Am I the only person who goes to a blogger conference, listens to the blogging pros reiterate that consistency is key but then completely ignore the blog for a couple of days?

Well, I’m back, trying to stay relevant in your life and begging for a bit of your attention span.

My friend Carrie and I recently traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina to visit our friend Emily.

Our first stop was Boulted Bread to enjoy (inhale) some of the bakery’s artisan breads. This cute little hometown shop offers levain country bread, baguettes, seeded levain, seeded rye, ciabatta and pastries. We feasted upon their version of the chocolate croissant, ham and cheese croissants and a cinnamon roll. And then proceeded to smell like breakfast for the remainder of the afternoon.

The rest of the day was a blur of catching up with Emily, visiting the Crabtree Valley Mall for weather-appropriate clothes, eating everything in sight at Sushi Blues Cafe and drinking wine in bed before falling asleep to 10 Things I Hate About You. 

We ended the night at Fox Liquor Bar, an underground taproom where Raleigh’s trendiest residents gather for a nightcap. I tried Mama’s Milk, one of their featured cocktails that night, made with coconut milk, cucumber, sugar, lime, cinnamon and cachaça, the most popular distilled spirit in Brazil made from sugar cane. And it was just as amazing as it sounds.

The next morning we woke up bright and early to for an adventure along the Neuse River. Armed with cantaloupe bites, beef jerky and Sour Patch watermelon candy, we made our way down the river on a two-hour self-guided trip like pros (minus that one time Carrie and Emily’s canoe got stuck on a rock by some “rapids” and I was trying to tow them with my canoe… But we won’t mention that…). 

 

Adventurous wild women deserve to be treated right and that’s why we found ourselves at Trophy Brewing Co.’s Morgan Street location featuring a 3 Barrel Brewhouse and a full service restaurant with THE BEST pizza I’ve ever had the pleasure to scarf down. Sorry, Lazy Moon. This life changing pizza is called The Curd is the Word and has a pesto base, sopressata, jalapeños, manchego, cheddar cheese curds and a honey finish that left me crying for more sweet and spicy slices.

That afternoon took us to Father & Son Antiques where I found an assortment of outfits perfect for channeling my inner dancing señorita emoji, Deco Raleigh gift shop and wandering around city buildings.

On our last day we ventured out of Raleigh and into Durham where we enjoyed a delicious Cuban breakfast at Old Havana and visited Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Duke University’s crown jewel. I found myself lost in between the vibrant flowers and the school’s Gothic architecture, never wanting to leave.

But alas, our time with our little pineapple came to an end and we said our goodbyes at the airport. Until next time, Raleigh (and there will be a next time, because I just discovered this place thanks to Instagram!)

Anything exciting planned for this week? 

xx