Supposedly it snowed here over Christmas, but as Cath and I were at the beach and saw no proof (apart from the occasional FB photo), we doubt it actually happened. This is certainly the most snow I’ve seen since moving to Atlanta/Decatur ten years ago. We might have one or two days of snow a year in the South, but it almost never manages to stick to the ground, and our snowmen are usually more mudmen (30% snow/ice, 70% Georgia red clay). But this is for real! Most Southerners I know don’t own a snow shovel or have ever seen a snow plow lumber down their streets. Three inches and some mean ice means we are essentially house bound.

So like all snow-excited Southerners, I bounded(ish) out of bed this morning and ran around taking photos of the snow. I warn you snow-weary Northerners, your facebook news feed will be flooded with Southern friends and their snow photos (mine included). I took a few moody shots for you all to enjoy or skip depending on your scale of wintry jadedness.

P.S. Thank you again for all the supportive comments and advice about my wedding planning (or lack thereof). I’m still in turmoil over what to do. Every time I feel like ripping out of my hair, I’ll come back to your comments and reread them while cuddling my shoes.

So last weekend Matteo (also known as “bf” ’round these here parts) and I finally made it over to Yeah Burgher! Atlanta loves a good burger (hello, Grindhouse and Farm Burger, we drool for you too).

The burgers were indeed mighty fine, but what really sold me were the illustrations on everything: the walls, the menus, my burger (via a sticker). As a graphic designer who would secretly love to do more illustration, I kind of drool and get green with envy when I see stuff this gosh-darn perfect.

Hat: H&M, Coat: Victoria Secrets (ironic to buy outerwear from them, non?), Sweater: Lands End, Boots: thrifted via Finders Keepers, Jeans: Madewell, Purse: Ann Taylor.

Glasses: Warby Parker, Blazer: H&M, Mustache curls: the opposite of gravity.

That’s my veggie burger on the left and Matteo’s real deal beef burger on the right. Yarmmmm.

Crispy, flaky onion rings

Awww just look at that guy! I couldn’t eat him! Well, actually I could and I did, but I thanked him (silently) the whole time we were there.

There’s another reason I feel an affinity to Cartoon People (the general cartoon population be they Adult Swim or Disney), I’ve been told I sound like one. On multiple occasions, in different settings, by different people. I guess that’s better than looking like one, right? One guy actually said I needed to stop my current job and get a job at the Cartoon Network (conveniently located in the great city of Atlanta). By the look on his face, I can tell you, he thought that was a compliment and would go over really well. like me saying “Whoa, Sailor, let’s start with dinner first.” It didn’t.

One day you might hear me on a vlog, and you will probably agree (I tend to get squeakier when I’m more excited or nervous). In person, that’s one way people tell Cath and I apart. Her voice hits normal, soothing octaves, and mine makes dogs wince at times. Wait, is it that bad? I don’t really think about it until someone says, “You sound exactly like.” And then I wince.

One of the many, many great things about our Southern home is, not surprisingly, the food. Gawd, is it good! I know other cities have delicious food too, but one thing that makes Atlanta/Decatur greater is the price points. Up in D.C. I could never really afford to eat the really good stuff. Down here, high Zagat ratings or mentions of James Beard Awards don’t make my hands shake when I hand over my credit card at the end of a meal.

To break up a busy Saturday, my bf and I decided to finally try JCT Kitchen (in West Midtown) for lunch. So delicious – and we came in at about $30 for both our lunches (including a coffee and dessert). I can certainly swing that once a week (when I go light on the thrift shopping).

Potato dumplings:

Shrimp and grits (with a poached egg on top)

The most delicious coffee I’ve had in a long while:

Georgia fried apple pie with vanilla ice cream and pitcher (not shown) of butterscotch sauce:

Outfit details: thrifted camel coat, hat from Tarjay, boots from America Eagle (years ago), sweater from Old Navy, scarf (as belt) from H&M, nude jersey dress from Lila Boutique in Inman Park, vegan-friendly purse from Vivid Boutique in Decatur.

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In remembrance of Elizabeth Edwards, one of our heroes.

Sweet Auburn Curb Market is marvelous; right in the heart of downtown Atlanta and easily accessible by public transport. It doesn’t have the touristy gentrification of a place like Pike Place Market in Seattle, but in many ways, it’s better for it. People come here to actually buy produce, just-baked sweet potato pies for tonight’s dessert, and whole pigs for . cochon de laits? Oh and they also come here for delicious coffee and some of the best burgers in the city.

My bf and I stopped by Grindhouse (inside the market) for lunch. Two customized burgers, one hand-spun chocolate milkshake, and a basket of fries later, we rolled off our diner stools to start shopping: a huge batch of collared greens, sweet potatoes, 2 lbs of bacon, and freshly ground coffee.

The Sweet Auburn Curb Market’s neighbor is Grady Hospital. It made me feel better that the doctor sitting next to us was eating a large burger with no veggies and a great deal of onion rings. She was probably not a cardiologist, but if we clogged our arteries while chomping away at our lunch, we were just an elbow’s width away from medical service. Win, win!

In addition to burger grease, this is what I wore yesterday:

Hat is the bf’s, sweater is from my highschool years when I shopped at Wetseal, frilly tank thing is from Forever21, pink skirt is from Asos.com, boots are Target, purse is thrifted Coach.

I tried to meet up with Cath at the market to take outfit photos together, but we just missed each other. We’ll be eating lunch together today though- woohoo! She and her bf are due here in about an hour so I have to go get lunch ready: collards, mashed sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas and chicken. A solid Southern precursor to Thanksgiving- yummy!!!

Hope you all are having a wonderfully delicious weekend too!