Every time I take a weekend trip to Atlanta, it goes without saying that I’ll be having a hearty and healthy breakfast at J. Christopher’s. For the life of me, I cannot make a pancake, so I rely on this cheerful restaurant (with several locations in the area) to bring me a stack of blueberry crunch cakes, served with granola, and a Thermos of hot coffee. Usually I’ll order a side of turkey sausage and some scrambled eggs too. Service is quick, friendly and helpful, especially if you can get there before the churchgoers arrive. The skillets are highly recommended and satisfying, and if you’re feeling indulgent, you can’t go wrong with the Eggs Benedict.

I’ve stayed in the Buckhead neighborhood the last few times in the city, and there’s now a J. Christopher’s location just up the street from three of my favorite stores — The Container Store, Crate and Barrel and Cost Plus World Market. (We don’t have these in Nashville yet.) Another popular location is in Decatur, which is probably where I’ll stay next time I’m in town, because of its numerous downtown drinking establishments. I’ll gladly take you to IKEA if you just let me spend one night at the Brick Store Pub. If you’re ever in the Decatur area, take in some music at Eddie’s Attic, where singers like John Mayer, Shawn Mullins and Jennifer Nettles all paid their dues.

J. Christopher’s also has eateries in Savannah, Ga., and Tampa, Fla., and a new location has just opened in Franklin, Tenn., about a half-hour south of Nashville. That’s not far from some challenging bike courses — lots of hills out there. I figure I’ll work up an appetite one Saturday morning and reward myself with a plate of pancakes. That’s something I’d never do at home.
 

The CMA Awards show is definitely country’s dressiest night, as stars abandon their favorite jeans and hop into haute couture for a few hours of photo ops. Designer duds may not be the norm for most of these artists, but it doesn’t mean they’re out of the loop when it comes to style. Trends that are hot in New York, L.A. and other fashionable cities show up on the CMA red carpet every year.
 
The menswear trend? Check. Martina McBride performed in a glam tuxedo and Sheryl Crow held the stage in a leather vest and pants. Detailing? Check. Soft, flowing gowns experimented with shirring, tucking, draping, bustling and all kinds of extras. Curls? Oh yeah. For the most part, the stick-straight hairstyles popular with young stars in the past few years were replaced with the loose ringlets seen on Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Jewel and other attendees.
 
The word that best describes CMA fashion 2007 might be “shine.” The fashion world says the sequin is back, and it was showcased on such performers as Miranda Lambert in red and Taylor Swift in black sparkling minis, and Reba McEntire in a glamorous, orange-sequined number. (Of course, when it comes to country music, have sequins ever gone out of style?) Glittery beads also joined the party, as in Carrie’s nude-colored Badgley Mischka spaghetti-strap gown with jeweled vine details. Even Martina’s tuxedo shone onstage, highlighted by a sparkly lamé tie.
 
“It was a very glittery CMA,” agrees stylist and fashion columnist Libby Callaway. “The guys got in on it, too — lots of the men’s jackets had a subtle sheen that really showed up under the lights. My favorite outfit was Jennifer Nettles’ shiny blouse and slacks. She proved that just because you’re going sparkly doesn’t mean you have to wear a dress!”