3RD & HUDSON's The Harmon Bag for Stylish Moms

Up until this point, the diaper bag market has been pretty limited. It has offered either affordable options with bright whimsical prints or pricey high end designer diaper bags. These two extremes have made it very difficult to find the perfect bag suitable for fashionable moms who are looking for both style and function.

Well look no more ladies because the stylish Harmon Bag is here! 3RD & HUDSON designer (and stylish mommy) Sasha Fridy found herself in the above predicament after giving birth to her son... So like any good designer, when you can't find what you need, [you] design it, create it and produce it yourself. Hence, the Harmon Bag.

The Harmon Bag is for the modern mom who craves the versatility needed to keep up with her busy lifestyle.

This bag provides the functionality for baby's needs and  doesn't scream diaper bag.

It is sure to keep you stylishly organized and will complement any outfit from day to night. No need to change bags to fit your multifaceted day. Wear it for running errands, fun at the park with baby, to the office or for a much needed night out!

That's Sasha with both Harmon Bags. Hear her story, watch her video and look at all the amazing features to the Harmon Bag: HERE! Sasha has been gifted with talent and attention to detail. The Harmon Bag is proof of that, see for yourself.  

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day at STK Atlanta’s Annual Land & Sea Dinner

Feeling adventurous this Valentine’s Day weekend? Head to STK Atlanta in the heart of the Midtown for its annual Land & Sea prix fixe dinner on Saturday, February 13 or Sunday, February 14, 2016.  

Not only will lovebirds get to indulge in a specialty, four-course Valentine’s Day surf and turf menu created by Executive Chef Mark Alba for $85 per person, but they will also leave with house-made chocolate body paint and a paint brush to take home. Wine and champagne pairings chosen by Geno Dew, The ONE Group Atlanta’s General Manager and sommelier, that will enhance the flavors of each dish for $150.  Guests can take advantage of three dinner seating blocks - from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., with reservations required for each. For more information about STK’s annual Land & Sea Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Dinner or to make a reservation, visit www.stkhouse.com or call 404-793-0144.

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Make Valentine’s Day Even Sweeter with STK Atlanta’s Chocolate Body Paint Recipe

An annual tradition, every Valentine’s Day STK Atlanta gives couples that dine with them house-made chocolate body paint and a paint brush to take home (and play with).  Not only will lovebirds get to indulge in a specialty, four-course Valentine’s Day surf and turf menu created by Executive Chef Mark Alba, but they will also leave with house-made chocolate body paint and a paint brush to take home. The delicious and edible recipe was created by Abbie White, The ONE Group’s Corporate Pastry Chef.  

STK Atlanta’s Valentine's Day Chocolate Body Paint Recipe:

 Ingredients:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 pinch kosher salt
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon (or more) booze, or to taste

Instructions:

1) Put sugar, salt and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Don't stir but wait for the mixture to come to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and watch closely until all of the sugar granules have dissolved. Remove from heat.

2) Add butter and stir with a wire whisk until incorporated.

3) Add cocoa powder, vanilla and booze; Whisk until incorporated.

4) Pour into a small crock, mug or other deep, microwave-save container.

5) Use the paint as soon as it is cooled enough to be comfortable. The hotter the sauce the easier it is to paint with but you don't want to burn your Valentine. If the sauce becomes hard, warm it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir and test the temperature again before using.

Naughty & Nice... 

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Atlanta Ballet's Moulin Rouge - The Ballet

Cancan your way to the Atlanta Ballet's Moulin Rouge this week at the Cobb Energy Centre because you will love it. And while you won't see the dancers breaking out in song, like in the movie, you will experience the most dynamic, romantic and spectacular dancing in the city, including the cancan! The Atlanta Ballet does an excellent job of laying out the scene: Paris, turn of the century, bohemian, artistic and poetic. There was excess in living and loving. [As always] the set is incredibly executed and the live orchestra is beyond fabulous. But back to the dancing... you'll get lost in the moment. The tango scene will seduce you and the closing scene will make you cry. 

Opening night received a well-earned standing ovation. Moulin Rouge - The Ballet closes this Saturday Feb. 13, so visit the Atlanta Ballet website for tickets!

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Brothers Tied For Life Two Year Anniversary Celebration

On Wednesday, February 17th, Atlanta's most dapper gentlemen will gather to celebrate the second anniversary of Brothers Tied For Life. Founder Jeremiah Woods' sartorial approach to the bowtie and men's accessories is encouraging us all to be more stylish and to always be a gentleman. I'm excited to serve as the host to this event because I know it will be an exciting and classy evening. Join us! RSVP here.

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Dining at The Cockentrice

Bourbon and Pork Belly Poppers

Cheese & Charcuterie Plate

Lamb & Potato

Crispy Pommes Macaire, Crème Fresh, Parmesan, Lamb, Carrot, Onion, Parsley Salad

Meg & I

... notice the pork belly poppers are G.O.N.E.

GM Clayton Morey & Chef Kevin Ouzts

This photo is from a tv appearance on CBS Atlanta Unplugged.

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at The Cockentrice, located at one of Atlanta's newest hotspots, Krog Market. The Cockentrice, owned by Chef Kevin Ouzts of The Spotted Trotter - the best meat/butcher shop in town btw- is more than just a restaurant. We often hear of how chefs are like artists and cooking is their medium, well, let me tell you, that statement has never been more accurate when it comes to Chef Kevin and the fine cuisine at The Cockentrice.

A true dining experience is one that seduces all the senses. My out-of-town friend, Meg and I were seduced with cheeses, charcuterie and lamb. She had a vodka, I had a bourbon and soon after that, heaven in your mouth arrived to the table, a.ka. pork belly jalepeno poppers. They were sweet and melted at first bite. The Cockentrice is known for their charcuterie so that was an absolute must. The cheeses, meats, candied nuts, honey and oxtail pate, something new Chef Kevin brought out for us, were to die for. And finally, the main course of lamb and potato, which I am a little embarrassed to admit was eaten in under five minutes because it was just that delicious and so flavorful.

The Cockentrice, has now officially become one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The food is spectacular. Culinary masterpieces from an extremely talented artist. The space and ambiance is very welcoming - chic but not pretentious and the wait staff, first class. I highly recommend a dining experience at The Cockentrice. You will not be disappointed.

"The Cockentrice is Chef Kevin Ouzts’ celebration of charcuterie and long-awaited execution of meat cookery — melding traditional and modern cooking techniques plucked from the rich heritage of the Southern United States and beyond."

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Modern Elegance: When Experts DIY

What happens when the experts DIY? You won't find it on Pinterest, that's for sure! When designer/artist Taylor Jarson of Taylor Jarson Designs created these custom tables, not only did he flex his creative muscles but made his client extremely happy. TJD was designing a swanky yet comfy outdoor space for a client and rather than shopping at West Elm or Crate & Barrel for tables, they recycled a pine tree on the property that needed to come down. How's that for repurposing the environment?! Brilliant.

Taylor Jarson explores all possibilities of design and he pushes the envelope to create originality for his clients... so with that said, how were these tables made? I asked, he told... Taylor was very generous to share his step-by-step creation of these beautiful tables. See slideshow below:

Step 1: The Design

I drew a few renderings to send to the client to make sure we were on the same page as far as overall design. The idea was to have one shorter table and a fatter table, and one taller and skinnier (you’ll find out in the next step why that didn’t end up happening). Both on castor wheels to make moving and changing the area’s dynamic easier.

Step 2:

The tree had been cut down. I supervised the cutting to make sure to get pick of the litter. I had them cut the logs to the exact size needed. Unfortunately, the biggest log in the picture was too big and heavy to use and the thin one  had a significant amount of rot in it. The two pieces left were in perfect condition, but were the same height. There went our idea of having height variation. With any sort of natural material (dead trees that are cut down being high on the list) these sort of problems will arise.

Step 3:

Use a wire brush to knock off all of the moss and mold build up. The paint will adhere to the wood itself, not to the stuff that will end up flaking and falling off.  

Step 4:

(Photo: Before & After wire brushing) After brushing the outsides and cleaning them, I sanded down the tops and bottoms with a stripping grit sand paper to get rid of any larger imperfections from the chainsaws. Finish sanding with a fine grit to get a smooth table-top finish.

After sanding, I bored out holes in the bottom of the stumps to flush mount the castor wheels. These castor wheels were 1 ¾ inch and can support up to 50lbs each. I used a 3¼ inch hole cutting drill bit to get my outer diameter, then used a series of different sized wood bits to get rid of the insides. Once I had a flush surface on the inside of the holes, I cut different thicknesses of plywood with the same 3 ¼ bit to get the tops of the tables level with the floor (logs cut with chainsaws will never be completely clean and level, so I had to do the leveling with the wheels).

After prep & construction:

Outsides are brushed, tops and bottoms sanded, wheels installed, and there’s a nice level surface to the tables themselves. I sealed before painting to ensure that any accidental painting of the tops or bottoms could be removed with ease. For sealing, use a clear waterproofing sealant. Also, seal the inside of the holes for the wheels, to prevent moisture, mildew, and mold from penetrating the wood and rotting it from the inside. Plus, the sealant on the tops will block UV rays and keep them looking good for years to come.

Step 5:

Before painting, make sure the sealer is completely dry and absorbed into the wood. Use an outdoor paint and primer-in-one, in a matte finish. It’s safe for all climates, so it won’t crack and peel in cold or hot temps (which means they can be left outdoors at all times). It also provides another sealant-type barrier to prevent mold and mildew build up, and to keep moisture out.

Step 6:

After the paint was completely dry, I did one final sanding to the tops to get rid of any stray paint strokes. One last coat of sealer and they were completely finished.

Taylor Jarson

The end result of this DIY project is modern and elegant. A stylish product that can't be found anywhere because they're one (two) of a kind! They are truly statement pieces. Thank you Taylor Jarson Designs for sharing your creativity, talent and skills with us all.  

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