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On the job

I recently joined the staff at Collinson Media and Events in Atlanta, Ga., as associate editor. I'll be writing and editing for Connect meetings magazine, Rejuvenate magazine and Groupaway magazine, among other things.

Plus...

Garden & Gun story

Read my latest story, a piece about Key West in Garden & Gun magazine (post below).

The Weird Magic of Key West

It's hard to describe, the magnet that pulls you to Key West and keeps tugging at you even after you leave. I feel it still, after two months living in Atlanta. It's not an "I have to move back now" feeling, but rather a "I don't ever want to forget it" feeling. It's hard to define, but calling it a weird magic pretty much sums it up.

That's what the editors at Garden & Gun magazine titled a feature story about Key West in the February/March issue. Writer Lee Smith penned a touching piece on why the tiny island beckons writers, artists and adventurers and what it does to them, and I followed up with two story parts--the first, listing the restaurants, bars and shops that I loved and, well, everyone loves, and then profiles of four folks keeping the city's culture alive and weird. Reading the story reminds me that while I may have the left the island, I know it will never leave me.


By the way, that photo is by Randy Harris. Take a look at the rest of his outstanding photos that ran with the story.
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Welcome Shower

I arrived to Atlanta a little more than a week ago. Just days after I landed in the Southern city, I received a nice welcoming gift: a snow shower. I'm not talking 20 minutes of fleeting snow flurries. No, I'm talking about an entire day of fluffy, wet, cascading snowflakes that blanketed the city in two inches of the white stuff (watch it accumulate in this video).


Strangely, that snow made Saturday house hunting better, not worse. Atlanta has a number of amazing old neighborhoods filled with craftsman bungalows and tudor-style brick cottages that line each block, especially within the interstate perimeter that surrounds the city. We've focused our search in the Candler Park and Virginia Highlands areas, where the snow-capped roofs, trees and bushes made the neighborhoods almost magical, like they were ripped straight from the pages of a fairy-tale book.


I'll admit, I didn't exactly jump at the opportunity to move when Noah told me he'd been offered a job in Atlanta. But I'll also admit that I've been wildly happy with the city so far. It's one of those cities, much like Key West, that has embraced its history and architecture. Mid-century homes have been meticulously maintained, and those built in the early 20th century have been carefully restored. I've learned to appreciate those small details because a city and a place without character hardly feels like a home to me at all.

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Sparkle and Shine

This Sunday marks my ninth Valentine's Day with my now-husband. This morning, I tried to recall what we did each year to celebrate, and a few stand out. But perhaps the most memorable was our first Valentine's Day, when he, at 19, gave me a lovely tennis bracelet that he personally picked out. It wasn't accompanied by a card; rather, he scribbled a note inside the lid of the box that held the bracelet. I can't remember the exact words, but I know it mentioned "love" and "many more Valentine's Days together."

Well, he was right. And I'm not sure if it was the note that made me so happy, or the bracelet. Like most women, I'd much rather receive a gift in a small box this weekend than anything in a big box. Something that hints that inside is a precious gift, a gift of the jewelry kind.

And for that gift, there's only one place I'll point him. Eliza Page is the most wonderful, creative, interesting jewelry boutique you'll ever step foot inside. It's in Austin, Texas, and even though I don't live there anymore, I still head to the Website to find the perfect gift for special occasions. It has goodies from local and international designers, but all of the store's jewelry has one thing in common: it's original. I love Mingle jewelry by Austin designer Rachel Roberts for simple yet catchy pieces, like the Triple Loop necklace. I also love Shaesby, the line of precious jewelry by Shaesby Scott. I had the chance to write about the designer for Austin Monthly magazine, and he's as pleasant as his designs (I love his stackable rings).

Eliza Page is owned by the amazing Elizabeth Serrato, who I interviewed late last year for a Top 10 feature in Austin Monthly where I asked Elizabeth to share her top 10 style must-haves. So if you're having trouble coming up with ideas for what you want to get for Valentine's Day or, for the gentleman, what you want to give, I have two ideas. First, browse the selection on Eliza Page's Website, or second, read below what Elizabeth can't live without. Inspiration all around.

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Libby Hoppe

  • writer | editor | photographer

      contact: libby@libbyhoppe.com
  • Topics

    • Writing (16)
    • Key West (14)
    • Photography (11)
    • Austin Monthly magazine (10)
    • Published Work (10)
    • Austin (7)
    • Editing (4)
    • Food Glorious Food (3)
    • Style File (3)
    • Meet and Drink (2)
    • Must See Must Do (2)
    • Atlanta (1)

    Recent posts

    • ▼ 2010 (5)
      • ▼ April (1)
        • The Weird Magic of Key West
      • ► February (2)
        • Welcome Shower
        • Sparkle and Shine
      • ► January (2)
        • When Time Stops, Then Starts Again
        • Grab Your Keys
    • ► 2009 (19)
      • ► December (1)
        • Fresh Take - Key West
      • ► November (1)
        • Free Strange Chickens
      • ► September (1)
        • Beach Baby Photo Shoot
      • ► August (1)
        • No Hurricane ... Yet
      • ► May (4)
        • Not All Beaches Are Created Equal
        • We're Gonna Have Fun, Fun, Fun
        • Don't Miss: Santiago's Bodega Key West
        • A Girl Can Dream
      • ► April (10)
        • Pretty. Simple.
        • Don't Miss: Camping at Bahia Honda
        • Don't Miss: Bagatelle Key West
        • Love Thy Earth
        • The Education Issue
        • Don't Miss: Island Dogs Bar Key West
        • Don't Miss: Sunset Cruise in Key West
        • No Taxation
        • Breakfast of Champions
        • The Show Must Go On
      • ► March (1)
        • Music Mayhem
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