It’s no secret that I love artists. I’ve made my whole life about being around them, both as a writer and photographer for Rough Draft Atlanta, and also through my work at the Avondale Arts Alliance.
I particularly enjoy visiting artists in their studios and capturing images of them surrounded by their inspiration, tools, and projects. It’s an immersive process that allows me to both show and tell readers more about these artists.
Below are a few of my favorite recent artist portraits for Rough Draft Atlanta. Click the photo if you’d like to read the story and see more pictures, too!
Artist Charly Palmer. March 2025. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.Lori Lejeune. January 2025. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.Ren Dillard. November 2024. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.Kyle Brooks. August 2024. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta. Taiye Idahor. May 2024. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta. Charity Hamidullah. January 2024. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.Hyland Mather. March 2024. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.Nicole Kang Ahn. March 2024. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.George F. Baker III. November 2023. Photo by Isadora Pennington for Rough Draft Atlanta.
What a world we live in, am I right? The start of 2025 has been interesting to say the least. As part of the chaos that has unfolded around me, my country, and the world, I have made some changes to my online presence.
On Jan. 20 I deactivated my Facebook and deleted my Instagram. It would have been easy to miss my cryptic post about moving over to Bluesky (and yes, I do still have that account, so give me a follow if you like!) and I only sent out a handful of direct messages informing folks of my intentions. It was important for me to complete the task on that date, so I moved quickly.
Anyway, I’m glad to have my website as a platform. I’ve been seeing new subscribers come through, which is a great way to keep up with my blog posts. Admittedly I have not been super on top of updating this blog, and mostly have used it to share stories I wrote for other outlets, emergency prep tips, and suggestions for photography clients.
Now, in the wake of my absence from traditional social media platforms, I intend to be a bit more purposeful with the use of this site to share information with my people.
Given the state of *gestures broadly at the world* I think now is a great time to do some practical preparations, and I’d like to refer everyone to look at other previous blog posts on the topic of emergency preparedness as well.
Practical Prep Steps
Freeze your credit, and your child’s. It costs nothing and you can unfreeze it anytime you intend to make a big purchase or open a new line of credit. This is a good general safety rule that I encourage everyone to do right now. It takes about 15 minutes and the directions are easily found online.
Connect with your folks off of social media platforms. Using social media is a morally neutral act in our world today, so I hope you know it’s not wrong to maintain your accounts. Many small businesses, artists, and worthwhile organizations need access to these platforms, and I am not one to tell anyone what they should do with their accounts. However, I feel that there will be increasing censorship and potential data leaks that could endanger relationships which rely solely on social media. So I urge you all to find your trusted people and connect with them additionally through Signal (a free, encrypted text app), text, or email or something like that.
Be prepared for a brief power or water outage. We really don’t need an end-of-the-world scenario to result in a temporary disruption of these services. When you get groceries, get an extra jug of drinking water and store it somewhere dark and secure. Invest in solar power battery packs (like my Jackery which I love) and think about what you’d need if it was 2-3 days of no power. My goal is always to make those circumstances inconvenient but not dangerous.
This is a great time to invest in a chest freezer, if you’ve ever thought of doing so. We found one on sale and will be setting it up in our basement. I intend to stock up on our regular items (like bags of frozen veggies, nuggets and fries, pizzas) as well as items that may skyrocket in price when we find it on sale (yes, you can freeze coffee, but there are proper steps to do so to prevent them from going stale).
If possible, hold onto some of your funds in small bills kept in your home. With threats to federal agencies that oversee our banking system, I think it’s not a bad idea to have a little bit of money in cash just in case there is a temporary interruption to those systems.
I will almost certainly have more insights as time goes on, but I thought it might be a good idea to confirm my absence from meta platforms as well as put a few updated survivalist thoughts together for my readers.
As a reminder, I am still at the helm of the Avondale Arts Alliance, and we have regular programming (art exhibitions, community events, summer camps, and more) that you can get involved with. Sign up for the monthly AAA Newsletter here. I also still pen the free weekly Sketchbook arts email via Rough Draft, which goes out on Wednesdays at 4pm.
Stay safe out there, and look out for each other. We’ve got a lot of work to do.
Well, well. It’s a steamy hot summer in the South, and you know what that means – Hurricane Season. In addition to our standard storm watch prep, 2023 has proven to be full of unprecedented extreme weather events. With dust storms, wildfires, earthquakes, tornados, droughts, flash floods, and even fire whirls making headlines this year, it seems like as good a time as any to put together some of my thoughts on emergency preparedness for families like my own.
A much nicer-looking bug out bag than my home emergency kit
A bit of background – last year I wrote a piece about surviving winter storms, and I received a lot of positive feedback that my tips and tricks were helpful. I’m also a survivor at heart. I don’t know many kids who built their own emergency kit at the age of 7 or 8, but that was me.
Even as a child I knew that life could be unpredictable, and the best way to quell my anxiety has always been to prepare for emergencies before they occur. I don’t need to live through a flash flood to imagine what preparations might save my home or my hide if it happened to me. This inclination to prepare became especially important to me once I became a mom, and being a mother in 2023 is no joke, y’all. It can be scary out there.
And so over the past few years I’ve been slowly building my home emergency kit. I don’t always talk about it – there’s a lot of stigma around being a “prepper” and you can get some funny looks if you start talking about these things in mixed company – but I have not let that stop me from advising my closest circle on upcoming extreme weather and what to do to prepare. It doesn’t hurt that this year even relatively run-of-the-mill thunderstorms have knocked out our power a few times, or the instances where water main breaks have caused disruptions to our water service here at home.
So today I present to you a list and some photographs of my totally not fancy and not terribly expensive emergency kit that has already come in handy several times. I hope it is helpful to you. Quick reminder – in my profession I am a photographer and writer, and I don’t have any ads on my site. This advice is provided merely as a public service and I don’t make any money from this blog, so I have no vested interest in whether or not you buy the items below or not. I’m just a mom who wants to be prepared, and I figure the info might help others, too.
Let’s start with the obvious- What is an emergency kit?
An emergency kit, sometimes also referred to as a bug out bag, is a collection of items that will help you and your family survive extreme weather events and catastrophes. It should contain everything you need to get by for at least a few days, or a week or so, either hunkered down in your home or leaving due to an evacuation.
The idea of having it in one place in containers that are easy to grab (many use backpacks, but in my case we have a duffel bag along with a couple of Tupperware containers) is that when an emergency hits you don’t have to scramble to collect necessary items before hitting the road. We keep ours in a windowless bathroom that is located in the center of our home as it’s one of the safest places in the case or tornados or strong winds. It’s also accessible without going outside, which I find to be convenient and reassuring. I make a point of taking everything out and checking expiration dates twice a year.
My emergency kit is stored in a windowless bathroom
A spare wallet with at least $50 in small bills and coins
Toiletry bag
In the toiletry bag:
Bar soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hairbrush
Hair tie
Nail clippers
Sunscreen
Deodorant
Tweezers
Loofah
Baby powder
Feminine hygiene products
Floss
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
In the food bin:
Oatmeal packs
Cans of beans
Cans of salsa
Canned soup
Bagged rice
Pasta sauce
Dry pasta
Salt and Pepper packets
Instant Mac and Cheese
Fruit gummy packs
Bars
Beef Jerky
Pack of nuts
Fruit pouches
Pet food
In the supplies bin:
First aid kit w/ necessary medications
Batteries
Can opener
Matches
Lighter
Fire starters (toilet paper rolls stuffed with lint)
Wire saw
Mylar blanket
Dish Soap
Dish sponge
Hot hands
Utility knife
Eating utensils
Camping cookware set
Cooking utensils
Mosquito repellent
Fireproof document bag with birth certificates, marriage certificates, important documents, printed pictures of our family members with full names written on the back
Pet food bowls
Plastic tarp / plastic shower curtains
Scissors
Duct tape
Chalk & a sharpie (for marking paths or leaving notes for rescue crews)
Compass
Multitool
Pencil sharpener (sharpen small sticks to make kindling)
Atlas with marked locations (read more on this below)
Collapsible pet carrier
Disposable litter pan
Life jackets
Still on my wishlist are a solar powered generator and long-range walkie talkies. These are pricey, so I haven’t made the investment yet, but these would be helpful to have. It’s also beneficial to have a tent, sleeping bags, and a camping stove if you can afford it both monetarily and space-wise.
So, now that you’ve gotten the run down of the supplies, I’m sure that you can imagine how you would use these items to hunker down and stay comfortable in your house. A couple of tips for sticking it out at home: at the first sign of a storm make sure your rechargeable items are charged up, turn your AC down and cool your house as much as possible, fill up your car’s tank with gas, and make sure your kiddo’s tablet has at least a couple of games or shows downloaded. I like to put the fans, power banks, and lanterns on my kitchen table so I can easily find them even if the lights go out.
If you have to GTFO (get the F out) because SHTF (sh*t hit the fan), you can use the chalk or sharpies to leave a message on your door or front step to let loved ones know where you’re headed. And then the item that I personally find to be the most reassuring is the atlas. When I bought it I went one step further and googled state parks within a 2 hour drive in all directions of my house. I looked for locations that include campgrounds and water sources, pinned them in my maps app, and then highlighted them on the atlas.
In the case of a sincere emergency where it’s imperative to get my family to safety immediately, I wanted to have all the decision-making already established. Often cell phone service is disrupted if there are too many people using nearby cell towers, and I’m not particularly level-headed when I’m in “emergency mode,” so I would feel much better about choosing a location that I have previously vetted based on the circumstances of the emergency as they arise.
In short, the less you have to think, pack, and plan *during* an emergency, the better. One important note is that most of my emergency kit has never been used, and it may never be. In fact, I hope that’s the case. But if it’s not, I’ll know I’ve already done as much thinking as I can during a calm non-emergency moment when I have all my resources available to me.
PS – did you know that you can teach your kiddo your phone number by singing it to the tune of Frère Jacques? I taught my daughter at 2 years old, and she still has it memorized. It’s very reassuring to know that she could contact me if we ever got separated.
Thanks for reading. I hope this is helpful! Stay safe out there.
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. The weather is cooling down and the air is getting crisp. That means it’s time to start preparing for your fall family photos. Over the years I’ve gained some experience that helps me advise my clients, and I thought it might be nice to share that in a more public fashion to hopefully help more people.
Timing is everything! If you live in the Atlanta area, fall colors tend to start around late September, but the leaves are not really in full splendor until late October or early November. That’s not a hard and fast rule, but something to keep in mind.
Location, location, location. Pick a setting that is convenient, beautiful, and works for your family. Atlanta has a ton of wonderful parks and nature preserves but there are also plenty of great little town centers, fall festivals, farmers markets, your neighborhood, your home, and even some nontraditional locations such as the Oakland Cemetery. I am happy to share a PDF that outlines some of my favorite Atlanta fall photo locations with anyone who books a shoot with me; I’ve found that seeing actual photographs from shoots at these areas can really help with decision-making.
Coordinate your outfits. I typically suggest mainly solids mixed with some subtle patterns, and a balance of neutrals and a color palette that flatters your skin tone. When a family’s outfits incorporate colors that are either cool (blues, greens, purple) or warm (yellow, red, orange) they tend to look more intentional. I do consider denim to be a neutral as well. Jewel tones are typically quite popular around the holidays, as are browns/reds/khaki/white.
Don’t overdo it on patterns, I generally suggest that you wear only one patterned item at a time. Do bring some extra clothing options such as a sweater, jewelry, a blazer, hat, scarf – it’s helpful to have options for variety, but you also don’t want to have to lug a suitcase around a park, so making it something easy you can do on the spot is really helpful. I’m also a big fan of mixing textiles like knits, silks, tweeds, leather, chiffon, etc. Here are some great examples of outfits from some of my past photo sessions that feature colors and patterns that complement one another:
Ready to book your fall family photos? Consider these questions first.
Do you prefer outdoors, industrial, lifestyle (neighborhoods & home), expressly seasonal, or a mix?
How many children will be in the photos and what kind of stamina do they have for an hour-long shoot? What time of day is going to be the best for their energy levels?
Will you have anyone in the party with mobility issues? Some great outdoor locations in and around Atlanta require a bit of a walk away from a parking lot, some have stairs and boardwalks, and there is also gravel or dirt paths to consider. Anyone relying on a wheelchair or stroller should consider this before making a plan.
For family photos with younger toddlers & elementary age children, I suggest planning ahead by bringing new and exciting snacks or incorporating things they love (i.e. “We can do a dance party in the living room to your favorite song!” or “Let’s go see the ducklings at the lake”) when preparing for your shoot.
Another note about kids, particularly toddlers. They are unpredictable! This is said with love, as a mother of a toddler myself. Sometimes the harder you push a toddler, the worse the meltdown. That said, I try to be as low-stress and playful as I can be when taking photographs of families. Not only does a relaxed environment make everyone feel better about the experience it also often produces the best imagery. Comfort and confidence goes a long way for adults and little ones alike.
So, there you have it! My top tips and suggestions for having a fun and successful family photoshoot. I hope this helps you. Being in front of the camera can be daunting, I get it. But it doesn’t have to be. By keeping it light and working with someone you trust you can get great photos AND have a great time. If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to shoot me a message. If you’re ready to book a session it’s now easier than ever with my new scheduling system. Thanks for reading!
In a cozy storefront on College Avenue, Brave + Kind is one of Atlanta’s most charming independent bookstores. Black- and woman-owned, this shop offers a highly curated selection of books that are both diverse and inclusive. These days, when most shopping is done online or in big box retailers, it can be hard to find local shops where you can pick up, hold, flip through, and buy books about topics such as race, LGBTQ rights, historical leaders, family diversity, and more.
When Bunnie Hilliard, owner of Brave + Kind, first got involved in the bookseller business, she envisioned the space as being a safe place for people to come together over a shared love of books. “When I opened Brave + Kind as a brick and mortar space, it was my vision that it would be a community space for people to come and gather, to connect and share stories, and to find stories that resonated with them and their families,” said Hilliard.
“I think we all have something fun and unique and special to share with the world,” Hilliard continued, saying that she hopes Brave + Kind acts as a complement to the book community. “Brave’s Vision is to be very intentional about celebrating and elevating diverse books and authors, so that’s why I’m here.”
As for the name? Well, that comes from, of all places, a post-it note. On her desk she has a note she wrote to herself to aid in choosing which new books to sell. It reads “Good story? Diverse characters? Will the kids learn something? Brave + Kind? Mirrors and windows?” Indeed, the very guiding principles that dictate her book choice came to represent the shop as a whole.
Inside the storefront, the space is saturated with color and light. A rainbow of books lines the sides of the shop, ranging in age from picture books to young adult novels and even some adult options. Stools and benches can be brought out to allow for sharing stories with little ones. Tables in the center of the space are stacked high with books. Small knick knacks, tote bags, toys, notepads and other accessories that are sure to appeal to book lovers of all ages can be found on shelves throughout the storefront.
Hilliard’s interest in owning a bookstore comes from a love of children’s books that flourished when she became a mother and she began looking for books to share with her children, now aged 9 and 13. “And in my quest to find and share with them stories where the characters had faces that provided some mirrors, the initial seeds were planted in my mind for what later became Brave + Kind Bookshop.”
Prior to becoming a shop owner, Hilliard’s background was in business, marketing, and financial services. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she attended HBCU Florida A&M University before relocating to Atlanta in 2003. While she didn’t consider herself “bookish,” she does have fond memories of patronizing her local library and keeping up to date with the latest Junie B. Jones books in her youth.
As for how she found the storefront on College Ave, she feels there were higher powers at play. “I believe the bookshop chose me,” Hilliard explained. “I came in while it was still under ownership of another resident asking for startup brick and mortar business advice and by the end of the conversation the occupant was offering me the space so that she could move on to a larger location. I believe the universe and my faith rose up to meet my vision.”
Brave + Kind opened its doors three years ago, with two-thirds of their existence during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, despite the difficulties all local businesses face, this local gem has survived and thrived. “It has been an interesting journey,” recalls Hilliard wryly. Today, she is focused on strengthening the shop’s internal operations, cultivating an intentionally diverse and inclusive book selection, and deepening the shop’s connections within the community.
Being a member of the Brave + Kind community can mean involvement with special programs such as their Book of the Month Club wherein patrons are delivered a selection of the staff’s favorite picture books each month, as well as special themed selections. The shop aims to provide a conduit for parents to easily find thoughtfully inclusive books that reflect the diversity of our world. So, next time you’re in the area, stop in and take a look for yourself. There is something for every brave and kind little soul at this delightful shop.
I’ll be the first to admit it, this has been a tough winter. As the days get longer and weather gets warmer, locals are seriously jonesing for activities and gatherings. Looking for something fun to do? Need a reason to get out of the house? Look no further than this list of great springtime events!
Atlanta Fair Gray Lot at Georgia Stadium, 688 Central Ave. SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Now through April 10 Since 1972 the Atlanta Fair has been a beloved event in this city. Offering carnival rides, classic fair eats like cotton candy and funnel cake, games, and more, this event is great fun for families, outings with friends, and date nights alike. More info.
Orchid Daze Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 1345 Piedmont Avenue, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309 Now through April 10 Celebrate the return of spring with thousands of fragrant orchids on display as well as an exhibition of sculptures by artist Kristine Mays at the Fuqua Orchid Center. Make a day of it by wandering through the 30 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, stop by the Longleaf restaurant, Quick Café, and snack stations throughout the grounds. More info.
Friday Jazz High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Multiple dates through April 15, starting at 6PM Hosted by Jazz 91.9 WCLK’s Jamal Ahmad, on the third Friday of the month this event features music, drinks, and art. Experience different kinds of jazz including free jazz, bebop, and swing. More info.
Spring Concert Series Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30306 Multiple dates until April 8, starting at 7:30PM Callanwolde’s idyllic outdoor amphitheater invites visitors to spend an evening in a serene natural setting with friends and loved ones while being entertained by live music. Bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic dinner with drinks! Performers include Robin Latimore, Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, and David Berkeley. More info.
Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park, 929 Charles Allen Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 April 8 through April 10 For more than 80 years Atlanta’s Dogwood Festival has been one of the most popular art festivals in the southeast. Taking over the beautiful grounds of Piedmont Park, this event boasts a nationally renowned-juried Fine Artist Market which features hundreds of artists exhibiting a variety of sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and more. The Kids Village offers arts and crafts and face painting, and art lovers of all ages can try their hand at artmaking at the Sip & Paint activity. Enjoy live music and delectable eats all weekend long! More info.
Georgia Renaissance Festival Weekends, April 9 through May 30 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Rd. Fairburn, GA 30213 It’s time! Don your best medieval garb, buy yourself a turkey leg, and step back in time at Georgia’s Renaissance Festival. This year represents the 37th year of this fun outdoor event where visitors can experience an array of fun activities, sights, sounds, and eats. Whether you’re interested in watching the jousts, jugglers, performances, and live music, or if you’re hoping to find artisan-made items like flower crowns, knives, pottery, woodworking, and clothing, there’s something for everyone at this fun and festive event. Early bird tickets are only $17 for adults when purchased by March 17 with code LUCKY at checkout. More info.
Food-O-Rama Food Truck Festival Grant Park, 90 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30308 April 16 Do you love food? Who doesn’t, right? Well the Food-O-Rama Food Truck Festival will have something to offer for every palate. With more than 50 food trucks and restaurants, Grant Park will be transformed into a foodie paradise. This year’s iteration even includes a Vegan Alley! More info.
Lemonade Days Brook Run Park, 4770 N Peachtree Rd Dunwoody, GA 30338 April 20 through April 24 The 22nd annual Lemonade Days Festival will return to Brook Run Park from Wednesday April 20 through Sunday, April 24. This free family-friendly event features full-scale carnival rides, food and beverage vendors, musical performances, center stage performances, and the popular Dunwoody Idol contest. More info.
Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference Plaza Theater, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 April 21 through May 1 Atlanta’s preeminent film festival returns for its 46th year, bringing world-class feature films, shorts, award ceremonies, conferences, socializing, and more to the Plaza Theater in Poncey Highlands. The initial lineup has been announced, with more showings to come. More info.
Inman Park Festival, Tour of Homes, and Parade Inman Park, 1055 DeKalb Ave, NE Atlanta April 23 & April 24 Taking place in one of Atlanta’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, the Inman Park Festival is a beloved tradition celebrating 50 years in 2022. Three stages with live music, a joyous parade, tour of homes, kids activities, vendors and artisans selling their goods, and a kids zone welcome visitors and ensure that there is something fun for everyone at this fun event. More info.
Sweetwater 420 Fest Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 April 29 through May 1 Sponsored by Atlanta’s own Sweetwater Brewing Company, this annual festival will bring together artists from across the country for beer, food, and fun. Performances include Snarky Puppy, Oysterhead, the Stringcheese Incident, Dirty Heads, Thievery Corporation, among others. More info.
Shaky Knees Central Park, 400 Merritts Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 April 29 through May 1 This annual event is a music-lover’s delight. More than 60 bands will bring the noise to Central Park with a diverse lineup of world-renowned acts partnered with up-and-coming artists. This year’s performers include Nine Inch Nails, My Morning Jacket, Billy Idol, Death Cab for Cutie, Phantom Planet, Spoon, Travis, and The Happy Fits among others. More info.
Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival Atlantic Station, 245 18th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 April 30 Melt in your mouth goodness abounds at the Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival. Come out to enjoy live music, tasty drinks, and of course all the cheese and bread you can handle. More info.
Sweet Auburn Springfest Historic Sweet Auburn District, 230 John Wesley Dobbs Atlanta, Ga 30303 May 7 & 8 This family-friendly event features live R&B, jazz, hip hop, country, and gospel music set in the historic streets of the Sweet Auburn District. Visitors can enjoy delicious eats at the International Food Court, a kids zone, and guaranteed good vibes at this event that celebrates the history, heritage and achievements of Atlanta’s African Americans. More info.
Chastain Park Arts Festival Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Dr NW Atlanta, GA 30342 May 14 & 15 The Chastain Park Arts Festival was named one of tne of the Nations Top 100 Arts Festivals Nationwide by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This year, the 13th annual event at Chastain Park along Park Drive will enlist approximately 175 artists and artisans, kids area, acoustic musicians, food trucks, and even gourmet food trucks! Free to attend. More info.
MomoCon Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 May 26 through 29 This all-ages geek culture convention is staging a triumphant return after disruptions in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. This event highlights American and Japanese animation and celebrates costuming and cosplay, celebrity meet-and-greets, video games, board games, and live action role play gaming. More info.
Flying Colors Butterfly Festival Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd Roswell, GA 30075 June 4 & 5 Butterfly lovers, rejoice! The Chattahoochee Nature Center is hosting an event that’s all about our fluttery friends. This year’s Flying Colors Butterfly Festival is the 23rd annual event and will feature butterfly encounters, photo ops, and pollinator education, plus live music and food vendors. $15 general admission, $13 for CNC members. Kids aged 2 and under are free. More info.
A small van pulls up in the parking lot, backs into a spot, and cuts the engine. With the back doors open row after row of containers are visible just inside the trunk. This is Tap Refillery, a mobile refillery featuring personal care items and household cleaning products. It’s a unique business model, this shop-on-wheels, and it serves a unique purpose in the city of Atlanta.
Tiffany Zujkowski, photo by Isadora Pennington
Established only a year ago, the business is the brainchild of Tiffany Zujkowski. Though she works as a Manager of Client Success Management at Waystar, her passion for sustainability really thrives when behind the wheel of Tap Refillery. “I love being able to offer something so unique to our community.” A resident of Decatur, Zujkowski spends her weekends and off-times setting up shop in driveways and parking lots to sell her products.
The desire to start Tap Refigglery was inspired by Zujkowski’s childhood dreams of growing up to become a Marine Biologist. “I mean, who didn’t want to grow up and swim with dolphins everyday?” she mused. While she didn’t end up working in that industry, her intentions to reduce her contributions to ocean pollution have continued to this day. “I made changes here and there, but when the pandemic hit, and we started seeing wildlife change their behavior due to humans no longer frequenting their domain, I decided I wanted to do more to continue to reduce my personal waste.”
By starting Tap Refillery, Atlanta’s first mobile refill station, she was able to fill a need that was going unmet. Reducing waste and single use plastics is a huge undertaking, and something that requires conscious effort on an individual level. Zujkowski found that it was difficult to find brick and mortar locations nearby to refill her household and personal care goods. “I decided that if it didn’t exist, I would build it!”
And thus, the concept of Tap Refillery was born. “It allowed me an easy way to get out in my community and share this unique shopping experience with my neighbors and educate them on why making sustainable changes is so important for our future,” said Zujkowski. “I wanted to make refilling easy for customers so they could see how simple it is to make small changes no matter where they are in their low waste journey.”
Visitors to the truck, which sets up monthly at places such as Lush Plant Co. in Oakhurst and Dom Beijos wine shop in Kirkwood, can bring their own or buy new containers to fill up with products. Tap’s offerings include laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, all purpose cleaner, hand sanitizer, shampoo and conditioner, face and body lotion, body wash, and pet care. Customers can refill any sort of container, such as glass jars and empty plastic containers from past purchases, paying only for the products inside.
Not only is the business model centered around reducing single-use plastics and waste, even the sourcing of the bulk products is sustainable! The manufacturer who provides the plant-based eco-friendly formulas that Tap sells offers a closed-loop system wherein the containers in the back of the truck are actually sent back to the production warehouse to be refilled, thereby reducing even another instance of waste in the process. “We send the containers back to them to be sanitized and then they reuse the containers again. It was important to us to make our shop as zero-waste as possible so that we were not contributing to the problem we are ultimately trying to solve.”
Zujkowski is continually looking for more locations from which she can sell her products and you can actually book the truck for a private event at your home which makes refilling a no-brainer for you and your community. She hinted at some exciting developments that have not yet been announced, and hopes that she will continue to find additional community partnerships for Tap Refillery.
To learn more about Tap Refillery, go online to their website and follow them on social media. If you’d like to stock up on some of your goods and see the truck for yourself, you can check it out at their upcoming public events. They will be stationed from 1-3PM at Lush Plant Co on the third Sunday of each month and at Dom Beijos on the last Sunday of each month.
It’s that time of year again– time to celebrate love! This season can be hard for some, the newness of 2022 has started to wear off and we are stuck with short, chilly days coupled with some post-holiday blues. While the pandemic certainly makes things difficult, there are still some wonderful ways to celebrate your love with your special someone.
So, to bolster your spirits and give you something to look forward to, I have gathered some special Valentine’s Day events and offerings for your consideration. Vive L’Amour!
For The Theatrical Type
RoleCall Theater presents their iteration of Romeo & Juliet all month long. Known for their trademark fast-paced and energetic style, this represents RoleCall’s tenth show in their Shakespeare in the Ponce series. Performances of this classic romantic tale will take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7PM, running February 3 through 26. Tickets are available here.
For The Crafty Type
Does your love enjoy making things by hand? If so, this is the perfect outing to do something fun and crafty together. The Mangata Experience is hosting a 2-hour beginners pinch pot workshop on Thursdays all month long. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the basics of ceramics, construct, and decorate your project however you like. All products will be glazed and fired and ready for pickup two weeks following your session. BYOB! For more information and to book your visit, check out their website.
For The Partying Type
On Saturday, February 12 from noon to 4PM, the streets of Buckhead Village will be transformed into a love-filled block party. Visitors will receive a complimentary stem from the Pinker Times floral station (or purchase an entire bouquet!), enjoy treats by Saint Germain Bakery, and groove to live music by Lilac Wine. More information is available on the Buckhead Village website.
For The Macabre Type
Arguably Atlanta’s most unique Valentine’s Day event, Oakland Cemetery is presenting a walking tour of the Victorian garden cemetery. Featuring stories of romance from Atlantans of days gone by, this tour will highlight symbols of love found on monuments and stories of love that extend from this life into the afterlife. Tours will be available on Saturday, February 12 through Monday, February 14. More information available here.
For The Musical Type
Enjoy the musical stylings of a string quartet as they perform classic romantic music surrounded by candles at the historic Trolley Barn in Inman Park. Taking place on Saturday, February 12 from 6:30 to 7:35PM, the quartet will perform songs such as Claire de Lune, Moon River, and True Love Waits. Seating is first come, first serve – reserve your tickets online.
Valentine’s Day Eats & Drinks:
Six- and eight-course tasting menus at Lazy Betty. Available Wednesday, February 9 through Monday, February 14, these offerings include Vichyssoise Agnolotti with mussel pil pil, ocean froth & Iberico guanciale and Sauteed Blue Ridge Mountain Trout with creme fraiche potato, smoked trout cream, dill & trout roe. View full menus and book your reservations online now!
All-inclusive Valentine’s Day igloos at 9 Mile Station. Enjoy sweeping views of the city from the picturesque roof of Ponce City Market. Reservations include expedited entry to The Roof via private elevator, a five-course menu with wine pairings for each guest, a dozen roses, and one bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. Available Saturday, February 12 and Monday, February 14. More information and reservations can be found online.
Galentine’s Day Brunch at Hampton + Hudson. Celebrate the love of your friends with a festive brunch on Saturday, February 12 from 10AM to 2:30PM. What better way to share the love with gal-pals than to enjoy their amazing brunch menu plus a waffle special, bellinis, champagne, and rosé all day while Parks & Rec plays in the background! Don’t miss the photo booth and a limited edition Galentine’s print while supplies last. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Book your table today by emailing events@hamptonandhudson.com.
Prix-Fixe Valentine’s Day menu at The Southern Gentleman. A four-course menu including delectable offerings such as brie fondue-toasted sourdough with truffle, seared yellowfin tuna, pot roast, salmon, and milk chocolate genoise or fromage blanc cheesecake for dessert. Coming in at $79 per person (not including tax or gratuity) this special menu is only available on Monday, February 14. More information available on their website.
Mini gelato hearts available from Honeysuckle Gelato in Ponce City Market. From February 7 through February 14, mini hearts will be available to purchase in flavors such as strawberry shortcake and chocolate raspberry. The holiday weekend’s offerings include a chocolate and strawberry shake. Gelato purchases made on Valentine’s Day will be accompanied by a free mini pound cake cookie! More info here.
Georgetown Cupcake’s Valentine’s Day dozens. The You’re Sweet Dozen offers flavors such as strawberry cheesecake, peanut butter fudge, and red velvet cupcakes for $38 per dozen. Opt for the Valentine’s Day Dozen with flavors such as raspberry chocolate chip, salted caramel, vanilla and baby pink buttercream for $42 per dozen, packaged in a limited edition pink heart gift box. Is your love long-distance? They’ve got you covered. Nationwide overnight shipping is available for only $20! Go online for more information.
Hi all, this is a bit of a deviation from my typical feature content. In light of the upcoming winter storm that is due to hit Atlanta this weekend, I thought I should go ahead and compile all of my tips for surviving winter weather in the southeast into one easily shared resource.
A few notes before I get into it: I am not an expert. I’m just a mom who loves to be prepared (thanks, trauma). I have also lived in the northeast for periods of time so I am familiar with both winter weather and the struggles faced by those in the south when a snow or ice storm hits. Also sometimes my advice is overkill, so please take this all with a grain of salt. Not every winter storm is going to be devastating or even a significant event. But sometimes it is, and if you are not prepared a winter storm can go from inconvenient to dangerous really quickly.
The photos in this article I took during Snowpocalypse 2011 when I was living in Virginia Highlands.
It is also worth noting that winter weather just looks different in the south. And that’s not only because of the extreme disparity between infrastructure surrounding ice and snow removal, it’s also due to the way winter precipitation falls and into what kind of setting. My theory is that warm ground tends to melt snow which then gets compacted by snowfall and sleet and becomes black ice pretty quickly. I have anecdotally seen this happen a few times since I moved here in 2007. Here’s an article that gets more into the science behind different kinds of snowfall and how it can be affected by climate and other circumstances.
Another factor, beyond not having enough snow plows and salt trucks, is our lush tree canopy. I love our trees here in Atlanta! But they don’t have to contend with heavy snow and ice very often, so when there’s a significant ice event they get weighed down by the accumulation and tend to break, often bringing down power lines as they fall. Additionally, drivers not familiar with driving on ice (don’t drive too fast, and if you hit icy pavement don’t slam on the brakes, instead try pressing and releasing the brakes over and over again) have been known to hit transformers which can take out power to entire neighborhoods. No one should feel ashamed to admit they don’t feel comfortable driving on ice, it’s not easy!
Surviving Winter Storms in the South
1- Have some nonperishable food and water reserves on hand. This is good to have year-round, it doesn’t take a weather emergency to cause a water shortage or become difficult to get to the grocery store. I’m also not a full-blown prepper: you won’t find MREs in my basement, I don’t do my own canning, and I don’t have a rain barrel. What I do have, however, is a couple of jugs of water (like $1 each), a box of instant oatmeal, some extra pasta and pasta sauce, some cans of soup, and some frozen veggies. Nothing crazy! But it’s enough that if we couldn’t make it to the store for a few days we would be okay.
I also don’t advise stocking up on anything you don’t actually eat. We don’t eat tuna, so we don’t stock tuna in our cabinets even though it is arguably a good thing to have on hand. We do have boxes of mac ‘n cheese (best if it’s the kind that doesn’t require milk/butter), cans of beans, cans of veggies, cans of soup, rice, pasta, frozen meats (just one extra of whatever we normally get, so usually sausage, chicken, or ground beef), frozen veggies and fries, and things like snack packs of Ritz crackers. Make sure you have your prescription medication and food for your pets, too!
2- External battery packs. This is one of the most used and most important things to have IMO. They are cheap and easy to come by. Having more than 1 will allow you to run your devices for extended periods of time. The best kind you can get are solar powered chargers, because with those you can recharge over and over again even if you don’t have power for a few days. I even have an all-in-one tool in my car that has a flashlight, seatbelt cutter, tool for breaking car windows, and a cell phone charger built in. And yes, it’s solar powered!
3- Speaking of solar power, another thing to think about is light. We have a pop up lantern that is solar powered and can be charged via outlet as well. That’s handy to have, along with flashlights. The problem with flashlights is they aren’t very convenient for lighting up a dark room so you can read or do other activities, they are really best suited for actively looking for things. Lanterns, whether they be solar or battery or gas powered, will make your space livable, which is what we are going for here.
Candles are a good backup but don’t cast as much light as a lantern. I do keep a stock of emergency candles on hand just in case but I’ve thankfully never needed to use them.
4- Keeping warm. Now here is where having candles can really come in handy. Did you know that one single candle, even the size of a tealight, when placed into the bottom of a terra cotta pot can act as an emergency heater? You can also put one in the bottom of an aluminum or tin can for the same effect. A tea light in a can is able to keep the space inside of a car above freezing for hours! I suggest keeping these basic supplies (matches or a lighter in a ziploc bag, a small candle, and a can of some sort) in your car just in case you ever get stranded.
5- On the subject of keeping warm, if you think you might lose power I suggest you determine what your warmest room is in the house and shut it off in the hours leading up to the storm. If you have a space heater pop it in there and let it run. Keep the doors closed and let it get really warm. Don’t go in there until and unless you’ve lost power and it is getting too cold to be comfortable in the rest of the house. Then you can go in and be a bit better off in that small room than in the open spaces of your home.
6- Also a suggestion, go ahead and find the drafts in your house and tape them up with special sealing tape now before the storm hits. As a bonus, this helps in all seasons with energy costs. Common places to find leaks are windows, doors, and even the spaces under your kitchen and bathroom cabinets. You can insulatethese spaces yourself if you’re handy or you can hire a professional, but you can definitely use some tape to sure them up on your own in the days leading up to the bad weather.
7- In case the worst happens, and you lose power in the midst of a killer snowstorm or ice storm for multiple days. It can become unlivable in your home pretty quickly especially if you live somewhere that doesn’t normally get cold weather and is therefore not equipped. If this happens there’s a worst case scenario plan I’ll outline. For it you will need a rug or a mat of some kind, blankets, and a camping tent.
Yes, fish that dusty old tent out from your basement and have it handy.
You’ll want to find a thick rug or mat or lay down thick (preferably wool) blankets on the floor. On top of that you can set up your tent, then drape another blanket on top of the tent. If you do this, ensure you allow for some air flow so that you can breathe comfortably. The best is to have mylar blankets which I have on hand both in my house and in our cars. They are not expensive so keep a couple around if you need them. They are especially life-saving if you find yourself stranded in your car. If you have these mylar blankets, lay them between the rug or mat and the bottom of your tent, so the layering goes rug first, then blankets or mats, then the mylar blanket, then your tent, and put a mylar blanket on top of the tent.
This will keep you alive in even the worst case scenarios.
8- A radio. Who even has a radio these days? It’s helpful to have although in all my years and storms I have weathered I will admit I have never used one. A crank radio is great because it does not rely on external power, but they are a pain to use.
9- Walk around your property and look for hanging branches. These branches can and will fall when they get weighed down with snow and ice. Be aware of their presence and don’t park under them. While you’re at it, if you can park in a spot where you’re not stuck at the top or the bottom of a hill, do that. It’s a good idea to hire an arborist if you can afford one to come out and clean up branches in the fall before the weather turns. This is just good to do in general but can also prevent some damage in a storm.
10- If you must go out and drive on days that are predicted to have wintry weather (I strongly advise against it but I know it is a privilege to be able to stay home) then have a few things in your cars just in case. Since I’ve lived here in Atlanta I can think of two or three instances where people were trapped in their cars for hours and even days at a time, marooned between wrecks on interstates around the city. It’s not just that “southerners don’t know how to drive on snow… hyuck hyuck” it’s also that in other places that get more snow the roads are prepared in advance and regularly plowed and treated with deicer. Here in the south we are incredibly car dependent and there is very little in the way of assistance for stranded motorists. Plan accordingly.
So here’s what is in my car emergency kit:
A blanket (why not? I also use mine for picnics!)
The candle / can / lighter situation I described earlier
A flashlight (see #2 for a link to my personal favorite)
A gallon ziploc bag with kitty litter which can be sprinkled in front of tires if you get stuck to provide some traction.
Some small snack and water (note: don’t leave them in the car all the time, when plastics get hot they can infiltrate the food with chemicals which can make you pretty sick. If you know you’ll be out driving during bad weather just toss a granola bar and a water into your bag just in case. If you do get stuck you’ll be grateful for it!)
Wear weather-appropriate clothes. Don’t wear sandals or heels, or at least bring some boots or sneakers with you. Dress warmly.
And that’s it! Not overwhelming, right?
Now a couple of car-related safety tips – if you get stranded it is typically best to stay with your car. Your car is much more visible than you are, and you have some protection from the elements inside.
If you know a storm is coming, go ahead and fill up your gas tank. Not just because it’s going to be impossible to find gas the day before a storm (and with lines wrapping around the block, it’s a pain if nothing else) but also because in the event you get stranded it will be helpful if you can run the heat a bit. I try not to be a part of the fray by keeping my gas tank at ¾ or more full during winter months.
And if you do get stranded and you’re stuck in your car, it’s ok to run the heat! However, and this is a big one, if your car is in a snowbank and your exhaust pipe is blocked it can be deadly! When there’s not space for your exhaust to filter out from your pipe and away from your car it will sometimes travel underneath your car, into your wheel wells, and fill your car cabin up. This is dangerous – so if you’re stuck for an extended period of time only run your car for about 15 minutes per hour and periodically get out to scoop snow away from the exhaust pipe.
If you’re stuck in a really big snowstorm and you’re worried people won’t see you, consider finding something brightly colored to have hanging out of your door, on your rear view mirror, or on the windshield wipers so that people will know you’re in there even from afar. Share your location with a friend so that you can get help.
One last note about car safety, and this is less about being stranded and more just about living in cold temps, don’t pour hot water on your windshield to defrost it. It can literally crack your windshield! Alternatives include a scraper (of course, but who has one of those in the south?), a credit card, or my personal favorite which is a ziploc bag filled with warm water. You just rub that across the windshield and it melts the ice without cracking the window. No mess, no fuss, no damage.
So that’s it, those are my suggestions. I hope you don’t feel intimidated or overwhelmed by this list, you don’t have to do every single thing. Pick a few that make sense to you and implement them into your life. Check your stock of supplies at the outset of winter and replenish whatever you need once a year. Nothing that I do to prepare is particularly expensive per se, but it’s impossible to get things delivered to your house if you wait to place the order until it is actively snowing and sleeting outside.
I hope this helps! Stay warm & stay safe.
PS- this post is not sponsored at all, I’m including links to products I have personally purchased but I won’t get any benefit from you clicking on or purchasing any links whatsoever. Ace Hardware, Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target will all have some or all of the items listed above.
What an odd year! It was hard, challenging, at times scary and confusing, but simultaneously my favorite year yet. That’s because in addition to all the great work I’ve done this year – teaching art at the High Museum of Art, writing stories and doing photography for local publications, illustrations used in newspapers, photo and video for real estate professionals, and a ton of family photography – I’ve also been able to spend a ton of time with my daughter.
Time is one of the most precious things in life, so being afforded the opportunity to work from home and in off hours has allowed me to be present for her in a way that really resonates with my soul.
I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite works from 2021! Hope everyone is feeling optimistic and hopeful leading into 2022. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to book a session or have a story idea!
Isadora Pennington 