Holiday Orchid at Orchid Daze, Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Come celebrate the Atlanta Botanical Gardens 10th Anniversary of the Fuqua Orchid Center and the Orchid Daze Exhibition.  This years Orchid Daze exhibit opens on February 4th to April 15th, 2012. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze exhibit highlights unique varieties of orchids and tropical plants. The Fuqua Orchid Center is home to the largest collection of species of orchids in the United States. You  will be in awe of the sweetly scented lush orchids cascading from high above in a tapestry design with Moth Orchids and Amber Slipper Orchids floating above.

Orchid Daze at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

One of the best times to celebrate a romantic evening is February 11th, 7 to 11 p.m., when the Atlanta Botanical Gardens will open for Romance Blooms. This is the only evening the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze will be open. Enjoy an evening of live entertainment, cocktails, dancing and scrumptious deserts  surrounded by warm candlelight and sweetly scented orchids. While at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens indulge in a Custom BLEND Perfume.  A Master Perfumer will assist you in selecting from fourteen families of fragrance and design a perfume that is truly yours! As this magical Midtown evening comes to an end take home a complimentary long-stemmed rose.

Shellmont Inn is located just a short walk south of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. This exhibit is one of our favorites as evidenced by our previous blogs on the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze 2011 and Orchid Daze 2010.

Whether you live nearby or are visiting and looking for what to do in Atlanta, don’t miss the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze!

Toasting The New Year, Photo courtesy of www.sandraandgreg.com

Some of our fondest memories in 2011 are sharing in celebrating your anniversaries, birthdays, Atlanta weddings and other milestones. The sounds of happiness and laughter as guests stroll thru the inn and gardens. But our most precious memory is having the opportunity and privilege to meet wonderful people from around the world.

When you celebrate  this evening, whether with an intimate gathering of your closest friends, family or just the two of you, when the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve in Atlanta, Georgia,  we will pause at our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast and raise our champagne flutes to you, sending our Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2012.

May All Your Dreams and Wishes Come True in 2012,

Ed and Debbie McCord, Shellmont Inn

Chicken Dip – A Favorite for New Year’s Eve (from N. Storey)

1  8 Ounce Cream Cheese, Softened

2 Cans Swanson Chicken Breast, Drained

4 Ounces Buffalo Wing Sauce

8 Ounces of Monterey Jack Cheese (Sliced)

Layer in order above in 8 x 12 pan, ending with Monterey Jack Cheese. Bake at 400 for 20 Minutes.  Serve hot with Corn Chips.

ENJOY!

Shellmont Inn Christmas Gift Certificate

When you are checking your list off and still looking for that perfect Christmas gift for your friends or family, don’t panic.  Settle back in your favorite chair with a hot cup of tea and finish your Christmas shopping with the click of a mouse and give the Gift of Travel, a Gift Certificate, to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast, Shellmont Inn. As soon as they open their Gold Presentation Envelope tied with our Signature Burgundy Ribbon, that someone special will know you searched long and hard for that perfect present! Let them select the perfect time to book the room or suite of their choice. They can indulge in one of our sumptuous breakfast, relax in a spa tub or unwind on our verandas. We are always happy to assist them in planning their visit to Atlanta. Your guests will have an Atlanta Bed and Breakfast experience like no other. Gift Certificates are available on-line in increments of $50 to $500 dollars. Please call us at 404-872-9290 if you desire to purchase a value greater than the on-line availability or click here To Purchase A Gift Certificate (Click “The Inn” Gift Certificates)

Santa and the Shellmont Elves Wish You A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Christmas Gift Certificate

"Diana:A Celebration" Exhibition just blocks from the Shellmont Inn

Princess Diana's Wedding Dress near our bed and breakfast in Atlanta, GA

Our bed and breakfast in Atlanta, GA is excited to be located just blocks from the final stop of the US Tour of  ”Diana:  A Celebration” at the Atlanta Civic Center, presented by Delta Airlines.  The exhibit is opening, Saturday, January 23rd and will close on June 13th, 2010.

This tribute chronicles the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, “the peoples princess”.  The exhibit celebrates her life as a shy school girl, kindergarden teacher who captured the heart of a Prince and the world, Royal Bride, devoted mother and tireless humanitarian.

I was one of the over one billion television viewers who watched the Royal Wedding and was in awe of her charm, beauty and grace.

There are nine galleries with over 150 objects showcased.  My favorite is the Dress Gallery, which highlights Diana’s Royal Wedding Gown with its 25 foot train, the Riviere Necklace and her Tiara. Also, you will find 28 designer dresses by Chanel, Versace, Valentino and Azagury.  Many of the dresses are paired with her favorite hats.  One of her favorite milliners was Philip Somerville. The other 8 galleries highlight her family heirlooms, personal mementos, paintings and rare movies and photos.   Earl Spenser presents the audio tour of the exhibit. Also, the original text of his moving tribute to his sister at her funeral in Westminster Abbey is on display. The original musical score and lyrics of Elton John/Bernie Taupin’s composition adapted from “Candle In The Wind” and played by Elton John at her funeral in 1997 are also available for viewing.

When this exhibit concludes these personal and priceless artifacts will be returned to Princess Diana’s ancestral home, Althrop Estate in England.

 When planning that perfect Romantic Atlanta Getaway to tour the “Diana:  A Celebration”,  remember  to make your reservations at Shellmont Inn.  We  will always exceed your expectations!

Shellmont Inn Gift Certificates

Looking for that perfect last minute gift for a very special person?  Whether you are located on the other side of the world or right here in Atlanta, GA, a Shellmont Inn Gift Certificate is your perfect solution. Why hassle with the holiday traffic, fight the crowds at the  malls or immerse yourself in endless gift idea confusion when just a few clicks and keystrokes on the keyboard solves your dilema?  A relaxing stay at our Atlanta bed and breakfast is just what the doctor ordered!  Indulge in a sumptious gourmet breakfast, relax in a spa tub and unwind by strolling through our gardens or shopping at one of our nearby boutiques. A gift of lodging shows how much you really care. Our Gift Certificates are available online in fifty dollar increments from $50 to $500. Please call should you desire to purchase a value greater than the online availability. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!

Not one, but two photograpers shot an array of photographs celebrating the season, from our elegant dining room to guest rooms bedazzled with Christmas gifts for the eight page article in Victoria Magazine.  So, if you are looking for a unique gift or ”Favorite Thing”  to share with someone special this Christmas, reserve a Shellmont Inn Gift Certificate soon.  Happy Holidays!!

Evening at Cavalia near our Atlanta B&B

Show Horses

When staying at your favorite Atlanta bed and breakfast, the Shellmont Inn, of course, it’s wise to follow the advise of the resident Innkeeper regarding dining and entertainment options. As many of our regular followers already know, one of our favorite local restaurants is Mitra, a fusion restaurant with a Latin twist, located just around the corner from our bed and breakfast in Atlanta. A unique equestrian extravaganza opens today near Shellmont entitled Cavalia, billed as the largest touring show in the world with 65 horses traveling in 85 semi-rigs. Cavalia is the inspiration of the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil who has bedazzeled previous crowds with a modern mix of theatrical aerial ballet combined with amazing riding skills upon some of the most beautiful four-legged creatures of nature. For tickets and further info, visit cavaili.net or call 1-866-999-8111. Be sure and check out Shellmont Inn’s “Specials and Packages”  when planning your trip to Atlanta.

Horseman Fighting a dragon by Leonardo da Vinci

Most people think of Leonardo da Vinci as a inventor, painter and artist but rarely as a sculptor. But secretly, Leonardo aspired to be a sculptor and many of his drawings were intended to be utilized as prototypes for sculptures. Fortunately, the Atlanta High Museum of Art is hosting the exhibit entitled “Leonardo da Vinci: The Hand of the Genius” from now thru February 21st. The exhibit highlights the artists contributions to the Renaissance era of sculpture thru over 20 studies and sketches, some of which have never been viewed by the public. Also included in the exhibit are works of Rubens, Donatello, Rustici and Verrocchio, Leonardo’s teacher. One of Verrocchio’s best known works “Beheading of St. John the Baptist” is also on display.  But best of all, the High is located only blocks from the Shellmont Inn, a bed and breakfast in Atlanta. What better time to visit Atlanta than early fall when leaves are changing, temps are cooling, seaonal shopping for the holidays is in full swing and art is front and center stage. And when you are looking for the b&b Atlanta experience, come stay with the best! For more info and tickets for Leonardo, call 404-733-4444 or contact the Atlanta High Museum of Art.