janelle struts her stuff in (slightly random) xmas gap ad

ain't she the cutest? as y'all probably know, i love janelle monáe and think she is, for lack of a better work, the bomb, and have been waiting for her to take over the world ever since i saw her perform early last year. and it looks like her world domination has started. because we all know, gap is the way to conquer!

it's a pretty random lineup here, but cool nonetheless. bring on the new reign of janelle!

chocolate chocolate chocolate!

last night was the grand opening of cacao, the new chocolate, ice cream and other goodies shop of kristen "k chocolat" hard, the best chocolate maker ... ever, i think. her concoctions are made with top grade cocoa beans (she does "bean to bar" chocolate, which means she knows exactly where the beans are coming from and makes everything herself), fresh herbs and spices, and all other lovely kinds of organic and fair trade ingredients.

the store is in the lovely, flowering inman park district, close to fritti - basically take elizabeth street over n. highland and it's on your right. or just follow your nose to the delightful chocolate smells.

put a little political support in your 'do

these barack obama barrettes aren't only the cutest things for hair to ever come out of politics, but they also go to support obama's campaign ($10 out of every set sold, for $18 a pair - steal!). go to mara greenaway's etsy site to buy.

ta-daa! now let's have a cocktail!

so here's another want for the fast-approaching holiday season. and with the madness that the hols bring, i think it will be well-needed...



anne taintor has a slew of other cute flasks, buttons, key rings and bags, all with such vintage witticisms. this flask is $22, so someone can probably afford to buy one for themselves and me!

new criminal records location is open!

i stopped by criminal records' new little five points location on euclid ave (right next to new gasto-pub, the porter) today while taking a break for the achingly slow computer at work. there's still a bit of work going on, like the rather large (for an indie record store) stage being constructed in the back, which will sure as hell beat trying to see bands over people's heads in the old, cramped (yet lovable) location. but all in all, criminal records is open for business!



obviously the first big difference is size. this place feels like it's four times the size of the old criminal, and with high ceilings and a skylight, there is an odd feeling of light airiness that is slightly foreign for those used to the narrow nooks and crannies of the moreland ave location. there's a maaaassive vinyl section, and the comic books are proudly on display along the right wall, instead of slightly hidden away at the back, tucked away with the fun 'n' geeky toys.



here's some pics i took; hopefully my masterful photography (or lack there of) will be able to do the lovely new space some justice.

wondering what i want for my birthday?

just in case you were, or if you're wondering what i dig...

so lets see what this has going for it:
1. it's a hat. hat's are awesome.
2. not only is it a hat, it's a beret. beret's are awesome.
3. it's got sequins. sequins are sparkley and therefore awesome.

conclusion: awesome.

to shop: bloomingdales

shop local: save wordsmiths

this is gonna sound pretty hypercritical, because i'm basically spending no "outside budget" money for a while. but for all those who love a good book and do buy them, or have a nice bit of expendable income, or think indie is the way to go, please stop by decatur's wordsmiths book store and do a bit of shopping.

CHOCOLATE!!!

regular readers should know that i don't use all-caps without very good reason. chocolate is one such reason. and not just your average chocolate. friggin' awesome chocolate from an awesome chocolatier from an awesome chocolate restaurant at an awesome chocolate-selling shop.

kristen hard of k chocolat, whose marvelous creations can be sampled at decatur's chocolate bar (pretty much my fave dessert place in the world and go-to place for any celebration of me), will be having an event hosted by another fave of mine, kirkwood shop le petit marche. this place is the go-to store for fancy sandwiches, posh cheeses and other delectables. seriously, after eating their basil chicken & pesto panini and buying some saffron cheese for tim and my wedding anniversary, this place has me happy to be living in atlanta, which says a lot.

anyway, back to the event, which takes place may 16, 7-9pm. kirsten will be featuring her herbal-infused choccies (which apparently means we don't have to feel guilty about eating them. sold!) along with appetizers, champers (champagne for non-brit types), a gift and 10% discount off what the store itself has to offer. well, i'm in. tickets are $30, but you can get $5 off if you use this link, i believe.

see you there!

great bath balls of fire!

or should that be great bath balls of bubbles? not sure about that one...

anyway, as if i couldn't be more excited with the new stores we're getting in atlanta - h&m, zara... and now my fave, lovely-smelling beauty product store lush is planning on making a splash into atlanta's proverbial bathtub this fall (same month as my birthday actually... hint hint).

and to top it off, my excitement at the news brought to me by my good mate and atlanta magazine fashion ed amanda brown got a mention in her blog shop girl. coolness.

bath bombs for everyone!

the best in cheap'n'trendy

at last! [repost from the lovely shopgirl at atlanta magazine]...

"Well, it’s official: H&M finally signed its lease with Atlantic Station and is set to open there next spring. I’m imagining IKEA-like crowds and wondering if I just won’t wait for it all to die down before I go . . . but the temptation may be too great. Will you be able to resist?

H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is long known for cheap chic styles and its collaborations with designers such as Stella McCartney, Madonna, and as of this fall, Roberto Cavalli. With shops in 28 countries, it’s crazy, in my opinion, that H&M is just now hitting Atlanta."

hurrah for the onslaught of cute, affordable rags - i'll be first in line!