Chris is coming back to the Urban Oasis for his book signing for the new book on May 15th at 6:30. You are welcome to come and tell your friends. We want to out do ourselves from last year and that will take some doing!

I met Chris Guillebeau on Twitter.  Last year, Chris Guillebeau had himself an unconventional book tour for his first book, The Art of Non-Conformity. I reached out to him and told him that the Urban Oasis would be a great location for his Atlanta stop. Chris took me up on the offer and we hosted the event.  It was quite an evening with 125 people, a band and lots of fun. Chris sold out of books and a good time was had by all.

Last summer, Chris returned the favor by hosting an amazing conference in his home town of Portland Oregon called the World Domination Summit. There were five hundred of the most fascinating people. There were travelers, people running small businesses of their dreams and everyone was blogging about all of it. My husband, Duane and I went and had a terrific time. I got to meet people in real life that I had only known online, which is always fun. He is hosting another World Domination Summit this July for eight hundred people that sold out in 13 minutes! You can bet on it. Duane and I will be there.

Chris has been busy this year and has just published a new book, The $100 Start Up. It will be available May 8th. I got an advanced copy and have thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is a great read and has good ideas for people starting their dream businesses or who are building them. I loved his description of how he chooses the projects that he is going to undertake. As a small business person myself, actually running two businesses, the bed and breakfast and my webdesign company, I know there is only so much time and I can’t do everything. Chris makes it clear how to  rate  your ideas on  several factors and choose the one that is the best fit for meeting your goals.

Atlanta is famous for it’s many wonderful neighborhood festivals. But the best of all is our Inman Park Festival!

Each year, one weekend in late Spring,  the streets are blocked off and Inman Park has a party. The streets are lined with the best artists, great food vendors, music under a tent, and of course sidewalk drifters.

This year it will take place April 27th-29th with a highlight being the funky, funny parade on Saturday the 28th at 2:00pm. If you have been before, you know not to miss it. It is also your chance to tour some of the homes in this eclectic neighborhood.

If you have never experienced the Inman Park Festival, now is the time to get hooked–It will become your new favorite spring pastime.  If you are not local, we are all booked for Festival weekend  this year. April is a beautiful month to visit Atlanta and with the Festival as added incentive, you might want to get this on your calendar for next year.

It’s spring time here in Atlanta, and you can tell by the crowds of people on the patios and decks of many restaurants and bars here in the area. There is nothing better than being with friends on a perfect spring night and enjoying your favorite food and drink. There are plenty of great restaurants where you can lounge outside near the Urban Oasis.

Six Feet Under 437 Memorial Drive S.E. Atlanta, GA 30312

With seafood to die for, a great roof-top porch, and fully-stocked bar, Six Feet Under (Grant Park) is a the perfect place to spend a night this spring. The deck overlooks Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery, which is a great place to take a stroll after lunch or sign up for an official tour.

The Book House Pub 736 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast  Atlanta, GA 30306

It’s a cozy place with a little bar and great food. Their Guiness mac and cheese paired with a pinot noir makes for a perfect drink and appetizer. They also have a patio covered in trees and lights, great for that spring time dinner that turns into an all night occasion.

Park Grounds  142 Flat Shoals Ave SE Atlanta GA 30316

They have a small dog park so you can let your pooch run free while you enjoy a pastry and coffee. A wonderful place to go and enjoy  the spring time. Or if you have work to catch up on but still want to get outside, bring your laptop and enjoy the free wi-fi.

 Victory Sandwich Bar 280 Elizabeth Street Northeast  Atlanta, GA 30307

Victory, nestled here in Inman Park, is a new Sandwich bar offering delicious 4 dollar sandwiches and Jack and Coke Slushies. A great spot for an afternoon snack or midnight drink on a warm night.

Every Wednesday afternoon food trucks from around Atlanta gather a block away from The Urban Oasis in The Stove Works’ parking lot. Trucks serving everything from Puerto Rican dishes to Asian sliders and all-natural popsicles cater to locals and professionals. The trucks are a great, alternative quick grab for lunch, or the perfect place to take in a slow lunch at a pick-nick table on a nice day.

Urban Oasis is located on the border of two historic Atlanta neighborhoods: Inman Park and The Old Fourth Ward. Recently, The New York Times published a piece highlighting the up-and-coming Old Forth Ward neighborhood, calling it “a cradle of culinary and artistic innovation.”

The article spotlights several restaurants and hang-outs in the area, including Kevin Rathbun Steak, a wonderful high-end steak-house, located in the building next door to Urban Oasis. Also mentioned, is Highland Bakery. Located just several blocks from Urban Oasis, Highland Bakery, is a local hot-spot for breakfast, breads and delicious pastries.

Click to view the New York Times article on The Old Forth Ward

We are thrilled to see such wonderful reviews of Urban Oasis Bed and Breakfast on trip advisor!  Here are some of the reviews that guests have written . . .

Artsy B&B

We felt very comfortable staying with Judy and her husband. We stayed in Michael’s room which had a spiral staircase that led you to another room to hang out in. Loved the structure of the ceiling and the colors are fantastic! Other than stepping in poopie the best part of our visit there was the neighborhod, which we felt surprisingly safe in. Walking distance to great restaurants and great thrift shops. Judy was very informative in telling us about the area. If you like exploring and visiting Atlanta, which is a mile away, you will enjoy your stay. Can’t wait to visit again especially when the new recreational trail is complete, which is just down the block!

- 2Trippy, Florida

Perfect for Us

Our stay was perfect. Recieved great advise. We were able to accomplish everything we wanted to do. Great location. Easy to get to the neighborhoods, downtown and midtown.

- MM B, Charlotte, NC

Very Comfortable, Interesting and Eclectic, and Conveniently Located

We only stayed one noght but enjoyed this B&B very much. Owners are freindly, live on-site and helpful with local information. We may consider using the facility for an upcoming family event. Free parking is gated and secure.

- PeteJHill, Springfield, VA

Most Accommodating Proprietors. Excellent Space.

My husband and I stayed here for four days while house-hunting in Atlanta. Judi and Duane welcomed us into their home, gave us excellent advice about Atlanta, and with their warmth and generous spirits, allowed us to see how Atlanta could be our home as well.

- laurenlogic, Brooklyn, NY

Outstanding Visit, Warm Friendly Inn Keepers

We stayed a week. Location is very close to downtown, close to MARTA; extremely accommodating inn keepers willing to drive you to MARTA if you don’t have a car. This is like staying at home, very comfortable, walking distance to outstanding top rated area restaurants.

- eheyman, Irvine, CA

Thank you all for writing such wonderful reviews!  We loved having all of you stay with us!

The 4oth Inman Park Festival is in full swing this weekend ( April 30 and May 1).  And isn’t the artwork that my friend and web design client, Jon Arge, did for the poster and tee-shirts this year absolutely fabulous?.

I’ll never forget my very first Inman Park Festival. We lived in Druid Hills( nearby beautiful but stuffy neighborhood) and came over to walk around the festival when I was a week overdue with my  first child, Amanda  (turning 25 next week) to be born. It was really hot that day and I hoped that walking around in the heat would send into labor, but the only thing I got was swollen ankles and she  took her sweet time to come another whole week later. I can’t believe that was 25 years ago.

When my children were young we would also come to Inman Park to Trick or Treat since it was easier to get from house to house and up the shorter driveways. We always loved the friendly community. In 1998, when I needed a building for the software company I ran at the time,  I was thrilled to find the perfect warehouse in Inman Park. It was ideal since we found our place in the industrial corridor that edged a neighborhood  of diverse styles and sizes of homes from the Victorian Gingerbread mansions, cozy, welcoming bungalows and restored shotgun shacks. Our warehouse loft area added another layer of interest to this amazing neighborhood.

This is my twelfth festival as a resident. We finished the unit we now live in back in 2000 and that year during festival we were on the Inman Park Tour of Homes with our freshly planted  garden. 2,500 people came through that day! What an experience. Our loft looks pretty much the same since then, but the garden sure looks a lot different now. Here are a few before and after examples and you can see more on my Flickr site.

We have had a blast this weekend The Festival kicks things off with the Butterfly Ball on Friday night, an event under the tent that is invitation only for the neighbors to get together for a big shindig. Kingsized played and we always love dancing to their first set of swing and old standards and then the Marching Abominables comes though the tent and gets everyone on their feet. After they go on their way, Kingsized keeps the tempo jumping with lively oldies and everyone is up and dancing with abandon.

Artist booths line the blocked off neighborhood streets and it is fun to stroll around and do some shopping. The best Parade ever, comes through on Saturday afternoon at 2:00. This year we had a full house at the Urban Oasis, as per usual for festival, but our guests coming from London said to expect them at 2:00! Oh No. We left a note for them on the mailbox to come join the festivities,  if they did actually arrive on time. It was a good thing we did not wait here for them because they got delayed and did not arrive until 6:00 PM !

For 21 years,  Inman Park neighbors have been holding an event called Theatre Night on the Saturday night of Festival. We sell tickets and sponsorships to the event which features acts from four of our local neighborhood Theatres. People bring picnic dinners and sit under the tent and enjoy a great evening of fun and entertainment. We raised 23,000 this year, which is splint between the four theatres and with grants for the Arts being harder to get with the downturn in the economy, it is very welcomed. I am on the committee and do their website and graphics and Duane helps to clean the tent from the days festivities before the event begins.

What a weekend! Be sure to get your reservations in for the Urban Oasis in plenty of time to get a spot for next year’s party! It is also the prettiest time of year for the garden.

Take a deep breath and smell the star jasmine and the roses as you walk up to the front door to the Urban Oasis!

We had a beautiful spring wedding here a couple of weeks ago at the Urban Oasis. Here is a video of photos from Megan and Tim’s wedding that was just held here on March 12, 2011. Note the  Weeping Ornamental Cherry Tree in full, glorious bloom. Also the Tulip Magnolia and the Redbud Tree were at their best. The wedding day was almost 70 degrees, but the bride and groom were very lucky. It has been cold and rainy for the two weeks since.

Tim and Megan had about 80 guests at their wedding. I like to cap our weddings here with the guest list of 125 people. That way when some can’t come we end up with about a hundred. If they were able to come that wouldn’t be a problem since we can hold more than that, it is just more complicated when the numbers get really big and I don’t think they are as much fin for anyone.

Location, location, location. We are in such a great neighborhood. In addition to lots of shopping and theaters and trails and history, we are smack in the middle of food and drink heaven. I hate to even begin to write this since I don’t have time to cover all of the good  places in this post. But, I wanted to give you a few of my favorites hangouts.

We are right next door to one of the best steak houses in the country, Kevin Rathbun Steak. It is a delight, dark with lots of atmosphere built out of an old warehouse right on the Atlanta Beltline. Their bar is a treat if you want to pop in for some apps and a nice glass of wine, and their covered patio, with its upholstered furniture is one of my favorite spots to get away and have a drink and some quiet conversation. When you go, you should really try the dry aged steak for two. I can’t tell you what else to try because Kevin changes the menu with the seasons and provides a lot of local specialties too. The heirloom tomato salad this past summer was just scrumptious.  Reservations are recommended ( 404-524-5600), but you can usually slip over to the bar and still have a meal.

Address 154 Krog Street Suite 200 Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Hours Dinner, Monday-Thursday 5:30pm-10:00pm
Dinner, Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-11:00

Rathbun also has two other restaurants on the next block of Krog Street. One is the flagship “Rathbun’s” and the other is the Krog Bar.

One of may favorite places to go out to eat is literally right over the tracks and around the corner in the Old Fourth Ward called  Serpas. Serpas was built out of an old cotton loading dock at what is now Studioplex. They did a great job with the build out,  keeping the character and the vibe.  One whole side of the building is glass and it faces west across the street from the water tower. When the sunsets the light in Serpas is divine. But let’s not just talk about the atmosphere, the food is amazing. I love the Flash Fried Oysters which are a regular item on the menu as well as the Tuna Tartar. Scott Serpas calls his food “True Food” and I it really is. classic comfort cuisine with handcrafted ingredients with a definite Louisiana flair. I always suggest that our guests go there while they are staying with us. You can’t go wrong. Duane and I go often and sit at the Chefs bar where we can watch what’s going on up close and personal. If you’re looking for more romance, a table by the window at sunset is the place to be. Yum. Make your reservations at 404-688-0040.

Address 659 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia  30312
Hours Dinner,  Tuesday – Thursday 5:30 – 10:30
Dinner, Friday  – Saturday 5:30 – 11:00
Brunch Sunday 11AM -2PM
Sunday Dinner 5:30 – 10:00

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary and are a fan of Mad Men and 60′s cocktails,  Sauced is for you. It is an intimate little building with rounded banquette upholstered seating around the tables in the front room. There is a great little patio for when it is not too hot or cold. And a cool bar that you can chill your heels and have a martini that is just right. Their food it wonderful and the menu changes frequently. It is old food updated using fresh ingredients and lovingly prepared. I couldn’t begin to do their menu justice. Go to their website and check it out.  Make your reservations at 404-688-6554.

Address 753 Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta Georgia 30307
Hours: 5:30 PM – 1:00 AM with the kitchen open late!
They are closed on Monday.

by Marcy Lamberson

Do you ever want to go on a mini vacation, but don’t have a lot of time for traveling? My husband and I opted for a “stay-cation” this year, right inside Atlanta. We had 2 nights available for a little adventure.

We live in the suburbs, but there’s so much to do and explore just half an hour away from our house in the city. So I started hunting for a B & B online. I’m a glass artist who looks for the unique and interesting places and we’re both the laid back types. I wanted to find a place that was fun, and casual to match our style.

The Urban Oasis Bed and Breakfast was perfect. I loved the colorful and funky mid century modern furnishings in a wonderful rehabbed building. The three Basset Hounds and two cats were the right touch too. So cute! Their varied art throughout the property gave me a lot to look at too.

We arrived and the owners, Judi and Duane were so welcoming and well versed on what to do in their Old Fourth Ward neighborhood and surrounding areas. From fabulous restaurants to running trails, we found out what we needed for the next day. Judi showed us our comfy room, with the great ensuite shower and extra comforter for the December night.

Would I return to Urban Oasis? You bet! We were invited to make ourselves at home with access to the kitchen, and open living room, dining room, tv, area.

That was our first mini in-town vacation, but definitely not our last. We still have a lot left to see, explore (and taste) in our own city. Getting away for a little bit worked perfectly for our budget and available time. We’ll be back.

Marcy Lamberson
Studio Marcy
January 7, 2011