#26 - Sweetwater 420 Festival

It didn't take long for my thirst for "festivaling" to come biting back....Sunday afternoon I headed to the Ninsters to carpool down to Candler Park for Sweetwater 420 Fest.

I purposefully made the trip on Sunday in an attempt to avoid a packed out festival days prior. To be honest, I wanted room to shake my groove thang. Fact. But seeing as we had another beautimous day and there are no alcohol sales on Sunday in the great state of Georgia, Candler Park clearly had a different agenda for me! The park was packed to the max with vendors, food and local musical artists the entire day. Surprsingly I was not bothered by the crowd at all, despite my original mindset.

 

We found street parking pretty easily, but I recommend taking MARTA to avoid the stress of remembering which street you parked on, and if you're going to get towed on a Sunday (that would make for an interesting work debut Monday morning...boo).

While the festival is advertised as FREE, you must pay $5 for a wristband if you're planning to drinkity drink. I willingly paid the $5 and thanks to our 99X buds, the Ninster and I got VIP wristbands that helped us avoid the $5 Sweetwater's and $6 corn dogs. Thanks boys!

I guess they were a bit reluctant at first...but we wore them down

For life

After meeting up with our OTP friends, we made our way through the maze of vendors. I realized after about ten minutes of walking that I was not prepared for the hottest day of the weekend. Note to self: long flowy tan dress + 80 degree weather = potential swet stains allllllllll over. Thank goodness for Loose Loosies's tent where I could find a cute new dress to sneaky snake into.  Vendor and friend photoshoot for your viewing pleasure....

New dress - soooo comfie

What a fantastic Sunday Funday we ended up having at Candler Park. Totally worth fighting through the crowd every once in a while for a beer or to pee pee for coco puffs. While I had a blast, I will admit it was second to Dogwood Festival. 420fest is more about the beer and food than the vendors, and that's one my favorite parts of the festivals. Their music blew Dogwood's out of the water, but I was still craving about 20 more tents full of local artists and maybe a new pair of earings for that perfect night out. All and all, this festival rocked and quenched my desire for a springtime Sunday Funday. I will leave you with the picture below....

Oh, and Bucket list worthy?  You betcha! Onto the next....

#25 - Dogwood Festival

After the shock wore off from RHPS the night before, I washed the stank off from my soccer game that a.m. and met up with Broder to walk down to Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park!

I was mucho thankful for not only a gorgeous 75 degree cloudless day, but also that the festival was no longer hosted at the Lenox Mall parking lot. Does anyone remember that?! It looked miserable from the confines of my car driving by last year, so I vowed to boycott the event until it came back to where it belongs....success!

Dogwood has been an active festival in Atlanta for 74 years, and by golly I hope to be around for 174. Did I mention it is one of few Atlanta's festivals with FREE admission? Its endless green space welcomes vendors from all over the U.S., selling their trinkets and entertaining each visitor with their back-story on how it all began for them.

This event is HUGE, one of the biggest I have experienced in Atlanta yet. We didn't even head down until around 4:00 that afternoon, but the crowd had not yet subsided. Thankfully it wasn't shoulder to shoulder throughout the maze from entrance to exit....only a tight squeeze when people stopped to check out the yummy food, expensive booze ($5 Corona's, $8 margaritas and $3 bottled water....typical)  and some amazing artistic talent. Enjoy the photo montage below.

A Crepe station??? Well done, Dogwood

 Num, Num, Num

Inspired by The Beatles....I'm in love

Our favorite artists: Stephen J. Kasun in GA, HC Porter Gallery of MS & Xavier Nuez of CA

Stephen Kasun

My fav from his collection

H.C. Porter

Xavier Nuez

An hour or so later I started feeling the urge for some major noshing....and then a light began to shine from above, and I found my reason for living.....

....FUNNEL CAKES BABY!!

Man has it been a minute since I've endured the sweet succulent taste of a greasy festival funnel cake. Please take a moment to experience it with me....

At long last...we meet again...for $7

It doesn't get....

...any better....

...than THIS!

And now bro's turn....we were both in heaven...can you tell??

Before heading back to our opposite ends of the earth, we listened to a few tunes from a random white guy.....no seriously, he was literally all white.

Statue or real man? You decide. Wait, I was there so I will decide for you...it was a real dude.

 Dogwood festival is great for all ages....small groups, big groups, couples, besties, families, you name it. I'd hate to be the cleanup crew for this event, but it was a great way to eat some amazing food, get some exercise and catch up with my bro in between flights. Bucket list worthy? YES'SUM!

#24 - Plaza Theatre: Midnight Showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show

It's a well known fact that The Rocky Horror Picture Show has some of the most hilarious acting of all time.....at least it is to those in my generation. Years and years ago, Atlanta recognized the need for this movie to be reunited with its audience over and over and over again. So thanks to Plaza Theatre and Natalie's birthday the crew dressed up in our Rocky Horror gear and experienced the Midnight Showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show!

The crew minus Daniel - don't act like you're not impressed

 

In character

To give you some background, the Plaza Theatre is the last of its kind in Atlanta, as well as the oldest continuously operating cinema in the city. It opened its doors in 1939 as a 1,000 seat art deco cinema and live theatre. In the 1970's it turned into an adult cinema and live burlesque theater until its renovation in 1983 by George Lefont....who was the first person to bring independent cinema to Atlanta.....and the rest is history.

Back in the day

Present day

Now onto my experience....and I'm just going to go ahead and prepare everyone, this was pretty intense! Before you even walk into the theater you are greeted by several lingerie wearing hostesses with red lipstick in hand. "Have you ever been to the midnight showing of RHPS before," they ask? "Why no half naked stranger, I have not..." I responded. Seconds later I'm getting both cheeks kissed with red lipstick and a V on the forehead indicating that I was a newbie or "virgin" to the show.

Close up

We made it! Well, half of my face did anyway

After being briefed on the "Rules of the Plaza" we walked into the vintage theater and awaited the movie. In the interim, the staff gathers around and sells candy and raffle tickets and sets up some funny games up front to pass the time while the movie is being prepared. This takes a while, so if you get there a little after midnight no worries.

 Ideally I was hoping to reminisce on the flick I had only seen glimpses of several years ago, but it was a whole different ball game. Do not go into this movie like you do others.....the staff is either quoting or yelling explicit language in unison the entire movie! It was intense, but some of it was pretty hilarious and it was totally worth going to. Every time there was a pause in the script, or the camera zoomed in on Janet....someone (or everyone) on staff would yell out something super offensive to some but hilarious to many. If you want to know what was said you will have to check it out yourself, I'm keeping this blog PG rated people!

The best part was that each staff member posed as an actor/actress and performed on stage while the film was playing above. They provided a hilarious imitation of each cast member and created an interactive feel that kept us laughing our lips off.

Dancing was encouraged when "Let's Do the Time Warp Again" came on

The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays midnight every Friday night at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets are $8 a pop and the entire event lasts until about 2:30 a.m. If you are easily offended, you will want to stear clear of this event. If not, I recommend going to at least say you're not a newbie anymore. Bucket list worthy? Letttttttt's do the tiiiiiiiiiime warrrrrrrp again! I mean, yes :). 

#23 - PURE

I think we can all agree that last Saturday was G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. Spring time is officially in full bloom, and I plan on taking advantage as much as possible. Care to join me? Great!

So after a double header soccer game in Chamblee that afternoon I barely had the energy to text....but never fear, the bucket list continued! I somehow found it in me to look presentable and meet Squires & Company at PURE just a few miles from my hacienda....and thank goodness for the close proximity, otherwise my legs would probably have fallen off.

This cozy taqueria's food is proven fresh each visit and is known for their nightly drink special of $1.50 black label cervesas. If that's not a reason to visit, I don't know what is people. An old classmate/Wheeler High School survivor is a big wig for PURE and gave me the skinny on the restaurant.....enjoy the 411 below.

PURE is one of three  locations in the Atlanta metro area. The first opened several years ago in downtown Alpharetta. Next came their Woodstock location and soon after the PURE in Inman Park arose. Each location is located in a quaint area slightly disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life, or tucked away with a string of low key bars/restaurants in the Inman Park area. They are planning on opening at least five more locations this summer. Way to go guys! Ok, enough real estate talk, let's get to the good stuff....

How about the food, you ask? Um, it's fantastic. 99% of what is on the menu is freshly prepared. In fact, the cooks clock in around 4:00 a.m. DAILY to prepare the diverse and savoring menu that will keep you coming back for more, mouths watering and all.

I don't know about you, but I'm a big taco salad fan...and while they don't have something identical to what you're probably used to seeing on a tex mex menu, it does not disappoint. Enter "Tostada de Tinga". Num num. They also have plenty of taco's to choose from that will knock your socks off. They use lots of spices in their seasoning so be sure to ask if the chicken is seasoned mild, medium or hot. I found myself downing some major H2O after a few bites.... but totally worth it.

After finishing dinner, the 40+ at our table went back to the sticks and the youngins headed upstairs to the open patio where we listened to live music and people watched with the best of em. The patio is spectacular - you feel like you're in Miami with a cool breeze and marg in hand. I definitely recommend.

PURE is a great place to meet a friend for a drink or a small group for dinner...any group more than 5-6 make sure you call ahead because it packs out quicly...even on weekdays. Since the structure is mostly concrete, it can get a little noisy. It wasn't bothersome for this cat, but could be for others. Which reminds me, let me also recommended PURE for blind dates or break ups....at least you will have a distraction if it goes sour, and if he/she starts crying it will be drowned out by the music or conversations that surround you. I take that back, if you dump someone in public you have issues.

Definitely check out the PURE near you and look out for more openings this summer. Bucket list worthy? Si senor!

#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!