THE REVIEW: Gigi's Cupcakes

PACKAGING

THE REVIEW: If you've read any of my other reviews then you know I always include DESSERT! I have a sweet tooth that's pretty hard to satisfy I usually lean towards gelato or cheesecake for my fix at restaurants but I'm friend to quite a few bakeries as well!FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A friend of mine gave me rave reviews about the new "Cupcake Place" in my second home of Tuscaloosa, AL. While I am way over the whole cupcake phenom that has yet to really take over my small city... she definitely had me interested! These cupcakes made the ride from T'town to Birmingham and although stirred a bit, fared pretty well under my friends driving which I have to credit to the cute and efficient packing!

THE VERDICT: YUM & SUPER SWEET! An amazing assortment I was definitely impressed upon first look and taste! Not to mention they have super cute names like Birthday Surprise, Wedding Cake, Champagne,Hot Fudge Sundae and Summer Fun. I found the cake to be moist and full of flavor while the icing was SUPER DUPER SWEET! Priced at around 3bucks a piece my first taste of Gigi's was a pretty sweet indulgence!

MIDWEEK: HOME GROWN

WATCHWORDS

The last show of Cauldron Projekts at Bare Hands Gallery

EQUINOX: BENEFITING AIDS OUTREACH
I feel like I spend all my time at "shows" now and I LOVE IT!

DINE IN: I HAVE FURNITURE NOW! YAY!

My social schedule is definitely picking up! I had a great dinner Monday with a friend from the Bowl Game. Her strategy... She makes sure that 4 out of the 5 days per week she has an event/ meeting to go to. On the weekends she aims for 3. I've got 2 free evenings this week in which I will put on my Emagine hat but my weekend is super clear... I got to get it together!

WEEK IN REVIEW: PRESS

STUDIES IN ASTRAPHOBIA: ASFA SENIOR READING

THANK U'S: Making a difference is such an AMAZING feeling FRENCH PRESS: THE CAULDRON PROJEKTS Let me say this again, it's been super fun working with the group!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE FLOWERS &

I LOVE TO GIVE THEM AS GIFTS

So my life has been super duper busy but I've been pretty positive in spite of all of the uncertainties. I did my first interview this week and I've started to work on making my condo into my home. (Home Improvement post coming soon) My weekends have been pretty busy and I don't see it slacking off anytime soon! * I write about my life on this blog and so posting usually follows just that... my life... I share what I think is most interesting or exciting so I apologize at the lack of post sometimes!

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LML: CAULDRON PROJEKTS

I mentioned the PROJECKTS in an earlier post.

Here's a look at last weeks ART BATTLE! I was super jealous... I own one record and no player .
The turn out was really good! I met some really amazing people!

Tried out a new mocktail!

Saw some really cool work evolve right before my eyes!

This really was an all out BATTLE!

The Space is super cool!

Old friends and new! CAULDRON PROJEKTS

Based on the idea that Birmingham needs a creative and educational community that engages people, Cauldron Projekts will provide an artistic outlet for artists of all types during the months of February and March of 2011.

Located at 109 Richard Arrington Boulevard, Cauldron Projekts will reside in the previously named Bare Hands Gallery. Thanks to the generosity of Sarah Garden Armstrong, owner of the 21st Street Building, Cauldron Projekts will have creative occupation of the more than 1500square feet of space for two months.

Cauldron Projekts will give special attention to artists of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and will involve art including, but not limited to, visual, performance and literary arts. In hopes of a response that is more reflective of the Birmingham populace, the Cauldron will encourage those interested in providing entertaining, lively, thought- provoking initiatives an opportunity to realize their work.

For more information or to submit a Projeckt Proposal for use of the space please contact us at cauldron.projekts@gmail.com

BLUE SHOWERS

UPS: First time ordering something to my house... kinda weird having in on my doorstep... seeing as though there is a door and elevator code...hmmm

TIFFANY & CO.: Ceramic Pink Bunny Bank

Isn't she super cute!

SAVINGS BOND & THE BLUE BOX

A good friend of mine is expecting to welcome her precious baby girl Nia Simone into this wonderful but cruel world and she invited me to help celebrate with her and her friends and family!

Let me break it down... I feel a lot of certain ways about baby showers and registries and asking people for gifts etc... hint to why I didn't have a house warming... to sum it up, if you are marrying it, birthing it or buying it, you should be able to afford it! Now because I care about you etc... of course I am going to support you... but don't request that I do... that irks me!

It also irks me that people don't offer to support you... I shouldn't have to ask you for a gift or support... you should care enough about me to offer your support... and please don't give me the I don't have any money(well neither do I but I still make sacrifices to support you and there are things you can do that don't involve money) you haven't registered (side eye: really... you call yourself my friend but you can't figure out that a gift card for paint or any home store would pretty much get the job done... I mean me registering is ridiculous... what do I look like putting a 3k sofa on a registry...) okay sorry I got off task ....

I like to give gifts that are positive for the long run... for example the savings bond...eventually this baby will out grow the cute frilly bibs and want to go to college... or buy a car... or get married... now I'm not saying my bond will do all of that... but it's a start... and if all else fails the bunny bank is from Tiff and co... you can always take it to the pawn shop...

Oh yea they calling me "Tee Tee Quin" ...hmmmm

THE REVIEW: MICHAEL'S STEAK & SEAFOOD

CITY LINE MURAL

THE REVIEW: I've visited the Hoover location of Michael's three times prior to this review and my very first experience was absolutely amazing. A business meeting, in which we were showered with an assortment of tasty appetizers! That is when I fell in love with the MICHAEL'S STYLE BUFFALO WING'S...

BREAD & SWEET ROLLS

THE SERVICE: It's quite ironic that on two of my four visits I received the same attentive waiter. Service was a bit slow on this (my first dinner) visit as a large party was being serviced at the time. The waiter kept us abreast of the timeline and refilled our beverages etc. accordingly. MICHAEL'S STYLE BUFFALO WINGS : ATTEMPT #1

THE AMBIANCE: An amazing live duo took the stage and they really were "that good". Dim lights and live music made for a dinner club type of feel! The well designed restaurant also offers several seating choices. Interestingly enough between my four visits I've never experienced the restaurant filled with customers...

MICHAEL'S STYLE BUFFALO WINGS : ATTEMPT #2

THE MENU: Really does have something for everyone. My second visit yielded my trial of the lunch special Meat and two Vegetables. I chose the Greek Chicken, Mac and Cheese and Fresh Collards. I'm not sure what magical seasoning combination is used for the Chicken but it has me hooked! The Greens and Mac and Cheese were pretty standard and were lacking the "wow" factor that the chicken more than made up for!

BREAD PUDDING

THE REVIEW: While I definitely enjoyed the live band... I now have a love hate relationship with the MICHAEL'S Style Buffalo Wings. Not good ....since they were the only reason for my last couple of visits to Michael's... and unfortunately they just haven't measured up these past two visits to my first two! I ordered the wings to go and got wings similar to ATTEMPT #1 from my last visit.... dry, hard and salty! With the luxury of actually being in the restaurant this visit I sent them back and received ATTEMPT #2... the picture showcases the obvious difference! While they were still tasty they just didn't pack the punch of my first two experiences where they were super juicy and succulent and nowhere near as salty!

CREME CHEESE POUND CAKE

THE VERDICT: Though I've experienced some inconsistencies I do plan on visiting Michael's again to give those wings one last try...besides I think I have a new love affair with their delicious CREME CHEESE POUND CAKE ! Yum! I just wish they would upgrade the ice cream to a vanilla bean gelato. All in all Michael's Steak and Seafood with it's well rounded menu and good service is a nice establishment to add to your list of dinner spots!