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Find of the Week: Foxcroft Wine Co

I always passed it on my way home from Dilworth - the quaint, corner spot decorated with the most adorable outdoor lighting. Last night, I was finally able to actually try Foxcroft Wine Co with some girlfriends. 

If you think the outdoor seating is a cool atmosphere, just wait until you make your way inside. Each wall is decorated with endless bottles of reds, whites, roses, and everything in between. Their menu  was extensive without being overwhelming. I ended up choosing a half pour of their featured Chianti & another half pour of their New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious!

If you were like me and thought a wine bar wouldn't serve food, you are (gladly) mistaken. Foxcroft features a full menu of items ranging from flatbreads to sliders to daily chef's choice bruschetta. Though I had eaten before (zoodles, duh) I snagged a couple of bites of the charcuterie board which was as delicious as it was beautiful. 

If you're a Charlotte wine lover, definitely check this place out. I visited the Dilworth location but have heard the Southpark location is just as neat. 

4 Ingredient Dinner: Zoodles & Meatballs

An easy weeknight dinner gets me more excited than you probably think. Tonight, I had little time between getting home from work and heading back out for a wine night with some girlfriends. My meal plan was even quicker than I had imagined. Such a simple, delicious, and healthy surprise!

What You'll Need: 

- Veggie Noodle Co. Zoodles (available at Whole Foods)

- Aidell's Italian Style Chicken Meatballs

- 1 Can Diced Tomatoes

- Mozzarella Cheese

- Salt, Pepper, & Red Pepper Flakes optional

1. Add oil & a spoonful of canned garlic to skillet & heat

2. Add zoodles, salt & pepper, & red pepper flakes and cook 3-4 minutes stirring

3. While zoodles are cooking, microwave meatballs 3 minutes

4. Add diced tomatoes to zoodle pot

5. Stir in heated meatballs

6. Plate & top with mozzarella cheese

I served with a slice of French baguette toast. 

Enjoy!

Weekend Recap: A Visit Home

Another weekend, another lonely camera roll. I guess we should all be used to this by now but I promise I will continue to try to take more/better pictures!

This weekend, I headed back to Raleigh to spend some time with friends I hadn't had the chance to see in a while. Saturday morning was spent at one of my favorite places in Raleigh - a true "hidden gem." Morning Times is tucked away downtown and is the perfect coffee spot as it is completely unique serving seasonal brews that change all the time. I have never chosen one I didn't like. 

Their biscuits are also to die for. I indulged in a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast biscuit while Kara chose the breakfast burrito. We made our way upstairs to a quaint table by the window. The atmosphere is next to none and the dining area slowly filled with such a variety of weekend coffee lovers. My dad has always been right - morning people are the best people.

After catching up with Kara, I met my mom at Crabtree Valley Mall for some weekend shopping. Though I wasn't as successful as I had hoped, I managed to score this 1 State Polka Dot Dress (nothing beats a shift), a Lucky Brand Night Dreamer Wrap Bathing Suit (obsessed with the support this style gives), and these comfortable Rock and Candy Sandals (I've been on the hunt for the perfect work sandal). 

Most of my weekend was spent playing around with my parent's new puppy, Beasley. She is the absolute cutest and is entertained simply by throwing the ball.

Saturday night my mom introduced me and one of her friends to the local Cinebistro. We waited until our movie was called and made our way into the extravagant theatre where we were greeted by the most comfortable, leather recliners I have ever met. I enjoyed a delicious cobb salad & my mom and her friend ordered the fish tacos & brussels sprouts (highly recommended, so delicious!). We split a bottle of wine & enjoyed the comedy. I will definitely be returning for a date night next time I get back to Raleigh!

Please excuse this horrendous selfie and pay attention to the happiest, most adorable women beside me. 

I got to spend Sunday morning at my favorite church, Hope, with one of my best college friends/roommates. It was so nice to feel at home again as I am struggling to find a church I love as much in Charlotte. 

Finally, I caught brunch with Meggie, one of my best camp friends at Toast Cafe in Cary. They had a delicious breakfast burrito and the servers are always so polite. I hadn't seen Meggie in a while so we talked over coffee for a while before it was time to make my way back to Charlotte. 

Now that this weekend is over, there are many more busy ones to come! I am excited for my parents to visit Charlotte this weekend for Father's Day. It has been over a year since they have visited and I am planning on showing them some of my favorite local spots before we catch a Knight's game on Saturday night!

Happy Monday!

Dreaming of PJs

Now that I have graduated and started a "big girl job" (has it really been a year?!) I feel out of place wearing my usual oversized, frumpy t-shirt to bed. Hence my newest obsessed with PJs of all kinds. 

It all started when my brother & sister in law gifted me with the most glorious set of PJ Harlow pajamas for my birthday in March. I couldnt get over the way the fabric glides over my skin & how elegant a simple set of loungewear could be.  I have the Daisy Top & Mikel Shorts and wear an XS (recommended size 0-4) for reference. 

I also picked up these DKNY Citi Essentials Pants at TJ Maxx and they feel like heaven. You know the feeling of a new Piko shirt - those trendy tees made with bamboo? Ding ding ding.

 Normally I am totally against anything on my legs under the sheets, but for something so soft like these, I was more than willing to make an exception. I found a pair of black pants at TJ Maxx but am loving the heather gray here. Definitely recommend sizing up on these for a more loose, comfortable fit - I bought a medium.

Though I haven't tried Honeydew Intimates yet, I have heard nothing but great things about the soft, femininity of the brand. This nightgown is definitely on my wish list for summer nights to come. 

And how cute is this one for future brides to be?

Lucky Brand has also come out with some adorable sleepwear singles & sets. I love these boxer shorts with a simple tank or tee. Some of these colors are on sale for just $8.99!

Target has also been killing it in the loungewear category too. 

I love both this classic Periwinkle Set & trendier Fringe Set.

Finally, this wouldn't be a true PJ post without featuring my favorite robe. My mom gifted me this basic Jockey Robe for Christmas and I have a hard time giving it up for even just a day. It is light enough I am not sweating bullets when blow drying my hair but heavy enough to lounge in on a lazy, cooler Saturday morning. She monogrammed the back where the tie is attached to add a little personalized touch. Highly recommend this purchase - you won't regret it!

I have the black (of course!) but am loving the light blue. 

What's your go to sleep set?

Find of the Week: Happy Hits

Summer never truly starts until you've found a go to, feel good playlist to kick it off. Luckily, I got ahead of the game and came across Spotify's Happy Hits playlist that immediately had me craving the obligatory summer BBQ, a relaxed day spent on the beach, and the windows-down, wind-through-my-hair drive back to Raleigh all at the same time. That's when you know it's good. 

I found myself constantly surprised by the catchy songs that piggybacked off one another. The list included a range of recognizable radio hits to newer, never before heard beats that had me immediately making a "to download" list. 

You can find some of my recent favorites here: 

Kill the Lights

Lush Life

Sweet Lovin

 Hymn for the Weekend

I hope you enjoy as much as I do!

Easy Weeknight Dinner

Are you ready? Because here comes the absolute easiest weeknight dinner I have posted yet. 

Grab yourself a bag of Harris Teeter steamable green & yellow bagged beans and download the new Chick-Fil-A App and you're set. 

After downloading, Chick-Fil-A is offering a FREE Chicken Sandwich of your choice! Choose between the classic, spicy, or (my favorite) the grilled. 

Easy? Check. Yummy? Check. Healthy? Check. Perfect? Almost. 

Weekend Recap: Kiawah Island

After this weekend I feel like I am the walking example that "a bad (weathered) day at the beach will always beat a good day at work." Though we came face to face with Tropical Storm Bonnie this past weekend during our family vacation/celebration of my mom's 60th birthday at The Sanctuary, we made the most of the days despite the damp weather. 

Right when we pulled up on Friday afternoon, the first thing Hayden and I did was change into our bathing suits to meet my brother, his family, and my parents at the pool. It was the only time there was true sun shining so we wasted no time soaking up as much as we could before dinner!

We wined and dined at Jasmine Porch that night and indulged in the most delicious cocktail I have ever had. It was a mango margarita that was on special using the finest patron. They hosted an event and were trying to rid of the excess liquor - needless to say, my family was happy to help. 

Saturday was rainy - so much so that we barely got any time on the beach. Instead, we spent our time enjoying the most delicious breakfast buffet, spent time under the covered bar by the pool, & made our way to the Freshfields Village to explore the cutest shops. 

Saturday night was spent at the weekly Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ. It was POURING, harder than I have ever seen it rain, but was so happy my family toughed out the storm and didn't let it get in the way of our plans. The oyster roast was delicious and served everything from oysters to BBQ, to corn on the cobb to banana pudding. The live music on the steel drums were so fun and made for great dancing. Holland & Hensley got their hair braided, picked out a few tattoos, and colored backpacks handed to them at the door. If this was a fun night in the rain, I can't imagine how fun it would be in beautiful weather. 

Sunday's weather luckily held out a little bit better. It ranged from overcast to misty to downright raining. Yet again, we made the most of the opportunities we had and spent the morning snuggled up on the beach under towels & umbrellas. After the rain rolled in, we checked out The Sanctuary's indoor pool for a while and topped off the day with an 8 mile bike ride to the end of the island that houses the famous Ocean Course & it's clubhouse. 

Sunday night we cleaned up and headed off Kiawah to Seabrook island to Lokal. We were so thankful that the rain had started to clear that we ate outside & enjoyed the boats docked beside the restaurant. Holland & Hensley loved being able to run around, we loved the weather and delicious food - it was a win, win!

Monday morning, we snuggled up again on the beach to enjoy the last sounds of the sea before heading back to reality. On the way out, we stopped at Cherrywood BBQ Ale House. It was recommended to us if we wanted to see Kiawah's famous Alligators and it didn't disappoint! There were four gators sunbathing when we got there, unfortunately my first inclination was to snapchat the massive creatures rather than snap an actual picture. We enjoyed watching their every move over the most delicious nachos EVER. 

Kiawah was the perfect vacation. Even though it rained, I can honestly say I was so happy to have been surrounded by the positive attitudes of my family. The Sanctuary was the nicest hotel I have ever stayed, the food was delectable (the breakfast was indescribable), and the service couldn't have been better. Even though my expectations were high, this weekend did not disappoint and as you can probably tell, is hard to even put into words. I am so thankful to have a family that makes weekends like this so much fun and parents who are willing to share their vacations with us!