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

Six Feet Under

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.

Freaks and Geeks

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.

Dexter

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

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