Bits of my weekend - Volume 12 A Visit Down South!

For my birthday Adam bought a plane ticket for me to visit my dear friend Deb in South Carolina. I've been counting down the days until this trip! My parents flew in to help Adam with the kiddos and I was on my way!

I had such. a. great. time.

I just love this woman. There's a reason we've been friends for 11+ years.  She's golden. Here's a glimpse into our weekend! (and, it'll be no surprise...there are  lots of pictures of food...:-) )


Their beautiful front porch. For this New Yorker it was a novelty. It even had a swing!!

Saturday morning: One of my favorite breakfasts!


Then we were off to the gym - trying to make a way (calorie-wise) for the festivities to come!
(note: this gym was SO impressive! A movie theater/cardio room, FREE childcare, pool...the amenities go on and on. And the price per month?!?!?!  Let's just say it's 1/3 of my NYC gym membership.  Geeesh)

Mmmm, lunch. Nachos.


Yes, this is a peach-shaped water tower, despite the fact that it looks like someone's rear-end when you drive by it.  And now I digress from my junior high moment of levity.  ha ha.

Saturday evening was Girls Night out. Started with...

pedicures!

Then we drove into Augusta, GA to have dinner here:

Oh. My. Word.  Okay, look - I'm Puerto Rican. I grew up eating REALLY delicious pork. But the pork chops with carmelized onions, apples and feta cream from this place brought tears of joy to my eyes. Yum.


They're known for their towering slices of creative cakes too.

then in true Girls-Night-Out fashion, we were off to see:

Overall opinion of the movie: Eh, it's alright. Probably didn't help that I just saw Inception a week ago and my mind is still reeling from that. Hard to live up to those standards. But worth the money.

Sunday morning:
Deb's mom had these waiting for us on the kitchen counter, bought from a local Mennonite farmer's market. I don't know WHAT it is about Mennonite people, but every where you go, if their baked goods are for sale -buy it. It's ALWAYS GOOD.

We drove in to Charlotte, North Carolina to explore/be tourists before I flew out early Monday morning.
On the way, I asked Deb if we could PRETTY PLEASE eat at the Cracker Barrel.

Gotta love the rocking chairs outside. All those calories in the "Old Timer's Breakfast" never tasted so good!


Driving in to Charlotte we noticed ALL the water fountains were purple. I googled it on my phone. The reason: McDonald's was introducing their new purple colored smoothies, now available on their menu.  Really?
 And then I thought to myself, "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto."

We met up with some friends who live in the area for light dinner and coffee at this impressively trendy cafe' in Charlotte's artsy-fartsy area known as NoDa. (for NOrth of DAvidson)

It's called Amelie's French Bakery. It is here that I encountered this fabulous treasure:

I have a hit-or-miss camera phone - so sorry it doesn't look as decadent and luxurious as it really was. This, my friends, is a chocolate Creme Brulee'.  Yum.

The layout of this place is so whimsical and creative. I found myself missing what was going on at our table because I would get distracted by all the pretty things  - everywhere.  They have the most unique chandeliers/light fixtures.  Here's a few shots of my favorites.


tile mosaic one


kitchen utensils chandelier


marbles, stones and gems


classic yet whimsical


sassy lighting!


So pretty - ooo la la!

Then I flew back in to NYC this morning.  It's so good to see my babies, but I will absolutely cherish this extravagant weekend with the bestie.  Good times.

Much love from Hamilton Heights!!

1 comments:

Beth said...

That did look very fun and relaxing.

Okay, your parents have got to be the BEST—what a wonderful gift!

Loved the peach water tower. : )