Hood Happenings....

Just had to share - so much going on in Inman Park!

• Just down the street in the old Grape space, construction going on for the newest location of Pure Taqueria (hollah!)
• Around the corner on Elizabeth Street the large empty shell of new construction is finally being filled with a deli/market ala Whole Foods/Fresh Market called Savvy Urban Market (double hollah!)
• Just across the street on Elizabeth next to the fabulous new waxing studio, Wax, there's paper on the windows - more things to come in! We'll do some reconnaissance on that and get back to you.....
• Just noticed a sign for "Authentique" next to our favorite flower shop, Adaptation...not sure what it is going to be but excited for all these new neighbors!
  

If it's not design....

Then I'm most likely thinking about my next meal! Here are a few great blogs to help you cook up something tasty this summer!

• Gorgeous photography and relatively easy recipes make Fresh365 a winner. Tried and true: the Rosemary, Cherry Almond Brie
• Who doesn't have a sweettooth? We SO love Joy the Baker! On the top of the list to try: these insanely delicious looking Chocolate Dipped Bananas
• We first fell in love with Apartment Therapy. Now we are fully onboard with The Kitchn. Perfect for summer: this fresh and crunchy Asian Slaw
  

Lovely Surprises.

Last night was full of 'em.

Off we went last night to sample some fab new cocktails at Ecco - an incredible little eatery in Midtown. We were provided with delish meats and cheeses and indulged in a "Meat & Potatoes" Vodka drink complete with Gerkin pickle and Salami for garnish. YUM. That was promptly followed up by a fruity Bourbon number and "Long Live the Queen" - an award winning cocktail using peach bitters and elderflower syrup. Double yum.

It would be wise to say we were feeling pretty good last night.
Who would have thought we could be feeling any better?
Oh, but we did!

We finally got to meet fabulous style icons Lauren & Catherine - the famous AsianCajuns! Despite how cool and sweet we thought they might be, we were doubly impressed in person. It was a pleasure to finally meet them and thank them for all of their support. We also got to meet food blogger Lindsay and her fiánce and discussed all of Atlanta's hidden gems.

Definitely a great night! And cannot wait to go back to Ecco.

Coocoo for Cocoa

If you've ever visited the brick and mortar location of Jac, you know taht we always have a constant candy supply up on our counter - close to you at check-out and well, close to our seats behind the counter as well. In fact, errrr, maybe a little too close to our chairs! I myself have a chocolate problem - I really can't help myself when it's sitting in front of me...which is why we have changed over to the fabulous Dum Dum lollipops as of late. Tasty, but for me, not a threat.
This takes care of my problem in-store, but what to do when I am out in the big bad world???
Well, here I am minding my own business (literally) on Twitter (do you follow me??) and I see this article by TruNutrition. Thank goodness! Now I can have my chocolate and eat it too!

Cacao

There are so many great spots to eat and shop in Inman Park, and one of my favorite places to go is Cacao. It is hands- down the best chocolate I have ever had, and the interior space is equally as beautiful.

Cacao is the brainchild of Kristen Hard- a wonderful and talented chocolatier, and my best friend happens to work there also (this fact might present me as partial, but the chocolate really is amazing!).

They make the most amazingly tasty truffles, such as the coconut love, the luxe lime and the honey heaven. You can also have hot chocolate (SO GOOD), cupcakes, chocolate bars, and recently Terrapin produced a chocolate beer with Cacao's very own (the also produce for wholesale). Jaci swears that Kristen makes the best chocolate martini, too.

inside Cacao:

p.s. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT leave Cacao without a chocolate dipped marshmallow. Trust me.