My life in Atlanta will soon come to a close, but not before I can do as much shopping and dining as possible. Today for lunch a co-worker and I slipped away to hit up the Wednesday Food Truck Coalition at Stove Works on Krog Street.
Lunch was Yumbii with a chicken taco, pulled pork taco (my favorite) and some delicious sesame fries with chipolte ketchup.
Lindsey giving it the seal of approval
Dessert was my usual chocolate sea salt pop from King of Pops.
Just three days until weekend wonderful. I'll be driving over to Jackson Friday afternoon and then heading to Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the first game then back to Jackson Sunday morning for a relaxing Labor Day Weekend. Last year I was at the beach, so I will probably get a little depressed...when this happens I fix the problem with greasy food.
Schedule of eating and drinking...
Friday- following in my tradition (OK it has only happened one time, but I intend to make it a tradition because I love the selections they offer) when I pull of my exit in Madison I plan to stop at Colony Wine Market to pick up a bottle for that night's grill session. Not sure what that is yet, but I am never disappointed when a Marks is behind the grill. For the month of August, Colony is promoting the Shaya, a Spanish white wine. I can't wait to try this one out.
Saturday/gameday -lunch will be filled with many Denny Dogs. A stadium hot dog that for some reason tastes like manna from Heaven.
Dinner will be a bit more impressive with Chuck's in downtown Tuscaloosa. My all time favorite and one of our weekly "girl's night out rituals."
Sunday - Our departure will not begin until we make a pit stop at my favorite T-town breakfast joint, The Waysider.
Best biscuits, best coffee, best everything breakfast...ask for Dixie, she will hook you up.
Back in Jackson/Madison...it's my goal to talk Matthew into a steak from Tico's Steak House (I have never been let down here), Babalu Tacos & Tapas , a milkshake from Brent's (The Help reference), roasted chicken ravioli from Amerigo's, and lunch one day from Julep would be appreciated. Let's see how this works out.
Babalu chicken tacos
The Help author Kathryn Stockett at Brent's
Check out her interview with Southern Living
Yep, 10 days until kick-off. This will be another tough post-grad season since none of us will be yelling from the front row of the Phi Gam section in Bryant-Denny anymore, but it is even more special as the grillmaster, excuse me Green Egg master, and I always turn these sacred Saturdays into an episode of "The Neely's" and devour meat and whiskey while making long-distance phone calls to friends and parents about the bad calls we've seen throughout the game. Our house divided will also make it to a few games in Oxford and Tuscaloosa, and we will even make it to a game in Nashville due to one of our showers being hosted in the Music City the Friday night before the Vandy/Ole Miss game.
Yellow Hammers at Galette's
I don't just love football season because one of the first phrases out of my mouth as a child was "Roll Tide." I cherish it because I think it is one of The South's greatest time to shine. Yes, it is also our time to look foolish in many cases (believe me I know...I am a BAMA fan). But, let's take a second to think of how unique and special our traditions really are. Plus, it doesn't hurt that The South is king of college football. I don't care what Andy from Perrysburg, Ohio says (Finebaum reference).
Pregame celebration with a band party
Georgia/Florida Jacksonville, FL
It is part of our culture to show our hospitality and always make sure we bring a covered dish to the tailgate, but each school in the SEC has its own unique personality and traditions which makes each campus special.
Whether you are setting up your beautifully catered tent in The Grove, stirring up the best pot of gumbo Baton Rouge has ever seen, attending the World's Largest Cocktail Party (otherwise known as the Georgia/Florida game), bringing as many maroon and white cowbells as you can hold, or getting chills when you see the war eagle make his rounds above the stadium (that was a tough one for me to type); we all have some special tradition or ritual that we are proud of.
I remember our morning rituals of waking up with mimosas to watch Gameday then heading down to "the strip" to have a sip of what is now nostalgia at it's best (otherwise known as a Yellow Hammer), and most importantly making sure you enter the stadium an hour before kick-off, because girls your date WILL leave you if he does not make it in time for the Bear Bryant/Bama Tradition video. So, even if you aren't the type of girl to really appreciate it all, make your daddy happy and do so or at least make sure you bring a dip or casserole to your tent.
The Grove on gameday
Tennessee tailgate in Knoxville
As Southerners we may never agree on anything football related, except that we have something special down here come fall that gives us all chills. I think it goes beyond cheering for your team. It's shown in our food, our tailgate tablescapes, our attire, and even in our school themed thank you notes and checkbooks. It's about the pride and passion we have for our states, our schools, and OUR SOUTH. So, A&M good luck getting in, because we are the greatest, and you would have a lot to live up to.
Pig Sooie, Go Gators, Roll Tide, War Eagle, Hotty Toddy,Go Dawgs (UGA and MSU), Geaux Tigers, Go Dores, Go Cocks, Go Vols, and Go Big Blue.
"The sun will soon set in Death Valley!"
I leave you with this...now this should give you chills or at least a hankerin' for a drink in a solo cup.
I just bought the Pearl Southern Couture Roper Skirt in red. I am officially ready for gameday. I can't wait to throw this on with some boots. This will be my first of many PSC purchases of the Fall. Can't get enough.
I am very pleased with my new fragrance. I love the mature and musky smell. If you would rather smell like a vamp than a Juicy Couture teenager then this is the choice for you. Not hatin' on Juicy, just sayin'.
I have had a crazy obsession with cowboy boots for as long as I can remember. I am not a huge fan of heels, especially during Fall and Winter, so boots are my fashion statement. They can be semi-dressy or casual not to mention they are great for football games and tailgating.
I am embarrassed to admit that I became even more crazed after Jessica Simpson played Daisy Duke in "The Dukes of Hazard" and sported an array of kickers. My last birthday I recieved a pair of red cowboy boots that I had been craving; however, I am still searching for the ones the Janette character wore in an episode of "Treme" last season that were bedazzled with red with rhinestones. I should have been born in Texas.
my go to boot, except mine has pink rhinestones
I think mixing black and brown is so western chic...would kill for the bag too.
vintage
Last Fall I found some of my favorite boots by searching on eBay. I was able to find two vintage pairs of Frye boots both around only $40.
OK, these metallic babies may be a bit overboard, but that's usually how I like to roll. Love them and I need some in black and gold for bachelorette party purposes . :)
Not cowboy, but my most recent purchase from bedstu. I'm pretty lame and got them in both brown and black.
Taigan features some great stores out of Nashville and Jackson Hole that have some truely authentic pairs. Yipee ki yay!
It's always great to come home and spend some quality time with family. Mom and I spent Saturday afternoon doing some "research" for wedding cocktails. Needless to say, we didn't get very far, but we did have a great time relaxing in the pool and enjoying some great Pandora stations.
We drink mimosas like rednecks...ice cold, hot pink beer mug and fill 'er to the top.
Later on Mom and I went to see "The Help" with a couple of friends, and we of course cried like little girls.
Sunday, our friends the Sanders, who joined us at the movies, stopped by to give us a secret recipe chocolate pie, we were assured the secret was not Minnie's secret ingredient from "The Help." :)
Yuuuuuuuummm!
End the night at big sister's house with a home cooked meal. Also, got the treat of playing with my favorite little guy.
The family fun was meant to continue tonight at Horseradish Grill with Mom and the sisters then on to Chastain Park Amphitheatre to watch our girl Stevie Nicks, but she decided to cancel. Dinner will continue, but without our hippie skirts and awful renditions of "Gold Dust Woman."
Due to my current location and not having the schedule of a college student, we have not been able to make as many trips as we used to down to New Orleans for football games, Mardi Gras and the monthly excuse to indulge in some great food. If I had one day and the stomach of an T-Rex then I would devour the below.
Breakfast:
If I ever made it on the show, "Best Thing I Ever Ate", I would without a doubt choose the eggs benedict from Stanley in Jackson Square. Simple enough, but this little guy has something extra, BOUDIN SAUSAGE, a delicious blend of rice, pork, and spices!
this pic was followed by beignets, more mimosas and a Saturday smackdown from LSU :( roll tide?
Afternoon Cocktail Time:
Head across the street to Muriel's for some rooftop drinks, privacy and great views.
Lunch:
Lunch time I would hit up Ignatius Eatery & Grocery in Uptown for the shrimp & grits sampler and an spicy bowl of red beans and rice.
no alcohol so buy an old fashioned bottle of coca cola, but wait... you can buy beer to brown bag while on your way out
Dinner:
Top the night off with some local characters and a plate of alligator and crawfish cheesecake from Jacques-Imo's on Oak Street. The atmosphere is funky and relaxed from the chef himself to the creole music playing throughout.
I kid you not, the cheesecake is to die for
the party pours out onto the street
probably not the best idea before race day
I would love to be in a New Orleans food coma, but instead I'm just starving and counting down the days until our next trip.
I ordered some prints from Esty a few weeks ago that just arrived. I absolutely love them and am still trying to decide on what color frame I should go with. I was thinking some turquoise and coral, but I think I need to reel it in and stick with a gold. Props to artist from United Thread... go check out more of their awesome prints.
The Fiance is coming in town today and besides having a relazing weekend, I would like for us to do a little research. Without giving away too much information...we are having a specialty cocktail bar at the wedding and my goal for the next 48 hours is for us to find out what we love, what we hate and what our friends will enjoy. Bourbon must be included in at least one of the concoctions. My search begins at : JCT Kitchen, Miller Union and Empire State South. If you have any other suggestions...please hit me up. Let's do this!
I'm sick of flip flops and me being pale. I'm looking forward to fur, leather and cowboy boots. Can't wait for Pearl Southern Couture's Fall Fashion Line.
friend/sorority sister, Ashton Perley models her sister, Amber's fashion line, Pearl Southern Couture based out of Dallas.
While on my way to Nashville, I stopped in my hometown of Dalton, GA to visit with the parents for a bit.
I had a couch of my Grandmother's recovered with some fabric I found at Forsyth Fabrics and my Mom had just picked up so I wanted to see how it turned out. Take a look...
Thanks Memaw!
On the Road again...
Nickajack Lake
Speaking of Memaw, my Grandmother and Dad are from North Alabama ( Tuscumbia/Florence area), which is on the way to Nashville, and while en route I snapped a few shots of the beautiful landscape.
I found a little surprise when I finally arrived at our friend's in Nashville. My little Liza Jane.
First things first...We had to go back to our favorite Nashville watering hole, The Patterson House.
The inconspicuously charming bar is located in an old house with a sexy and mysterious atmosphere. The menu has the most extensive list of speakeasy inspired cocktails, not to mention a yummy assortment of bar snacks. We had the beignets:)
I can't remember what I ordered, but it was delicious and beautiful.
Matt's Bacon Old Fashioned
Cheers!
We were later inspired to concoct a similar drink.
Step 1...
Step 2...
Step 3...
Perfection!
Rise and Shine...after the coffee it was time to stock up on some items for dinner before we head to Beerfest!
Absolutely precious
I think this is where the eggs come from...
Beerfest was everything I had hoped it would be. After many taste tests, my favorite beer was... Yazoo Brewing Company's Hefeweizen. I bought a shirt I liked it so much.
Due to my current location and not having the schedule of a college student, we have not been able to make as many trips as we used to down to New Orleans for football games, Mardi Gras and the monthly excuse to indulge in some great food. If I had one day and the stomach of an T-Rex then I would devour the below. 
