From where to buy the perfect little black dress to the best spot for a romantic dinner, reaching out to local ladies with a zest for life is one of the best ways to get the inside scoop on a destination. Ten in My Town asks savvy ladies to name their top ten picks for the places to see and be seen in their hometowns. Our first stop is the land of juicy peaches, sweet tea, spicy reality TV drama queens, and so much more – Atlanta! Glamorous Georgia girl and globetrotter Alva Johnson is our guide to this sexy southern city.
Alva Johnson
Co-Founder, Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational
www.icswi2010.com
Whether staffing 22,000 temporary employees for the Olympic Games, training personal assistants for celebrities such as Vera Wang and The Dave Matthews Band, or planning large scale events in Brazil and Germany; Alva Johnson is the consummate planning professional. As the co-founder of the Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational (ICSWI), which will take place in New Orleans in April 2010, Alva brings the same energy and enthusiasm to bubbles that she’s used to ignite crowds worldwide. Alva passionately believes champagne isn’t just for special occasions – it’s the ultimate celebration of life! Let Alva's Ten in My Town picks inspire you on your next trip to Atlanta.
1. To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress - I love to shop at Fa'brik in Buckhead or Wish in Little 5 points. Both have sexy yet eclectic styles. Fa'brik is more designer driven while Wish has more fashion-forward options.
2. For a Night Out with the Girls - The St. Regis Hotel Bar- great crowd, cool atmosphere...after that possibly Club Opera or The Cheetah (this IS Atlanta).
3. For a Romantic Dinner - Canoe or Joel. Canoe when I want to see the Chattahootchie River or Joel when I want great French food and sexy atmosphere.
4. To Take Out of Town Guests - my favorite local place by my home, Bistro VG's (formerly Van Gogh's). I live in the suburbs, 45min from the city, so I take out of towners to my favorite place by my home.
5. For Something Sweet- Bistro VG's again or Krispy Kreme. Bistro VG's for great crepes and homemade sorbets. Krispy Kreme for those days I do not have to fit into my little black dress.
6. For Cocktails - Drinkshop in The W Hotel Downtown or my home is pretty infamous for Champagne gatherings.
7. To Connect with Nature - my backyard...one of the great things about living in the suburbs is having a large backyard, a lake across the street, and a brook flowing in my back yard. My backyard is a haven for butterflies, they congregate in my yard and I love to step out of my stilettos and just be.
8. To Connect with the Past - Auburn Ave. in Atlanta. This is a historical street which has the Martin Luther King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
9. Where I Go to Unwind - to the kitchen. I love to cook and naturally I have lots of great wine and champagne at my home, so my kitchen is a great source of relaxation. I pop a bottle of champagne, and enjoy it while I create a feast. My children love to cook with me so I buy them sparkling grape juice which makes them feel "fancy."
10. To Learn Something New- Easy one- the library, any library, usually the library at Crabapple Middle School (my son's school). I have always been an avid reader, a true lover of books, and any time I can spend in the library is a happy moment for me. I go to my son's school library without him knowing until he sees me in the hallway or the librarian tells him I've been there for hours.
