Cheri Leavy visits with fellow UGA grads to talk beauty, style, gameday, and more!
Name: Lauren Finney
Family: Father Rob (The Ohio State University), mother Linda (University of Washington) and sister Sarah (Mary Washington College)
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Current Town: Atlanta, GA
What Years at UGA: 2002-2006
School/Degree: Family and Consumer Sciences: Consumer Journalism, minor in English
Profession: Editor in Chief of Modern Luxury’s The Atlantan and Interiors Atlanta
Accolades: I was in New York City for almost a decade where I got to start my career at Cosmopolitan; I’ve also worked for magazines ranging from Redbook to Ocean Drive in their fashion departments. Before moving back home to Atlanta, I helped Lonely Planet launch their fist-ever U.S. travel
magazine, Lonely Planet
Describe Athens in three words: Too much fun
Fave bars and restaurant in Athens: The Last Resort, City Bar
Fave shops in Athens: Agora—I see Airee (and end up buying something) every time I’m in town
Fave Athens landmark: Georgia Museum of Art
Describe your typical Bulldog game day: Some of my housemates back in college were on the Georgia men’s golf team, and they used to wake us up by blasting “Glory, Glory!” throughout the entire building. I annoy my boyfriend Wes (UGA ’03) by doing so, and then we drive up and park at a friend’s house in Five Points to walk down to tailgate hop, usually with my best friend Leigh Ellen (Matheny) Hubbard who is from Athens (’06). Shout out to the Straka family (Hillarie, ’91; Mallory, ’06) for always keeping us well fed! And our after-game ritual has always been the same—head to Last Resort. We don’t care how long the wait is—it’s just home, and Jaamy takes care of us.
Fave lipstick: Lipstick Queen’s “Hey Sailor”
Fave mascara: Tarte’s “Maneater”
Fave skin care line: Avene
Fave hair product: Leonor Greyl oil
Product you can’t live without: Sunday Riley’s “Good Genes” serum
Best budget buy product: CeraVe lotion
Best product splurge: La Mer
Fave fashion designer:I was a fashion editor in New York for a long time so this is tough! But I think what Pierpaolo Piccioli has been doing for Valentino is fabulous.
Fave interior designer: Miles Redd — he’s a Georgia boy, and we share the same “more is more” philosophy
Fave jeans: 3×1
Fave tee: ATM Anthony Melillo
Fashion idol: Most royals like The Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Rania of Jordan and Letizia of Spain, because they have to make choices that look timeless and that will hold up 50 years from now in photographs—and that’s no easy feat.
Fave flower: Ranunculus
Fave accessory: Bold earrings
Fave stationery: Mrs. John L. Strong
Who inspires you? Any and all working mothers!
Fave blog: The Cut
Fave instagram: @chrissyteigen. I don’t follow a ton of celebs but she is hilariou
Fave magazine: Mine, of course! The Atlantan and Interiors Atlanta
Fave book: The Secret History, by Donna Tartt
Fave song: Anything by Otis Redding
Fave artist: Matisse
SHARE A TAILGATE RECIPE:
Mexican Caviar:
Ingredients
• 2 cans of Bush’s black beans (rinse well)
• 1 bag frozen shoe peg white corn (thaw out or rinse)
• 1 bottle small bottle of Wishbone’s Italian dressing
• 1/2 of packet of taco seasoning
• 1 green pepper – diced finely
• 3-4 stalks sliced thinly green onions
• Cilantro – about 1/2 bunch
• 1 jalapeño – without seeds and diced finely
Preparation
Mix together. Refrigerator couple of hours or overnight before serving. Serve with chips.
FOR CHERI’S RECENT GEORGIA GIRLS POSTS with UGA ALUMNAE – click here
FOR CHERI’S RECENT PROUST Q&As with UGA ALUMNI – click here
FOR CHERI’S RECENT POSTS on THE SOUTHERN C – click here
