spent 12 years in accounting and finance and then moved to marketing, regulatory affairs, corporate communications and finally, IT. Her first vice president role was as head of community and economic development at Georgia Power, after which she was promoted to senior vice president and CIO at Southern Company, where she spent 9 years. Retirement for Blalock isn’t all about gardening and scuba diving (two of her favorite pastimes), however. This determined woman launched her own consulting business, where her primary role is supporting Tech Mahindra. She also is traveling the U.S. promoting her first book, a leadership guide for women filled with lessons learned. “So much of our success is just believing that ‘you can do it’! We all need to dare to boost our confidence,” she says.
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“My parents, who did not have much in the way of material possessions, taught me the most important things in life are those which double when given away— friendship, love, respect and gratitude.”
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MICHELE RHEA CAPLINGER JOB: Senior Executive Director, The Recording Academy, Atlanta BORN IN: Hartford, Connecticut LIVES IN: Vinings
Michele Rhea Caplinger exudes positive energy and a go-getter spirit. With musictheater roots under her belt, Caplinger arrived in Atlanta in the early ’80s, where she held music-business jobs by day (including talent booker, publicity director and party promoter) and recorded and performed in pop-rock bands by night. “I later was hired by national concert promoter/artist manager Charlie Brusco, who allowed me the fortunate experience of learning ‘the real music business.’ So, a lot of hard work, no sleep—literally—and ‘growing up’ prepared me for the position I currently hold, 14 years later, with The Recording Academy,” she says. As senior executive director, she is involved in booking annual GRAMMY professional-development events for members, running the board and identifying those who qualify for membership (aka voting members of the GRAMMY Awards). Caplinger serves on many local boards and committees as well, including Friends of Georgia Music, the governing body that produces the annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show; No Losing Inc., founded by CCM hip-hop artist Sam Collier, an organization that empowers young people to have a winning mindset in life to achieve their goals; and Georgia Music Partners, an advocacy group that promotes the music business in the state of Georgia. If there was more time in the day, what would she do? “I still love to dance and wish I had more time to do just that!” HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“Don’t take yourself so seriously …”
MOLLY DARBY JOB: Executive Director of Bert’s Big Adventure BORN IN: Atlanta LIVES IN: Buckhead
While pursuing a career in public relations and after a first job as public relations coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, Molly Darby was introduced to Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA), and immediately knew this was a new path for her. “Once I saw the opportunities that Bert’s Big Adventure was giving these families and the happiness the organization brought to their lives, I knew that getting more involved was the only way I could feel fulfilled,” she says. Now, after serving in many roles with the organization over 8 years, at only 31 years old she was named executive director. On any given day, Darby is working her magic to provide underprivileged and terminally ill children and their families support through programs like the Fairy Godparent Program, where every BBA child who is in a hospital gets a visit by a volunteer every single day. Those who know Darby know her not only for her kindness and philanthropy, but also for her great sense of humor, a trait that makes her beloved by BBA families and the Buckhead community alike. Case in point: She named her Labradoodles Peter Frampton and Tina Turner.
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“That you’ll never understand or know somebody 100 percent, what they struggle with internally or what they are going through at home. When you stop expecting people to be and think just like you, you’ll like them a lot more!”
Photo: Courtesy HSN
SARAH FISHBURNE
MOLLY FLETCHER
ANNA GRIFFIN
JOB: Director of Trend and Design at The Home Depot BORN IN: Richmond, Virginia LIVES IN: Vinings
JOB: President and CEO
JOB: President of Anna Griffin Inc.
of MWF Enterprises BORN IN: Lansing, Michigan LIVES IN: Buckhead
BORN IN: Charlotte, North Carolina
Sarah Fishburne interprets and delivers on people’s home-improvement dreams for a living. “It gives me great joy to help create affordable designs for all to enjoy,” she says of her gig at The Home Depot, where she scours the globe for top trends in home décor in order to develop products for the big-box’s 2,250-plus retail stores. Her typical day is anything but typical—at any given time, the interior designer could work on special-order cabinets, attend a meeting about door chimes, sit in on a TV commercial debrief, write a trend overview or weigh in on outdoor fabrics. She also travels constantly and reports that Paris is particularly inspiring with its architecture, fashion and colors in store display windows. “I actually created a paint palette for The Home Depot inspired by my time in Paris (Walk on the Seine – 2009),” she says. Her decorating talent blossomed early in her childhood. Fishburne’s father worked for Eastman Kodak and her family lived in Tokyo and Rochester, New York, before coming to Atlanta, and so, as a kid, she spent a lot of time sketching her new room designs and color schemes. To date, Fishburne has won three Pillars of the Industry Awards and one Obie Award. In her downtime between trips, you can find her doing Pilates or repurposing furniture.
Molly Fletcher moved to Atlanta in 1993 to pursue a career in the sports industry. Her first real job was answering the phones for Super Bowl XXVIII. “Though my job may have seemed trivial, I was at the front line,” she says. She ended up with a file of corporate executive contacts, which would be her step through the doorway of the sports industry. Nicknamed “the female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, Fletcher spent nearly two decades recruiting top athletes, coaches and sports media personalities. As one of the only female sports agents in the industry, she made a name for herself working with big names, like Tom Izzo, Ernie Johnson Jr. and John Smoltz. After the release of her first book, Your Dream Job Game Plan: 5 Tools for Becoming Your Own Career Agent, in 2008, Fletcher began getting a lot of speaking requests, which prompted her to switch gears and launch her own business. Today, she travels all over the country speaking to Fortune 500 companies on topics related to leadership, team building and business development. “There’s nothing more rewarding than getting phone calls or emails saying, ‘You talked about this and here are the changes I made and how it’s worked for me.’” With three daughters under the age of 11, Fletcher certainly makes it work.
LIVES IN: Buckhead
Fueled by her thirst for creating, a love of antiques, a deep appreciation for family and tradition, and a relentless determination to make beautiful things that help women feel special, honored and creative themselves, Anna Griffin celebrates 20 successful years in business in Atlanta this year. After earning a graphic design degree in college and a stint working for Vera Wang, Griffin launched her own business in 1994 by creating handmade wedding and event invitations, filling a void in the market at that time. Her brand has since grown by leaps and bounds into an international stationery, gift and fabric company, with over 1,000 of her licensed products and pattern collections incorporated into brands such as Lenox, C.R. Gibson and Plaid Enterprises. “I love that I make products that touch people in a meaningful way. Whether it is a wedding invitation that I’ve designed or a doit-yourself card-making kit, I love that my products are part of the most important times in our customers’ lives,” she says. When she’s not making appearances on programs on the Home Shopping Network and collecting antiques at Scott Antiques Market, she’s renovating old homes (she lives in her eighth project). We’re not quite sure where she finds the time.
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON: HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON: HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“Always be your own biggest supporter—you have to believe in yourself for others to believe in you.”
“It is important to get clear on your priorities and make sure everything else in your life—personal and professional— is aligned with those.”
“The biggest life lesson I’ve learned is to trust myself. Trusting my instincts, following that voice in my head, always proves to be the right direction.”
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S I M P LY B U C KHE A D C OVER STORY
GREGG IRBY
JULA JANE
DR. TEJAL M. LALAJI
JOB: Owner of Gregg Irby Fine Art
JOB: President and CEO of Coggins International BORN IN: Baudette, Minnesota LIVES IN: Buckhead
JOB: Lead Radiologist and Founder of the Woman’s Imaging Group BORN IN: Moro Goro, Tanzania LIVES IN: Buckhead
When she first moved to Atlanta in 1994, Gregg Irby thought that the city really needed a place to find beautiful and livable art by talented artists at affordable prices. Her mother is an artist, and with her professional experience in marketing and business, she went for it. The humble owner of the popular eponymous Buckhead gallery is known for championing emerging artists. “I am inspired by their art and I want others to be inspired by it, too,” she says. “It is amazing how art can really make you feel good, energize you—it’s all about expressing yourself.” Her artists, many of whom have gotten their start through her, include Sally Benedict, who was just featured as a top 10 Southern artist by Southern Living. Irby spends a lot of time working with her artists, offering feedback, looking at works in progress and helping them plan for future work. A jack-of-all-trades, she has her hand in every aspect of gallery work, including marketing, website updates, outreach to tastemakers, getting ready for out-of-town shows and working with walk-in customers. “Ever since I can remember, I knew that I would one day own my own business. Art has long been my passion, so I’m lucky that I have been able to make a living doing what I love.”
Jula Jane has always done everything a little earlier than most. She began college at Georgia State University when she was just 16 years old and moved to the Art Institute of Atlanta for an interior-design degree a year later. She bought her first home when she was 18 and found a new calling, in residential real estate. She became a salesperson at 19 and a broker at 22. At 25, Jane opened her own real estate firm, JULA Consulting Inc.. She moved to Kuwait in 2003 with the intention of expanding her interior design and real estate business into the Middle East and became one of the first woman-owned real estate consulting firms affiliated with Damac Properties, Dubai’s largest privately held master developer. Her experience and contacts throughout the Middle East led her to being named president and CEO of Coggins International, a defense-contracting business specializing in fuels automation and information technology (IT) services. The Buckhead-based Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) is known for providing world-class IT training services to more than 1,000 military personnel annually. “As a defense contractor, I love putting boots on the ground in challenging areas, such as Iraq and Afghanistan—leading the way in fuels automation and IT services,” she says. Jane is also the founder of Operation GI Jane, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting single moms in the military.
Dr. Tejal Lalaji is a mother, wife, sister and daughter who has seen several women in her own family battle breast cancer. Some have won the fight and some have, unfortunately, lost. After seeing her family members’ courageous battles, Lalaji, who completed her radiology residency at Wake Forest University and fellowship at Emory University, knew she could develop something that could make a difference in the lives of women. She created a unique “pink compass” process that focuses on simplicity and eliminating anxiety for the female patient through the breast-cancer screening process by providing a map of imaging and, if needed, treatment options with quick turnaround of the imaging results. The concept is delivered through small, boutique-style dedicated women’s imaging facilities. By the end of 2015, she expects to have at least six of these facilities in Atlanta, including Buckhead. When this fiercely determined woman isn’t working, she enjoys being outdoors and gardening, or spending time with her family. “My kids have the attitude that life is about being happy, and I agree,” she says.
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“It’s so important to love what you do and make every day count. Take the initiative!”
“You have to earn it every day. Never become complacent. Always look for ways to improve and grow.”
“Nothing happens without hard work and a little twinkle from above.”
BORN IN: Columbia, South Carolina LIVES IN: Buckhead
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ELICIA MONROE JOB: Vice President of Atlanta Region Retail Sales and Marketing at Wells Fargo BORN IN: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago LIVES IN: Buckhead
Elicia Monroe’s original career path was to be a teacher so that she could eventually coach high school and then college athletics. The natural athlete attended Alabama State University on a full volleyball scholarship, where she was “Rookie of the Year” and currently holds the D1-NCAA Volleyball Service Aces Award. Today, she is also a professional women’s football player with Atlanta Steam–Legends Football League U.S.A. Undoubtedly, it’s her innate competitive spirit paired with abilities to structure and conduct business deals that lead her to excel in the corporate world instead of pursuing teaching. As a vice president at Wells Fargo, Monroe is responsible for consulting, planning, developing and executing marketing, sales and customer experience strategies and programs for a large, complex retail line of business. Monroe is corporate captain for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the WNBA Atlanta Dream just awarded her with the Inspiring Women Award at their home opener. What’s more, she enjoys mentoring and speaking to atrisk youth, and runs the Wells Fargo Days of Giving Program in Atlanta, where 250 nonprofits receive grants annually. “I grew up in the toughest parts of New Orleans and I am fortunate enough to be able to share professionally and personally with those who are in need.”
LINDA MCIVER-DUXBURY
SUSAN NETHERO
JOB: Founder of 2UMedical
BORN IN: Chicago, Illinois
BORN IN: Newport Beach, California
LIVES IN: Brookhaven
JOB: Founder of Intimacy
LIVES IN: Sandy Springs
Family Nurse Practitioner Linda McIverDuxbury founded a modern rendition of the old-fashioned house call, 2UMedical, in 2012. She saw a void in the market for those with medical needs who were time-stressed or desired privacy, where regular visits to the doctor’s office just wouldn’t work. In order to make her medical concierge service more affordable, McIverDuxbury brilliantly staffed 2UMedical entirely with mid-level providers, a brand-new healthcare model, which appeals to her Atlanta clients as well as the many actors who now stay in the city while shooting films and TV shows. She’s come a long way from her first job, filing charts in an optometry office in California. “I recently discovered that one of my dearest friends [Lisa Senters-McDermott, featured on pg. 78] has ‘healer’ next to my name in her phone—this is a huge honor!” she says. Outside of work, McIver-Duxbury is involved with various causes. She is the past president of the Woman’s Auxiliary of Piedmont Hospital, chair of the Piedmont Ball, a St. Joseph’s Hospital Ball chair, and is involved in shelter work through Marist High School.
Ladies across the nation have Susan Nethero to thank for her “support.” The founder of Intimacy, which now, after 21 years, has 18 stores coast-to-coast, began a bra revolution that changed women’s bra comfort and style forever. Oprah Winfrey herself was a believer—over the years, she was invited on The Oprah Winfrey Show five times! “I firmly believe that entrepreneurship is the future of the U.S. economy, bringing new and innovative products to the market to fulfill consumer needs,” says the mover and shaker, who spent the first half of her professional life in the corporate world, learning valuable lessons from world-class companies like Xerox, Time Inc. and Marketing Corporation of America. After selling Intimacy last year, Nethero now serves on several boards that fund startup companies for female entrepreneurs and is actively involved in mentoring young women with empowerment speeches and dedicated programs. Apparently the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree, either, as her eldest daughter, Emily Nethero Golub of Brookhaven, is an entrepreneur and founder of Garnish & Gather, ready-to-cook organic meals delivered to your door. And her youngest, Julia Cass Nethero, is working at an NGO focused on women’s rights in China. Nice work, Mom!
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“Your network and who you surround yourself with is priceless.”
“There truly is a solution to every problem.”
“Don’t ever give up—if you have a dream and a plan to achieve it, you can and will become the person you want to be and be able to create an amazing life.”
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S I M P LY B U C KHE A D COVER STORY
CHRISTIAN ROSS JOB: Christian Sold It Keller Williams BORN IN: Baltimore, Maryland LIVES IN: Brookhaven
If Christian Ross looks familiar to you, she either sold you your home or you’ve seen her on an episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters.” With more than 9 years’ experience as an international realtor, the TV personality specializes in luxury properties in Atlanta, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. “What I love most about my profession is all of the wonderful people I have the privilege to meet, the cultures I get to learn more about and ‘the criers’— they cry when they see a home and cry when they close,” she says. A frontrunner in her industry, Christian was the youngest president (inducted at age 33) of the Women’s Council of Realtors in the organization’s 54-year history. She presides over the Atlanta Chapter, where she empowers women leaders and the community at large. Additionally, her vast international client base and experience in lobbying about property rights in the U.S. made her a natural fit for the 2014 Consumer Communications Committee for the National Association of Realtors. With a huge passion for travel, it’s what she chooses to do in her free time as well, accompanied by her husband, George.
LISA SENTERSMCDERMOTT JOB: Owner of Jet Senters Aviation (JSA) BORN IN: Westfield, New Jersey LIVES IN: Brookhaven
Lisa Senters-McDermott is a serial entrepreneur. This forward-thinking woman has done everything from selling a TV show to HBO to working on Internet startup Net Zero. Aviation is one of her top passions, and she has logged more than 20 years in the industry. As owner and operator of private-aviation company Jet Senters Aviation, she advises clients on airplane purchases, maintenance and other questions related to flying private. The company’s brokerage arm also flies clients, a mixture of private individuals and companies, on any trip at any time, utilizing approximately 3,500 planes in the U.S. and an international division. “Some of the most rewarding parts of my job are helping reunite families. A family might need to fly to get to a sick loved one quickly or to celebrate a milestone like an 80th birthday,” Senters-McDermott says. She is frequently asked to be a guest speaker on the landscape in private aviation today and recently spoke to the Harvard Business School alumni group. “Helping people and educating my clients regarding aviation is my favorite part of my career journey so far,” she says.
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“My path is always in the hands of a higher power, so I must always be authentically me and never deviate. With faith and hard work, no goal is unattainable.”
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LOUISE M. WELLS JOB: Managing Partner of Morris, Manning & Martin LLP and the founding partner of the firm’s Residential Real Estate Practice BORN IN: Memphis, Tennessee LIVES IN: Sandy Springs
Following law school, Louise Wells began working at Morris, Manning & Martin (MMM), and has never left. Wells started her career in 1978 at MMM as the first woman associate, then became the first woman partner at the firm, and is now the first woman managing partner for the firm—clearly no small feat. And if her 30-year tenure in Atlanta real estate law isn’t enough to showcase her commitment to her firm, if you ask what is her favorite place to go in Buckhead, her answer is: “My office.” Wells is enthusiastic about mentoring women inside and outside of the workplace. Under her leadership, her company has grown to an Am Law 200 firm with an award-winning women’s initiative. MMM Women’s Initiative strives to encourage and cultivate further leadership of women at the firm and in the community through mentorship, collegiality and training. This passion also led to her support of fellow mentor and friend Becky Blalock’s (read about her on pg. 74) book DARE, which offers advice for women on career development. In addition, Wells serves on the board of directors for Horizons Atlanta, an educational summer enrichment program serving low-income public school students, furthering her mentoring spirit.
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“Without gratitude for everything, there is no happiness … Gratitude, for me, is synonymous with joy.”
HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSON:
“Save for a rainy day because rainy days happen.”
BEACH Amelia Island is consistently ranked among Florida’s top vacation destinations. The picturesque island town has thirteen miles of gorgeous, unspoiled shoreline and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, The Intracoastal Waterway, Nassau Sound, and Cumberland Sound. It is no wonder that the beaches of Amelia Island make the perfect backdrop for an east coast getaway. But wouldn’t it be amazing to call this little piece of paradise home! Osprey Village, Amelia Island’s premier retirement destination, provides a lifestyle that is unlike any other Independent Living community. • Island Amenities: Beach front access provides endless hours of relaxation, breathtaking views and outdoor activities • Maintenance-free Living: Instead of worrying about household chores focus on how you would like to enjoy your retirement each and every day • Live Among Nature: The Island has an abundance of wildlife, water activities, and biking trails
Handmade pasta, perfectly cooked steaks & fresh seafood expertly prepared using the nest ingredients.
• Spectacular Dining: Feast on meals prepared by an Executive Chef without leaving the comforts of the community We invite you to visit Osprey Village and discover what this beautiful community has to offer. From access to miles of pristine beaches to a carefree lifestyle, find out what it means to call this vacation destination home.
For more information or to schedule a tour, call (904) 277-8222.
48 Osprey Village Drive • Amelia Island, FL 32034 (904) 277-8222 • www.Osprey-Village.com
For reservations please call 404.844.4810
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S I M P LY B U Z Z | S I M P LY C H A RI TA B L E | S I M P LY S C E N E
SIMPLY HAPPENING
Toast all things French (like accordion music) during Bastille Day at Huff Harrington Fine Art. Here, musician Don Desensia sets the mood.
SPOTLIGHT Bastille Day
F&B Atlanta Celebrates Bastille Day
July 13-27 Huff Harrington Fine Art 4240 Rickenbacker Drive Atlanta 30342 404.257.0511 www.huffharrington.com
July 14-July 18 F&B Atlanta 3630 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.254.1797 www.fandbatl.com
Scenic France takes hold at Huff Harrington Fine Art with paintings like “Landevennec by Fanch Lel” (above) and “Day at Luxembourg Gardens” by Lesley Powell (below).
Francophiles, prêtez attention! Buckhead gallery owners— and Provençal homeowners—Ann Huff and Meg Harrington are throwing open the doors of Huff Harrington Fine Art for their famed annual Bastille Day exhibit with characteristic pizzazz. The exhibit kicks off with an opening reception on July 13—complete with live accordion music from Don Desensia, wine and cheese—and runs through July 27. Though all works are influenced by France, aesthetes can expect a wide range of styles represented among the paintings—everything from abstract and impressionist to representational—as well as a varying selection of subjects (landscapes, still lifes, portraits, etc.) portrayed by the gallery’s French and American artists. Among the works featured are moody abstracts from French artists Andree Thobaty and Pascal Bouterin, fashion-forward watercolors from Georges Nasri and dreamy seaside renderings by Christian Nepo. The show will also include artwork produced by artists who have attended the gallery’s painting workshops in Provence. Admission is free. Opening night is July 13, 6-8 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.
In honor of Bastille Day (the historic July 14, 1789, date that marked the beginning of the French Revolution) and F&B Atlanta’s two-year anniversary, the French/Belgian bistro is hosting a weeklong celebration. Customers visiting on July 14 will find the restaurant transformed in French red, white and blue décor while they dine to the sounds of an accordionist and receive complimentary champagne. Throughout this week, patrons can opt for a nightly $30 three-course prix-fixe menu featuring a few of the eatery’s signature dishes, as well as a few season-specific offerings. The prized event of the week is Thursday, July 17’s 10-seat champagne dinner, featuring a four-course champagne-paired meal for $120. Le sigh.
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S I M P LY H APP E N ING
SIMPLY BUZZ
Interactive learning rules at Outside the Box.
OUTSIDE THE BOX Through Dec. 31 The Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive Atlanta 30313 404.659.5437 www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org Foster alternative thinking in your kids when you take them to Outside the Box at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. On display through New Year’s Eve, this interactive exhibit pulls together various props, activities and displays that challenge kids to flex their creative muscles and delve into the worlds of mathematics, engineering and technology. Build a city from cardboard boxes, tubes and cylinders; design a vehicle; or invent something and watch it come to life. Admission is free for members; $12.75 for adults and children; free for babies under age 1.
Events, exhibits, galas and more
Town Brookhaven transforms into an arts marketplace during Art on the Town.
to attend. Register online at www.souperjennyatl.com/store.
ANIMAL DREAMS July 17-Sept. 15 Hagedorn Foundation Gallery 425 Peachtree Hills Avenue Atlanta 30305 404.492.7718 www.hfgallery.org See nature and artwork collide during this dual show at Hagedorn Foundation Gallery, bringing together the artworks of Atlanta sculptor David Landis and Savannah painter June Stratton. Explore the ways humans and animals interact through this dreamy exhibition, opening July 17 with an artists’ reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Pieces from both artists incorporate silver metallic elements—examples include silver-leaf paintings or aluminum sculptures—as an homage to the prevalence of this hue in classical art. Entry to both opening night and the exhibit is free.
30 MINUTE MEALS July 15
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Souper Jenny! 56 E. Andrews Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.239.9023 www.souperjennyatl.com
July 31 and Aug. 28
Calling all home chefs and Jenny Levison devotees. Local healthful eatery Souper Jenny! is sharing its two cents for crafting delicious lunch dishes with its new 30 Minute Meals demonstrations. Expand your salad savvy as you watch Chef Jessica Hanners share her secrets for whipping up a tasty, nutrient-packed summer salad—one of the Buckhead gem’s specialties. The demo begins at 7 p.m. The class is $40
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The Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn at Heritage Green 6110 Bluestone Road Sandy Springs 30328 404.851.9111 ext. 4 www.heritagesandysprings.org
July/August 2014 | Simply Buckhead
Kelly Skinner
Play a game of evening golf and socialize at Glow on the Green.
drink (but no dogs) at Sandy Springs’ Heritage Green. On July 31, catch jam-infused rock tunes from Decatur-based The Bitteroots, then return on Aug. 28 for foot-stompin’ bluegrass with Athens-based Packway Handle Band. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults age 21 and up, $2 for ages 13-20 and free for kids 12 and under.
ART ON THE TOWN Aug. 2-3 Town Brookhaven 4330 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.872.1222 www.townbrookhaven.net Town Brookhaven has gotten crafty with its recently launched Art on the Town event, which takes place from noon to 6 p.m. the first Saturday and Sunday of the month through October. Started in partnership with The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, shoppers can congregate at the shopping center’s green space and peruse wares from a variety of artisan vendors. Scheduled artists will vary month-tomonth, but merch will include everything from woodcrafts and jewelry to one-of-a-kind paintings and drawings.
GLOW ON THE GREEN Stretch out on the lawn with a picnic and a blanket, sip a cold craft beer (on sale at the event) and hang with kids and neighbors while taking in stellar live bands on the cheap. It’s all part of Rhythm & Brews. Finishing its open-air concert series this August, the show welcomes outside food and
BY:
Aug. 7 216 W. Wieuca Road N.W. North Fulton Golf Course Atlanta 30342 www.payscape.com/ glowonthegreen Plan your tee time around a charitable cause for the second The Deadfields annual Glow on the Green. Ben-
Athens bluegrass masters Packway Handle Band will play during Rhythm & Brews.
efiting Junior Achievement of Georgia’s Discovery Center, the event invites golfers to gather for an evening game at Chastain Park’s North Fulton Golf Course. Smack glow-in-the-dark golf balls on a course that is gussied up in glow sticks and lights. Not a huge golfer, but want an excuse to join in? Snatch a “partyonly” ticket and enjoy food from the Waffle House food truck and the Fry Guy food truck, as well as cold drinks and live music from DJ Joel Darby and The Dean Dollar Band. You can also sign up for the “4-man scramble.” The event begins at 6:30 p.m with the official tee time and four-man moonlit scramble competition beginning at 8 p.m. Visit www.payscape.com/glowonthegreen to purchase tickets and to schedule your tee time. “Party only” tickets are $25; play for one is $150; play for two is $300; play for three is $450; play for a team of four is $600.
GIVE ME FIVE DINNER Aug. 17 Cherokee Town and Country Club 155 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.365.1200 www.givemefivedinner.org Toast Atlanta’s top chefs for a good cause during the charitable Give Me Five dinner, held at Buckhead’s swanky Cherokee Town and Country Club. Dress in your finest as you join Atlanta’s social set for this charitable dinner benefiting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, which aims to assist hungry families in Georgia. The decadent evening begins
at 5 p.m., when guests can sip cocktails, mingle and bid on silent auction items. The main event, a five-course, sommelier-paired wine dinner, kicks off shortly after with gourmet dishes from chefs Michael Deihl (A Kitchen Kalamity), Sean Woods (Cherokee Town and Country Club), Jonathan Beatty (Ecco), Meherwan Irani (Chai Pani), Eli Kirshtein (The Luminary), Dave Snyder (Halyards and Tramici) and Kathleen Miliotis (Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse). Enjoy live entertainment and a live auction as well. Jenn Hobby will emcee the event. Tickets begin at $275.
PAIRINGS PARTY Sept. 7 Soho Atlanta 4300 Paces Ferry Road S.E. Atlanta 30339 770.801.0069 www.sohoatlanta.com Schmooze with golf aficionados and history buffs at the Pairings Party held once again at Vinings’ exquisite SOHO restaurant. Hosted by the Vinings Historic Preservation Society, the party serves as the kickoff event for the Vinings Golf Classic (held Sept. 8 at Pinewood Golf Course). Take in the restaurant’s gorgeous Southern digs while chatting with fellow guests and feasting on specially prepared tapas paired with wine. Attire is casual. A live and silent auction, as well as live entertainment, will add to the evening’s appeal. Tickets are $50 for Vinings Historic Preservation Society members and $65 for non-members. Register by visiting www.vinings.org. Monies raised will benefit the Vinings Historic Preservation Society’s capital campaign.
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the journey is under way to save children’s lives.
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1 1 1 7 Pe r i m et er Cent er West • S u it e N -402 • At l ant a, GA 30338 7 7 0 986 0035 • 800 443 2873 • 770 986 0038 Fax w w w.cu rec hil dho odc ancer.org
G O G OL D th is sep t em b er for Childhood Cancer Awareness month
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S I M P LY H AP P E N ING
CHA R ITAB LE
Roger Blackstock and Adam Capes
Brad Bennett and Rob Vaka
Kim and Doug Liptak
Rick Venetico, Kelly Noon, Sean Weatherspoon and Keliah Everett
G2G Collection Partners with SPOONful of Hope Corey Peters
Sean Weatherspoon, Frank Strickland and Kim and Doug Liptak
Christine Weston, Monique Dwyer and Jennifer Becker
A
tlanta-based luxury destination club Getaway2Give (G2G) Collection hosted a charity spotlight event on May 13 at the Buckhead Club on behalf of the SPOONful of Hope Foundation. The gathering of more than 50 people raised awareness for the nonprofit’s cause and highlighted the G2G Collection initiative. Amidst cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, attendees listened as Atlanta Falcons linebacker and SPOONful of Hope founder Sean Weatherspoon shared the goals of his organization, which aims to provide opportunities and motivation for inner-city youths to reach their full potential. G2G co-founder Rob Vaka also shared information about the G2G Collection Club, an exclusive social group that combines philanthropy with luxury travel. For each new membership, which gives individuals preferred rates and access to luxury residences around the world, G2G donates half of the initiation fee to a charity chosen by the individual in G2G’s Giving Plan Foundation, which includes more than 110 charity selections. G2G works with more than 35 charities in the Atlanta area, and has already generated more than $1 million in proceeds for charities around the world. – By Natalie Mae Fressell
Jade and Brian Betkowski and Stephanie Neves
Tiffany Price, Stephanie Neves, Hank McLarty, Emily Stubbs and Tammyra Powers
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S CE N E
HERE COMES THE SUN Model Charlie Gold shows off a stylish geometric-patterned crop top ideal for summer’s sultry temps. Check out other seasonal getups on page 34. PHOTO: Sara
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