Dress to impress

So you’ve got a big event coming up.  Maybe it’s your boss’ fancy wedding that you have to attend, or maybe even just a special date at a posh new restaurant during Midtown Restaurant Week.  Either way, you want to wear something that impresses.  But you don’t want to break the bank doing so, right?  You can always throw on your trusty little black dress (assuming it’s an evening wedding)…or you can hit up Rent The Runway.

Ever heard of it?  It’s a pretty cool service that allows you ladies to trick your friends and neigbors at Uptown Buckhead Apartments into thinking that you have a closet full of designer clothes.  In most cases, for less than $100, you can rent the hottest new runway fashions to wear at any special occasion you desire.  And yes, they even rent accessories and jewelry too.

If this sounds like it could be you’re kind of thing, check out their website at RentTheRunway.com and see what stylings they have to offer!

National Dog Day, August 26

Did you know that today, August 26, is National Dog Day?  Neither did I until I came across the fact while internet surfing the other day.  It may sound a little corny, but having a National Dog Day is a great way for dog-owners to recognize just how much having their dog in their lives means to them.  Check out this fact…

39 percent of U.S. households own at least one dog, and 93 percent of dog owners consider their animals to be members of the family, according to a 2007 Harris poll. – The Tenneseean

See?  I knew I wasn’t alone in my affinity for my four-legged frriend.

If you’d like to commemorate the day, how about taking your dog out for dinner?  There are plenty of restaurants in the area that share Uptown Buckhead Apartment’s pet-friendly philosophy.  Here are a couple dining spots that won’t mind your doggie date…

• Thirsty Dog Tavern ( 2110 Peachtree Road NW, 404.367.8482) – the have a huge patio that welcomes dogs and even has a separate menu for them with treats and kibble.
• Treehouse Restaurant in Peachtree Hills (7 Kings Circle NE, 404.266.2732) - dogs are allowed on their patio as well.  Water bowls are provided.
• Bakeshop (903 Peachtree St., 404.892.9322) - while dogs aren’t allowed inside, they do sell great homemade doggie treats.  Check next to the register.

(Photo Credit: ubg43)

Bark in the Park with the Atlanta Braves, August 29

I have to tip my hat to the Atlanta Braves promotion team.  They’ve come up with a really cool idea for pet owners who want to spend some fun time with their dogs.  Of course Uptown Buckhead is extremely pet-friendly so we ahve to support it.

They’re hosting a Bark in the Park day at Turner Field, which is basically a game that you can bring your dog to.  Bark in the Park will be held on August 29 when the NL East leading Braves take on the Florida Marlins.

Coca-Cola Sky Field is transformed into a doggie’s delight, complete with on-site veterinary services in case your friend over-indulges or overheats, doggie pools, water misters and plenty of watering holes since seating is not shaded. Fans must pre-register at www.braves.com/bark and proof of certain vaccinations is required. Walk-up tickets are not available. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. but the festivities begin as early as 11 a.m.

Tickets for Bark in the Park go for $25, and that covers one “human” and one “canine”.  Additional human tickets are only $12.  For more info on the event or the inquire about registration, call 404-522-7630 or visit www.braves.com/bark.

(Photo Credit: kevinandamanda.com)

With Kinect, you are the controller!

Do you remember how the Nintendo Wii was all the rage when it first came out?  At first, only kids were demanding them.  But they soon caught on with the adult crowd, partly because of its ease of use, wireless controllers and wide variety of family fun type games.  I remember first playing the bowling simulation at a friends house and it was the most fun I’d had with a video game system in years (ever since I gave up on Madden, that is).

Well, get ready for the next “big thing” in regards to video games.  Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is is getting ready to debut its Kinect videogame technology and it is promising to revolutionize the industry.  “How,” you ask.  For start, there are no controllers to hold on to.  With Kinect, you are the controller.

Xbox also has a wide array of games and simulations lined up for it’s Kinect technology.  Everything from Zumba Fitness to Kinectimals, a game that allows you to simulate having your own exotic pet that you can play with, train and watch grow.

Sound like fun?  Macy’s over at Lenox Square Mall is offering exclusive previews of Kinect games so that you can be one of the first to try it out, from now through September 30.  Head over and check them out if you’re curious about the latest in games and hi-tech fun.  Kinect for Xbox officially goes on sale on November 4.

What’s on your “bucket list?”

Do you have a “bucket list?”  You know, a list of things that you’d like to accomplish before you kick the proverbial bucket.  One of the items on my list is…skydiving!  First let me admit this – I have trouble getting on half of the roller coasters at Six Flags over Georgia, so I know skydiving is going to take some serious guts for me to go through with.  But it has always looked like so much fun to me.  I think it would be the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Skydiving Atlanta is an outfit here in town that actually specializes in tandem skydiving.  That’s when you’re strapped to the back of another person, sharing the parachute.

Tandem leaps are perfect for beginners. You and your certified instructor are attached to a parachute system built especially for two people. The free fall lasts from 15 to 60 seconds, followed by 3 to 7 minutes of floating back to earth under the parachute. Cheating gravity through skydiving is absolutely the most amazing experience.

Right now, I believe you can even get a discounted rate on the jump through Tippr, an online discount service.  They’re offering tandem skydives for $134 (regular price is $220).  I’m thinking about doing it.  Have any of you readers gone before?  How was the experience?  You only live once, right?

(Photo Credit: albany_tim)

Check out the Atlanta Rollergirls

Looking for something a little bit different to do this weekend?  How about going to cheer on the Atlanta Rollergirls.  They’ve got two bouts coming up this weekend on Saturday, July 24, at the Yaarab Shrine Center (400 Ponce De Leon Ave, Midtown Atlanta).  Tickets for one bout are $15 and $25 for both bouts.  The first one starts at 5:00 p.m. and the second one at 7:30 p.m.

I have to admit that I’ve never been before, but its always been a sport that I thought looked like crazy fun, especially after watching the 2002 movie Rollerball (starring Chris Klein and LL Cool J).

If you’re unfamiliar with the rules or how the game is played, they’ve got a great “101″ course on the Atlanta Rollergirls website.  Click the image to check it out.  You can also purchase tickets on the site.  I hear they sell out fast, so get them early.  Enjoy!

Lenox Mall fireworks celebration

If you’ve spent a summer in the Buckhead area (or metro-Atlanta area, for that matter), you already know what’s going down on the 4th of July at Lenox Square Mall.  It’s only the southeast’s largest fireworks display and celebration that attracts more than 200,000 people annually.  That’s all.  Pretty much, it’s something that you don’t want to miss.

Headlining the evening, for your musical pleasure, will be Atlanta’s premiere cover band, Party on the Moon.  They’re actually Atlanta-natives and are one of the most sought after cover bands in the country, playing events such as President Obama’s Inauguration Ball and Donald Trump’s New Year’s Eve party.  Musical entertainment will start at 6 p.m. with fireworks following at 9:40 p.m.  This year, they’ve even thought about the kids and will be offering a Kids Zone play area that opens at 12 p.m.

If you’re in town for the 4th, make sure you plan to come on through and celebrate.  It’s absolutely free and open to the public.

(Photo: Lenox Mall)

Yeah! A new gourmet burger spot hits Atlanta

I’m all for fine dining, but some night there is just no substitute for a great burger?  Am I right, folks?  Chef Shaun Doty has ventured into the current burger craze hitting Atlanta.  His newly opened restaurant, Yeah! Burger is on the west side off 14^th Street.  Shaun prides the fact that his new establishment is a socially responsible, eco friendly restaurant that utilizes local organic beef and produce.

Yeah! has already been featured on Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta and on Atlanta Daily Candy.  For more information on hours and directions, their website and be sure to ‘Like’ their Facebook page to stay up on the “going on’s” at the restaurant.  Holla!

Does your pet have a license yet?

So Fido feels he’s responsible enough to drive a car, huh? Just kidding, we’re talking about pet licenses for your pet’s collar.

The Atlanta Humane Society requires all the pets here to have a license. This isn’t so much about you as a pet parent as it is about them as an animal. Pet licenses are important because they help in the recovery of lost animals and also act as proof that your pet has had its (legally required) rabies vaccination. Should your little furry kid escape and is found wandering the streets, you are more easily located (so you can go and spring them from pet jail), if they are licensed. The alternative is far worse, unidentified pets are usually thought to be strays and can end up at the local shelter.

So how does the licensing work? All you have to do is go down to the Animal Control facility at 981 Howell Mill Road (corner of 10th St.) with your proof of a 1-year or 3-year rabies vaccination and get the license. Attach the tag they give you to your pet’s collar and voila…you now have a licensed pet!

Check out the Decatur Arts Festival this Memorial Day weekend

Got plans for this Memorial Day weekend coming up?  If you’re in town, why not make the trek from Uptown Buckhead down to Decatur for the Decatur Arts Festival going on May 29 & 30 from 10am t0 6pm.

Decatur’s biggest arts event kicks off with the unveiling of the official arts festival poster and culminates with the main events on Memorial Day Weekend. Get started Friday evening, May 28, with our ArtWalk all around Decatur. Then join us for new dance, theater and literary arts performances, musicians all day long on Decatur’s community bandstand, a juried artists market, the fine arts exhibition, a special Kids and Teens Arts Festival and more. Be a part of it!

If you go, plan on bringing an umbrella though.  While it will be warm and sunny, weather reports show a 30-40% chance of rain.

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