Simply Buckhead July-August 2023

RISING STARS

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside

Know-how that says no challenge is too big.

Our commercial bankers are game changers with credit facilities know-how an d loca l decisioning So, your proj ect g ets a hometown – and home team – advantage.

to meet top-tier capital needs. But, we also bring market-specific

Your wealth, your life, and your goals are unique.

Whether you’re looking to protect and grow your assets for future generations, succeed in your business ventures, or prepare for the unexpected, Wilmington Trust is here to help guide you through life’s transitions.

Your wealth, your life, and your goals are unique.

Whether you’re looking to protect and grow your assets for future generations, succeed in your business ventures, or prepare for the unexpected, Wilmington Trust is here to help guide you through life’s transitions.

For more information about how we can help you achieve your goals, contact

Brad Silcox

For more information about how we can help you achieve your goals, contact Brad Silcox Executive Vice President/Southeast Region President 404.760.2182

Executive Vice President/Southeast Region President

bsilcox@wilmingtontrust.com

404.760.2182

bsilcox@wilmingtontrust.com

STYLISH

40 FASHION Show Time

The Future of fashion is in our backyard

42 BEAUTY Amped Up Gadgets to take your beauty routine to the next level

44 WELLNESS A Garden for Good Healthier choices for your home’s landscaping

46 TASTEMAKER

Mirror Image

Wig stylist makes hair loss clients feel like themselves again

FAMILY

48 KIDS

On the Nose

Baby nasal aspirator provides hospital-level care at home

53 PETS A Dog's Life

Animal-assisted therapy benefits kids in the hospital

54 STRATEGIES

Put It To Bed

Local sleep specialist shares tips for navigating a “sleep divorce”

CULTURE

58 ON STAGE

Producing Wisdom

Electric Owl showcases film and TV sustainability

59 LITERARY Listen Up!

Broadcast guru Bert Weiss pens a how-to for podcasters

60 TASTEMAKER

Emerging Curator

Jacob O’Kelley brings a new lens to Atlanta’s art scene

61 EVENTS Places to go and things to do

COVER STORY

68 Rising Stars

Discover our class of 7 dynamic individuals to watch in 2023

78 REVIEW

Southern Star

Savor sensational flavors at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

82 DRINKS Just Peachy

Bushels of flavor from local stone fruit cocktails

84 FOODIE JOURNAL

Community Dining

Blaiss Nowak dishes on the new Sandy Springs outpost of his eponymous steakhouse, Nowak’s

86 TASTEMAKER

The Persian Prince Ash Famili is the face behind Yalda, a blossoming Middle Eastern restaurant in Sandy Springs

88 Featured Restaurants

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

BEHIND THE COVER

64 SPONSORED EVENT

The TOUR Championship

The culminating event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup, with the top 30 players on the list qualifying each year

91 Charitable

A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings

92 Scene

The Rising Stars cover feature is the only Simply Buckhead theme that gets repeated year after year, albeit with a fresh class of “stars” to celebrate. As a result, our team is always on the hunt for a cool location and cutting-edge fashion to make each group stand out as unique from all the rest. This year, we were invited to 99 West Paces, a new luxury apartment home community in the heart of Buckhead. The elegant building is designed for a live-workplay lifestyle, complete with a rooftop pool, wellness club, yoga studio, a bistro and multiple lounges, so it had plenty of places to photograph our seven stars. And since upscale events and parties are back in full swing, we tapped stylists from award-winning celebrity men’s fashion designer Miguel Wilson and the high-end curated women’s boutique Tootsies to outfit our cover models. We know you’ll be as dazzled by the results as we are!

Photographer: Erik Meadows

Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Makeup: Nyssa Green, Nikia Yancey

Hair: Sedric Lenard

Stylists: James Massey of Miguel Wilson Collection (men) and Sara Mixon of Tootsies (women)

For wardrobe IDs, see page 69

Special thanks to the team at 99 West Paces for hosting us.

We Mean Business

Over 15 years ago, ‘we meant business’ when we believed our community deserved the personal and professional service that only a local bank could deliver. We have grown since then but we still are locally owned with local decision makers who take pride in personalized service.

It is important that we remain accessible to our customers. That includes everyone from our staff right up to our Board of Directors. We offer a full suite of competitive business, treasury and consumer banking services to help you pursue your dreams. You don’t find that on every block.

David R. Coxon

Kecia Smith, AVP

Mani Swarnam, SVP President & CEO Deposit Operations Commercial Lending Team Leader

Editor's Letter

My parents taught me that if you follow your passion, you’ll be successful. That mantra has been the road map for many of the Rising Stars we profile in this issue. Alice Park traded her career as an industrial engineer for photography and hasn’t looked back since. Jeremy Smith let his curiosity for real estate lead him to a membership in the Million Dollar Club of the industry’s top producers. He is also now a TV host. This accomplished group of seven also includes London-born professional golfer JJ Grey, restaurateur and cookbook author Kelli Ferrell, multi-faceted artist and content creator Melissa Mitchell, debut novelist Andrew Diaz Winkelmann and former UGA quarterback and on-air sports analyst Aaron Murray who recently launched a new media venture. As you read their varied stories, their talents and drive to follow their callings will have you enthralled and leave you encouraged.

Beyond the cover feature, you’ll also meet some other inspirational individuals. Karina Antenucci interviews wig stylist Rebecca Walden who helps those suffering from hair loss, and Emily L. Foley profiles three Art Institute of Atlanta student designers leaving their mark on the fashion scene. This summer issue also includes travel features on three enticing destinations—Italy, Montana and Highlands, North Carolina—a fun collection of summer entertaining goods and a colorful display of tropically modern home decor.

Whatever your summer may look like, grab a copy of this issue to take along with you to the pool, on the plane or to the office, and enjoy the impressive stories of locals who are charting their own paths with great success.

Giannina S. Bedford Managing Editor

Serving Buckhead,

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355

simplybuckhead.com

For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895

Joanne Hayes

Publisher and Founder

Sonny Hayes

Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL

Giannina S. Bedford

Managing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Senior Contributing Editor

Alan Platten

Creative Director

H.M. Cauley

Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Karina Antenucci

Chelsie Butler

H.M. Cauley

Carly Cooper

Emily L. Foley

Lauren Finney Harden

Mickey Goodman

Angela Hansberger

Michael Jacobs

Amy Meadows

Hope Philbrick

Ashton Pike

Gillian Anne Renault

Claire Ruhlin

Ginger Strejcek

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brittany Bah

Erik Meadows

Joann Vitelli

SALES & ADVERTISING

Michelle Gipson

Senior Account Executive

Michelle Johnson

Senior Account Executive

Layal Akkad

Graphic Designer

DIGITAL

BHG Digital

Website Development Management

Mike Jose

Director of Audience Development

LEGAL

Scott I. Zucker

Legal Counsel

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Nyssa Green is a multi-Emmy Award winning makeup artist and owner of The Green Room Agency. The Louisiana native has been in Atlanta over 20 years, building an impressive career along the way. Her work has been seen on almost every major television network, locally and nationally, making her sought after for brides, leading corporations such as UPS, Delta and more. She recently published her first book, The Little Green Makeup Bible, and is hosting a series of retreats for aspiring makeup artists. When she's not in glam mode, she's either baking or hanging with her dogs, Oreo and Bella.

PROUD SPONSOR OF

Sara Hanna

Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside

Judd Redmond

An All-Seasons Getaway Page 24

UP FRONT

At The Green O in Montana, four "haus," or villa designs each connect guests with the spectacular natural environment.

“The greatest luxury of all is the sense of peace that comes from being surrounded by nature.”

Nourishing your Body and Soul with

&

Share the experience, spread the word

SHAPE UP

LUXE BODYWEAR BRAND OPENS FIRST GEORGIA STORE IN BUCKHEAD

Buckhead Village has welcomed another style icon to its upscale retail. Shop haute bodywear, legwear and lingerie at the first Georgia location of Wolford, a world-renowned brand that’s been turning heads with quality fabrications since it was founded in Austria in 1950.

Channeling timeless elegance in go-to staples, Wolford embraces femininity with fit, comfort and versatility. Bestsellers include the supple Edie Forming Legging ($425), made of stretchy vegan leather with shape-enhancing seams, wide waistband and a “free cut” option to individually alter the

length to taste; and the strapless Fatal Dress ($240), an easily packed summer must-have that seamlessly transitions from dress to skirt to top for day-to-night drama.

“Wolford’s mission has always been to empower women to look and feel their best,” says Tina Gershoff, president of Wolford Americas. “Our product offering has evolved with the needs of our customer base, building on wardrobe essentials from bodies, legwear and dresses to pants and now athleisure.”

Limited edition designer collabo-

rations, including recent collections with Sergio Rossi and Mugler, have been in the mix from the start.

The Atlanta storefront marks the 25th U.S. brick-and-mortar location of Wolford, part of the global luxury fashion Lanvin Group. “We can now offer the customer an immersive brand experience,” Gershoff says. “The boutique allows them to touch and feel our premium signature fabrics and to experience the variety of categories offered by the brand.” n

WOLFORD • wolfordshop.com • @wolford

ARTISTIC GROWTH

More’s in store at Spruill Center for the Arts, thanks to a $2.7 million, 7,000-square-feet expansion to the Education Center on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Scheduled for completion this December, the joint project of Spruill and the city of Dunwoody will add seven new art studios from ceramics and glass to blacksmithing and wood turning, as well as a community room.

“Our mission is to foster creativity and social connections through the arts, and this expansion

allows us to accomplish that goal,” says Spruill CEO Alan Mothner. “At the same time, it better activates an underutilized courtyard space and creates a true community arts center that brings artists and non-artists together, celebrating the unifying and community building power of the arts.”

spruillarts.org • @spruillarts

EASY ACCESS

Got a problem in Chamblee? Help is a smart click away. The city’s new GovAlert app for mobile devices

lets residents report non-emergency concerns such as potholes, missed sanitation pickups and code enforcement violations. Requests go directly to the city services department in charge for a quicker resolution of the matter.

The cloud-based GovPilot software can also be used for business registrations, special event permits, homestead exemption applications and more.

“A digital government and a convenient constituent experience are essential to cost effective municipal

services,” Mayor Brian Mock says.

To download the app, visit govpilot.com/govalert chambleega.com • @chambleega

FRESH MIX

Stop and smell the roses, both figuratively and literally, at Le Labo, now open in Buckhead Village. Offering custom blends of perfumes, candles, lotions and more, the fragrance boutique boasts a DIY artisanal lab for the ultimate olfactory experience. Customers are invited to explore a globally

sourced garden of raw ingredients, from bergamot and black tea leaves to tuberose and tobacco, to find what strikes their fancy.

Le Labo’s signature scents are all freshly formulated, personalized and hand-poured into refillable bottles. The New York-based international brand also carries personal care and grooming items. Prices range from $310 for a 100 milliliter bottle of eau de parfum to $82 for an 8.6 ounce candle.

lelabofragrances.com @lelabofragrances

Wolford’s new Buckhead boutique is stocked with a posh mix of wardrobe basics and designer collections. The Austria-based brand, named for founder Reinhold Wolff and the city of Oxford, made its mark with women’s silk stockings in the 1950s.

It Takes a Village (Organizer)

Eat, drink and raise funds for childhood diabetes research

Kappies for Cappie

UGA sorority sponsors race for CURE

North Atlanta High School besties Sara Graff and Catherine Williams planned to go through all stages of their lives together. Both had been accepted at the University of Georgia and pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. As rising first-year students, both were looking forward to initiation. But cancer had other ideas for Williams, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Despite a ferocious 13-month battle with the virulent bone disease, which occurs most commonly in teens and young adults, she lost her life in 2020.

Graff was devastated but gratified that the week before Williams’ death, Kappa members initiated her into the Delta Upsilon chapter while she was in hospice care at her Buckhead home. “Even though she’s not here, she is our sister,” says Graff who wanted to find a way to celebrate her friend’s life. As Kappa’s philanthropic chair,

she’s achieving her goal. Her plan in 2020 was to stage a 5K for Kappie (the nickname for both the Kappas and Williams, who was known as Cappie) to raise money for CURE Childhood Cancer. That time, COVID intervened, and the event was postponed until 2022 when more than 800 participated and raised $60,000. The second annual race through the campus took place in April and raised $90,000.

Whenever David Abes and his family traveled to Florida’s 30A corridor, they enjoyed going to The Big Chill (formerly The Hub), a gathering place that featured events, restaurants, pubs and shops. “As owner of Dash Hospitality, I wondered if I could use my 38 years in the hospitality business to create a similar space at Dunwoody Village,” he says.

He approached the landlords, the city of Dunwoody and Discover Dunwoody, and all were enthusiastic about expanding the existing village into a family-friendly event space

with a stage, massive screen and multiple restaurants and watering holes. The renamed Village Dunwoody became a reality five years ago and met with immediate success.

In 2022, the Dunwoody resident launched the first Green Eggs & Kegs Festival that attracted 1,000 people and raised $10,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This year’s April event equaled that amount and featured even more food and beverage purveyors and 18 food stations where meat was prepared on Big Green Eggs. Live music was provided by Family Truckster, Sucker Punch, and Mike Casey and Jason Martin.

“Our son was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was 2, and we’ve been heavily involved ever since,” Abes says. “There have been tremendous advances in treatment options, but diabetes is managed, not cured. JDRF’s mission is to find a cure.”

Into a War Zone

Care for the wounded in Ukraine

When John Daniel, co-founder of ProgenaCare Global, and Kristopher Perkins, managing director at PhaseOne Health, met at a conference, they knew immediately that their two companies should collaborate to provide wound care products for Ukrainian servicemen and women.

The result was a $3 million donation of PhaseOne’s cleaning and disinfecting solution and ProgenaCare’s one-of-a-kind keratin wound dressing that they personally delivered during a six-day, six city, 12-hospital visit to train Ukranian doctors and medical professionals on the proper usage. One hundred percent of the travel costs were paid by the two companies.

“I’ve visited many third world countries, but this war zone changed my life,” says Daniel, an Ansley Park resident. “I now truly understand what ‘freedom is not free’ really means. The Ukrainian people are united about winning and rebuilding their country, and daily life goes on despite constant air alarms and destruction of civilian property.”

Perkins says, “Surgeons and doctors work incredibly long shifts in

vastly overcrowded hospitals. They are doing remarkable work, but have a critical need for ambulances.”

When they returned home and began telling their story, a Louisiana company donated five ambulances, and another donor provided the $40,000 shipping costs. “There is so much need for medevac vehicles, helicopters and supplies that we need to get the word out,” Perkins says. “We plan to return with the ambulances and supplies.”

Sara Graff (left) planned 5K to celebrate Catherine Williams (right) who lost her life to cancer.

John Daniel (left) and Kristopher Perkins (back) chat with the chief of the Cherkasy burn unit and Cherkasy Rotary Club President.

Green Eggs & Kegs founder David Abes and his wife, Julie, join in on the festival fun.

TAMARA ZACKS

When I moved to Buckhead from Chicago 25 years ago, I was happy to see so many green spaces throughout the area. I grew up on 1,000 acres of farmland in Ohio, so my appreciation of nature and the outdoors is innate. But I really started exploring my neighborhood’s natural surroundings after I got a puppy. For the last 17 years, Buddha and I have walked all over the city, checking out various parks and hiking trails. The spot we love most is 22-acre Bagley Park on Pharr Road, home to Buckhead Baseball, tennis courts, a children’s playground

and my favorite pedestrian park. The space has stately old trees and a variety of wildlife, including foxes, coyotes, hawks and falcons, which adds to the beauty of the landscape.

About five years ago, while walking in the pedestrian park, I noticed that it was deteriorating. It started with little things like the trash dumpsters not being emptied, drains backing up, weeds getting out of hand and more. I also saw an erosion problem. I called the city to see what could be done but had trouble getting a response. I eventually reached out to CBS 46, now known as Atlanta News First,

and consumer investigative reporter Harry Samler, aka Better Call Harry, who did a brief story about the park and helped us get the trash issue under control. But there was still so much to do, and I wanted to learn more about the beautiful park. Through research, I discovered the land’s history as a settlement for former slaves, which grew into a thriving black community in the early 1900s. By 1980, though, the space had been turned into a park and named for former Buckhead Baseball umpire Frankie Allen; through the efforts of the Buckhead

Heritage Society, the park’s name was recently restored to Bagley Park, named for the former land owner. I realized that cleaning up the park was about more than beautifying the space; it also was about honoring the rich history of the community.

I’m a global account manager for American Express Global Business Travel, and I used my skills in business development and event organization to get things done in Bagley Park. Two years ago, I organized a meeting with eight Atlanta Parks and Recreation department heads to discuss the issues throughout the park. I’ve joined forces with Ken Collier from the Garden Hills Civic Association, Mei Lin from Atlanta Clean Walks, Trees Atlanta, the Georgia Forestry Council, Park Pride and the Cathedral of Christ the King to host several volunteer events to clean up the park. We added an educational element that got interest from neighborhood schools, including Atlanta International School, that has brought groups of students to support the effort. I even enlisted the help of a wonderful man who is down on his luck and has been living in the park; he knows about landscaping and is happy to share his skills. Through the events, we have planted trees, removed privet and kudzu, weeded, mulched, built floral gardens, picked up trash, created a small pathway and more. I also worked to have the park certified as a National Wildlife Refuge. One day, I would love to see a master plan implemented for the park.

This is an ongoing project. It’s a labor of love for me because this is such a special place. I’m so happy to see the progress and watch people enjoy the park. I also hope that it encourages people to put effort into their own communities. We can’t save the whole world, but we can make a difference right here at home.

As Buckhead continues to grow and green space becomes scarce, it is crucial to preserve and enhance existing parks. It’s going to take everybody sharing the same vision for the neighborhood. Being part of it brings me joy, and I’m better for it. n

Preserving Buckhead’s Bagley Park is a passion project for Tamara Zacks and her beloved Buddha.

FRIENDS OF FRANKIE ALLEN PARK frankieallenpark.wordpress.com

This local resident started a grassroots effort to preserve one of Buckhead’s beloved parks As told to Amy Meadows PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Bunny Williams Campbell House

Dinnerware Collection ($59-$276)

Pro tip from designer Bunny Williams: Serve food on blue and white dishes; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lot of blue food, so everything stands out. Her Campbell House collection features myriad motifs and doubles as a chic conversation starter. Ballard Designs • 404.603.7033 ballarddesigns.com • @ballarddesigns

Life of the Party

STORY: Ashton Pike

Vietri Limoni Pitcher ($119)

A colorful complement to any tabletop, this elegant yet practical pitcher is made of terra-cotta and holds nine cups of your drink of choice. The best part? It’s dishwasher safe, saving the host some time post-party.

Neiman Marcus • 404.266.8200 neimanmarcus.com • @neimanmarcus

Large Mod Charcuterie Board ($155)

Is it even a summer soiree if there isn’t a charcuterie spread on the table? Buckhead-based etúHOME boasts beautiful boards perfect for displaying bread, meats and cheeses, plus they’re made from responsibly sourced wood from Europe. etúHOME • 470.592.3126 etuhome.com • @etu.home

Sir / Madam Rialto Coupe Glass

With nuanced detail sure to be appreciated by discerning guests, Sir / Madam’s collection of coupe glasses features a design that pays homage to the defining arches of the iconic Rialto bridge in Venice, Italy. To boot, no two are alike since they’re finished by hand in Turkey.

Lucy’s Market • 404.869.9222

lucysmarket.com • @lucys_market

Furbish Studio Loews Napkin ($14)

Sustainable linens don’t have to be lackluster—in fact, they shouldn’t be. This 100% cotton napkin from Furbish Studio is reusable and spruces up any table setting with its punchy pattern.

Lucy’s Market • 404.869.9222

lucysmarket.com • @lucys_market

Every host with the most needs these staples for summer entertaining.

MODERN INCARNATION

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

Perched at 3,700 feet in Highlands, North Carolina, Skyline Lodge fits organically among its mountain surroundings, despite undergoing various refreshes in its lifetime. Its story begins in the 1930s when the property debuted as an escape for wealthy individuals who survived the 1929 stock market crash. It was owned by

of Frank Lloyd Wright, to design the building. The 20-room retreat was constructed of chestnut, local stone and hand-cut cedar shakes. Following Randall’s death, the Lodge shuttered in 1938. A group of investors purchased the disrepaired property in 1965 and launched a midcentury modern reprise that added 21 rooms and a restaurant with a redwood in terior and oversized stone fireplaces.

40-room Skyline Lodge is owned by The Indigo Road Hospitality Group that renovated the property and reopened it in 2021. This is the first foray into the hotel industry for Indigo, which oversees restaurants throughout the South, including Alpharetta’s Colletta and Oak Steakhouse and Atlanta’s O-Ku. Indigo Road enlisted Carrie Dessertine of Portland, Maine-based Mey & Co., whose resume includes Atlanta’s Hotel Clermont, to infuse a retro mountain vibe. Skyline’s style is playful, but it still honors its 1930s origins and midcentury additions. Check in at a stone-clad coffee bar before retreating to your accommodations. The cozy guest rooms feature camp-style blankets, wood paneling and sleek furniture with upgraded amenities, such as bathrooms with heated penny tile floors. A cafe table showcases a Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle and selection of Tea Forté and Mozza Roasters single coffee brews. Prepare a warm beverage and relax on the private outdoor balcony while listening to the sound of rushing water from Big Creek below and taking in the scenic surroundings—50 acres of old-growth conifers and hardwoods surround the property. For more active pursuits, take a walk to Pinky Falls or drive to Rangers Falls Trail. Whatever you do, save time for cocktail hour on the turf green (the location of a pool in a past life).

OAK STEAKHOUSE: A Destination All Its Own

During a visit to Skyline Lodge last winter, my husband and I enjoyed stellar service and a lavish dinner at Oak Steakhouse, which was buzzing with diners despite it being the “down” season. The meal began with appetizers: scallops with couscous dressed with a spicy arrabbiata sauce and oysters Rockefeller topped with bacon, spinach, Hollandaise and bread crumbs. To prepare for hefty entrees, we split the chopped iceberg salad with marinated cherry tomatoes, baby beets, bacon, pickled red onion, compressed apples and blue cheese dressing. Next came the venison Wellington with mushrooms, prosciutto, carrot puree and hunter’s sauce, and an 8-ounce filet mignon, both cooked to perfection. Sides of grilled broccolini, drunken mushrooms and pecorino truffle fries rivaled the main courses, and we feasted until our bodies forced us to throw in the towel. I stared longingly at the dessert menu offering Southern caramel cake, dark chocolate soufflé and Highlands mint chip ice cream topped with crushed peppermint. Next time, I’m coming just for dessert. oaksteakhouserestaurant.com

@oaksteakhousehighlands

When the temperature drops, cozy up to an outdoor fire pit or, if you booked a room with a fireplace, enjoy a warm blaze indoors. For its flagship hotel, Indigo debuted Oak Steakhouse’s seventh location. The elegant, meat-centric restaurant has proved a culinary hit (see sidebar).

Whether you’re a regular visitor to the area or a part-time resident, there is no arguing the magnetism of Skyline Lodge’s location. Its perch overlooking the western North Carolina mountains ensures its place as a sought-after refuge for another lifetime to come. n

Skyline Lodge resurfaces once again as a mountain refuge

SKYLINE LODGE skyline-lodge.com • @skylinelodgehighlands

Most recently renovated and reopened in 2021, Skyline Lodge offers panoramic views of the North Carolina mountains.

Pre- and post-dinner, you'll catch diners enjoying a glass of wine next to Skyline's fire pits.

Andrew Cebulka

The venison Wellington at Oak Steakhouse is an indulgent, but worth-it choice.

Photos: Tim Lenz

An All-Seasons Getaway

Wide-open spaces and laid-back luxury at The Green O in Montana STORY:

One of the things I love most about travel is its ability to shake me out of my routine, offering a completely different perspective through a change of scenery. On my recent three-day visit to Montana’s pristine Blackfoot Valley, twin objectives of adventure and relaxation were beautifully accomplished at The Green O.

When my husband and I visited in late February, Atlanta was having a heat wave. With unseasonable 80degree temperatures, I found myself cranking up my air conditioning. When we touched down in Missoula, temperatures were 20 degrees below zero with a wintery mix coating the ground. I needn’t have worried about being uncomfortable: Staff at The Green O, named for the town of Greenough where it’s located, anticipates guests’ needs, often before they ask.

The gated resort-within-a-resort is tucked away on the expansive 37,000-acre Paws Up, an outfit known for inventing the now ubiquitous concept of “glamping.” It also offers a host of activities from horseback riding and fly fishing to sporting clay shooting and archery. While Paws Up is decidedly family friendly, The Green O is adults only. The compound feartures 12 standalone Scandinavian-inspired villas in four floor plans, each designed to make the most of the

evergreen-dotted landscape. Each “haus” comes with an expansive outdoor porch and hot tub, a cozy living area with a fireplace and a kitchen stocked with snacks (the chef-made ice cream sandwiches and Champagne are an indulgent accompaniment to a hot tub soak).

Since the resort has a maximum occupancy of 24 guests, the chef team at Social Haus offers elevated dining in an unfussy atmosphere. Each evening, they present a one-ofa-kind, six- to nine-course menu, leveraging the freshest, often hyper-local ingredients available. One dinner featured a delicately cured hamachi crudo, a piece of Wagyu beef cooked

on a hot rock at the table and theatrical dessert of honeycomb studded with flowers under a cloche with smoke from citrus and chamomile. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and cocktails are served in the same space and with the same attention to detail and colorful presentation. Even though the food is world-class, there’s no pretense: You’ll find guests in cowboy boots, snow gear or hiking clothes. Even in negative temperatures, comfort was the name of the game. Under the watchful eye of an instructor, we shot Beretta Silver Pigeon shotguns, blasting clay targets from beneath efficient heaters with a backdrop of snow-draped moun-

THINGS TO LOVE

n The team learns your preferred coffee or tea order and brings a thermos, along with pastries, to your front door as a daily pre-breakfast treat.

n This is a “no tipping,” all-inclusive resort. Seriously: The staff won’t accept gratuities.

tains. After a horseback ride during which we spotted deer bounding across the frozen Blackfoot River, our wrangler had an open fire with hot apple cider waiting for us. We bundled up for a two-hour snowmobile excursion to a nearby former mining town and discovered that the new Polaris Indy Adventure 2X models had heated handlebars. After each excursion, we made our way back to Social Haus for a craft cocktail by the cylindrical fire. While the warm weather activities are different (think hiking, archery, paddling the river and fly fishing), this routine could transition to any season.

Perhaps the greatest luxury of all at The Green O is the sense of peace that comes from being surrounded by nature and the relaxation that feels easier to access when your needs are thoughtfully anticipated. Mission accomplished. n

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Above: The author on a snowmobile tour to Garnet, one of Montana's best-preserved ghost towns.

Left: Guests cast a line on the Blackfoot River, made famous by A River Runs Through It.

The Light Haus features floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of outdoor living space.

ENCHANTED BY ABRUZZO

I’ve been to many of the wellknown Italian cities and marveled at historic ruins, churches and world-class art. On my fourth trip to Italy, I discovered a more under-the-radar region where I admired some of the same things, but fell in love with the mountains, unspoiled Adriatic coast and views of the countryside. Maybe that’s why Abruzzo, about three hours east of Rome, is often called “The Green Lung of Italy,” with half of its territory designated as national parks and nature reserves.

My home base was Casoli, a medieval town known for olive oil production where cobblestone streets, a ninth-century castle and friendly locals made me feel at home in the storybook-like setting. I roamed the Friday market, picking

A journey to Italy’s verdant countryside

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

up fresh produce grown by local farmers, accepting samples of salty porchetta and creamy mozzarella. I lunched at Fiore Ristorante, a small, elegant eatery that stocks local wine, serves coursed meals made with local bounty and offers an incredibly decadent crème brûlée.

Along with lots of delicious eats, Casoli’s surroundings offer an array of active pursuits, from hiking and biking to skiing the Apennine Mountains (Roccaraso resort is about an hour away). A 20-minute drive from Casoli, Roccascalegna castle is worth the curvy ride and heart-pumping steps up to its high perch. Originally built in the ninth century by Benedictine monks, it offers stunning views and a prison tower with torture apparatuses that are not for the faint of heart. For more pinch-

me views, head to Pennapiedimonte. Stop in at La Macina, a restaurant housed inside a 19th century oil mill dug out of the rock.

My favorite activity was an electric bike tour with Green Road Bike on the Costa dei Trabocchi along the Adriatic Sea. I did a 12-mile portion of the 40-plus mile path that leads from the city of Ortono to San Salvo. I pedaled past coastal hills, coves, reefs and numerous picturesque trabocchi, over-water structures on wood piles used for fishing, and some eateries that serve fresh catch. I made a stop at Trabocco Sasso della Cajana where the multicourse meal of fresh seafood began with salted anchovies and crawfish,

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Own your personal slice of unspoiled Abruzzo with a new project taking shape in Casoli. Palazzo Ricci Private Residence Club by Viaggio Resorts is set to open in summer 2024, offering 14 upscale residences, five-star amenities and personalized concierge services. Created from the transformation of a 220-plus-year-old palace that once belonged to the noble Italian Ricci family, the project features a swimming pool, Roman spa, library, billiards room, fitness center and more in the heart of the charming medieval town. Each individually designed residence boasts balconies and views of the mountain, garden or village. Palazzo Ricci operates under a fractional real estate ownership concept, which means that for an initial fee (starting at $100,000) owners have a minimum of 5.5 weeks annual palace usage rights with all the amenities and services, including local transportation, pre-arrival grocery delivery, chef access and more, making you feel like Italian royalty.

palazzoricci.club • @palazzoricciclub

For more eating and drinking—this is Italy after all—visit Azienda Tilli where the Tilli family produces Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Merlot, Rosato and more from its organic grapes. The modern tasting room offers stunning views of the Apennine Mountains as well as experiences pairing wines with bites such as pizza, bruschetta, cold cuts and cheese.

Other worthwhile Abruzzo adventures include exploring the towns of Pescara, Lanciano and Ortona, the latter the site of a famous WWII battle and the resting place of Thomas the Apostle. While there is lots to do, my suggestion is to prioritize a few laid-back days of strolling, eating (of course)

Electric bikes make the few inclines along the Costa dei Trabocchi easy to tackle.

Left: Casoli's Friday market features fresh produce, cheese, meats and housewares.

Right: Hilltop towns, green rolling hills and views of the coast are just some of what Abruzzo has to offer.

Retreat Riverside

THERE’S MORE TO THIS WESTSIDE HOME THAN MEETS THE EYE

They say when you know, you know. And when Dr. Shani and Greg Clay stumbled upon plans for a new construction home on the Upper Westside, they just knew they’d finally found the home they’d been looking for.

The itch to move out of their condo at Atlantic Station began during the pandemic. Especially with two dogs (a goldendoodle named Duke and a

labradoodle named B'rocko) who “run the house,” Greg and Shani were ready for a new, more spacious chapter in their lives.

When they came across a yet-tobe-built home in the up-and-coming Riverside neighborhood on the Upper Westside of Atlanta, down the street from where Greg’s mother grew up and nearby close friends, the decision to pursue the property was a no-brainer. ➥

STORY: Ashton Pike PHOTOS: Brittany Bah

The couple loves contrast, leading them to select all-black cabinets and gold light fixtures from Build With Ferguson.

“We came over the very next day to meet with the builder and talk about the proposed plans, and we fell in love with it,” says Shani, a boardcertified gastroenterologist practicing at Emory Healthcare. “We’d come here with our dogs and walk around and think, ‘This is where we’re supposed to be.’ It’s a very eclectic and diverse neighborhood. You have homes that are 60 years old, then you have new construction. We love that about the neighborhood.”

To bring their modern farmhouse vision from rendering to real life before they officially moved in December 2021, the couple tapped Amber Guyton, interior designer and founder of Blessed Little Bungalow, whom they met through a mutual friend. Guyton was brought in when Greg and Shani were meeting with the builder to map out floor plans and architectural details for the 3,000-square-foot home. “Amber knew exactly when to step in and also

when to let us make important decisions. We really appreciated that,” says Greg, a fourth-generation Atlantan who works under Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens as commissioner of the Office of Constituent Services.

“I was grateful to Shani and Greg for bringing me into the process as early as they did,” Guyton says. “It was really helpful for me to lay the foundation of their likes and dislikes, and assist them with decisions with the builder. It also laid a great foundation for our relationship and the interior design process.”

A one-hour planning meeting quickly turned into four as the three hit it off while talking shop. From the living room, dining room and kitchen to the upstairs bedrooms and beyond, Guyton transformed Greg and Shani’s five-bedroom, four-bathroom abode into a customized oasis.

“Each room has its own little personality while still being connected to one another,” Guyton says. “More

“Each room has its own little personality while still being connected to one another.” —Amber Guyton

Shani and Greg with their labradoodle, B’rocko.

than anything, Shani and Greg are starting a new phase of life, so I was careful with selecting pieces that were transitional to leave room for their tastes and needs to change as they continue to grow together.”

Never ones to pass up the opportunity to host friends and family, Greg and Shani worked with the builder and Guyton to create a space primed for entertaining. The ground floor’s open floor plan and thoughtful juxtaposition of parallel West Elm sofas, coupled with conversation pieces like an accent wall crafted by The Boardroom Accent Walls off the dining room, are just a few ways their team personalized the new home to complement their social lifestyle.

After calling their Atlantic Station condo home for four years, Greg says,

“The ability for us to host has been remarkable. It’s a new chapter of our lives making memories with families and friends in a home that’s been designed for us. The opportunity now to enjoy making memories in our home is what life is all about for us.”

Although Greg and Shani came to the drawing table with ideas such as black cabinets for the kitchen, they’re quick to credit Guyton every time their guests compliment their home’s elegant yet inviting aesthetic that seamlessly marries neutral hues with pops of color and contrasting metallics.

“Amber really pushed us out of our comfort zone, specifically with color, and I really appreciated that,” Shani says. “I went into this thinking we wanted to keep everything neutral.

Right: Guyton brought pops of color into the home while still honoring Shani’s preference for neutrals in certain areas.

Above: Leaning into the couple’s request for black and gold hues, Guyton paired a black dining table with velvet green and gold chairs, all from West Elm.

But Amber is very colorful, both in her personality and her style of designing homes. It was great because we met in the middle. As a result, we have a beautiful home that otherwise may have been a little more ‘blah’ if I’d designed it myself.”

Between entertaining and having two dogs running around, Guyton knew stylish performance fabrics and low-pile rugs from Wayfair and Overstock in high-traffic areas were going to be key to ensuring Greg and Shani were left with a home that would withstand the test of time. Guyton always kept one eye on function and the other on design as she hand-selected accouterments from tried-and-true retailers such as Crate & Barrel for the living room coffee table, West Elm for accent pillows and the dining room table and chairs, and Meridian Furniture for the kitchen’s

statement-making velvet bar stools.

“Every selection was made with their comfort in mind,” she says. “I wanted them to feel good and relaxed when they came in, and not feel like it wasn’t livable or like they couldn’t sit down on their own sofa.”

It was even more crucial to the couple that their home be a place of peace, especially considering their hectic careers. From the Adirondack chairs that flank the front lawn and the private backyard complete with a custom-made pergola, to the many keepsakes from their travels on display, it’s no wonder Guyton playfully dubbed their home the Riverside Retreat.

“The outside of the house doesn’t prepare you for the inside. It’s almost as if it doesn’t match, but in a good way,” Shani says. Adds Greg, “It feels like a getaway, especially when you look at the color scheme, at the pops of turquoise and orange. It doesn’t feel like you’re sitting at home in Atlanta. It feels like a retreat.” n

Above: Shani considers the spacious primary bedroom upstairs a mini oasis.

Guyton included a black and gold globe on the bookshelves upstairs to reflect the couple’s love for travel.

Above: Dark, bold reds mix with luxe velvets in one of the guest rooms.

Below: Softer tones of pink, mauve and gold were brought together for the other guest room.

FAST FAVORITES

Shani: “My favorite room in the house is a tie between the living room and our bathroom. The living room is so relaxing and open. With mementos on the bookshelves and pictures of loved ones, it makes for a cozy feel. Amber also helped us pick out the tile and fixtures for our primary bathroom. We really wanted a black bathroom, and it has mood lighting, so it’s relaxing to walk into after a long day.”

Greg: “My office area, which is separate from the main house, has become a space for downtime and has also been a cool complement to the main house for hosting. I didn’t want a traditional home-office feel. It’s extremely functional and can be used however we like with minimal work to move things around.”

A meaningful vignette celebrates Black culture.

A Way With Windows

Expert tips on selecting shades and treatments

From keeping your home cool to giving you privacy, window shades and treatments are multipurpose. Of course, you also want them to look stylish. We asked Adam Skalman, vice president of sales at The Shade Store, to give us some tips on picking out the perfect ones. Still unsure? Seek professional help from expert design consultants at The Shade Store's locations.

1. Understand Your Needs: Consider the purpose of the window treatments. Do you need privacy in a bedroom or bathroom? Do you want to filter light in a living room or office? Understanding your needs will help you choose the window treatment that serves its purpose effectively.

2 Consider the Style: Window treatments are an extension of your home's decor and should complement your overall style. Whether you prefer modern, traditional or eclectic, consider the design, color and pattern of the window treatments to ensure they blend seamlessly with your decor. For example, roller shades provide a clean and simple aesthetic while a Roman shade can add more depth and texture to a room. Drapery is great for adding drama and, when mounted to the ceiling, can make a room look larger.

3 Determine Functionality: Think beyond aesthetics and consider the functionality of your

window treatments. Do you need a blackout for a bedroom or energy-efficient solar shades for a sunny window? Consider factors such as light control, insulation and ease of operation to ensure your window treatments meet your practical needs. Many of our customers have been turning to motorization as a functional solution for window treatments in hard-to-reach areas or for smart home optimization.

4 Quality Matters: Investing in high-quality materials and craftsmanship for your custom window treatments is a wise longterm investment that can enhance the value of your home. They last longer and also offer better functionality and durability. n

theshadestore.com • @theshadestore

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Add a picnic vibe to your outdoor soiree with this rattan beverage drink tub. The inset is made of creamy ash wood, and the exterior is a sturdy curved woven rattan, while a galvanized hand-fabricated liner accommodates the chilling of bottles and cans. The large handles also make it easy to tote the hand-laminated tub wherever the festivities take place. Available for $175.95 at Crate & Barrel. crateandbarrel.com • @crateandbarrel

s The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead recently completed a renovation, including refreshes to all 127 guest rooms and suites, and the addition of new Astoria Suites and a Presidential Suite redesign. The hotel’s Brassica restaurant, Peacock Alley lounge and Solarium spaces, as well as the Waldorf Astoria Spa, were given facelifts. The project, which began in 2022, was led by design firm BHDM Design and influenced by Atlanta’s nickname, “city in the forest,” utilizing woods, warm colors and touches of greenery and nature. waldorfastoriaatlanta.com @waldorfastoria

n Don’t miss ADAC’s Fall Sample Sale taking place Aug. 23-25. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the public and trade will have the chance to take advantage of discounted pricing on designer brand, high-end indoor and outdoor home furnishings, rugs, lighting and accessories. adacatlanta.com • @adacatlanta

s A new mural has been unveiled in Buckhead. The 17-foot-tall artwork is a result of a partnership between SCAD and Phipps Plaza. Painted by SCAD artist and Chair of Fine Arts Kent Knowles, the work depicts colors, influences, flora and fauna meaningful to the community, including Buckhead’s symbol of the buck. Located in the outdoor green space between Phipps and Nobu Hotel, the mural also offers an immersive element with a QR code viewers can scan to see the work come to life. scad.edu • @scaddotedu

Courtesy of The Shade Store

Fermoie Gathered Bedwyn Lampshade, Fuchsia (from $160 each)

Deep and sophisticated jewel tones can take a tropical modern room to the next level. From 4 to 24 inches in diameter and available in a multitude of colors and patterns, these lampshades from lighting stalwart Fermoie are a luxurious way to finish off a room. Choose from a variety of sizes such as sconce shades and larger anchor task lighting. They’re available at Atlanta’s Grand Dame of lighting, Edgar-Reeves.

Edgar-Reeves Lighting 404.237.1137 • edgar-reeves.com @edgarreeveslighting

Swept Away

Tropical meets modern in the latest design trend. Forget the neutral grasscloths and staid palm prints of yesteryear. This time around it’s all about saturation, color and whimsy. Here are a few pieces to get your mind floating away to a tropical climate.

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Tuberose Candle in Ocean Blue ($82)

Part of the draw of a tropical climate is the heady, heavy scent that can transport you, even if you’re sitting in your own living room. Diptyque’s popular Tuberose scent draws its inspiration from the fields of South India. Fresh and floral, it’s easy to become intoxicated with its inviting scent. Pair it with a scalloped or pleated candle lamp, and you have an instant place to get lost in your own home, thinking about memories of your tropical travels.

Diptyque • 404.846.0602

diptyqueparis.com

• @diptyque

Sanderson Palm House Wallpaper in Charcoal Gold (price upon request)

While it might seem basic to include a palm print wallpaper in a room inspired by the tropics, the black grounding in Sanderson’s Palm House Wallpaper in the charcoal gold colorway flips the traditional print on its head. The gold foil and line interpretation of the ubiquitous plant elevate the pattern. If the black is too moody, it’s also available in four other colorways, such as teal gold and a neutral botanic green. Stop by the Jerry Pair showroom at ADAC where you can see it in person.

Jerry Pair • 404.261.6337 • jerrypairatlanta.com • @jerrypair

Peacock Hardware ($625)

Atlanta-based designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis is also behind Nest Studio Collection, a line of playful and unique drawer pulls and handles. The Peacock pull plays with the juxtaposition of the soft lines of the bird and the weight of the polished unlacquered brass. There’s a left- and right-hand option that would look lovely as a set on a breakfront, armoire or media console.

Nest Studio Collection • 973.315.1737 • neststudiocollection.com • @neststudiohardware

Made Goods Carleen Dining Chair (from $1,450)

Cane has quickly gone from trend to established texture in both modern and tropical decor schemes. The Carleen Dining Chair from Made Goods offers designers and homeowners an opportunity to semi-customize with frame options such as vintage brown wood, glossy white wood and cerused white oak. The dark gray wood as shown pairs nicely with most of the 70-plus fabric choices, including a nice selection of performance fabrics.

Gramercy Home • 404.846.9244 • shopgramercy.com

• @grameryhome

Our New Home

Buckhead’s Premiere Real Estate Brokerage Is On The Move!

The Buckhead Office of Harry Norman, REALTORS® is moving to a prestigious new location on Peachtree Road.

Our brand-new space places us at the heart of the communities we love to serve, offering greater accessibility for our valued clients.

Beyond the alluring grand architecture are state-of-the-art amenities and luxurious spaces that our sales associates look forward to welcoming you to.

From early August, Harry Norman, REALTORS® Buckhead will be unmissable at:

2827 PEACHTREE ROAD, SUITE 200 ATLANTA, GA 30305

Previouslylocatedat532EastPacesFerryRd,Atlanta

Sub-Zero, the preservation specialist. Wolf, the cooking specialist. Cove, the dishwashing specialist.

Find them exclusively at your local kitchen specialist.

3600 American Drive Atlanta, GA 30341

770.451.0136

www.howardpayne.com

info@howardpayne.com

SHOWROOM HOURS

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Saturday – by appointment only

Sunday Closed

THE BUCKHEAD OFFICE

FLYING COLORS

Textile and wallcoverings designer

STORY:

While some shy away from color or pattern play, Atlanta-based textile and wallcoverings designer Rochelle Porter leans all the way in. In fact, it’s in her blood. “My Caribbean roots definitely inspire my designs,” says the Guyana, South America-born artist. “I naturally gravitate toward bright colors and tropical motifs.”

Since launching her eponymous design business in 2018, Porter has been brightening up Atlantans’

abodes with her captivating home decor collections that span throws, pillows, tea towels, wallpaper and beyond. If you’ve stepped into a HomeGoods or shopped the online home catalog of West Elm, Macy’s, Wayfair, Amazon or Nordstrom in the last year, you’ve likely encountered her work.

Bonus: Each of her vibrant, handdrawn designs is just as good for the environment as it is for the home it winds up in. A box not checked by

many, the designer, who works out of Switchyards in Buckhead, seamlessly marries sustainability and style with her eco-conscious collections.

Here, the inspired artist welcomes us into her colorful world, shares a sneak peek of what’s to come and more.

When did you first realize your affinity for surface pattern design? For most of my life, I had no idea what “surface pattern design” was. I just knew I felt compelled to draw or paint on any blank surface I could find. It was completely effortless and brought me immense joy. They say, “Find a job you love, and

you’ll never work a day in your life.” I don’t know if that’s quite true, but I do know that I’d design whether I was getting paid or not.

What’s been one of your most unexpected sources of inspiration?

A New York City subway grate. Something about the geometric shapes, symmetrical lines and weathered gray metal spoke to me. I almost didn’t notice the rat running back and forth over it.

Why is sustainability important to your brand?

Back when I was in college, long before “sustainability” was a buzzword, I found out that many of the products we bought in retail stores were made in sweatshops overseas. It was disheartening to learn about the pollution, unfair labor practices and life-threatening working conditions people in developing countries endured just to make something as simple as a T-shirt. I knew that if I were ever to manufacture a product, I’d have to do things differently. To that end, I’ve kept environmentally conscious production at the core of my business.

Do you have an all-time favorite colorway?

I’d have to go with turquoise and yellow, which are not-so-coincidentally Rochelle Porter Design’s brand colors. Black and white are a close second.

Which of your designs would you say is the most “you”?

My spring 2023 wallpaper collection is a mix of vibrant tropical patterns, soothing shades of blue, and sophisticated copper, gold and silver finishes. It doesn’t make sense on paper, but its diverse elements blend together beautifully. I think this eclectic mix of design elements, colors and styles perfectly represents my personality and design philosophy.

What’s coming down the pipeline for fall?

We’re launching our first-ever bedding collection, which is really exciting. We’ll also have a new collection of traditional and peeland-stick wallcoverings and sustainable fabrics by the yard. n

ROCHELLE PORTER DESIGN rochelleporter.com @roporterdesign

Rochelle Porter is on a hot streak

Ashton Pike

Show Time Page 40

“In 5 years, I plan to be showing my hijabs at Paris Fashion Week.” — Zehra Abukar

One of designer Zehra Abukar’s looks for her fashion show at the Art Institute of Atlanta.

The Art Institute of Atlanta in Sandy Springs has been educating students for creative careers in fashion design, culinary arts, animation, photography, interior design and a plethora of other artistic paths since 1949. Each year, the school’s Fashion Marketing and Management class produces a show conceptualized and created by students. In March, 13 junior and senior designers were selected from a talented pool of applicants to display their designs in the show. The “Skool Daze” theme was inspired by the Spike Lee film of the same name and paid homage to college life and ’90s nostalgia. Here, we highlight three students whose show-stopping looks place them firmly in the proverbial “ones to watch” category of up-andcoming fashion designers.

Far from the traditional college student, Joyce is an Air Force veteran and mother. Growing up with a single mom and 10 siblings, Joyce didn’t have money to buy the name brand

SHOW TIME

THE FUTURE OF FASHION IS IN OUR BACKYARD STORY:

clothes her peers often wore, so she made her own or remixed hand-medowns to create a unique style. Now she calls her fashion aesthetic “a sweet spot between street wear and avant-garde” and has vowed never to make the same piece twice. “I will never participate in fast fashion or try to merchandise my designs,” she says. “I’m about the performance and the art, plus, I am passionate about sustainability. By making custom items, I’ll never make anything that people will throw away.” Her fivepiece collection for the show, “Daze of the Week,” served as a retrospective of her life and showcased looks inspired by her time in high school, her military education and her current fashion design education.

education. He says being a successful fashion designer is his Plan A, B and C. “Fashion gives an identity to the person wearing the garment. Fashion has been at the center of every major movement in this country, and the impact fashion has on the community is what inspires me as a designer,” he says. A junior, Coleman is in a constant state of designing and says it took roughly three weeks to create the five looks he presented in the show while also juggling his finals and college life. “My collection was called ‘Overflow’ because it was overflowing with joy,” he says. “In general, I’m a designer who gravitates toward sparkly, brightly colored, joyful material.” He’s also a designer with lofty goals. In five years, Coleman says, “I’ll be living in Paris with my own fashion house.”

As a Muslim fashion designer, Abukar’s goal is laser focused: to turn the modest fashion industry on its head. “Modest dresses never change,” she says. “They’re all a big, oversized piece of fabric with no style. I want to make modest but fashionable clothes that hug people’s skin and make women feel beautiful inside and out without having to compromise their beliefs.” Abukar was born in Somaliland and grew up in Turkey. She lived in Maine prior to coming to AIA and won the Miss Muslimah USA pageant in 2020. Her first fashion design was her prom dress, and she wants to empower Hijabi women like herself by making formal wear from pageant wear to bridal gowns. Her five-piece collection of couture prom gowns was called “Ummah,” which means “a nation.” Once she graduates, Abukar wants to show a collection of high fashion hijabs at Paris Fashion Week and ultimately helm Valentino’s Couture fashion house. n

1. Lanecia Joyce, 33

2. Jermaine Coleman, 21 Coleman grew up in St. Louis and came to Atlanta for an AIA

3. Zehra Abukar, 26

Emily L. Foley

Designed by Zehra Abukar

THE ART INSTITUTE OF ATLANTA artinstitutes.edu/atlanta • @art_institutes

Designed by Lanecia Joyce

Skin Gym WrinkLit LED ($99)

Light emitting diode or LED masks are all the rage for beauty junkies. This one looks like something out of a sci-fi flick, but it’s actually a simple way to achieve your skincare goals. It offers three modes: blue light to reduce and heal breakouts, orange light to brighten up a dull complexion and red light for anti-aging and to reduce redness. Simply charge it using a USB, use it wirelessly wherever you are and relax for 15 to 30 minutes while this slim device works its magic.

Ulta • ulta.com • @ultabeauty

AMPED UP

NuFACE Trinity ($395 for starter kit, serums available at additional cost)

NuFACE is one of the industry’s most well-known brands, thanks to A-list fans such as Jennifer Aniston, Miranda Kerr and Kate Hudson who swear the microcurrent devices help keep their famous faces looking toned and youthful. The FDA-cleared, rechargeable device delivers a soothing, low-level current up to 335 microamps designed to help users attain and maintain a healthier, younger-looking appearance in the comfort of their own homes. Apply the brand’s conductive gel and run the wireless device over your face and neck. The brand says five minutes a few times a week can help tone, contour and lift.

Saks Fifth Avenue saksfifthavenue.com • @saks

Gadgets to take your beauty routine to the next level

Celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas is known for her efficacious treatments that keep stars such as Constance Wu and Mindy Kaling looking their best. Her inoffice lymphatic treatments in New York and Los Angeles inspired this at-home device. Using targeted temperature and massage settings, hot mode offers a deep cleanse; hot + massage mode helps skin absorb products; cool mode soothes; and cool + massage mode de-puffs and firms. The wireless device comes with a charging dock, USB cord and an on-thego pouch so you can look your best no matter where your travels take you.

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

From video doorbells and the latest smartphone to electric toothbrushes and artificial intelligence, technology touches just about every part of our daily routine. Tech’s reach extends to the realm of beauty, where gadgets exist to help with common concerns such as breakouts, aging, sun damage, puffiness and more. In short, if you have a goal, one of these tools might help you achieve it.

Repêchage Ultrasonic Skin Spatula ($150)

Clogged pores getting you down? This multi-purpose tool is designed to gently lift stuck debris while massaging the skin. It uses ultrasonic waves at 24000 hertz per second with three modes for deep cleansing and exfoliating, moisturizing and serum absorption, and lifting. Take it from us: You’ll be amazed at how clean your skin feels after just one use, especially on areas prone to blackheads such as nose and chin.

Steve Hightower Hair Salon & Day Spa stevehightower.com • @stevehightowerhair

Bloomingdale’s bloomingdales.com • @bloomingdales

Who says beauty gadgets have to be complicated? If you’re looking for a morning de-puffing routine, to dial down overall inflammation, soothe an acne bump or simply create a relaxing self-care ritual, this ice roller might be just what you need. Simply pop it in the freezer and gently roll it across clean skin whenever you need a fix. While you’re shopping for this tool, book a personalized facial at this aesthetics studio to jumpstart your results.

Heyday • heydayskincare.com • @heydayskincare

Joanna Vargas Magic Glow Wand ($285)

Heyday Ice Roller ($18)

A Garden for Good

Healthier choices for your home’s landscaping

In the quest for pristine green grass and a mosquito-free backyard, we might overlook the toll that perfection has on the environment. While we wouldn’t dare get in the way of your leaf blower, there are a few easy and non-invasive ways to do your family’s—and the greater eco system’s— health good when planting a garden or installing a landscape.

1. Add raised beds.

Vegetables, herbs and fruits that ripen in your own garden have more nutrients than store-bought varieties. Planting at home in raised beds or pots versus in the ground can also help you control what kinds of chemicals come into contact with your food. “The whole farm-to-table movement has finally come home. We’re putting in a lot of raised beds for edibles,” says Molly Welch, professional landscape architect at W Design in Sandy Springs.

2. Shop local.

“Locally sourced plants are grown for our region and climate, meaning things are going to live longer and

thrive in your garden, and you’ll have more beautiful results,” Welch says. Buying from Georgia nurseries produces less waste from plants that die easily, as well as the packaging and all that goes into shipping plants from across the country.

3. Choose pollinator- and songbird-friendly plants. The habitats of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, and Eastern songbirds such as the Northern Cardinal and American Goldfinch, are on the decline and threatening their survival. How you can help: Songbirds love berries, so good choices for your landscape include holly, hawthorn, serviceberry and cherry trees. As for pollinators, they love anything that flowers, including marigolds (a natural pest deterrent, notes Welch, who plants them with her tomatoes), Eastern swamp milkweed, sunflowers, phlox, helleborus (a winter flower) and Eastern purple coneflowers.

4. Use organic potting soil. “Organic soil doesn’t have the chemicals, so it is not as expensive

STORY: Karina Antenucci

also cheaper than doing gravel flow wells to prevent standing water in the yard. Plus they’re a smart way to have a beautiful garden without having to use irrigation. Unless you’re a landscaping whiz, a professional can help install a rain garden, which may require grading of the soil and has a very specific plant list with flora that can survive both drought and heavy rain conditions.

as regular potting soil,” Welch says. She likes to use Complete Landscape Mix (CLM) by ItSaul Natural, a Georgia nursery that sells wholesale and ships nationwide. The mix is formulated with hen manure compost, worm castings and more.

5. Install a rain garden.

“Rain gardens are a great way to minimize water runoff, which in turn helps prevent sewage from being discharged into the Chattahoochee when it rains a lot,” Welch says. As if you needed another reason, it’s

6. Minimize mosquitos yourself. Despite marketing claims, the National Wildlife Federation says the most widely used residential mosquito sprays are highly toxic to native pollinators and fish, and aren’t good for you and your pets, either. Welch suggests keeping mosquitos at bay by first making sure there isn’t standing water on the property (clean your gutters!) and using bug sprays on yourself. Some studies find that citronella oil, which can be found in candles or tiki torches, and other plant essential oils, such as eucalyptus, may also keep mosquitos away. n

Plant a songbirdfriendly tree or bush to support their native habitats, which are on the decline.

CRAFTING THE BEST HEATH & WELLNESS ROUTINE FOR YOUR TEETH

CRAFTING THE BEST HEATH & WELLNESS ROUTINE FOR YOUR TEETH

The Routine

The Routine

Advancements in dental research call for tailored oral care routines to address specific concerns such as yellowing, aging, deterioration, and bacterial infections of teeth and gums. One size does not fit all, and the way you care for your oral health is no exception. It is important to personalize our routines, just as we do with other health regimens. The first step is identifying and understanding your needs. The next time you're at the dentist, take some time to ask questions about the health of your gums, enamel, and even your bite and TMJ. What are the likely problems you'll face in 1, 5, and 10 years? Based on this information you and your dental team can implement therapeutic or preventative measures to curate a routine that optimizes your unique smile.

Advancements in dental research call for tailored oral care routines to address specific concerns such as yellowing, aging, deterioration, and bacterial infections of teeth and gums. One size does not fit all, and the way you care for your oral health is no exception. It is important to personalize our routines, just as we do with other health regimens. first step is identifying and understanding your needs. The next time you're at the dentist, take some time to ask questions about the health of your gums, enamel, and even your and TMJ. What are the likely problems you'll face in 1, 5, and 10 years? Based on this information you and your dental team can implement therapeutic or preventative measures to curate a routine that optimizes your unique smile.

The Coaches

The Coaches

Your oral health affects more than just your teeth. Quality, comprehensive care can not only affect how white or strong your teeth are, but also systemic issues, like blood

Your oral health affects more than just your teeth. Quality, comprehensive care can not only affect how white or strong your teeth are, but also systemic issues, like blood

sugar control and cardiovascular health. The best dentists take into consideration your whole health and involve you in planning your treatment. They take the time to deliver a full snapshot of what they see and offer a platform to discuss your goals. You and your dentist are a team! Tackle your routine together.

sugar control and cardiovascular health. The best dentists take into consideration your whole health and involve you in planning your treatment. They take the time to deliver a full snapshot of what they see and offer a platform to discuss your goals. and your dentist are a team! Tackle your routine together.

The Commitment

The Commitment

Committing to pursue oral health in the same way you would fitness and wellness, empowers you to establish a strong partnership with a dental team that genuinely cares

Committing to pursue oral health in the same way you would fitness and wellness, empowers you to establish a strong partnership with a dental team that genuinely cares

about your well-being. Prioritize long-term solutions and preventive care instead of shortterm remedies. Dentists dedicated to delivering exceptional quality of care prioritize the adoption of advanced technology and ongoing education. Choose providers who are committed to providing you with the finest options available in the industry.

about your well-being. Prioritize long-term solutions and preventive care instead of shortterm remedies. Dentists dedicated to delivering exceptional quality of care prioritize the adoption of advanced technology and ongoing education. Choose providers who are committed to providing you with the finest options available in the industry.

Smile Workouts

Smile Workouts

THINK OF IT AS A FITNESS ROUTINE FOR YOUR TEETH

THINK OF IT AS A FITNESS ROUTINE FOR YOUR TEETH

By Dr. Keya Patel, Cosmetic & General Dentist

By Dr. Keya Patel, Cosmetic & General Dentist

Promoting self-care is en vogue, and in the spotlight are tips for everything– morning routines, before-bed rituals, skincare regimens, hair care routines, and of course, a well-structured workout and healthy eating plan. But amidst all these protocols, have you ever wondered about self-care for your teeth? You might be nodding, thinking, 'Oh, I have that covered. I brush my teeth in the morning and before bed, and I floss fairly often, especially before my dental check-ups.’ What if I told you a smile workout routine is just as crucial and even simpler to follow?

Promoting self-care is en vogue, and in the spotlight are tips for everything– morning routines, before-bed rituals, skincare regimens, hair care routines, and of course, a well-structured workout and healthy eating plan. But amidst all these protocols, have you ever wondered about self-care for your teeth? You might be nodding, thinking, 'Oh, I have that covered. I brush my teeth in the morning and before bed, and I floss fairly often, especially before my dental check-ups.’ What if I told you a smile workout routine is just as crucial and even simpler to follow?

A recent study from the University of South Australia confirmed that the simple act of moving your facial muscles to smile causes the release of chemicals in the brain that make you feel more positive emotions. These groundbreaking, scientific findings expound on the mind-body connection that health and wellness gurus preach. So that begs the question, what is a good smile workout? Well like any workout, there’s a routine, there’s coaches, and there’s commitment. The main goal–boosting happiness and joyful living through smiling more simply because you love your smile.

A recent study from the University of South Australia confirmed that the simple act of moving your facial muscles to smile causes the release of chemicals in the brain that make you feel more positive emotions. These groundbreaking, scientific findings expound on the mind-body connection that health and wellness gurus preach. So that begs the question, what is a good smile workout? Well like any workout, there’s a routine, there’s coaches, and there’s commitment. The main goal–boosting happiness and joyful living through smiling more simply because you love your smile.

Join me on the journey to creating a stellar smile workout.

Join me on the journey to creating a stellar smile workout.

www.pharrroaddentistry.com

www.pharrroaddentistry.com

MIRROR IMAGE

Wig stylist makes hair loss clients feel like themselves again

STORY: Karina Antenucci PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

Rebecca Walden has pretty much worked in every position imaginable in the salon industry. She has been a hairdresser, makeup artist, salon manager, Aveda educator, front desk person, apprentice, you name it. When she was in a managerial role at her last salon about a decade ago, there was an area that helped clients with wigs, and she found what she says is her calling.

“But at first, I sucked at it! Any hairdresser that says they can do your wig is talking out of their ego. I can tell you that because I was that girl. It is completely different,” Walden says.

After several years learning the intricacies of fitting clients at the salon, Walden launched Rebecca Walden Wig Studio in Sandy Springs nine years ago to focus only on medical wigs.

“Hair loss does not discriminate. It doesn’t know age, wallet or reason,”

she says. “My clients are everyone from an 8-year-old with cancer to a 90-year-old who wants a wig for her funeral so her kids don’t have to worry about her hair.”

Here, Walden discusses the difference between a regular and medical wig, how her service works and the impact it has on clients (and her).

What’s the difference between a typical wig and cranial prosthesis?

I have learned the difference over 20 years. A typical wig is something you get for Halloween, buy online or go to a wig store for. It’s a ready-to-wear situation. Cranial prosthesis is the medical term. I only work in medical hair replacement for clients who are going through chemotherapy, trauma or surgery, or who have alopecia, trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) or other medical issue. I don’t do wigs for someone who wants to look like the Kardashians on a night out.

What does the process entail?

The human hair and synthetic hairpieces we use are manufactured based on what kind of wig cap construction and length and color of hair. Everything is customized for the client. We custom color where necessary, perm it, cut it, whatever needs to happen to make it look like them. Then we provide all the training and encouragement they need to have the best possible experience they can have.

What do most people not know about a human hair wig?

Most people think it is a set style that they’re going to take on and take off, and that there will be zero effort. But it’s going to take some effort in your bathroom just like your own hair. All of my wigs are hand tied and move like human hair, even around the hairline.

What does it cost?

All consultations are private and are $95 for one hour. My least expensive synthetic wig is $950, but the average cost is between $2,800 to $3,950, based on the kind of hair you have and its availability. Some insurance covers hair replacement, and my cranial prosthesis receipt can be submitted for reimbursement. Or it can be a tax write-off under “durable medical equipment.”

Tell us about your work with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For about 16 years, I’ve provided wigs for kids at no cost for synthetic wigs and at wholesale pricing for human hair. By giving their child their hair back, parents get joy in seeing their child smile.

Why do you do this work?

I want people to recognize themselves again so hair loss doesn’t define them. I know what it’s like to feel so vulnerable and judged, and for whatever reason, I get to be the thing that doesn’t suck. I love that. n

“Our program was the first, but now pediatric hospitals across the country have modeled similar ones after ours.”

— Kara Klein

On the Nose

Baby nasal aspirator provides hospitallevel care at home

Afew years ago, Dr. Steven Goudy, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and vice chair of research at Emory University, encountered a young patient at Children’s Egleston Hospital. The child had the common respiratory virus RSV, and his congestion was exacerbated by the smaller nasal cavities often associated with Down Syndrome, leading his parents to bring him to the hospital to find relief.

“I don’t need you. I need the suction from that device on the wall,” the patient’s mother said matter-of-factly to Goudy, pointing to the high-powered aspirator in the hospital room. Goudy says, “I knew in that moment that we had to do better for our families.”

Fortunately, he already was in the process of developing the NozeBot, a battery-powered nasal aspirator that provides instant hospital-grade suction at home. His company, Dr. Noze Best, introduced the NozeBot to

the market in January 2021, and families were able to purchase it via his website and on Amazon. Since then, he has set out to help families nationwide, and eventually worldwide, battle upper respiratory illness and discomfort simply and safely. Here he shares more about his product.

Why did you create the NozeBot baby nasal aspirator?

Babies have to breathe through their noses for the first year of life. If they get a bad cold, then they can’t breathe, can’t eat and can’t sleep. If you’re trying to manage that congestion with a standard bulb aspirator, it just doesn’t work. Kids cry and go crazy when you have to use one. There are also devices that require you to literally suck the snot and inhale your child’s virus into your own mouth. That’s not a recipe for success either. One day my wife said, “There should be a better way to do this.” So I started to tinker around with the idea.

What makes the NozeBot different from other nasal aspirators?

The NozeBot provides hospital-grade suction using a battery-powered pump, and it’s small enough to throw in a diaper bag. It’s also easy. Using an aspirator on a child is like flossing the teeth of a saber tooth tiger. The NozeBot sits on your index finger and middle finger and frees up your thumb, ring finger and pinky so you can use the suction and hold your child’s face at the same time. You can use your other hand to hold the rest of your child’s body. It makes the process quick and efficient for one person.

Is the device just for babies and small children?

It can be used at any age. In fact, I hear from people we never considered before. For instance, family members of people with ALS who are not able to blow their noses anymore can use the NozeBot. It really feels good to help everyone who needs it.

How has the local business community supported Dr. Noze Best’s growth? When I moved to Emory from the faculty at Vanderbilt University, I worked with a senior design class in the biomedical engineering school at Georgia Tech. They developed the first prototype. Our company has also worked with the Global Center for Medical Innovation, the Georgia Research Alliance and the Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech. There are so many people who helped get this project going.

In what ways do you focus on charitable works through Dr. Noze Best? We support the National Down Syndrome Congress, based here in Atlanta. We really want to give back to the community, and that organization is part of the origin story for our company. n

STORY: Amy Meadows

Dr. Steven Goudy is focused on helping families tackle childhood upper respiratory illness at home.

DR. NOZE BEST • drnozebest.com • @drnozebest

A DOG’S LIFE

Animal-assisted therapy benefits kids in the hospital

It is often said that dogs are man’s best friend because of their loving and loyal nature. Those attributes are taken several steps farther when they become part of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Canines For Kids program. It began in 2009 and now has 12 dogs that are brought up to provide animal-assisted therapy to patients and staff.

“Our program was the first, but now pediatric hospitals across the country have modeled similar ones after ours,” says Kara Klein, senior program coordinator at Children’s and manager of the Canines For Kids program that serves several locations, including Egleston and Scottish Rite.

Pups at Your Service

The duties of these facility pups range from decreasing a patient’s anxiety about being in the hospital to motivating them to reach their

treatment goals, which can include encouraging them to walk after a major procedure or to take medicine.

“The dogs can also provide support during procedures and tests, and they can reduce feelings of loss and loneliness associated with being separated from home, family and pets,” Klein says.

Working Like a Dog

The pups that join Canines For Kids need to have a calm yet eagerto-please personality, and they receive specialized education from Canine Assistants in Milton, about 20 miles north of Buckhead.

“We breed our own dogs, and they are born in our onsite vet clinic and often begin working with staff and volunteers as early as eight to 12 weeks of age,” says Kizzy Marco, director of development for Canine Assistants. “We then get a good sense

STORY: Chelsie Butler

of which dog is best suited for this unique work, and as long as they are happy and enjoy that part of their education, they become a hospital dog.”

According to Marco, Canine Assistants uses the Bond Based Choice approach to training created by founder Jennifer Arnold. Dogs are taught words, tasks, colors and numbers instead of given strict commands. They are often asked binary questions such as, “Would you like to jump on this bed?” that she says allows the dogs to make choices and only do what feels safe and comfortable.

Canine Assistants matches dogs with the appropriate handler based on lifestyle, personality, work area and what the dog will routinely be doing.

Meet Some Pups

Children’s recently added two pups

to the team: golden retrievers Marvel and Blanche. Marvel supports young patients, including those who need respiratory treatment because of sickle cell crisis. Blanche will give love and provide care to kids with leukemia and lymphoma.

As part of Canines For Kids, Children’s recently launched Pen Paws that invites patients to write letters and send cards to the facility pups. The program will provide opportunities to motivate patients to participate in certain therapies they need. Simply writing the letter may help with mental and emotional stimulation after a procedure.

According to Children’s, Pen Paws also boosts kids’ spirits simply by writing and receiving a letter back from their favorite facility dog. n

CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA choa.org • @childrensatl

Stella the pup works at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta’s Day Rehab facility.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Put It To Bed

STORY: Amy Meadows

How many nights do you spend on the couch because your spouse is snoring or tossing and turning? Are you a night owl who watches television into the wee hours while your early bird spouse tries to get some shut-eye? Like so many couples, you may be considering what has become known as a “sleep divorce.”

A recent study from sleep industry research firm Sleepopolis revealed that one-third of American couples sleep in separate beds or rooms because of differences in their sleep patterns or disruptive sleep habits. Here, Dr. Nancy Collop, director of the Emory Sleep Center, shares her thoughts about separate sleeping arrangements and how couples can navigate the decision if sleep health is a concern.

How do you know if your spouse or partner is disturbing your sleep?

If you wake up and don’t feel rested or if you are so tired during the afternoon that you need to take a nap, then you’re probably not getting the right kind of sleep. Experts say that we need about seven hours of sleep per night. But there are different levels of sleep. A sleep partner might not wake you up fully, but their snoring or restlessness might take you out of a deeper sleep into a lighter one. So it’s still a disruption.

How can this disruption affect your overall health?

If you have chronic sleep deprivation, then it can have an effect on your immune system. Your mood can be impacted, and you might feel impaired when you’re trying to do repetitive tasks. There’s even some epidemiologic evidence that suggests not getting enough sleep can lead to an increased risk for cancer or heart disease.

How should couples approach a possible sleep divorce?

You, of course, want to be able to sleep in bed next to your partner and not give up that intimacy. But for a significant part of the night, you’re both asleep. It’s important to do what’s best for both of you as far as your sleep and health. So it’s a discussion you should have as a couple. And you can do it on a trial basis and see how it works.

Can the person who moves to a different sleep space just go to the guest room?

That’s probably not the most ideal

option. If you’re going to try a sleep separation, which sounds less brutal than a sleep divorce, then you want your sleep space to be as comfortable as the one you were in before. You need a good, comfortable bed and a cool, quiet, dark environment.

Do you have to move into separate rooms to have a successful sleep separation?

If you have a big enough bedroom, you may be able to have separate beds. That could make enough of a difference if the main issue is restlessness or movement.

How can couples adjust to sleeping apart if they never have before?

So many people are used to having that body next to them, so it may take a while to get used to sleeping apart. But sleep is very important to your health, so you have to do what is best. If you feel like it’s an issue that can be addressed, then you might want to have it checked out at a sleep clinic. There’s a lot that can be done to help with sleep disorders and allow you to remain in the room with your sleep partner. n

Local sleep specialist shares tips for navigating a “sleep divorce”

Dr. Nancy Collop offers tips for getting a better night’s sleep.

Emerging Curator Page 60

Swan Coach House Gallery's Creative Director continues to expand the gallery's art exhibits.

PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

“There are a lot of galleries and art to be seen and a lot of untapped talent here.” — Jacob O’Kelley

PRODUCING WISDOM

The filmmaking version of a boutique hotel chain has opened its first location just east of Atlanta.

Electric Owl Studios, which opened in June, is one of many soundstage facilities between Douglasville and Athens. But principals Michael Hahn of Buckhead and Dan Rosenfelt of Dunwoody say their 18-acre site across from the

Electric Owl showcases film and TV sustainability

Indian Creek MARTA station has the attributes to be a star.

Electric Owl is the first purpose-built soundstage complex certified to meet Gold LEED specifications, thanks to elements such as recycled building materials, carbonnegative concrete, all-LED lighting, proximity to transit, 48 plug-ins for electric vehicles and solar panels producing 30% of its electricity.

STORY: Michael Jacobs

Electric Owl is trademarked as “the greenest studio on Earth.”

But Hahn, who leads construction, and Rosenfelt, who oversees operations, say customer service is key to their high-end boutique for film and TV production.

“We’re here to take care of them,” says Rosenfelt, a Philadelphia native and Hollywood veteran who moved to Atlanta in 2016 to run Hahn’s last

studio development, Third Rail Studios in Doraville, which Gray Television bought in 2021. “We’re not here to nickel and dime. We’re not here to hassle. We’ve given thought to every department on a film and TV show to ensure that they have what they need.”

That care is the source of the name Electric Owl, a term for a railroad’s night watchman, although owls also used to live on the property, says Hahn, a Georgia native who started building studios after moving back to Atlanta in 2012 after 15 years in Los Angeles development. “We thought it was a good metaphor for what we do as studio operators in making sure productions are safe and settled, and they have everything that they need.”

The amenities range from hotel-type rooms with beds and showers to a cafe and a dog park.

“You can be utilitarian and provide just the box, or you can do something a little more special and give them that feeling of home,” Rosenfelt says.

The six soundstages totaling 140,000 square feet make Electric Owl a cozier size than facilities such as Trilith, Shadowbox and the Assembly expansion around Third Rail.

It’s ideal for one or two productions at a time. The soundstages are arranged in two sets, as are support facilities such as costuming and construction, so crews can stay out of each other’s way.

Even a $100 million-plus film planning to stay for a year often won’t book space more than a week in advance. That’s another way Electric Owl is like a hotel, Rosenfelt says. “You don’t know who’s coming, and you don’t know when they’re coming, but you know they’re coming.”

Georgia and the world don’t have enough soundstages, Hahn says, so Electric Owl is expanding to New York, where it has 18 acres north of the city, and London, where it is seeking a site.

“We’ll hire incredible operators who share our vision and who have the same type of experience,” Rosenfelt says. “I also don’t ever sleep, so I am available almost 24/7.”

Just like an electric owl. n

Michael Hahn and Dan Rosenfelt say that advances in construction tech enable them not to charge higher prices for the use of Electric Owl’s sustainable facilities.

Listen Up!

Radio broadcaster Bert Weiss has built a 36-year career in front of an open mic. He’s worked in Dallas, D.C. and San Diego. For the last 22 years, he’s been the anchor of “The Bert Show” on Q99.7, based in Sandy Springs.

So readers can expect his first book, Listenable, to be packed with expertise. But the audience is a particular one: people who want to launch or who have unsuccessfully started a podcast.

“Whether you call it podcasting, radio or video, the principles of entertaining are the same: Content and delivery are key,” says Weiss. “I don’t pretend to be a podcast or marketing expert. But it was a slam dunk for me to write a book focused on content and delivery. Without those, it doesn’t matter if you have a shiny

Broadcast guru Bert Weiss pens a how-to for podcasters STORY:

microphone and a nice studio.”

The book sticks to the expertise that has made Weiss a syndicated success in 25 cities and applies that to what he’s learned by listening to plenty of poor podcasts. His primary problem: Hosts often lack a fundamental understanding of how to engage an audience.

“It’s all about connection to the material and storytelling,” he says.

“I’ve heard a lot of talented people who weren’t gaining traction, and it was easy to hear why. They didn’t have any structure. They’re lured by the idea that anyone can do it. The downside of that is, yes, anybody can do it. You can’t just walk onto a movie set and say, ‘OK! I’m here!’ But that’s what a lot of people are doing.”

By not having a rudimentary understanding of the basics, Weiss

H.M. Cauley

says too many podcasters become part of the statistics that show a 75% failure rate in the first year. The book, which Weiss describes as “short, light reading,” emphasizes having a plan, an idea he says can apply to any venture since it discourages “winging it.”

“You don’t have much time to capture someone’s interest before they move on to the hundreds of other podcasts out there,” he says. “It’s important to know what you want to say and then stay in your lane. And learn to edit! Most of the podcasts I listen to can’t sustain an hour of good content.”

Weiss counts podcasts such as, SmartLess and Call Her Daddy among his favorites. “I listen based on the material even though it’s not necessarily for me,” he says.

“Call Her Daddy is two young girls talking about their lives in the most graphic ways, but I’m interested in how and why they’re connecting to college kids.”

Weiss also supports good content through his venture Pionaire that helps podcasters find their niches. “I believe in finding good people and letting their talent shine,” he says. “We’re a digital network that can help people think across many different platforms and support them with external marketing, too.”

Pionaire’s programs understand Listenable’s concepts, he says. “Don’t think it’s going to be easy. You have to come with interesting stories and a vulnerability that really connect with the audience. Then you’re on the way to being entertaining.” n thebertshow.com • @bertshowbert

Listenable is available in paperback and Kindle versions from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Target.

Allison Day Photography.

Emerging Curator

Jacob O’Kelley brings a new lens to Atlanta’s art scene

Jacob O’Kelley thinks the city is sitting on a goldmine of artistic talent and encourages Atlantans to get out and explore. “There are a lot of galleries and art to be seen and a lot of untapped talent here,” says O’Kelley, who joined Swan Coach House Gallery, on the Atlanta History Center grounds in Buckhead, last June as creative director.

O’Kelley is himself an emerging artist who paints and creates in-

stallation art with found materials, and furniture focused on domestic spaces through a “queer focus lens,” but his true passion is curating.

After graduating from Georgia State University with a degree in drawing and painting, he opened a gallery in 2018 with college friend Abigail Justman. The young business partners created ShowerHaus Gallery out of a standalone building where the showers were when it was a mill at The Goat Farm Arts

Center. The space focused on solo shows with emerging artists and group shows that mixed emerging with mid-career and well-established artists, something that’s not often done. The duo also collaborated on shows around the city, which they continue to do today.

In fact, the ShowerHaus team had put on a few exhibitions at Swan Coach House Gallery before O’Kelley came on full-time. The Georgia native now curates the

curators who work on four of the seven shows the gallery presents annually and works alongside Gallery Manager Maria Bruckman to put together the major exhibitions. Here, we chat with him about his role, career and art in the city.

What are the biggest exhibitions you work on at Swan Coach House Gallery?

We call them mega shows. The Summer Invitational, an annual craft- and textile-based exhibition, will highlight the works of more than 90 artists this year. The Little Things show is all about 2D small works by painters and illustrators. I also manage the annual Edge Award that the Forward Arts Foundation, the [nonprofit] behind Swan Coach, gives out to emerging or underrepresented artists.

Besides Swan Coach House, what are some of your favorite galleries?

Whitespace in Inman Park is a really beautiful gallery, and I love that they can have three shows going at the same time. The new Johnson Lowe Gallery is a massive space. And Echo Contemporary Art is a new space on the Westside that’s run by my former boss from the MINT gallery, where I worked for a year as gallery manager before I got the job at Swan.

What would you consider a pivotal moment in your career?

It was when ShowerHaus did The High Rise Show, a four-floor exhibition in downtown Atlanta at the end of 2019. It involved over 200 artists and nine organizations, including Fulton County Arts & Culture, The Goat Farm, MINT and Peters Street Station, working together. Two to three thousand people showed up on opening night. It showed that there’s a lot of artists in Atlanta and that plenty of people want to see art.

What are your future goals?

The two directors before me at Swan Coach were pushing contemporary art and experimental stuff, which I love and want to push further. [Eventually,] I want to go to grad school for art history or curatorial [studies]. n

JACOB O’KELLEY jacobokelley.com • @jacob.okelley

STORY: Karina Antenucci PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

EVENTS BY Gillian Anne Renault

WINGED AND WONDERFUL

CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER’S BUTTERFLY ENCOUNTER

What started many years ago as a two-day butterfly festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center now runs through Aug. 6 and is the center’s most popular event. “When you are outside at home, you can’t get close to wild butterflies; they flit around and are gone,” says Farah McIntyre, the center’s member and visitor engagement manager. “At the Butterfly Encounter, you can see them up close and feed them, too.”

Native butterflies, hundreds of them, are in a special enclosure full of colorful nectar plants. Visitors can watch them fly from flower to flower and see them close up when the light-as-air creatures land on the nectar sticks that everyone gets with admission. Nature Center employees are on hand to help visitors learn about these beautiful pollinators including the Monarch, known to migrate the longest distance of any butterfly, traveling from North America to Mexico and back each year. That’s more than 2,800 miles each way. Monarchs are fussy eaters, feeding only on milkweed plants. So, of course, the center has plenty of those for them to enjoy.

Open daily, the Butterfly Encounter is included in general admission: $15 for adults, $11 for seniors over 65 and $9 for children 3 to 12. Center members and children under 2 are free. Many nectar plants are available for sale. On July 9 and Aug. 6, the center is offering the VIP Breakfast with Butterflies from 10 a.m. to noon before the Center opens. Only 15 people

will be admitted each session, making for an exclusive experience. Guests will enjoy a light breakfast, experience several butterfly species and explore the grounds. Registration is required the Thursday before each session (July 6 and Aug. 3 respectively) and costs an additional $25 per person, $15 for members. n

chattnaturecenter.org/special-events/butterfly-encounter @chattnaturecenter

Above: A butterfly lands on a guest's nectar stick.

Stretch and Sip

Free yoga class at Spaceman rooftop bar and lounge

There’s nothing better than a cool beverage after a yoga workout. Better still if it’s a craft cocktail or mocktail. On July 20 and Aug. 17, the Spaceman bar and lounge on the 15th floor of the Hyatt Centric Buckhead is offering a complimentary Vinyasa yoga class courtesy of CorePower Yoga, with bites and beverages available to purchase after class. Drinks include Stardust, a rum-based cocktail with Aperitivo Cappelletti, spiced pineapple syrup and fresh lime juice: and zero-proof mocktails such as the Blood Moon featuring orange, pineapple, lemon juice and simple syrup. Rumor has it that the vegetable summer rolls will ease the oh-so-good burn of all those planks, while the blackened shrimp tacos provide a more robust meal. The one-hour class starts at 6 p.m., is offered on a first come, first served basis and is open to all levels. Don’t forget to bring a mat. Classes will also be held on Sept. 21 and Oct. 19. n

hyatt.com/hyatt-centric/atlct-hyatt-centricbuckhead-atlanta/dining • eventbrite.com/e/ corepower-yoga-classes-at-hyatt-centricbuckheads-spaceman-tickets-562536781657 @hyattcentricbuckhead

Titillating The Taste Buds

Taste of Atlanta Grand Tasting Debuts on the Westside

A Taste of Atlanta event makes its Westside de but July 20 at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. As part of the Grand Tasting, more than 25 area restau rants will provide unlimited bites and beverages, among them Bibi Eatery, Delbar Middle East ern, Postino and Ted’s Montana Grill. Cooking demonstrations, a live band, cocktails, wine and beer, and a dessert bar are also part of the event. Bakeries, chocolatiers, ice creameries, donut shops, pie shops—they’ll all be there. In between tastes, guests can pose for a caricature artist, get a tarot reading and visit the photo booth. The one-night-only event will also showcase nonprofits such as Giving Kitchen and Second Helpings Atlanta. For $125, guests will get the VIP treatment: early entry at 6 p.m., a welcome cocktail and a swag bag of free stuff. General admission is $85 and starts at 7 p.m.

tasteofatlanta.com • @tasteofatlanta

BUZZ

DAVID KOZ & FRIENDS SUMMER HORNS TOUR

July 14

bandsintown.com/e/104230556dave-koz-at-byers-theatre-at-sandy-springs-performing-arts-center

If the sounds of mellow saxophones are your thing, check out platinum artist David Koz and friends at Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs. Tickets start at $80.25.

YELLOWCARD 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

July 20

chastainparkamp.com/events/ yellowcard-mayday-parade-storyof-the-year-this-wild-life/

They did a farewell tour and broke up, but now this melodic punk band is back with a reunion tour celebrating their hit “Ocean Avenue” and more. Tickets start at $23 at Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park.

FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS

AT BLACKBURN PARK

July 26, Aug. 23

explorebrookhaven.com/ event/food-truck-nightsat-blackburn-park/

Bring the whole family (including the pooch) to this monthly event in Brookhaven’s Blackburn Park for an evening of live music, children’s activities and great food. It runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

EMMETT TILL & MAMIE TILL-MOBLEY: LET THE WORLD SEE

Aug. 7-Sept. 17

emmettillexhibit.org

This exhibit at Atlanta History Center tells the true story of 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was killed in the Jim Crow South, and his mother Mamie’s lifelong quest for healing and justice. Suitable for children 10 and older. Exhibit included in center's $24 general admission. Discounts available; members free.

EVENTS BY Gillian Anne Renault

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

EAST LAKE GOLF CLUB • AUGUST 23-27, 2023

Come for the Party, Stay for the Golf

STORY: Michael Baliker

What separates the TOUR Championship from other sporting events is the several one-of-a-kind fan venues scattered throughout the grounds at East Lake Golf Club, making for quite the outdoor festival. These shady spots are open to everyone, including those with the basic grounds ticket, and offer a unique vibe— and view—at each location.

And compared to other tournaments, where tee times can begin shortly after sunrise, the 30-player field at the TOUR Championship means the golf

doesn’t begin until at least 11 a.m., allowing fans ample time to get out to East Lake and not miss a minute of the action.

But for those looking to get out early (and maybe beat the heat), the atmosphere before the golf begins can be just as rowdy, with fan venues opening as early as 9 a.m.

The newest spot for fans to check out this August is in a tucked away corner of the golf course at the 6th green, which offers a picturesque view of the Atlanta skyline. Meiomi wines will be featured in this space

PROUD PARTER OF THE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

All Photos: Courtesy of the PGA TOUR

and go hand-in-hand with a specialized food menu to make this one place you won’t want to leave.

In a more central location, The Deck presented by Maestro Dobel offers one of the most underrated spots on the course. Located just across the lake from the Practice Range, fans are greeted with a unique perspective of the top 30 players as they warm up. There’s also several unique cocktails to choose from including the TOUR Championship’s signature Maestro Dobel

cocktail—the Finale Fizz!

A short walk away is the always buzzing SO Cool Zone presented by Southern Company, where fans can stock up on their tournament merch and grab a bite from several local food staples. But for some unique cocktail choices, the Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge provides a climatecontrolled space for fans to taste some of their creative recipes, including the signature Calamity Jane, named for the legendary putter of golfing icon Bobby Jones.

If you continue perusing around the back nine, look no further than Back Nine Brews as the perfect place to stop and grab a craft beer at this casual location equipped with several lawn games to keep the fun going.

There is, after all, the PGA TOUR’s season finale going on, and if you’re looking to a spot to REALLY catch some great shots, head over to the Coca-Cola Lounge located near the 8th green, where you can hang out in the shade and watch the TOUR’s 30 best

players take on this challenging par-4 with a great view of the lake and East Lake’s historic clubhouse.

The TOUR Championship has become Atlanta’s premier outdoor sporting event and serves as a final farewell to the summer before football season begins. And while the competition continues to deliver drama and excitement on an annual basis, there’s good times to be had at every corner of East Lake Golf Club, even if you’re not there for the golf. n

Located directly across from the Practice Range, The Deck presented by Maestro Dobel offers spectators a unique opportunity to see the world’s best players warm up.

Take a stroll through the SO Cool Zone presented by Southern Company.

The Coca-Cola Fan Lounge has stadium views of the 8th green.

Giving back at the heart of TOUR Championship mission

vitality for themselves and future generations through affordable homeownership.

Long after the final putt drops at East Lake Golf Club and the champion walks off with the FedExCup and the season-long title, the TOUR Championship remains hard at work to determine its charitable impact in the East Lake and Metro Atlanta communities.

From the 2022 tournament alone, the TOUR Championship announced earlier this year that it had raised more than $5.5 million to donate back to the community, with their grand total reaching more than $48 million since the event was first played at East Lake Golf Club in 1998.

With the support of its Proud Partners Coca-Cola, Southern Company and Accenture, the TOUR Championship supports five charitable beneficiaries: East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Grove Park Foundation, Purpose Built Schools Atlanta and First Tee –Metro Atlanta.

Special to this year’s donation, the TOUR Championship announced it has used some of the funds to support The Trust

at East Lake, a 40-townhome development located less than a mile from East Lake Golf Club that was initiated by the Atlanta Land Trust to provide permanently affordable homeownership for East Lake residents beginning in the fall of 2025.

“To be in a position each year to further invest in our local community through the TOUR Championship is a testament to the commitment of our incredible partners, the local business community and our loyal fans,” said TOUR Championship Executive Director Alex Urban.

“Charitable giving is at the heart of what we do at the PGA TOUR and here at the TOUR Championship; to be able to give back

in this manner is what it’s all about. And without the support of so many people, we would be unable to make such a positive and tangible impact in East Lake and across the Greater Atlanta Metro area. This special project with the Atlanta Land Trust is just one example of how we’re helping those in our community who need it most.”

The East Lake Foundation, with the support of the TOUR Championship, is a philanthropic partner of The Trust at East Lake project, which will help further the Foundation’s efforts to expand affordable housing availability in the East Lake community and empower families to pursue economic

“The generous charitable contribution from the 2022 TOUR Championship has allowed us to close the remaining gap in our fundraising commitment to the Atlanta Land Trust,” said Ilham Askia, President and CEO, East Lake Foundation.

We’re thrilled that the CF Foundation’s donation of the land and the East Lake Foundation’s support has enabled the Atlanta Land Trust to offer all 40 townhomes at an affordable price for families looking to purchase a home in East Lake.”

Specific to tournament week itself, the TOUR Championship supports First Tee – Metro Atlanta through the annual “HOPE Tee Shot,” a tournament tradition that selects one boy and one girl from First Tee – Metro Atlanta to hit the opening tee shots at the tournament. In 2022, the TOUR Championship announced the creation of the HOPE Shot Scholarship, which is funded by Accenture and provides $5,000 for each HOPE Tee Shot honoree to help achieve their dreams in golf and in life. n

STORY: Michael Baliker

The Atlanta Land Trust’s groundbreaking for The Trust at East Lake.

The TOUR Championship offers something for every fan to enjoy outside of the ropes.

Try one of Maestro Dobel’s refreshing cocktails.

Stars Rising

DISCOVER OUR CLASS OF 7 DYNAMIC INDIVIDUALS TO WATCH IN 2023

Atlanta is a destination for all-stars. No matter the genre, from entrepreneurs and athletes to artists and authors, Buckhead and the surrounding neighborhoods draw some of the best and brightest. Each summer, Simply Buckhead profiles some of these top-in-their-field talents for our Rising Stars issue, and this year’s bunch stands out. From those whose names you already know to others who are destined to become fixtures among our city’s noteworthy leaders, these seven professionals have faced their share of challenges and distinguished themselves in competitive industries. Read on to learn why each of these captivating individuals made the list.

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

(Left to Right)

JJ Grey: Miguel Wilson Collection Presidential Suit in Maroon with Ruby Maroon Necktie with Sea Green Paisley Pocket Square

Melissa Mitchell: Taller Marmo Ubud OneShoulder Feather-Trim Gown Jeremy Smith: Roaring 20s Cream Dinner Jacket with Eggnog Bowtie

Andrew Diaz Winkelmann: Garden Party Dinner Jacket Kelli Ferrel: Solace London Elina Mini Dress

Alice Park: Catherine Regehr One-Shoulder Midi Dress Aaron Murray: Hamptons Linen Double Breasted Blue Suit

Men’s styling by James Massey of Miguel Wilson Collection. Women’s styling by Sara Mixon of Tootsies. Inquire about the pieces through the respective stores, prices by request.

Aaron Murray, the former quarterback of the Univer sity of Georgia Bulldogs, has kept himself busy since graduating in 2013. Currently, he’s an on-air analyst for ESPN, contributes to Sirius XM shows “SiriusXM SEC Radio” and “SiriusXM College Sports Radio,” and has a daily podcast on sports media personality Colin Cowherd’s The Volume network called Snaps with Aaron and T-Bob a show he records from his Brookha ven home studio with former LSU player T-Bob Hebert.

Murray recently added co-CEO to his list of titles. He was approached in 2021 by his former roommate, Ty Frix, as well as Frix’s brother, Trent, to explore a new media venture. Murray, the Frix brothers and former UGA running back Keith Marshall are now at the helm of The Player’s Lounge, a company aimed at changing the way a play er’s name, image and likeness are used and monetized in the college sports world.

In 2021, the rules were changed so college players could profit off their name, image and likeness. “The idea that college athletes can make money is still very new. We wanted to create a way for players to con nect with fans,” Murray says. The Player’s Lounge aims to bridge that gap financially for the players while allowing them to get their feet wet with content creation in a way that feels authentic to them. So far, the UGA, the University of Tennessee, LSU and Clemson University tapped into the start-up’s content network.

A simple and free email sign-up gives members access to The Player’s Lounge's exclusive content. By logging on, fans can see videos featuring Murray in conversation with current UGA quarterback Carson Beck, or the Bulldogs’ Chris Smith and Braelen Bridges talking about Georgia football doubters. Articles, live streams and a marketplace with items such as Bulldog-themed NFTs and memorabilia are also available.

Murray and his team have done in-person events, too, such as a BMW experience where five fans got to drive BMWs with Kendall Milton, a UGA running back, and a

AARON MURRAY

The University of Georgia football star starts

STORY:

G-Day tailgate with over 800 fans in attendance. “We’re creating a community centered around fan engagement where the players can open up to hosts like Josh Dobbs, myself or Derek Johnson, among others,” Murray says. “Now players are driving the content. They can get compensated where they couldn’t before.”

Beyond fan engagement and finding new revenue streams, The

Lauren Finney Harden

Player’s Lounge is helping athletes prepare themselves for media in the post-collegiate world. “A college career is short, and if you make it to the NFL, the average time spent there is three years. The connections you make in college can get you your next job once you hang up the cleats,” Murray says. The Player’s Lounge helps with administrative duties, pre-production, post-production, social media, editing and

more, putting players, not traditional media companies, in control. “All they need to worry about is showing up and being themselves so we can provide great content for the fans.”

The Player’s Lounge will be onboarding more schools’ football programs in the fall. Murray has a full plate with a wife and two children as well, but he’s focused on taking his experiences from his post-collegiate career and helping other athletes take ownership of their public images in an authentic and financially smart way. n theplayerslounge.io • @aaronmurray11

a new chapter

Aaron is wearing the Roaring 20s Cream Dinner Jacket with a High-Polished Black Dress Shirt, available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

MELISSA A. MITCHELL

A collaboration with Spanx was only the beginning for the artist

Ford Motor Company, Cadillac, Foot Locker, Hallmark and Party City are just a few of the big-name brands that have partnered with artist Melissa A. Mitchell, founder of Abeille Creations. She quit her corporate IT job in February 2021 on the heels of a successful collaboration in 2019 with Buckhead-based Spanx, and since then, her artistic rise has been nothing short of meteoric. “I just woke up one day in 2021 and was like, this is not it. I had no plan. I had no direction, but I said, forget it, I’m going to live my life to its fullest potential,” she says.

The collaborations have come hard and fast for the artist, whose work is graphic, saturated and colorful. Recently, Mitchell was approached by Toyota because leaders loved her strong social media presence and point of view. The automaker asked her to do a campaign for the 2023 Toyota Camry, including a commer cial where she talks about the new blue color from an artistic perspec tive. “It’s a great car that I was able to drive around Buckhead and hire my creative friends to produce the commercial locally,” she says. “I want ed to show that the car is perfect for Buckhead driving and living.”

She’s also the author of a new book of one-liners that debuted earlier this spring. “I’m like my own little Nietzsche,” she says. “Before my dad passed away, he told me that I had to find a way to monetize all the wisdom. People are always saving my tweets.” Called Black Love Notes to Self, it's filled with what she calls black sticky notes.

Rounding out the partnerships for now is a deal with Microsoft where she gets to show off how art and technology merge together. “I created my newest collection and my latest book on my new Microsoft products,” she says. She’s also traveled to different cities to teach people how to monetize their digital art with the brand, and she has an upcoming activation here to demonstrate the technology for Atlanta’s youth.

‘I’m going to show kids that you don’t have to wait until you grad uate from college or high school.

You can be an entrepreneur now by using these Microsoft tools.” She feels particularly adept to advise

Look for her activations and collaborations around town. She’s been at Coach at Lenox Square twice to

creation, and to trust herself. If you’re looking to keep up in real-time, she’s got a text club

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Melissa is wearing the Milly Nadie Pleated Maxi Dress, available at Tootsies.

skills. Photography remained a hobby that she began to rethink her choices.

formal training and had to learn the technical aspects as well as how to make money doing it.”

Park quickly caught on and launched Alice Park Photography in 2006. Within a year, Kyu quit his job as an Emory researcher to be her full-time partner. “We found our rhythm,” she says. “We’re each other’s No. 1 cheerleader.”

he said, ‘Let’s figure out how to make

Park’s success came from carving a niche as a children and family photographer who stresses unposed, natural settings. Today from her Miami Circle studio, she oversees a team whom she has trained to her exacting standards. They keep busy with holiday-party-meets-portrait-events for clients. When the family arrives, they’re greeted with music, cotton candy, snacks and crafts to entertain the kiddies while the moms get a makeup session.

“We create a set design with live floral arrangements, then we sneak the kids in,” she says. “Afterwards, they enjoy the rest of the party and leave with goodie bags. The experience gets them really excited to be there and participate.”

To connect with other photo experts and share the same high level of professionalism, Park and her husband launched The National Association of Portrait and Child Photographers 13 years ago. The organization has set standards for the industry, educated members and provided business support. It also recognizes talented members with competitions, gallery showings and certifications. In January, she launched the Elevate Summit, a small business conference for women that debuted in Nashville with 25 speakers addressing about 250 participants.

And Park has never forgotten the frustration of not having an artistic outlet for her young self. Now the mother of two, she started Creativity Camp in 2020 to help girls 8 through 12 learn from experts how to develop skills around photography, painting, sewing, embroidery and more.

“I got the idea from my daughter who has always been very creative,” Park says. “I was, too, but pursuing that side as a career wasn’t an option for me. I want to focus on building girls’ confidence to follow that instinct.” n aliceparkphotography.com

• @alicepark

Alice is wearing the Marchesa Notte Daisies & Dahlia 3D Floral Guipure Lace Midi Dress, available at Tootsies.

It wasn’t a grand plan or a career road map that catapulted Jeremy Smith into real estate. Rather, it was a 2012 assignment from a busi ness class at Georgia State Universi ty that introduced him to his future as one of the youngest members to hold a lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Club of the industry’s top producers.

“I had always been curious about real estate, so when I had to interview a business owner, I called Atlanta Intown Real Estate and 10 other big companies,” he says. “Intown was the only one that called me back.”

Smith started the meeting with the brokers with basic questions around how real estate agents get paid and licensed, but the conversation quickly branched off into other areas, particularly around the company’s foreclosure inventory, much of which was in Smith’s hometown of Dallas, Georgia.

“It was nearing the end of the recession, and they later called me and asked if I could help with their listings,” he says. “I immediately started working with them, doing everything from making repairs to marketing, and I was soon managing their foreclosure inventory.”

As foreclosures began to fade, Smith left Intown to work as a business assistant to Julian Rather, an Intown colleague who was opening a new venture. “I learned a lot,” he says.

In 2019, the Peachtree Heights resident became Rather’s partner in the office of Engel & Völkers Atlanta that specializes in Buckhead and Midtown high-rise condos. “There’s more to selling a condo than a pretty pool and a nice gym; we do our homework on the homeowners association financials, the reserves, the building’s history and more so you will know everything about it before you move in,” he says.

Last fall, Smith expanded his business onto the airwaves as a monthly host for “The American Dream,” a 30-minute TV show that highlights the metro area’s culture, lifestyle and real estate on CNBC, Bloomberg TV, the Travel Channel and, locally, CW Atlanta. At first, he was skeptical about doing it, but when he learned the other hosts were also real estate agents, he signed on.

“When people hear the name, they think it’s a reality TV show

JEREMY SMITH

STORY: H.M. Cauley

with people yelling and pulling hair; it’s not!” Smith says. “The last episode I did talked about the Buckhead shuttle. Another filmed Atlanta Fashion Week. Then we throw some real estate into it.”

The show has become a marketing tool that showcases Smith’s personality as much as properties.

“We filmed a penthouse at the W Atlanta Downtown, and it ended up

selling pretty quickly,” he says. “But it’s just as much a unique way of marketing myself.”

The show was recently nominated for a local Emmy for outstanding achievement in a magazine program. And he’s on track to earn the Atlanta Realtors Association’s Phoenix Award, given to agents who have been top producers for 10 years. In 2022, the company’s team tallied

more than $36 million in sales.

When he’s not showing and selling properties, Smith gets away from it all at his house on Lake Allatoona with his partner, 11Alive reporter and anchor Cody Alcorn.

“I literally sit on the deck and do nothing, absolutely nothing,” he says. n

jeremysmith.evatlanta.com

@jeremy.k.smith

Real estate pro puts his expertise on the air

Jeremy is wearing the Sunset Santa Barbara Sport coat with Glen Plaid Sunset Necktie, available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

Kelli Ferrell grew up assisting her mom and grandmother (“Nana”) in the kitchen, making sweet and savory delights such as fried chicken, banana bread and lemon meringue pie. Little did the Buckhead resident know until well into her adult life she’d be taking those recipes and turning them into cookbooks and Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, a breakfast and lunch restaurant serving up Southern comfort foods with an existing location in McDonough and one slated to open in Buckhead by the end of 2023.

“My passion is really for people: seeing them happy, connecting through food and through shared experiences,” Ferrell says.

Her journey to restaurateur didn’t start in the food industry. Originally from Maryland, she first landed in Atlanta in 2003 to study fashion merchandising and design at Bauder College, which was located in the basement level of Phipps Plaza.

“It was fabulous. I went to school with amazing designers. [Fashion designer] Sergio Hudson was a classmate and good friend,” Ferrell says.

Straight out of college in the early 2000s, she worked for Teresa Caldwell, rapper Bow Wow’s mom, and helped her open a boutique in Atlantic Station. Then Ferrell returned home to Maryland to start a store of her own, which shuttered in 2009 due to the recession.

As a mom to four girls, now 16, 10 and 7-year-old twins, Ferrell’s priorities were changing, too. She decided to change course and began vision boarding her new restaurant concept. The first Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles launched in 2016.

“Opening was one of those things that I call YouTube and Google University. I had no knowledge of the restaurant industry and was self-taught,” Ferrell says.

Today, Ferrell calls herself a “fashion foodie” for bringing her style into her work. For instance, her cookbook Kooking with Kelli is presented like a fashion book. It comes in a box with red type that says, “Let’s Eat!” and features a fashionable Ferrell wearing some of her favorite labels such as Christian Louboutin, Alice & Olivia and The Vault By Sacha. “I wanted the book to represent who I am and be an

KELLI FERRELL

Restaurateur whips up a new Buckhead location and cookbook STORY: Karina

experience for readers,” she says.

Inside, you’ll find recipes straight from Nana’s kitchen, such as shrimp and grits, Southern sweet potato pie and chicken and waffles, as well as Ferrell’s kitchen rules: “I have to have a clean kitchen, glass of wine and a candle lit to cook,” she says.

The entrepreneur is now working on her second book, a mommyand-me edition that was unnamed at press time but will be available

Antenucci

later this year. It is filled with easy recipes to inspire kids to cook, such as PB&J with homemade peanut butter, sunny side up eggs and ratatouille that were indeed inspired by her own children, as well as tips on kitchen safety and the proper way to set a table.

Having experienced the lack of support for women in the male-dominated food industry, Ferrell also co-founded Women

in Restaurants to empower women in hospitality through events, education and resources.

Ferrell’s dream is to one day have her own cooking show. In the meantime, she’s having a blast making appearances on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood and Live with Kelly and Ryan, among others. n nanaschickenandwaffles.com @nanaschickennwaffles

Kelli is wearing the Rachel Gilbert Zion Mini Dress, available at Tootsies.

JJ GREY

Londoner JJ Grey knew that he was really good at golf as early as 10 years old. Charting a path to become a profes sional golfer, he moved to Atlanta in 2012 to attend Georgia State University on a full golf scholarship. While there, he earned athletic All-America honors as a freshman and finished school with multiple Academic All-America honors.

“I went pro soon after graduating in 2016, and it’s been a grind ever since,” Grey says.

To fund the expensive sport early on, Grey caddied at golf courses around Atlanta. A couple of years later, he got a big break by gaining conditional status on the PGA Tour Canada. Soon after, he decided to take a year off work to take care of his newborn son, Theo, while his wife, Kitan Ajanaku, whom he met in college, finished law school.

In the course of juggling family obligations, a part-time job and practice sessions, Grey confided in close friend, fellow golfer and college teammate Sam Asbury that he wasn’t sure how much longer he could push for his dream. Unbeknownst to Grey at the time, Asbury had approached his father about helping Grey.

A week later, Asbury committed suicide, a tragic event that changed the trajectory of Grey’s career. Touched by their friendship and with knowledge of Grey’s struggles to get back on the tour track, his friend’s parents, Kelly and David Asbury, decided to sponsor his golf dream for a minimum of three years.

With the newfound support, Grey earned full status on PGA Tour Canada for the 2020 season. Yet he received another blow to his momentum: When COVID hit, the tour was canceled. It was eventually rescheduled, and Grey was able to keep his tour card for the 2021 season. That success led to his earning status on the much larger Korn Ferry Tour, a series of 20 tour naments with three playoff events that serve as the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour.

“I got to the final stage of qualify ing for that tour, and then my daugh

Pro golfer finds his way despite life’s curveballs

JJ is wearing the Casino Royale Black Tuxedo Jacket, available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

ANDREW DIAZ WINKELMANN

Author’s debut book takes a novel approach to telling his family’s story STORY: Amy Meadows

filled floppy disks full of stories and comic books he penned. Yet at 14, he stopped writing and instead focused on his budding interest in the family business: Atlanta-based Diaz Foods, a leading distributor of specialty foods for the retail and food service markets. After one semester at the University of Alabama, he returned home to attend Georgia State University and began working full-time in Diaz Foods’ purchasing department. Over the next several years, he took on a variety of roles, ultimately becoming executive vice president of development and sales.

He thrived in the business world, but about five years ago, at 26, something began to bother him. “I felt like there was something missing, and it was hard to pinpoint,” he says. One December day, inspired by Stephen King’s On Writing, he began writing himself. “It was like I found a lifelong childhood friend who I hadn’t seen in years.” The overwhelming satisfaction led him to the MFA in creative writing program at Reinhardt University, where he transformed “The Cuban Dream” into The Guava Tree that was released Dec. 13, 2022, and is being translated into Spanish.

Today, Diaz Winkelmann is working on his second novel and continues to pursue his career with Diaz Foods. He does so with the support of his wife, Melissa, and their 2-year-old daughter, Cataleya, and 6-month-old son, Zeph. He also dedicates time to encouraging the next generation of Latino leaders, serving as vice chairman of the Hispanic Organization Promoting Education, on the board of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and previously as a member of the board of trustees for Springmont School. And while his schedule is full, he gladly juggles the roles of husband, father, executive and budding author.

“I’m really happy with how things are right now,” he says. “When it comes to my writing career and my business career, I realize that I don’t have to choose one or the other.

The process of writing this novel has influenced everything in my life.” n andrewdiazwinkelmann.com

Andrew Diaz Winkelmann vividly remembers the day

Andrew is wearing the English Cut Glen Plaid Two-Piece Suit in Navy and Rust Brown, available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

DELICIOUS

SAVOR SENSATIONAL FLAVORS AT TWISTED SOUL COOKHOUSE & POURS

Think of soul food as basic, down-home cooking?

Head to Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours on Atlanta’s Westside for proof that even the most recognizable dishes can soar above expectations. Here, skillful chefs and bartenders routinely kick earthly ingredients into the stratosphere of deliciousness.

High altitudes are familiar territory for chef and owner Deborah

VanTrece, who served as an international flight attendant for American Airlines for several years before rebooking herself into a culinary career. Her travels inform Twisted Soul’s concept: International influences nudge traditional Southern dishes into “modern, global soul food.”

Her unique approach has racked up plenty of attention, from Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives to the James Beard Foundation, which

nominated VanTrece for “Best Chef: Southeast” in 2023. She also authored the best-selling The Twisted Soul Cookbook: Modern Soul Food with Global Flavors. The VanTrece Hospitality Group includes two other restaurants: Oreatha's and La Panarda. Twisted Soul’s kitchen is helmed day-to-day by Executive Chef Robert Butts, a two-time Taste of Atlanta winner and James Beard Burger Battle Champion. You’re in good hands.

STORY: Hope S. Philbrick PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

The collard green roll may not get first billing, but it's a side worth celebrating.

“[Southern marinated fried chicken] put Twisted Soul on the map,” a smiling server says. One bite proves why.

Twisted Soul’s main and brunch menus offer something for most any palate. Whether you’re hankering for a few bites or a hearty meal, yearning for familiar flavors or exotic spices, hoping to dig into Southern culinary classics or try something new, you’ll find it. The dining room’s earthy color scheme, wood tables and concrete floor set a casual vibe, but preparations and presentations are upscale.

Start with a refreshing drink. The signature cocktail menu, overseen by Kursten Berry, showcases seasonal ingredients in innovative concoctions with fun names. Dream of Spring is a gentle mix of bourbon, strawberry-tarragon syrup, citrus and rhubarb garnished with flowers resting on egg white foam. The summery Vivrant Thing blends blanco tequila, watermelon, cucumber, basil, elderflower liqueur and lime juice.

Little Miss Staycation combines rye whiskey, sorrel, ginger, orgeat and lime juice into a zesty, tiki-esque sipper. A global mix of wines, beers and spirits is also available.

The best-selling dish is Southern marinated fried chicken that’s available on all menus and sticks around even when the lineup changes every three months to reflect the season. “This dish put Twisted Soul on the map,” a smiling server says. One bite proves why. Each piece of the half-chicken serving boasts crispy skin and juicy meat that’s cast iron pan-fried to sheer perfection. It’s served with decadent three-cheese macaroni, sweet potato apple chutney and a collard green roll that’s visually stunning and mild enough to win over anyone who usually avoids collards.

Hoisin oxtails rank as the second best-selling entree. Tender braised meat falls off the bone, its savory umami touched with sweet Cantonese flair. The accompanying vegetable fried rice and baby bok choy sauteed with ginger and garlic continue the Asian-fusion theme.

A server suggested smoked lamb tenderloin, sorghum spare ribs and tarragon mustard grilled chicken wings as popular favorites. But the Kerala-style blackened grouper proved to be an excellent choice. The fish is cooked to ideal flakiness and gets a spicy kick from the Indian-inspired curry sauce puddled around it and the stewed coconut rice and beans. Kale jalapeño

slaw

Left: Hoisin oxtails tantalize taste buds with their Cantonese flavors.

Above: The blackened grouper's flavors are influenced by coastal India, for a vacation in every bite.

Above: Shrimp and crab croquettes are almost too pretty to eat, but you won't want to leave a crumb.

Above: Chef/Owner Deborah VanTrece and Executive Chef Robert Butts lead the kitchen magic.

adds a layer of flavor and crunch.

Southern Fattoush salad is a fresh, colorful combination of lettuces, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, onions and peppers topped with cornbread croutons. It’s plated as a crescent cradling a container of basil buttermilk or red wine vinaigrette dressing. Among the small plates, shrimp and crab croquettes offer a delightful combo of flavors and textures.

Sweet seafood is cooked into crunchy cakes topped with tart/ spicy citrus remoulade and tender kale cabbage slaw. The warm house bread service is satisfying comfort with its small, soft sweet potato biscuits and cornbread drizzled with cardamom butter and honey.

Desserts can be shared if a few bites will satisfy yet small enough that ordering one per person doesn’t seem greedy. The sweet potato cheesecake tart’s sweet, soft interior and dense, crunchy crust

are a tasty match. The bourbon peach cobbler and lemon blueberry bundt cake were devoured by neighboring diners through smiles.

The brunch menu overlaps with lunch/dinner with a few additions.

The blackened fish Benedict was tempting, but we couldn’t resist the Southern fried chicken. Just about everyone at nearby tables ordered the Dirty South Fried Chicken Omelet that looked as decadent as it sounds. A server recommended we try the sweet potato churro French toast on our next brunch visit: “It’s mmm, ‘chef’s kiss,’” she says, which applies to everything we sampled.

Count Twisted Soul among Atlanta’s dining stars. n

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

404.350.5500

• twistedsoulatl.com

• @twistedsoul

Prices: Small plates, $6-22; sandwiches, $15-20; salads, $12-16; entrees, $24-42; desserts, $12; signature cocktails, $14-17.

Recommended: Dream of Spring and Vivrant Thing cocktails, Southern marinated fried chicken, Kerala-style grouper, shrimp and crab croquettes, sweet potato cheesecake tart.

Bottom line: Award-winning, chef-driven gastro-lounge that serves high-quality fare in a casual, inviting environment.

Above: The cocktail list elicits smiles with its fun names such as "No Cryin' at the Pynk" and "Little Miss Staycation."

Right: The sweet potato cheesecake is sized just right for one.

Above: Even salads are plated works of art at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours.

JUST PEACHY

A peach bellini captures the best of summer in a glass, lifting peach aroma with bubbly.

Bushels of flavor from local stone fruit cocktails STORY: Angela Hansberger

We only get fresh peaches from June through August. Their ephemeral nature, coupled with sweet juicy flavor, is why we want peaches in everything from iced tea to barbecue sauce. It’s no wonder that bartenders create cocktails to bring out the shine of the stone fruit.

After all, this is the Peach State. Our red clay soil is believed to produce the sweetest peaches, and we are proud of the fact. One of our most prominent thoroughfares is named Peachtree Road. In fact, about 75 streets have some form of “Peachtree” in the name.

The Southern Gentleman, situated on Peachtree Road, gives a toast to the Peach State with

BUBBLE UP

Locally owned Garnish & Gather delivers meal kits and groceries from local farmers and artisans. During peach season, they suggest using the fruit to make a peach bellini. Here’s the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

4 peaches

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 ½ tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup water

1 bottle Prosecco

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep peaches by bringing a large pot of water to boil, and fill a bowl with cool water and ice to make an ice bath for the peaches. Cut an X on the bottom of each peach to make peeling easier. Once water boils, add peaches and cook for 1 minute. Remove and place in the ice bath. Once cooled, peel off skin, cut in half and remove the pit.

To make the nectar, add peeled peaches, 1 cup of water, lemon juice, honey, vanilla and salt to a blender and puree until smooth. Chill the mix in the refrigerator. Pour the peach nectar into a flute. Add a small amount of Prosecco and stir. Top with more Prosecco.

GARNISH & GATHER garnishandgather.com @garnishandgather

the signature Breakfast in Georgia cocktail. The vibrant whiskey smash has a rich backbone from Leopold Bros. Georgia Peach Whiskey that’s infused with two types of ripe peaches. Lemon juice brightens, and basil adds herbaceous notes.

Sweet tea is the house wine of the South. Adding a little peach ups the ante. While playing all the fun games at Your 3rd Spot, sip on the Peachtree Tea. The spiked tea refresher blends bourbon, peach liqueur and sweet tea. What better southern accompaniment could there be for cornhole, giant Jenga or shuffleboard?

For delectable mixology without the booze, Westside’s The Woodall will have you saying its drink’s mon-

iker. Peach Me I’m Dreaming stirs together lush peach nectar, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Fever Tree tonic adds a bitter balance and bubbly sparkle while lifting the aroma of fresh tarragon sprigs. For an extra kick, ask to add gin or vodka.

When Atlanta summer days are scorchers, take that juicy fruit flavor up a notch by icing it. O-Ku’s Frose sparkles on the rooftop strung with twinkling lights. So thick and frosty you could eat it with a spoon, the peachy hued Frose is made with grapefruit rum, brut rosé, peach nectar and lemonade. It’s a swirl of fruit and floral intensity.

Take in the incredible views of Peachtree’s surroundings on Spaceman’s rooftop. The Bellini-esque

Bacchanal Spritz gets structure from peach schnapps, balancing the flavor of zingy sorrel, house made from hibiscus. Simple syrup ups the sweetness; lemon juice brightens; and French bubbly adds a vein of effervescence. It’s pale pink, and juicy, like that first summer peach. n

O-KU • o-kusushi.com • @okuatlanta

SPACEMAN

hyattcentricbuckheadrestautantsatl.com

@spacemanatl

THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

thesoutherngentlemanatlt.com

@thesoutherngentlemanatl

THE WOODALL thewoodallwestsidecom • @thewoodallatl

YOUR 3RD SPOT

Your3rdspot.com

• @your3rdspot

FOODIE JOURNAL Culinary News & Notes

BY Claire Ruhlin

Community Dining

Blaiss Nowak dishes on the new Sandy Springs outpost of his eponymous steakhouse, Nowak’s

Blaiss Nowak’s Morningside restaurant Nowak’s has opened a second location in Sandy Springs on the corner of Roswell and Abernathy roads. The son of Hal Nowak, owner of the Buckhead steakhouse Hal’s, he combines thoughtfully prepared dishes and a neighborhood atmosphere in his concept. The menu includes eight cuts of steak, a selection of seafood (think seafood towers, fresh oysters and Maine lobster) as well as classic entrees such as pasta and chicken. Cocktails are available beginning at 4 p.m. and dinner service starts at 5 p.m. Here, the restaurateur shares the impetus behind his expansion to Sandy Springs.

What made you decide to open Nowak's in Sandy Springs?

I have lived in Sandy Springs for 34 years and have close ties with the community here. I worked really hard on the Morningside menu, and it's been a real treat bringing the menu to another wonderful area of Atlanta to share it with more diners.

Will there be anything unique about this new location compared to the original? Our new location is more modern in atmosphere. We wanted something a little more sexy and sophisticated when we designed this new spot. We have a huge U-shaped bar that seats 27 guests

Taste of Summer

Fishmonger Head Chef Bradford Forsblom shares the recipe for one of his favorite summer dishes

Known for its seafood and raw bar, Fishmonger is expanding in Atlanta with locations in Poncey-Highland and the Pratt Pullman District, as well as the newly opened West Midtown outpost in the former La Fonda space. Celebrate summer with this easy-to-make shrimp recipe from Head Chef Bradford Forsblom.

and a private dining room for 50 guests. We built an oyster bar that includes a full raw bar with several seafood options, including caviar, and we added several more steak options.

What is your mission with Nowak's and how do you see this new location fulfilling that?

Our mission is to provide highquality food, a welcoming environment and excellent service to the Sandy Springs community. I believe this takes work, but that is the fun part n

NOWAK’S 404.980.3638 nowaksrestaurant.com @nowaksrestaurant

Lowcountry pickled shrimp

Serves: 6-10

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds of Atlantic or Gulf white shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 cups Vidalia onion, thinly sliced

2 cups water

1 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon

Saltines or Wheat Thins

For the pickling liquid

2 cups water

2 cups tarragon vinegar

4 tablespoons smooth Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons pickling spice

1 tablespoon black pepper

2 ½ tablespoons salt

2

½ tablespoons sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Lunch is officially on the menu at Buckhead's Chai Yo Modern Thai, featuring weekly “lunch boxes” that

include two entrees, soup and jasmine rice. A la carte lunch appetizers and entrees are also available, including Owner and Chef DeeDee Niyomkul’s take on the fried chicken sandwich as well as her favorite dish, drunken noodles with minced chicken chaiyoatl.com

n Seafood restaurant Message in a Bottle is a new concept from Dash Hospitality, the group behind restaurants

such as Aziza and The Usual. It’s set to open at The Village Dunwoody this fall. The menu will feature classic seafood dishes as well as a raw bar. dash-hospitality.com

n Chamblee Tap and Market is expected to open in downtown Chamblee in late 2023. In addition to a taproom serving beer and wine, the concept will also include a coffee house and food stalls. chambleetapandmarket.com

In a four-quart stock pot, boil heavily salted water (ocean salinity). Add the shrimp and blanch for one minute. Remove shrimp from the water and cool. Whisk the pickling liquid together in a bowl until the salt and sugar are dissolved. In an air-tight container or Ziploc bag, combine the Vidalia onion, shrimp and pickling liquid. Marinate for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator, stirring occasionally. To serve, toss shrimp, onions, 1 cup of the pickling liquid, olive oil and chopped tarragon. Taste and add salt if needed. Place in a bowl and serve with the crackers on the side.

FISHMONGER fishmongeratlanta.com @atlantafishmonger

PHOTOS: Joann Vitelli

Nowak’s owner Blaiss Nowak

Left: Nowak’s menu includes eight cuts of steak, as well as a full raw bar

Erik Meadows

Famili is a big fan of soccer and boxing. He loves attending Atlanta United games and UFC matches.

The Persian Prince

Ash Famili is the face behind Yalda, a blossoming Middle Eastern restaurant in Sandy Springs

Yalda owner/chef Ash Famili, 31, spent the first half of his life in Iran where food is central to his family history. While watching his mother cook for family parties, he recalls hearing stories about his grandfather being the best butcher in the country.

“That time together in the kitchen influenced everything. I wanted to accentuate my family and cul-

STORY: Carly Cooper

ture, and the best way to do it was with food,” says Famili, who moved to Atlanta at age 15.

He worked his way up in restaurants like Sufi’s Kitchen and Kyma, learning the trade from Pano I. Karatassos of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. He bought, grew and sold a Persian franchise called Caspian Grill and consulted on other restaurants around Atlanta. After traveling

to Istanbul, he grew eager to share his family heritage with his Sandy Springs neighbors. In late 2022, he opened Yalda in Aria Village to serve Persian favorites such as halloumi, kebabs and crispy rice for lunch and dinner. He plans to open a second location in West Midtown this summer.

Here, he shares his inspirations, daily routines and the sports he can’t resist.

Where do you get your inspiration for Yalda?

Yalda is the night of the Persian calendar when the family shares stories, reads poetry and enjoys time together. After I lost a few family members during COVID, I wanted to see people smile, enjoy food, laugh and create good memories.

How do you come up with your recipes?

I stole almost everything from my mom. She didn’t cook the same things every night. It didn’t have to be a fancy dinner, but it was creative, making a lot of the same ingredients taste and look different. I’m also inspired seeing how much love Chef Pano puts in his food, with the Greek culture being somewhat similar to Middle Eastern/Persian.

What’s a typical work day for you?

Early in the morning, I check reservations for the day. I strategize marketing and social media approaches, build the team, get involved with specials behind the bar, deal with vendors and check on construction in West Midtown. At night, I make sure we are executing properly, ensuring quality and consistency. I stop by tables and make sure people are enjoying their meals. We are all trying to make sure the guest has the best experience possible.

How do you keep your team engaged?

I like to have fun with the people I work with, in and outside of work. We try to be silly. One day we were talking about how the rabbits in Sandy Springs are funny looking. The next day we were tasting mezcal, and one of the guys told us this story about the rabbits in Mexico eating the mezcal plants and getting drunk. So we named the mezcal drink on our menu Drunken Rabbit.

What do you do for fun?

I like to stay in good shape— stretch, exercise, hit the [punching] bag. I like to go to the soccer field and play with my dog there. My brain works better like that. I go out for drinks with my guy friends and check out different spots in town. We like to listen to deep house music—weird European stuff—and hang out on rooftops. n

Cameren Rogers

FUN FACT

A Kollection of Family Recipes from Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles

Enjoy delicious Southern meals with Kooking with Kelli’s easy-to-prepare mouth-watering dishes. Welcoming you to her personal family traditions, Kelli brings you fun, personal tips and new creative ideas, incorporating simple ingredients with delectable flavor. In this collection, you’ll learn to cook soul-satisfying homemade food, with recipes that have been passed down for generations, including:

• Honey Fried Chicken

• Shrimp and Grits

• Chicken and Waffles

• Banana Bread

• Grilled Pork Chops

• Southern Sweet Potato Pie

Autographed Special Edition available to order at KookingwithKelli.com

Visit us at Nana’s in McDonough for fresh, hot, comfort food that will make you feel at home while giving you a little peek inside the cuisine of Louisiana and Maryland.

nanaschickenandwaffles.com

Co-Chairs Marlene Alexander & Butch Whitfield

Chef Hosts Peter Kaiser & Kevin Rathbun invite you to:

The 20th Annual Party in the Kitchen | Benefitting Open Hand

Honoring Chef Gerry Klaskala

Thursday, September 28, 2023

The Stave Room, American Spirit Works

For tickets and sponsorships please visit partyinthekitchen.org

Hurry! Early Bird ticket pricing ends August 25th

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

You can’t talk to an R. Thomas fan without hearing praise for their fish tacos.

Pork sausage spaghetti is a comforting winner at FIA Restaurant.

Griddle cakes with apples and pecans get the morning off to a sweet start at OK Café.

BY: Wendell Brock, Rebecca Cha, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Angela Hansberger, Hope S. Philbrick PHOTOS: Sara Hanna, Erik Meadows

ANTICO PIZZA NAPOLETANA

The best pizzas linger in memory and spark cravings long after that last piece is gone. Antico Pizza Napoletana’s original Westside location presents several contenders with its straightforward menu of 11 pizzas (five with red sauce, six with white) plus three calzones.

San Gennaro makes taste buds swoon with its sweet, spicy, savory and salty combination of sausage, peppers, bufala mozzarella and cippolini onion atop the restaurant’s signature charred-yet-chewy crust. The specialty Sophia pizza is topped with mozzarella, onion, mushrooms and a hint of white truffle oil with sophisticated results. The crowd-pleasing Margherita D.O.P. presents a tantalizing combination of imported tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Lasagna pizza tops red sauce with meatballs, ricotta and Romano cheeses for flavors that are mild yet satisfying. Off-menu items include a pre-packaged salad and imported drinks. You’re welcome to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy alongside your meal with no corkage fee.

Pizza: $19-27 • Calzoni: $18-19 • littleitalia.com

BLUE RIDGE GRILL

For more than 20 years, Blue Ridge Grill has been a mecca for Buckhead power lunchers and chill evening diners alike. Whether for business or romance, BRG is a paragon of hospitality, and each guest is embraced like a VIP. Standard crowd-pleasers on the EuroAmerican menu include grilled Georgia trout, French-boned chicken with wild mushrooms and filet mignon with Vidalia onions. Small plates and sides of iron skillet mussels, Caesar salad with crisp Beeler bacon, custard-like corn soufflé and (off-menu item) fried pickles with buttermilk dipping sauce are absolute must-tries. If cost is an issue, call ahead, as menu prices are not advertised online.

Lunch: $9-$42 • Dinner: $13-$62 blueridgegrill.com

DEL FRISCO’S GRILLE

While the Texas-based chain is known for superb steaks, fusion appetizers and flatbreads, we think the burgers are sensational. In particular, the Pimento Cheese Burger, an uptown riff on the Big Mac, is a tower of juicy deliciousness: two patties with lettuce, tomato and pickle; plus housemade “sloppy sauce” (it’s like a smooth Thousand Island); plus two generous smears of pimento cheese, which slides down the stack and seals in all that juicy goodness. Del Frisco’s gets special points for packaging: The burger sits coyly in a partly open paper wrapper, while the fries are in a little paper cone on the side. A cold, frothy draft beer is the clincher.

Appetizers: $7-$16.50

Sandwiches and flatbreads: $12.50-$18

Steaks: $29.50-$39.50 delfriscosgrille.com/atlanta

FIA RESTAURANT

Many of the best meals are an escape, a getaway. Fortunately for Atlanta residents, it’s simple enough to find bites that both awaken our wanderlust and satisfy our desire for something beyond the ordinary. Case in point: Fia, the restaurant tucked inside The Burgess Hotel. A glance at the menu will tell you that, while you’ll likely be able to pick out influences—Greek, Indian, Thai, Italian—you can’t put this menu in a box. That fact makes it so much fun to order what you like and explore dishes such as tender-crisp charred octopus, shrimp saganaki, pan-seared potato gnocchi, whole grilled branzino and bone-in short rib served over spiced lentils and basmati rice. A meal here is like a global getaway close to home.

Appetizers, soups and salads: $8-19

Entrees: $24-$38 • From the grill: $28-$98

Sides: $13 • Desserts: $12-$15 • fiaatlanta.com

GYPSY KITCHEN

Take your taste buds on a nomadic journey at Gypsy Kitchen in the Buckhead Village District, where you’ll find abundant flavors plus an upbeat vibe. Small plates dominate the menu, true to the Spanish tapas experience. The eclectic assortment ensures there’s something to please just about anyone, with abundant vegetarian options as well as diverse omnivore plates. Don’t miss tirokroketes, a trio of crisp cheese balls served with spicy-tart almond romesco sauce. Grilled octopus is cooked to tender perfection. Roasted mushrooms and whipped goat cheese toast surely makes avocado toast green with envy. Moroccan spiced lamb skewers are pleasantly spicy. Sumac honeyroasted carrots offer a healthy way to satisfy sweet cravings. The bar menu presents wine, beer and creative cocktails including gin and tonic on draught with an exclusive tonic. Sangria is offered in both red and rosé versions, with shareable carafes available for an authentic Spanish experience.

Cocktails: $9-15 • Small Plates: $9-20

Meat & Cheese: $8-48 • Mains: $25-65

Desserts: $10-12 • gk-atl.com

OK CAFÉ

Just as we send diners to Bone’s for the definitive steakhouse experience, we suggest OK Café as a classic diner with a strong Southern twang. The offerings here are anchored in time and tradition: Root beer floats and cherry lemonade are called Black Cows and Pink Ladies. Meat-and-twos and veggie plates laden with silken collards and exquisite mac and cheese are meant to be washed down with sweet ice tea and sopped up with a perfect corn muffin. Fat slices of meatloaf encrusted with tomato sauce, roast turkey with cornbread dressing and gravy,

chicken pot pie with an adorable little “OK” stamped onto its puff-pastry blanket—this stuff draws a crowd. If you don’t want to play the waiting game, you’d better arrive before 11 a.m. or between the lunch and dinner rush. After a quarter-century, OK Café never goes out of style.

Appetizers: $4-$8 • Burgers and sandwiches: $4-$13 • Mains: $12-$16 • okcafe.com

R. THOMAS DELUXE GRILL

Open 24/7 and bedecked with ’70s-style disco lighting, beaded curtains and groovy plastic walls, this Buckhead favorite feels like a throwback to the days when the health food craze was in its genesis. Whether you go for the sizzling bone-in hot wings or Dr. Joe’s Mango Salad with a side of raw cashew “cheese,” R. Thomas lives up to its promise to “treat carnivores and vegetarians with equal respect.” More menu favorites include the quinoa-rich Thai Express bowl, the classic Thomas Burger with sprouts and guacamole, the curry coconut seafood linguine, Southwestern-style R.’s Quesadilla and an unforgettable peanut butter chocolate pie.

Breakfast: $9.75-$14.75 • Appetizers: $4.50$17.50 • Sandwiches, salads and veggie mains: $5.99-$17.50 • Entrees: $13.25-$20.75

Desserts: $6.50-$8.75 • rthomasdeluxegrill.net

SOUTHBOUND

A “welcome to the neighborhood” vibe lingers throughout Southbound in Chamblee, whether you sit at the bar stocked with artisan spirits, on a comfortable chair in the main dining room or under an umbrellaed picnic table on the patio. Weathered wood, exposed bricks and dangling light bulbs give the space casual elegance. The menu presents Southern comfort food with some creative international flavors and influences. Variety means there’s something for just about any preference, diet, budget and hunger level. The menu changes about three times a year, but popular favorites remain, including the double-stack burger, Southern ramen, smoked short rib, Chamblee hot chicken and wild Georgia Shrimp.

Small plates: $4-$18 • Mains: $14-$33

Sides: $4-$6 • Desserts: $6-$9 southboundatl.com

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

Don’t be put off by the mobs of hipsters waiting for a table or the funky menu items with unfamiliar ingredients such as hemp, flax and chia. Though it could easily be mistaken for an ephemeral, crunchy beardo hangout, True Food Kitchen is here to stay— not just because of its good intentions and exemplary karma, but because of its tasty eats. Favorites include the shiitake lettuce cups, spring asparagus toast and the T.L.T. (tempeh, lettuce and tomato) sandwich. Good

for the uninitiated are the margherita pizza, steak tacos and Mediterranean chicken pita. Recommended drinks include the nonalcoholic Cucumber Cooler and Medicine Man tea or the buzz-inducing lemongrass margarita, citrus skinny margarita and Strawberry Smash.

Starters and vegetable plates: $7-$13

Salads and bowls: $10-$14 (added protein $3-$9) • Pizzas and sandwiches: $12-$16

Entrees: $14-$26 • truefoodkitchen.com

THE WOODALL

With its friendly, relaxed vibe, it’s easy to feel among friends at The Woodall in Westside Village, whether you prefer the comfortable dining room or outdoor patio. Whitewashed brick, shiny metal, warm woods, brown leather and modern light fixtures cozy up the converted warehouse while a mural of eagle talons clasping a silver spoon adds personality. The dinner and brunch menus present globally inspired dishes and drinks featuring local ingredients. The menu changes seasonally, with options such as lump crab beignets, open-faced tenderloin sandwich, Sicilian calamari and rock shrimp and fried chicken tucked into a feather-light biscuit. The restaurant’s website confidently asserts, “You’ll be back!” There are plenty of reasons to do just that.

Small plates: $9-$15 • Salads: $9-12

Sandwiches: $11.5-17 • Mains: $13-$43

Sides: $5-$6 • Desserts: $9-$10 thewoodallwestside.com

ZAFRON

If you’re like us, the minute you hear Persian foodie buzzwords such as mirza ghasemi, hummus and kabob, your mouth starts watering, and you’ve got one foot out the door. If you’re smart, you’ll head directly to Zafron in Sandy Springs. Once seated, a beaming server will bring a complimentary sabzi plate and pita from the wood-burning oven. That extra-mile hospitality spills over into all areas, especially the food: world-class lamb kabob, fire-roasted salmon and the “Zafron special” made with chile, mango and eggplant. Plenty of classic small plates and rice dishes are joined with a few East-meetsWest treats such as spicy Zafron chicken wings and tiramisu.

Starters and salads: $5- $9 • Wraps (lunch only): $12 • Entrees: $12-$32

Sides and rice: $3-$7 • Desserts: $5-$7 persianrestaurantsandysprings.com

Note: Prices and menu items may have changed since original publication.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

Visit simplybuckhead.com to read all of our restaurant reviews!

FULL COURSE CLASSIC

The 32nd Full Course Classic took over Duluth’s TPC Sugarloaf golf club in late May to raise funds for local hunger relief efforts. The tournament supports the work of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a nonprofit that distributes more than 9.7 million pounds of food each month through its network of 700-plus partners across 29 Georgia counties. Chaired by Georgia Power Director of Operations Adam Emrich, the outing drew 125 participants who raised more than $250,000 for those efforts while enjoying breakfast, golf, lunch from Proof of the Pudding and a silent auction featuring sports tickets, private Napa-Sonoma wine tours, concert tickets and 22-year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. The day wrapped with a banquet catered by the club during which Adam Noyes, Phil Noyes and Guy Thomson with Proof of the Pudding were honored for their 30-plus years of service to the food bank.

STORY: H.M. Cauley

PHOTOS: Viviana Fonseca, Robin Henson Photography

Sera Tadokoro, Krist Bib

Wil Baillon, Andy Gatewood, Tony Vetrano, Arvind Krishnaswami

Caroline Blaylock

Derin Dickerson, Jason Blake, Henry Kelly

LaRhonda Dukes, Andy McLendon

Jordan Campbell

Mark Mitchell, Ray Louis, Lance Dayson, Pat Ferrer

Sarah Fonder-Kristy, Adam Noyes, Guy Thompson, Phil Noyes, Adam Emrich

MAKING A SPLASH

Rising Star Alice Park tests the spectacular pool at 99 West Paces.

PHOTO: Erik Meadows

YOUR W OR L D from A N E W P E R SPE C T I V E

Introducing Vista. Our spectacular view to the future. 12 culinary venues offer e xtraordinary dining experiences. The most spacious staterooms at sea provide u nequaled comfort. More staff for fewer guests results in the most remarkable personal service. Inaugural season itinerariesto Europe,the Holy Lands and the Americas present countless opportunities for adventure.Reservations now open

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Loudermilk Homes is the exclusive Southern Living Magazine Custom Builder for Cashiers.

THE MICHAUD/RAUERS GROUP

JUDY MICHAUD: 828.371.0730

MITZI RAUERS: 404.218.9123

TOM GOLDACKER: 828.200.9045

JOHN MUIR: 404.245.7027

BROOKS KITTRELL: 828.230.4453

Office: 828.526.1717 | 488 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741 | www.MeadowsMountainRealty.com