Atlanta brunch, more than smothered and covered

Image courtesy of Flying Biscuit

To me, there is no better way to wake up on a Sunday, knowing that I have the whole morning to do whatever I like. Usually, this means taking the family to brunch. Why brunch? Brunch is just one of those meals that you don't rush through because you have to get back to work or too late that you can't plan an afternoon. And, I don't have to decide on breakfast or lunch. I have more choices. Score! Having lived in Atlanta for just over 18 years, I have had the pleasure of eating at some of the most delectable dining establishments (and some not so delightful), so I thought I share my favorite jaunts with you:

1. Murphy's, Virginia Highlands

Murphy's has always charmed my heart. Maybe it is because it is where I introduced my husband, David, to my parents for the first time or it is also where my best friend and had brunch on the morning of my wedding. Whatever the case, I can't keep away. As far as the food goes, it has a delicious selection of traditional brunch dishes and specialties like frittatas and shrimp and grits. Definitely worth a trip.

2. Rise -n- Dine, Emory Village
Lindsay just introduced me to this little nook of a place in Emory Village and it did not disappoint. I love ambiance almost as much as I love food. And this little goodie does just as much for the eyes as it does for the palate. It has the cutest vintage-inspired decor and is light and bight due to the two huge windows at the front. If you like pancakes, I recommend the sweet potato pancakes they serve up. Super tasty and they make you feel like you are eating healthy.

3. The Flying Biscuit, numerous locations
If you want biscuits bigger than you head, I highly recommend the flying biscuit. Most entrees come with these biscuits, that are probably the best biscuits I have had. I am partial to the Love cakes, which are black bean and cornmeal cakes and comes a side of sour cream and salsa. Yes, a little strange for brunch, but try them and I bet you will agree.

4. McCray's Tavern, Lawrenceville and West Village
McCray's is new to downtown Lawrenceville and we are ever so thankful. McCray's is not only a great place to take a client for a mid-week lunch meeting, but also just as nice for brunch. The menu may be short, but there is something for everyone. And if you are extra brave (I get weak in the knees just thinking about it), then ask to eat on the roof that overlooks downtown Lawrenceville. Nice view for those who enjoy dining alfresco.

5. J. Christopher's, multiple locations
O.K. This is probably my favorite brunch place. I have been going to J. Christopher's since my high school days, which means a very long time. Their skillet meals, their French toast, and the blueberry crunch cakes, oh my! And I don't think we have ever had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table.

So there's my list. I am always looking for new places to discover. Where do you brunch?

Keep it sweet,
Jessica

For one month, what could you live without?

While I was home sick, I got to sit down and watch Oprah. The show was Suze Orman: Can You Afford College, a Wedding, a Divorce? Suze sure knows how to dish out the tough love, especially when people are in denial about what they can truly afford. In an earlier show and again in this episode, Suze urged viewers to do three things:

1. Don't buy anything for one day.
2. Don't use your credit card for one week.
3. Don't eat out for one month.

This got me thinking. What could you live without for an entire month? TV? For me, that one would be tough because I do love spending my Monday nights snuggled up to my husband watching Heroes. Eating out? Well, I could do it for about a week. But a whole month? Chocolate? O.K. Now that is just too far. What would be the hardest to give up? Could you do Suze's plan? I'd love to know your thoughts.

Keep it sweet,
Jessica

5 super easy steps to print-ready photos

photo by Jessica Scheufler.

So, your little one just made the cutest face and you want to immortalize it forever. Without hesitation, you grab your camera and snap away. You just know that these shots are frame-worthy. Instead, they just stay on your card. Sound familiar? I know how easy it is to take a zillion pictures, and not a one makes it into a frame. Here are a few easy steps to get those photos off the card and on to your mantel:

1. Download your card
   This can be the toughest, but most important step. After every shoot, be sure to connect your camera to your computer and just drag the folder to your desktop. It might be a pain, but if you get into the habit, your photos will be right where you need them. Label the photo with the date and a short identifier. For example, create a folder called 030109-Jacks birthday.
   
2. Edit out all the bad shots
   I know, I know. There are no bad shots of your child. Believe me, I've been there. I know what you might be thinking, "if I delete, I miss that shot that was almost there." But by getting rid of all those blinks, blurry or badly exposed photos, you leave room for all the shots that make your heart swell. Here is a good test, if you don't say "awww" when you view an image, throw it out. It will be so much easier than searching for that one photo you loved. A program that can be a great help is JetPhoto.
3. Make minor adjustments
   By taking a minute or two to adjust the exposure, you can make a decent photo into a winner. You don't need to spend loads of time tweaking (that's what we professionals are for), but if your photo looks like it was shot in the dark, up the exposure a little. A couple of great programs to get you started are Photoshop Elements or the opensource (read: free) program Gimp.
4. Back up those files
   Once you have chosen your best shots, be sure to back up. This means keeping one folder on your desktop and another on a separate hard drive. This might seem like just another annoying step, but if your hard drive ever goes down—and it will if you don't back up—you want to be sure you have extra copies. A good drive to start with is the Passport. It is not only cute, but also portable, a good thing when you want to take your camera on vacation.
   
5. Print your favorites
   I always know when I take a great shot. I feel it in my bones and I know that I want to get it printed. I often set aside a folder labeled "photos to print" on my desktop and copy my favorites into this folder. That way, once the folder gets full (about 10–30 images), I have them printed. You can copy the folder to a thumb drive or upload them to your favorite lab. When you are ready to print, just head over to Costco—which has been known to produce some nice prints—or you might want to invest in a photo printer like the Epson Picture Mate.
   

So there you go. That wasn't so painful, was it? Oh, and don't forget to email and print a few for Grandma. Happy printing.

The Tooth Fairy would be impressed

Remember how excited you were when you lost your first tooth? I couldn't wait to place the tooth under my pillow and wait for the Tooth Fairy to make a visit. My son hasn't lost his first tooth yet, but I think that when he does, I may use this lovely pillows by Letter M Designs, an Etsy designer right out of Atlanta.

What we're loving right now

I am so crazy about Pandora. Yes, I realize that I am probably the last one to get the memo, but Pandora is Internet radio where you get to mix up your own station. Once I signed up, which was super easy by the way, I just chose my favorite artists, and it somehow figured out the perfect mix for me. And the best part? It's free! Right now, my Pandora is of mixture of Jason Mraz, The Corrs, Joshua Radin, and Adele. Lindsay loves her some Country alternative.

OK, I admit it, I am obsessed with little girls' clothing. Maybe it's because I am surrounded by boys and really need a girl fix or it reminds me of the days I wore white tights and patent leather shoes, but I just can't get enough of these cute dresses by Shabby Apple. Delicious!

Love these retro chairs and their bright vintage-inspired prints. And can you believe they are from Target?




Keep it sweet,
Jessica

10 Questions: Lindsay Interviews Jessica

L: Where did you grow up? What did you love about it?
J: I grew up in several states, so I have fond memories of each place. I had the best summers in CT. I remember catching my first lightning bug in our back yard. I love the rolling green hills of PA and had the best slice of pizza at little hole in the wall down the street. I ate lunch outdoors every day in CA. And the beaches are the best I've seen. The sweet tea is definitely the best in the South. And college football, need I say more?
L: And the light in California... maybe that helped shape your future in photography...

L : What is your first camera memory?
J: The first pictures I remember taking was with my Polaroid camera. I must have been about 10. I was fascinated by the fact that I could take pictures and they would develop instantly. I thought that was pure magic. Who knew that I would soon be able to the same thing with digital?
L: That's so funny--my first camera was a big, biiig polaroid too. I loved that thing. My grandfather bought it for me, which is funny because he loved to take pictures, but to this day, we know that if the heads in a picture are cut off, it's because he took it.

L: So, why do you take photographs now?
J: I took a class in college that really got me thinking about photography in a different way. I saw photographs were inspiring, heartbreaking, and some were just brilliant. The photographs that spoke to me were the ones that could tell an entire story in a single frame. Those photographs forever changed the way I approach photography. I now look for the story.

L: Change of subject. What was the happiest moment of your life?
J: No doubt, the day my son was born. My whole world stopped. The same thing happened on my wedding day. Yes, both obvious choices, but true.

L: The saddest?
J: Probably the first time my heart was broken.
L: Awwwww. Jerk.

L: We're taking pictures for a lot of great moms now. How has your mom influenced you?
J: My mom has showed me how to be a better mom. She has sacrificed a lot to make sure my brother and I were always well cared for and loved. She also knows just what to say when I have had a bad day.

L: Enough about you. Let's talk about me. What is your first memory of me?
J: I remember the first time I talked to you and thought, she is just as busy, frantic, and quirky as me, I think we should be friends.
L: I remember being excited that you liked my pictures.

L: Why do you think we make a great team?
J: I think we make a great team because we not only have similar family values and goals, but we also have a lot of fun together. It also helps that we both bring a variety of skills that together make us one fantastic duo.

L: What is the most memorable job you've had?
J: My most memorable job was working in a coffee shop after college. I was a horrible waitress and was almost fired my first week of work because I could not work the register. I was determined to keep my job, so I went home and learned how to count change. I ended up working there until I went to college the following year.

L: If you could have dinner with one current celebrity, who would it be and why?
J: I would probably want to have dinner with Ellen Degeneres. I think she is hilarious and I bet she'd have some great stories to tell.

L: Thanks, Jessica! You're interesting!