valentines day

Event Recap |Fun Times at #GalentinesDayPJBrunch !Celebrating #GalentinesDay in #Raleigh #NC

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Product gifted to SobeSavvy.com by Bedlam Vodka, Hard Candy and Lit Cosmetics

I have never celebrated Galentine’s Day before until this past Saturday when the lovely Nekeyeta Newkirk (Raleigh’s BBU Director, Stylist & Blogger @the_key2style) invited me along with some fellow bloggers and closest friends to a Galentine’s Day Pajama Jam Brunch. I love a great theme party as well as a chance to fellowship with other creatives, so I found me some PJs (shout out Carolina Thrift) and was ready to network and party! But first, I got in a quick mini photoshoot at home because that’s what we bloggers do!

Pajama Set: Soma Intimates, Embraceable Pajama Pants + Top French Scroll Black | Lipstick: Hard Candy Fierce Effects Matte , Crave

If you are like me and never celebrated Galentine’s Day before, it occurs on February 13 and its a chance for women to get together with their friends and celebrate sisterhood, friendship, Valentine’s Day and self-love! It’s a chance to connect with your tribe and support each other. We did all of that over some amazing food and drink of course. Take a look:

THE FOOD + DRINK

The Brunch menu was an amazing fusion of island and southern cuisine with buttermilk waffles including donut, blueberry and red waffle flavors and savory chicken wings sponsored by Big C Waffles + delicious strawberry cupcakes provided by Southern Lady Sweets ! Cohost Laing of Laing & Co., @justlaing, brought the vibes of the island with her saltfish and jerk chicken. Other brunch items like grits, andouille sausage, dumplings, eggs were also on the buffet style spread.

Sangria and speciality cocktails made with Durham’s own Bedlam Vodka were available to enjoy. I highly suggest when you are going to a party and asked to bring an adult beverage, #BringTheBedlam! And feel free to make this Galentine Martini aka Galentini to celebrate on Galentine’s Day or anytime!

THE GIFT BAGS

Parties can be a drag without some kinda of swag..that is a gift bag for your guests to take home to remember how fun it was! The #GalentinesPJBrunch had some great swag bag sponsors. Make sure you check out these brands and upcoming projects:

Original Artwork from @Millifemme

Candles from @habibaloveskenton

Satin Bonnets from @captivatingcaps

Shea Butter Bath Soaps from @nailahs_shea

Upcoming Events

Darkness Rising Project ~ @castcarlita

Upcoming event @baabsbeauty

Upcoming event @shopnoblecompanion

I would like to thank the following SobeSavvy.com gift bag sponsors for the ‘Galentines Day Pajama Jam Brunch’. We randomnly selected a few ladies to go home with the following goodies:

Bedlam Vodka crew super soft t-shirts + Bedlam Vodka mini bottles | @bedlamvodka #bedlamvodka #bringthebedlam

Hard Candy cosmetics | @hardcandylife #hardcandymakeup #hardcandylife

Lit Cosmetics | @litcosmetics #LITCOSMETICS Follow Facebook: www.facebook.com/litcosmetics

…And Crabtree Valley Mall (where I recently went shopping for #MyVioletValentineseries and dining at Brio for Valentine’s Day Preview) and picked up sample goodies from Belk, complimentary dining coupons from Brio and some Crabtree and Evelyn hand cream.

We all had a wonderful time filled with laughs, good eats, great conversation, dancing and pictures of course. Find more of the fun at #GalentinesPJBrunch #BlogBaeBrunch, my instastories @SobeSavvy and my YouTube recap. Until next time ladies…

The Galentines Day PJ Brunch 2018 in Raleigh,NC was so much fun!

Have you celebrated Galentine’s Day before. How do you plan to celebrate this year? Let me know below and Happy Galentine’s & Valentines’s Day to you! đź’–đź’śđź’–

Celebrating #MyVioletValentine with a Romantic Dine at #18Seaboard in #Raleigh ! #seafood #creativecuisine

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A few days ago I introduced a series on SobeSavvy.com called #MyVioletValentine. I encourage all of you to think about putting the color red aside and consider celebrating with the Pantone color of the year in mind which is “Ultra Violet”! Beautiful shades of violet and purple can be found everywhere in nature and also in food. One of those food instances can be found at 18 Seaboard.

Located at Seaboard Station near downtown Raleigh, this restaurant opened its doors in 2006 and is owned by Chef Jason Smith and his wife Lauren. 18 Seaboard serves contemporary Southern inspired dishes with over 60% of ingredients sourced from North Carolina farms, ranches, fishmongers and dairies. We were there recently to enjoy a romantic pre-Valentine’s Day date. They have a wonderful lunchtime menu which featured alot of dishes that satisfied the seafoodie in me! But first…

COCKTAILS/STARTERS

After being promptly seated at a nice table for two we began with two Kir Royale cocktails. Again, I had #MyVioletValentine in mind when we ordered these but alas they photograph more of a blush color. Nevertheless, still a great champagne cocktail to kickoff a romantic dine.

We ordered two starters of Sneads Ferry She-Crab Soup with sherry reduction and a Purple Sweet Potato Bisque. Now this bisque arrived to the table looking too good to eat! Not only did it look pretty and purple, but the taste was pretty amazing.You know what they say, you eat with your eyes first, but I had to close mine and just savor each spoonful!

My favorite out of the two starters was the she crab soup. It had a generous amount of crab meat and just the right touch of sherry. We both are from Maryland and agreed that this soup was not only flavorful but reminded us of our hometown.

CHEF’S ENTREÉS

While there are various choices for lunch we chose two seafood entreés. My husband ordered the Cornmeal-Crusted Carolina Classics Catfish w/champagne tarragon butter and a unique pecan grit cake. It was fresh, flaky and delicious. Oh and the sauteed spinach and apple collard slaw offered not only a brightness to the dish but paired well with the fish.

I went with the Bo Bromhal SafeChild Shrimp & Grits. The restaurant donates 10% of all proceeds from ordering this dish to this amazing Wake County Child advocacy Program. Besides a great cause this was a GREAT.GREAT.DISH. I have had innumerable Shrimp & Grit dishes over my lifetime and I vote this dish as one of the absolute best interpretations of this southern iconic dish! Amazing is really an understatement.

We got a chance to speak with both the General Manager (Brandy, who can suggest a great dry white wine to pair with the seafood dishes) and Chef-Proprietor Jason Smith, whom I had a chance to hear speak at Feed the Dialogue dinner event. He is very personable, talented and passionate about the food served at his restaurants. Also our waiter, who advised to call him “D”, provided excellent service and added to our delightful dining experience.

DESSERTS

We ended our wonderful afternoon on a sweet note by trying the Pecan Pie Creme Brulee and a Mug of Hot Chocolate Cake. Both are creatively made desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth. I mean how cute is this cookie of our state of North Carolina?!

I highly recommend you take your special someone to this restaurant to celebrate life, love or just the color Violet on Valentine’s Day. Anytime you want fantastic food served with love, make reservations to dine at 18 Seaboard!

18 SEABOARD

18 Seaboard Ave

Raleigh,NC 27604

#VisitBrio for #ValentinesDay and enjoy delicious made-from scratch risotto dishes and more! @BrioItalian

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Having spent time in Europe I realized quickly that risotto is to Italy what rice is to Asia! An Italian staple for centuries, risotto done right is now available at Brio Tuscan Grille for all! Located in Crabtree Valley Mall, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy lunch, bar bites, dinner or weekend brunch.

Per their press release, “It’s a Risotto Celebration” menu, available now until Sunday, March 25, 2018. This limited-time selection includes four chef-inspired risotto entrĂ©es, which all feature high-quality ingredients and are made from scratch. In addition, the menu includes three original cocktails, created to compliment BRIO’s new risotto dishes, and a decadent dessert.

The ‘It’s A Risotto Celebration’ Menu

I am a big fan of this restaurant because although a chain, it never feels like cookie cutter cuisine and this limited time only special should inspire you to make plans to dine there soon! We went at lunchtime and entered their bright and airy dining space. Only fresh good food comes out of their open kitchen and it shows. But before I get into how great the food is, let me tell you about their amazing cocktails!

Left to Right: Maple Bourbon Smash, Bulleit Rosa

There are three distinctive cocktails that are included on this special menu. My husband and I tried The Maple Bourbon Smash (Maker’s Mark, Monin Maple, lemon juice, rosemary simple syrup, dash of bitters, orange garnish) and Bulleit Rosa ( Bulleit Rye whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, 19 Crimes Red Blend, lemon twist garnish). They were the perfect start to what was to come.

Of their four risotto themed dishes, we had the following:

Shrimp Risotto & Broiled Lobster Tail: mushrooms, red peppers, asparagus, and basil

Sea Scallop Risotto: pan seared sea scallops, ratatouille vegetables, basil, and red peppers

Although hard to choose among four great dishes, we opted for the Sea Scallop Risotto and the Shrimp Risotto & Broiled Lobster Tail because we are seafood lovers. WOW is the word that comes to mind when speaking of these dishes. Risotto is all about the cooking method. Not cooked well enough and it is hard. Overcooking risotto and you end up with nothing but mush. Brio got it exactly right! The scallops were in a red sauce and the shrimp & lobster in a light oil sauce. We actually exchanged plates halfway through because neither of us could decide which one was best! Only YOU can be the judge, but the shrimp & lobster was my fave.

We ended lunch with the featured dessert, a molten chocolate cake with mascarpone cream, white chocolate raspberry gelato. It was as good as it looks too and wonderful to share with that special someone!

SobeSavvy Tip: BRIO Tuscan Grille’s tempting Valentine’s Day menu features this decadent dessert, along with enticing cocktails, delicious starters and entrees. This offer is available during lunch/dinner, Friday, Feb. 9 – Sunday, Feb.18.

Brio Tuscan Grille

4325 Glenwood Avenue

Raleigh, NC 27612

4 Reasons To Have a #DayDate for #ValentinesDay at @iPOLISHED Nail Bar #Raleigh #GetPolishedRDU

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Hello February! Did you know it was Creative Romance Month? That’s right, you don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day to celebrate your love or show off your romance skills, you can start now! If you are in NC, I have just the place you should go: Polished Nail Bar! In a previous post, I shared highlights of the Grand Opening event of Raleigh’s newest premier nail and waxing salon located in downtown’s hip Glenwood South District. I have been back on my own and with a good friend but today I surprised my best friend/husband with a visit to Polished Nail Bar for a pampering day date. While there are so many reasons to come here for a date, take a look at my Top Four:

1. LUXURY PEDICURE THRONES

Sit back, relax and enjoy your luxury pedicure on a throne fit for a King and Queen! Those chairs, along with the decor, are not only appealing to the eye but you can set it to massage your back while you receive your services.

2. COMPLIMENTARY MIMOSAS

Wine, Beer, Soft Drinks..and Mimosas are available for free with your services. While relaxing on your pedicure throne, imagine sipping on mimosas and then a hand appears to refill your glass! Refills are complimentary too…just remember to drink responsibly.

3. GREAT VARIETY OF OPI COLORS

As soon as you walk in take notice of the variety of colors from nail polish brands such as OPI and Essie. You can find the latest in OPI nail polish colors, like the new Lisbon Collection. I can definitely see me selecting any of those in the Spring but today I chose a purple color for #MyVioletValentine series (that I’ll be sharing more about soon..so stay tuned!)

4. COUPLE-FRIENDLY

Just like us, this lovely pair was there enjoying a pampering moment. Women, as well as Men (and little divas too) are welcomed. My husband commented on how comfortable he was and appreciated the cleanliness. We definitely will be coming back to Polished Nail Bar!

SobeSavvy Tip: Looking for Valentine’s Day gift idea? Gift Certificates are available. For a complete list of services, visit ipolished.com. Follow on Facebook at Polished Nail Bar RDU, Instagram @polished_nail_bar, and Twitter @iPolished.

Polished Nail Bar

222 Glenwood Avenue Suite 105

Raleigh,NC 27603

919.615.0092 | http://www.IPOLISHED.com

Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

#FashionFriday ‘Red & Black’ #Amiclubwear #ValentinesDay Look and SALE !

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Disclaimer: Product from Ami Clubwear featured in this post was sent complimentary to facilitate this review. The opinion of SobeSavvy will always stay honest and true for our readers.

Ladies, be prepared this Valentine’s Day with a dress that will make you feel flirty and fun! AMI Clubwear has a variety of dresses that will look great on you no matter what plans you have! This affordable and show stoppin’ line will get you excited to strut your stuff on Valentine’s Day! I’m attending a black and red affair this weekend and knew that a dress from AMI Clubwear would be the perfect place to shop online for a V-Day style. Here is what I ordered:

Sexy Red Black Glitter Mesh Paneled Short Sleeve Bodycon Party Dress Rock this eye catching dress for a date night out! Featuring; two tone, glitter, round neckline, short sleeve, mesh panels.

I love how comfortable and fun this dress is.The back is sheer so be prepared to strut your sexy when you turn to walk away. Whether you’re going out on the town with your sweetheart or having a girl’s night, AMI Clubwear’s got you covered and has something for every woman including plus sizes. Make sure to check out their selection of sexy shoes to add the finishing touch to your Valentine’s Day look, like these hot heels!

Strappy Open Toe Platforms: Strut your stuff in these classy pumps, featuring a bold strappy design, open toe and back zipper closure. Match it with your favorite little black dress and your date will be loving your look!

Savvy Tip: Today only, use code RED55 and take advantage of their RED HOT Friday sale!

Go out and get your perfect Valentine’s Day outfit all from AMI Clubwear! With all their seductive heels, platforms and boots, you can match it with just about any outfit. Get ready to make everlasting memories with the one you care most for while looking more desirable than ever. To shop for the perfect Valentine’s Day vibe, visit https://www.amiclubwear.com.

~Here’s a special Valentine from me to you~
What plans do you have this Valentine’s Day weekend and what do you plan to wear? Please share below and thanks for stopping by!

With Love, SobeSavvy.com đź’‹

#WineWednesday Tips for Making Mom’s #ValentinesDay Special From The Makers of @MomsTimeOutWine

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Sometimes, it’s hard to find a romantic moment when you’re a parent or to feel appreciated by your significant other.  So this Valentine’s Day, the makers of Mommy’s Time Out™ and Dad’s Day Off™ Wines have a few suggestions:

Book Your Sitter Early!  Don’t wait for the last-minute to arrange a sitter if you’re planning a night out.  They’re in high demand on Valentine’s Day.  Having trouble sourcing a sitter? Set up a babysitting cooperative with other parents in your neighborhood.  Each couple/parent can volunteer one evening a month to watch the kiddies…this “no cost” option ensures you get at least one night a month to keep the romance alive!

Stay In & Include the Kids.  If you can’t manage a night without the kids, find ways to include them.  Have them help to set a pretty table, make a special treat and create their own cards.  This is a great time to show the kids how to express their love for each member of the family, as well as to set an example of how mom and dad love and appreciate one another.

Give Thoughtful Gifts. For busy parents, romance isn’t always about sex, so skip the negligee and give a gift they can really use! For Mom’s it might be a coupon for a foot rub or a relaxing day without the kids.  For Dad, it might be a certificate for a day on a fishing boat with friends or taking the kids out so he can watch a game without any interruptions.  Pair the gift with a bottle of Mommy’s Time Out Delicious Red or Dad’s Day Off Chianti!  I have tried their Garganega Pinot Grigio before and I love it. It is refreshing..not too sweet, not to dry~just right!  Put it in a basket along with some other favorite things and it will make the perfect personalized gift!

Focus on Love!  Valentine’s Day is all about love, so it’s a great time to teach your children about how love is important in their lives.  The ancient Greeks had different words for different kinds of love.  You may want to research and teach their meaning.  Each can provide a wonderful lesson on love, especially when a child can relate it to people they know.

About Our Wines:

Selective Wine Estates, Inc. imports Mommy’s Time Out Delicious Red and Dad’s Day Off Chianti.  The wines are made from select grapes from some of the finest vineyards in Italy. Each blend is fresh, crisp, and fruity, with a wonderful berry aroma. The structure and character of these great Italian wines makes them easy to drink with or without food. Both wines are fresh, fruity and well balanced. 

“The suggested retail price for both wines is around $10. Adults over the age of 21 should enjoy these wines responsibly.

For more information, please visit www.mommystimeoutwine.com. 

*Mommy’s Time Out is a registered trademark of Selective Wine Estates, Inc.

#TestimonialTuesday Makeover with @butterLondon & @_iknoGlam + #ValentinesDay Special!

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It’s always fun to play in makeup and get pampered, right ladies? And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, fellas may I suggest you give the gift every girl can enjoy : makeup from butter London and a makeover or shall I say “Glam-Over” by Neely Glam Studios!
I had the pleasure of experiencing both and wanted to share my Tuesday Testimonial with you. I received samples of butter LONDON, the official makeup sponsor of Project Runway Junior® Season 2, however the following opinions are my own. 

You only have one chance to make a first impression—and let’s just say, I was impressed with these 2 butter LONDON products. Both of them were featured in an episode of Project Runway Junior® Season 2 where contestants worked with celebrity makeup artist Scott Patric to create one-of-a-kind looks to complement their designs on the runway. The winning look featured an array of butter LONDON products, including the Plush Rush Lip Gloss in Fireworks and BlushClutch in Just Darling.

I loved the colors in the blush palatte. They were very complimentary to my skin tone and blended smoothly ..like butter..into my skin! It comes with a highlighter pen and in a gorgeous compact. The lip gloss glided on with ease but after application it had a tingling sensation that was uncomfortable. I wonder if that is why it was called Fireworks?!

I knew my favorite makeup artist in the Triangle would know the answer. So I called up Tanya Neely of Neely Glam Studios to schedule a Glam Tutorial One on One along with a Signature Glam Session. And guess what ladies and gents, she is running a Valentine’s Day Special!!!! See details below !

❤️❤️❤️Valentine’s Day Glam-Over Special❤️❤️❤️

Level up your look for your special day for just $25 ..get a soft yet sultry Neely Glam-Over 🌹

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️VALID FEBRUARY 14TH ONLY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️LIMITED AVAILABILITY

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📍Book now http://www.styleseat.com/neelyglam
—————–LIKE&SHARE—

Follow @neelyglamstudios_mua

#NeelyGlam #MUA #MakeupArtist #Beatface #DurhamMUA #RaleighMUA #ChapelHillMUA #CharlotteMUA #NorthCarolinaMUA #MaryKay #ABH #MAC #Sephora #SHANY #Fleek #Slay #Lashes #SmokeyEye #Illuminate #Brows #BEAT #Contour #Highlight #Sacha #Buttercup #GreensboroMUA #NCCU #Duke #NCSU

Ms.Neely arrived to my home promptly for my appointment with all her tools of the trade. I was very impressed that she came with her own lighting and plenty of products to choose from. She informed me that the lip gloss had a plumping agent in it which was giving the tingly effect and because I have natural , full lips that she would not be using it. 

It’s not often that I wear a full face of makeup or get to bat my eyes with false lashes. I only do a ‘full beat’ for special occasions, so I let Ms.Neely choose a look for me. She decided on doing a look called “Safari Sunset”. I loved the hues of browns and golds used as well as her choice of lipstick: a reddish orange matte color called ‘Anna Nicole by Nyxx.I loved the final look especially my brows!

Before

After

Applying blush from the butterLondon BlushClutch

See more of the behind the scenes and finished look here: https://youtu.be/YhaVYNmG0mI

So there you have it my Tuesday Testimonial. Overall, I enjoyed my Glam-Over by Neely Studios using some makeup by butter London. Don’t forget, if you are in North Carolina : Raleigh/Durham/Greesnboro/Charlotte, to book your look and take advantage of the upcoming Valentine’s Day special! If you need a MUA for any occassion be sure to contact Neely Glam Studios!

#SnowDay Date Night Idea ~ READ 808 Conversation Starters for Couples | Book Review by SobeSavvy

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Disclosure: I received this book for review and all opinions are my own.

One of my goals for 2017 is to read more. While I do get to enjoy reading children’s books with my daughter, I often do not find the time to pick up a book of my own and have neglected my love for reading. I also have found myself too tired to engage in coversation with my husband at the end of the day.

That has changed starting with this fun read“ titled 808 Conversation Starters for Couples. It is a new book that offers the ultimate list of casual conversation prompts to spark fun and interesting dialogue, deepen communication, and increase intimacy during dinner time, date night or any other moment.

Now if you know my husband, he always has something to talk about and because we have been married for 17 years, I just believed that I would know most of his answers. WRONG. I learned quite a bit about him just from asking the following questions: What would be the title of your autobiography? Would you say you were born in the wrong decade? What TV show is your guilty pleasure? 

Ask any of these questions to your partner, and you’Â’re guaranteed to share an interesting conversation. 808 Conversation Starters for Couples” is the perfect antidote for you and your significant other to get closer through the simple exchange of talking and listening.The art of communication is a lost art for some and this book is a way to bring that back to your relationship while having fun! 

This book is not just for couples but for anyone. During our holiday party, we shared this book amongst friends and introduced it as a party game. We had each guest flip to any page and ask any question that piques their interest.The book not only has questions but there are Do It! suggestions like “give your partner a piggyback ride”. Not only does this book reveal things about yourself, your partner but you never know what passions, hopes or even funny stories might be revealed amongst your friends! 

Sample Questions:

What are three jobs you definitely could nÂ’ot do?

WhatÂ’s the most important piece of advice you ever received?

WhatÂ’s the very first memory you can recall?

Do you correct peopleÂ’s grammar or pronunciation?

Can you name five things you hate spending money on?   

This weekend was the perfect time to review this book, as I know some of you are snowed in and tired of “netflix and chill” as a way to have a date night. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cuddle on the couch and watch a good movie with my man but I also enjoy asking him questions, listening to his answers, sharing my thoughts and loving on each other even more! I believe intimacy creates understanding which creates love and it all starts from a good conversation. If you are not sure where to start, let this book be your guide. It’s available here http://amzn.to/2j5VFtR Get it before Valentine’s Day and have your fun conversation starters ready for your date night! 

Now for fun ..answer this sample question from the book below in the comments: DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?