The Best of Atlanta

By Katrice

I got all dolled up for one of Atlanta's biggest events of the year this afternoon, The 18th Annual Trumpet Awards Show. If you want to see and be seen, it's definitely the place to be.

Target Limited Edition Marilyn Halter Dress

As soon as I saw this dress, I knew it was the one. Not your typical "Little Black Dress," but fun and feminine. My favorite combination. I even tried something different with my natural -- a two-strand twistout pinned up. (I got a lot of compliments.)

Great seats in the balcony

Tammy and I

Host Malcolm Jamal Warner

Kevon Edmonds

A full length shot

I love the city lights

By Katrice

How can you go wrong with Chaka Khan? Well, in my mind, you can't. That's the thing about music-inspired nostalgia. Though I'm sure my experience with Chaka Khan was in the latter part of her peak years ... something about being greeted by "I Feel for You" last night at Sweet Auburn Bistro made me instantly giddy. (What can I say? I grew up glued to VH1.)

I don't know if I wanted to pocket the deejay or just commit to dining there every Thursday indefinitely. Actually, I've had two random thoughts already today about going back tonight. I digress ... It was ideal for our TGIT venture out into the city, to say the least. The crowd looked like us -- urban professionals winding down a long week. The food was a-ma-zing (especially considering that I reheated half of my hamburger for lunch today and still savored every bite). Our server Nicole was ubiquitous. And valet was just $5.

After dinner conversation: the best entertainers of our generation. Priceless.

Anyone want to go back tonight?

Bar seating

Fried green tomatoes

The restaurant walls are line with beautiful paintings, for sale.

Reminds me of the one next to our table at Rare.

A Few of My Favorite Things

By Katrice

One of the best things about launching my blog along with my vicarious life experiment has been coordinating my MVL wardrobe. I was talking to a friend recently and she said she'd be looking forward to seeing some of my fab shopping finds. Even while I tried convincing her that I wouldn't be focusing on those escapades here, I was wondering ... how could I not? LOL Everyone who knows me, knows that I love to shop -- from Bloomingdales to Value Village. I'm a purse horse ... in desperate need of a wardrobe-size jewelry bureau .... and I've recently developed an intense love for shoes. (As if I needed another obsession, and the heels just keep getting higher and higher.) Sounds like someone in need of a shopping intervention, right? Well, my saving grace is that I'm a frugal fashionista! And I can teach anyone how to build a catch-all wardrobe on a dime.

Here are a few of my recent treasure finds.

I generally work a velvet blazer into my winter wardrobe every year, and I have been looking for one in burgundy for two seasons. I found this -- I call it my Christmas Miracle -- on my first visit to Value Village in December for $3.92.

A good variety of accessories is a must!

(Silver pearls, Target $1.99; Gray Granite Cocktail Ring, Banana Republic $29; Vintage Silver and Gold earrings, Alexis Suitcase $2.99; Gold Statement Necklace, Forever 21 $6.80; Heart studs, Payless $4; Gold Cocktail ring, Banana Republic $16; Gold Owl Ring w/jewel eyes, Forever 21 $4.80; Gawdy Silver Cocktail Ring, The Avenue $10; Pink Antique Earrings, Forever 21 $4.80)

I couldn't resist! Bronze Sequins Hobo by Kenneth Cole

You're not completely "ready" without your scent essentials

Victoria's Secret Coconutty double body mist (It smells delicious, and not too sweet!)

Nine West Booties

"The" Yves Saint Laurent blazer, Value Village $4.92

Good friends are like chocolate ice cream

By Katrice

I love surprises, and I can't think of one thing more thrilling than a thoughtful surprise. I came home today to a simple but amazingly sweet care package all the way from Milwaukee. The truth is, I think it's been in my mailbox for a few days. But, Marsha said I got her sentiment just when I needed it -- today. So true! A note, Starbucks gift card and some Bath & Body Works "happiness" in blissful citrus watermint scent. It really is bottled happiness.

"I got a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good to know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind." (she quoted Toni Morrison)

Good friends are like chocolate ice cream ...

5 Essentials to being easily fabulous

By Katrice

1. An experienced cobbler
This is first because it is an essential that is often overlooked by young women. We simply underestimate the potential longevity of our shoes. Of course, if you love heels (like me), you put a lot of wear and tear on your favorite pairs. They're your favorites for a reason and you can keep them forever -- well, forever in terms of fashion -- if you have them professionally maintained. And if it's an exceptional cobbler, they'll be able to mend your purses as well.

2. A master tailor
I would guess that your grandmother had one, and there's a good chance that your mom also has a tailor that she trusts to alter her attire for a better fit. You should too. Not only can they work wonders for sizing imperfections on your dressy clothes; a real tailor can give an old dress a second life and even make a pair of jeans better than new.

3. A relationship manicurist and eyebrow tech
Most people don't chair hop for their hair, but don't mind doing so for manicures and eye brow shaping. I always suggest building a relationship with one manicurist and eye brow tech as well. The only way to know that your hands and eyebrows will look just like you like them every time is to take away the risk of the "trial" service.

4. A consignment shop for your buying and selling needs
We all have clothes that are either no longer our style or no longer our size. I am a big fan of donating to The Goodwill. However, some of the things you want to get rid of can make you a little change at the same time. And you can do a some treasure shopping while their determining whether they want to accept your items for sale. Ahhh, it's the best of both worlds.

5. A standby makeup artist
I don't generally need a professional makeup artist for my everyday activities. But, knowing someone who can give you an instant faceover for special events is a must. Whether you want a perfect smoky eye, long fluttery lashes or the quintessential red lip, a professional who will be your "go-to" is not hard to find. (Many makeup counter artists freelance on the side.)

A RARE moment

By Katrice

I love soul food. The only thing better is soul food -- tapas style. And one of my favorite restaurants, Rare, had their Grand Re-Opening last night. Yayyy! Allison and I couldn't wait to get there to see what was new on the menu and enjoy one of the coolest spots in town -- despite the rain. And it didn't disappoint. If you've been before, you'll be glad to know that they've maintained the same decor of rich romantic colors, eccentric black art and cool lighting. One thing I missed before (because of the hum of voices in the jam packed cafe portion), that made me nearly giddy this time, was the music. It was perfect for chilling out. The food was heavenly -- we chowed on Lobster Mac 'n Cheese, Chicken and Waffles and Fried Shrimp Cocktail Two Ways with Grilled Pineapple and Lime-Cilantro Cocktail Sauce. Wow!

If you're not from Atlanta, it's definitely a destination for your next visit.

My favorite Banana Republic gold and silver cocktail ring with the pyrite stone

I loved this piece of art

The vicarious life

By Katrice

Well, tonight was the first night of the rest of my life! Okay, it's not that deep. But, it was, in fact, the first night of my two-month vicarious life experiment. After talking about what it means to be single in the city with so many of my friends over the past year, I decided to get out and be actively single. So, I asked my friend Allison and some others to join me in taking on the Atlanta social scene over the next 60 days. We plan to see as much as we can, do everything we've always wanted to do and hopefully meet some fabulous people.

And along the way, I'll share my life ... my thoughts ... my finds and everything in between.

I hope you'll follow.