Atlanta, day two

Dumplings, Day Two of Atlanta Blogger Buddy Fest about did me in! Susie and Nelya had a FULL DAY planned for us starting with breakfast at the West Egg cafe. We gorged on oatmeal with wild blueberries and buttermilk pancakes with spiced honey butter and then headed over to Westside Urban Market, a fantastic collection of restaurants, boutiques, and interiors shops.

Susie and Nelya were anxious for me to see Star Provisions, an Anthropologie for foodies. Besides world-class baked goods and gourmet treats, this gorgeous shop sells an incredible array of lust-worthy tabletop items and kitchen gadgets.

The visual merchandising is something to behold.

We then trooped across the street to an upscale consignment shop, Savvy Snoot (l-r, Susie of Eye Spy, Gillian of Ticklish from a Distance, and Jenny of My Favorite and My Best).

Bungalow Classic is a local decorating legend. Too spiffy for words!

We hopped in Nelya's tank and headed over to Stanton Home Furnishings, an old warehouse full of French-y, Belgian, and contemporary deliciousness.

It was then time for lunch.

Jenny was highly bothered by this sign next to the restaurant's parking lot and indicated her displeasure.

We ate at Flip Burger, owned by Top Chef Season 4 contestant Richard Blais. This was not to be the day's only encounter with a Top Chef alumnus. (The hottie in the middle is Nelya of Head Over Heels.)

The out-of-this-world burgers were accompanied by killer milkshakes, including the Nutella & Burnt Marshmallow and the Turtle.

After lunch, we visited the Atlanta Symphony Decorators' Show House & Gardens. Photography was not allowed, but you know I wasn't going to let that silly little request stand in my way. The Blogger Buddies' favorite space by far was this screened-in porch by Turner Davis Interiors. I wish I could have snapped more of the room, but a docent was lurking nearby.

Ours was the last group through today, so by the time we got to the loggia and gardens the tour guides had abandoned us. I was able to get several shots of the grounds, including this patio furniture with concrete "cushions." ACK! Awesomesauce to nth degree.

Jenny, Susie, and Ally of From the Right Bank pose in front of the greenhouse.

The grounds covered four acres including a small lake...

...populated by the Weeping Angels from Dr. Who.

After we wrapped up the Show House, we decided to get our shoppin' on and drove over to the H&M at Atlantic Station. Being self-sacrificing devoted mommies, we all ended up buying clothes for our children and nothing for ourselves. Pinkie swear.

Remember when I said our Top Chef experience was not over for the day? Well, Dumplings, the highlight of my trip (besides having the privilege of meeting several of the world's most brilliant design bloggers) was eating at the renowned Woodfire Grill.

Co-owned by Top Chef Season 6 shoulda-been-the-winner Kevin Gillespie, the Woodfire Grill prides itself on its creative organic fare. Our table enjoyed the blind tasting menu which was not to be believed. Course after course of the freshest, most delicious, most beautifully-presented food you can imagine, including lamb raised in the Shenandoah Valley and driven from Virginia to the restaurant by the farmer. It was one of the best meals of my life.

Chef Gillespie gave us each autographed copies of the night's menu.

Tomorrow, I return to Denver. I'm heartbroken to leave my new friends, but I miss my LB and desperately need to squeeze The Pea. I have a bit of time before I have to be at the airport, so we'll see what sort of trouble I can get into...