The Dunhill Hotel and The Asbury

I had the recent pleasure of heading to Charlotte for a weekend, and was given the opportunity to stay at The Dunhill Hotel and eat dinner at The Asbury, the incredible modern southern restaurant on site.

The hotel accommodations were available to us at a discounted rate, and our dinner was comped, with us adding just a few essentials. Like dessert. The Asbury's pastry chef is very well-known, and you'd be a fool to pass up any of her creations.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Kanki Restaurant for Hibachi Entertainment

I recently had an opportunity to have dinner and drinks at Kanki Restaurant in Durham, and the meal was one of the best I've had in quite some time. Please note that while I was hosted by Kanki, my personal thoughts about the dining experience are what I've shared here with you.

I was invited to come on out and bring a friend, and so my friend Kate of Life of a Ginger and I spent several hours enjoying appetizers, drinks, dinner and a wonderful Hibachi chef (Shout out to Ricky!) perform for us as he diced and chopped and lit our veggies aflame!

Have a look at how deliciously entertaining this meal was by checking out my Facebook Live video:


The meal itself was delicious. We had our appetizers and drinks in the bar area, before heading to the Hibachi table (as shown above^). I had edamame - which is always a favorite. I also enjoyed one of their specialty drinks, while Kate tried sake for the first time with a fruit infused sake flight sampler. And I will admit that I had never tried flavored sake before and this may very well have changed my opinion of sake for good.

And I love the variety on Kanki's seasonal menu. I didn't see it before I ordered my appetizer and drink, or those flash friend Brussels sprouts and Godiva martini might have been the way to go for me.

I have learned that they've recently updated their seasonal menu - and are now offering amazing dishes like Korean Fried Chicken and Black Tiger Shrimp. I am pretty sure that I would try the chicken and that Kate would get the shrimp, but which one would you choose?

The staff at Kanki were welcoming and friendly, and, of course, entertaining. And the meal itself was one I won't soon forget. I've been already missing the Hibachi chicken and rice.

Along with this wonderful meal, the Kanki team has given me something for my local friends. Use coupon code GOODGIRLGONEREDNECK to receive a free appetizer with purchase of an entrée.

Want to find out more about what's offered at Kanki in Durham? My friend Tiffany of TheMrsTee has information about Kanki's business lunch over at her place. Stop by and tell her I sent you.

As indicated, this dinner was hosted by Kanki Restaurant. All expressed opinions are my own.

Tweet

Maverick's Smokehouse and Taproom in Durham, NC

Last week I had an opportunity to enjoy dinner hosted by Maverick's Smokehouse and Taproom in Durham.

It. Was. Amazing.

I went with my friend Kate from Life of a Ginger, and we ordered the BBQ nachos with pulled chicken (as seen in the photo above^). Oh my sweet goodness - they were amazing. I think I ate too much of them as I wouldn't let our waitress take the plate away, even when she brought us our completely full trays of food for the main meal.

Now, I ordered the smoked southern brined fried chicken.

I've never tasted fried chicken like this before. Ever.

The skin was really delicious, but I'll be honest, I picked through a lot of it to get to that smoky chicken. It was so strange - you could tell how delicious it was going to be - and yet, still find yourself surprised at how good it actually was.

Tweet

Keep reading »

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

Earlier this week my fellow NCSocial friends and I were welcomed to The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar in North Hills (Raleigh, NC) for a multi-course meal of deliciousness. This post is a thank you for the glorious meal that they treated our group to. I was not compensated for this post. 

I believe in the past I've introduced you to the NCSocial Facebook group my friend Kate of Life of a Ginger and I run for North Carolina influencers. We welcome bloggers, social media influencers and entrepreneurs. Consider popping in and joining us if you fall in this category. We are currently open to anyone located in NC, but our events have mostly been coordinated in the Triangle area.

Anyway - back to the reason for this post! Kate coordinated with the team behind The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar in Raleigh and we had the most incredible evening out. A party of 15, we enjoyed all that The Cowfish had to offer. From appetizers to alcohol (we covered that part!) to dessert. No question, the food is incredible.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Let's Talk LipSense

A few weeks ago I received a package in the mail and may have been a little bit too excited.

See, I've heard about LipSense, but I didn't have it in my budget to give it a try. So, when I received some information on Red Gate Beauty offering up some samples to bloggers interested in trying and reviewing the products? I signed up.

I figured there was no way I would be considered.

BUT!

I was. Am. Here I am.

So, my first attempt at using LipSense was broadcast out on my Instagram stories. Now, unfortunately those don't stay around, so I had to save my videos and try to pull them together. Hang tight for that one - I'll share it once I'm totally done working on it.

Here's my first go with LipSense.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Car Shopping With Cars.com

* This is a sponsored post on behalf of Cars.com. Images obtained from the cars.com website. *

If you know me well enough - you know I'm not a driver.

Yet.

But you also know that one of my goals is to get myself behind the wheel and get out there - and in doing so I'll need a vehicle of my own to drive around town in.

Which is exactly where Cars.com comes in!

I love that Cars.com immediately offers up information on nearby dealers so I can figure out where to go before leaving the house.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Head To Black Hairspray For Your Hair Needs

* This post has been sponsored by Black Hairspray. * 

Black Hairspray is a wig retailer proud to offer a thousands of products to meet your beauty needs.

With affordable pricing and their 30-day money back guarantee, you're able to try a number of styles out to determine which looks the best on you and return the ones you find aren't quite right.

A few of my favorite options from Black Hairspray are shown below. They carry varying lengths, colors and materials. So be sure to have a look at the site and find a style that works for you.

As someone who has always wanted to add a specific color to my hair, the second option I've shared below is possibly my favorite of the options I've seen on the site. There are so many colors to choose from, and click through if you find a style that you like but don't know if the color works - because within each style is an option to sort through a number of shades and colors, as well.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Raise A Glass To TOPO Organic Distillery

* This event was coordinated by the NCSocial Facebook group (run by me and Kate Kelly of Life of a Ginger) and TOPO Organic Distillery. The distillery tour was hosted, as was much of the meal. All attendees purchased their own dinner entrées. *

I live in Durham, so I'm not over in Chapel Hill very often. That said - I absolutely must remedy that. Because after my tour of the TOPO Distillery and dinner at Top of the Hill? I need to go back. As in, really, really, really need to go back. 

The drink was lovely. Quality liquor without a horrible aftertaste or a rubbing alcohol smell to it. 

The food? Incredible. I could live off of the appetizers, certainly, and the Moonshine Mule I got to drink? Yeah. Dangerous. Tasted like Sprite. So good. So so good. 

And my dinner was amazing. So, as I said, I need to go back. And I'm quite certain that you need to go there, too. 

Let me talk about the distillery first. 

Tweet

Keep reading »

Let's Talk About The Other F Word

* This is a sponsored post on behalf of The Other F Word. All expressed information is on behalf of the show, however, all opinions are completely my own. *

The Other F Word is a new series that you're going to want to look into.

Look at these ladies. Don't they look like instant fun?

So, let me tell you why you need to watch.

Tweet

Keep reading »

A Piece of Sky, A Grain of Rice: A Memoir In Four Meditations, Christine Hale

This book was provided to me by TLC Book Tours. All opinions are strictly my own. 

A Piece of Sky, A Grain of Rice: A Memoir In Four Meditations by Christine Hale is a powerful read.

Hale is a crafty wordsmith.

She pulls the reader into a perspective we never expected to experience.

We drift back and forth from her roles of daughter and mother, and sometimes even wife. Or ex-wife.

While the cover of the book does not have her face - we feel her before us. Open. Real. Raw.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Take Care Of Holiday Shopping With Groupon Goods

This is a sponsored post. All expressed opinions are strictly my own. 

Did you know that you can actually go shopping for products ON the Groupon site?

Groupon Goods is another aspect of Groupon that you'll want to have a look into.

I'm sure you're already familiar with their discount purchases, and I've introduced you to their coupon site, so now let me tell you about Groupon Goods!

Tweet

Keep reading »

Groupon Coupons Will Save You Money

This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own. 

If you're like me you probably use Groupon frequently to test out local restaurants and businesses, but did you know that they have a site that specifically offers coupons?

Groupon Coupons is the site I head to when I'm searching for savings as I shop some of my favorite online stores.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Keep Our Babies Safe While They Sleep

If you've ever seen an infant sleep you know that they toss and turn like nobody's business. 

And if you've done your research you know that little ones aren't supposed to have blankets in their crib with them - fear of SIDS and other incidents has discouraged that practice for many years now. There are too many unknowns. Researchers also say that bumpers and stuffed animals should not be in the crib at bedtime or nap-time, as well. 

There are several incredible products out now that keep our babies cozy at night and ensure that they are safe, as well. 

Baby Sleeps Safe is a product that does just that. 

Tweet

Keep reading »

Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers

Did you know that November is National Family Caregivers Month?

I know, I know, it's almost December, but it doesn't matter - because the Random Acts of Kindness Initiative is something you can carry over into the holiday season.

Have you ever had to care for a loved one? Provide daily check-ins, home care, doctor's appointments, perhaps even move that family member into your home?

If you haven't, the likelihood that you know someone who has is high. Keep reading to learn about my family's story.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Parents Are Always Prepared. Right?

If you're like me you know that once the school year is underway you're going to be completely lacking in your child's eyes. You see - our kids get sent off to school and before winter break they're in need of about 900 new things. It's not just my child, right? Please tell me it's not just my child.

Fortunately - Zazzle helped me prepare for this early in the year.

Their back-to-school selection is still solid. Need a new backpack because your kiddo has already shredded theirs? Got you covered. Lunchbox already full of stains you can't remove? Great selection available.

Tweet

Keep reading »

No Fuss Pumpkin-fest Party!

We love Halloween in our house. In fact, it's my favorite holiday. Plain and simple - pumpkins make me happy. They're fun to look at, fun to decorate with and - yes - fun to carve.

I had the amazing opportunity to work with Mr. Clean this October to host a Pumpkin Palooza party for our friends - and to have a little pumpkin fun ourselves while we were at it.

I decided before it was party time that my daughter and I would take a stab (pun intended!) at a few pumpkins on our own to see how they turned out - and to see how well Mr. Clean's Concentrated Multi-Surface Cleaner worked.

I spent some time using Mr. Clean around the house - but the real test would be how well the product worked post pumpkin mess and massacre.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Shop NOVICA and support artists across the globe.

* This is a sponsored post on behalf of NOVICA. I am a long-time fan of both, their products and their mission and all expressed opinions are my own. *

If you've been a reader here for a while then you know I have been a fan of NOVICA for many years. I especially love when I'm given an opportunity to work with them AND introduce you to their beautiful products and mission. 

It's been a while since I've posted about them, but NOVICA has been hard at work updating their mission and finding a way to maintain their dedication to artisans across the globe AND add a focus of finding and supporting happiness.

NOVICA offers incredible products from amazing talents across the globe so when you make your purchase you're supporting designers in places like India, Africa, Central America and Asia (to name only a few!). These talents create things like jewelry, home decor, fashionable accessories and so much more.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Difficulty conceiving? Look into The Stork OTC Home Conception Aid.

* This post is brought to you by The Stork OTC and The Motherhood. All opinions expressed are strictly my own, however specific product details do come from the sponsor. *

If you're a mom or hope to be one some day you're likely aware of at least one person in your life who has experienced difficulties conceiving a child. If you haven't learned of anyone with this experience I'm here to report that one day you probably will.

So many women experience issues with fertility. It's something that is not always discussed. It's something that sometimes you won't hear until you share your own story. Then the understanding shares happen.

I've been provided with some stats with respect to infertility and difficulty conceiving that I'd like to share with you today.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Looking for beautiful gift ideas? Shop Heart of Haiti and support a worthy cause.

* I am a member of the Everywhere Society and they provided me with this product for review. All thoughts and expressed opinions are my own. * 

I met the fine people of the Everywhere Society this fall at Type-A Parent Conference. Their booth in the conference expo included a number of products from the Heart of Haiti line at Macy's that they support. As soon as I saw that they were planning an upcoming campaign supporting this effort I volunteered myself as a participant.

Tweet

Keep reading »

I've got an eye on what you need to cozy up for the winter!

I recently had the opportunity as a Wayfair Homemaker to go shopping over at Wayfair.com and I couldn't wait to dive into their pillows and throws. 

It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to buy because I am a bit of a blanket addict, but eventually I figured it all out and today the last of my shipment arrived. 

I'm going to start with that item first because I HAD to get it. Yes. I did. I had to.

Tweet

Keep reading »