Why "Wilmington and South"?

Several people have asked me why I chose to call my blog "Wilmington and South," so let me explain.

When I first decided to start a blog, I knew I wanted to write about life in Raleigh - favorite places, new places, settling into an apartment, and some thoughts on personal style thrown in here and there. As I tried to come up with a name for the blog, my good friend, Julie, asked me two questions: What do you love most about Raleigh, and do you have a favorite place downtown?

Answer #1 - I love that Raleigh is only a few hours from the beach, and I love that it is in the South. So many of my favorite memories are family trips to the beach, and I love the tradition and culture of the South, especially the Carolinas.

Answer #2 - My favorite place downtown is the Memorial Auditorium (now known as the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts - kind of a mouthful, no?). Music and ballet have always been part of my life, and I love going to see Carolina Ballet's productions or to hear the North Carolina Symphony downtown. The Memorial Auditorium happens to be at the corner of Wilmington Street and South Street.

And thus, Wilmington & South was named. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what my blog is all about (thanks for sticking around to find out with me!), but at least I have a name that I love.

Spring Pieces

I have been scouring the internet for a rehearsal dinner dress to wear this summer (no luck so far...). But in doing so, I've come across some great pieces for spring! If only I needed them...

Love the simplicity of this trench coat from Ann Taylor - perfect for cool days and spring showers.

This monogramed leather tote from Tuckernuck would be a fantastic staple year-round! 

It took me a little while to get used to the tassel trend, but I really like this classic gold necklace from Baublebar.

Love this light, long-sleeved dress from Ralph Lauren.

How fun are these loafers from Joe Fresh?! So cute with dark skinny jeans.

I've been rotating between pearl and gold studs for the last few months, so these turquoise earrings from Tuckernuck would be a nice change.

12 in 12 - Joule Coffee and Table

So, February kind of snuck past while I wasn't paying attention, and I completely forgot to visit one of my 12 restaurants in 12 months! I mean, lets be real - February is significantly shorter than every other month, it's kind of easy to blink and miss it! (I know - excuses, excuses...) Since I dropped the ball in February, I'm planning to try two places from my list during the month of March.

First up: Joule (and a bonus trip to the Yellow Dog Bread Company).

This trip started as a spontaneous "lets go with Jeanne to get some bread - she wants to show us around downtown" kind of day. Sweet friends of ours, John and Jeanne, own one of the most amazing places in Raleigh: Sola Coffee Cafe. Seriously, if you haven't been, please do yourself a favor and grab lunch with a friend, or bring a good book and get a cup of coffee, or get dinner there during the live music they have EVERY Friday and Saturday night! Anyway, Jeanne offered to take my mom and me on a little tour of her favorite places downtown if we went with her to pick up bread for Sola at The Yellow Dog Bread Company. So we started the morning there with some coffee and spelt bread and a rosemary scone (amazing, by the way).

After pointing out some of her favorite places to eat downtown, Jeanne directed us to Joule. Joule is one of Ashely Christensen's five restaurants in downtown Raleigh. She is about to open three more, one of which is going into a space that used to house a bank, and a funeral home, and law office (all at different times in the past). Sounds a little strange, I know, but she's calling it "Death and Taxes," and I can't wait to try it!

Lunch at Joule was so fun! The atmosphere is almost what I would call "upscale diner." The floors are tiny black and white tile, and the chairs are orange lacquer to match the old diner coffee pots that line the shelves behind the bar. 

Jeanne ordered "Uncle Alex's Cubano" with a side salad:

My mom got the "Joule Cobb" salad:

(Check out that avocado!)

While I tried the "Peppered Chicken Club:"

Everything was so good! I would definitely go back to try their "Endive + Radicchio Salad." Someone at another table ordered it while we were there and it looked wonderful.

After seeing so many of the places that Jeanne recommended, I'm thinking I'm going to have to switch out a few on my list for the rest of the year. I'll keep you posted!

Any other places in Raleigh I should be checking out?

New Music

I'm not one of those that has to be the one who "liked that band way before they were cool." Most of the time I just listen to whatever is already popular, or Keith Urban, or Harry Connick Jr., or *cough* Beethoven. Every now and then I like to check out what's new on Noisetrade with the hopes that something will jump out at me. The other night I was just kind of scrolling through the singer/songwriter genre and happened upon this band. (Honestly it was the album cover with the deck shoes that got me. I mean when everyone else's album covers are over-filtered photos of trees, the deck shoes kind of stand out...) Anyway, I went and bought all their music on iTunes. I never do that. Ever.

This one is probably my favorite:

Although this one is also right up there.

Any other new music I should be checking out?

Apartment Update: Art

I was looking around the apartment the other day and realized how much art adds to the feel of a space. We still have a couple bare walls that could use a little frame or two, but for now, they are just fine the way they are. Here's a quick peek at some of the ways we've covered the walls around here so far.

{This one painted by my lovely roommate!}

 In addition to frames and art, having some greenery on the walls somehow makes the place feel fresh. I love the wreaths we have hanging around the apartment.

Also, who says every frame has to have something in it?!

This frame hung empty in my bedroom for years growing up. I kind of like it that way - just by itself.

Recent Obsession: Blue and White

My mom has a simple phrase she uses to describe her style choices. Her house is full of colors, patterns, furniture, and plates that "make her smile." I know that she doesn't consider herself stylist or decorator, but I think her philosophy is pretty solid: if it makes you smile, you can make it work. For some reason, blue and white - stripes especially - make me smile. The combination is just so fresh and clean, I can't help it!

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 

12 in 12: The Remedy Diner

Checked off the first of my 12 in 12 with brunch at The Remedy Diner! Such a fun time with a sweet friend.

 I ordered the quiche of the day which came with gouda grits and fruit, and Julie ordered the "Weekender:" ham, eggs, tomatoes, and goat cheese on wheat toast with dijon mustard.

It was definitely not the type of place I would typically choose for brunch, but it was fun to try a new place outside of my usual box. The Remedy has a funky, downtown sort of atmosphere with a quirky, artistic feel. I snapped this picture of the wall in the bathroom -  not your average bathroom decor for sure!

After brunch, Julie and I walked around downtown (even though it was freezing!), and we found a venue down near City Market that neither of us knew existed - Cobblestone Hall.

Offline

Guys. Raleigh/Durham has its own app!

Several N. C. State graduates collaborated to come up with an app to "challenge people to live more interesting and memorable lives." It's a fantastic way to see what other people in your area are discovering and to find out where to plan your own adventures around the city.

The app connects to your social media accounts, and you can tag the places you've visited or restaurants where you've eaten to give other folks in the city fresh ideas. You can bookmark destinations and check them off after you go to each one.

They also keep you informed on upcoming evens like concerts or runs. When you pull it up on your phone or tablet, it looks sort of like Instagram - supper easy to use.

Check it out!

12 in 12

I met a friend for dinner the other night at a fun, local cafe with great food and live music. We noted how many fun places to eat Raleigh has to offer, and she came up with the idea that I should visit one new-to-me restaurant each month and write about the ones I try. Sort of like a New Year's resolution and bucket list rolled into one! Here are my 12 for the coming year:

1. Sitti
2. Sushi O
3. Jose and Sons
4. The Remedy Diner
5. Bida Manda
6. Joule Coffee + Table
7. Seaboard Cafe
8. Cala Vela
9. Sam & Wally's
10. The Big Easy
11. The Borough
#12 - TBD

I've been wanting to try some of these places for while - Sitti and Bida Manda look especially interesting. I'll let you know how it goes!

Apartment Update

I'm beginning to understand that wherever I live, I will probably never feel "finished" decorating - it's more of an ongoing (as in, forever) process. But, now the new place has begun to feel cozy and much more like home. The living room is definitely my favorite room in the apartment. My roommate and I didn't know we would have a fireplace until we walked in on move-in day, but, let me tell you, it has already been put to good use!

Here is a peek at what it looked like when we first moved in:

Here's a glimpse of my view nowadays:

The wreath above the mantel is by far my best purchase to date, despite what others may say about my hanging it over the mirror. You know who you are...