When the weather warms up, I not only want to spring clean and plant flowers, I also want to spend my weekends out and about. Festivals. Concerts. Events. Anything that allows me to enjoy the beautiful weather and my two favorite dudes. 🙂
Last year I made mental commitments to spend my weekends doing “something fun”. The spring and summer months came and went. My “something fun”s were minimal. In an attempt to change that this year, I’m creating a Summer Bucket List.
We wanted to go last night, but the weather was a little too chilly. We ate our Picnic Dinner while watching Flight. What a dark movie — I wasn’t a fan.
If you live in Charlotte and love Food Trucks, then I highly recommend checking out Food Truck Fridays!
The trucks start serving food around 6pm every Friday in the SouthEnd district of Charlotte. They set up in the vacant lot across the street from Phat Burrito.
1616 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC
There is not a lot of information to be found online about the event. I did stumble across this Facebook Page.
Some tips before going:
Parking can be tricky. Street parking and certain lots are open for the event.
Bring a chair and blanket. Seating is hard to come by.
Get there early. Trucks run out of food as the night goes on.
BYOB or stop by Common Market for a 6 pack. The trucks only sell bottled or canned waters and sodas.
Bring a frisbee or softball to throw. If you want to hang out afterwards, then bring something active that you and a friend can do.
Bring your dog. Only if fluffy likes to be around a lot of people. Don’t forget her water bowl and leash.
My main course was the Shawarma from The Herban Legend. It was a very tasty wrap! I would recommend adding a side dish. It is relatively small.
The owner mentioned that he gets inspiration for new dishes from his world travels. This wrap did not disappoint.
I’m a bit of a tabbouleh snob and was concerned this would not be fresh. It mixed very well within the wrap and was indeed made that day!
Amanda tried the Blackened Fish Tacos from Roaming Fork. Her meal came with a side of parmesan truffle fries, of which I had one or two. They were delicious and would compliment any main dish.
We also shared a side of Fried Pimento Cheese Balls from Roaming Fork. They were spectacular! Crispy, gooey, and flavorful.
For dessert, we shared the Carrot Pineapple Cupcake from Cupcake Delirium. It was pretty darn good. I’m glad we shared it; I was stuffed!
With the weather warming up, I would highly recommend heading out to Food Truck Friday to end a long week and welcome a fun weekend!
When deciding on what to wear, I highly recommend considering these two factors:
The high temperature forecasted for the day
Your shoes of choice
I prefer to wear Rainbow flip flops when going to spectator sporting events. If I had cool tennis shoes like Raymond, then I would wear those.
I don’t, so Rainbows are my go to shoe. I build my outfit around those and the temperature. I wanted to wear a hat this year to the Masters so that was my 3rd factor. Dresses and ball caps are not cute, so dresses were rulled out.
I might wear a dress to the Wells Fargo Championship only because I know how the Charlotte market is. These chicks will wear 3″ heels on a golf course. They are trying to get the attention of the golfers — and end up getting everyone’s attention. C’mon ladies. Dress and flippies will be my attire at that point. The Masters is much more conservative … it is Georgia afterall!
I recommend wearing a sleeveless polo, shorts, hat, and cross body bag. The bag is big enough for your I.D., cash, credit card, and camera. Some tournaments have specifications on the size of your bag. Always check the website before heading to the course. Be prepared. Not surprised.
Another helpful hint: wear a watch. Most tournaments don’t allow cell phones and/or cameras. I like to know the time so I wear a watch. 🙂
I’m much less cute when hot and sweaty. Hence pig tails and messy shirt.
You want to look cute/attractive but also be comfortable! Side note: my entire outfit (minus my Rainbows) were thrifted.
Vineyard Vines polo = $12
Gap Bermuda Shorts = $4
Calvin Klein Cross Body Purse = $10
Masters hat = $1.50
What is your outfit of choice when going to a spectator sporting event?
Raymond? He loves golf. He talks about it all day long. He tells stories about how he hit a 5 iron off the tee with 226 yards to the pin. Tucked back right. And how he drained it.
I have played golf before, but c’mon buddy I have no idea what that means! No stinking clue. Anyone else relate?
Should I play more golf with him? Yes I should. Do I own any clubs? No, I sold those 10 months ago when I moved. *sigh* Nod, smile, and say “Wow that is awesome!”
I love golf. I really do. I don’t understand the intricacies of playing it. However, when Raymond says, “Do you want to go to the Masters again this year?” I say YES! It is one of the most beautiful places on this Earth!
There are zero homes (aside from the small rentals near the clubhouse) which keeps me 100% focused on the course. The Wells Fargo Championship is played in Charlotte every year. Another beautiful course. However, it is packed full of gorgeous mansions! I tend to stare at the houses wondering and pondering. What do these people do for a living? Is it as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside? Is it packed full of stuff (aka cluttered)? 😉 All the while a golf tourney is going on.
I have been to the Masters Championship twice now. I love the golf course. Love. Augusta, GA. Interesting place. The golf course is the nicest thing in that area. It is a bit of a dump.
Azaleas were in full bloom!
Let me back up a minute. 2011 I attended the Masters and ended up very sunburnt. This year? No way buddy! I lathered that sunscreen on! One thing I didn’t plan for .. ants? If you know me, then you know I am allergic to mosquitos, black ants, and fire ants. I no more stepped out of the car in the parking field and this happened:
Notice the hot red pinky toe? My foot swells up like a football.
Yep, bit by a black ant! Are you kidding? Took a quick burning and itchy foot trip to Walgreens for some Benadryl. As mom says “You are the only person I know that gets bit by black ants!” I’m sure Raymond thought I was unbelievably high maintenance and no longer allowed back. I kept my composure … although I contemplated crying. 😛
So back to the point … why should you go to the Masters? It is the Best Week In Golf. Reason enough!
The beer and food is cheap. Reason enough! It is a 3 hour-ish ride from Charlotte. Day trip! Reason enough!
Cheap $18 lunch! 2 beers, 1 wrap, 1 sandwich, 2 waters, 1 cookie. And what a cookie it was!
Amen corner. What does that mean? I’m not sure .. ask Raymond. But we sat there for an hour having great conversation. AMEN! 😉
Who are you talking to there buddy? 😉 Can I get an Amen?
Helpful Hint: Don’t take off your shoes and lay down on the grass. You will get called out. Well, if your grass wasn’t so perfect and beautiful then I wouldn’t want to woller (is that a word?) around on it all day. Psh!
My cute videos from our trip .. When did I become so country?!
Grass level
We rounded out the day with a little Masters Pro Shop shopping. Correction: Raymond shopped. Jennifer was not interested. 😛 Oh the things we do for our men! 😉
If you ever have the opportunity to go to the Masters, then I would say RUN GIRL RUN!
We had the best time! Stay tuned for a quick afternoon post about my outfit. 😉
I love weeks where I sit in the office and get tons done. This was not one of those weeks. I sat in the office on Monday and accomplished a ton! A ton is never enough in this business though. I was out all day Tuesday running errands and networking with some of my favorite peeps. I spent Wednesday at The Masters with Raymond. Yesterday was spent lunching and networking, relaxing {minimal} and attending a workshop with my friend Amanda.
I cannot believe it is Friday! The weekend is packed with appointments as well! *breathe* 😉
I made Chicken Marsala for the first time ever last week. It was delish!
I used a McCormick Recipe Inspiration Spice Mix. This was my first experience using these and for the price (on sale for $1) I thought it was worth it.
There are 6 spice pockets/pouches and a recipe card on the back. I changed the recipe some to make our dinner. 🙂
CHICKEN MARSALA W/McCORMICK RECIPE INSPIRATIONS
3 chicken breasts, sliced in half
4 oz mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup flour
1/2 of each spice pocket/pouch
S&P
Mix flour, garlic, marjoram, onions, S&P in shallow dish
Reserve 1 TBSP of flour mixture
Coat chicken with remaining flour mixture
1 TBSP butter + 1/2 TBSP (divided)
1 TBSP oil
1/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup marsala wine, dry
Heat butter and oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat
Cook several chicken pieces 3 minutes per side or until golden brown
Remove from skillet & keep warm
Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove all chicken pieces & keep warm
Add mushrooms to skillet. Cook and stir for 4-5 minutes or until tender
Mix chicken broth and reserver flour mixture
Add to skillet along with wine
Bring to a boil, stirring to release browned bits in bottom of skillet
Stir in 1/2 TSBP of butter and 1/2 basil spice pocket
Cook 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened
Spoon sauce over chicken to serve
Sprinkle with 1/2 parsley spice pocket
Serve with roasted potatoes, asparagus, and crusty bread.
Have you ever made Chicken Marsala? And Marsala wine is not very good drinking wine. blech.
He has been singing this song all week. Yes, he sings it. Out loud.
*It is not the best video quality but it was all I could find.
From my 2011 trip. What is that outfit? 😉
We will arrive early and stay late. We will drink cheap beer and eat egg salad sandwiches. I will wear as much color in one outfit as I can possibly stand.
I asked Dwell by Cheryl for some tips on how to update my bathroom. I’m still working on her list of recommendations like painting and purchasing a new shower curtain.
One recommendation that I implemented right away was adding succulents. Wikipedia says that succulents are:
In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents or sometimes fat plants, are plants having some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants may store water in various structures, such as leaves and stems.
You can purchase them at Lowe’s Home Improvement or Home Depot stores.
On a recent thrifting trip with Dwell by Cheryl, she spotted a glass globe for $1. I walked right by it, but her creative eye suggested I use them for succulents. SOLD! For a $1! 🙂
The globe would top a terra cotta saucer plate with the plants residing inside.
The terra cotta saucer matched the color of my counter top, so I decided to update it with a little DIY.
Step 1: Wash the globe with warm soapy water. Air dry.
Step 2: Prime the terra cotta saucer. Let dry.
Step 3: Mix up your white wash paint. White paint + water. Mix well. The runnier the wash, the more coats you will need to cover.
Step 4: Paint the saucer. Air dry in between coats. Paint a total of 2 coats per side.
Step 5: Lightly sand the edges to give it an aged look. 150 grit.
I had originally planned to sponge on some gray paint to give it more of an aged look. That step was omitted — I loved how this turned out!
What is the difference between a flea market and an antique/collectible’s show?
There was no shortage of Mason Jars
I have no idea. You?
I grew up roughly 3 miles from a flea market. I believe I have been all of 2 times to said flea market. I just remember there being a lot of crap. Cheap crap. I like cheap but I also like pretty and cheap. Big difference.
WARNING: This a photo dump post of my Metrolina Expo finds. Be sure to check out my Facebook album for more pictures. 🙂
Pyrex was not hard to come by
The Metrolina Expo hosts a monthly antique + collectible items + flea market festivity each month (first weekend). This past weekend just happened to be one of their two big mac daddy shows. I am so glad I went!
Brass Attack! It was everywhere and I was in heaven. 🙂
I’m a newbie to this outdoor market thing. I went and left my cash at home. What do you do mean they don’t take credit cards? Haven’t they heard of square?
Animal love & Vintage Salt Shaker Clearly I like the 3 brass animals — yes they came home with me. 🙂
I tagged along with Dwell by Cheryl on Friday. I was overwhelmed, overstimulated, and overly excited. She basically had to drag me through the show in order to cover as much ground as possible. We arrived at 10:30am … and left at 4:30pm. I was exhausted!
Birds of a feather flock together.
I went back yesterday during the last hour of the show. I wanted to buy a birdhouse that I spotted on Friday. Raymond said we needed a birdhouse. When that man speaks about something fun and decorative, I listen!
We bought a similar birdhouse for the patio! 🙂
A few of my other finds …
There were so many ideas to inspire DIY projects!
Paddles turned hooks
I loved these DIY wooden planter boxes! I might make some for our patio! 🙂 Oh Daddy… I need to borrow that saw 😉
Doorknob Hook on Distressed Wood
A few other items that caught my eye:
Vintage dishware is all the rage! I actually found this exact dish at Goodwill a few months ago. I knew I should have bought it! 😉
I was on the lookout for antique hooks! I loved this one!
What a gorgeous faux mantle! If we didn’t have a fireplace, then I would have scooped this up.
This would look great on a gallery wall! Love the colors
I had the absolute best time at the show and so thankful for the company on Friday! Have you ever been to an outdoor show like this before? Any tips and recommendations for when I go back?
Pure & Simple Organizing 