Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Archive for October, 2010

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I concur.

Posted by AllieB on October 22, 2010

Liz Lemon drops incredible truth bombs on a weekly basis.

As I mentioned recently, I love the elle.com horoscopes. The weekend forecast for Gemini is pretty lousy – something about hanging out with people who might not necessarily be “the cool kids” (total nonsense  – I don’t know anyone who’s not cool), but K’s was amazing and completely un-Cancer-esque, so I will share it. I think we all, regardless of astrological sign, should embrace this sage advice:

It’s time to bust out the sequins and sky-high Louboutins, and party like a rockstar once again….Raise the hemline on your costume, and drop the neckline…this is your socially-sanctioned opportunity to let your inner Snooki soar.

That’s right. Let your inner Snooki soar. I’ve got the other stuff  down pat – in fact, I recently acquired a very mini skirt (tights required) and sequined top that fit nicely within these parameters. I’m only missing the Louboutins…sigh. If I could have but one pair of shoes for the rest of my life, it would be these. TINA – still waiting on that million dollar idea.

Oh – and The Partner’s Card starts today!

Happy Weekend! XOXO – Allie Bark Twice Baxter

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Nostalgia: France

Posted by AllieB on October 20, 2010

For no other reason than that I haven’t had a new Facebook album since June, I decided to post random pictures from the Baxter Family trip to France back in August. Staying at my aunt and uncle’s home was beyond incredible, and we really did have such a good time – I am ready for a return trip!

Chateau Cerisay - clockwise from top right: front door, moat, chapel, grounds, main house. TAKE ME BACK!

Anecdote: my aunt and uncle have become friendly with the neighbors, and they were kind enough to invite us over for a cook-out. The host of the party, we’ll call him Jacques, was charming, flamboyant and an amazing cook.

I have always been of a proponent of really indulging oneself on vacation – no limits, really take advantage of the culture, cuisine, etc. This means to say: I helped myself to the food and wine. At one point he saw me taking a second chicken kabob, and he inquired, “Oh, is that for your little sister?” Embarrassed, I assured him that yes, it was (not). Shortly thereafter he came over to where Jordan and I were sitting, and the following conversation ensued:

Jacques: “Deed your seester geeve you her kabob?”

Jordan: “No.”

Jacques (to me): “Non! You ate that?! A second kabob?!”

Me (humiliated with a side of rosacea): “Um, yes…you know what they say about vacation – lots of wine and lots of food!”

Jacques: “Mais oui, to have lots of wine – that is very Franche, but to have two kabobs…that is SO not Franche.”

Oh the shame. I tried to joke with him later about the incident, saying I should probably run wind sprints home to work off the second kabob, and he responded in a decidedly non-joking manner, “But of course!! That eees a good idea!!”

Note to self re: future travels – do as the locals do, not as obese Americans do…

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Meet & Greet: The Ivy

Posted by AllieB on October 19, 2010

The Ivy, owned by the same guys who own City Bar and General Beauregard in Athens,  opened a few weeks ago in North Buckhead. Finally utilizing the massive space left by Carbo’s of the early 90’s and then an event-only space that closed after a large fire, it’s a huge restaurant/bar that, I think, is here to stay.

I’ve been there several times – I have the Oderson’s to thank for that – so I feel I can legitimately critique the place. I was ready to write a rave review after our first meal, but Hilary suggested that I pump the brakes a bit and see how things panned out. Well, they’ve panned out swimmingly, IMO, and here are some points of interest:

  • Order something fried. I suggest the Tempura Portobella Mushroom Caps, but swap out whatever sauce the menu suggests for their Mojo Aioli. Actually, regardless of your order, ask for a side of the Mojo Aioli – it’s awesome. Their chicken fingers are also amazing. The “moist” and “juicy” chicken is encased in some kind of breaded, deep-fried nonsense reminiscent of funnel cakes. I know that sounds weird in theory, but in practice…oh my god.
  • Huge $4 slices of pizza. Their slices are 1/4 of a full pie, and that is not an exaggeration. I recommend “The Ivy” which has sausage and mushrooms and peppers and something else – maybe another meat? They don’t have a menu online.
  • Cecilia’s Cakes. It’s not a rumor – they serve them. Made famous by Last Resort in Athens, they are the best cakes ever, of anyplace I’ve ever been. Caramel and Red Velvet are my favorites…
  • It is very reasonably priced. Pizza for $4/slice, burgers under $10, appetizers in $5 – $8 range…and a very nice house Cabernet for $5/glass. Plus, they have prime outdoor seating and even allow dogs. Done and done.

Overall, I think The Ivy has totally nailed it. The service is decent and will only improve. Plus, I appreciate that they have stemless martini glasses, as I’ve yet to master the itty-bitty stem/wide-mouth top of the standard stemware. The Ivy = the new go-to…?

images from thrillist.com

The Ivy

3717 Roswell Rd
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-941-3081

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Know Your Audience

Posted by AllieB on October 19, 2010

Starbucks is testing the new “Starbucks Bar” at their flagship store in Seattle. My first reaction was, “Great! Another place that serves wine.” However, upon further examination, I’m thinking: no. They’ve delved into coffee-flavored liquers, available at your local grocer/bottle shop, and their breakfast sandwiches are actually really awesome, but to serve beer and wine at their actual coffee shops just seems wrong to me.

I learned on the Today show this morning that Starbucks does 70% of their business  before 2pm. That’s FINE – you’re a COFFEE shop. I think to add alcohol in the mix will just confuse people. IMO, if Starbucks insists upon pedaling booze, they need to do so in a totally different capacity – perhaps even under a pseudonym – at a location entirely separate from the coffee shops.

When the always-hilarious Al Roker joked, “Sure, I’ll take a Zinfandel Frappucino!” I knew that I would never be able to get behind this idea.

thanks, but no thanks

Posted in Food & Drink, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

smorgasbord

Posted by AllieB on October 18, 2010

I find Russell Brand to be completely hilarious. It’s his delivery, his off-the-wall sentiments expressed in a matter-of-fact manner, to the point where, as the listener/reader, you’re prepared to find the utter nonsense streaming from his mouth completely legitimate and normal.

Case in point (excerpts from Vulture):

  • Per an audience member’s question, he doesn’t have plans to collaborate with Tim Burton, but he’d like to. “We’d get on. We could talk about hair and Gothic fairy tales, England, whimsy, and tortured adolescence.”
  • When he met the Queen of England, he was somehow with James Blunt, “whose voice is indiscernible in my mind from a clown’s horn” and who was once also a member of the Royal Guard. “That’s not fair! They’ve got all sorts of things to talk about. Like, ‘Oh, do you remember when you used to guard me? Thanks.’ What am I going to say? ‘Oh, I’m Shagger of the Year.’ She’s smiling rather generously, but part of me knows that that is just the remaining smile from James Blunt and it’s about to crumble into a deep frown.”

Maybe it’s just me…I don’t know, I think he’s hysterical.  I also think this video of Alphonso Smith of the Detroit Lions doing the Carlton Dance is funny. It’s hardly brand new information, but it’s Monday morning, so I don’t much care if I’m on the cutting edge or not.

Last and most certainly least, Ken Paves and Jessica Simpson are splitsville. Perhaps it’s been this relationship that’s perpetuated her fugliness, and now she’s on to bigger (no pun intended) and better…! I’m definitely interested to hear her new holiday album – I like pop stars’s holiday albums the best. Read: Mariah Carey.

Oh wait, one more thing: that is ENOUGH, Taylor Momsen. I wonder if one day, many years from now, she’ll be considering a family of her own and then remember, “goshdarnit, I hope those pictures of me dressing like a gothic prostitute with a penchant for violence aren’t still floating around…”

Posted in Arbitrary, Celebs | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

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