the gig:

Looking for a little time with the girls? Well, we’ve got a great excuse for you to get it! Urban Renewal’s Ladies Night will be chock-full of girl garb, gab and goods! Everyone will receive 10% off their entire purchase from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and every thirty minutes drawings will be held for free jewelry and deeper discounts. Not to mention, there will be Rodan + Fields Dermatologists products (you know, the anti-aging products every top magazine is raving about?) available to purchase, as well as Ann Jackson, the Makeover Diva, available for consultations. So, come score some swag and turn back the clock all in one night!

the guide:

date: Thursday, November 17

time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

address: 800 Whitlock Avenue Suite 111, Marietta, 30064

for more info: urconsign.com

the gig:

You better watch out, better not cry, better not pout, because Santa Clause is coming to Ivy & Twine…this week! And he’s bringing hor d’oeuves, wine, soft drinks, dessert, a storewide 10% off, and a fabulous door prize.

Now, you could say everyday is Christmas in this magical haven of gifts and décor, what with the Waxing Poetic Jewelry, Apple & Bee handbags, Glory Haus paintings, Tyler candles, Tokyo Milk fragrances and furniture and accessories that make you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a Sotheby’s-worthy collection.

But, this Thursday, it will REALLY be like Christmas…and you’ll want to get your hands on the goods early (and at a discount) at the 3rd Annual Christmas Open House. Stop in the shop before November 3 and grab a postcard to give you an additional 10% off any single item at the open house.

the guide:

date: Thursday, November 3, 2011

time: 6:30 p.m.

location: Ivy & Twine – 800 Whitlock Avenue, Ste. 137, Marietta, 30064

for more info: 770.425.5990 or facebook.com/pages/ivy-and-twine

Fall is officially here! And what’s a fall season without the sweet aroma of pumpkin spice and a delectable slice of pumpkin pie at your family gathering? Pumpkins rule the season! And we aren’t the only ones who like pumpkins…

Meet Great Harvest Bread Company in West Cobb: a fun, socially conscious bakery and cafe that serves up homemade breads, sandwiches and an array of healthful goodies.

Cindy & Bob Mossey

Bob and Cindy Mossey, the owners of Great Harvest Bread Company in West Cobb, are thrilled to be a part of something both healthy and enjoyable. These “bread heads” have been with Great Harvest for two years now and have made an impact on the community through charitable giving…as well as turned the tables on the idea that a quick meal has to be unhealthy.

good ol’ fashioned methods

What makes Great Harvest…well, great…is the way they create their goodies. High protein Montana spring-wheat flour is stone ground every morning. The bakers onsite then use traditional methods of bread making, utilizing ‘low tech,’ old-fashioned, from-scratch baking. All bread is hand-kneaded with zero fats, oils or preservatives (yummy and nutritious!).

the goods

Here’s a small sampling of the tasty treats served up at Great Harvest Bakery:

• Fresh coffee and breakfast goodies
• Lunch sandwiches (served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Handcrafted whole grain breads and baked goods made with pure and simple ingredients
• Baskets and shipping boxes for snail mail treats for friends and family

october ‘pumpkin’ prizes

To celebrate the fall season, Great Harvest has an array of pumpkin selections from drinks to bread for you to choose from:

Pumpkin Swirls

Pumpkin Swirl: homemade pumpkin dough mixed with real pumpkin & pumpkin pie spice; served on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Pumpkin Rolls: freshly baked pumpkin shell filled with mixture of cream cheese & spices and rolled into a tasty treat!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins: served daily

Pumpkin Nut Muffins: served Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Pumpkin Nut Brownies: served Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Great Harvest has many other “fall-esque” goodies, including apple- and cinnamon-flavored bread, Halloween sugar cookies and BOO BERRY bread with a blend of blueberry and chocolate (served on Wednesdays through Halloween).

free bread

So what’s this about a free slice? Great Harvest wants you to stop in for a quick ‘hello’– you can also grab a free, thick slice of fresh bread and stick around to enjoy the fresh smell of bread baking.

the guide

Great Harvest Bread Company

location: 3894 Due West Road Suite NW #200 , Marietta (corner of Due West Rd and Kennesaw Due West Rd)

hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, closed for “loafing”

contact: 770-421-9998; www.FreeSlices.com

The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta hosts the Mistletoe Market each year–a festive shopapalooza that serves as many a Cobb woman’s entree into the holidays. This year’s Market was held on October 13-15 at the Cobb Civic Center and showcased a vendor variety including everything from margarita mixes to Mary Jane’s. It was, as always, the perfect chance to make that list, check it twice…and then check it off!

The Wednesday night before the official commencement, the JLCM always throws a Preview Night bash. It’s a fun, festive, fashionable fete, complete with live music, food (by the likes of Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes and Henry’s Louisiana Grill), and a Belk-sponsored fashion show.

Here’s a peek into this year’s Preview Night:

the goods:

Ho! Ho! Home decorating time for the holidays! In the interior design world, the Christmas season doesn’t begin after the turkey is polished off and the pumpkins are put away. No, no. It starts this week. And, while you may not be lugging out your Christmas décor quite this early, now’s the time to reap the rewards from those who do.

Take Acorn Home and Garden, for instance – one of our favorite spots for inspiration any month of the year…and especially during the holidays. They’re kicking off Christmas with their annual (and anticipated) Holiday Open House, October 20-23. Inspirational seasonal vignettes will abound, and all holiday merchandise will be 10% off.

While you’re there, ask about Acorn’s “Christmas on Wheels” service, where Master Decorator Tony Whitlock will perform a holiday miracle on your home, transforming it into the envy of the neighborhood. We can’t think of a better way to start spreadin’ the holiday cheer.

the guide:

address: 3870 Due West Road NW, Marietta, 30064

dates: October 20-23

store hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Closed Mondays

for more info: acornhomeandgarden.com or 770.426.9840

the goods:

Can you feel it? Wait…there it is! It’s the feeling of fall in the air, and it makes us want to do one thing (aside from slurp down a grande pumpkin spice latte): SHOP!

Yes, ma’am, it’s time to trade in the flip-flops for boots and t-shirts for tunics. If you’re feeling the fall thrifty frenzies, grab your bag (and bestie) and head to Urban Renewal Consignment in Marietta to satisfy that bargain-hunting hunger.

Urban Renewal has a huge selection of fall favorites–all name brands and all in style. The catch? It’s a store heavy on the hand-me-downs, which means great savings on great clothes…for you! Check out these fabulous finds for this fall season at Urban Renewal:

the gallery:

This stylish jean jacket is perfect with this warm orange purse!

This blue and brown beautiful necklace is adorable!

This outfit has a splash of fun and sophistication!

What a selection of jewelry– and that’s not the half of it!

This fun clutch is perfect for a night out on the town!

As you can see, they have everything from stylish clothing to must-have accessories and much more! So how do all of these wonderful items get into the store? You!

the closet clean-out:

Have some old designer clothes that won’t fit anymore? Bring them into Urban Renewal and sell them! The requirements for your contributions:

• Ten starter pieces to open an account
• No more than two to three years old
• Wrinkle free, clean and on hangers
• Authentic designer brands
• Absence of stains, spots, rips and missing labels (these items will be donated automatically)

There are two ways you can get compensated: use as store credit at any given point in time, or receive one check per calendar month of solid items. Urban Renewal receives 50 percent of the selling price. If the items haven’t sold in 60 days, they will become property of Urban Renewal and be donated to charities.

the {upcoming} gig:

Next Ladies Night Out – October 27 from 5 to 8 p.m.

the guide:

Urban Renewal Consignment

800 Whitlock Avenue Suite 111, Marietta, GA

Phone: 678-401-3344

Website: www.urconsign.com

Store Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.