#22 - Paris on Ponce

The combination of longest work week ever + beautiful weather only seen from the glass confines of my office = much needed, way overdue frolicking time in the city. My bestie Nat and I used our powers of persuasion to convince the boss man and woman to let us out early to do so....Good Friday may or may not have had something to do with it.

Playing at the park seemed to provide less entertainment than we were thirsty for, so we poured a Woodchuck and took a stroll down Ponce to see what we could find.

Before long, TADAAAAAAAAAA! Paris on Ponce revealed itself. I have typed, retyped, typed and retyped again on how to describe this amazing caddy shack of antiques.....I don't even know where to begin ya'll. Um, this place rocks my face off. It is one big representation of the infamous quote "one person's trash is another person's treasure." Except it all looks like treasure. And I want to buy all of it.

There are rooms on top of rooms on top of rooms of everything you can imagine.....typewriters, records, radios, lamps, headboards, wedding dresses (yup), tables, chairs, artwork, strollers, the list is endless, literally. BEAUTIFUL artwork plastered on every wall that can't be found anywhere else. I could not believe some of the things I found.

Creepy

Call me...

This looks like the chair from "The Neverending Story," no?

Magazine, anyone?

 

When you first walk in your first reaction is "oh cool....it smells like my grandmother's house...and looks like it too." But then you find yourself spending hours in this place and wondering how you can fit the perfect reading chair you would sell your kidney for.

One day, Nat. One day.

At first glance, the size of Paris on Ponce seems deceiving, then moves to more of an overwhelming feel for most. But, if you have a little time you can redecorate a bedroom, dining room, heck, you're entire house in a matter of 30 minutes. It can be pricey though...the chair above is $1,300. YOWZA! But can you really put a price on vintage furniture?! OK fine, you can. But still....gorgeous!

Oh, and it gets better. WAY better. At one point I thought the trail had ended, but little did I know I was in for the grand finale. I look straight ahead and read "Le Maison Rouge." The closed glass door a few steps inside seemed too off-limits, so the rebel inside me opened it. Enter jaw drop Kelly.

Ummmmm, where did THIS place come from? My dreams, obviously. Yes I am in Paris, and yes I am on Ponce De Leon. 

I am a huge fan of romantic colors like dark reds, purples, greens etc. so this room was right up my alley. I know, just call me Audrina from The Hills (I mean, what? I don't watch that garbage). Come to find out, this room can be booked for private parties, birthdays, weddings, you name it. They even have burlesque shows from time to time! I will get details, and we will all go. If you have quirky taste like me, this would be the perfect place to get married. I mean, I want to shotgun it, but seeing as I'm enjoying the single and mingle life, I won't hold you back.

I had Paris on Ponce on my bucket list prior to the experience, but I must give a big thank you to Nat for bringing this fantastic store into my life.....along with the Maison Rouge Room. I have been dreaming about it on a nightly basis ever since. Bucket list worthy? Oui Oui!

#21 - Blind Willie's

First off, seeing a local Blues band in Atlanta is bucket list worthy all on its own. It's one of the only things you can enjoy where it truly doesn't matter what part of town you're in, what day of the week you show up, what time of day you go, or even the people you are with. Whatever scenario you're thinking, my response will continue to be "it doesn't matter."It's like the equivalent of playing in a park.....you forget how you got there and where you are....you just enjoy your surroundings. Needless to say my visit to Blind Willies spoke true to this experience, as I headed out for a seemingly low-key Saturday night with the Freshmaker.

 Walking distance to several other Virginia Highland restaurants and bars, Blind Willies requires a $10 cover most nights, entertainment included. The pub packs out quickly, so make sure you at least get there for a late dinner or early drinks if you want a table anywhere. We barely got a stool spot as we strolled up...and that was before 10 pm!

Lucky for us we sat down quickly and we were able to get our first sip down just in time to hear Sandra Hall & The Shadows perform....and they.were.AWESOME. I mean, Sandra Hall alone took the show to a whole new level. Anyone that can pull off a full red sequin outfit is good to go in my book, so her outstanding vocals were simply a bonus.

The combinmation of her Diana Ross voice and Tina Turner moves got most of the crowd out of their chairs and up and center to the stage to groove the night away. Thankfully we were safely tucked away in the corner, so the middle aged dinner party couldn't drag us to the front. Poor gals, never saw it comin'.

A typical night at Blind Willies will include one or two sets from local Blues bands. It switches up quite frequently so even if you go weekly, you will get a different experience each time. I recommend starting out here for a few drinks and ending the night with some music at  the Highland Ballroom (see post #2) to keep the mood going.

Blues bars in general are bucket list worthy if you ask me, so pack your soul dancin' shoes next time you're in the Highlands. Checking it off the list as yet another bucket list success!