I forgot to put my face on yesterday morning. More precisely, I was going to wait until the afternoon, but I forgot then, so I spent the day sans makeup without realizing it. I couldn't figure out why 3 different people asked if I was tired until I got home, looked in the mirror and said, "I do look tired today. What in the...oh...that's just how my face looks when I don't cover it up." It was a real feel-good moment. Maybe I should get more sleep and eat less refined sugar. Or maybe I should just remember to apply concealer every day.

Yesterday's incident was one of those that made me stop and wonder if I'm really cut out for Lady of Leisure-hood. I don't think proper LoLs go out in public without mascara, do they? So, in an effort to feel more Leisahly today, I baked.

Now, most people love fall because of the cooler weather and the excitement of snuggling up in a sweater with a steaming mug of cider and some pumpkin flavored dessert. Not me, y'all. I hate when the weather starts getting cool because I would much rather be by the pool in a swimsuit with an ice cold...beverage. That said, the one exciting thing about the otherwise gloomy prospect of winter is that it's finally cool enough in my apartment to turn the oven on again. I would gladly give up baking for the promise of eternal summer, but that's not an option, so I'm looking on the bright side.

In other news, I hope you enjoyed that photo and food news because it's all you're getting until I can think of another Fatty Friday theme. We're running out of Classic City burger joints and, to tell the truth, I'm kind of relieved. I think I need a burger break. There may be a couple more from time to time, but for now, I think we're on hiatus. Sorry.

Fondest regards,

The Lady

I know it's been a while, but this is my 100th post! I really wanted to take some time to think of something to make it really special...like when you open it, candy would shoot out at you. Or fireworks. Or something. In the end, I decided that it was more important that I just go ahead and post. Sorry that you won't be getting a free puppy with this reading.

To add to your disappointment, I did not take any pictures at Ole Miss last weekend. It was really fun, though. The Grove is a pretty spectacular sight and those Rebs sure do know how to tailgate. As they say, "We may not win every game, but we never lose a party." Truth. And everyone was so nice. In the hotel elevator that morning, an Ole Miss fan told our Red and Black troupe to look for his tailgate and come join 'em for a drink. Georgia fans don't do that.

The rest of the trip was pretty fun, too. I practiced the art of leisure on Friday while taking a nap as the boys gambled in Tunica. Then I got up and went to the pool where I napped some more. Between naps, we ate. It was one of those trips where I felt like I needed to get home and not eat anything for a few days. The first casino buffet we went to was nothing to write home about, although I did get some country fried steak and gravy and macaroni and cheese. That night, though, that was the real buffet, y'all...

The boys and I went over to Harrah's (this is sounding like a classy trip, right?) and went to Paula Deen's Buffet for dinner. Y'all. It was even better than I imagined. There was food everywhere. Everywhere. And the whole place was decorated like a cute Southahn house. It was fabulous and disgusting and wonderful all at the same time. At these buffets, however, we did notice that they are really big (pun intended) on the sugar free desserts. I'm wondering if there's a super high incidence of diabetes in the Mississippi gambling crowd. Probs.

Saturday night was another fab meal. After stuffing myself full of Sloan's Mom's lemon cake and 7 layer dip, we hit up Memphis for ribs at rendezvous. I felt like a Southahn failure because all I could manage was half my pork sandwich and 1 of CB's ribs. After 2 buffets and a tailgate, my tummy said uncle, so the boys dropped me back at the hotel to sleep it off while they went back to Tunica to lose a little more cash.

All in all, it was a pretty fun trip. I only had two things on my checklist: Sleep and see the Dawgs win, and both were accomplished.

Fondest regards,
The Lady

After last season, I vowed the I would never again travel to watch the Dawgs play at someone else's house. Starkville, Jacksonville, and Memphis broke shattered ruined my life okay just hurt me too much last year. At the end of the season, I felt like I had invested time, money, and some dang cute outfits for something that just wasn't paying out. I knelt in the Liberty Bowl, threw my hands in the air, and vowed, "Never again!"

*dramatization

However, I can only pretend to be a fair weather fan. Alas, I just care too much, so, like so many over my other football related resolutions, that didn't last long. This weekend, Football and I will be spending some quality time together in Missississippi. Last time we were together in Mississississippi, (Starkville. One of the worst -villes I've ever been to) I was...well...I just can't talk about it. The wounds are still too fresh.

This time, though, it's about more than football. This time, I get to go to The Grove, y'all! Ole Miss is supposed to boast one of the best tailgate campuses in the nation and I am so excited! Apparently they really know how to do football in Oxford. I'm not sure they know how to play football (they lost last week to Vandy 30-7), but they sure can do football. I'll try to remember to take pictures...before the game...while we're still happy and hopeful...wopwop.

All that said, there won't be a Fatty Friday post this week. Sorry. I'll try to make it up to you next Friday.

Fondest regards,
The Lady

I don't do very much grocery shopping. Since I live alone and eat out with CB most nights, it's really not necessary for me to keep food in the house. In fact, it usually just goes bad and I toss it 2 years later. Honestly, the only things I keep in the apartment (besides the occasional leftover carton) are coffee and half and half. Who could ask for anything more?

So, I didn't expect to buy anything at Trader Joe's when I stopped in there for lunch and shampoo yesterday. But then I thought, weeeellll...maybe I'll get some hummus...and crackers...and ravioli...and short, boring story long, I did actual grocery shopping and now I have real-life food in my house. My favorite purchase: dark chocolate caramel with sea salt. It's not voges, but it is delicious at half the price.

I really do love Trader Joe's. In fact, I love it so much I'm thinking about marrying it. If only that was legal. Maybe I can move to Vermont. We probably won't be able to give my mom grandkids, but I think she'd be okay with cheap wine and the occasional Viennese Lemon Cake. She just wants me to be happy.

The only downside to the trip is that now I can't stop thinking about Christmas. I want peppermint and crack jo jo's. I want them real bad. If anyone knows when I'll be able to get them, please tell me so that I know when this agony will end.

Fondest regards,
The Lady

Fatty Friday -- Blind Pig Tavern

Okay, so the thing that jumps out at me about the Blind Pig's Menu is that almost everything seems to be deep fried. Appetizers, hot dogs, sandwiches, you name it! This, of course, made it very difficult to pick a hamburger as none of them were beer battered or fried. It's a shame, too, because I think a deep-fried burger would have ended the quest then and there.

What the burger selection lacks in deep-friedness, it makes up for in topping choices. It was tough to pick just one of the 16 signature burgers, but after much painful deliberation and agonizing debate, I settled on "The Memphis" - a cheeseburger topped with bacon and peanut butter.

See the peanut butter dripping out the bottom there? Delicious. I used to doubt the goodness of PB on a burger, but I'm a believer now. The burger was really pretty good, but they overcooked the patty. Sad, because it coulda' been a contenda. Overall I have to give this "Brando Burger" a 6 because, well, well done just kills it for me. If you're in Athens, though, and want to try a good PB burger, Clocked will do you one up right.

CB got a burger too, but don't ask me what was on it. I really should pay more attention; however, I was completely distracted by the topping on his fries.

You see that white stuff? I thought it was some weird looking cheese...but it wasn't...it was gravy. In addition to being pro-pb, I am also a believer in gravy on fries now. CB decided that every restaurant should offer gravy as a topping for everything. Like ketchup or mustard. In addition to being dashingly handsome and disarmingly witty, he's also a genius.

I would say the worst part of the meal was definitely the overcooked burgers. The best part was that we got to try new things, so definitely not a wasted night. Also, we bumped into Katherine and her husband Chad, for whom even getting 4 wisdom teeth removed hours prior is not a good enough excuse to miss trivia night. What a champ!

Fondest regards,

The Lady

P.S. The Little Lady and I went to Trader Joe's today and a woman was walking around offering samples of dried seaweed. I politely declined, but TLL totally tried it. How many 8 year olds do you know that would try seaweed. Coolest. Kid. Ever.

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman...

To be clear, I am NOT dressing up for football. We are in a fight. Not a bad fight because, hey, football seems to be trying, but a fight nonetheless. In fact, I am determined to laze about in sweats and not blow dry my hair or put on makeup until football gets its act together and stops giving the ball away to Steve Spurrier and his cocks.

Wait. What was I talking about? Oh, yes, not putting forth the effort to look my best for football. I do, however, still need to look decent for my friends who, let's face it, are the real reason I get out of bed on Saturday anyhow. So, last Saturday I got up, got dressed in a nice top, flats, and cute jeans (albeit I was sort of slumming in jeans instead of a dress) and walked down to the tailgate all the while listening to my cell "ping" with incoming "WHERE ARE YOU?!?" messages. The friends, who get to the tailgate at 7 am, don't understand why I don't roll in until about 11 am for a 4 pm game. I'm not really sure they understand the whole "Lady of Leisure" thing. Not only do I need my beauty rest, but it would be simply gauche to show up before I am sure everyone else has arrived.

I really do love Game Day in Athens. It is about a mile from my house to the tailgate and the entire stroll is filled with game day music, sound bytes from Larry Munson, kids tossing footballs, men tossing corn hole bags, ladies in dresses, and just a generally idyllic scene of Southern Merriment (so long as you tune out the less idyllic language).

Even if football lets me down (I know, I know, they did really well last week and they're trying. I'll stand by them just like Tammy tells me to), Game Day in general will always be wonderful.

Fondest regards,
The Lady

Fatty Fri...uh...whatever the heck day it is -- Loco's

I know, I know. Sorry, y'all. I just got so busy Friday what with...and...um...then there was the...okay, okay, I was watching Mad Men on Netflix and I didn't feel like writing. At any rate, I'm doing it now, so quit fussin'.

Thursday night was burger night again, so we went to Loco's. This was a bit of a controversial decision for me as Loco's is a chain; however, it originated in Athens, so we're counting it. I ordered the Redneck Burger medium rare, no onions (it had cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup...so, your basic cheeseburger).

I don't have a terrible lot to say about it. It was like the Jane Fairfax of burgers. Nothing wrong with it, really, but altogether unremarkable. It was very juicy and kind of a mess to eat, but that was what stood out the most. I'd give it a 6.5. Not the best burger I've had, but certainly not the worst.

CB ordered the salmon and steamed vegetables. I think a burger a week is starting to take its toll.

Fondest regards,
The Lady