Lessons in Blogging

Since starting this blog more than one year ago, we have experienced the highs and lows of sharing in the blogosphere. Not really. That's mostly an exaggeration. What's more true is that we've learned a couple of things in the past year. And we want to share those lessons with you.

Lesson #1: This advice came from a good friend when we first launched the Anti-Lame Campaign. He said, "Starting a blog is easy. Maintaining it is the hard part." So true, Rick. We've learned that blogging frequently doesn't always happen. And when you don't post frequently, it's hard to create a revolution. Which, as you know, is our goal.

Lesson #2: When you post videos, not everyone will appreciate their ridiculousness. But post them anyway.

Lesson #3: The more obscure references used in posts and post titles, the better. Because if someone recognizes it you give them a sense of belonging.

Lesson #4: We haven't employed this lesson yet, but rest assured we will soon. If you can't think of a clever reference, make one up and pretend it came from somewhere.

Lesson #5: Get other people to give you material. We want to have more guest posts. More people involved = more people who are invested in the cause.

Lesson #6: Photos make posts more fun.

Lesson #7: Don't take your blog too seriously. Sure, we've passed out our blog's business cards on cruises and at church, but we recognize it's all in good fun. Some people may want to stay lame. Our job is only to present the opportunity for change.

We hope these suggestions have been informative and helpful. And if not, at least it's another post from us!

All in a Saturday

Hello blog-following friends!

If you're less into football than the average Alabamian, have no fear! Saturday in the Ham offers many fun opportunities that do not revolve around "Roll Tide" or "War Eagle" exclamations.

On this particular Saturday, a few Anti-Lamers hit the town and made some new friends in this lovely city of ours.

First, we hit up Pepper Place Market, located in the Lakeview District. We were hoping to come across the Limin Lady, a sweet lady who sells the best mustard ever. Unfortunately, she was not present at this week's market. We did, however, meet some very nice folks at Three Knot Shop who make amazing frames out of reclaimed barn wood. Their products are BEAUTIFUL and pretty reasonable, especially considering their quality. For those of you who are not familiar with barn wood, it is wood that has been exposed to the elements and weathered, giving it a grayish hue. The wood used at the Three Knot Shop is between 70 and 90 years old and is mostly from Wilcox County, Alabama. This is a new business, so be sure to support them!

While at Pepper Place, we grabbed some food from the always delicious Red Cat Coffee Shop. I highly recommend the Burmese Frappe (a blended coffee drink flavored with coconut and vanilla) and the Almond Croissant. Sooooooooo good!

Now, I'm not a huge football fan (please, don't throw stones!), but we decided to "watch the game" and grab lunch at the same time. Slice Pizza & Brew in Lakeview just opened this July, so we headed down the street to try out this new local establishment. It wasn't as busy as I'm sure some suburban sports bars were, but there were several people there enjoying the game(s) and some delicious pizza. We tried the Super Cheese Pizza (which two people could NOT finish) and a Yellowhammer Saison. The pizza was awesome and the beer wasn't too bad either. They'll soon be carrying beer from the Avondale Brewing Company, and I look forward to having their Spring Street Saison with my pizza on my next visit. All in all, Slice was great and we're planning on making it our game-day venue...and you should, too!

Next, what Saturday is complete without a bit of shopping! We stopped by two places today - Mia Moda Boutique and the Clotheshorse, both in Vestavia. Mia Moda has tons of funky, trendy, and unique clothing and jewelery. Their staff are really friendly and will give you honest opinions on whether something looks good (or not!). The Clotheshorse is an upscale consignment shop for clothing, shoes, and accessories. One thing we recommend is that you pay attention to the tag colors. Similar to DWS, the Clotheshorse rotates their merchandise by offering sales based on the tag color. New items have a certain-colored tag and are not on sale, but there are normally items marked 25%, 50% and 75% off.

We got some great deals on items for our fall wardrobe! All the items below cost us $59. (One of the cashiers said that she paid over $100 just for a pair of shoes very similar to the ones on the left.)

The Clotheshorse puts out new merchandise every day, so be sure to check them out!

The moral of today's story is...while we appreciate football Saturdays in Alabama, there's so much more out there. Although, we're sure some of you may disagree:)

Bethdog (and Webbie)

Art on the Rocks

 

And HERE it is: The long anticipated review of Art on the Rocks.

Shout out to Chris for recommending it for review. (See, we DO listen when you guys tell us about things! Keep it up!)

This past month The Anti-Lame Campaign made an appearance at Art on the Rocks at the Birmingham Museum of the Arts! There was quite a turn out. There were a lot of people in Birmingham being Anti-Lame that night. For those who couldn’t make it out on July 22, make it out next time! (Which happens to just be around the corner on August 19.)

In addition to lots of people, there were un-ending trays of food from chips and dip, to pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fries. For those individuals who enjoy browsing a museum, you could! And there was even a scavenger hunt utilizing the museum and the pieces in it! There was a concert going on outside, an artist doing demonstrations, and even a station where YOU could try your hand at being an artist AND take your art home. There were drinks for sale and plenty of mingling with Birmingham’s social scene. Chances are high you will run into SOMEONE you know and it is almost guaranteed that you will meet someone new.

The Anti-Lamers that made it out had a wonderful time. Next time experience it for yourselves!

-Melissa

For more information on the Birmingham Museum of the Arts, visit: http://www.artsbma.org/. 

For more information on Art on the Rocks, visit:  http://www.artsbma.org/events/artontherocks

Bethany's Bests

I am in no way a “foodie,” but I do love to eat! And, when I eat I like to do it without going bankrupt, thus you will not see Ocean or Satterfield’s on this list. I’m sure they are great, but until Birmingham boys start asking me out and taking me to those fancy places, this gal on a nonprofit salary will enjoy the more budget-friendly restaurants in the area.

1. Burger – Bottletree

Bottletree Café is a quirky restaurant/music venue in Avondale off of 3^rd Avenue South. In addition to a great lunch menu featuring many vegan-friendly options, they also make a great burger. The burger is not standard fare, so you have to catch it as a daily special, but it is by far my favorite in town.

2. Milkshake – FLIP burger boutique and Chick-fil-A

Flip is a little too trendy for my taste, but it certainly offers a unique dining experience with both traditional and gourmet burgers, tasty dipping sauces, and amazing milkshakes. My friends and I differ in opinions on which shake is supreme, but I am sticking to my guns with my ruling that the Nutella and Burnt Marshmallow Milkshake is the best gourmet milkshake, not only at Flip Burger, but in Birmingham.

We can’t always be gourmet, though, and for those days when you’re craving a milkshake but can’t make it to FLIP, I offer to you the Chick-fil-A Cookies & Cream Milkshake. My health-nut sister has even been converted. It’s that good.

3. Cupcake – dreamcakes bakery and Urban Standard

Dreamcakes is my favorite “all-around” cupcake winner. Every flavor they offer is amazing. From the Mint Chocolate Chip (my personal favorite) to the Curious George (a banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting), every cupcake offering is exquisitely beautiful and really, really good. But, the Red Velvet Cupcake at Urban is probably my absolute favorite cupcake in the city. I’ve not always been a Red Velvet girl, mostly because of the cream cheese frosting, but Urban Standard has an almond cream cheese frosting. It is divine. And, most people are aware of the awesomeness that is the Urban Standard Red Velvet Cupcake, which means there have been days when I have gone to pick up a tasty treat only to find they are sold out. Those are not good days. So go early if you want your life to be changed. And it will be. For the better.

So, the official ruling is: best all around cupcake venue – dreamcakes; best cupcake – Red Velvet Cupcake from Urban Standard.

4. Croissant – The Red Cat

Some may wonder why “croissant” is even a category. To that I say, “you obviously have not been to the Red Cat.” Their Almond Croissant is possibly the best pastry I’ve ever eaten. It is fabulous. Words don’t do it justice, so to adequately understand, you should get in your car right now, drive to the Red Cat, and order one. I just might.

5. Coffee Beverage – The Red Cat and Urban Standard (and Starbucks)

I confess, it’s only fitting for Starbucks to be on my coffee list because I get my caffeine-fix from them far too often. I blame the convenience of the drive-thru window off of Hwy 31 on my way into work. And they make my favorite drink really well – a tall sugar-free vanilla soy latte. But, buying locally is better for the Birmingham economy, and honestly the coffee tastes much fresher at the Red Cat and Urban Standard. The Red Cat roasts their coffee beans in house and Urban Standard purchases their beans from local roaster Primavera Coffee. Urban also makes their own syrups, which are delicious.

The Red Cat is my favorite out of the two local places because they have a punch card that earns you a free coffee beverage with the purchase of five drinks. And their iced coffee changed my life last summer during one of many heat waves.

6. Taco – Camp Taco

Located in 5 Points in what used to be a Subway, Camp Taco puts a unique spin on their taco creations. My suggestion – order a side of queso and a taco with white barbeque sauce.

7. Vegan Fare – Bottletree Café

I mentioned earlier that Bottletree has the best burger, when offered, but their vegan offerings are equally delicious. My favorite is the Garden Grill – steamed vegetables with rice or quinoa (choose the quinoa if you have the option) with sweet chili garlic and soy sauces. When I first ordered it I thought it would be boring, but I was told by the fellow taking my order that it was his favorite dish on the entire menu. I soon found out that he was not hyping it up…it really is awesome!

8. Sauce – Chick-fil-A

Okay, I know this is a weird category, but I feel compelled and obligated to share with you the amazingness that is Chick-fil-A sauce. Maybe you’ve tried the honey mustard and Polynesian and thought…”this is awesome!” But seriously, you have not lived until you try the Chick-fil-A sauce.

Other Favorites at Restaurants Listed Above:

Bottletree – Sweet Potato Fries (a little soggy, but amazing seasoning) and Hummus (not only is the hummus delicious, but the accompanying pita bread is really good, too)

The Red Cat – Pimento Cheese Sandwich on toasted 3 Seed Bread from Big Sky

Urban Standard – Grilled Asparagus Salad

Most of these restaurants are located very near my workplace, so I’m sure I have missed out on several awesome eateries in the city. As this is a forum to make Birmingham better, let me know what great places I’ve left off and your favorite dishes at those establishments!

Your food-loving friend,

Bethany

P.S. Also, I have noticed that my favorite go-to adjectives are amazing and awesome. Sorry about that. Maybe someone can buy me a thesaurus for my birthday:)

Hiatus

Your friends at the Anti-Lame Campaign have not turned their back on the mission at hand, rather we've been taking a brief hiatus to take care of some very important things...i.e. weddings of friends and sisters.

We do have a couple of posts in the works that we think you (our ten loyal followers) will find very interesting: Summer Fun in the Ham and Bethany's Best - a list of Bethany's "favorites" in the city, from cupcakes and milkshakes to coffee beverages and burgers.

Please stay tuned and we promise - it will be worth the wait.  We hope.  Maybe.

Sincerely,

Your Anti-Lame Coalition for Fun

Let the Good Times Roll

Dearest friends and followers (all 10 of you!),

We've started compiling our list of places to go/things to do in Birmingham...help us add to it!

1. The Fish Market Restaurant
2. Salsa Dancing
3. Ocean
4. Miss Rosemarie's Tea Room
5. Community Football Game at Railroad Park
6. Brunch at Another Broken Egg
7. The Original Pancake House
8. Morgan Creek Winery
9. Innisfree Pub
10. Silver Coin
11. Sol Y Luna
12. Dessert at the Melting Pot
13. Brunch at Chez Lulu

We're all pretty pumped about refining this list and experiencing some good times in this city.  You may notice that this list mostly consists of places to eat.  To that we respond, "you are correct."

Sincerely,

Your Anti-Lame Advocates

All aboooarrrddd......the Anti-Lame train!!

So...since I have the best friends EVER, I got a surprise birthday excursion this Saturday, which of course coincided with our Find Fun in Birmingham syllabus. We started our day with a sugar coma induced by Dreamcakes Bakery.  This place would be a wonderful place to take a date on a Saturday afternoon, and you can stroll along the streets (which actually have a variety of fun shops) while eating your dessert.

Our next stop was the new, multi-million dollar Railroad Park downtown. We were extremely impressed with this spacious, fun, exciting new park! Way to go Birmingham! There was a diverse and large crowd, which was nice...because, as we know, the first step to overcoming lame-ness  is attendance. I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but it was in an industrialized yet scenic location and had a very modern feel. Our football passing turned into a full-blown scrimmage when some young kids joined in the fun! All-in-all the Railroad Park brings community, physical activity, and physical beauty to downtown Birmingham! It is also a great way to spend a non-lame Saturday!

Continue the fight against lame-ness!

Erin

Join the fight to end lameness

Dear friends and fellow fighters of lameness:

We welcome you to this new effort to bring fun back to Birmingham.  Although we are aware of pockets of "fun-ness," there is a need for more.  Yes, there are coffee shops, restaurants and bars, entertainment venues, and parks.  But where are all the participants in Birmingham fun-ness?  Our research indicates that well-meaning folks are content sitting on their couch watching episodes of CSI instead of making a slight effort to: make new friends, be active, have new experiences, and enjoy all the city has to offer.  No, Birmingham is not New York, Los Angeles, or Miami, but dag-nabbit, we aren't a ghost town either.  Birmingham has the potential for greatness: talented local musicians, fun people (like us bloggers...and we know more awesome people are out there...right?), great universities, opportunities for cultural growth, diversity (if you venture to the other side of the mountain every once in a while), and amazing eateries.

We recognize that sometimes it is far too easy and comfortable to do the same ol' thing every weekend, so we are committing ourselves, first and foremost, to explore all that Birmingham has to offer!  We'll be posting our adventures in hopes that you, too, will do a little exploration.  Five girls may make a dent in the nightlife of the city, but it certainly can't change it, so your participation is vital.  Five girls are quite powerful, but together we can pack out places, which adds to the fun.  And let's face it, we all need more friends...right?  Let's create a community of fun-seekers.  We think it's possible.

Your very own Birmingham fun-seekers,

Melanie, Erin, Bethany, Melissa, and Laura