Chicago, IL
Chicago is a city I thought I'd enjoy but the reality is, I LOVED it. I was not aware of the huge food scene that resides there. I found out a little too late and was unable to get reservations to a place on my Michelin wishlist. That's fine, we'll return again...even...
Buxton, NC
Buxton Beauty This little gem sits on the sound side of the Outer Banks. I'm personally not the biggest fan of the waves, and sand in the southern heat. I love the sound of the water, the crashing waves and waking on the beach in the early morning and evenings but I'm...
Favorite places to eat in Gastonia, NC
Drift Drift is one of the newer places in the area and quickly became a favorite with their atmosphere and very covered outdoor patio that also feels very much indoors. the outdoor views are a huge bonus and a welcome addition to the area.[dsm_masonry_gallery...
Cherry Yum Yum
I've been hearing about this dessert for maybe 2 years now and I sort of blew it off...I don't particurarly care for cherries. I always pick the cherries off anythng I'm eating and sit it aside for someone else if they want it. I was recently asked to put...
Party Cheese Dip
Ingredients 32 ounces Velteta Cheese 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chillies (like Ro-tel) 1 8 oz package chorizo 1 lb package breakfast sausage Directions: Cook Chorizo and breakfast sausage then drain fat. Add cans of tomato with green chilies. Melt cheese and...
Elfa Closet System
Elfa Closet I’ve been debating on closet systems for a couple of years now and the thought of not being able to rearrange my closet shelving depending on what I buy or decide to get rid of….just makes me anxious and cringe a little. I’ve been eyeballing the...
Wild Mushroom Pappardelle
During my Charleston trip this summer, I was sort of trapped in the hotel room with our pupper for part of the day and unable to explore some due to the rain and I didn't want to leave him in the room to go eat at the restaurant downstairs or elsewhere. So, I...
Our favorite places to eat in Charlotte, NC
Well, this is more like a list of our favorite places in the Charlotte areas. The food scene in Charlotte is growing. While there is still a lot more to do to compete with other cities (such as Chicago or DC) we plan to visit at least one new restaurant a month for...
Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
Aside from pasta, I'm here all day for tacos. A particular favorite of mine is this very simple shrimp taco with cilantro lime sour cream. Very little prep time. This could also add tomatos, salasa, or whatever else you may like. I prefer it very simple. It's light...
Charleston, SC
Hotel Indigo As much as I love Charleston, I'd rather not go in peak season for a couple of reasons. The first is the weather...I'm not made to withstand the southern heat. It's not enjoyable for me. I remember when I was in high school and one of my best friends...
Alfredo Sauce
A good Alfredo is just...good. I always find myself wanting a little extra sauce that a lot of places don't provide. This recipe provides some extra sauce for two people. Double this recipe for more servings. The garlic will be noticeable in this recipe but I think...
Marinated Eggs
When I decided to make a more permanent switch to adapting a more healthy lifestyle, I quickly got tired of the same thing everyday and ventured out to see how I could add more flavor to my routine with subtle changes. So, as I was sitting and eating my Daves bread...
Backyard Demo
I'm not even going to pretend I loved this process. Thinking about finding someone to begin this process was stressful, calling people to come quote the project was stressful, deciding on someone was stressful....then I had neverending nightmares for weeks about this...
Dining Room Evolution
I like to joke with my husband that when I met him, the inside of his home looked like someone robbed him but left the electronics. It's been a few years in the making (mostly because I'm slow and indecisive) but it finally feels cozy. The latest addition of the new...
White Bean Cassoulet with Pork & Lentils
Perfect for a cold winter evening. Soups and stews just aren't the same in the spring and summer. Adding more heat and comfort to an already sizzling hot summer day just seems....uncomfortable. So for the fall and winter, I really get the experiment with these savory,...
Wine Cellar
WE ARE FINALLY HERE. Our DIY Wine Cellar is finally completed! We had this space underneath our stairs that served as poor storage space due to the shape. It had some wood paneling, old blue indoor/outdoor carpet, and outdated/overheating light fixtures. I ripped out...
Vintage View Wine Cellar Racks
Design Process with Vintage View To see my entire wine cellar build with before and after pictures, go HERE. When I was designing the wine cellar, I knew we could not fit traditional wooden racks under the stairs. I looked for wall mounted racks and came across...
Astoria
When I'm in an area, I search for Michelin-reviewed restaurants. So far, they've never disappointed. For me, spending my time on disappointment is just a waste. Relying on friends and social media to give recommendations can also be a hit and miss. When I plan my...
Chicken Marsala with Polenta
I've always liked chicken marsala. I was never really blown away by it. It's was an ok dish if I didn't see anything else on the menu I was interested in. So, when my husband decided we needed to make chicken marsala...not going to lie, I secretly did an eye roll....
Asheville, NC
Although we travel to and through Asheville often, we typically don't stay overnight because it's only about 2 hours away from us. I particularly love visiting their RH Outlet store. I love a true outlet...not these garbage that outlets have came to be in recent years...
Drunken Noodles
I LOVE a good drunken noodle dish, however, too often they are far too spicy for me to stay comfortable while eating it and after. I've never been into spicy foods. I can tolerate eating them but my stomach does not agree with the decisions my brain and mouth is...
Laundry Room Renovation
This wasn't even on my to-do list. I assumed, at best, we would replace the laminate flooring, new cabinets and paint. Suddenly, we have a leak in the toilet in the half bath directly above the laundry room. I only noticed it one day when I saw a black spot on the...
Thia Chicken Coconut Curry
I love a coconut curry. The coconut milk makes it feel so light and healthy but at the same time it tastes like comfort food. It is comfort food. This is one of the few curry/soup-like dishes I actually make in warmer months. Not all recipes can make the cut as...
Gumbo
This is a time consuming recipe, but it's TOTALLY worth it to make the shrimp stock. It adds an earthiness to it that I cannot find from a grocery store stock. The stock really does make all the difference. Also, grilling the andouille sausage is far better than pan...