4 Places to Enjoy #NationalTakeAHikeDay in #RaleighNC @RaleighParks @WakeGovParks

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This year, National Take A Hike Day falls on November 17, 2020 and I am taking this opportunity to share with you some of our favorite places to take a hike! Why do we like to hike? The answer is simple, it’s a free, family-friendly activity that allows us to connect with nature in a fun way.We have always loved nature but 2020 has been a year that we have enjoyed this ideal social distancing activity so much more! Per Black People Who Hike, there is also health benefits to hiking. If you live in the Raleigh, NC area, here are 4 Places To Enjoy #NationalTakeAHikeDay !

Durant Nature Preserve

At 237 acres, Durant Nature Preserve is one of our favorite parks to enjoy the great outdoors. This massive, mostly undeveloped park has it all! A Butterfly garden, plentiful picnic areas and two lakes. We love taking a hike down to the fresh water stream to see all types of aquatic life in it’s original habitat. We have also spotted white tail deers! They have a multitude of mountain biking and hiking trails that are easy to moderate. If you like raw nature, then this park is for you.

Durant Nature Preserve
8305 Camp Durant Rd
Raleigh, NC 27614

Green Hills County Park

A park at a former landfill may sound weird but Wake County has made it work! Green Hills County Park is located off of Durant Rd near the recycle center. Wake County grassed over the mound and managed to have zero smelly emissions, so no worries for your senses. They built a 2 lane paved road that is 1 mile in diameter. One lane for walkers or bikers and the other lane (separated by a curb) for cars. The most unique aspect (besides building a park from a closed landfill) is visitors can hike up a steep gravel trail to THE top of the landfill, which also boasts the highest point in Wake County for a 360 degree view of ALL of Wake County. They have a few picnic tables and grassy area up there to spend some time. My husband likes to do some power jogs up and down the trail and so do others. This is indeed an awesome park to visit!

Green Hills County Park
9300 Deponie Drive

Raleigh, NC 27614

Falls Lake

Conviently located off of Falls Of Neuse Road, lies Falls Lake. This park is part of a 22 mile lake system that runs through northern Wake County. It is actually maintained by the state and US Army Corp Of Engineers, this man made lake is full of boaters, fisherman, paddle boarders and anything else you can do on the water. The Falls of Neuse entrance leads to the massive dam. You can hike various trails, paved and unpaved throughout this wonderful area. They have a great information center with maps that provide not only hiking but camping and boating information as well. We have hiked a portion of the famous NC “mountain to sea” trail which descends to the lake. Falls Lake is one of the most beautiful outdoor places to hike!

Falls Lake Visitor Assistance Center

11405 Falls of Neuse Rd

Raleigh, NC 27614

Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park

We love hiking and learning and there is no better place to do both than at Annie Louise Wilkerson,MD Nature Preserve. It’s namesak, Annie Louise Wilkerson was a pioneering doctor in the Raleigh area for 52 years who bequeathed the 157 acres to the city with the stipulation that the land remained undeveloped and be a place of learning. There is an education center, a whimsical “troll/fairy trail for kids (grown kids also) and a great perimeter pond trail that we love to hike around. Butterflies, grasshoppers, birds and ladybugs abound everywhere! The Pond Trail is mostly low cut grass so running while hiking is encouraged! This is just a special happy place for the whole family to enjoy.

Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preseve Park

5229 Awls Haven Dr.

Raleigh, NC 27614

For more informaton on the above listed parks or to discover somewhere new to explore nature, check out Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources | City of Raleigh and Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. Thanks for reading and I hope you are inspired to enjoy the many ways to connect with nature on #NationalTakeAHikeDay (and everyday) in Raleigh,NC!

👀 Watch my YOUTUBE video which recaps some of our favorite moments/views at Durant Nature Preserve, Green County Hills Park, Falls Lake and Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park.

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Event Recap | #WitchesandWines ft. @thechocboutique @shoecrazywine @MercerEstates @dunkindonuts

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Event Recap | #WitchesandWines | Hosted by Leslie @SobeSavvy

For the past few years, for Halloween I have hosted ladies to a wine tasting. It is a great way to connect, discover new wines and celebrate a fun holiday in an adult way. I have shared tip on hosting a “Hallo-wine” tasting at home here on the blog, but this year I had the challenge of finding a way to entertain outside of the home while keeping safety precautions in mind due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence #WitchesandWines was born! An event created and hosted by me for women who love wine and Halloween.

THE INVITE

An intimate group of 8 ladies were invited to join me for this fun night out. Canva was the perfect way to make a simple invite and Facebook is what I used to contact the ladies and keep them updated on the event. I found funny memes via Pinterest to have us laughing leading up to our witches night out!

The Venue

I held my gathering at a unique spot called The Chocolate Boutique, a local, small black-owned business located in North Raleigh’s Lafayette Village. This wondeful store is best described as a chocolate and wine lovers dream. From hosting chocolate making classes to wine and craft beer tastings, this fabulous store also creates an attractive and outdoor space for intimate small events. The ladies and I relaxed on a warm early fall evening while sipping on Chandelier sparkling wine as a welcome drink! This wine as well as others are available for purchase to enjoy on site as well as throughout the shopping village. I highly recommend you buy a bottle or 2 for your next gathering or to simply keep on hand for anytime you want to celebrate you.

Shoe Crazy Wine

A featured wine brand of the evening was for the lovers of sweet wines, called “Shoe Crazy”. This wine is the brainchild of Gwen Hurt, an African American woman who is the founder of this private label wine. Sweet Bella, is a low alcohol sweet red created for her Mom, Sweet Harmony, is a sweet white that has a black/white label to reflect the need of harmony needed in our nation and Sparkling Peach Mango, which was fruity and festive. For celebrations big or small, Shoe Crazy Wine has something for all!

Mercer Wine

I also informed the guests about one of my favorite wine makers called Mercer Wine. Located in Eastern Washington State, Mercer offers all the major varietals with their Mercer Bros. line. The Edge Of Heaven Red Blend has become one of my new favorite reds. Barrel aged for 16 mos, this pairs great with goat cheese. This wine leads with aromas and flavors of bursting ripe, black cherry and plum with notes of milk chocolate, coffee and sweet smoke. Their Chardonnay has notes of vanilla and marshmallow with a touch of acid and went lovely with some herb grilled shrimp that was served.. Mercer Bros. label also offers a Cabernet Sauvignon that is wonderful with steak, lamb or gouda cheese and has aromas of ripe red fruit, blackberry pie, dried cranberries with hintsof brown sugar and warm baking spices. You simply cannot go wrong with any of these choices. Mercer also won the 2010 environment stewardship award so respect for the the land that makes superb wine is a win win!

SobeSavvy Tip: For an adult Halloween, skip the candy & give ICAN Hard Seltzer, also available from Mercer Wine❗I shared these in my Thank You swag bags for my #WitchesandWines 🧙🏽‍♀️🍷🧙 event.What I like about this hard seltzer brand is that it’s gluten free, all natural , & vegan friendly and come in these flavors:
🍒 Black Cherry
🍉 Watermelon
🍑 Peach
🍇 Wild Berry

The Treats/ Giveaway

Guess what pairs great with wine? DONUTS! I offered up some Spooky Treats courtesy of Dunkin. This year to celebrate Halloween they introduced a pair of doughnuts coined “Crave Worthy Creations”. Ghost Pepper and Spider Specialty being the two stars. Some stores still have these in stock so hurry and get yours now!

I also hosted a giveaway for one witchy guest to receive a $10 gift card from Dunkin. I randomly chose a winner and Ms.Tiana, owner of On Board Char , known for their elevated cheese/charcuterie boards/boxes, won! Congratulations 🎉

👀Watch my full recap video here on YouTube ⤵️

Thanks to all who helped to make this Halloween themed wine mixer a success! #WitchesandWines may have been held with Oct.31 in mind, but you can gather with a few friends anytime to enjoy new ways to discover new wines! I encourage you to check out these brands that I mentioned and of course, drink responsibly. CHEERS🍷

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TRAVEL | Stay, Eat and Play in #ColorfulFay! My 2 Day Travel Guide to Fayetteville, NC @VisitFayNC

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Recently, SobeSavvy.com along with 8 other travel writers & photographers from around NC were hosted for a weekend in Fayetteville, NC. We got to  see some of the most beautiful and diverse places in Cumberland County for a 2 day #ColorfulFay tour. Here is a look at the itinerary ( which was slightly adjusted for us due to rain), as well as my recap of where to Stay, Eat and Play! I hope it inspires you to pay a visit to Fayetteville, NC soon.

STAY

The MacPherson House,  701 Hay St. Fayetteville, NC 28301

We checked in to The MacPherson House, a 5 room Bed & Breakfast, in Fayetteville, NC. It is a brand-new, large B&B, which has opened up in an historic house on the outskirts of downtown. We were hosted as part of a tour organized by Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and we stayed in a lovely room with a king-size bed,and a private bathroom.  Every room is uniquely styled and named but each one has a fireplace. One of the unique features is the on-site wellness center, where you can start your day with yoga from Hayat, who is not only the MacPherson House B&B’s manager but also happens to be one of the top yogis in Fayetteville. Another great reason to nama-stay in #ColorfulFay! Check in to peaceful views, renovated rooms, featuring unique details & private bathrooms for a #ColorfulFay vacay at The MacPherson House
**SobeSavvy Tip: Use discount code “COLORFULFAY” for 15% percent off your stay when you book between now and December 31, 2020!
👀Watch my YouTube video for an inside look⤵️

https://youtu.be/LnH41gZUQno

EAT

● GARDEN VIEW CAFE
Located at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, enjoy lunch with a view of nature on the lovely patio! They use fresh ingredients from the garden as well as quality meats to make delicious deli sandwiches. Chef Lou and his family take a creative approach to make food taste as good as it look by using colorful bread for our tour group! ● DIRTBAG ALES BREWERY & TAPROOM + NAPKINS RESTAURANT Looking for Beer, Food and Fun in a family & pet-friendly atmosphere? DirtBag Ales & Napkins Restaurant is where to find it! We were treated to a craft-beer tasting + snacks on the grounds and it fueled us for a fun day ahead!● PHARAOH’S LEGACY: MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE & BAR
In the mood for authentic Mediterranean food? Pharaoh’s Legacy: Mediterranean Cuisine & Bar is the place to feast on the most delicious eats combining flavors of Egypt, Greece, Lebanese & Turkey!● BLUE MOON CAFÉ
Having Sunday Brunch inside or on the patio at Blue Moon Café is truly delightful! Kick of brunch with Bottle Service Mimosas and start off with the crab dip. It is addictive and amazing!  I also recommend their Monte Cristo which was the perfect mix of sweet & savory! For a visual taste of our brunch experience, feast your eyes on this fun Tik Tok video I made and posted on IG ⤵️




● UPTOWN’S CHICKEN & WAFFLES
Our last stop to eat on the @VisitFayNC #ColorfulFay tour was dinner at Uptown’s Chicken & Waffles! Chef Judy puts her heart and soul into Southern/Soul Food classics like mac & cheese, collard greens, fried chicken and waffles. Get a taste of everything and order the Uptown Sampler, which includes her infamous shrimp & grits! They also feature signature cocktails that almost look to good to drink.

PLAY

● CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN
I love nature and being surrounded by all its beauty. So when I saw that a guided nature tour of Cape Fear Botanical Garden was on the itinerary,  I was excited to learn more about this attraction that features “80 acres of NC beauty”! There is plenty of open space for kids to play and explore plus a dedicated kids area. And if you are looking for a wedding venue, consider Cape Fear Botanical Garden! Make sure to stop in the gift shop for unique finds and grab a bite from the Garden View Café. ● HOPE MILLS LAKE
Hope Mills Lake is where locals & visitors can have fun lakeside, with snow cones on the patio from Big T’s Snoballs while enjoying some R&R. Some of us got a fishing lesson with Cedar Creek Fish Farm, while others took a sunset kayak tour on the lake with Yakalacky Outfitters. We opted for the kayak tour and had fun being one with the lake.  It’s a great way to exercise and take in the scenery while social distancing. No matter if you are a novice or expert, Yakalacky Outfitters will have you feeling comfortable on the water in no time!● HUMMINGBIRD CANDLE CO.
Get lit 🔥 with Hummingbird Candle Co., where you can shop and learn how to make your own candles from over 40 + scents. We got to experience candle-making while sipping beverages fromThe Wine Café, which is also on Hay St. Candles are just one of my love languages. These eco-friendly candles make awesome gifts as well as provide the perfect ambiance to any situation. This is a great date night, girls night or group activity idea.  Congrats to the owner Tianna for opening up her second shop in Asheville. Be sure to stop in either location to shop local and support a ‘For Women by Women’ owned business!● DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE/COOL SPRING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT Cool art, murals, history, plenty of outdoor photo-ops and people who all describe the community as family.. that’s what you’ll find in Downtown Fayetteville’s Cool Spring Downtown District. A guided arts tour (thank you Sam for being our wonderful guide) is a great way to explore and when it is time to refuel, stop in for tea, coffee & sweets at The Coffee Cup. ● TURNER LANE’S SUCCULENT PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP
We attended a succulent pumpkin centerpiece workshop, a curated experience by Turner Lane, which is a “tiny but mighty gift store” in Downtown Fayetteville. We met Elaine, who showed us how to make and care for a beautiful living Succulent Pumpkin! This makes for a wonderful holiday centerpiece and was a fun project to do with a group. Follow them on Facebook to see when the next “Made By Me” classes are happening!Our final day on this tour had me full of smiles and a few happy tears as I got to learn more about the people and their love of the Fayetteville, NC community. They have a great deal of pride and I enjoyed hearing the stories of the minority-owned, black-owned, gay-owned, female-owned businesses there. I encourage you to support & visit to experience it for yourself! Get some inspo from my ‘VisitFayNC’ Instastories highlight. No matter where you go, you will see the diversity of ‘America At Every Turn’ in Fayetteville. Check out www.visitfayettevillenc.com before you visit for many more ideas on where to Stay, Eat, and Play in #ColorfulFay!**Merci Beaucoup and Special Thanks to Jenny Bell for creating wonderful, informative memories for us. This tour has given insight to the many ways to spend a day (or 2). We enjoyed it so much, we are planning to return and take our daughter with us for the weekend!
Have you visited Fayetteville, NC before? If yes, where should I go next? If no, which one of the places would you like to visit from this blog post? Leave your comments below and thanks for reading!
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Family Travel Tips for Visiting the @NCZoo in @TheHeartofNC during COVID-19

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Disclaimer: Thanks to all at NC Zoo who work so hard to keep the visitors and animals safe. Media tickets & lunch were provided in exchange for review of our visit.

Family Travel Tips for Visiting the NC Zoo during COVID-19 | SobeSavvy.com

During these uncertain times, finding fun safe things to do with a child has been challenging to say the least. Lucky for us the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC comes in very high on the fun and safe things to do list. Most folks know this is not only one of the nations greatest zoos but it is THE largest natural habitat zoo in the world. Being only 90 minutes from the Triangle makes this day trip easy for well over a million residents here. Since a couple of years have passed since our prior family visit to the zoo, (which you can revisit that blog post >> here), me and my #HeighPartyof3 were very excited to return!

View this post on Instagram

My #HeighPartyof3 took a day trip to @theheartofnc to visit @nczoo and had a fun time enjoying the outdoors in a safe environment. We found out so many interesting things like: • How has the NC Zoo taken safety measures for Covid-19 😷 • Why do flamingos have pink feathers 🦩 • What local and sustainable ingredients are used to make the food for visitors to enjoy 😋 Take a 👀 at my instastories where our daughter, @outandaboutava did an IG story takeover to capture some Family Fun highlights from our day. I also have a recap video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/evEHEcHVI3k Plus, you can read more Family #soTravelsavvy Tips for Visiting the NC Zoo during COVID-19 on the blog, SobeSavvy.com! Have you been to the Zoo since Covid-19? What was your experience like?

A post shared by Leslie • Lifestyle Blogger (@sobesavvy) on

What To Know Before You Go

Due to COVID 19 the zoo has made some major changes in how they do business to ensure everyone has a safe time. Guest must now buy their tickets in advance on a timed basis. This helps to spread out any crowds during their operating hours so there is no overcrowding at any point of the day. Although they can accomadate up to 15,000 people daily they now limit only 2,000 guests per day. All guests have the room to social distance.

Guests are also strongly encouraged to wear mask coverings during their visit. Walkway paths are now designated one way only and they have added dozens of sanatizing stations and signage throughout the zoo. The majority of indoor exhibits are closed and all guests must enter through the “North American” section only.

NC Zoo is committed to the #NCZooCares & #StayStrongNC initiative and is reminding everyone to don’t forget your Ws! Wear. Wait. Wash.

WEAR a face covering.

WAIT 6 feet apart from other people.

WASH your hands often.

Learn more at nc.gov/covid19

KIDZONE

The Kidzone play area just reopened and my daughter was excited to check out that space. After being indoors nowadays for virtual homeschool, she enjoys any chance to play outside. They have many ways the kids can creatively explore the world of play by using their senses. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the entrance of the Kidzone with items such as hand sanitizer, disposable masks if needed and encouraged to grab chalk to write a message on the wall. They only allow a certain number of kids in at a time as a safety precaution.

Playing in the KIDZONE at NC Zoo | SobeSavvy.com

Lunch at NC Zoo

Located in the North America Plaza, The Iron Hen (while currently closed to the public) is an on-site restaurant where we met PR Officer, Moriah Angott (who filled us in on upcoming events, plans for Asia, and Covid -related initiatives they are taking.) We also met a representative from their food partner, SSA, to learn more about their nutritious and delicious options for providing visitors with food from local and sustainable ingredients.

We were treated to lunch which consisted of chicken quesadillas with a side salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing made in-house, and grilled chicken drizzled with Chipotle mayo, rice and grilled seasonal veggies. Our daughter had the chicken tenders (which are hand breaded and made with chicken breast from local farm, Joyce Farms) plus fries! She said it was really good and that you can tell the chicken tenders were better than processed chicken nuggets. For dessert we had their pumpkin parfait and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, which we devoured! Everything was flavorful, sustainable and made with care. I would definitely return just to eat there! For more info on dining options and catering for events, read >>here

Tune in for more NC Zoo

On October 31, 2020 get ready for the premiere of “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina”, which will be shown on the Nat Geo Wild Channel. The eight-part series features stories of every kind — from emergency and routine animal procedures and animal husbandry to rescue, rehabilitation and release.

Viewers will get an inside look at North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, home to the largest zoo in the world. Spread out over an enormous 2,600 acres, this AZA accredited zoo has thousands of individual animals, more than 212 species and a diverse range of landscapes, including swamps, prairies, rivers, forests and even a desert. It’s more of a wildlife reserve than a traditional zoo, and many species share habitats as they would in the wild. At a time when the traditional concept of a zoo seems out of sync with animal welfare, the North Carolina Zoo leads the way and has achieved global recognition for setting zoo standards.

SobeSavvy Tip- Shoutout to the always helpful and resourceful Susan Dosier (@SDosier) at DK Communications Group for providing me with the following tips that I’ll kindly pass on to you:

• Make sure everyone is in comfortable shoes and clothes. (the zoo is huge, and you guys will walk a lot.)

• If it’s chilly or raining, the animals are actually more active. Be sure to put rain gear in your backpack in case of an unexpected shower!

• Don’t miss the videos from the North Carolina Zoo. See their suite of options on Facebook like this video of the second baby rhino of 2020 learning to stand.

• The North Carolina Zoo is also offering a Facebook Live EDVentures Online Series. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, children and adults will learn more about a species living at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.

👀Watch this recap video from our fun day at NC Zoo !

Overall, we were impressed with how well they are doing to ensure guests are safe, surprised by the crowds(and their willingness to follow rules and wear masks) and appreciated the technology of being able to scan out map via QR code which provided support for a better guest experience!We had an amazing time at the zoo and it was such a great way to spend a beautiful fall day! I would definitely recommend visiting for a safe family fun activity. Stay connected and follow @NCZoo and @TheHeartofNC on social! For driving directions and more information about the NC Zoo, visit www.nczoo.org

📍North Carolina Zoo

4401 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205
1.800.488.0444

http://www.nczoo.org

Top 5 Easy Meals For Kids To Make

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Top 5 Easy Meals For Kids to Make | SobeSavvy.com & @outandaboutAva

Moms/Dads, raise your hand if being in quarantine and cooking all the meals has gotten old 🙋🏽‍♀️? So when our daughter, fondly referred to on the blog as @outandaboutAva showed an interest in creating dishes and sharing her meals online..we said go ‘head girl, get your cook on! She wanted to make Tik Tok videos showing off her kitchen skills and came up with a name for her cooking show: Ava Brings The Flava! She has so much fun doing these videos and we just love supporting her. One of our friends has even sent her some customized cooking utensils for her recent 9th birthday to keep encouraging this hobby of hers. Needless to say..Ava was so surprised and happy to receive this gift.

I am more than happy to sit back and let her make her own meals as long as she doesn’t burn down the house. So far, so good y’all! Ava has really grown in the kitchen and used these Covid-19 times to hone her skills while social distancing at home. These are the Top 5 Meals Easy Meals For Kids to Make presented by our 9 year old foodie/cook Ava!

Breakfast

Recipe: Ava-cado Toast

Lunch

Recipe: Pizza Piadina

Snack

Recipe: ChickPea Salad

Dinner

Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Dessert

Recipe: Mango Creamsicle

Which one of the recipes above have you made or would like to try? If you’d like to follow more of my girl’s cooking journey, follow along here:

TikTok: @leslieissobesavvy

IG: @outandaboutAva, @SobeSavvy

Hashtag: #AvaxFlava

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CE-1w54hThU/?igshid=1s1fef6hkytn0

Does your kid like to cook or do you have an easy recipe that my daughter should try next? Please share below and thanks for reading!

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Guest Blog Series|DADDY DIARIES VOL I – Humanizing

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Hey Family! I am so excited to have my husband, Barry join us here on SobeSavvy.com as a featured guest blogger! To quote Beyonce ‘s song BIGGER…Let mama let you know (let you know)
Mama’s just tryin’, I can’t get no days off
I don’t get no days off
Truly, I’m feelin’ it, I had to say that thing twice…

BUT today, I am getting a day off…(well not really because it’s wash day and I am styling my daughter’s natural hair). Let’s just say while I am getting a day off from writing, my husband has offered to create content based on a Dad’s perspective. He has given so much support behind the scenes over the years on this blog as a photographer, interviewer (see the Heigh Five Interviews) , Co-editor and even has stepped in to attend an event as media on my behalf. I am truly grateful for him and hope you enjoy reading this new series called… “DADDY DIARIES” by Barry Heigh

Guest Blog Series | Daddy Diaries | SobeSavvy.com

8/30/11

During “our” pregnancy 9 years ago, I used to write a FaceBook series called “Daddy Diaries“. [ Click here to read the Prequel] I wrote about all the anxiety and excitement that pending dad hood presented. Would I be a good dad ? Would I be a great dad and provider?

Well it is due time for a 2020 update on how this parenthood thing has been going. Check back here monthly on my musings, observations and all around opinion on all things dad-girl related. Hope you enjoy my insight, love and light on my Dad experiences.

“Humanizing”

Over the years some people have given me the greatest compliment a man could hope for. “You are a great dad”. I agree. Parents know if they suck or are a great parent, anyone who says different is probably the former. I have been a father for over 9 years now and would like to think I have learned more than a few things.

There is no “book that comes with this thing” called parenthood so most dad’s do the best they know how. I had a great father but he was MY father and I was a boy. Being a girl-dad requires a bit different skill set. The fundamentals are the same just remixed. Instead of playing crash up with Mattel toy cars we sometimes chase butterflies. See what I mean?

Kids want stuff but what they really want is your attention and time. No adult who was set aside as a child would say they were glad they had all the newest toys and gadgets instead of an afternoon spent at the baseball game with dad eating hot dogs and popcorn. Time is the ultimate luxury, so my wife and I are VERY intentional in spending so much directed attention time WITH Ava and FOR Ava.

I think I excel at humanizing myself to her more and at a earlier age than either one of my parents. Probably because as a older parent I have the beauty of realizing how swift and quick our limited time here on earth can and is going to be. ” I used to do that too at your age” is something Ava hears at least once a week from me. It reassures her she is not doing something weird or wrong. Whether when she just eats the icing off of a cupcake and just leaves the cake or gets caught with a candy wrapper underneath her blanket. I truly think a child should see all the faults and imperfections in adults at a early stage so no one ever can present themselves to her as a savior or a saint.

So that’s it for this rebirth of my Daddy Diaries. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Later Y’all.

Guest Blog Series | DADDY DIARIES – The Prequel

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BEHOLD! This is my husband holding up our daughter to the heavens 1 month after she was born in Miami Beach, FL . She is the inspiration for “Daddy Diaries” | SobeSavvy.com

2/16/11

Daddy Diaries #1 | SobeSavvy.com

3/1/11

Daddy Diaries #2 | SobeSavvy.com

3/25/11

Daddy Diaries #3 | SobeSavvy.com

3/9/11

Daddy Diaries #4 | SobeSavvy.com

6/14/11

Daddy Diaries #5 | SobeSavvy.com

8/5/11

Daddy Diaries -Final Chapter | SobeSavvy.com

On August 16, 2011 at 7:58pm our one and only daughter was born. My wife (who had just turned 38 in 8/10) had a very calm pregnancy but labor & delivery was a different story. Our daughter arrived by emergency C-section weighing 8 pounds and 11 ounces, 21 inches. We lived in Miami Beach at the time with no family near but will be forever thankful for the friends who helped during that time.

Needless to say with just the 2 of us now managing the new #HeighPartyof3, the sleepless nights, diaper duty and my wife breastfeeding for 20 months, our daughter became our priority. I no longer had time to write …fast forward 9 years later and I am bringing DADDY DIARIES back!

Click here to read the all 🆕️ DADDY DIARIES VOL 1 “Humanizing” and please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Later Y’all.

Sun Hat Styles for Men and Women by @TenthStreetHats #tenthstreethats #fathersday2020 #giftideas #hats #ad

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Disclaimer: Thanks to Tenth Street Hats, I received complimentary promotional products for facilitating this review. The opinions are 100% percent my own.

Now that summer is upon us and warm temperatures are here, it’s my husband’s favorite time of year to wear hats. They are his favorite accessory to protect him from the sun in style! I have always loved seeing him in hats and thought it would be great to celebrate him for Father’s Day by gifting him a hat or two. I knew that I could find the right size and style from renowned hat maker, Tenth Street Hats.

TENTH STREET HATS
I have partnered with Tenth Street Hats before for Fall Hat Month and loved their selections of fashionable, high-quality hats for men and women so much that I was excited to see what they offered for the spring/summer season.This company, which has been family owned and operated since 1921, knows the value of tradition and aesthetic when it comes to handmade hats. Using the best materials, people and partnerships is why their men’s and women’s hats are perfect for any occasion and sure to make you stand out in a crowd! Handmade with quality materials and an eye for style, Tenth Street Hats would be the perfect addition to any wardrobe. No matter what the season or destination, they offer a beautiful array of hats. It will be hard to find just one favorite on their website, which allows you to search by shape, type, material, color, and occasion.Pictured below are some choices that I’ve picked out for my husband, just in time for Father’s Day and the summer season. Plus, I needed a new sun hat to wear so read further to see what Tenth Street Hat has for the ladies!

FOR HIM

Style: MIAMI VICE

Casual, Colorful and Cool… this hat says Hello Summer! My husband liked it at first sight because it’s full of character, just like him. He plans to wear it while riding his bike, at the pool/beach or anytime he feels like it because.. “that’s what grown men do.”

TENTH STREET Hats , Style- Miami Vice

Style- Miami Vice | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style: ROCKFORD

Stylish, Structured, Simplicity are the 3 words I would use to describe this hat. My husband loved the neutral color as it would go with almost anything! I opted to get the L/XL (so that I could wear it too) but luckily sizing tape comes with all hat orders so that he can adjust it to his liking. He says it will be his festival hat, Sunday Brunch hat or anytime he steps out in style in the summer sun!

Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style- Rockford | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style: CALISTOGA

This Fly, Fresh, Finely Made fedora style hat is what I gifted my husband last year for Father’s Day and year later, this hat is still holding up! It had become his hat of choice whenever he knew we were going out. Dress it up or down, this hat with it’s mult-color band allowed so much style versatility.

Style- Calistoga | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style- Calistoga | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Not sure if this is the hat for you or him? You can virtually try it on before purchasing which is a cool and easy feature found on the Tenthstreethats.com website!

SobeSavvy Tip: Hats make great gifts for men, and it’s never to late to shop for the Father’s Day or any occasionfor that special man in your life. Tenth Street Hats offers FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $99. FREE EXCHANGES. Gift yourself or someone you love with a designer hat from Tenth Street Hats.

FOR HER

Style: MIAMI

For 18 years, my husband and I called Miami Beach home so when I saw that Tenth Street Hats offered a sun hat style called “Miami”, I figured I would treat myself to something that would remind me of a place we once called home. Sunglasses and sun hats were definitely accessory staples of living in the sunshine state. But no matter where you live, a wide brim sun hat offers great protection. I chose this one because of its unique beading style which you can get in other solid colors or choose the multi color style like I am wearing below. This summer you can find me at the Farmer’s Market, on the beach , splashing with my daughter in our backyard inflateable pool or simply enjoying the sun on the patio in style with this hat from Tenth Street!

Style- Miami | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Style- Miami | Tenth Street Hats | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

What is your favorite style of Sun Hat shown above? What style would you gift to a Dad in your life? Or if you would like to gift yourself, check out Tenth Street Hats and pick a new one for you! Need some style inspiration? Take a look at their Sun Hats collection and Follow on Instagram @tenthstreethats.

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Get Dad..(and Moms)Father's Day ready with Tenth Street Hats! They have a variety of styles and designs in their Sun Hats collection that would make perfect gifts for Dad and have us Moms stepping out in style too! Thanks @tenthstreethats for making quality hats that both my husband and I love and enjoy wearing! Check my instastories for some hat style inspirations + Swipe 🔙 to see up close details. Hat Styles Shown: VICE, ROCKFORD, CALISTOGA, MIAMI #TenthStreetHats #hat #FathersDayGiftIdeas #FathersDayGift #FathersDay #Giftsforhim #hat #dad #hatattack #strawhat #sunhat #hatstyle #tiktok #SobeSavvy #LifeStyleBlogger #familyblogger #fblogger #Raleighblogger #beforeIletgo #fatherday2020 #mommyblogger #blackdadsmatter

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Deals and Giveaways from Local NC Businesses

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Hello May! There is no doubt that we are thankful for each month, each day but as Mother’s Day rapidly approaches on Sunday, May 10, I can only wonder how to celebrate. My Mom is in another state and with the Stay at Home order, we are staying safely away from each other while sending many virtual kisses and hugs and making the most of online chats. In the midst of it all, it is important for us Moms to celebrate our hardwork and dedication as we all try to balance work life, married life, homeschool life, and parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though this Mother’s Day 2020 will undoubtedly be different, we should take the time to recognize us Moms! I am happy to share these fun and budget-friendly ways to celebrate Moms while taking the opportunity to show appreciation to our local NC businesses throughout the Triangle and beyond! Check out these discounts, deals and giveaways to help you make it a special day (see details below and enter on IG @SobeSavvy) ! Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Deals and Giveaways from Local NC Businesses

• Serve her breakfast in bed and “Build Your Own Brunch Box ” from kõ•än

• Tired of cooking? Get Sunday Brunch to Go at STIR + use special discount code SOBESAVVY10 for 10% off your order

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Dads, bring it home to MAMA and get #STIRToGo for Brunch 📍@stirraleighnc Ordering is simple and easy! You just place your order online and then select what day and time you'd like to pick it up. Plus, 🎉Use SOBESAVVY10, for 10% off your orders🎉 They are serving lunch, dinner, Saturday & Sunday Brunch and offering a special Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner to go. With so many delicious takeout options like The Breakfast Burger served with hand cut fries, fresh, shucked to order oysters and a Kid's Brunch menu, the whole family will be smiling! 🙂 Also, STIR has partnered with #FeedTheFight to provide meals to first-responders and charities being affected by COVID-19. People donate meals to first-responders and charities via STIR's website. After a donation is made, STIR makes the meal and delivers it to the local first-responders or Raleigh charities.❤ . . . #StirRaleigh #SobeSavvy #soNCsavvy #SundayBrunch #WeekendBrunch #BrunchtoGo #SundayFunday #brunchlover #brunchathome #RaleighFood #RaleighNC #RaleighRestaurants #VisitNorthHills #MothersDay #MothersDayBrunch #RaleighBlogger #NCBlogger #NCoysters #oysters #raleighfoodblogger #nomnom #foodblogger #lifestyleblogger #familyblogger #discountcode #foodiesofinstagram #blackfoodbloggers #trifoodies

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• Take her on a Pizza Picnic with Coronato Pizza + enter Giveaway for Mom to win FREE pizza

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🎉ENTER TO WIN FREE PIZZA FOR MOM from @coronatopizza! Give Mom what she deserves a pizza all to herself! 🍕🧺😍 My husband & daughter planned this pre-Mother's Day pizza picnic and I had my favorite FUNGHI. I love the Roman style pizza dough and how the crust is thin, crunchy and cooked to perfection. The ingredients are always fresh and the taste is always great! Thank you for being open for takeout and delivery ❤ Rules To Enter: 1. FOLLOW @sobesavvy @coronatopizza💕 2. TAG a friend that loves pizza 🍕 3. LIKE this photo 🙂 ⭐BONUS entries for each friend tagged and /or sharing this post to your feed or stories. This giveaway will run from Saturday 5/2/20 and end Wednesday 5/6/20 at 6pm EST . Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via DM. *This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram and is only open to US residents. GOOD LUCK ❤ . . . #SobeSavvy #Coronatopizza #romanpizza #carrboronc #pizzaislife #nceats #eatlocal #sobesavvygiveaway #giveaway #pizza #picnic #gifting #chcbfoodies #pizzalover #Raleighblogger #NCblogger #soNCsavvy #ncfoodbloggers #foodblogger #discoverunder5k #visitcarrboro #visitchapelhill #lifestyleblogger #maygiveaway #coronatocommunity #takeoutforthetriangle #carrborofoodies #pizzaoftheday #mothersdaygiftideas #takeout

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• Treat her to some selfcare with organic skincare products from Nailah Shea + use discount code SOBESHEA2020
for 15% of purchases of $30 or more

• Schedule a Front Porch Portrait Session by Images by Amber Robinson and take advantage of the Mother’s Day Special ..available until May 10th!

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Hey dads! Kids won’t be bringing home hand made crafts for Mother’s Day from school this year, meaning gifts are ALL 👏🏽 UP 👏🏽 TO 👏🏽 YOU 👏🏽 But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with the one thing that EVERY mom want…. a family portrait with her kiddos 📸 I’ve got two amazing deals that will have any gift giver looking like a winner this Mother’s Day!! 💐 Check out my stories and the links in my bio for the inside scoop, and tag a dad who needs to read this! . . . . . #mothersday #safeathome #homeschool #mothersdaygift #supportsmallbusiness #shopsmall #spreadjoynotgerms #stayathome #alonetogether #bettertogether #raleighfamilyphotographer #ilovemom #imagesbyamberr #raleighweddingphotographer #raleigh #wedding #photographer #raleighwedding #raleighphotographer #weddingphotographer #ncwedding #ncweddingphotographer #destinationweddingphotographer #blackfemalephotographer #heartofncweddings #letsgetmarried #weregettingmarried #isaidyes

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❤ A family portrait would make the perfect gift for Mom. Buy Gift Cards for Images by Amber and Redeem Later:

https://www.honeybook.com/widget/imagesby_amber_robinson/cf_id/5ea8cee464d6201d9d22e9e6

• Light up her life with a scented candle from Bright Black Candle + get free shipping & 10% off with code “happymoms” on all orders through Mother’s Day 5/10

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I’m baaaaaaack!!! And where did I go, pray tell? Well, I’ve mostly been in the bed. Sick. After a few days, I engaged my doctors and they said it was the flu. It was B. A. D. So bad that I didn’t work all week (completely not like me!). So bad that Dariel had to come home early to pick up the little one because my body hurt from head to toe and I couldn’t move. Luckily I’m on the up and up. Had my first meal since Sunday last night. Feeling slightly more energetic today. Going to take it slowly throughout the rest of the week and hopefully hit the ground running on Monday. 🙏🏾 Naturally being sick and reading about the rapid progression of the coronavirus, health and disruptions to health have been on my mind. I’ve been praying for those who have been battling the coronavirus and for those taking care of those with the virus. I’ve been thinking about how traumatic mass loss of life is for society, and wondering what the psychological effects of this pandemic are going to be for us and generations to come. And admittedly, selfishly, I’ve been thinking about our business. We’ve worked to stabilize our supply chain (kinda sorta), which is great. But what’s more troubling is that in all likelihood the markets we’ve been accepted to this spring will be canceled. That was our lifeline to the fall. This is terrifying but this is also where faith and smarts and community and resourcefulness and and and come in. In my gut, I know that everything will be ok, but when I play this scenario out, it ain’t pretty. In fact, it’s pretty bleak. Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but I wanted to explain the IG/FB silence and also share a bit about some of the coronavirus dynamics that will likely never make the news. Sending all of y’all healing, healthful energy! #pleasewashyourhands 💦😊 • • • #brightblack #brightblackcandles #candles #comeshinewithus #flu #coronavirus #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #durm #durhamnc #bullcity #nc #welovenc #kingston #jamaica #kingstonjamaica #entrepreneurlife #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #supportsmallbusiness #womeninbusiness #blackownedbusiness #shopsmall #familybusiness #supportlocalbusiness #discoverdurham #meditate

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• Enter to win her a $100 National Pawn Gift Card

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April Showers Bring May Flowers and… GIVEAWAYS! ❤ Remember when I treated myself for Valentine's Day and got this cute, red Michael Kors tote bag from National Pawn? Now, it's time to treat yourself and enter this ⭐ GIVEAWAY for $100 Gift Card to National Pawn ⭐ I am excited to share that National Pawn's founder, Bob Moulton is generously giving back to the community and I am teaming up to gift a $100 Gift Card to one of my followers. This gift card can be used at any of their locations (there's 16 locations across NC) for something fun like a handbag, jewelry, pandora charms, a musical instrument or a necessity like a laptop, a camera, or gift it to a Mom for Mother's Day! ❤ Rules To Enter: 1. FOLLOW @sobesavvy @nationalpawnshops 💕 2. TAG a friend that loves shopping 🛍 3. LIKE this photo 🙂 ⭐BONUS entries for each friend tagged and /or sharing this post to your feed or stories. This giveaway will run from Friday 5/1/20 and end Tuesday 5/5/20 at 6pm EST . Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via DM. *This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram and is only open to US residents. GOOD LUCK ❤ #SobeSavvy #nationalpawn #sobesavvygiveaway #giveaway #nationalpawnshops #gifting #raleighnc #shopping #Raleighblogger #NCblogger #soNCsavvy #shoplocalraleigh #michaelkors #luxurybags #totebag #redpurse #bag #purse #michaelkorsbag #ootd #discoverunder5k #RaleighNC #lifestyleblogger #Raleighmoms #shopping #michaelkorstote #aprilshowers #helloMay #maygiveaway

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Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th. I encourage you to support local businesses and celebrate your Mother, your Mom friends and the Mom in you too! Know of any local deals, discounts or giveaways happening and want to share? Please do in the comments below. ❤ Thanks for reading and sharing!

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Spring 2020 Family Fun Things To Do in Durham, NC @DurhamNC

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I am so happy Spring is just around the corner here in the Triangle! With warmer temps on the horizon in our weekly forecast and daylight savings time happening this past Sunday, I was motivated to get out and have some family fun in Durham, NC. It just takes 30 mins/28 miles to get to Downtown Durham from my home in Raleigh, so I love going there often. But this time, I wanted to play tourist and make a list to share with you some Spring 2020 Family Fun Things To Do in Durham, NC! Planning things to do was easy when I got an email from Discover Durham announcing their new Spring Guide.

The guide included an original lo-fi album, a variety of spring festivals to check out, a listing of lady bosses in the community (just in time for Women’s History Month), and more! Here are the places we checked out in Durham, NC:

Nolia Family + Coffee

We headed to Durham for a full day of fun but before we got started, we went to get the fuel most parents need to get thru the morning: coffee! Nolia is a must when visiting Durham because as per their name, they are all about Family + Coffee. This business is a unique child centric coffee shop where owner/Justin said “kids here are not just tolerated, they are celebrated!” This was evident from the moment we walked in this cute minimalist space. They had a storyteller on one side with kids sitting on the floor and having a great time. Beautiful vibes were everywhere with a feeling of community and inclusion. They have small selections of coffee and tea and some good pastries to boot. You can also shop local and get a candle from Bright Black, a Black, family owned company that uses scent as a medium and candles as a platform to share positive narratives about Blackness. We ordered a delicious apple pastry, a pour over coffee and a kids hot cocoa to go. Everything was good and we will be back!

Name: Nolia: Family + Coffee
Website: www.noliacoffee.com
About Us: Nolia Coffee is Durham’s family-centric, specialty coffee shop.
Social Media: Facebook & Instagram – @noliacoffe

The Carolina Theatre of Durham

Earlier in February, I attended a media mission hosted by Discover Durham, where invited media were introduced to local businesses in Durham and informed about what is new in 2020. While I was there, I spoke with The Carolina Theatre of Durham and learned about their Family Saturday Series. Tickets are just $5 and includes free popcorn and a drink. to catch a show at the historic Carolina Theatre. This show featured Beverly Botsford, Dancing Drums, which showcased an array of percussion instruments and celebrated universal rhythm. Children and families enjoyed this very interactive show. The audience was encouraged to sing, clap along, make their own beat and join her on stage to play the instruments. My daughter got a kick out of seeing her father play the bongos! A good time was had by all.

SobeSavvy Tip: The theatre has a free exhibit on the top level called “Confronting Change” that speaks to it’s racial segregationist past and how it eventually allowed all people of all colors to finally be treated as equal. Make sure you check it out no matter what show you are there to see!

Name: Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc.

Website: www.CarolinaTheatre.org

About Us: Since 1926, the Carolina Theatre has been dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the greater Triangle Region. Our nonprofit has operated the venue for more than 25 years, using both commercial and mission-driven programming to establish the venue as so much more than just a building to its community. From concerts to comedy to cinema and more, the Carolina Theatre remains an important cultural beacon of a growing region.

Social Media: Facebook & Instagram – @carolinatheatredurham; Twitter – @carolinadurham

EAT| Pizzeria Toro

We were ready for lunch after seeing the show at The Carolina Theatre. Since we were parked conveniently across the street in the free parking deck, we decided to walk around and find somewhere to eat. Downtown Durham has so many great places to dine but we decided to try a spot called Pizzeria Toro because it had wood fired pizz on the menu along with a great wine/beer list for us parents! They had a kids cheese pizza and hubby and I went with customizing our pizza by adding proscuitto. If you love thin crust, great quality cheese with a balance of fresh tomato sauce in a family friendly place with a trendy vibe, then go to Pizzeria Toro!

Name: Pizzeria Toro

Website: http://www.pizzeriatoro.com

Social Media: IG/Facebook/Twitter

@pizzeriatoro

Durham Arts Council/Durham Arts Walk

After lunch, we walked off all that delicious pizza by attending Durham Arts Walk/Spring Market, an annual spring festival that celebrates community and its artists. It’s a great event – everything is family friendly but they also had a special kids activity area on the second floor of the Durham Arts Council building. One of the favorite features is the Durham Art Walk Drawing, which features some wonderful prizes, including a family four pack for the Durham Bulls. Here is more about the event details on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/519407152025095/

Name: Durham Arts Council
Website: http://www.durhamarts.org
About Us: As Durham’s local nonprofit arts agency, the Durham Arts Council (DAC) serves artists, arts organizations and the general public. DAC serves the public through continuing education classes, artist programs, large events, and access to the DAC building 7 days a week, including rotating exhibits and special event venues. The arts community is served through grants of cash and space, teaching, performing and public art contracts, exhibit opportunities and technical assistance. As a private nonprofit service agency, the Durham Arts Council is uniquely positioned to partner extensively with other community agencies, including Durham Public Schools, Student U, Granville Education Foundation, Durham Parks and Recreation, Durham Area Designers, Duke University and North Carolina Central University. DAC recently launched a new veterans art program and is about to launch a new artist/arts organization public database. Additionally, DAC continues to lead the Durham SmART public art program in partnership with downtown stakeholders, the City of Durham and Downtown Durham Inc.
Social Media: Facebook & Twitter – @durhamarts; Instagram – @durham_arts

Discover Durham Visitors Center

While downtown, we stopped by the Discover Durham Visitor Center. This bright space has all Durham related info under one roof. They also have an interactive computer wall map, free cell phone charging station and clean bathrooms for visitors! While letting our cell phones recharge, my daughter used a sticky pad to participate in a wall where visitors are encouraged to leave their own personal messages celebrating Women’s History Month. This place is the ultimate resource for any visit to Durham. Sightseeing guides and maps are free for all. Knowledgeable staff are there with suggestions and ideas of how to curate a great day in the bull city. We picked up a free “mural guide” booklet that allowed us to explore many of the murals and enjoy plenty of photo ops.

SobeSavvy Tip: Find 5 murals and return with your cell phone photo proof to get a prize (a beer glass celebrating Durham being 150 years old)! How awesome is that?!

Name: Discover Durham

Address: 212 W Main St #101, Durham NC 27701

Website: https://www.discoverdurham.com/

Social Media: Facebook/Twitter/IG @DurhamNC

Jeddah’s Tea

When you leave the Discover Durham Visitor’s Center you must make your way to Jeddah’s Tea, a cozy black female-owned tea house that has quickly earned a special place in Durham. Cool, laid back vibes were present and they have a massive selections of local teas as well as teas from around the world. I ordered a Matcha Latte while hubby went for some hot chocolate. My daughter opted to have ice cream from The Parlour, which is just a couple of doors up from Jeddah’s Tea, so it was a win win for all. We were all just so happy to support local and I love their motto: Tea to the people, for the people

Name: Jeddah’s Tea

Website: https://jeddahstea.com

Social: Facebook/IG @jeddahstea

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The Durham Bulls are one of the sport jewels of the triangle. Arguably the most iconic AAA baseball clubs in the nation located right here in the bull city. Saturday they held their annual Fan Fest at the stadium. We strolled the grounds, met the mascots, and sampled some ballpark gourmet food. Some attendees even were allowed on the field to take actual batting practice. The field looked great and will be ready for opening day on April 9th this year. I look forward to returning for a game or two this summer!

Name: Durham Bulls Baseball Club
Website: http://www.durhambulls.com
About Us: The Durham Bulls, Triple-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are excited to
showcase giveaways, merchandise, specialty jersey designs and more as we approach
the 2020 season. The Durham Bulls open the 2020 season at home on Thursday, April 9 against the Charlotte Knights.
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter – @durhambulls

EAT|BORICUA SOUL

Located adjacent to the Durham Bulls stadium, Boricua Soul has their first brick and mortar incarnation of their popular food truck that folks here in the triangle have loved for years. This family owned casual eatery combines the essence of the South with the flavor of Puerto Rico. We ordered some empanadas, a side of mac n cheese and their sopa de pollo. Served in a little metal pot, the soup presentation alone won me over! My daughter and husband really commented on how great the empanada crust tasted as well as the fillings. This was the perfect place to go nearby to our final stop that day in Durham.

Name: Boricua Soul
Website: http://www.boricuasoulnc.com
About Us: Boricua Soul merges favorites from both Puerto Rico and the South to create new and exciting dishes. Our Durham-grown food truck is excited to expand to the American Tobacco Campus.
Social Media: Instagram & Twitter – @boricuasoulnc; Facebook – @boricuasoul

Museum of Life + Science

This past Sunday, we headed to the Museum of Life + Science for a special event to commemorate International Women’s Day. It was called “Girl Powered Science: Inspiring The Next Generation of Scientists“. This event had multiple science tables where girls {and boys too} could participate in actual science experiments {cloud making anyone ?} and equally important speak with actual working female scientists, lab assistants and researchers. My daughter learned about DNA, weather formations and even more than she already knew about the pioneering women of the NASA space program. Almost every table was it’s own interactive project. I loved that I was exposing her to all the career opportunities and choices that formerly were not open to women.

We also explored more of the museum, including the cafe and even took a train ride around the grounds which was loads of fun for everyone. My daughter is an animal lover so she especially loved The Farmyard and seeing the butterflies in the Magic Wing Conservatory. There is always something new to see and do here, so a repeat visit is in our future!

Name: Museum of Life and Science
Website: http://www.lifeandscience.org
About Us: Located just north of downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Situated on 84-acres, our interactive science park includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits which are safe havens for rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves. Other popular attractions include over 60 species of live animals, Hideaway Woods, Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek
Railway, and Into the Mist.
Social Media: Facebook & Twitter – @lifeandscience; Instagram – @museumoflifeandscience

Durham,NC aka Bull City is rich in culture, and has plenty of things to do for everyone. If you are planning a visit here soon, I hope these Spring 2020 recommendations are helpful. Have you been to Durham,NC before? Do you have any family fun recommendations for our next visit? Please leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading!

Getting a selfie with the Durham Bull statue aka Major the Bull..is a must when visiting Durham aka Bull City!

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