Culture TEN

Take a gander at our first favorites for 2012.

Fab’rik has made a name for itself with the Atlanta shopping set. From its humble Midtown origins, the trendy boutique has caught on like wildfire, with more than a dozen locations nationwide. The folks behind the clothes have decided to keep it local for their newest location, now occupying the former American Eagle space at Atlantic Station. Now there’s no excuse not to look good. 230 18th St. NW, 404.685.8595, shopfabrikboutique.com

It’s funny how you never know you’re missing something until you have it. Case in point: Sky Zone, Atlanta’s first trampoline park. It’s a massive space completely covered by, well, trampolines. So whether it’s taking a SkyRobics fitness class, playing a game of vertical dodgeball or just jumping around, we’re amazed that staying in shape can be this much fun. 560 Old Peachtree Road NW, Suwanee, 678.745.9900, skyzonesports.com

Café Jonah is already one of the most comfortable spots in town to grab a cup of coffee (and perhaps some splendid oatmeal) and catch up with friends, but proprietor Jenny Levison’s new pay-what-you-want Sunday brunch buffet is, quite possibly, her most genius idea yet. The delectable spread, laid out in the main foyer, changes from week to week, which makes calling ourselves regulars a bit of an understatement. 3188 Paces Ferry Place NW, 404.343.4107, cafejonah.com

After the birth of her child, Atlantan Missy Rainey Ferguson found herself with less and less time for her passion—shopping. Dissatisfied with the quality of clothing on many online retail sites, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Shoddy-Ba-Chic is Ferguson’s solution—a website that emulates a boutique shopping experience, complete with friendly, personal attention. shoddy-ba-chic.com

Everyone loves gift cards. They’re easy to give, and nice to receive. But sometimes they go unused, stashed in a purse or a desk drawer. The solution? Plastic Jungle. This company purchases lonely gift cards in exchange for cash, and resells them for less than face value to someone who will really use them. Call it a win-win. plasticjungle.com

We’re all fans of leaving home with runway-ready locks. Now, thanks to beauty brand amika and designer Cynthia Rowley, chic hair can be achieved in a snap with the Cynthia Rowley Styler, a professional-quality flat iron that combines innovative technology with patterns pulled straight from Rowley’s spring 2012 collection. Available in February at Sephora

You pamper yourself, but what about your pooch? The Pet Set has offered pet grooming for years at its two locations, but what if that primping for Spot could come to your home? Voilà! The Pet Set’s mobile grooming spa is up and running, and it makes house calls. 2480 Briarcliff Road NE, 404.633.8755, thepetset.com

They’re clean but chunky—and available in Atlanta only at Pieces. These artisan-crafted pop resin necklaces have been making a splash at the Buckhead boutique, which recently welcomed a new petal motif into its collection. The clever combination of modern design—offered in a range of colors—with the simplicity of a leather cord makes these baubles perfect for dressing up an outfit with any degree of formality. $220, 3234 Roswell Road NE, 404.869.2476, piecesinc.com

The holidays are over, and the new year has you hitting the ground running. So here’s some backup for your last-minute dinner prep: Half Baked casseroles are prepared locally daily, and come in quite a few variations. Might we recommend the Hoppin’ John Casserole? Black-eyed peas, collards and pork: That’s Southern for good luck. 3185 Roswell Road NE, 404.228.5836, halfbakedcasseroles.com

Atlanta’s been going cupcake crazy, but as grandma used to say, there’s no such thing as too much cake. And so, we welcome Nothing Bundt Cakes to the arena. The concept has taken the nation by storm, but this newly minted Sandy Springs location is, as the name implies, your go-to bakery for some fresh, tasty bundt. And who says good food has to end with the holidays? 5975 Roswell Road NE, 404.236.2114, nothingbundtcakes.com