My Style: @coolatlanta founder Sarah Spear

Meet the face behind the popular Instagram account
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Sarah Spear

Photograph by Ben Rollins

Not long after moving here in 2012, Spear launched an Instagram feed called Cool Atlanta to showcase the city’s style, food, and spaces. Today more than 28,000 people follow @coolatlanta, though Spear herself has stayed hidden behind the camera. (Consider this her unveiling.) Last year, after discovering Spear on social media, developer Paces Properties hired Spear as its marketing director. “I really believe in this city,” says Spear, “and I want to see it grow positively.”

Hails from I was born in Chamblee but grew up in the suburbs of L.A.
Neighborhood East Atlanta Village. I love that it’s still got some grittiness.
Local cravings I dream about the fried chicken and the scallion pancake from Gaja.
Last thing you bought A greeting card from the Merchant. I go there once a week to add to my collection of cards.
Spectacles Warby Parker. I’m a big fan of their business model, keeping the frames inexpensive but still cool.
Go-to drink Night on Ponce from Three Taverns Brewery. I worked there for two years and was actually the second hire; my uncle owns it.
How you get inspired Drinking coffee and looking at Pinterest and blogs like A Cup of Jo, Swissmiss, and Cool Material.
Where you shop Chrome Yellow Trading Company is so beautifully done. I go there for Ace & Jig, Hackwith Design House, and Another Feather jewelry. And Stumptown coffee.
Thanksgiving tradition My sister and I throw a “friendsgiving” every year. Everyone brings a dish; we provide the turkey. There are games. We put a lot of thought into table decor and nameplates.

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Insta cred

Spear takes all of her pics on her iPhone using editing app VSCO. Some of her favorite Atlanta feeds: @brother_moto and @kafurniture.

This article originally appeared in our November 2016 issue.

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