Walk the Walk

I am normally not a shoe girl. My narrow but flat feet make for the hardest time finding comfortable and cute closet additions. However, I can't help but obsess over some of this years trends. That is why I have decided to round up some of my favorites by style to share!

Tie One On

Steve Madden Serrina Block Heel - Dolce Vita Jasmyn Gladiator - Restricted Slow Motion Wedge

Feeling Fringe

Sam Edelman Gere Tassel - Five Worlds by Dordani Platform - Rebecca Minkoff Erin Tassel Sandle

Knock on Wood

Bed Stu Petra Wedge - Lucky Brand Mabaz Wedge - Sam Edelman Brynn Platform Sandal

Pop of Color

Dolce Vita Darrah Sandal - BCBG Ronny Lace Up Sandal - Nanette Lepore Bitsy Flatform

Feeling Sporty

Converse x Missoni Chuck Taylor All Stars - Nike Air Max 90 - Adidas Pure Boost X Running Shoe

What's on your wish list?

Restaurant Review: Catch

The places that instantaneously make your mouth water at the mere mention of the food are few are far between; however, I have one to add to your list. Catch located in Wilmington, NC is now topping my list of favorites of all time. While the atmosphere may look a little deceiving, the flavors of the local seafood pack a mean punch and will leave your tastebuds craving more. 

We started with the Crispy Calamari. It was fried to perfection and included two sauces: Sirachia Aioli & Campari Chile. Both were to die for, it was honestly hard to decide which one to go for between each bite. 

Most of us started our entrees with their Caesar salad. I wasn't starving so I skipped out on the starter salad but heard nothing but "yums" from the rest of the table. 

I was most excited about my entree - I ended up choosing the Cast Iron Blackened NC Mahi Mahi Filet served with white corn & edamame succotash, jumbo lump crab, and bacon vinaigrette. Can you say perfection? Not only was the fish cooked perfectly, but it was loaded with just the right amount of spice. The succotash helped cleanse the palette between cajun bites and accompanied the entree perfectly. Not to mention - the elegant presentation of each dish was second to none.

The chef is local Keith Rhodes. He first appeared on Bravo's Top Chef. Since then, him & his wife opened Catch as a local spot hidden on busy Market Street on the way to downtown Wilmington. He was so humble, sweet, and soft spoken and even took the time to come out and chat with us after the amazing meal. It made us even more excited to support the local joint & what they are doing for Wilmington.

I can't wait to go back. Though it is a pricier menu for more special occasions, I am already dreaming about all the locally caught picks (minus the salmon, caught in Maine). 

*Insert cravings for the lump crab cakes and pan roasted black grouper filet here*

Is your mouth watering yet?

Life Lately

During our weekly visit to Harris Teeter this past week all kinds of fresh spring blooms were on sale. Sarah and I chose a pretty bouquet of jade to liven up the apartment for Easter. Have I mentioned how much of an effect fresh flowers have on my mood? And only $4.00!

Last week I filed my own taxes. Now go back and re-read that statement because I am too proud to just have everyone read over it like its no big deal. It's my first time "on my own" and Turbo Tax honestly made the process seamless. I highly recommend it for no questions asked taxes.

Tonight I am headed out to Old Navy to pick up this spring dress for our trip to the beach this weekend. I think it will go great with the DV for Target shoes I asked for for my birthday on Thursday. A Twine & Twig Necklace would really complete the outfit but I haven't gotten around to picking one out yet. Everyone who knows me knows what a necklace girl I am!

This week is also my dad's birthday. He is always the hardest one to shop for in the family. I am really exited about what I chose to get him this year. I found The Legend's Club: Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Valvano and an Epic College Basketball Rivalry which came out at the beginning of this month & bookmarked it with a check to the Miracle League of the Triangle, an organization he helped start in Raleigh. 

My parents picked up their new English Lab puppy today. Her name is Beasley and my mom described her as a "rolly poly" puppy taking a tumble at every incline. I know they are excited for the love ahead but still mourn the loss of their last pup back in May. 

I am beyond excited about the next couple of nights. Tomorrow night, me and my best girlfriends are trying out The Peculiar Rabbit in the Plaza Midwood area. The drink menu looks amazing and the food I have heard is great as well. Not to mention, with such pretty weather, their rooftop view is going to be a spectacular backdrop to the evening. Thursday Hayden is taking me to Copper for dinner. I LOVE Indian food and heard this is in the running for the best in NC. Friday we are headed to Figure 8 to spend time with family for the holiday. I can't wait to spend the weekend with my parents' new little puppy!

What do you have planned for Easter Weekend?

Spring Dress Trends

I was beyond envious of all my friends who had the opportunity to attend Charleston Fashion Week this year. Prior to, each of them were frantic trying to figure out the perfect attire for each of the events they were to attend. I was so impressed by their picks I wanted to feature a few of their choices and some of my favorites I saw from the week. These are sure to be spring trends that transition into summer.

Delicate Pastels

Camellia Dropwaist Dress

$148.00

Elegant Embroidery 

Tessora Long Maxi Dress

$299.00

Juicy Tones

Dee Elle Leaf Print Maxi

$32.97

Off the Shoulder

BB Dakota Manda Dress

$88.00

Peek-a-Boo

Faviana Shimmer Satin Halter Gown

$438.00

Focus on Fringe

Cutout Back Fringed Dress

$19.90

What trend are you most looking forward to trying?

Spend & Save: Grocery Store Edition

Some things are worth saving the extra couple of bucks, some things are DEFINITELY not worth the trouble. Over the past couple of years, I have learned from experience. 

Here's what I have found:

SPEND

Paper Towels

Bounty Huge Rolls - $23.00 for 12 Rolls

Unless you like using 18 sheets to clean up a small drop of water & going through 12 rolls in the time it takes to normally go through one - I recommend spending the extra couple of dollars to buy the brand name PTs over the store brand ones. *cough* Harris Teeter brand *cough* My favorite are Bounty HUGE rolls. They last forever and somehow still seem to fit in a standard paper towel holder. Magic.

SAVE

Napkins

Harris Teeter yourhome Napkins - $2.96 for 500

My name is Allie Withers and my favorite napkins are Harris Teeter brand. Weird, right? I think the reason is because they last forever. My roommate and I bought some about ummm 6 months ago and were still going strong. Don't get me wrong, Ive never been a fancy napkin girl. Despite working in a China shop for 5 years, I still can't bear the thought of having to wash & iron cloth napkins ever. So needless to say, these guys are worth every penny. Literally. 

SPEND

Cleaning Products

Lysol All Purpose Cleaner in Lemon - $10.99 for Two

I would pay unthinkable amounts of money in order to keep my home clean. And willing to pay even more for it to smell clean. This AP cleans tough stains - from the floor to the oven, I am hooked and here to stay. It is so fresh smelling compared to the cheap chemical crap. 

SAVE

Toilet Paper

Harris Teeter your home Bath Tissue - $6.47 for 12

Ok, now is when you probably question everything I have ever said but listen up - I tried the HT rolls and you cannot tell the difference from brand name TP. Don't knock it until you try it, honestly because I wouldn't be believing me either. You even get to choose what you like in a TP. Bet you've never even thought about that before, am I right? 

SPEND

Cheese

Angus Barn Cheese Crock - $18.00

Grocery store cheese is gross. And molds approximately 18 hours after you buy it. Spend the money to get the good stuff people! There is such an amazing selection of cheese these days - not just kinds anymore but brands. try them! Be the cool kid who brings the cool snack to the party! I don't care if its string cheese, block cheese, sliced cheese. Spend the extra couple bucks and honestly, you'll taste the difference.

SAVE

Hummus - $3.99 & normally BOGO

Everyone loves some good hummus. Everyone does not love dropping $23,906 on it. Harris Teeter and other local groceries typically run their brand name hummus buy one get one free. Don't be fooled! If they are running the promotion, they will give you ONE for HALF the price. They just don't advertise it. So pick the yummy flavor and enjoy just as much as the one next door that costs $4.00 more and is made out of the same thing - chickpeas.

SPEND

Beer

Magic Hat Variety Pack - $16.99

Cheap beer is for college kids. I can say that because I was a college kid last year and it just isn't the same anymore. Once you move to a city where there are craft breweries on every corner you get spoiled, and the extra $$ is worth every sip. Instead of pretending to enjoy glorified carbonated water, really soak up the flavors of the different variety packs! You'll be thankful you did. 

SAVE

Double Dog Dare Wine - $3.99

I went to a wine tasting with a legit Sommelier. He said don't spend over $30 on a bottle of wine. and that you CAN in fact find a decent one for $10.00 regardless of what your parents and their fancy friends tell you. I am a huge Cab girl and one of my staples is $4.00. No shame! I like what I like, and I'm saving $10.00 every time I buy one. Win. Win.

Easy Weeknight Lettuce Wraps

Disclaimer: this is normally more ingredients than I like to use in a recipe. Especially those one off ingredients you normally look at and scoff knowing you'll never use it again (what the heck is hoisin sauce). HOWEVER those are the recipes that work best when you're cooking with friends and splitting the ingredients between everyone. Spending time with girlfriends & trying recipes you might not otherwise? 

Win. Win.

Ingredients:

- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil

- 1 lb ground chicken

- 2 cloves garlic, minced (I used the minced garlic from a jar)

- 1 onion, diced

- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

- 1 tablespoon Sriracha 

- 1 can water chestnuts, drained

- 2 green onions, thinly sliced

- salt & pepper to taste

- 1 head butter lettuce

1. Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, making sure to crumble the chicken as it cooks. Drain excess fat.

2. Stir in garlic, onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger, and Sriracha until onions have become translucent. Stir in chestnuts and green onion until tender (1-2 minutes) and season with salt and pepper

3. Serve in the center of butter lettuce, taco style

I served with rice (would recommend white rice) & edamame

Enjoy!

It All Sucks Until It's Ok Again

So this was supposed to be a "Weekend Recap." One talking about my fantastic weekend spent home with my parents that turned into a productive Sunday evening of cleaning out my closet. However, things took a turn for the worst when I was turning around on a side street after realizing I was headed the wrong way to the Goodwill drop off. I pulled out thinking the oncoming car was turning right on the street I was exiting (their blinker was on) and I bumped right smack into the back right side of their car. So now I am hiding in a Panera booth by myself crying about how everything seems to be going wrong recently. 

Nothing is helping. I called my parents who were totally cool with it since I am in one piece. Called my boyfriend who tried to make me feel better by saying their blinker shouldn't have been on. and even googled in desperation "what does the Bible say about 'why me'?"

The Bible verses didn't even apply. It frustrated me even more. They were all about death, coping with serious health issues, poverty, and complete desertion. Well if it hasn't hit you already this is about when it hit me. Why the heck am I sitting here crying over a mistake that sure, will cost a pretty penny, but thank the good LORD didn't cause any physical harm? One that didn't leave anyone I love in danger. One that won't leave me so desolate that I would have felt guilty treating myself to my favorite meal immediately after it happened?

"Things" could always be so much worse. Sure, you're allowed to mope and feel bad for yourself and ask "why me?" but in that there is where you should find the realization that THIS IS LIFE, MAN. Shitty things happen every day. Even to those people who are the happiest ones you know - you know the acquaintances I am talking about, the ones you want to be more like because they radiate joy with every thought. It's how they roll with the punches that make them the coolest ones to be around. Hate to break it to you but they have the same sucky days as you they just have a much better perspective about it. They get it. Your life is going to happen whether you want it to or not. Every detail in it is already planned out. And if you aren't ok with that - take a minute to remind yourself who you're offending. . .

So roll with it. Instead of being the mopey bitch who's pissed at the world because she just slammed into someone inconveniently, be the one who's genuinely concerned with the health of those involved and who puts forth the effort to do whatever she can to make it right. After all, in everything you do let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 

A Pep Talk From Kid President to You

Weekend Recap

I was so thankful to have spent the weekend in Hampstead, North Carolina at one of my best friend's beach houses. After 7 consecutive weekends in Charlotte, the timing couldn't have been better - I was itching for some new scenery and the salted air cured that wanderlust.

After a five hour drive and some delicious Smithfield's Chicken N Barbecue, we arrived late Friday night and immediately cracked open a beer and enjoyed each other's company. There were four couples this trip - four of my five college roommates and each of our boyfriends. I am so thankful that everyone gets along so well. Each of our personalities are so incredibly different its like we all fit together like a puzzle, incomplete without a missing piece.

Saturday morning was a lazy one. We woke up groggy from the night before and took our time making hash brown casserole, eggs, & bacon to indulge in. They paired nicely with our Bloody Mary's & Mimosas - nothing like a little hair of the dog, am I right?

Saturday afternoon was spent in downtown Wilmington, enjoying local beer at Front Street Brewery and walking around town enjoying the breezy but unbeatable weather. On our way back, the boys picked up kabob ingredients for dinner while the girls headed back to prep some appetizers. Yes - we did split up boys and girls during the car trips after the guys insisted on a "men car." *eyeroll*

Saturday night another sweet college friend and her boyfriend joined us after a delicious grilled meal. We were so exhausted from the night before and the day's adventures that Saturday night quickly turned in to an early to bed, early to rise one. Speaking of early to rise - I was the first one to do so and brewed a pot of coffee to enjoy on the dock before cleaning up and heading back to reality.

I couldn't have asked for a more peaceful scene to end the much needed weekend away. There is nothing quite as humbling as being able to sit and listen and enjoy what the Lord created for us and the friends that He so carefully chose to put in our lives.