You know I love cupcakes, right? President Obama was just here yesterday in Raleigh with a bunch of cupcake comments to the owner of the The Cupcake Shoppe in Raleigh.

Today in the paper he was reported as jokingly saying pretty much that he’s been talking about healthcare a lot but he thinks cupcakes are good for your health and tax cut stimulus money is extra money to buy cupcakes and other life necessities. That’s a lot of cupcake talk from our President even if it was just a couple sentences. He didn’t just come to Raleigh for the cupcakes but it sure sounded like that was the icing on the cake for his day. The article was co-written by Sue Stock and Michael Biesecker.  Those are my kind of reporters.   Oh, and I wonder what his favorite cupcake is?  That’d make for another good article.  Hint. Hint.

We were trying to decide where to eat. Somewhere casual but a little nice. We didn’t exactly choose the right place this time. We went to Longhorn Steakhouse. It wasn’t to our liking. I remembered it differently from the last time we were there. Maybe because the décor in the restaurant is appropriate and I thought I was walking into possibly a nicer restaurant establishment than it turned out to be ’cause the food was just so-so.

The Longhorn salad that came with my dinner was wilted. Honestly I think I’ve had a similar salad on the run at a fast food place. I’m not trying to be super critical but that’s what my experience was like.

Do you like chocolate?…if so, what’s your favorite chocolate store? I used to love Godiva, and See’s. But now in Raleigh, it’s chocolate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory if I need a chocolate fix. There are a few stores in the Triangle at the big malls.

I like chocolate in small quantities.  I’m not a chocaholic though.  I’ve heard of people who go to these spas and get lathered in chocolate.  That’s just kinda weird to me.  Well…maybe it wouldn’t be so strange if someone told me what the experience was really like.  But for now, I think it just sounds over-the-top ’cause I don’t like the smell of chocolate…just the taste…  

One of my favorite things to shop for are plants. But not just any plants. The ones specifically at Logan’s at Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. Why do I say so? ‘Cause I think they’ve got the best selection I’ve ever seen. There are so many options. I can easily spend over an hour at that place. They’re also very helpful with hints and how to take care of plants. I’m a house plant girl but come spring or summer, I like to find outdoor plants.

Here’s Super Friendly and Helpful Bob.

He suggested these Calathea plants for me in my office that gets northern light exposure. The one he’s holding is actually the one I bought. It’s got some pink lines running through each leaf. He made a funny about how it reminded him of that elementary school art project where you take the carbon paper and with another piece of paper rub and draw with a writing tool over it. That took me back for a second. I chuckled ‘cause I remember carving out a giraffe once. I think it was in fourth grade or so.

Have you been to Flemings?  They’re owned by the same people that own Outback Steakhouse but you’d never know it ‘cause it looks like an upscale steakhouse like Sullivan’s on Glenwood if you’ve ever been.

A lot of Fleming’s decor are these huge wine bottles.  I think they call the 1.5 Liter a Magnum bottle.  They’re empty here. 

Our server, Janet, was memorable and gave us impeccable service. She was very professional and even gave us her business card …servers now carry business cards? I actually thought she was a manager ‘cause she carried herself that way. She thoroughly pronounced and went through all the specials and knew them and the ingredients inside-out. And she knew the wine menu really well too. I don’t normally go for Italian wines but the Ruffino Chardonnay was great. The one thing I’ll say that was a little over the top was how she said ‘thanks’ after everything. She came by a lot but not too much, which was impressive.  And that’s what really counts.  So don’t get me wrong, her saying ‘thanks’, a lot was 100% better than her being an unattentive server.

Everything beads is what I think of when I think of this Raleigh store called Ornamentea. It’s not a big store but you could make a lot of jewelry and arts and crafts stuff with what they carry. It’s like a small Michael’s store specializing in beads. You can make your own felted wool creations too if you have time on your hands.

Every week there’s something (some things) interesting going on in Raleigh. You don’t have to be a Raleigh insider to appreciate. Like the Downtown Designer Market where there are lots of artists with their handmade jewelry, scarves, and other handmade goods.  It was in the parking lot off West Street.

They even had this hot dog stand.

Raleigh has several consignment stores but one downtown is filled with low priced designer clothing. You may not be able to see the “Get Dressed” sign but you’ll see this mannequin posing outside on West Street (the one in the yellow dress…the other one is me). Sometimes you can see the train go by above across the street. It’s a neat part of downtown Raleigh.

But unlike a boutique, Get Dressed is a very large warehouse with more than just a few articles of clothing. Normally I’m not a fan to look at previously worn clothing, but some of the stuff there is really cute and designer branded. And a lot of vintage stuff – you know what’s out is in.

I felt very nostalgic as they were playing 80’s music (probably on a record player…are u old enough to remember those?). As I walked past the dolled up mannequin at the entrance, I turned left to the open entrance and saw a couch and lots of vintage clothing…

And they were playing Talking Heads “Psycho Killer”. I had a quick flashback of Annie Potts from the record store scene from “Pretty in Pink” movie… and her outrageous dramatic clothing. If you can ignore the lyrics, title, and video that are super morose, ironically the music is upbeat and catchy. It puts me in a bob-my-head-around good mood… like that new Pink song, “Please Don’t Leave Me”…da da da da! …

When I think of a Raleigh landmark, there’s one place that sticks out in my mind. It’s the big red barn off Glenwood. Inside, none of the animals are live. And there’s a Wild Turkey Lounge, an authentic gun room display, and a Country Store. 

And they even have a complimentary shoe shining.  I think that’s like a pedicure for a man…(same happy effect)… 

Part of the DC suburbs is Northern Virginia where there’s a lot of business going on. I remember the area used to be compared to Silicon Valley back in the 90’s. There are a lot of big technology companies headquartered there and government subcontractors. Actually after I left the hotel catering field, I dabbled in the technology arena for about 9 years in that area.

And aside from the business hustle and bustle, the Raleigh towns remind me a bit of Northern Virginia circa 20 years ago. Friends of mine that I go way way back with, met me for Sunday brunch on my trip over the past July 4th weekend.  Oh, and one of their  little ones joined us (see cute photo).  So, my friend Lisa sent me a text message saying that Ruthie would be joining us but that she’ll be a lady.  I replied back…I don’t know about the lady bit but I’m sure she’ll be sooo darn cute!  …and she was happy with her kids meal and her sippy cup she couldn’t put  down.  Whoever invented a straw was brilliant!