Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta {review}

The Center for Civil and Human Rights is located in Atlanta and opened to the public in June of 2014. However, I had not had the chance to visit this well-revewed museum until last month. My school purchased tickets for students to visit during the month of January and I went with my boyfriend and friend. It's difficult to share everything that is so great about this place because every exhibit I saw really blew my mind. We spent about two hours touring the center, but honestly that wasn't enough time. I plan to go back and view the exhibits that I didn't have time to see. Student and educator tickets are just $13!

My absolute favorite exhibit in the Center was sitting at the lunch counter (above). Once you sit down, you are challenged to put on headphones and listen to the hateful insults and experience the creepily realistic verbal abuse that many black people who participated in sit-ins experienced during the Civil Rights Movement. The true challenge is to stay calm, seated, and keep your hands placed on the counter throughout the entire experience. 

Many objects inside the museum are interactive, yet stay true to the time period.

I love the location of the Center because it's nearby other popular Atlanta tourist attractions and has a great view of our city.

This room (above) that shares information about the March on Washington was one of my favorites. If you've been to Washington D.C. and seen the new Martin Luther King Jr. monument, you can see the similarities. The room in the Center has a very large, wide screen that plays scenes from the March on Washington and the program that took place in D.C. Sitting in that room, I felt like I had gone back in time and was experiencing this historic event. They have tissues available in this room and others because the experience is that powerful and emotional for many.

Even the floors in the building display information and visuals about Civil and Human Rights!

This center is truly a gem in our city, and something that everyone should experience. It is the best museum I have ever visited, and I've been to many!

Purchase tickets to the Center here.

Read more about the Center here.

Vintage shops in ATL

As much as I'd love to have a closet of all J. Crew & Kate Spade everything, that's not how life works when you're a college student/recent grad. And I'm OK with that because I've gotten some of my favorite items from thrift stores, vintage shops, or as hand-me-downs from my mom! Plus, you're more likely to have a one-of-a-kind piece and avoid matching someone else's outfit!

Vintage yellow beaded beret from my mom, love it! 

One of my favorite things to wear? Blazers.

White blazer I got in Cali for just a few bucks!

Love them, can't get enough of them.

And at least 80% of my blazers/sports coats are vintage.

Just got this skirt and color block blazer!

New blazers...every color :) to wear for work!

They're usually $5 or cheaper at vintage shops or thrift stores like Goodwill and in great condition! They have great items for guys, girls, and for your home. I always wash/dry clean my items after getting them, though! :)

Here are some of my favorite "vintage" stores in ATL:

The Lucky Exchange

The Clothing Warehouse

Poor Little Rich Girl

Goodwill

Buffalo Exchange

What's your favorite vintage item?

Ten Thousand Villages {Sustainable Fashion Night}

So, I just recently learned about a very cool store, Ten Thousand Villages, that is hosting a very cool FREE event, a Sustainable Fashion Night! The event is this Friday from 6-8pm. If you are interested in fair trade retail and/or fashion, listen up:

  Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit, Fair Trade retail store working to empower and provide economic opportunities to artisans in developing countries. This year the Atlanta store celebrates 20 years of Fair Trade in Virginia-Highland. Fair Trade provides under- and unemployed artisans with an opportunity to earn vital income and improve their quality of life by establishing a sustainable market for their handcrafted products. Ten Thousand Villages is a founding member of the WFTO - the World Fair Trade Organization, a global network of more than 350 fair trade organizations in 70 countries.

Check out the invitation below, it's sure to be a fun and worthy event:

Join Ten Thousand Villages for a Sustainable Fashion Night! We are keeping the store open an extra two hours on Friday, April 19, 6pm – 8pm! This is your chance to swing by the store on your way home and learn more about Fair Trade by checking out all of our Fair Trade jewelry, scarves, handbags, and other personal accessories. 

Some of the items you can expect to see at their store!

Sample delicious chocolates and sip coffee as you look for the perfect Fair Trade birthday, Mother’s Day, and graduation gift. This will be a time to exclusively preview the new April collection and its beautiful, vibrant hues. Boards highlighting spring’s hottest trends will be in the store for inspiration and Courtney – fashion consultant and owner of the glamorous Bridge Boutique – will be there to answer any and all of your burning fashion questions! Through SPAN funding, this event is made possible in part by Emory University’s Center for Community Partnerships, a proud co-sponsor.

<3

Staying safe in ATL {radKIDS}

My boss sent out this video to show how a non-profit organization, radKIDS, that he is involved with is working to teach kids how to stay safe and fight back if they are abducted. While abduction is a major issue for children, it also happens all too often to young women as well. I watched the video and made mental notes for how to fight off an attacker -- one of these tips could save your life in the case of an emergency. <3

Upcoming shows/events/concerts in ATL

It's the last weekend before school starts...bittersweet. I'm excited to get back on campus and see everyone, but also bummed that summer is coming to an end. On the bright side, this time of the year end of summer/start of fall is always full of fun events in the city - take advantage of them <3!

Sports

• Atlanta Falcons Games
• Atlanta Dream Games
• Atlanta Braves Games
• Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions --October 27
• TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola -- September 19-23

Music

• Jason Mraz Tour -- August 18
• Duran Duran -- August 19
• Mary J. Blige & D'Angelo -- August 28
• Enrique Iglesias & Jennifer Lopez -- August 29
• Train -- September 7
• Music Midtown Festival -- September 21 & 22
• New Edition -- September 22
• John Legend -- October 20

Movies

• The Apparition -- August 24
• Hit and Run -- August 24
• The Words -- September 7
• The Cold Light of Day -- September 7
• Liberal Arts -- October 5

Events & Exhibitions

Titanic - the Artifact Exhibition 

• The Addams Family -- August 16-19
• Spoken Word Night -- August 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Chicago The Musical -- October 4-7
• Titanic - the Artifact Exhibition