Though it is not far from me in, I did not think to tryMorelli's Gourmet Ice Cream till I read about it on the285 Foodies board. They create some very unique flavors using ingredients like bacon, jalapeños and plantains. I tried a killer guava cheesecake gelato that was ridiculously good. However, it was the salted caramel above that won my heart.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
As a child, I lovedpaper dolls and labored for hours carefully cuttingthem out from the pages ofMc Calls and paper doll books till I had a shoe box full of them. So when I saw these lovely creations by Australian born artist Joan Pitman in this monthsFrankie, I was smitten.
Pitman was born in 1917 and studied art in the early 30s going on to teach and work in theater production. Using water colors, she created these figures of Hollywood icons and wardrobes when she was just 14. Never published, they were passed down through family members and then donated to theTasmanian Museum and Art Gallery after her death in 2004.
They have produced a limited edition of four paper doll icon sets includingMarlene Dietrich,Jean Harlow,Katharine Hepburn andClaudette Colbert for 14.95 each.
I then discovered this promising looking offering coming out in November by artistEmily Martin available for pre-order fromAmazon. Can't wait? Check out her wonderfuletsy store and she just created thisnew set of dolls below...so cute. I especially love herLost on the Midway, carnival series.
all content © Lara Rossignol
A big thank you to Pie reader Megs for recommendingFarm Burger, another new burger place here in the Atl. It opened recently in Decatur and has people lining up around the block by serving only grass fed beef and super farm fresh ingredients.
On West Ponce next toThe Watershed, they make great use of their small space by fitting in plenty of seating. It has a cozy and comfortable feel with big front windows and groovy blue metal chairs. I also like the use of cool metal baskets, buckets and mason jars for holding condiments, utensils and dishing out the grub. LikeYeah! Burger, you build your own sandwich from a list of free and premium toppings. I went with my friend Ai, and we both had the lunch special, a burger, fries and drink for $8. I added cheese, caramelized onions and upgraded to sweet potato fries for an extra 2.50, making my total 10.50 + tax, not bad at all.
They ask if you want medium or well done when you order, I requested medium and it came with just the right amount of pink. Ai asked for well done but felt next time she would also get medium. The buns are the killer, super soft and tasty and I added FB sauce, kind of fancy, slightly spicy 1000 Island, loved it. My sweet taters were excellent and had a wonderful savory seasoning. The regular fries were also very good with just the right amount of salt.
I think you cane tell I liked it and so do a lot of other people. We got there pretty early, just before noon and that was a good thing cause it got very crowed, fast. Parking is a little limited and there were 3 cars just waiting for a spot when we pulled out. I will be making this a regular stop when I venture over to that hood.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I have added some extra kawaii items to myetsy store for my ongoingAtticus Project. Like this funnylittle deer I picked up at an antique mall. He is truly kawaii as he was made in Japan probably in the 1960s.
A hand paintedcowboy mug.
Amazing 1930s tin child'slunch pail.
Because I think this child's tea set is especially rare, I decided to list it oneBay.
By the way, Atticus is doing great! He completed his weekly chemo and now will just need to go back once a month for the next 8 months. We both appreciated all the kind emails and support!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I discoveredSix Feet Under midway into the series, which spanned five seasons on HBO. So enamored was I that I watched the first two seasons I had missed in one long weekend marathon. A complexed and layered portrait of the family behind a family run mortuary. I actually went to school with a girl who lived this life and even road in a van with her once, along with an occupied coffin. I would prod her for stories and she had a great sense of humor about it all. This series also includes probably the best finale of all time.
This amazing littleshow only lasted one season and I have no idea why, it is a near flawless look at growing up in the 70's. From the funny dudes behindSuper Bad andKnocked Up and the launching pad for many rising stars likeJames Franco andSeth Rogen. I literally cried when I started the final disc, just because I new there would be no more.
Last but defiantly not least, I love me someDexter! Based on the books byJeff Lindsay about a vigilante serial killer who abides by a deeply entrenched moral code. He only goes after the particularly heinous who deserve his own gruesome form of justice. I believe this show works so well mainly because of the remarkableMichael C. Hall who walks the line between hero and monster like a Wallenda. Probably no surprise that he also played a major roll inSix Feet Under. The fifth season arrives September 26th onShowtime .
Congrats to the winners of the Rooster 14 Giveaway. The response was so good Nancy was kind enough to offer up a 2nd prize for the bonusFacebook entries. The winner from the comment entries is Rozi, number 51. The bonus FB winner is Juli S. Thanks y'all!
content © Lara Rossignol
"Go see" is model industry lingo for a casting and these have made the fashion world go round for eons. Last week I visited the newly reinventedFactor Women and their men's divisionChosen (both formally Elite) here in Atlanta. Theagency was started in Chicago in 2009 and just opened a branch here earlier this year.
Hector Santana has been brought in as the head of the "New Faces" division and arranged for me to meet with some of his group for possible future projects. Many are still in high school or just starting college but have been working for years already. Others are brand new with just a laser printout and maybe few test shoots under their belts.
Row 1: Ursula, Blair Jasin, Hannah Row 2: Victoria, Alex Ann, Libby Row 3: Jared Ames, Dana Beth, Jenna
I like to see a book but more important, I like to see how they move and take direction. So test shots are essential for me in the go see process. Pretty hardly matters in being a successful model, it is all about attitude.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
In the last few years theWestside of Atlanta has erupted with new eateries and hip merchants. One of the newest is a fancy fast food joint calledYeah! Burger in the newly renovatedWhite Provision. I am always on the look out for exceptional burgers, so I was excited to test it out. They offer a lot of options you won't get at your local Mc-y Ds, like gluten free buns, veggie burgers, ice cream floats and even a full bar.
Much time has been spent on branding, with fun little characters and bright colors throughout. The menu is designed to allow you to build it your way, with premium toppings like cheese or avocado $1 extra. With the base price of a burger already high at 7.99, it does add up quick. I ordered two premium toppings, plus a 50/50 (fry and onion ring combo) and a small drink and my bill was over 15.00.
The burger was very tasty, the meat was juicy and not over cooked, love the big pickles and fresh buns made byH&F Bread Co. However my fries and onion rings were both on the dry side, almost as if they were baked. I missed the grease! They also dust them with seasoning which only added to the dry effect.
I also have to comment that the tiny containers they provide for ketchup are ridiculously small. Still, it was a good burger even at almost $10, so I will eat there again. I'm interested to try some of their sauce options, I forgot to add one to my order this trip. Parking is easy, there is a small area in front, additional parking behind or you can park like I did, over byStar Provisions and walk over the conneting bridge.
FYI: Just one day left to enter theRooster 14 cookie giveaway and just on day left to get 20% off on allonline orders!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Fall can not come fast enough for me. This has been one of the hottest summers I have known since moving to the south. I am just very grateful for central AC. It is cooling down and with rain storms predictied for the weekend, it might be the ideal time to see a movie or cuddle in a corner with a good book.
I have been on a horror kick lately and am currently reading an oldie but a goodie calledSong of Kali. I am also interested in seeing my boyfriend,Jason Bateman's new filmThe Switch.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
This photo is from one of my first editorial shoots forSassy Magazine shot on Coney Island.
I metKelley Ann, Izzy's Mother, while in my 4th term ofcollege and she became my muse, teacher and best friend. She was a model who had been discovered in an airport and signed byEileen Ford in the early eighties. I must have photographed her over a dozen times in the early part of my career. She also taught me a lot about how the fashion industry worked and hooked me with up with talented stylist, make up and hair people.
So it is really no surprise that so many years later, her youngest has become a favorite subject of mine. I have been photographing Izzy since she was 3 years old, this past weekend she posed with her favorite horse, Cajun, to document her recent 11th birthday.
There is an advantage to familiarity, with trust comes an intimacy that just can't be faked. Whether she is naturally comfortable in front of the camera or just comfortable with me, I can't be sure. I think a combination of both. He older sister looks even more like her mother but would prefer to read or ride her horse than to pose for pictures.
We rose at 6:30 am to catch the beautiful early morning light. She and her sister ride at the wonderfulShaw's Big Oak Farm in Anderson, South Carolina, a lush horse heaven.
Izzy's dress is byXhilaration forTarget.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Rooster 14 is the brain child of make up artist turnedcaterer, Nancy Portaleo. Her unique chocolate chip cookies became the most requested item on her dessert list. Word of mouth was so strong, even new clients would call up and say, "Oh, we want those cookies."
I love these cookies so much I gave boxes of them out to clients last Christmas. To reinvent a classic cookie is no small feat, so Nancy keeps her recipe under lock and key. She did allow me to watch her process, which takes place in a converted space in her basement.
After combining the ingredients with a giant mixer she uses an ice cream scoop to create her signature dome shape. The cookies have a distinctive salty-ness, which combined with the sweet is just so good! I got to try a warm one right out of the oven, which was amazing. Heating them in my microwave for about 30 secs also gives them the "out of the oven" taste.
Nancy's daughter Juno is her lucky in-house taste tester.
She now sells her cookiesonline and she is offering 20% off for one week only starting today! Or you can buy them at a few local Atlanta stores such asCandler Park Market. She is also planning to launch a "cookie truck" to sell them at local events and fairs.
Rooster 14 will send one lucky reader a gift box of aRooster dozen (14 cookies!) just leave your comment and tell me about your favorite salty-sweet combo. Contest will close at midnight on Tuesday the 24th. One comment entry per person. If you followPie on Facebook then you already have a bonus entry. The winner will be chosen viarandom.org.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
So many apps so little time. I discovered viasfgirlbybay another fun photo app for iPhones called "Shake it", that simulates a vintage polaroid. There are actually two apps, above is theShakeit, V2.1. It allows you to choose from 2 frames or no frame at all and has a nice dreamy quality.
The other,Shakeit Photo only has a square option but makes a fun polaroid sound and has more shake it action. Both are just 99¢.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I am in love with the adorable interiors of Berlin based blogger Jo ofAbout Mo + Me, who I discovered through herflickr page. So deep is my crush, I asked if I could feature her and her creations on Pie. It was this stunning desk makeover that first caught my eye inDecor 8's interiorstyling pool.
Check out the before and after of this desk renovation for her son. She has a talent for taking a paint brush to vintage finds and making them fresh and whimsical. I especially love the paper choice lining the interior and the stripped leg detail.
Also talented with a needle she has created many of her own amazing accessories from this crocheted lamp to her own doilies, pillows and curtains.
Having a background in film and animation is apparent in her fanciful color choices and the careful placement of every item.
She even names some of her finds, the gorgeous green cabinet is named Mrs. Schmitt, after finding a note addressed to someone of that name behind a drawer.
Who is "me' and who is "Mo"?
"Me", well, that's me, alias Jo. I turned forty this year and still can't believe it. I love literature and writing, taking pictures with my camera, gardening, playing ukulele and singing loud, training our cats, watching movies, listening to film scores and many more. Under the influence of Mo, I also learned a lot of other things, like to crochet, to embroider, to sew and to collect and revamp old furniture. To correct a misunderstanding, "Mo" isn't one of our cats. The cats are called Safran and Martini. So, who is Mo? First of all, I have to tell you, that Mo was around me, for as long as I can think, but it looks like, I'm the only one who can see her. Not all the time, of course, she appears and disappears at her own will. Does this sound nuts to you? It is! You might even call her an imaginative friend, but, please, don't tell her!
Where do you live exactly (house, apt.... area...)?
Two years ago, we moved from the urban Berlin Prenzlauer Berg area to the more rural outskirts of the German capital, where we rented a small house. Its ground floor is from 1880 but it's first floor was build in 2000. Although that renovation was done carefully, the house has a rather eclectic vibe. We try to reflect this by a mixture of (revamped) furniture and decoration stuff of different ages.
Where do you find your stuff, like the wonderful desk you redid?
Many finds are from small ads, eBay or thrift stores. Moreover Berlin has a lot of gorgeous flee markets! Our budget is very small, so most of the vintage furniture I buy is rummage, fairly anybody else is interested in. I got the desk, for example, at eBay for 5,50 €, with the help of Mr. Bargain.
What is your Profession?
At the moment, I work as a contract author for little children stories/comics but I'm a wannabe novelist, also. In the past, I've worked as a 3-D animation artist, television author for a fashion magazine and assistant director at a small theater.
What or who inspires you?
Besides Mo? And in respect of interior styling? First of all, my mom. She is a textile designer and theater costumer and used to re-design our house all the time in my childhood. I grew up, browsing her interior-design magazines, which became also a steady source of inspiration for me, until the day I discovered the blog-scene. It felt a little bit, like I had found lot's of brothers and sisters around the world, I never knew they even existed! The internet is a great resource for inspiration!
I love your textiles, like your curtains, did you make these?
I sewed the curtains from a fabric bought on sale atIkea. The living room ceiling is at about 3,5 meters and there are 3 large old double hung windows and one big glass front, so I needed lot's of fabric for that. Most of the other fabrics you can see atAbout Mo+ Me are vintage.
Coffee or Tea?
Cappuccino or Espresso in the morning. Earl Gray (with milk and suggar), Green Tea orRooibos Tea in the afternoon. :-)
all photos © About Mo + Me
If you love my blog then there is a good chance you will love these three books. All read many years ago but each has lingered with me, almost haunting me. First there isEleanor Rushing, an odd little character plagued with a delusional disorder calledErotomania. Funny, heart wrenching and just the slightest bit creepy.
One of my all time favorite books isGeek Love, which has had many cover incarnations and was once a rumoredDavid Lynch film project.Katherine Dunn's mesmerizing way with words kept me fully drawn into her odd but fascinating world of circusfreaks.
Finally, there isThe Giant's House, maybe my favorite love story of all time. It is about changing one's expectations and discovering an unconventional love as a result. I actually gave a copy as a wedding shower gift to a friend once, I loved it that much.
I plan to make the "Thursday Three" a semi regular feature. Just my own little suggestions to make life sweeter.
content © Lara Rossignol
Keeping it simple and doing it really well, is the basic philosophy behind a newReynoldstown restaurantHome Grown. Everything done in house from the pies to the biscuits. All while using locally grown produce and a conscious effort to make traditional southern fare that will not kill you or your wallet.
Owners Lisa Spooner and Kevin Clark took over a space once occupied byMammies Kitchen, on old schoolAtlanta staple that had seen better days. They have given new life to the space and are slowly bringing the kitchen into the 21st century.
Home Grown is all about three things; breakfast, lunch and being crazy affordable. My pancakes with an extra side came to just $7 and they have a great blue collar lunch deal that includes a choice of any entree, any side, cornbread and a drink for just $8. The pancakes were light & fluffy, perfectly cooked and the cheese grits are addictive. The trout was tasty and well seasoned and the fried green tomatoes, a-Mazing!
I also really like the easy, breezy atmosphere and excellent service. Spacious with plenty of seating & parking, even for a busy brunch weekend crowd. There is even anart gallery.
They also feature homemade popsicles, rice crispy treats and of course, pies. For just $2, I recommend a slice of the sweet grits pie, a southern twist on a traditional custard pie. So good!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Above is a favorite image (scanned from the tearsheet) from a long ago shoot I did forLear's Magazine with art directorAdam Glassman. I especially love the vintageVogue feel, enhanced by the retro wallpaper I got fromSecond Hand Rose. I truly regret not being more diligent in getting back my originals after a shoot was published. It was just not common procedure for magazines to return film unless requested, even though they only had the right to publish them once.
Tiny original polaroids shot with a special back for Nikons
There were a number of beautiful images from this shoot but many were cut from the final layout. The editors decided they wanted to supplement the story with more straight forward product shots done by another photographer. I saved the polaroids in a date book that I used to keep a record of my shoots. I have three bulging volumes from my early days, each its own little time capsule.
I'm not sure why I stopped keeping these books, it is great to have some kind of a record. I guess I just got too busy or maybe too complacent. It is possible I do have the film or outtakes, buried some where in my storage closet. Just to find the tearsheet was a major chore. I really need to go through every thing one day and find a better organizing system. This is another plus for digital, you always retain a copy of your original work and it is much easier to store and organize.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I spent a fun morning photographing Holden Grey, myrep Jeff's 16 month old handful. Babies are always a challenge, which is why most commercial shoots will book multiple kids for the same ad.
Keep your set ups simple,natural light is key, since it is faster and you don't risk a bad reaction to the flash. I always tell parents not to load them up on sugar before hand and to keep the wardrobe classic and simple, free of logos and busy patterns.
From agony to delight within a single frame.
How kawaii is this little face? Be mobile so you can get the most from each set up and not miss those great moments. I never use a tripod when shooting with SLRs.
Perhaps my favorite image from the shoot, shot with a very shallow depth of field.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Holden Grey is wearingBaby Gap
Steph stands in for a bigwig at the CDC
Photo assistants often have to act as a stand in to help test the set up and lighting. These images can tell another story of what goes on behind the scenes. Here are a few images I especially liked and saved. All shot since moving south and switching to digital. In the old days it would have been recored with a polaroid and usually discarded. This group all have two things in common, they all went toPortfolio Center and were students of mine.
Kerie stands in for a shoot for Reader's Digest
Drew stands in on set for Alison Krauss during an album cover shoot
Fenando stands in to test light for a beauty shoot
Jamie stands in for the owner of this tree house shot for Garden & Gun Magazine
Ginny stands in for a cover shoot with singer Ciara
Emily stands in as I try out my hipstamic while shooting for Peachtree Lumber
Jon working it for a Sandpiper fashion shoot
For those interested...some of the actual images
Many are now working on their own or are in related fields.Kerie has worked for me the longest, while also becoming a very successfulwedding photographer, our schedules rarely conflict so it just works.Fernando has done very well commercially, working mostly in Bogota, Columbia. Drew is one of the topdigital techs in the city. While recent gradsEmily andJamie are both on the verge of big things.
If you are interested in assisting or learning more about it check out this great resource:Photo Crew.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Updating myetsy store with new items for theAtticus Project, I took my inspiration from the color blue. Posting a 50'sglass bowl apixieware inspired ceramicpeanut basket, a mint condition, never used60's wallet complete with checkbook and a rareMcCoy mug.
I'm also offering up thisfrench latte cup & saucer I bought back in the mid 80's after I first moved to NYC. I had a pair but one broke recently. It also makes a great soup bowl.
Finally two vintage books from my collection whose covers are blue but the content is anything but. A beautiful 1957 edition of the 1863 classic,The Water Babies with the book jacket. Also a very early copy of aNancy Drew mystery,The Clue in the Diary from 1932. It is this inside cover illustration I really love. I also just learned that there was noCarolyn Keene, this was a pseudonym for a collective of ghost writers who took on the character over the years.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I discovered theseTovolo popsicle molds while reading the groovy blogOld Sweet Song and decided to give them a try. It is such an easy and fun way to make creative, healthy treats.
You can really do any combo or recipe you want. Here I mashed some strawberries with a little sugar, then put half of those into a seperate bowl and added about a 1/3rd cup ofcrème fraiche (yogurt would work well too) and a little more sugar. After that is well combined, I layered each into the mold finishing with a little pink lemonade.
It takes just four hours for the molds to set. I would suggest using small pitchers or a measuring cup with a spout to pour in your mixtures. You can really be as creative as you want. Even try a little alcohol to createfrozen cocktails. If you don't want to bother with molds, paper cups &popsicle sticks work well or maybe try shot glasses as suggested byOrangette.
Or take it even farther and check outKrystina Castella's bookPops!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
So good was thePrincess cake atIkea, I also bought a package of them they had in their frozen food section. A Swedish import byFrödinge.
Covered in greenmarzipan is a sponge cake with raspberry and cream filling. Quite tasty, these pretty little cakes are surprisingly light and just 253 calories each.
I think they would be fantastic for a special occasion like a bridal shower or dinner party. I also liked the interior packaging which allows you to open just one cake at a time. Smart!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 08:00AM