I first heard about So Worth Loving about a week ago on Cool Atlanta’s Instagram. SWL is a lifestyle + t-shirt + screen printing + band + blog + ball of positivity all rolled into one company. Read more about the concept here.

Yesterday, SWL hosted a pop-up in Plywood People’s Reynoldstown (east Atlanta) offices.

I dragged my friend, Ellen, along with me. We perused the shirt collection, nibbled on some whoopie pies and pink lemonade, and got to meet the founders (Eryn and Jared) and their incredibly cute puppy (Sprocket).

I ended up getting the Ribbons and Curls tee, which I’m sure will end up in an outfit post soon.

It was such a lovely end to my day that started with my early morning hunt at Target through the Phillip Lim collection (IG evidence here and here). As soon as I got home from my Target trip, I changed into my Phillip Lim sweatpants and I wore them all day.

I know dressed-up sweatpants aren’t for everyone, but I could get used to wearing these every weekend. Elastic waistband? Check! Deep, zippered pockets? Check! An excuse to wear sweatpants out of the house? Check! (P.S., Lar was way ahead of this trend. I’m about 4 years behind. Remember this post?!)

Target Merona blazer • Alternative Apparel tee • necklace from Sq/Ft Boutique in Decatur • Cuyler Hovey-King ring • 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target French Terry Sweatpant • BC Footware wedge sneakers

After writing about my Gentle Fawn summer dress last week, I realized that I had a bunch of other summer dress photos that never made it onto the blog.  I always pegged myself as a skirt and top kind of girl, but clearly I’ve been relying on summer dresses to stay cool in this muggy, mucky season.

My friend found this classic, navy blue, lace dress at the J.Crew clearance sale (only $15!) in Asheville a few weeks ago and it’s become one of my work favorites.There’s something so Audrey Hepburn about it and it’s easy to create a completely different look with accessories. Plus it has pockets!

Madewell necklace (old) • J.Crew dress • American Eagle belt • Sole Society sunglasses • BCBG black pumps (covered by my tall grass and weeds – whoops)

Sole Society necklace and shoes • Libeskind bag

The outfit below is what I wore to the office on my birthday. I’d love to find a belt that matches the red flowers on the dress. Give me a shout out if you know of one. The colors are pretty true in the photo. And for those of you Atlantans reading this post, yes, that is the CDC in the background. Troy and I were just about to have dinner at The General Muir, one of my favorite local restaurants.

Talbots cardi • MINKPINK dress • C Wonder bracelet • Sole Society heels

I’ve had this gray/blue dress for ages. I love the way the jersey drapes and wish I had more clothes like this one. It’s not a trendy dress, but that’s one of the reasons why I love it. I’ll probably keep it until it falls apart.

FCUK dress • Kate Spade purse • J.Crew necklace (very old) • Unleashed espadrilles

Today I’m back to my skirt and top routine at work, but I’m sure I’ll be wearing one or more of these summer dresses this week. Have you noticed that I’ve been wearing a lot of Sole Society items lately? I’ll be publishing a sponsored post this Wednesday that I’m super excited about. I dragged Troy around this weekend to take a bunch of photos of me wearing a lot of my Sole Society goodies and can’t wait to share them with you on Wednesday. Until then, I’ll be swamped with regular work and school work – when will this summer semester end?!?!

Hope you all are having a good start to the week. Come back on Wednesday for my next post!

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Dearest Lar,

I can’t believe you’ve been wearing short – SHORTS! – in Scotland this past week. What is happening? If this type of weather continues you’re soon going to have to start a summer dress collection of your own. The weather in Atlanta has been more muggy than hot because it’s been raining off and on for the past two weeks. And you know what that means? Bugs! Lots and lots of bugs. Oh how I hate mother nature. I still have bug bites covering my legs, every time I open the front door a million gnats fly in, and our poor dogs seem to always have fleas no matter how many meds we feed them. This is what Wheatie looks like most of the time:

Poor guy. I’m so tempted to have our backyard bug bombed, but I feel like that has to be so bad for the environment. I bet the dogs you see on the meadows in Edinburgh aren’t so itchy all the time!

Do you realize it’s only a few more weeks until we see it other?! That thought is getting me through the end of this semester. Only two more assignments and one final to go!

xoxo, Cath

Hello lovelies! First things first, thank you for your feedback from the last post. Just because we’ll be posting once a week doesn’t mean we’ll be any less dedicated to AsianCajuns. In fact, you’ll be seeing us more on other outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And keep in mind, we’re just testing things out and feedback is always welcome!

So, I haven’t had a lot of free time this spring and feel like I’ve spent the past few weeks either working or studying. But looking back through my photos on my iPhone and point and shoot, I realized that I haven’t been as deprived of breaks and fun things as I made myself to believe.

For example? I’ve been to two Hawks games in the past three weeks, which is a record for me considering I’d never been to a NBA game before.
 

Lar and I aren’t sporty people (we always hated gym class), but watching a basketball game live is so much fun! Plus, all of those sport/Olympics-inspired Vogue editorials, like the one below, have warmed me up to sports a bit.

I was in Mingei, one of my favorite local boutiques, the other day and fell in love with these pom pom necklaces from Thailand. I ended up getting the mauve colored one all the way to the right. It reminds me of this summery JADEtribe straw tote.

Last Monday I took a few hours off of work to go to K. Logan Hair Salon and get a gloss treatment and blow-out. I’m totally in love with the glossiness. It lasts for a few weeks and I feel like a Pantene commercial model. See my front curly-dos? Akia, the salon owner, created those with a hair straightener. Amazing, no? She said she’ll be hosting a class soon on how to create those curls yourself so I’ll let you know as soon as a date is set – for you local readers.

On Saturday, I hung out with some friends and listened to Troy play in downtown Decatur for Sidewalk Saturdays. Doesn’t he look so dashing? I have a couple of Vine videos of his songs so if you have an iPhone, follow me at AsianCajuns.

Nothing beats a work-break like hot, gooey chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with sea salt (the ones above are from Victory in Decatur). Kind of wishing I had a whole plateful of those in front of me right now!

After compiling this post I’m thinking I should get the Refinery 29 tote. What do you think? Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Let me know what you’ve been up to!

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Dear Lar,

I hope you have a little more free time now that your stressful work week is in the past. You know how we were chatting about the Brit’s obsession with tea and cake? I was thinking you should start an herbal tea and gluten-free cake club in Edinburgh! I know it sounds a bit silly, but I’m sure you’re not the only one eating gluten free in Auld Reekie. Just a thought 😉

Here’s another random thought, Before Midnight is coming out this summer and the trailer is finally here! What do you think? I can’t wait to see it, but I also would rather just wait and see it with you. If you were in town we could have a Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight day and watch all three in a row. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Hope you have a stress-free week and can treat yourself to some gluten-free yummies!

xoxo, Cath

Does that title sound too saccharine? Apologies if it does. My Saturday wasn’t pink princess/magic unicorns/rainbows perfect – I did have a meltdown for about an hour in the afternoon – but it was all around a pretty great, perfectly lovely Saturday.

One of the main reasons it was a perfect Saturday: it was warm enough outside for me to go frolicking about in a t-shirt without a jacket (recognize the t-shirt design?).

Hipster dog t-shirt c/o Skip N’ Whistle • The Limited skirt (ancient) • Feiyue sneakers • Claire Vivier Messenger Bag • Marc by Marc Jacobs cat eye sunnies • Nail color is Butter London Jasper c/o Buff in Inman Park

Because of the warm weather I didn’t have to blow dry my hair. Instead, I slicked it back into a braid clump. . . thing. . . I’ve got to think of a better name for this hair style. . .

Troy and I slept in so late that we had to call around and see who was still serving breakfast. Huzzah for Oakhurst Market! Troy begged them to make us two breakfast sandwiches even though it was well past breakfast/brunch time. So our first real activity of the day consisted of us walking the dogs over to the market, sitting outside and stuffing our faces with croissant, cheese, bacon and egg deliciousness.

Next up: taking the dogs to the dog park. Somehow taking the dogs to the park makes us feel like we’re good, responsible dog owners – and then we feel like complete failures when our dogs won’t go play with the other dogs and just prefer to hang out near us.

Not pictured here is our second half of the day (except for this IG). We ended the evening with a trip to the General Muir, a local delicatessen/restaurant that is amazing! Troy and I must have spent at least three hours there chatting up the bartender, ordering drinks and munching on so much food that we had to roll ourselves back to our car. Needless to say, our walk to and from the dog park and market in the morning was not nearly enough to balance out the thousands of calories we consumed at dinner, but it was worth it. If you live in or near Atlanta and haven’t been to the General Muir, what are you thinking?!?! Get over there now! I wish someone had told me how amazing it was weeks ago (it’s only been open for about a month or two)!

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Dearest Lar,

I can’t decide at which moment I missed you the most on Saturday. It was either during my trip to General Muir because I know how much you would have loved the atmosphere and amazing food (four words: homemade ice cream sandwiches) or maybe it was during my meltdown. I think you would have been able to talk some sense into me during my, uh, minor temper tantrum. Do you want to know what it was about? It’s actually embarrassing to type it out. I spent an hour pouting because Troy pointed out that we wouldn’t have enough time that evening to do everything we wanted/needed to do and also go to Old Navy. Yes, I wanted to go to Old Navy – don’t judge. There are a couple of things I’ve seen online that I’ve wanted to try in person and figured I’d have plenty of time to make a trip out to the store on Saturday. When I realized I wasn’t going to be able to do so, I did what every 29 year old does, I pouted – like a little brat. If you had been around you would have been able to talk some sense into me – or maybe you would have just whisked me away to Old Navy. *sigh* we’ll never know! Either way, it was definitely not one of my proudest moments.

I’m so glad we all got to talk as a family on Easter and you got to virtually knock eggs with us. Perhaps we’ll all be living closer to each other by next Easter? I hope so!

xoxo, Cath

Lar and I have been talking about doing mini city guides for Atlanta and Edinburgh since we like to (window) shop and eat so much. This post is my first attempt with a list of my favorite places to eat brunch in Atlanta. There’s something so comforting about a weekend brunch. Maybe I just like the idea of waking up late and driving some place where someone will make me pancakes and eggs with an endless supply of coffee. Whatever the case, when I’m in a brunch kind of mood, here’s where I go:

Sun in My Belly – This one is probably my all-time favorite brunch spot because it’s within walking distance of my house, has Anthropologie-like decor and offers the most amazing honey-glazed bacon. I always get the Kirkwood Breakfast, but the french toast, the lox and bagels, the homemade granola with fresh fruit, and everything else on the menu is brunch perfection.

Gato Bizco Cafe – Located across the street from the original and very popular Flying Biscuit Cafe (see below), Gato is like a hipster’s Waffle House minus the greasiness. I’ve never had anything bad here and love the small footprint – there’s only a handful of booths and a small counter.

Home Grown – Get the biscuits and gravy (unless you’re vegan/vegetarian)!! It’ll be the best $3 brunch you’ve ever had. If you’ve never had biscuits and gravy, shame on you! What are you doing up north? Come down and try Home Grown’s and then you’ll really know what biscuits and gravy is supposed to taste like.

Ria’s Bluebird – Plenty of vegetarian dishes here. I love the huevos rancheros, but I’ve heard the beef brisket is to die for. Like all the places listed in the post, expect a wait on the weekend. I usually go in the summer, so I can drink my cup of coffee out front while waiting for a table.

Rise-N-Dine (pictured in this post) – Right by Emory University (so expect to see lots of Uggs and North Face), but very down to earth. The first time I came here I immediately fell in love with the vintage decor and oilcloth fabric on the tables. Also, they serve Nutella pancakes. Enough said.

Radial Cafe – Dining here is like giving a big ol’ bear hug to the local community. The food is all locally sourced and almost everything that leaves your table is composted.

Flying Biscuit Cafe – With locations all over the Atlanta area now, Flying Biscuit has become pretty suburbanized so I would recommend going to the original location in Candler Park for a little more flair. The biscuits are still some of the best around and you can’t go wrong with the organic oatmeal pancakes or a side of the creamy, buttery grits.

Waffle House – Sorry WH haters, I have to put this on my list. I probably eat here more often after a late night than at brunch, but it needs to be included because sometimes Waffle House’s cheese ‘n eggs are the only thing that will hit the spot. I usually go to the one in Avondale Estates because the service is consistently friendly and it’s located a block away from the Waffle House Museum – yes, that’s a real thing!!

Keep in mind this is by no means a complete list. There are plenty of other wonderful dining establishments that serve brunch in Atlanta that I just haven’t frequented enough to be a fair judge. The latest issue of Atlanta Magazine has a much more thorough, unbiased list (every place I listed is on the east or south side of the city).

Troy and I went to Rise N Dine on Saturday for brunch. We split the Polish omelet and homemade chicken sausage biscuit. It was freezing this weekend – at least by Atlanta standards – so all I wanted was warm, comfort food.

Outfit details: H&M turtle neck • dad’s sweater • Target belt • Eugenia Kim knitted headband

Any brunch fans out there? What are your favorite brunch spots in your hometown? Any Denver readers? Troy and I will be going to Denver in April and need some brunch suggestions.

PS: Congrats to Marian for winning the Sinless Cocktails contest! I used Randomize.org to choose a winner. Thank you to everyone who entered! Marian, I’ll be sending your email to the owners of Sinless and they’ll be getting in touch with you.

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Dear Lar,

As I was writing this, I was trying to think of all of the places I like to each brunch in Edinburgh. There’s the German bakery of course and there was that cute French bakery we went to last August near your old flat in Morningside. I’ll get the oatmeal at Chocolate Soup any day and a bagel at Elephants and Bagels, but surely there’s other brunch/breakfast-y places. Or is brunch not as big in the UK? I always figured that if there were elevenses then surely there’s brunch, right?

I can’t believe I got to talk to you twice this weekend on Skype! So glad you and Matt had fun in Glasgow and actually found some sun. I can’t wait to see your post on your weekend adventure!

xoxo, Cath

I had planned to do this post today before I realized that national margarita day was last Friday – dagnabbit! Well, regardless of my bad blog post timing, let me tell you about how this post came about.

A week ago, the kind folks over at Sinless sent me their margarita and mojito mixes to test and to do a give away.

Usually I don’t push products on AsianCajuns, but hear me out! Here’s why I’m excited about these mixes:

1.) They’re only 5 calories (one of my new years resolution was to, uh, drink less calories)
2.) They’re local! The cute couple that started Sinless lives right by me.
3.) Unlike most mixes, these are all natural. There aren’t any preservatives in the mixes, so you have to keep the bottles refrigerated.

I whipped up a batch of margaritas yesterday and made a salt/sugar/lime zest to rim the glasses.

It was actually warm enough outside on Sunday that it felt like margarita weather. I had every intention of following up the margaritas with some mojitos, but realized that I didn’t have any rum in the house. Guess what I’ll be drinking next weekend! I wonder when national mojito day is.

I didn’t do a full outfit shot with this post because I’ll be showing off the dress I’m wearing when I do a post on the Tastemaker Magazine/ Coco Rae photo shoot (the cardi is H&M and the bracelet is from Forever 21).

Want to try a Sinless mixer for yourself? To enter the give away, all you have to do is like the Sinless Margarita Facebook page and the AsianCajuns Facebook page (if you haven’t, ahem, already done so 😉 ) and leave a comment on this post with your email address. I’ll choose a winner at random on Friday. Good luck and happy, low-calorie drinking!

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Dearest Lar,

Are margaritas big in Scotland? I know I’ve never ordered one at a pub in Edinburgh, but that’s because I’m always so cold in Scotland that I just end up wanting to drink whiskey.

I hate that we didn’t get a chance to really talk this weekend. That just means we’ll have to Skype twice next weekend and email a lot during the week, okay?

Miss you like crazy.

xoxo, Cath