Speakeasy

This weekend, I stepped back into the '20s in an Atlanta bar that mimics an old speakeasy: Prohibition. 

It is amazing. Read this article.

You can't get into Prohibition unless you know someone. Said VIP enters and if you're lucky, provides you with a phone number (It changes periodically, so don't get your hopes up). You step into a bright red telephone booth, dial secret number, and a mysterious door is opened for your entry. Waiting inside is a timeless mixture of cocktails, cigars, mahogany, amber, and leather. 

The cocktails - "prescriptions"- are made with old-fashioned techniques and historical recipes. Ice is chipped from a 300 pound block. And apparently they took a hint from Mad Men, because they make smoke so sexy. See below.

Perfectly spherical balls of ice make an amazing Scotch list all the more enticing. 

Rule number three reminds a gentleman to offer his seat to a lady. 

I was with the one and only Jennifer My Bones Hamilton. 

What a perfect night.

A cake pop a day...

You're in for a treat. This looks too good to be true, but... it's real. And what's more is that it's available in downtown Greenville. Where I will soon work. Every day. It's like the Starbucks Cake Pops, but a kazillion times better, both because it tastes like heaven and because it's from a shop called The Chocolate Moose. And who says you can't have cake for breakfast.

Change is so good.

via Black Olive Photographic

It's funny how blog posts reflect life. Currently, mine are scattered and unsettled, with no regularity whatsoever.

John and I have continued our tour of the Southeast, along with the good time. We couldn't be happier. Great things are happening.

1. I am so pleased to say that I will be joining the Outreach and Enrollment Team at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities as Program Coordinator, beginning later this month. My last job was a learning experience, and as one would hope, it paved the way to a much better position. This kind of progress doesn't often happen in just four months, so I feel very lucky.

2. John and I have decided to BUY a condo in Greenville, and we are thrilled. These grown up things are so fun. And because we never even had time to unpack in Vermont, the thought of settling into a place of our very own makes us giddy.

3. Getting back to the Upstate has let me revive contact with some fantastic people. I've been talking to Converse ladies about networking and community advice in the area. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be in contact with my (both pink and red) sisters.

4. Friends! I've already seen my ex-professors turned very close friends, and this weekend I'm going to paint the town red, quite literally, with my college best friends: Mary Carolyn and Grace. I still haven't gotten to coordinate with my childhood friends Brittaney and Tara, but it will happen soon!

5. Family. Both of our families have been so wonderful, and it's so nice that us moving closer to them makes them so excited. We've been overwhelmed by the support and love from the Maxwells and the Concklins! Whether it's watching Herbie while I house hunt or taking us out on the town in Charleston, it's been just lovely.

6. John loves the charm of the South, along with its warmth (not the weather - but there's that, too). He's such a gentleman. It's adorable.

I hope all is well in your lives, too, and have a relaxing weekend.

xo,

Lauren

Southern Drawl

 Sometimes vacation comes at precisely the right moment. My migration South with John has been so refreshing. Great food and great friends combined with this part of the world's friendly, laid back approach to life has taken us from Atlanta to Greenville to Charleston with fun at every turn. We've had a lovely time with both of our families. Today we spent an hour watching a Dolphin family before Happy Hour in downtown Charleston, and I'm convinced it doesn't get much better than that.

Duckies

Boston's Public Garden is beautiful. I couldn't help but think of a childhood spent feeding ducks at Aiken's Hopelands Gardens -- nothing like a little nostalgia paired with a nice afternoon walk. 

Best of all, check out the bright purple racing stripes.