It's a Brand New Day!

Great quote: Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Good morning! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Mr. Southern and I got a bit of gardening accomplished- mostly weeding, admittedly, but rather cathartic! Madison, our youngest furbaby, tossed up Daddy's sock that she apparently had eaten last week when Mommy was out of town. Of course, we thought the culprit was Tilghman! (sorry, that is probably TMI). Needless to say, she is feeling much better and is now getting along fine with foster dog Kaylee.

Speaking of dogs, last week we attended a fundraiser for the Atlanta Humane Society, hosted by the fine folks at Sweetwater Brewing. We got to meet Lemonhead, an incredibly sweet Staffordshire Terrier rescued from a dog-fighting ring in Atlanta. After socializing (and after I-nicely- finished grilling of one of the directors), we had a tour of the facility.
Friday night, Habersham hosted another Garden Party with a few tasty snacks and wine. Few things better than sipping wine in the garden.
It's no secret that I would replace all of the grass in our backyard with gardens and pathways if Mr. Southern would allow me and Habersham is just the place for inspiration (I also posted about them last Fall).

Honestly, not to knock anyway, but how many garden centers have staging like this?

Not to mention their fabulous indoor spaces, a respite from the chilling temps, featuring items that look equally great indoors as out.

Love this little guy...This little house was too expensive for my taste (well over $200!) but oh so cute.


This little bunny would be a welcome visitor in any garden... and just in time for Easter.



LOVE the look of these edibles.

And as we did last fall, we finished up at Alfredo's, a great old-school Italian place.


Have a fabulous week!!

Supper Club- and Livingston Review

Upon reading Courtney's (StyleCourt) announcement of the Atlanta Community Food Bank's Supper Club at Livingston, I knew we had to go.
I had driven by Livingston Restaurant, at the Georgian Terrace Hotel recently on my tour of Atlanta. Given an opportunity to check out the restaurant, have a date with Mr. Southern, and give 20% of our dinner proceeds to charity- it was the trifecta of goodness.


The Georgian Terrace hotel, now on the list of the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1911 as "a Southern version of a Parisian hotel."

The hotel has recently undergone an $11 million renovation and the grand reopening party of the Livingston Restuarant and Bar, which we clearly missed, was April 23.

One word- Divine. Or maybe perfection. Walking through the hotel, I almost felt like we were in downtown Washington D.C.- and that's a good thing. Perhaps a stretch, but given the French influence in designing Washington D.C. (Pierre Charles L'Enfant), the connection makes sense to me.

Researching the design for this post, I realized the Puccini Group designed this space. Note that they also designed the AltoRex Lounge, where Mr. Southern took me for my birthday. Aha- no wonder I love this space.

Entering the restaurant, I was smitten by the grandeur. So much so that I broke my own rule about dining outside (always dine outside when given the chance) and we sat inside. The architectural details are magnificent and made me wish I remembered more from my Historic Preservation class in undergrad so that I could appropriately define all those details.

Marble columns, carved moldings, coffered ceiling, beautiful light fixtures, and remakes of black and white photos from Gone With the Wind's opening night. (Note: the 1939 opening night party of GWTW was held at the hotel.)

The back of the bar (above), which served as the waitstaff station, featured a collection of old glassware on the top shelf (I wish you could see the details!). Beautiful. Needless to say, my expectations were quite high. Unrealistically so, perhaps.

Our waitress was slightly awkward, which could be understandable in some settings, but this space screamed for suave waitstaff.

Chef Gary Mennie (formerly of Taurus and co-founder of Canoe) has created an interesting menu- slight Southern influence but not overly so. The food was good, but in a town of great restaurants, not fabulous enough to make us rush back. And as ridiculous or petty as this sounds, I was slightly bothered by the 3 $40 wines in the "wines under $40" list and the $32 wine in the "wines under $30" section.

The bar area was as delicious-looking as the rest of the building and featured great lounge-y spaces as well as a patio overlooking Ponce de Leon (I think?).

I adored the modern cocktail tables, use of sheer fabrics, and lighting. And the windows!



In short, a very swanky place- glad that we checked it out- and we'll definitely return for drinks.

PS- all photos from The Livingston or Georgia Terrace website. I once again forgot my camera. But, honestly, these photos are better than the ones I would have taken.

Saving the Hooch

Who got the hooch, baby
Who got the only sweetest thing in the world
Who got the love, who got the fresh-e-freshy
Who got the only sweetest thing in the world

Let’s get real, let’s get heavy
Till the water breaks the levee
Let’s get loose, loose, who got the hooch

Whether it's the original version by Everything or the Everything but the Girl remake, great song.  Thanks to SweetWater brewing and Park Tavern for putting on a great River Revival this evening to raise awareness for protecting our Chattahoochee river.  OOH- I could have also cited Alan Jackson's Way down Yonder on the Chattahoochee... 

I'm not a "treehugger" but I do think it's important to consider our natural resources.  For more info, visit: UCRiverKeeper.

Love, Emmie

10 Cents a Day... Hope and a Harp

Our church had the Spring Women's Dinner tonight (which is a whole separate topic for another time) but our entertainment for the evening was the Principle Harpist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Elisabeth Remy.  I've just recently fallen in love with harp music- I find it so calming and centering (and yes, I realize that makes me even more of an old lady).  But Elisabeth started this fabulous program I found very interesting- Urban Youth Harp Ensemble - and just had to share.   

The program essentially offers harp lessons to 5th - 12th graders either during school or after school.  In addition to learning musical skills, the kids involved have opportunities to apply for various college scholarships, thereby increasing the likelihood they will continue their education after college.  Brilliant.  

Much to my mother's dismay I'm sure, I have left my musical days far behind and honestly don't think much about the importance of music in schools.  I always had the luxury (??) of receiving the appreciation (and lessons) of music at home.  For those who don't, however, programs such as this one give kids exposure to all sorts of great art.  Given the downturn in the economy, and the loss of a significant foundation, the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble has initiated a Dime a Day, asking for just $36.50 per year to help fund the program.

Family and Friends concert next Monday, May 19, 7:00 PM in Leete Hall at Carver High School.

--Emmie