I took some time, walked away from the computer and enjoyed some summer. I've had some great lil' getaways, relaxing down time & lovely weather. Chicago is so vibrant in the summer- the beach, all the neighbors getting to know each other again & fun patio eateries but ya gotta love the gems you find in other cities.
I had the pleasure of checking out the Atlanta Gift Show. Any trade show is major overload but there was so much beautiful stuff, especially jewelry at this show. I didn't get to the enjoy the city but I did get to eat some Atlanta favorites.
The original throw-back drive-in. This place was right out of the 50's and the food hit the spot. Opened in 1928,
The Varsity is the World's largest drive-in.
Dinner at
Empire State South. A simply delicious end to a long day, everything I ate here was amazing from the first drink to the last little sweet bite. Plus very cool rustic southern decor & a bocce court outside. (charred octopus photo above, yum!)
A memorable line & a memorable artisan from the show: Ornamental Things by Natalie Tishler: Austin, Texas. All her work has a vintage feel, distinct look & an affordable price.
Handcrafted soap by
Rinse: Monroe, Georgia. Rinse creates soap in every natural, delicious scent you can think of plus a beer soap 6 pack. The line is fresh, simple and natural.
Bold, bright jewelry made from orange peel & natural materials by
Calamarie: Miami, Florida. The vibrant colors of this line stood out next to everything at the show. It's hard to believe these were once orange peels, they look & feel like leather.
Classy, masculine, authentic nostalgia by
Tokens & Icons: Berkley, California. You can find a special gift for any guy in your life in this line. They reuse everything from sports uniforms to fountain pens, to subway tokens, to tennis rackets to create these fun, unique pieces.
All images kindly borrowed from the respective websites of the lines mentioned.
