Style by Danielle

I am really loving this blog series.  I convinced my best friend, Danielle, to participate.  Her responses are great! Danielle is as funny as she is stylish. Enjoy!

Go to outfit: times have changed now that I'm a mom, so truth be told, yoga pants and a cute jacket (ugh, I'm that mom now)

Style mantra: one trend at a time. less is more. stay classy

Scent: Chanel. (the pink one.. I can't remember the damn name)

Piece of Jewelry: my gold "A" necklace- great layering piece and I should say the damn statement turquoise ring I spent my life savings on. good thing it is pretty 

Color:  to wear, black... accessory colors, cold and turquoise 

Flower: peonies

Dream Project: get our new house furnished and decorated!

Fabric or Textile: cashmere 

Hostess Gift: wine and cocktail napkins

Meal: happy hour

Drink: wine: expensive, delicious, big, bold wine

Way to Unwind: working out or happy hour

3 Things I Love About My City: restaurants, location, and the fact I live two blocks from my bff

Weekend Destination: Charleston  

City:  San Francisco, NYC 

Song that Always Puts Me in a Good Mood: anything by Van

Actor or Actress: Bradley Cooper, Meryl Streep.. oh too many to list 

Prized Possession: my daughter

Greatest Extravagance: shoes and good wine

Go-to Color Palette: black, denim, gold

Rule to break: never can tell

Movie Set Design: It's Complicated & Father of the Bride

I can never have too many: shoes & jeans 

Scenes from the Weekend

My weekend was filled with babies.  I met my friend, Mary Lyons, at The Brewer's Kettle after work on Friday.  We caught up over some craft brews and I snuggled her newest addition, Arthur.  How adorable is he? 

The remainder of the weekend was spent with my sister and her boys.  We got cupcakes downtown, Indochine takeout, took Graham to the beach for the first time, ran out of gas along the way, and ended the weekend having lunch at K38.  The boys did not sleep a wink,  but I was thrilled to have them visiting. 

Style by Bethany

After reading my "Style by Samantha", my sister created her own.  She did it to be funny, but it is so true to who she is that I had to share it.  Although we are best friends and have many things in common, our styles are very different.  So here is Style by Bethany, enjoy! 

Go to outfit: long shorts and a sweatshirt

Style mantra: comfort is key

Scent: burts bee milk and honey lotion or suntan lotion

Piece of Jewelry: my wedding band

Color:  red 

Flower: daffodils

Dream Project: gorgeous gardens (vegetable, herb, and flower) .. if only I didn't have a black thumb

Fabric or Textile: flannel

Hostess Gift: homemade treats

Meal: lunch

Drink: red wine

Way to Unwind: escaping into a good book, preferably on a beach

3 Things I Love About My City: restaurants, location, and weather

Weekend Destination: Wilmington to visit my sister  

City:  San Fran

Song that Always Puts Me in a Good Mood: Moon River

Actor or Actress: Paul Newman 

Prized Possession: my boys

Greatest Extravagance: good wine and cheese

Go-to Color Palette: why limit to just one? bold is key!

Rule to break: just the stupid ones

Movie Set Design: You've Got Mail & The Holiday

I can never have too many: dishes, lounge-wear, and shampoo varieties 

Bourbon and Biscuits Brunch

Last week I read an article entitled "Celebrate Lundi Gras with Bourbon and Biscuits" on Garden and Gun's blog.  Julia Reed spotlighted the annual brunch of two of her friends, Thomas Jayne and Rick Ellis.  The men are based in New York, but have an apartment in the French Quarter, where they spend a good deal of time during carnival season.  On Lundi Gras, the Monday before Fat Tuesday, they host a bourbon and biscuits brunch.  This sounded like my kind of party!  However, Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras had passed.  With Valentine's Day falling on Sunday, it seemed like the perfect excuse to host a "Galentine's" brunch.   Have y'all heard of this, this notion of Galentine's day?  The concept is celebrating love & friendship with your best gal pals.  Very last minute I invited them all over and they happily accepted! 

I picked up a bouquet of tulips from Whole Foods and set the table using my Kate Spade china.  

Brunch Cocktail- Frothy Milk Punch

The Menu: 

Thomas and Rick's Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Claire's Christmas Jam 

Bacon 

Eggs

 Fruit Salad

 Sausage Gravy

Style by Samantha

Go to outfit: favorite jeans, a blazer, & heels

Style mantra: timeless over trendy

Scent: Jo Malone - Wood Sage and Sea Salt or Dolce & Gabana - Light Blue

Piece of Jewelry: diamond stud earrings & my locket, a gift from Bethany

Color:  navy 

Flower: tulips

Dream Project: historic home in an old, southern city

Fabric or Textile: linen

Hostess Gift: champagne

Meal: brunch

Drink: bourbon 

Way to Unwind: music and a cocktail on my porch swing

3 Things I Love About My City: history, restaurants, proximity to water

Weekend Destination: Charleston  

City:  New Orleans

Song that Always Puts Me in a Good Mood: Me & Bobby McGee

Actor or Actress: Robert Redford & Kerry Washington 

Prized Possession: my cottage & Gidget

Greatest Extravagance: travel & good wine

Go-to Color Palette: taupe and seafoam

Rule to break: all of them 

Movie Set Design: It's Complicated & Something's Gotta Give

I can never have too many: blazers, works of art, books, or jeans

Loving

Favorite New Beauty Products
SunBum -
The coconut, mango, and grapefruit are my favorites.  

R+Co Moon Shampoo and Conditioner
I have been using this combination since November! It has enhanced my locks, giving them extra shine.

Guilty Pleasure
Binge Watching
Homeland, House of Cards, & Game of Thrones

Simple Pleasure
Chai Tea- Tea Time 
I was missing out, big time.  Afternoon tea has become a recent ritual, one I am loving! 

Listening and Loving
Chris Stapleton
I discovered Stapleton back in October and have been jamming out ever since.  I really wanted to see him in concert and wanted to see him this tour, before he completely blows up.  He recently added new dates to his tour, one of those being a show in Austin, TX with Hank Williams, Jr.  I was sold; I have been dying to visit Austin and dying to see Stapleton.  This was a win-win.  I bought my ticket, booked my flight, and am stoked for this trip!

Currently Reading
Anything by Tana French
Bethany bought me one of her novels for Christmas.  Since which, I have read two books by this author!  

My Town: Wilmington

Garden & Gun runs a series entitled "My Town" where writers, artists, and celebrities share their idea of a perfect day in their hometown.  Julia Reed for New Orleans, Shakey Graves for Austin, and John Fleer for Asheville; just to name a few.  I thought I would create my own, for Wilmington.  Although, I couldn't really limit my recommendations to one day.  Here you will find my entire city guide: my top restaurants, shops, and must see spots in Wilmington.  After four years back in the city, I have selected my tried and true favorites.

Activities

Walk the Loop @ Wrightsville Beach

Shopping @ Mayfaire, Lumina Station, & Landfall Center

Antiquing @ The Ivy Cottage

Pop in Redix @ Wrightsville Beach

Walk the Riverfront

Ice Cream @ Kilwins

Paddle board @ Wrightsville Beach
Britt's Donuts @ Carolina Beach

Time to Eat

Breakfast

Beau's Coffee House- 

This spot is serving great coffee with a sweet concept; all employees are mentally or physically challenged. 

Jester's Java- 

Located in a bungalow on Castle St. this breakfast/lunch spot never disappoints.

Causeway Cafe- 

Your basic breakfast dive, but with consistently delicious food.  Also, you can't beat the location.

Lunch

Fishhouse- 

I don't often recommend restaurants on the water.  Truth be told, the food underwhelms. However, Fishhouse has good food and an impressive view of the waterway. 

Sweet and Savory- 

This is a great deli/bakery located near Wrightsville Beach. Wonderful sandwiches! Also, don't miss the homemade chips.

Fork and Cork- 

This tiny little spot is delivering big flavor.  Try their duck wings or one of their burgers.

Copper Penny- 

The best pub food I have ever eaten. Do yourself a favor and order the spicy garlic wings or anything else on the menu.  You really will not be disappointed.  Expect a crowd, the place is the worst kept secret in the downtown area.

K38- 

A tex-mex gem on Oleander with killer chips and salsa. Sister restaurants, Tower 7 and Las Olas, are both good as well.

Dinner:

RX- 

This is my most favorite restaurant in Wilmington.  A farm to table concept located in an old drugstore on Castle Street.

Indochine- 

The coolest spot in Wilmington.  Eat in the garden and order the Jungle Curry. 

San Juan Cafe- 

Located in a modest building on Wrightsville Avenue, this spot delivers authentic Latin American flavors time and time again.

Brasserie- 

French Bistro near the beach.  Create your own salad or enjoy one of their killer French dishes.

Terrazos- 

Authentic Italian located near Wrightsville Beach. 

Dock Street Oyster Bar- 

A great dive for oysters and stemmed seafood. 

Drinks

Dockside

The perfect spot for afternoon cocktails.  Located on the waterway, it is the ideal location to watch the sun go down.

Fortunate Glass

A sweet little bar located on Front Street with an extensive wine menu.

The Brewer's Kettle

An old gas station turned bar, offering select craft brews and a cute place to play cornhole.

Satellite

Quite possibly the coolest bar in Wilmington.  It is located a bit of the beaten path but well worth the trip.  Typically feature some great bands on the weekend.  Sunday nights are dedicated to bluegrass.  

Manna

Head here for pre-dinner drinks.  Ian Murray, bartender extraordinaire, is constantly shaking up unique craft cocktails.

Beach Bars

You can never go wrong with a night spent on Wrightsville Beach.  Also, enjoy a late night hot dog at Trolley Stop. 

Color Struggle

My sister has long joked that white is not a color.  I argue this point, especially considering that my closet is filled with white, cream, beige, grey, navy, black, and tan items.  These colors make me feel calm and happy and chic.   I painted my dining room three colors before finally drenching it in White Dove by Benjamin Moore.  Then, I was satisfied.  

This was one of my most favorite outfits.  Although my sister prefers a wardrobe that resembles the rainbow, she fully supports my struggle.  The dress, cardigan, gloves, and locket were all gifts from Bethany.  A sweet sister and a simple, but classic outfit.  The shoes are my tan Tory Burch wedges. Although pricey, I wear them all the time.

Charlotte Weekend Getaway

I headed to Charlotte on Thursday afternoon and spent Friday playing hooky with my mom. We started out the day shopping at Southpark mall, one of my most favorite places.  While I love Wilmington, it doesn't have many shopping options.  I always take advantage of my trips home and do my shopping while there.  I stocked up on my makeup and picked up a few cute items from Madewell.  After shopping, we headed to Cabo Fish Tacos, a delicious restaurant located in NODA. The Tuna Tavaroo tacos are sensational.  

Friday evening my uncle fired up his outdoor pizza oven.  They have a beautiful outdoor space.  After cleansing for two weeks, I was craving cheese, bread, and wine: all of which were satisfied with this meal.

Glenn always keeps me laughing. 

Bethany and the boys arrived Saturday morning.  We ate lunch with my parents and spent the afternoon celebrating Jake's 3rd birthday. 

Lee and Jake, both sporting their cowboy attire. 

The Birthday Boy!

Finally, sweet Violet!