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 Sunday, January 19, 2014

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day…An Atlanta Salon & Spa Gives Back….

Hello World,

As a black woman and an American (via Jamaica), I am in awe of the legacy of service of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To me, he is one of the founding fathers of this nation although he was born centuries after the official founding fathers. The fact that we have a holiday to celebrate his life is a testament to the power of God! I love always love being an Atlantan but on this weekend, it is particularly special to be here, the birthplace of Dr. King.

One Atlanta salon is celebrating his legacy by serving the community. As part of a day of service, the team at 1245 Salon and Spa will do its part to give back to others Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The salon, at 1245 Fowler Street NW near Atlantic Station, will open its doors to the nonprofit organization Uplifting the Community.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1245 Salon and Spa will provide free hair services and free clothing and shoes, along with free tax preparation advice (handled by a professional tax preparer) to approximately 50 clients of the Atlanta-based organization that serves adults 18 to 61 with serious mental health and substance abuse issues.

Uplifting the Community, located at 2001 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will provide shuttle service for its clients to and from 1245. The salon has collected donated clothing, shoes, food, including canned goods, beauty supply products and more to help make the day a success. This will mark 1245 Salon and Spa’s first time providing a day of service at the salon. Stylists previously have volunteered on MLK Day on location through Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.

Some 16 stylists will donate their services; this includes salon owners/siblings Terrell Mack, Tammy White and Rodney Mack, who will be joined by other 1245 Salon and Spa stylists plus professionals from four additional salons. A makeup artist and styling team from Forever 21 at Cumberland Mall also will be on hand.

Salon owners say they hope to make this an annual project. “Giving back is important to us at 1245 Salon and Spa, including with our work with Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless for many years on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” says Terrell Mack, master stylist and co-owner. “We wanted a way to continue serving others and for this year’s day of service, we’re honored to offer our time and talent to Uplifting the Community.”

Incidentally, I featured 1245 Salon and Spa back on October when the salon and spa showed off its renovations in “Taking Care of Your Temple: Introducing 1245 Salon and Spa’s New Look!!!”

Any thoughts?