My Favorite Atlanta Restaurants Part 1... (3 are gluten free!!)

Blayne Beacham November 8, 2012

Here's a list of places that make me happy to live in Atlanta :) 1. The Sundial Restaurant

I LOVE the Sundial! It's located at the top of the Westin in downtown Atlanta, and I've been going there since I was a child. You can see all the way to Stone Mountain, which is such a treat for a little kid!

Recently I introduced Jimmy to the Sundial, and he loved it too. There's something about sipping a White Russian while taking a 360° spin around the skyline that just says "Welcome to Atlanta!"

To be 100% honest, I've never eaten there... so perhaps this deserves the title of my favorite bar in Atlanta...

2. Watershed on Peachtree

Ever since 6th grade I've had a fairly fanatical obsession with The Indigo Girls. Galileo had me at first listen, and the CDs have been staples in my car ever since. When they opened Watershed here in Atlanta, I was desperate to go. While I loved the Decatur location, I have to say that the new Peachtree location is much better. It's closer to my house, and I love the design. I've heard the fried chicken is out of this world, but I was delighted with my gluten free veggie plate as well. The servers are wonderfully knowledgeable about which items are gluten free and which can be made gluten free, which is so refreshing. Jimmy's taking me there for dinner tonight... lucky me!

3. Sophie's Uptown

Sophie's is a cute little cafe/bakery on Pharr Road. They publish a gluten free menu every day that includes quiches, soups and even sandwiches. I whole heartedly recommend the tomato soup (ask for an extra pack of Saltines). The sandwich was good, but I'm not a huge fan of gluten free bread. I have to say though, sometimes you just need a sandwich. They also donate to homeless pets, which makes me feel good about eating there.

4. Houston's

If you don't like Houston's you don't like Atlanta. I'm serious. Every time you go to Houston's you know what you're going to get. Here's a list of the absolute best things at Houston's in case you live in a hole: Spinach dip, French Dip, chicken fingers + fries + colesalw, salad with the chicken fingers on it (forget the name), crab cakes, vegetable plate, Hickory Burger, tortilla soup, grilled artichoke, bbq chicken. FYI, I just asked Lindley (my bff) what her favorite things were at Houston's. She launched into a list that included the grilled chicken salad subbing in chicken fingers and the sleeper favorite smoked salmon, which nobody ever gets because you'd be a fool not to order the the spinach dip or artichoke heart. Kids who were raised in Atlanta and went to Westminster love Houston's as much UGA grads like the Bulldogs. It's a thing. By the way... if you go there and tell them you are gluten free they will make you almost anything on the menu gluten free.... except the chicken fingers, which crushed a little piece of my soul.

5. Nuevo Loreado

Lindley and I love Mexican food more than anything. When we lived together at UGA we would go to the La Parilla on Prince at least 5 times a week (sometimes twice a day if we just had to). We would go to the drug store next door and buy gossip magazines. Then we would go in to La Parilla and order two giant mugs of beer in the frostiest glasses you've ever seen. We'd spend at least 45 minutes drinking our beers and eating bean dip before we ordered our taco salads (her's with no cheese... we were on weight watchers, of course). The whole experience would take at least two hours, but the servers never said anything to us because we were probably their best customers. Though we left Athens at least 15 lbs heavier, we also left with holes in our hearts that no frosty beer or taco salad could ever fill... not to say we haven't tried. We've probably tried every mexican restaurant in the city, and we rate them all... though that's a different blog post for a different day. Suffice it to say we like Nuevo Loreado the best. They have the best salsa and the best taco salads. I know some of you are jumping out of your chair because I didn't say Jalisco's, but give me a break... I like what I like. The salsa at Jalisco's is a touch too hot, and I can't go in there wearing pajama pants and a sweat shirt because I'll run into like 30 people I know. Last night Lindley and I went over to Nuevo Loreado, and I carried a little plastic bag of gluten free chips. My Bud Light bottle was cold, but it was no frosty mug. At the end of the day I say if you can't drive to Athens, you're best option is to hit up Nuevo Loreado. As a side note, be careful wearing you're pajamas because you'll most likely see someone you know ;)

Tomorrow I'll work on finishing the list. Have a great night everybody!

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My $9,224.40 water bill.

Blayne Beacham June 20, 2012

Forget being funny, this is serious now. Remember my post a few months ago about my $758.93 water bill? Child's Play. Last night I got a bill for $9,224.40!

Here is a copy of the letter I wrote to my lawyer on April 23rd.

I started getting high water bills last July when my water bill was $497. I assumed I had a leak, so I got a handyman to come out and check everything. The handle of my downstairs toilet was not as tight as it should be. To be cautious, we replaced every part of both toilets except the toilets themselves. We did all the handles and all the valve things inside that keep the water from leaking. I also appealed that water bill. I paid them $100 a month during the process of having this appealed the first time. They turned down my appeal. Basically they sent someone out to check my meter and said there was nothing wrong with the meter. On October 13th I got a notice in the mail saying that my entire balance ($384.26) was due that day or they would turn off my water. I paid the bill. By December 16th I had a $758.93 water bill. We called the water department and worked out an agreement where I would pay them $120 a month until I could get a court date. We decided that would be a slightly high but fair amount for me to pay. That number was based on my neighbor down the street's average monthly water bill (she has a family of 4). A few days later the water department came out and checked my meter again. They said nothing was wrong with it.

I had the same handyman come out again and check the meter and both toilets and the sink and the dishwasher and the washing machine. All the connections were secure and the toilets were running the way the should. Since December 16th I have given the water company $600. Last Friday I got a bill in the mail for 1,430.00 worth of past charges plus my bill for April, which was 1,155.82. That brings the current amount I owe to 2,586.11. After I got the bill last Friday I got an actual certified plumber to go by my house and confirm that there are no leaks.

I live alone, work all day. I probably spend, on average, 20-25 nights per month in my house… for these purposes we will say I spend 25 nights a month there. I have been keeping track of the average of how much water I use during a month. See below.

Toilet Flushes: 4 per day, 100 per month

Showers. I take one every day, and sometimes two a day if I work out. Lets say I take 30-35 showers a month.

Baths. I take around 5 a month.

Loads of laundry. 5 every two weeks, so 10 a month

Dishwasher runs. I run the dishwasher about twice a week, so 10 times a month.

The only other water I use is to cook and drink, which should be fairly minimal.

I do not do any outdoor watering at all.

---END OF LETTER TO LAWYER.---

Before my hearing I spoke to the Public Relations Manager at the water department. She said she agreed there was no leak at my house and said they would put a device on my meter to monitor the water usage hour by hour.

The hour by hour monitor was not put on before my hearing.

My lawyer and I went to to The Department of Watershed Management on April 30th. We Sat in a room for three hours and got called into the meeting room. We sat before a panel of five people. One person form the Water Department and four citizens. My lawyer and I explained my situation. After we were finished the board decided to put the aforementioned monitor on my meter. They also told me that I needed to get an additional "leak detection specialist" to come to my house and make sure there was no leak (even though I had bills from three plumbers saying there was no leak.)

After the hearing I researched leak detection specialists, and they cost @$500. Since I had already spent so much on a lawyer and plumbers, I decided to wait and see what the monitor said.

My May bill came. It was $175, which is still fairly high. I called back the public relations manager to see what I should do moving forward. The monitor was still not on my meter. This time she told me that after looking at my consumption history, they decided THAT I HAD A LEAK IN THE PAST AND GOT IT FIXED!! This is absolutely absurd. I have no way of proving I did not get a leak fixed, BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE A LEAK. I expressed my frustration and asked if I could please just get a new meter. She said no, but said that they would put on the monitor.

Last night I opened my mailbox and got a bill for $9,224.40. $2,638.68 worth of past charges, and $6,705.72 worth of new charges. The thing that is so frustrating is that IF I HAD A LEAK, and IF I had gotten it fixed, HOW WOULD MY BILL BE THIS HIGH? Good news! I looked at my meter AND THEY HAD ATTACHED THE MONITOR. I am at the end of my rope and need help.

Farms are cool. So is Widespread Panic.

Blayne Beacham February 1, 2012

I've always fancied myself a little farm-ie... Screen Shot 2012-02-01 at 3.29.52 PM

Here I am in college with my rabbit, Napoleon. I bought this little guy without telling my mom... not smart. Then he grew to be like 8 lbs and would chew up all the wires/hardwoods in my apartment. I really loved him and was able to tolerate it, but as soon as I moved back in with my mom on Habersham we had to find Napoleon a new home. Bummer.

Screen Shot 2012-02-01 at 3.30.04 PM

Here I am holding a goat. Classic. If I had a back yard big enough you better believe I would have my own goat. How cute is he??

And who could forget the great chicken experiment of 2010?

I got 8 of these little fellows... and 5 of them were... well, fellows. That left me with three of the meanest hens you've ever met.

Screen Shot 2012-02-01 at 5.27.22 PM

See, she's plotting to peck my eyes out. Kidding... kind of. It turns out chickens don't really love being raised in the city on a concerte slab. They would much rather be out in the country... like me.

If I had my own farm I could own all the crazy animals I wanted, thus I was THRILLED when Nan Haverty asked me to go shoot her new farm near Serenbe. (Hey, you never know when the opportunity might present itself and you just NEED to buy a farm.)

8275 Chochan Mill was exactly what I was looking for in a farm property. I love that wide front porch!

Here is the barn, which is located just steps from the main house.

Of course I had to get a peak inside. Don't hate me, but I am not a huge fan of horses. I had a scary experience riding one once when I was little and have never really had any desire to climb aboard... that being said I do think they are beautiful and love watching them... from afar. BTW, there is an artist studio in the attic space of this barn, so go ahead and sign me up for spending time in there!

There are acres and acres of horse paddocks behind the house. We walked back so you could see the home, barn and garage/guest house. The homeowner told me that every night she pours herself a glass of wine and walks around the property checking the fences. I'm sorry, but how pleasant does that sound?

I was really impressed by the inside of the house. It was so bright and comfortable!

Isn't that great?

Digging this fireplace in the master!

This is the perfect place to cook meals for your family while they are out tending the pigs!

My favorite part of the house is the huge back poch overlooking the fields. I would love to sit out here at night with a glass of wine. Apparently when I move to the country I am also going to start drinking a lot of wine. :)

I asked Jim-Bo if he could ever see himself moving to the country. He didn't answer... but he did buy me a nice little ticket to Widespread Panic at the Tabernacle last weekend (wood tour, for those of you in the know).

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City Mouse + Country Mouse = Two very in love little mice.

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Photographer Angela West's Personal Home: Before and After

Blayne Beacham January 17, 2012

Glennis Beacham sold 3198 Habersham Road a few years ago...

Famed photographer Angela West and her husband were the buyers. Angela and her husband have decided to sell the home, and they listed it with Glennis once again. I went to shoot the home last week! I was so excited. I have always loved this house....

Angela West got a BA from UGA and an MFA from Yale. I've seen a lot of her pieces at Jackson Fine Art.

Since my main two loves are photography and houses, I was so excited to see the changes she had made to the home. How did her skills as a photographer influence the choices she made in the house? Lucky for you guys I have the before pictures (I know, I spoil you), so you can see for yourselves how skilled Angela is not only at photography, but also at transforming a home! Before the home was done very traditionally. I loved it then, but I am really enjoying Angela's modern approach to the home.

Here is the kitchen before..

And here is is now. I never get tired of seeing how fresh paint can change a room. I love the bare walls and that simple green vase on top of the cabinets.

The before breakfast area...

I love the paint color and new pillows. Did you see the chairs? The different fabrics on the front and back are really cool. The table is perfect as well. It's much lighter.

Here is the dining room before. It's very Traditional with the Oriental rug and furniture.

Here it is now. Obvious changes: wallpaper, curtains, chandelier, larger table, rug removal, de-cluttering. I am usually a fan of rugs, but these hardwoods are so beautiful I am glad we can see them. I believe Angela and her husband had all the floors refinished.

Here is another view of the dining room where you can see Angela's beautiful photograph on the back wall!

The living room is where you can see the biggest difference. Here is the before picture. I remember being amazed with how large this room was the first time I shot the house.

Here is an additional before picture form the other direction.

Ready to see it now?

Doesn't that look great? I love the style of this room now, and the painted beams almost seem to disappear. The room is light and airy. They added custom fireplace screens and a built-in bar in the second enclave. Also, isn't that chandelier beautiful?

I wanted you to see Angela's photography above the fireplace. Those are the same pieces highlighted above on the Jackson Fine Art website.

Here is a better view of the bar they added.

And I include this overview so you can see how large the room really is, and how functional the room is with this furniture layout. Didn't she do a great job?