Boutiques are all over the Triangle. But one that’s very popular and stylish in Raleigh is Scout and Molly’s. There are several locations but I do know the one in Raleigh is very chic. I never feel intimidated walking in there as I do other boutiques that are less busy that I usually end up walking out with nothing because I couldn’t find what I was looking for.

Last night we were at Raleigh’s McCormick and Schmick’s. You’ve probably seen the new addition of the outdoor restaurants at Crabtree Valley Mall. It’s a bit confusing to drive around the parking lot and know where to park, but I gave my husband some womanly mall direction advice. Basically it went something like this…if confused at the mall, don’t follow a man in or out of the mall, he’s probably equally as confused.

We were in good company at Raleigh’s famous Angus Barn on Wednesday night which happen to be Tax Day. If you’ve never been to Angus Barn, it’s like nothing you’ve ever been in. The restaurant has a very rustic but ritzy feel (like you’re in a barn) that’s different then like say at Cracker Barrel. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cracker Barrel for its down home cooking, but Angus Barn just doesn’t have that atmosphere of screaming kids and low priced meals.

Can you guess what my favorite shoes are??? They’re not any pair of heels, sandals or boots. Although I have my fav’rites from each of those. But –my favorite shoes are my Skechers. But not just any Skechers, but the athletic biker shoe that you can just slip on! Love that!…no shoelaces, no fuss, no muss. I can walk everywhere with them and they look so sporty stylish with everything. They’re JUST so darn versatile too! I *HEART* Them! …(can’t believe I’m using that teenie phrase

And the BEST part is…they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned! I’ll never buy another athletic brand shoe AGAIN! Here’s my 3 year old pair. They don’t look too beat up, do they? You’d never know that they’ve been in the washer several times. Am I the only person who washes her athletic shoes in the washer?

If you wanna get your own similar pair, you can order them by clicking on the link.
BIKERS – STRAIGHTAWAY – (Style: 21552)

Today, I’m inspired.  Pottery Barn paints by Benjamin Moore are on my mind.  ‘Cause spring is in the air! It’s hard to believe that a week ago I was walking my dog in the snow with my pink snow boots on. AND today is a beautiful 80 degrees in the Triangle! Over the weekend, I went outdoor biking for the first time in a year. That first winter change from cold to warm, sunny weather just puts me in a GREAT mood! Kinda the same way that ABBA songs can. It’s just a great time to start thinking about gardening for the season, spring cleaning, and looking around your house for any projects you want to attack. …like a room painting project.

Get a $25 Raleigh Restaurant Gift Certificates for just $10!  Tavola Rossa is one of my favorite Raleigh Italian restaurants. Right behind Crabtree Valley Mall, it’s very upscale and contemporary. More Northern Italian than the rustic Southern Italian feel.  It’s a great place to take a Saturday night date! …and I just love going there for the atmosphere and food!  There’s also an outdoor patio (…that will be great to enjoy sooner than we all think!). To purchase the discount gift certificate, just click on the Tavola Rossa graphic/logo…

I thought I’d make this furniture week in the spirit of President’s Day week where there usually are sales.

Here are some Raleigh furniture stores to visit:

Oh, You Lucky Dog! Need dog boarding? Raleigh’s You Lucky Dog is the place! We’ve taken our dog Apollo there now at least a dozen times. He loves the gang. It’s like a party for him or at least a cool doggie retreat. He has his best pals. He seems to be in love most with Maggie (his doggie girlfriend?) and Maxe prounounced Max-ay. He’s a bichon freis-say. Hey, that rhymes. Anyway from what we’ve been told, he gets along with them all. You Lucky Dog usually separates the dogs into two packs. Not by size but by aggressiveness. Apollo gets put in the least aggressive group. When we adopted him as a young dog, he wasn’t in the least bit socialized. So we tried taking him to the dog park. See him taking it all in…I.E. shying away from confrontation.

LaVitaDolce is the new future trend as a casual eatery bar serving coffee, and gelato too! LaVitaDolce with no spaces, is the actual name.

…The malls are pretty dead mid week in January, especially during this slow economy.  But, there’s an eatery that seems to have a steady flow of customers.  It’s LaVitaDolce.  Not the type of common name you run across at the mall.  This eatery isn’t located at the food court where I might get lost among the sea of fast food kiosks.  Nope, LaVitaDolce has a corner of its own. And it’s unique enough for it.