Monday night oysters at Ration & Dram are a buck a shuck! So, a dozen blue point oysters for $12? I’m all in. Tucked away on Arizona Avenue in the Kirkwood neighborhood, R&D is the perfect spot to kick those Monday blues. With smooth cocktails and charming patios, it’s hard to feel anything but bliss when you’re here.
As you may or may not know, I can get reeeally snap-happy. When I have a willing and lovely subject to shoot, I can really go to town with the portraits. Case in point, today’s ladycrush: Suzanne, my talented and infectiously-positive colleague. Her awesomeness translated so well into the camera, that I just couldn’t stop. She’s one of those girls who you just know is cool, from the moment you meet her. I took advantage and asked her for three different looks that exemplify her sense of style.
Name: Suzanne Dennis
Neighborhood: Roswell
Day Job: Personal Stylist at Anthropologie
Night Job: Singer and Songwriter in Scarlett Hill
Describe your style in 5 words or less.
Modern Western Bohemian
Who and what inspires your style?
I’m inspired mostly by my music; dressing in an inspiring way can help my creativity when writing songs and helps me feel confident when performing. I usually ask myself – would I wear this onstage? If the answer is no, I pass. I aspire for continuity between my personality, style, and music.
What is your favorite fashion trend for the summer and why?
I honestly don’t keep up with trends anymore. I know it seems counter-intuitive for a stylist to not be into trends, but what I’ve found is once you’ve settled into a style that feels you, you stick with it. Great style to me is more about being genuine than the most current.
What do you love most about Atlanta? Where are some of your favorite Atlanta spots?
I’m an outdoorsy person, so I love that Atlanta has so many trees and places to enjoy nature! I love running along the Chattahoochee and hiking at Arabia Mountain. I also love Decatur for grabbing coffee or dinner and drinks, and Scott’s Antique Market for fun finds.
Best style advice you’ve ever heard/given?
Listen to your intuition! Style reflects who you are so go with your gut and be confident and you’ll always look great!
More pics and outfit details after the jump!
I’ll never forget the first time I had a Tiny Buffalo cookie. My boyfriend brought it to me at the first Root City Market and I was immeeeediately hooked. The baker, Audrey caught my reaction and proceeded to hand me more cookies because of the ridiculous happy face I was making. Right there and then I knew that I’d have to keep an eye on this girl to hold onto this deliciousness in my life. Her granola, her scones, her hand pies… everything I’ve ever tried from Audrey’s kitchen is like a little piece of home and heaven. And of course, Audrey is as humble as the day is long – the epitome of a joyful baker, making it her business to put yummy in your tummy and a smile on your face.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?
A gymnast. Which is hilarious because I am super clumsy and awkward! Then I discovered coffee shops and was hooked.
Where does the name “Tiny Buffalo” come from?
Tiny speaks to portion size – I studied nutrition in college and think that little indulgences can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Buffalo represents nature – being active/outside. It also represents the ingredients; I use local when possible, eggs and dairy from animals not treated with hormones, etc. But honestly… it’s just fun to say!
What is your goal as a creative entrepreneur?
Not to have to get a real job 🙂
Does baking run in the family? How did you begin to start making all these delicious things?
I definitely remember baking with my mom – we’ve made the same Christmas treats every year since I was two. I had an Easy Bake Oven and loved sampling batter off the beaters (still do). But I think we bake/talk about baking more since I started TB. And my dad has never complained about being a taste tester 🙂 They are my super fans.
What inspires you?
Chocolate milk and naps!
For how big a fan I am of Richard Blais, I surprise myself by how few times I actually visit his restaurants. I’ve been to Flip Burger a number of times now, but with the Ponce location having just opened their rooftop patio, it was time to make another visit. I went on a weekday, so it was pretty empty and for a little while, we had the brand new rooftop patio all to ourselves.
You know how there are just some trends that you think will never work for you? For me, that’s always been brightly colored pants. Regardless of how many I’ve tried on in the past, none of them ever seemed to do it for me. I love them on other people, but I felt like they always emphasized the width of my legs… and I was NOT all about that. Well a few weeks ago, for the first time ever in my life, I finally broke my colored-pants curse.
The heat is on and so it’s time for the colors to come out! Goodbye winter neutral cozies and hello to bright colors and bare skin. I recently purchased this tank top and have been trying to think outside of the box in terms of outfitting it. My natural impulse is to just pair with shorts or jeans for a casual Saturday, but I’ve found that if you just experiment, you’ll discover new ways to wear your casual tanks.
Wearing this comfy set feels like cheating! I’m pretty much wearing pajamas in public with only my swagger and a necklace to prove that it’s appropriate to wear this outside my house. Can you blame me? When you’ve got stuff this soft, you never want to take it off!