SundayPaper.com

We all scream for ice cream

Kirsten Ott — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:19:00 GMT

Slow Food Atlanta and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market are joining forces to host their annual 2009 Ice Cream Competition tomorrow, Saturday, June 27 from noon to 1 p.m. The ice cream social will take place in the garden of St. Philip’s Cathedral on Peachtree Road; rain or shine.

Slow Food Fans will have the opportunity to taste all ice cream submissions and vote for the best homemade, old-fashioned -- but not necessarily traditional -- ice cream flavor.

The competition is open to the public and contestants will include both renowned local chefs and ice cream amateurs. Participating chefs include Ron Eyester (Food 101 Morningside), Jake Rothschild (Jake’s Ice Cream), Shaun Doty (Shaun’s), Cynthia Wong (Cakes & Ale), Ford Fry (JCT Kitchen) and Chrysta Umberger (Restaurant Eugene).

Tickets are $10 per person (children under five are free) and will allow ticket holders to taste each flavor and submit a vote for the winner. Proceeds of the competition will benefit Slow Food Atlanta and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market. Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com or at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Interested ice cream makers should contact Judith Winfrey at judith@loveislovefarm.com to complete registration.

Celebrating Dad on Father's Day

Kirsten Ott — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:47:00 GMT

In honor of dear ol' dad, I've gathered a few unique gift ideas for Father's Day.

For the globe-trotter:

Kiehl’s has a gift suitable for every dad and every budget, including this travel collection, perfect for the man on the go. This brand's products are a no-fail system, so no matter if he's backpacking in a hot South American country or braving the slopes in Colorado, his skin will be well-cared for, and he'll have you to thank. Packed in a small EVA travel bag is the Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream-White Eagle, 2.5 oz.; Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, 2.5 oz.; Amino Acid Shampoo, 2.5 oz.; Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm; and the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve deluxe sample. $24.50 (but a $36.50 value). Kiehl's is located in Lenox Square Mall at 3393 Peachtree Road NE. 404-816-7636. Shop online at www.kiehls.com.

For the "honey, where'd you put my ...?" man:

No matter who you are--man, woman or child--you're bound to lose your socks a time or two. Men especially have a hard time keeping up with theirs, as well as sorting them out, which is why Swiss company Blacksocks.com makes a lot of sense. It only sells black socks. Manufactured in Northern Italy, the black socks are made of high-quality yarns with long fibers that pill less and are more durable. You can choose from calf socks, knee socks and cashmere silk socks. OK, so the socks are great--really soft and well-made. But what's even cooler for dad is that this is a "sockscription" service. With an annual subscription of $89, "sockscribers" receive three pairs of socks every four months. That's nine very nice pairs of socks for dad delivered to his doorstep. So if he loses some, more will replenish his sock drawer. www.blacksocks.com

For the entertainer:

Patron—it’s not just for tequila. The spirits company recently added a new liquor to its lineup: vodka. Ultimat with no e vodka (yeah, we thought of Absolut when we saw it, too) is a special blend of wheat, rye and potato. Produced in Poland, its creation process begins with milling the grains, then steam cooking them to produce a mash for fermentation. Once fermented, the mash is distilled in a continuous column still, then filtered through activated carbon candle filters, and the alcohol content is reduced to its final level of 80 proof using pure water obtained by reverse osmosis. What all this scientific babble means to us is that the final result is a pure spirit with a very subtle taste, smooth texture and a rich complexity I don’t see in most vodkas. The gentlemanly cobalt blue decanter finishes it off. www.ultimatvodka.com.

The big screen

Kirsten Ott — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:14:00 GMT

Atlantic Station is launching a free outdoor movie series on June 18, which will continue through the end of summer, airing blockbuster favorites each Thursday in Central Park. Additionally, Atlantic Station retailers and restaurants will be offering special discounts each Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., providing attendees of the movie series with even more affordable summer fun. The Atlantic Station restaurants and retailers will also hold drawings with free prizes and distribute samples and giveaways to movie goers each week. The Atlantic Station Art & Antique Market, the community’s open-air market, will also be open each Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. For a full listing of the Atlantic Station outdoor movie series schedule, visit

Euro chic shopping

Kirsten Ott — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:28:00 GMT

This weekend, gather 'round for the Paper Mill Market, a 3-day European-style shopping experience. Expect an eclectic smorgasboard of merchandise--antiques, objects of art, art and handcrafted jewelry, fabulous fashion finds, an incredible Farmers market and much more.
Friday, May 15 - 10am - 6pm
Saturday, May 16 - 10am - 6pm
Sunday, May 17 - 11am - 5pm

Paper Mill Village is located at 177 Village Parkway in Marietta at the corner of Johnson Ferry and Paper Mill roads (behind Starbucks)

Haute fashion show this weekend

Kirsten Ott — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:44:00 GMT

Get a glimpse of the hottest styles this spring at the Simon Fashion Now show at Lenox Square by Caress Skinwear Collection on April 24 and 25. Showtimes: Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 25 at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Karyn Greer, news anchor with 11Alive WXIA-TV, Jessica Dauler, host of Jessica Shops Atlanta on Q100’s “the Bert Show,” and Holly Firfer, CNN reporter and co-host of “Atlanta & Company,” will team up with SCAD fashion students for creating the quintessential spring ensemble. The final reveal of the collaborative designs will take place during Simon Fashion Now on Saturday, April 25 at 12:30 p.m. SP’s Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott serves as a guest judge, along with DailyCandy's Tiffany Davis and Nedra Rhone of the AJC. Christian Siriano from “Project Runway” will make a celeb appearance, as well as sign autographs. For more information, contact Lenox Square at 404-233-6767 or visit www.simon.com.

Let's get married

Kirsten Ott — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Tying the knot soon? Or still waiting for the ring but already planning your wedding? Join Georgia girl DeAnna Pappas and GetMarried.com at what promises to be a very fun wedding-planning party at Bloomingdale's in Lenox Square from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 7.

Here are few more deets from the press release:
Get Married will bring a camera crew to capture fresh content of brides and vendors. Get Married will sponsor three additional events at various Bloomingdale’s across the country through June.

Special guests for each event include Georgia’s own DeAnna Pappas, co-host of Get Married’s show on Lifetime Television, who will facilitate the contests, which will focus on key registry areas—from bed and bath to tableware and travel accessories. Pappas will mingle with brides throughout the evening and offer personalized signed photographs. In addition, select Bloomingdale’s vendors will offer brides the latest registry tips and trends and showcase some of their most popular products.

“Get Married’s mission is to connect brides with the industry experts, and by partnering with Bloomingdale’s on these unique and inspirational in-store events, we are giving brides the best in registry and the best in wedding planning,” said Stacie Francombe, founder and president of Get Married and www.GetMarried.com.

Each “Pre-Wedding” Wedding Party event will include two contests, and participants will be selected among the event attendees upon sign-in. Contest winners will receive gifts from select vendors, as well as a items provided by Get Married, including an autographed copy of Wedding Chic by Colin Cowie, celebrity wedding designer and host of Get Married. All brides attending the events will receive a gift bag.

“’The Wedding Party’ events have always been a huge success, and with Get Married, the experience for brides will be even that much more exciting. We invite all brides to attend and discover the latest bridal trends, explore our vast product assortment, and perhaps be profiled on Get Married’s show,” said Joanna Kartalis, director of The Registry for Bloomingdale’s.

Bloomingdale’s stores featuring Get Married-sponsored “Pre-Wedding” Wedding Party events include:

* Atlanta, GA – May 7 – Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, GA )

* Boca Raton, FL – May 14 – Town Center (5840 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL )

* Orlando, FL – May 28 – Millenia (4152 Conroy Rd., Orlando, FL )

* Chevy Chase, MD – June 4– Wisconsin Place5300 Western Ave., Chevy Chase, MD)

From our readers

Kirsten Ott — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:08:00 GMT

We've gotten an abundance of e-mails and letters on my recent cover story (March 15) and subsequent "Brides & Prejudice" columns. We're trying to run all of them in Letters to the Editor, but we're very limited on space. Thought I'd share some of them with you here.

Grand reopening party at the Seen Gallery

Kirsten Ott — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:50:00 GMT

The Seen Gallery will celebrate its grand reopening with a group show featuring original painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, etchings, hand-blown glass and limited-edition prints on Saturday, March 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. in its new spacious location in Downtown Decatur. Sip Palo Alto wine and nosh on tasty hors d'oeuvres while exploring the new space and viewing various works from numerous talented artists including David Hansford, Christopher Boehm, Jerald Mask, Denise Wellenstein, Travis Smith, Kimberly Dean, Arthur Umlauf and many more.

The Seen Gallery is located at 415 Church Street, Suites A and B, Decatur. For more information, visit www.theseengallery.com or call 404-377-0733.

Bert's Big Adventure send-off

Kirsten Ott — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:17:00 GMT

This morning, I headed to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel to wave good-bye to the Bert's Big Adventure families before they ventured off to Disney World. I snapped a few candids of the event. The first shot is of Bria and her mom Brenda, who are featured in my feature on Bert's Big Adventure out on newsstands this week.

There were Disney characters to delight the kids...

Akaya and her mom (who'd just been treated to a complementary make-up application by Alyson Hoag of Authentic Beauty)

Kirsten Ott and Bert Weiss

The "Bert Show" broadcast live from the red-carpet send-off on its radio station Q100 (99.7 FM).

From fun-loving characters to blow-up slides, this fun-filled ballroom was just the beginning of the magic the BBA kids and their families are about to experience.

The "Bert Show" interviewed all the families on air this morning.

Every child received a backpack filled with fun stuff for the trip. Matty and Captain Jack Sparrow investigate.

Grand opening of Dragonfly Salon

Kirsten Ott — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:49:00 GMT

Dragonfly the Salon, a new 2600-square-foot stylish salon located in the new White Provision development in Westside Atlanta, is celebrating its grand opening tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. Join owners Chaz Anderson and Kyoko Akins and their talented team of stylists for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres by Sun In My Belly (a personal fave). Dragonfly has plenty of parking and is conveniently at 1170 Howell Mill Rd. #101 at in White Provision by the Seed Factory. The newly built White Provision live, work and play development is located next to the Westside Urban Market, home to Bacchanalia, Quinones, JCT Kitchen, Sid Mashburn and Taqueria del Sol. Visit www.whiteprovision.com or call 404-815-6702 for more information.

Dine out tonight for John Henderson

Kirsten Ott — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:07:00 GMT

Atlantans mourn the loss of John Henderson; the beloved restaurant employee at Standard Food & Spirits in Grant Park, who’s life was taken by armed men who robbed the restaurant on January 7th. Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House owners, Tad and Nancy Mitchell and HomeGrown Restaurant Concepts owner, Rich Chey and Atlanta Together are taking a stand against crime by hosting the Dine Out for a Safer Atlanta tonight, Wednesday, January 28. Participating restaurants will donate 20 percent of the day’s proceeds to the Atlanta Police Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping Atlanta’s neighborhoods safe, and the Crime Stoppers John Henderson reward fund.

Atlantans can do their part by dining at any of the participating restaurants on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Enjoy some of Atlanta’s best cuisine, while contributing to a worthy cause. Participating restaurants include: 97 Estoria, Agave, Atkins Park, Aurora Coffee (North Highland and Moreland locations), Beleza, Blind Willies, Brake Pad, Corner Tavern (Little Five Points, East Point and Edgewood locations), Cuerno, Dakota Blue, Doc Chey’s (North Highland and Emory locations), El Myr, El Taco, Flatiron, Food 101 (North Highland and Roswell Road locations), Fontaine's Oyster House, Fritti, Front Page News, Grant Central, Highland Tap, Holy Taco, Java Vino, JCT Kitchen, La Tavola, Little Azios, Limerick Junction, Midway Pub, Milltown Arms Tavern, Meehan's Public House (Sandy Springs and Paces Ferry locations) Midway Pub, Moes and Joes, No Mas Cantina, Octane Coffee, Osteria 832 Pasta and Pizza, Ria's Bluebird, San Francisco Coffee (Candler Park, Poncey Highland and Virginia-Highland locations), Six Feet Under (Memorial Drive and 11th Steet locations), Sotto Sotto, Steamhouse Lounge, Stella Pasta Pizza & Spirits, The Cavern, The Glenwood, The Radial, The Standard, Steamhouse Lounge, Steinbeck’s, Universal Joint, Vickerys Bar & Grill (Crescent Avenue and Garrett Street locations), Vortex, West Egg Café and Zaya Restaurant.

Guests can go to www.atlantanstogether.com for an updated list of participating restaurants and a link to their websites.

One of our own

Kirsten Ott — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:20:00 GMT

Though we have no idea where she found the free time to help launch a comedy troupe, our very own sales executive Emily Dorroh is being featured in Skirt! magazine this month, and we couldn't be prouder. Check out the article on our featured employee here. And then check out her new venture, Village Theater. Congrats, Em!