Why Did I Get Married Too?

Gathered together in the Bahamas for their annual one-week reunion, four close couples eagerly reconnect, sharing news about their lives and relationships. But their intimate week in paradise is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Sheila’s ex-husband, Mike, who hopes to break up her new marriage with Troy and win her back. The others soon realize they too are not immune to the challenges of commitment and fidelity.  Rated PG-13.  Starring Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry.

The closest Redbox kiosks to Uptown Buckhead are at Kroger (3330 Piedmont Rd NE, 3871 Peachtree Rd NE and 4920 Roswell Rd NE).

Easily, one of the best things about living in Atlanta is the sheer number of dining options that its residents have on a daily basis.  There are soooo many options.  And in my humble opinion, one of the best ways to experience the city’s many offerengs is to take advantage of the prix fixe specials that are offered during events like restaurant weeks.  That way, you can experience a full course meal (usually a dish that the location’s chef wants to highlight) at a discounted price.

If you remember, Buckhead had its Ultimate Restaurant Week back in May.  Well, now it’s time for Midtown to shine.  From Saturday, September 4 until Sunday, September 12, you can enjoy Midtown’s best restaurants as they showcase their best dishes during Midtown Restaurant Week.  Each participating restaurant will offer a three-course menu for $25.  If you do the math, for three-courses, that’s a pretty good deal.

Participating restaurants include 4th & Swift, Atmosphere, Diesel, The Nook, Lobby at Twelve, ONE Midtown Kitchen, STRIP and many more.  To see a full list of participating restaurants and make reservations, check out www.atlrestaurantweek.com.  And don’t miss this opportunity to find your next favorite Atlanta restaurant dish!

This Badgley Mischka Sweetheart Bubble Dress retails for $475. You can rent it for $50!

So you’ve got a big event coming up.  Maybe it’s your boss’ fancy wedding that you have to attend, or maybe even just a special date at a posh new restaurant during Midtown Restaurant Week.  Either way, you want to wear something that impresses.  But you don’t want to break the bank doing so, right?  You can always throw on your trusty little black dress (assuming it’s an evening wedding)…or you can hit up Rent The Runway.

Ever heard of it?  It’s a pretty cool service that allows you ladies to trick your friends and neigbors at Uptown Buckhead Apartments into thinking that you have a closet full of designer clothes.  In most cases, for less than $100, you can rent the hottest new runway fashions to wear at any special occasion you desire.  And yes, they even rent accessories and jewelry too.

If this sounds like it could be you’re kind of thing, check out their website at RentTheRunway.com and see what stylings they have to offer!

Did you know that today, August 26, is National Dog Day?  Neither did I until I came across the fact while internet surfing the other day.  It may sound a little corny, but having a National Dog Day is a great way for dog-owners to recognize just how much having their dog in their lives means to them.  Check out this fact…

39 percent of U.S. households own at least one dog, and 93 percent of dog owners consider their animals to be members of the family, according to a 2007 Harris poll. – The Tenneseean

See?  I knew I wasn’t alone in my affinity for my four-legged frriend.

If you’d like to commemorate the day, how about taking your dog out for dinner?  There are plenty of restaurants in the area that share Uptown Buckhead Apartment’s pet-friendly philosophy.  Here are a couple dining spots that won’t mind your doggie date…

• Thirsty Dog Tavern ( 2110 Peachtree Road NW, 404.367.8482) – the have a huge patio that welcomes dogs and even has a separate menu for them with treats and kibble.
• Treehouse Restaurant in Peachtree Hills (7 Kings Circle NE, 404.266.2732) - dogs are allowed on their patio as well.  Water bowls are provided.
• Bakeshop (903 Peachtree St., 404.892.9322) - while dogs aren’t allowed inside, they do sell great homemade doggie treats.  Check next to the register.

(Photo Credit: ubg43)

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Uptown Buckhead Apartments strongly advises their residents to get a policy.  It’s really not as expensive as you may think.  In fact, you can save money on your policy in quite a few ways.  Here is one in an article I found about saving money on renter’s insurance.  Check out this video too.

Non-Smoking Household: Insurers are trying to cut costs too therefore are looking for people to insure that pose the least risk. Since a lot of accidental fires are caused by smokers, renter’s insurance companies are often giving a renter’s insurance quote and policy discount for non-smoking households.

Nothing beats taking in an Atlanta Braves game with your best buds!

I have to tip my hat to the Atlanta Braves promotion team.  They’ve come up with a really cool idea for pet owners who want to spend some fun time with their dogs.  Of course Uptown Buckhead is extremely pet-friendly so we ahve to support it.

They’re hosting a Bark in the Park day at Turner Field, which is basically a game that you can bring your dog to.  Bark in the Park will be held on August 29 when the NL East leading Braves take on the Florida Marlins.

Coca-Cola Sky Field is transformed into a doggie’s delight, complete with on-site veterinary services in case your friend over-indulges or overheats, doggie pools, water misters and plenty of watering holes since seating is not shaded. Fans must pre-register at www.braves.com/bark and proof of certain vaccinations is required. Walk-up tickets are not available. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. but the festivities begin as early as 11 a.m.

Tickets for Bark in the Park go for $25, and that covers one “human” and one “canine”.  Additional human tickets are only $12.  For more info on the event or the inquire about registration, call 404-522-7630 or visit www.braves.com/bark.

(Photo Credit: kevinandamanda.com)

Do you remember how the Nintendo Wii was all the rage when it first came out?  At first, only kids were demanding them.  But they soon caught on with the adult crowd, partly because of its ease of use, wireless controllers and wide variety of family fun type games.  I remember first playing the bowling simulation at a friends house and it was the most fun I’d had with a video game system in years (ever since I gave up on Madden, that is).

Well, get ready for the next “big thing” in regards to video games.  Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is is getting ready to debut its Kinect videogame technology and it is promising to revolutionize the industry.  “How,” you ask.  For start, there are no controllers to hold on to.  With Kinect, you are the controller.

Xbox also has a wide array of games and simulations lined up for it’s Kinect technology.  Everything from Zumba Fitness to Kinectimals, a game that allows you to simulate having your own exotic pet that you can play with, train and watch grow.

Sound like fun?  Macy’s over at Lenox Square Mall is offering exclusive previews of Kinect games so that you can be one of the first to try it out, from now through September 30.  Head over and check them out if you’re curious about the latest in games and hi-tech fun.  Kinect for Xbox officially goes on sale on November 4.

Did you know that actress Julia Roberts was actually born “Julie Roberts”.  But when she when went to register for her SAG (Screen Actors Guild), that name was already taken.  Instead, she chose to use “Julia”.  That may not be enough of an interesting fact to make you want to see her latest movie, but maybe some of the beautiful scens shot in Italy, Bali and India will.  Check out the trailer below.

If you need showtimes for theaters around Buckhead, here are AMC Fork& Screen Buckhead, AMC Phipps Plaza 14 and Regal Hollywood 24.

A Prophet

Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena, part Arab, part Corsican, cannot read or write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang currently ruling the prison, he is given a number of “missions” to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the gang leader’s confidence in the process. Malik is a fast learner and rises up the prison ranks, all the while secretly devising his own plans.  Rated R.  FRENCH LANGUAGE FILM WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES!

You want to see a thrilling gangster movie.  She wants to see some high-brow foreign film.  Where is the compromise?  My suggestion: rent A Prophet on DVD and you both will win.

As a gangster flick, I can’t quite yet give it “classic” status yet, but I do rank it right up there with a classic like Goodfellas in that the way the movie was done makes the characters experience seem extremely visceral for the audience.  While watching the movie, you get the feeling that this is what it may really be like to get locked up in a Corsican prison.  Overall, it was smart, well acted and the story flowed.

Plus, you’ll get brownie points with your girlfriend (or boyfriend) for giving in to their idea to watch a foreign film. 

The closest Redbox kiosks to Uptown Buckhead are at Kroger (3330 Piedmont Rd NE, 3871 Peachtree Rd NE and 4920 Roswell Rd NE).