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Concert REVIEW | Kehlani Mesmerizes Fans on the Crash World Tour in Raleigh, NC with special guests FLO & Anycia #CrashTour #LiveNation

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On ‘Nights Like This’, you can expect an eargasmic experience from KEHLANI at the CRASH WORLD TOUR with special guests FLO & ANYCIA!

The #CrashTour came to Raleigh, NC on OCTOBER 1, 2024 | TUESDAY 7:30 PM at RED HAT AMPHITHEATER. We were all ready for the kind of good ‘Distraction’ our soul needs by way of good music and good vibes. The concert opening acts, girl group FLO and rapper, Anyica both gave fantastic performances. 

Then Kehlani came to the stage and started singing “Next 2 You” and from that moment you knew it was going to be a magical night! The crowd was mesmerized by the presence of Kehlani. One fan shared with me that many of the songs helped her get through some tough moments in her life. The setlist consisted of old hits, new faves and at the Raleigh show there was even a proposal to “Marry You”. 

🎶 Here’s a Spotify playlist of Kehlani’s setlist from Crash World Tour 2024: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44CJwAYG80YQfxV8794bot?si=MlUrc1XKTLa5qrEUIUpxlg&pi=u-xjJQ5kN4QLGN

‘Can I’ just tell you that the whole show was beyond amazing! The Band, The Dancers and of course Kehlani is an incredibly beautiful & talented performer who really knows how to connect to the audience. We all truly wanted to stay ‘After Hours’, because even with the light rain no one wanted to leave. Such high energy! 

If you enjoy live music with lyrics that make you feel and sends chills thru your whole being, then you must get your ticket >> https://www.kehlani.com/  Produced by Live Nation, the 31-city tour (which goes until November 2nd, 2024) was highly anticipated following the release of Kehlani’s new album, CRASH. The songs on the album have a beautiful sound and stories that we all can relate to. 

Check out some of my favorite moments from the concert and if you were there I’d love to hear what you thought of the show (or your fave Kehlani song) in the comments below! ⬇️

TikTok Recap : https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8RsjcS8/

X/Twitter Recap: https://x.com/sobesavvy/status/1841488675126874351?s=46

👀Watch YouTube Vlog ⤵️

Recap | Kehlani Crash World Tour

Things to Do in #RaleighNC | Support the Arts and see BARBECUE Oct 18-29 2023 @theatreraleigh

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I recently went on a ‘Day Date’ with my hubby to catch a matinee of a production at Theatre Raleigh called BARBECUE. We had heard about the show from a newsletter that I received via email from The Triangle Friends of African American Arts , an organization that strives to expand awareness, understanding and support of African American arts and artists. I follow them as well as Theatre Raleigh to stay in the know about upcoming performances!

About BARBECUE

The grill is hot, the beer is chilled, and the table is set for a typical O’Mallery family barbecue. Barbecue centers on around the O’Mallerys, a dysfunctional group of siblings who come together for a barbecue in the park to stage an emergency intervention for their sister Barbara, whose drug habit has gotten out of hand. There are in fact two O’Mallery families, one white and one black. Each appear in different, yet similar scenes that juxtapose to create a dialogue about racial and family politics. Their ham-handed intervention ignites the fuse of this raucous and rollicking new comedy that skewers our warped view of the American family.

From Obie and Helen Hayes Award winner Robert O’Hara, this Barbecue serves up a healthy helping of sibling love and loathing.

Strong language and subject matter. Appropriate for 16+

Barbecue’s cast and crew include director Aurelia Belfield and actors Gerald Campbell, Lakeisha Coffey, Hazel Edmond, Ali Evarts, David Henderson, Kyma Lassiter, Jenny Latimer, Kelly Mizell, Julie Oliver and Eden Sharp.

Review

In a post show survey, I gave this show, ticketing & the lobby/bar experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

We received an email prior to the show advising what to expect and also our tickets were sent electronically making it simple to just have scanned at the door upon arrival. We both enjoyed the LIVE pre-show music in the lobby courtesy of Colin Yates while sipping on their signature cocktail ‘The O’Mallery Intervention’ . Every good barbecue has drinks and snacks, so it was good to know that the theater had concessions for its patrons to enjoy in a spacious, beautiful lobby area. Patrons also were able to view and purchase paintings by Burlington, N.C.-painter Derrick Holloway, which will be displayed in the theatre’s lobby throughout the run of the show. There’s plenty of FREE Parking at Theatre Raleigh also so that deserves a bonus ⭐️!

Barbecue serves up the heat – with hot tempers, hot topics, and a family that’s a hot mess! While Barbeque was quite humorous and entertaining, the overall message I was left with was that familial dysfunction has no race or class. The play simply laid out that fact in the rawest way possible in using addiction as that vehicle.

Family Info-Share The Show

Theatre Raleigh is excited to provide “Share the Show”, an on site, show-themed theatre entertainment program for children of patrons.

This program is presented by Seed Art Share, a nonprofit based in the Triangle area with a mission to create community through interactive site-specific theatre performances, arts education, and parent-artist support programs Not only do their teaching artists provide an entertaining and safe environment for kids, but their staff of experienced arts integration professionals create show-specific, thematic activities that give children and parents a shared experience of the themes in the play.

The program for Barbecue will be available during our matinee performance on October 28th. Reservations are now open and only $25 per child!

For more information on this offering, to reserve your spot, and to learn more about Seed Art Share, please visit theatreraleigh.com/share-the-show

Theatre & Tickets Info

Theatre Raleigh is a professional, non-profit theater company based in Raleigh, N.C. dedicated to inclusion and diversity, enriching our community through innovative and intimate theatrical experiences. *Tax deductible donations are accepted to help bring magic to the stage! Donate >>>>here.

From Oct. 18-29, “Barbecue” performances will be 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Support the arts and purchase tickets at: theatreraleigh.secure.force.com/ticket/#/

Theatre Raleigh Arts Center

6638 Old Wake Forest Rd

Raleigh, NC 27616

(919) 832-9997

Kid-Friendly Ideas For Festive Family Fun In Raleigh NC

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Hello December! We’ve officially kicked off our holiday season in our home and ready to spread some cheer. The Christmas tree is up, we’ve already started drinking eggnog and Motown Christmas songs are on repeat on Spotify. My #HeighPartyof3 (which consists of my spouse, our daughter and me) are in the Heigh-liday spirit {get it😉} and have began some of the holiday traditions that we enjoy. So today I am sharing my list of Kid-Friendly Ideas for Festive Family Fun In Raleigh,NC ~


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HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES


🎄 RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL


𝙍𝙪𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙥𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙙-𝙉𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙧: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡, is now playing at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts until DEC 24th in downtown Raleigh. My family has enjoyed this live performance for the last few years now and it just keeps getting better! They’ve even added something new this holiday season to the beloved TV classic.
See all of your fave characters: Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they sing and dance their way to your hearts while teaching kids of all ages to celebrate what makes you different because its your special superpower!💪🏽❤ 🎉

SobeSavvy Tip: The fun continues in the lobby with great photo ops next to larger than life inflatables and cool photo props. Get your kids face painted before the show or shop for some holiday gifts during intermission!


🎄 CINDERELLA


Continuing my list of Kid-Friendly Ideas for Festive Famiy Fun in Raleigh, it wouldn’t be the holiday season without Raleigh Little Theatre’s Cinderella! Celebrating its 36th year, Cinderella runs December 6 – 22.
This amazing production has
* a sparkle of magic ✨
*  a delightful blend of comedy and romance 💑
* elegant scenery and costumes 👗
* outstanding singing & dancing 🕺🏼💃
….and great actors to bring this timeless story to life! We loved all the modern updates and twists that were added to this classic tale, plus there is some audience interaction that everyone enjoyed!  Make plans to see #RLTCinderella for the holidays and
Get your tickets today!

SobeSavvy Tip: Stay after the show and get a chance to meet The Fairy Godmothet or snap a pic with King Darling! There’s also merchandise available to buy for your little prince or princess in the lobby. Plus, RLT is collaborating with WRAL and accepting donations for Coats For The Children.


***SAVE THE DATE & GET TIX NOW for these upcoming shows at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts:

• DEC 13th and 14th Holidays with the North Carolina Symphony |HOLIDAY POPS features the holiday songs everyone knows and loves at Meymandi Concert Hall. With falling snow, hot chocolate, carolers, and an audience sing-along, this festive concert is the perfect holiday tradition. Audiences are invited to come early to meet Santa!

 

• DEC 18th – 29th ‘The Nutcracker’ Carolina Ballet | From the moment the curtain rises, the magic of this Holiday classic is mesmerizing. Take a journey to a land of whimsical characters featuring magical illusions, magnificent sets, and beautiful costumes. Listen as a live symphony orchestra plays Tchaikovsky’s famed score. The Nutcracker is the perfect story ballet for the young and young at heart.


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HOLIDAY EATS & SWEETS

🎄 SANTA BRUNCH at STIR

If you saw my Instagram story/post this past weekend, then perhaps you caught me and my Heigh Party of 3 hanging with ole Saint Nick aka Santa at STIR, located in North Hills. BRUNCH WITH SANTA at STIR is a recurring event happening every Sunday in December and is on my list of Kid-Friendly Ideas For Festive Family Fun In Raleigh because of the good food and intimate moments with Santa. Saint Nick works the room like a pro and is so kind to take photos with everyone. Enjoy $1 Mimosas 🥂 + a buffet bar filled with goodness is included with your entree! My daughter loves their avocado toast customized to her liking and I am all about the fresh seafood selections like Oysters and Shrimp & Grits! Santa was quite jolly and dapper in his suit, so get ready for your close-up with ole Saint Nick! Just take a look at these photos to see some tasty highlights at STIR! 🎅🏽

SobeSavvy Tip: While at the brunch, take advantage of the Gift Card Sale! Give $50 or more and get 20% at STIR for yourself! 🎁


🎄 DUNKIN Holiday Treats


Do you like to ride around and see neighborhood Christmas lights while listening to holiday tunes? We do and we like to enjoy it while sipping on a warm beverage and eating snacks. So we stopped in our local Dunkin for some holiday treats. My daughter and I both had hot chocolate and their new Holiday Brownie Crumble Donut, which features a vanilla frosted yeast ring donut dipped in brownie crumbles and drizzled with dark green icing. My husband enjoyed the eggnog latte with a yummy glazed donut. I think we may break tradition of leaving Santa cookies this year and give him a plate full of donuts with coffee on the side from Dunkin!

SobeSavvy Tip: Download the Dunkin app, earn DD perks and skip the line if order on the app before you go! Not sure what to get someone this holiday season, check out some of the cool merch offered by Dunkin inside the store and online or a DD gift card is always a great idea!


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Holiday Movies


🎄 ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE RALEIGH


Going to the movies is always a good idea for a family date. Make plans to see a feature film or catch one of the holiday themed films now showing at ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE RALEIGH. This is our go to theater for movies because of the Alamo Family program. The perks for parents with kids are great and you have the ability to watch a movie and eat/drink at the most comfy seats.

SobeSavvy Tip: Gift cards make perfect stocking stuffers. Give the the gift of Alamo, which is good for tickets, food, drinks and merchandise!


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There are so many fun things to do with kids in Raleigh and throughout the Triangle this holiday season. This is just a bit of what we like to do but take a look at Visit Raleigh, Facebook, Eventbrite, and Carolina Parent for more Kid-Friendly Ideas for Festive Family Fun In Raleigh, NC!

What festive family fun do you plan to have this holiday? 🎄🎅🏽🎁
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Blogger Event Recap| #ScentandSipEvent in #Raleigh|Hosted by SobeSavvy.com

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On Sunday March 3, SobeSavvy.com hosted an invite only event in Raleigh, NC called #ScentandSipEvent. It was a great opportunity to toast to our womanhood, a chance to network with other female Bloggers/Influencers in the Triangle [Raleigh/Durham,Chapel Hill,NC] and celebrate the spirit of female friendships, just in time for International Women’s Day/Women History Month!

We are making Herstory! | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt

INVITE

The “ScentandSip” idea came after receiving an exclusive Galentine’s Day invite to an event being held in Miami,FL. I notified the event organizers/PR my desire to collaborate/host an intimate event. Despite the weather, I was happy to have the support of Girl Bosses who are making herstory in Raleigh,NC and beyond!Leslie Heigh ~ SobeSavvy.com, @SobeSavvy
Anna Haddock ~ @annakhaddock thecoffeetableblog.com | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt

VENUE

I bought some decor from home to customize event space at AC Hotel Raleigh | Photo Credit: Barry Heigh, SobeSavvy.com


This event was held at the very stylish AC Hotel Raleigh in North Hills [Read about my staycation there>>here]. The AC Hotel has quickly become THE place to stay and play. Beautiful public spaces, awesome guest rooms and a now iconic rooftop bar, Level 7, is what most know about them. What you may not realize is that the AC Hotel also has four meeting/conference rooms that can be booked for your next event! My event was held in the Corella room and which came set up with 4 round tables covered in black tablecloths and 5 chairs per table. The room had plenty of lighting and gorgeous artwork on the walls.

Cheers to the weekend! | Photo Credit: Niki McNeill ~ singlebubblepop.com @nikimcneill


Whether you need a room with audio/visual setup or a traditional corporate setup, they do it all. Our event room also had great floor to ceiling windows with wonderful views of the North Hills area. Another selling point is that you can have catered food and drinks included with your event space booking/contract. We had small bites selected by the Chef at AC Hotel Raleigh and conveniently set up in the room. Everything was so very tasty and paired well with our sips.Bruschetta, Crabcakes, & Bacon Wrapped Scallops ~ Oh My! Delicious Small Bites from AC Hotel Raleigh| Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt

SCENT

Known for their signature scents, diptyque is the Art of Fragrance  | Photo Credit: Barry Heigh, SobeSavvy.com


Many years ago hubby and I were fortunate enough to have spent a month living in Paris. It is there that we discovered diptyque. We had never heard of this unique brand nor were aware of their amazing and exotic scents of candles. Our favorite ended up being Jasmine. We brought a few home and all our friends asked “what kind of candle smells THAT nice? Fast forward and now diptyque is world renowned for not just their high quality candles but for all of their fragrance based products for the home and body. Each guest received a gift bag which included the fragrance/shower oil called L’Ombre dans L’Eau. I would describe the scent and floral,fruity and exquisite!

#ScentandSipEvent gifts from diptyque | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt

SIP

Sips by Chambord | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt


Chambord, is a mainstay at top shelf bars and is made in the Loire Valley of France. This liqueur uses red and black raspberries with Madagascar vanilla, citrus peel, honey and cognac. This combination can be traced back to the 1600’s when Louis XIV drank Cognac with dinner. This versatile liqueur is used to make cocktails from many different spirits. The featured cocktail was the Chambord Royale and here is the recipe for you to enjoy!

Sips and Smiles with Danae Edmonds, ~ aspiringco.com, @aspiring_co | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt


Vilarnau Brut Cava Reserva & Vilarnau Cava Rosé is a stunning pair from Barcelona with a sleeve inspired by the artist, Gaudi


Vilarnau Cava, a spanish sparkling wine, was also introduced to guests.

Made near Barcelona,Spain, Vilarnau provided two types of wine: Brut Reserva and Rosé Delicat. Both are aged over 15 mos in bottle, not tanks. This part of the fermentation method also guarantees the bubble to be more effervescent for a much longer time in your flute than other sparkling wines. I recently shared Five Things to Know about Vilarnau Cava and have found a new bubbly to celebrate with!

Vilarnau Cava is best served chilled | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt

I was honored to have Maxine Lee, CSW {Certified Specialist of Wine} to present the wine and chat with us about sparkling wines. She shared with us the difference between Champagne and sparkling wines is the orgin. Champagne comes from Champagne, France anything else from anywhere else is sparkling wine.  To learn mpre wine fundamentals, follow her @drinkgoodwithmax for her Wine Q & A on Monday nights.

Maxine Lee, Your Favorite Wine Specialist @drinkgoodwithmax |  Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography

#SobeSavvyGiveaway

Everyone loves a giveaway, so I had every guests drop their business cards into a box and at the end of the evening I drew 3 of them as winners. They all won various giftcards from three businesses in North Hills: Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Kings Bowling and The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar. All places that I enjoy going to with my family!Congrats to Jen Lawrence ~www.jenoni.com, @JenOni_Inc , Kiara Ruth @KiaraRuth, Anna Haddock @annakhaddock | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography

SobeSavvy Tip: Hit up the Dollar Tree and create your own DIY Selfie Station. String up some garland for a backdrop, grab some wall decals as signs, bring your own fun and strike a pose!

#ScentandSipEvent DIY Selfie Station | Photo Credit: Samuel Holt Photography @samuelholt


I am very thankful to guests, grateful for partnerships with brands and businesses who participated in sponsorship of giveaway. Special thanks to the staff at AC Hotel Raleigh who made my guests and I had everything we needed. Many thanks to Sam Holt of Samuel Holt Photography for doing such a wonderful and professional job capturing the event!

#ScentandSipEvent Sam Holt @samuelholt | Photo Credit: Barry Heigh, SobeSavvy.com

WATCH my YouTube Video photo recap of the #ScentandSipEvent. Photos by Sam Holt. Video Edit by Leslie Heigh, SobeSavvy.com

https://youtu.be/mv1B_4IU9F0

Cheers! Thanks for reading!

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Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds takes you on a Musical Adventure thru March 24 @RLT1936 #ThreeLittleBirdsRLT

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Tonight is opening night of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, presented by Raleigh Little Theatre. Join Ziggy and Nansi on a worldly adventure, enlivened by the fantastic songs of renowned Reggae artist, BobMarley. If you’re visiting Raleigh,NC, this is one musical you don’t want to miss. Now thru March 24, you can take your family to see Jamaica come to life and enjoy a night of theatre!

ABOUT THE PLAY

Meet Ziggy, a shy boy who would rather stay at home and watch television than explore the island of Jamaica. Over the course of his onstage journey, with some help from his friend Nansi, he realizes that the real adventures can be found outside, amid the birds and jungles and beaches. The wonderful music of Bob Marley helps bring their wordly adventure to life!

Ziggy-Jireh Ijeoma and Nansi- Seanna Osborne |Photographer- Jeannine Borzello

“It’s really teaching our kids that no matter what their troubles or fears, there’s still a little bit of sunshine out there. It’s up to the parents and the village, the Bible will tell you. You have to surround yourself with good people so you can grow into great people. I think the lyrics, the music, and performance will entertain everybody, young and old,” said Cedella Marley on the show’s message in an article by the Wall Street Journal.

SPECIAL DATES

Enjoy fresh milk & cookies after the Thursday, March 14 show of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds provided by Insomnia Cookies!

Enjoy the sounds of Jamrock in between Saturday, March 16 performances. Jamrock was founded in 1995 through the desire of a few Jamaicans to hear authentic music, featuring true “yard style” reggae rhythms, reggae standards, and an authentic Jamaican sound.

On Saturday, March 30 at 1 pm, RLT will present a sensory-friendly performance of “Three Little Birds.” A sensory-friendly performance is modified for families and friends with children or adults who have difficulty with sensitivity. Sensory-friendly seating is general admission allowing individuals extra space if needed.

The Cast of Three Little Birds | Photographer- Jeannine Borzello

REVIEW

I am seeing the show on Saturday, March 9th at 5pm with my husband and our 7 year old daughter, #outandaboutAva. I am so excited to review this production because we got married in Jamica in 1999 and I am a huge Bob Marley fan. When our daughter was a newborn and my husband had to travel for work, I was a stay at home Mom who relied on the songs of Bob Marley to get me thru the day. Songs like “No Woman No Cry“, “Is This Love” and “Three Little Birds” helped me to remember to …don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright!

Cedella- India Williams and Ziggy-Jireh Ijeoma | Photographer- Jeannine Borzello

Me and my #HeighPartyof3 loved the play. This one hour play had such a special vibe and awesome message. Go outside and see the world around you no matter where you reside. I also loved the live music, the dance and the brief Jamaican history lesson that weaved together all the cultures that make up Jamaica. The creative storytelling was full of fun and the set was simply beautiful.

The Cast of Three Little Birds | Photographer- Jeannine Borzello

“Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds” is on stage March 8 –24. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 919-821-3111, Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., or by visiting the theatre’s website at www.raleighlittletheatre.org.

WHICH BOB MARLEY SONG IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Raleigh Little Theatre

301 Pogue Street

Raleigh, NC

My Top 8 Day Date Ideas in Raleigh, NC | SobeSavvy.com

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Time like money doesn’t grow on trees. Finding time to date can be challenging as parents, however creating “couple” time is something I have become good at. While having a date night out can be rare for us, going on day dates have become something we enjoy. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share My Top 8 Day Date Ideas in Raleigh,NC :

Admire Art while on a Museum Date at NCMA

Art and nature are two things I love and NCMA has a wonderful way of celebrating the beauty of both. We have not only enjoyed the exhibits inside but have spent time walking along their grassy pathways adorned with public sculptures. A memorable day date for me was during Art in Bloom, which pairs works of art with floral bouquets. This 4 day fundraiser returns March 21–24. Tickets available at ncartmuseum.org/bloom or (919) 715-5923

Relax with a Couples Mani/Pedi Spa Date at POLISHED NAIL BAR

If you read my previous post about treating your Valentine to some pampering time, then you know why I love treating myself and my loved ones to a mani/pedi at Polished Nail Bar. It’s a great place to meet your girls, take your man, treat your Mom or even have some alone time. The mimosas along with their great service and comfy throne chairs will leave you and your date relaxed!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be0RXUShYA6/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=qlbyj42c26um

Treat yourselves to something sweet and go on an Ice Cream Date at RALEIGH ROLLS

We scream for ice cream and now have a special place that makes me wanna shout! That place would be Raleigh Rolls, located at the new Morgan Street Food Hall. This is more than a mere ice cream place. It is a unique way to enjoy an age old favorite. Instead of “scooping” they “roll” up ice cream into your own customized concoction. They start with a base and you build on from there with your choice of toppings. This Valentine’s Day ❤ they are offering a special Red Velvet ice cream & a bottle of champagne for $15! Share with your date and let the good times “roll”!

Go on a Movie Date and get a drink/bite to eat right at your seat at ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE

Anytime we want to catch a movie in a special setting we head down to Alamo Drafthouse. This is a retro moviehouse experience. Full bar and delicious menu items are at your disposal. You can even eat at your seat. Alamo has it all. They have a real movie rental store in the lobby. How retro and fun is that !? Did I also mention they have “bottomless” popcorn? Read more about my Alamo experience >>>here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiFVlXXAzuX/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=198qoakny0krd

Have a Breakfast with Bae Coffee Date at MORNING TIMES

Every city needs that classic coffee shop where you can have a great breakfast in a nice atmosphere with amazing coffee. Morning Times would be THAT spot in downtown Raleigh. Read my post to see why locals love their vibe. Look carefully at that latte, it just may have a foam heart in it .

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf0tC_ghKsm/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=6uo4n7dyb7tw

Spice up your life and have a Lunch Date at CURRY IN A HURRY

Spicy and mild is how some folks describe my husband and myself! The perfect lunch for us is Curry In A Hurry. Most people know them from their amazing food truck here. Last year, they decided to open their first brick and mortar store at the Morgan Street Food Hall. Indian/Asian curries are their specialties. Their most popular dish is their butter chicken. If that is too mild, go for something like their Green Chicken Curry which definitely has more of a kick. Read my full review>>here and make plans to spend your lunch hour at Curry In A Hurry.

Grab a cocktail or two from the NEW Social Hour menu at ORO

Do you enjoy good conversation and cocktails? Head to the bar at ORO Restaurant & Lounge in Downtown Raleigh for their new Social Hour. On Mon -Thurs, 5pm-7pm items like Truffle fries, lobster crab bites and sliders along with wine and ” The Social Butterfly” cocktail are just $5 on their bar menu. The amazing flavors in such a gorgeous space will leave you and your date impressed!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtRX9AxnNmt/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ldvrmwol39ap

Enjoy an early Dinner Date for 2 at DRIFTWOOD

Whenever hubby and I want a taste of southern hospitality, we make our way to Driftwood Southern Kitchen in Lafayette Village in North Raleigh. Pork Rinds awaits at the table for you and your date to enjoy! They have daily drink specials and delicious food that is locally sourced when possible. My suggestions would be to start with the Brussels Sprouts and end with the Vanilla Cheesecake. Their brisket is some of the best and the Blackened NC Catfish is fantastic! You and your date will no longer be hungry but happy after dining at Driftwood.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtpXGY3HYkx/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=ge71zx7oa53u

SobeSavvy Tip: Just a few steps away from Driftwood in Lafayette Village is Watkins Flowers of Distinction. Why not surprise your date with flowers or a beautiful candle. They have so many unique gifts that would add a bit of wow to any date!

There are so many more places to explore in Raleigh. No matter what you or your date like to do, I hope this post can be a resource for you. I plan to update it as I discover other faves but these are just 8 that we feel are great!

Where is your favorite place to go on a Day Date in Raleigh, or your city? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading! ❤

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Things to do in #Raleigh | Visit @OURBODYRaleigh @TriangleTown Now Through Thru March 2019

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I think we all at one time or another have wondered, ” How exactly does my body function?”  Well now you have to wonder no more. There is currently an exhibit at the Triangle Town Center here in Raleigh called “Our Body, The Universe Within” https://ourbodyraleigh.com/

Last here a decade ago, it has returned bigger and better than ever. This unique exhibit displays actual preserved human corpses and fetuses. They use a technique called “polymer impregnation” ,which in essence preserves the bodies and internal organs EXACTLY as they are. Muscles ,tendons and even arteries are there to amaze  all who visit.

The exhibit is broken down into the different parts of the human anatomy. Brains, hearts and lungs are some of the few things to behold. I don’t want to give away too much but to see the ENTIRE human body in it’s natural state is amazing.

I think the area displaying a smokers lungs and heart may have to most impact on alot of people. After seeing that I cannot imagine someone not try to give up smoking or more importantly emcourage young folks to never take up the habit. The entire experience was eye opening to say the least. Humans are truly a unique self sustaining species.

Come take a DEEP look and see how. Our Bodies is open currently selling tickets until the end of February 2019.

Food|Celebrate #NationalCheesePizzaDay @DemosPizzaDeli in #Raleigh #NC #SobeSavvyEats #Pizza

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Give me a P- I- Z- Z -A, foodies let’s celebrate #NationalCheesePizzaDay! If you live in Raleigh, hands down, DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli is a great place to enjoy some amazing cheese pizza and more! Here’s why:

✔ Fresh, not Frozen crust

✔ Dough made in-house

✔ Homemade Sauce

✔ Quality Mozzarella Cheese

But that’s not all they do great.…

Pizza, Hot & Cold Sandwiches, Award Winning Chicken Wings and Delicious Desserts are all on the menu for the whole family to enjoy!

THE MENU

DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli on Glenwood Avenue in Downtown Raleigh has some of the best wings and pizza to be found anywhere.

Founded by two Raleigh natives, DeMo’s serves up everything fresh not frozen. House made dough, sauces and even the vanilla cannoli cream fillings!

But before I jump to dessert, I went there with my family in search of the best cheese pizza to have on National Cheese Pizza Day. We noticed they had comfy booth seating and our favorite foodie show ‘Chopped’ was playing on one of their flat screen tvs, so we felt right at home. We started with hot and fresh garlic rolls that was served with their house made marinara. They were soooo goood! Order these and get ready to dip, baby, dip!

A fresh Ceasar Salad is a great way to ensure you eat your veggies with your pizza and their salad was crisp, tasty and big enough for my #HeighPartyof3 family to share.

I highly suggest ordering some wings to start. Not just any wings but DeMo’s offer Jumbo Wings that are seasoned, baked to perfection and fried to order perfection. They are then tossed in one their many amazing sauces or you can get the sauce on the side.

It comes served with double batch ranch sauce and blue cheese for dipping. In addition to their award winning Buffalo IPA beer sauce, DeMo’s has some other sauce choices also like Mild, Honey Chile, BBq and Teriyaki. These wings are definitely a crowd pleaser!

Our medium Cheese Pizza came piping hot out of their oven! It had the right amount of gooey, ooeey cheese that our daughter loves, the perfect amount of sauce for me and my husband, who I call a pizza crust snob (since his first job was making pizzas) gave it his pizza lover stamp of approval.

In my opinion there is nothing worse than an unbalanced cheese to sauce ratio! But DeMo’s does not disappoint and there was goodness in every bite. Their pizza is thin NY style pizza. In other words you can hold or fold. The choice is yours! My little one aka #outandandaboutAva commented it was the best pizza she has ever had!

As the pizza was disappearing we made sure to save room for dessert after learning from co-owner Anthony DeMarco that the cheesecake (my daughter’s favorite) is not only homemade but has a bit of a unique twist in its recipe that my young foodie tasted right away! Also on the dessert menu are cannolis made with their house made vanilla cream filing. Both desserts were so good and the perfect sweet ending to our meal.

SobeSavvy Tip: If you just want to order a slice of pizza from DeMo’s , check out this daily combo’s special ⤵️

We left Demo’s feeling like everyday should be National Cheese Pizza Day! Our daughter waved goodbye to ‘Fat Tony’ outside of Demo’s and I grabbed a menu because you can dine in or order take out. DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli also offers delivery which I will be using since this place is now our new favorite pizza spot in Raleigh!

DEMO’S Pizzeria & Deli
222 Glenwood Ave #121 Raleigh, NC 27603

Shop Luxury Items for Less @NationalPawnNC in #Raleigh #NationalPawn #Pawn #PawnShop

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post courtesy of National Pawn. Photos and opinions are 100% my own.

You see that picture above? Yep, that is me walking out of a pawn shop with my daughter. A few years ago, I would have never thought to stop in a pawn shop or even think to take my kid with me just based on misconceptions of what a pawn shop is like. One trip to National Pawn and it will dispel any misconceived notions. Who knew National Pawn could be such a great place to find luxury items!?! Read on to see why National Pawn is ranked #1 Pawn Stores….

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SobeSavvy.com was recently invited to shop at National Pawn to see how they are “changing the perception of the pawn business“. It was quite a pleasant experience for my whole family and I am writing here to tell you all about it! Pawn shops have traditionally gotten a bad rap. Dim unkept stores with less than stellar customer service. NOT here.National Pawn has 16 locations throughout North Carolina and we shopped at their “Raleigh 1” location off of Glenwood/Rt 70 conveniently located on Glenwood Boulevard between Crabtree Mall and Brier Creek. The pawn and jewelry store “On the Hill” is a bright and airy storeroom that has something for everyone!

AFFORDABLE FINDS

When looking for electronics, musical instruments, luxury items or piece of jewelry, the first place most people think of is a big box store or going to the mall. Did you know you could find those things and more at deeply discounted rates at National Pawn? We saw everything from luxury items to Keurig Coffee makers to the latest and greatest electronics like the Apple Watches and to high end Italian purses. We were amazed at how most
these items were in very good to new condition. Diamonds, electric guitars, rare coins and unique items like this autographed chair from the Broadway Play ‘The Color Purple’!

MY SHOPPING HAUL

Having a good camera is an essential for every blogger. Our camera had recently died and we were on the look out for a new one. Luckily for us, Lindsey was there to not only provide us with great customer service but to give us her expertise on cameras since she studied photography. She helped us compare a few models and we settled on a great Nikon Coolpix w/a zoom lens for under $70. They had a great variety to choose from and no matter your budget, National Pawn does offer layaway.

My daughter loves her Nintendo WII and after we got her off of a bike and a scooter she found a fun looking racing game for under $10. If
you know anything about video games then you realize just what a great deal that was! I immediately told my Mom friends of all the awesome finds for kids at National Pawn. I was so surprised!

I wanted something in the jewelry section and was delighted to see that had a pretty big selection of Pandora bracelet charms. Lindsey is indeed a Jill of all Trades because she used to be a manager at Pandora! She pointed out that alot of the Pandora charms were rare or discontinued. I spotted a
gorgeous wooden charm that would pair well with my other wood accessories. It was priced around $30 and I am now the proud owner of this beautiful gem.

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE

Everyone was quite friendly at this National Pawn location and Lindsey went above and beyond to answer any of our questions.

Great customer service always makes for a great and memorable shopping experience in my opinion. Our purchases were kindly wrapped up and we were informed of their 3 day no questions asked money back guarantee if we needed to return any item for any reason. This alone is almost unheard of in the pawn shop business. Most places have a “final sale” policy, but not at National Pawn.

SobeSavvy Tip: Sign up 👉 HERE to Join Rewards Program and Get Special Deals & Discounts !!

Next time you are looking for luxury items for less, shop at National Pawn.

Odds are they not only have it but they have it at a price that will keep more of your money in your pocket!

NATIONAL PAWN |Raleigh

6740 Fleetwood Dr.

Raleigh, NC 27612

(919) 390-7622

info@nationalpawnshops.com

Concert Recap |@KidzBop Live Rocks Raleigh @RedHatAmp @LiveNationNCSC

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Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to review this show and share our experience with you. The opinions are 100 percent my own!

Music has always been oxygen to me. It is apparent I have passed this trait on to my soon to be 7 yr old daughter!
She sings, she dances and she gets lost in the beats just like me. While I love this aspect, I am always concerned with some of the more “adult” lyrical content of today’s pop hits. A few years ago I found a great solution to this modern problem. It is called KIDZ BOP. Some of my child free followers may not know what that is. No worries, I am here to help!

KIDZ BOP is a musical group that takes all the current top 40 hits and remixes some of the lyrical content within the songs to make it more kid-friendly. They use very similar music and most of the lyrics are the same.The most important difference is any cursing and sexual innuendo are replaced seamlessly with more kid appropriate lyrics. Young talent with amazing vocals do the cover songs. They also come up with dance moves to go with the dance tunes that will sure to get any kiddie party started! So when I learned that this group was touring and stopping in Raleigh,NC at Red Hat Amphitheatre, I wanted to surprise my soon to be birthday girl with her very first concert experience! It actually was our first mother and daughter concert date and we had so much fun!

KIDZ BOP has been Billboard Magazine’s #1 Kids’ Artist for eight consecutive years (2010 – 2017).
What works so well is the fact that each song they produce could stand on it’s own as an original. Most of our Friday Family Fun Nights at home consist of my daughter and I having our own dance or lip sync battle to any of the songs from the latest Kidz Bop Album. My husband will even play it in the car to just jam out during road trips. Parents, kids, girls and even boys enjoy rocking out to KIDZ BOP which is why the Kidz Bop Live 2018 Summer Tour is a must see!

The concert was 90 mins long with a 15 min intermission and featured 20 hit songs. Our favorite moments were dancing along to the Kidz Bop Shuffle, singing along to Havana, and other latin hits like Despacito / Mi Gente. We also liked all the Bruno Mars songs: Uptown Funk/ That’s What I Like/ Finesse / 24K Magic and the 90’s Dance Off featuring adults from the audience was EPIC! They showed us their best dance moves to Whoomp There It is / Jump / Poison / U Can’t Touch This and we the audience got to choose the winner by giving the loudest applause.

WATCH MY FUN VIDEO RECAP OF THE SHOW ⤵️

I had alot of Friday Night fun with my little one at #KidzBopLive 2018 at Red Hat Amphitheater in Downtown Raleigh. Those KIDZ BOP kids are so talented and put on an amazing show! Catch some of their singing [and our dancing] via my @sobesavvy u instatories and be sure to check out LiveNation.com to see what other concerts are coming to the the Triangle!