This #LeapDay, leap over to @FaireRaleigh @CameronVillage and Celebrate #NationalSurfandTurfDay

February 29, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

Today is Feb 29th..Leap Day and National Surf and Turf Day! I suggest you celebrate by leaping over to Faire Restaurant to try their new menu highlighting a modern take on seafood, steak and small plates.

This month with the launch of the new and improved menu, Faire has added more small plate choices perfect for sharing with friends over a glass of wine. Chef Steve Zanini places a premium on finding the best ingredients for every dish on his menu. After taking a look at the menu online, I decided to come in for some cocktails and to give a taste to some of the small plates. The space is bright and airy. It is broken up with a nice lounge/bar area. The main dining room has large windows and a recessed waterfall ! Our server was attentive without being intrusive. The wonderful wine list is curated by Sommelier Mike Tinley. I had various dishes {shown below}. You can try many small plates or a large plate entrée. The choice is yours. Good Food. Good atmosphere and service. That is more than Faire. Next time you are in Cameron Village or want a special date night, try Faire.

Next month they start lunch hours and also they have a popular Sunday Brunch.

Enjoy my pictures from my visit to Faire ~Cheers!

* How beautiful is Faire’s Event Space?! It allows for 40 cocktail or 20 seated and features AV hookups for presentations,music,slideshows and more. Contact Events@FaireRestaurant.com

*If you love seafood..try the Crab Cakes with arugula, remoulade. Try this with a glass of Chenin Blanc, a newly added white on their wine list.

*A unique take on Surf and Turf: Shrimp & Pork Belly served with ancho, white cheddar biscuit,country veloutte

* These Frites are house cut russets accompanied with truffle aioli . Now this is how you elevate french fries !

*If you love quality Steak Tartare, this chopped c.a.b comes with capers shallots, mustard from Asheville,NC, egg yolk and crostinis

Left to Right: Sommelier, Michael Tinley and Executive Chef, Steve Zanini

Photographs of @BizMarkie 80s vs 90s Tour @RitzRaleigh ! A #soNCsavvy Recap

February 26, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

Last night, party people came out in their 80s or 90s best, dressed and Ready to Party with DJ Biz Markie at The RITZ Raleigh !

From the moment I walked into the venue, I knew it was going to be a fun night ! The Ritz staff did a great job decorating according to the theme: from Rubic Cubes to movie posters from the era; a Moonman a la MTV, even Aquanet Hair Spray in the ladies Room ! Check out my slide show recap here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCPCf1wiXPE/

Two local Raleigh bands: 120 Minutes Band and Trainwreak played favorite hits from the 80s and 90s. DJ Biz Markie’s kept the party rocking with two full sets throughout the night.

Be Sure to Follow on Twitter & Instagram at @RitzRaleigh and like Facebook at facebook.com/RitzRaleigh for information and updates on the next fun concert or music event !

Everyone had a blast partying like it was 1999! Enjoy my #soNCsavvy event photos “As seen on the Scene” by SobeSavvy.Com !

Explore the Romantic Side of #Baltimore ! @BaltimoreMd @hyattplacebalt #Hyattplace @FlowersFancies @artBMA~Recap SobeSavvy .com

February 18, 2016SobeSavvy 2 Comments

This past Valentine’s day weekend, my husband and I decided to drive up to the quintessentially American city of Orioles and Ravens..Baltimore. We have traveled here before with our daughter to enjoy the charm of charm city by visiting many of its attractions. This time we wanted to explore the romantic side of Baltimore!

The city has many special neighborhoods to enjoy. Folks kept advising us that we HAVE to explore Harbor East. Apparently this is a newer built up area east of downtown proper. Trendy shops and restaurants abound. The buzz in the air is palpable. The problem with trendy is that style often trumps substance. I wanted to take no chances with my lodging choice for the weekend. I wanted a spot with all the amenities. That spot was the Hyatt Place Inner Harbor.

With a stylish and discreet business center in the lobby, it can be assumed that this Hyatt brand is geared toward extended stay business travelers. While that may be the case on the surface, it’s also a great place for leisure travelers and romantics alike. Check in was very friendly and efficient. When I entered our guest room, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Baltimore’s premier florist, Flowers & Fancies
Per their website,”Since 1971 Flowers & Fancies has strived to serve its clients with a higher standard of high quality florals, inspired designs, and world class customer service”. Just take one look at these beautiful flowers and I am sure you will agree with their statement. They also provide same day delivery. Romantic flowers for a romantic weekend. Make sure you use them on your next visit to Baltimore.

After being mesmorized by the floral arrangement, I could finally take in the oversized guest room. With a very strategically place partition, it made the space seem even bigger. The design was perfect for our romantic weekend. Ceiling to Floor windows! Modern furniture that was very comfortable. Even the wall art was tasteful and stylish. We loved it!

They have a cocktail and coffee bar in the lobby that also serves a wide variety of desserts. Although we had a dinner reservation at one of the many nearby restaurants , we wanted to do something a little intimate with a group of friends. The hotel reserved a special space in their gallery where we hosted an after dinner dessert extravaganza for our party. Coffee to Cocktails is open till 12:00AM and it was the perfect place for me and our guests. Dessert choices are but not limited too – Cheesecake, Cupcakes, Cookies and Chocolate “Lava” Cake which was fabulous.
The Key Lime pie slice was my favorite. Our friends had a great time ending the evening with us.

Some of the other perks of Hyatt Place include:
* 24 hour a day food menu . That's right. If you really want a Bacon & Cheddar burger at 3:30am, they make it happen !
* Quiet Rest. This is a urban location so the floor to ceiling windows are double paned.
* Modern business center is also at your disposal 24 hrs a day.
* Meeting spaces are also available for corporate or casual meetings. State of the Art Audio /Visual equipment is present in the meeting rooms.
*Indoor heated pool? Check . Modern workout fitness room ? check.
* An awesome free A.M Skillet breakfast. Eggs done two ways, waffles and various juices. They even offered almond milk.

That delicious full breakfast provided us the energy to explore more of the Romantic side of Baltimore as we prepared to leave the Harbor East area and visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. It was a perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day by visiting one of the romantic art museums in the city. A great date is satisfying to the mind and heart which made this a perfect outing because I love art. The BMA houses the world’s largest Matisse collection, an array of African and Asian art and a wild contemporary wing.

Overall, it was a great stay in Baltimore. Due to inclement weather we ended up extending our visit one extra day. Hyatt Place offers free WiFi, so I was able to work remotely in the comfort of our room!
If you are planning a visit to Baltimore, MD and looking for a place to relax, work or have a romantic rendezvous consider Hyatt Place Inner Harbor. #TheresAPlaceForYou

#Raleigh Win tix to DJ @BizMarkie 80s vs 90s Tour @RitzRaleigh on 2/25! A #SobeSavvyGiveAway #soNCsavvy

February 12, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

Come out in your 80s or 90s best, dressed and Ready to Party!

What: 80s vs 90s Party
with DJ Biz Markie

Where: The RITZ Raleigh
2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609

When: Thursday, February 25, 2016 7:30pm

Tickets on sale now via Groupon , Ticketmaster.com , Or at RitzRaleigh.com. The Ritz box office (opens at noon), or charge by phone 800-745-3000.

Two local Raleigh bands: 120 Minutes Band and Trainwreak square off for a battle of the decades, playing your favorite hits from the 80s and 90s. DJ Biz Markie’s “Got What You Need” as he spins two full sets and emcees throughout the night.

Be Sure to Follow on Twitter & Instagram at @RitzRaleigh and like Facebook at facebook.com/RitzRaleigh for information and updates!

SobeSavvy.Com will be there to capture the fun..check back here or Follow on Twitter & Instagram @IJust_LoveThis.
Wanna join me?
Comment Below in the Blog comments
Or
Comment on Instagram underneath this video
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBsmeXoiXHF/

*One Winner will be randomly selected to win a pair of tix . Giveaway ends 2/18 at noon . Good luck!

Hope to see you there!

Hey #Raleigh, Take Your #Valentine to #VitaViteRaleigh for #DateNight ! #WineBar #ArtGallery @downtownRaleigh #VitaVite #soNCsavvy

February 5, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

Two things in life that my husband and I enjoy immensely are art and wine. Not necessarily in that order !

Since that’s the case, we headed into the downtown Raleigh warehouse district. Our destination was a new spot that we had heard alot of positive vibes about. A wine bar named Vita Vite in Italian that literally means “life” and “vine. I could also call it an art gallery that offers great wine.

The bar inhabits a gorgeous space with high ceilings and a roaring fireplace. Furnishings that are not shabby but definitely chic. Leather sofas and tables that make one feel as if they are at their wealthy cousins country home. Art work is everywhere and most is for sale. What an awesome way to support the art community here in Raleigh! Huge wall pieces and small pieces abound. High top tables and an attractive bar with beers on tap round out the front of the bar. In the back is another room where more art work is displayed and also can be utilized for private events and parties.

The wine list is curated by owner, Lindsay Rice. To say Lindsay is passionate about wine is SUCH an understatement. During a conversation that evening, she exuberantly explained that she wanted a space and bar where people would not feel intimidated or overwhelmed with a wine experience. She keeps the ever rotating list of wines short and pocket friendly. Lindsay advised she purposefully does not put specific tasting notes under the wines listed so as not to tell patrons what they SHOULD be tasting. This way they can experience it with no preconceived notions.

We enjoyed a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and a delicious Cab from California. It complemented a charcuterie board of bread, cheese and meats perfectly.

Enjoying all of this on a rainy night made it all the more special inside of this beautiful warm space by the fire. Intimate stylish and immersed in art, this was an awesome place for our date night. With Valentines Day coming up, the perfect place to go with that special someone.

P.S.If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, Try this Hunky Dory 2014 from New Zealand at Vita Vite & Tell em’ SobeSavvy sent ya ! Cheers

#DWTSTour Dazzles @DPAC Tonight! @DancingABC #Raleigh #Durham #soNCsavvy

January 26, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE!

‘Dance All Night’ Tour

Comes to DPAC TONIGHT on January 26, 2016

All New Show to Feature Lindsay Arnold, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater and Special Guest Stars to be Announced

Following back to back sold out tours, Dancing with the Stars: Live! has taken its all new production on the road. Fans of Dancing with the Stars, ABC’s leading entertainment show, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, have the opportunity to see their favorite stars dance live in Durham, NC tonight. The Dance All Night Tour brings it a one-of-a-kind touring production to DPAC and I am so excited !

This winter, Dancing with the Stars: Live! – launched its Dance All Night Tour which features a bigger cast than ever before including pro dancers Lindsay Arnold, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater, Alan Bersten, Brittany Cherry and Jenna Johnson *. In this all new production, the dancers are freed from the ballroom to bring you a 90-minute action-packed live show. Audiences will watch exciting and romantic performances, from choreography never before seen on Dancing with the Stars, to some of the most memorable numbers from show.

“This tour is going to be totally new and exciting! We’re traveling through America again with some of the hottest dancing you’ll ever see in a live show. You think you’ve seen us on TV, but seeing us on Dancing with the Stars: Live! is an experience like no other.” said Valentin Chmerkovskiy.

For up to date information, go to dwtstour.com. Follow on: Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars Twitter @DancingABC, #DWTS Instagram @DancingABC Vine @DancingABC

Please note *Cast subject to change. Alek Skarlatos announced via Twitter he will be missing the show tonight. Insert sadface here but at least my guest and I can perhaps find out where they get those beige salsa boots and also pickup a new dance step or two!

I am ready to be dazzled and amazed at the talented dancers tonight. Be sure to check back here on SobeSavvy.com or Follow Twitter/Instagram @IJust_LoveThis Hashtag #SobeSavvy #soNCsavvy for a recap of fun !

*Opening Number
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBBhDIqCXG1/

*Loved this Magic Mike Moment
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBBjRYeiXLL/

#TransformationTuesday: How to Get Glowing #Skin, #Detox From Within !

January 19, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

Change in weather, diet or stress are just 3 of the many things that can wreak havoc on one’s skin. After the new year began, I found that my skin had lost its glow and for a reason why I did not know!

I began the year with a resolution to reintroduce healthy habits into my lifestyle. I tried a detox body treatment for the first time at Exhale (read about my pamper me session here ! ) So it was quite a surprise to me when last week, my face became red, flaky and itchy. It was just overall uncomfortable. Was it eczema ? an allergic reaction? psoriasis? seborrheic dermatitis?..I did not know! What I did know was like the picture below.. my skin was SAD 😦

I researched the internet and decided I would do a detox for my facial skin. My breakout occurred in my Tzone area (forhead, nose,chin) and looked at the facial map as a map on where the problem may lie.

OK by the looks of it something I ate may be the culprit so let’s do a detox. I decided upon Dr. OZ‘S 3 DAY Detox as it was simple, took little time and prep, cost was minimal, easy to follow and had rave reviews.

The shakes were easy to make and I looked forward to the breakfast and dinner one. Lunchtime was most challenging but I knew I was giving my body what it needs via the leafy greens to combat what was going on with my facial skin.

To understand the importance of detoxing, here are a few graphics that breaks it down as to why everyone should try a detox for the skin.

All you need is a weekend and this past 3 day weekend made it possible along with my suppostive husband and my willpower to do what is good for me from the inside out !

So here is my before, during (where I applied this honey/nutmeg mask that I loved as well) and after of the past 3 days.

I hope I have inspired you to try a detox and encouraged you to love the skin you are in! Remember beauty is skin deep … it starts from within. This Transformation Tuesday treat yourself to a skin detox!

It’s 2016,Resolve to #TravelforReal ! #TravelTuesday Feature @Loews_Hotels #LoewsAtlanta #SaltwoodAtl

January 5, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

January 1, 2016 began a New Year in which one of my resolutions was to travel more. A road trip to the city of Atlanta with a stay at the Loews Atlanta Hotel seemed like a great place to begin.

Upon entering the hotel lobby, which was still looking festive from the holidays, I immediately knew this was going to be a chic and cozy hotel stay. My family and I were greeted with a warm smile and hot apple cider. Our bell captain , Kahn was very welcoming and insured us that we would enjoy our stay. Our room was on the 22nd floor overlooking Midtown Atlanta, which is according to Wikipedia” is the second largest business district in the city of Atlanta, situated between the commercial and financial districts of Downtown to the south and Buckhead to the north.”

Our spacious corner room had views of the midtown skyline in 3 directions. Besides the Loews literally being one of the quietest hotels I have ever stayed at, it was also one of the most comfortable. Bedding, pillows and the Keurig coffee machine all made for a very enjoyable stay

Prior to our arrival, I corresponded with Jonathan Vendrick, the VIP/Concierge Manager for the Loews Atlanta Hotel who was beyond helpful with advising what attractions our 4 yr old would enjoy.

Already on our agenda was Lego Land (see article here) and the Children’s Museum ( read more here).

After a long day of travel and sightseeing, it is great to have a hotel that has a restaurant and a spa on the premises. Loews encourages guests to “Add a little well being to their stay” and I took them up on their offer by visiting Exhale Spa while there! Take a look at my feature of their spa here.

Our first dinner of the year was enjoyed at their restaurant, Saltwood. The restaurant specializes in the lost food art of Charcuterie. Chef picked specialty cuts of pork meats and cheeses. We also enjoyed fried Oysters and their succulent fried chicken with homemade gravy. Their whole fish was a favorite at the table also. Stylish space and unique offerings are to be found at Saltwood.

Needless to say, my little one and I enjoyed our home away from home at the Loews. Their quality, customer service,attentiveness and attention to detail made this a memorable family travel experience and a great way to start the new year in comfort. Until next time….

Detox From Within & Start 2016 Feeling Zen! @exhalespa #LoewsAtlanta #ExhaleSpa #Hammam #Yoga

January 4, 2016SobeSavvy 4 Comments

After the Halloween candy of October, the many plates of stuffing with turkey on Thanksgiving in November and the hustle and bustle of the holidays in December, it’s a wonder that everyone is looking to get back on track in January with a detox!

Exhale Atlanta Midtown http://exhalespa.com/locations/atlanta-midtown located inside the Loews Atlanta Hotel offers many options to locals and visitors alike who are looking to improve their health from the inside out.

After reviewing the online menu, I chose to start my new year trying something new! A speciality treatment offered by Exhale Spa caught my attention described on the website as follows: HAMMAM DETOX THERAPY | 30 Mins: A revitalizing body scrub therapy as you lounge inside the co-ed Hamman. Enjoy a head-to-toe exfoliation to soften skin, increase perspiration, and stimulate detoxification.

My therapist, Alicia Perdue greeted me in the relaxtion lounge with a selection of scrubs and asked me to choose based on scent. I gravitated towards both the geranium and jasmine sugar scrubs and she advised she will customize the scrub to my liking . They also had a salt based scrub with a ginger scent that I will try next time!

While she prepared the hammam, I sipped on a detox tea as part of the service. She advised the purpose of the tea before and after the scrub is to assist with detoxification as it starts from within. I really enjoyed the treatment and left feeling like a new flower blooming in a botanical garden!

Before treatment…

After detox, all smiles….

After my spa treatment, I got changed for my Exhale Chill Yoga class instructed by Stephanie Johnson.
This restorative yoga practice was just what I needed after a day of travel and a night of ringing in the new year! Calming, relaxing and informative are just some of the words my guest and I used to describe this class. The studio space was serene and inviting. Yoga mats and props are provided, just bring an open mind and leave with an open heart!

New Year, New Fun at the Newly Renovated @ChildMuseumATL #childrensmuseumATL with #OutandAboutAva ~ #Familyfun Recap by #SobeSavvy .com

January 3, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

” I wanna have some fun”…with those 5 words expressed by my 4 yr old, we were off the to The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Located adjacent to Centennial Park downtown. According to their website, it was founded in 1988 as a “Museum Without Walls” and opened to the public in 2003. True to that initial vision it is indeed a grand open space with not a wall in site.

They recently reopened after a 8.2 million dollar renovation that added a 3,000-square-foot mezzanine level. That level emphasizes STEM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math education), with new interactive exhibits. My little one enjoyed some one on one interaction with friendly and knowledgeable staff members on that level. She actually saw her own fingerprint under a digital microscope and used a huge tablet computer that animates all of the body systems. I don’t know who loved the “piano stairs” more..me or her !!

Downstairs it is all about open play and learn. Gravity and pulley exhibits rule. They even had a mini supermarket for her to do some grocery shopping !

There is a elevated stage area for performances and storytellers. All and all a great way to spend the afternoon. Treat your kids and yourself to a fun learning trip and go to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta where fun and games provide education to your child’s day!