SEC Gameday Wear

Us University of Georgia girls take our college football attire very seriously.

Jeans a t-shirts on girls at Georgia games? No way!

The XX chromosomed fans find fun ways to don the team colors. I love to see how the girls get creative; you see paisleys, stripes, patterned sashes, houndstooth accessories, polka dots, you name it. Your imagination can run wild as long as you stick with black, red and white.

(To be fair, college football fans in the SEC all take their attire very seriously).

My gameday gear:

• Black dress (no one I'd heard of) picked up at Brentwood, TN, for $7
• Art-deco-ish stretchy belt - $20 (via Athens, GA, Salvation Army like 8 years ago)
• Mom's bulldawg pin (circa early to mid 1970s) - gratis
• Laredo brand snakeskin roper boots (via Decatur Last Chance) - $25 (found 'em brand new with tags)
• Ruffled red bag with monogrammed initials - gifted by stepmother a few years back (features my maiden name initials - KAB)
• Crazy feathered koozie - gifted (much girlier than I would have picked out for myself, but fun)

A few outfits I dug on Saturday:

A few more photos from the game:

Husband, brother (who is a junior and cheers for UGA).

Husband, father.

Now if our football team could just get its act together... Regardless of the game outcome, going to an SEC game is something you must put on your bucket list. The fans are out of this world. You've never seen a campus so covered in fans, tailgates and general excitement — it's a fun time.

How do you do game day wear?

A Family That Thrifts Together, Stays Together

Goodwill Family Affair Part 2:

With fam in town for our little housewarming shindig, we just had to fit in a little thrifting time. Thank you to Paul for spearheading the adventure. We had quite the successful day at ole G'Willy.

Paully Wally, Mom, Anna Fo-fanna.

Mom really racked up on this particular trip. She's always been a fan of black and white (or black, white and red) — and the Lavista Road (Tucker, Georgia) Goodwill had plenty waiting for her. Isn't she adorable in this wide houndstooth belt? The mama hasn't done much with high waisted belts — but now she's ready to rock this one ($4). See far below for her whole cart.

Another fun find by la madre. 

These Rampage brand kitten heels had never been worn. Love the oversized houndstooth pattern and the little bit of grey mixed in ($6, I think).

Anna was also a big winner in Sunday's thrift excursion. I sooo wish the below shoes had been my size. Alas, they were not right for me but perfect for Anna. 

Page boy shoes were $10 (label says "Graceland"). So super cute — and work appropriate. (Anna just accepted an 8th grade teaching position. Congratulations, Fo-fan!)

These $10 shoes remind me a lot of these precious black leather ones (below) from Shabby Apple (shout out to the Asian Cajuns for telling me about the cute offerings of Shabby Apple). Anna's are just as cute but $90 less.

They also remind me a lot of these sassy red shoes Olivia shared for Audience Participation Friday a few months ago  ("Favorite items under $20" edition).

Anna also picked up these fun and funky 80s running tights by Hind ($5)...

And a men's polo, three books (Memoirs of a Geisha, Diary of a Freedom Writer and Teaching Students with Special Needs) and a ceramic coffee mug. Her total damage: $24.

I also came home with a men's button-up. I was lucky enough to find a GAP brand olive green, two-pocket safari-style button-up much like the one below. NEW WITH TAGS (marked $44.50). Goodwill had it marked for $10 — then I got half off at the register because it had a red tag. Five bones for a brand new shirt ain't bad. I'll share my outfit post incorporating the shirt tomorrow.

I also bought a purple knit vest by Casual Corner ($4) and three books (I Know This Much is True, The DaVinci Code and Revolutionary Road). Thrift stores are such a great place to find books for cheap, even new releases. My total damage: $12.

Paul found a jackpot item as well: a mint condition, red North Face rain coat for $5. I know the frat boys at The University of Georgia are going to be mega-jealous.

Mom's goods (in addition to her belt and Rampage shoes: mini houndstooth flats, some cute red Merona flats and three ceramic coffee mugs.)

That was fun, fam!

Goodwill - www.goodwill.org

3983 Lavista Road
Tucker, GA 30084-5157
(770) 723-1112

Note: the LaVista Rd. metro Atlanta location is one of the cleaner, newer, more organized Goodwill locations. Even the bathrooms seem to be in fine shape.

Cashing in my Christmas coupon: TopFlr

My equally food obsessed brother Ben gave me the best Christmas present: a dinner out at a place of my choosing — on him. And that's on a college student's budget (Ben's getting his doctorate in mechanical engineering)!

I cashed in my coupon last Monday to coincide with my first day at a new job. My choice was TopFlr (674 Myrtle Street; Atlanta).

Ben picked me up at 7:30 (what a gentleman) and we headed over to midtown. Parking lot spot - score! The space is quaint and modern, though not as high-end looking as I pictured in my head.

We wondered if TopFlr was still running its $15 four-course prix fix menu — and they were. We listed with all ears. First-course: spring salad. Second course: choice of pork belly and pork loin over cheddar grits with porcini mushrooms or four jumbo shrimp on a skewer over a spring salad. Third course: choice of dessert.

We opted to share three things off the menu (an appetizer - tuna tartare, an entree - hanger steak, and a side - creamed brussels sprouts) plus one of the prix fix menus (the pork/grits one, as a salad appetizer followed by a salad entree wasn't enticing). See the regular menu here. I would have been happy with about anything from this menu. I had a tasty malbec who's name I forgot to note.

The spring salad and tartare came out first. The spring salad was straightforward, tossed in a simple vinaigrette. The tartare was served atop crispy flat bread and featured just enough acidity, oil and spices (their own blend of thai pesto). Ben and I were both impressed by the size (and quality of the tuna) in this $13 appetizer.

If the $13 hanger steak and pork belly/pork loin/grits entrees were competing, it would be difficult to name a clear winner. The hanger steak, served sliced and medium rare, tasted more like filet — and the ginger sauce was a benefit, not a distraction. One word to describe the pork entree: yummmm. The mushrooms were just tender enough, the grits creamy and thick without being too thick. And cheese. Mmm. My one complaint is that after a bite of salty and tender pork belly, the bites of pork tenderloin felt dry in comparison.

Oddly enough, Ben and I agreed that the $4 brussels sprouts were likely the best part of the meal. Damn good. "They taste like candy," Ben said at some point. Made with heavy cream, fennel, shallots and bacon, they were possibly less healthy than candy. What the hell — nothing to feel guilty about during this special occasion meal.

Dessert was a no brainer: tiramisu. Ben pointed out that he was relieved to find more coffee flavor compared to tiramisu he's had recently. Then he added, "I better not tell [my girlfriend] that I ate tiramisu because she'll be so jealous!" I found the tiramisu to be moist and not overly sweet (a problem I often have with tiramisu).

I didn't see (or try and calculate in my head) the final bill — but Ben told me it was reasonable considering the amount of food (plus a drink each) we enjoyed. I'd recommend you kick the tires on TopFlr on a Monday night when you can get special pricing on some (or all) of your meal. If not, you may lay down some coin on the a la carte entrees and sides.

Overall experience: A

Service: A

Interesting menu: B

Average price entree and side: $18

Thanks for the awesome meal and the brother/sister time, Benjamin!

Beer Sommelier-style Tasting at SAVI Urban Market

Last night, my brother Ben, his girlfriend Becca and a few other friends hit up SAVI Urban Market's open-house type shindig. Our reason for going: the Beer Sommelier. Ben saw on Facebook that Matt Simpson, the beer sommelier, was participating in the open house.

SAVI is a mix of health foods market, beer mart, wine bar, butcher shop, bakery, deli and convenience store. The shop is located at in Inman Park (287 Elizabeth Street; Atlanta, GA 30307). http://www.saviurbanmarket.com/

Matt Simpson, as always, was spreading beer cheer with samples of delicious hops served with a side of beer knowledge. Matt doesn't sell beer; his expertise is explaining how beers are made, how they differ from one another, what flavors to pay special attention to and what foods to pair with particular beers.

How do I know this? My friend Kirsten found Matt and we hired him for our friend's bachelorette party back in April. Imagine a group of 20 girls, giggling while tasting Belgium beers and answering beer trivia questions. We had the greatest time, and Matt did a good job of choosing beers the bachelorette loved (wouldn't you say, Moeko?) and giving us some beer 101 without assuming we didn't know anything about beer. Check out his resume (he knows his stuff).

I felt a little sorry for the other vendors last night, as things like the (delicious) quinoa pilaf were not getting as much attention as the brew samples. I can't recall all that we tasted but I did enjoy the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (good but a little more bitter compared to what I'm used to), Old Chubb (smooth taste, caramel notes and oddly enough served in a can!) and Victory Golden Monkey (light, golden and tasted more like the Belgians I love so much).

I left with a six pack of Old Chubb Scottish-style Ale ($9.99/six pack at SAVI, out of Lyons, Colorado - http://www.oskarblues.com/).

Check out SAVI Urban Market for some healthy and eclectic food and drink -- and consider hiring The Beer Sommelier (Matt Simpson) for your next private party.

p.s. while he may not be writing for beer publications, I think my bro Ben may one day give Matt a run for the money. Ben's girlfriend says he gives a mean beer academy.

Surprise Finds in the Great Automobile State

When we departed for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary in Holland, Michigan, I had no idea Saturday would turn into a thriftravaganza.

You see, over cocktails and barbeque Friday night, I learned that my Aunt Janet might be the thriftiest lady alive. "Everything but my underwear and shoes I buy secondhand," my aunt proudly shared. And proud she should be! With her immaculate (and cute!) $3.00 khakis, $2.00 sweaters and even a $1.50 Banana Republic suit, she is my hero!

We decided right away that we must check out Holland's finest in thrift, consignment and secondhand. My brother Paul and cousin Maureen didn't have to be convinced. They would be along for this ride.

First stop: Ditto secondhand (ha! I get it!)

(Fun to try on but not purchased...) This wasn't the maternity wear Mo was looking for...

(Also not purchased but fun to try on...) Eat your heart out, Brad from Rachel Zoe. 

Totally Paul's style... I think this is a Brooks Brothers button-up and it was around $4.00 (Ditto in Holland, Michigan).

Paul's big find: a Top Gun-era leather jacket (worn in just right). He paid $16... but this should be a priceless piece. Reed jacket found at Ditto.

Nice, feminine tie sweater on Aunt Janet (I think $3.00? at Ditto).

Paul may disagree, but I think this 70s-era 100% leather and suede trench was the find of the day. The label says "Montgomery Ward" — and the piece is in great shape. $15 at Salvation Army. I can't WAIT to wear this. Credit must be given to Aunt J (she found this but it was a little too short in the arms for her tall frame).

Perfect, lined Isaac Mizrahi for Target pencil skirt (you can't see in this photo, but the skirt is a textured cotton/chiffon blend). $4.00 at Holland's Salvation Army. Strange man in red shirt sold separately.

This photo doesn't do justice to Janet's belted, vintage Liz Claiborne dress (I think $6) from Salvation Army. Mint condition and it fit like a glove!

Modeling our "new" leather duds. (Photo bomb courtesy of cousin Mo)

She's not wearing any new buys, but I had to throw in this photo because Anna's looking ferosh in her Dress Up Boutique slate dress ($31) and my Mercedes Bien elastic belt ($18).

And I love my new suitcase! This Safe-Way luggage is eclectic with an old world feel. ($3.00 at Ditto in Holland, Michigan.)

What a great weekend! Beyond the fantastic thrifting, we very much enjoyed celebrating my grandparents and the love they've shared for 60 years. Congratulations, Jack and Bette!