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THE REVIEW: DREAMCAKES

PACKAGING

YUM: Bakeries are quickly becoming my favorite eateries to review! Between the super sweet staffs and the amazingly chic decor what better way to be served up the most delicious treats! After passing by so many times I finally got a chance to try out Dream Cakes bakery!

THE SELECTION: I was immediately impressed by the vast amount of goodies readily available!
My sweet tooth went into overdrive! From my memory there were macaroons, cakes, and cupcakes in a multitude of flavors available for purchase.

THE AMBIANCE: Located in a little strip of delightful stores in Edgewood, Dreamcakes is a super cute shop! A long display case holds the goods and an over sized chalkboard serves as a menu! The exposed brick wall adds city charm and there are tables available for devouring in! The staff was super helpful and of course they get extra cupcake points with me for all the compliments on my eye wear!

S'MORES CUPCAKES

SWEET DREAMS

WEDDING CAKE

THE REVIEW: The one thing that really screamed eat me ... was the simple chic Wedding Cake. Sold by the slice I knew I had to have it! I've had my fair share of bakery cakes from around the area and I have to say that Dream Cakes does have a distinctive flair. The cake was moist and the icing provided a hint of lemon sweetness. At around 3 bucks for the slice, I thought it was well worth it ...and i actually think it may be my new favorite cake spot. I hope to try their cupcakes soon as I have experienced before that cake and cupcake consistencies are not always a given ... so for now DREAM CAKES is definitely a winner in my book!

WIZARDS & COURAGE

THE WIZARD OF OZ: ALABAMA THEATER

A few weeks ago one of my favorite ex co-workers invited me out to help him celebrate his Bornday!
We started out at the super amazingly gorgeous historic Alabama Theater to view The Wizard of Oz!

The Super Cutie Patootie Birthday Boy!

CHARLEMANGE RECORDS : 5pts South Birmingham AL

Next stop ... THE coolest record store I have ever been in... well the only record shop I've ever been in lol!

THRIFTING: RECORD PLAYER

We wrapped it all up with another first for me... Thrifting! Me being the newbie and knowing my genetics hold a trace of "hoarding" potential, I was super careful not to get in over my head!

But I've been wanting a record player for some time now (visiting the record store didn't help this obsession) so every time we saw one we became technicians of sorts attempting to resurrect the discard gems... unfortunately two vintage and a carebear player later no luck :(

LION HEAD SCARF HOLDER: COURAGE

It wasn't a total wasted trip though ...

I found the most amazing lion head scarf holder!

Happy Bornday to my TB! I had tons of fun!

CONFESSIONS: EXTREME COUPONER IN TRAINING

I saw the show...

and I was immediately hooked...

My goal isn't to stockpile tons of stuff

If I get just a few items for free

I will feel like an EXTREME COUPONER!

For some odd reason there are never any Sunday papers in the box in front of my building so now I take early Sunday morning strolls to the newspaper headquarters a couple of blocks away.

Technology...

I'm building up my stock pile of coupons and studying sales trends!I can't wait to put my plan in action!

laquininthecity: PLANE ON A TRAIN

My first train trip was quite an ADVENTURE!

Of course I couldn't help myself ...

I packed a super cute snack box for my travel companion!

Funny Story #1

The Station was super packed with families traveling for the holiday. Most of the people on the train were headed to New Orleans so to say the least it was an interesting crowd! Let's just say we got "adopted" into a group of about six people needing to up their numbers so they could qualify for group seating... this random old guy kept saying "come on cousins" and waving us along to join his group... HILARIOUS! Did I mention he had on the most amazing loud blue pants and tan gator shoes!

Destination: Tuscaloosa for the Cline's Wedding

We soooo got on the wrong train car for our destination and ended up having to travel three cars up with all of our crap on a moving train to get off at our stop! I felt like I was in a Denzel movie crossing those cars!

PLANE on a TRAIN

The guys next to us were having a Bachelor Party weekend!

They were not playing! Drinks for days! Congrats Luke!

Crazy Story #2

On our return trip we decided to get something to eat... although super cute the Dining Car lacked in choices so we ended up in the Snack Car... hmmm... the gentleman above was super busy "getting to know" one of the passengers on the train that a line had begun to form and we were all discussing whether or not we were interested in actually getting something to eat... he was so far gone in his "convo" he didn't even notice smh!

HOME SWEET HOME!

Beyond the train always being late and

the lack of food options

I had soooooooooo much fun and can't wait til the next adventure!

The super cute table in the Dining Car!

THE REVIEW: DEPALMAS

I've been raving about this place forever... and I can't believe it took me this long to do a review!

SPINACH FETTUCCINE ALFREDO WITH CHICKEN

AMBIANCE:This is such a transitional space. I've visited the restaurant in the daytime while families with small children enjoy a family meal as well as at night when couples dine in a dimly lit dining room romanticized by candlelight.

SPINACH FETTUCCINE ALFREDO WITH CHICKEN

RED SAUCE & ONIONS & OLIVES

TABLE SERVICE: Some of the best! I can't remember one visit in which I had an unpleasant encounter. The staff is always courteous and attentive...very knowledgeable of the menu and the kitchen capabilities.

PESTO CHICKEN PIZZA

THE MENU: Full of amazing Italian dishes! My favorite began with the Shells Florentine with chicken. I've since branched out to the Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo and I'm certainly madly in love with the White Chocolate Bread Pudding! I don't think you can go wrong with any menu choice. TUSCAN CALZONE

THE VERDICT: I think you can tell I am a bit biased as this is my favorite Italian Restaurant hands down. If you're looking for an amazing meal and you live in the surrounding areas it's worth the drive! They have something for everyone... don't like red sauce substitute Alfredo... want onions... they'll add onions...I attempt to bring home a dish every visit to savor later on in the week... mysteriously it barely makes it to the fridge and as I type I'm wishing this lunch of mine tasted more like Depalma's.

Check out Depalma's Italian Cafe at http://www.depalmasdowntown.com/

WEEKS IN REVIEW: WHERE IN THE WORLD?

AMTRAK:CRESENT: DINING CART

So I've been post less for a while now...

here's a glimpse at what I've been up to

EATING:DELICIOUS: DEPALMASYes! My absolute favorite Italian spot!

I DO: WEDDING

Congrats to the Clines!

SHOE AIN'T NO DIVAPractice makes perfect one wedge at a time!

#laquininthecity: TO PARTY vs NOT TO PARTY

LML: LIVING MY LIFE

It's been pretty slow living until the past couple of weeks. I took a trip to my second home Tuscaloosa. and while it was definitely sad to see the destruction of the tornados of this past April... my town still had it's umphhhh! I attended a wedding, ate at my favorite Italian spot and did I mention I rode the TRAIN! SUPER FUN! Stay tuned recaps and reviews are a comin!