Posted on Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Spring into Spring With These Weekend Events…

Hello World,

After Atlanta was snowed in TWICE this past winter (I still can’t believe it), we are ecstatic to thaw out this spring…Although we were still shivering on the the first day of spring on March 20, sunny skies and soaring temperatures are predicted for this weekend! YES!!! If you are anything like me, although you don’t necessarily intend to it, you find yourself hibernating or not venturing out too far from home during the winter months…But the combination of longer days and alluring rays of sunshine are nature’s invitation to get back out and about…And there is plenty to explore and do in Atlanta…(sorry for my blog readers in other cities)…

If Atlanta spring had a national flower, the dogwood blossom would be my choice….Once I see the bursts of dogwood blossoms bloom on trees throughout the A, I know that I can pack away my winter coat and get my toes painted in bright colors 🙂 So of course, I love the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park which kicks off on Friday…

78th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Virtually every kind of art imaginable is represented at the festival, with a nationally renowned-juried Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more.

In addition to the fine art for adults and art collectors, there is a Kids Village featuring huge inflatables, arts & crafts and face painting for all ages, as well as the ever-popular 24-foot rock-climbing wall. Festival hours are Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Artist market closes from 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, go to dogwood.org.

I’m a lifelong foodie so of course I have to include a food event which is being hosted by my friend and sorority sister Dawn M. Richards…

D.M.R. Fine Foods presents Techniques & Tastings(TM), a deliciously fun and informative Pop Up Cooking School that will teach you essential techniques to enhance your cooking skills and culinary I.Q.! Enjoy lively and interactive cooking demonstrations, scrumptious tastings, recipes, tips, and more, to fuel your inner chef.

We are excited to launch our Pop Up Cooking School in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn Curb Market and look forward to having you join us for loads of yummy inspiration and takeaways. Prepare to dive into the Flavors of Spring with our featured menu: Spring Risotto, Rustic Italian Crostini, Mixed Field Greens w/Herbed Vinaigrette and Citrus-Glazed Madeleine Cakes. The class will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 p.m., and the registration cost is $50. To register, go to eventbrite.com.

And of course, what what would spring be without shopping? And this event combines shopping and service!

With a portion of sales to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Pink Door Décor will host its Spring Home and Color Style Trunk Show Sunday, April 13. The trunk show takes place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1245 Salon and Spa in Atlanta, located at 1245 Fowler Street NW near Atlantic Station.

Doug Smith Photography

The trunk show will feature some of the latest styles in home accessories. Guests will be able to purchase merchandise ranging from lamps to vases to ottomans. Pink Door Décor owner/interior designer Terrell Dinkins sees the show as a way to give back after experiencing personal loss to Crohn’s disease. His 31-year-old nephew died from complications from Crohn’s three days before Christmas 2013. For more information, go to terrelldinkins.com.

So there is no excuse to not get back out and about this weekend!!!

Any thoughts?

Posted on Sunday, February 2, 2014

How Are You Doing With Your New Year’s Resolutions?…It’s only February…

This shows my weight loss and fitness journey…before I lost the weight in college, after I lost the weight in college, celebrating 10 years of fitness by running a marathon, working out for my wedding dress…With God, all things are possible!

Hello World,

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Now, that the first month of 2014 is behind us, I thought I would check in with y’all about your New Year’s Resolutions. As I said in a previous post, it takes me a month of prayer and reflection to make my resolutions. I believe that if God directs me to make the resolutions, He will help me to achieve them within His will…This year, I believe that God wanted me to simplify my list of resolutions. In years past, I have come up with a complicated list of resolutions in which I was likely trying to do too much… This year my resolutions are pretty simple…My main two resolutions for 2014 are to continue to cultivate my new marriage and help my husband achieve his goals…My third big resolution is to write my novel and some other stuff related to my book that I’m not bold enough to share here…at least right now…

According to statisticbrain.com, the TOP 10 RESOLUTIONS for 2014 are:

Lose Weight

Getting Organized

Spend Less, Save More

Enjoy Life to the Fullest

Staying Fit and Healthy

Learn Something Exciting

Quit Smoking

Help Others in Their Dreams

Fall in Love

Spend More Time with Family

I remember when I was in college, in 1994 to be exact, one of my New Year’s Resolutions for the year was to lose the Freshman 15 (or 20 pounds in my case) I gained…At the beginning of the New Year, I joined a weight-loss and nutrition program that was offered to students for free, and I took my one mandatory P.E. class (it was a running class) at the same time. In a three-month period, I went from 145 pounds to 125 pounds, and thanks to God’s help, I have kept that weight off since (I haven’t had any children I must say…)…In fact, I weighed myself yesterday and I was the same weight…I’m not saying this brag…I’m explaining all of this to say that with God’s help, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE…however, a resolution without a plan is only a dream…In fact, only 8 percent of people that make resolutions actually achieve them! Every resolution that I have ever achieved came because I had a plan and typically some accountability…Hopefully, you don’t think I’m giving advice…I’m just sharing what has worked for me…

If losing weight and or eating right is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you many want to check out 1245 Salon and Spa’s Annual Raw Eating Event on Monday, February 3 at 7 pm…The event will include samples of raw foods, testimonials from individuals who’ve had first-hand experience with raw diets and a presentation by a Living Foods Institute representative. Some of the foods available to sample during the event will include: raw chili, marinated greens, curry dip, and stuffed peppers with meatless meat, spinach and tomato sauce. There will also be giveaways! 1245 Salon and Spa is located at 1245 Fowler Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

Any thoughts?

Posted on Saturday, February 1, 2014

Watch “The Gabby Douglas Story” on Lifetime on Saturday, Feb. 1!!!

Hello World,

Gabby Douglas!

I cannot believe it was nearly two years ago when Gabby Douglas wowed the world in the gymnastics competition in the 2012 Summer Olympics! If you don’t remember, below is a refresher…

A prodigy from a very young age, Gabby Douglas originally made her mark on the world of competitive gymnastics at age eight. She won numerous state championship titles in her age group throughout her early competitive career. While her star was fast rising in the arena, Gabby and her family faced economic challenges at home and she made the difficult decision to leave her mother Natalie, three siblings and grandmother in Virginia Beach and move to Des Moines, Iowa, to train with renowned coach Liang Chow to pursue her dream of Olympic glory.

Buoyed by her early success, dedication and unyielding love from her family, Gabby made it onto the 2012 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team, with whom she faced intense competition in the London Games. Her sacrifice and perseverance were triumphantly rewarded with Team Competition and Individual All-round gold medals, placing Gabby and her teammates – known as “The Fierce Five” — among the world’s all-time greats in gymnastics.