Hi {{first_name}}
This morning was tough, y'all.
It started with the coffee. Warm, perfect, two glorious sips in — and then I looked down. Half gone already. The end was near, and I was already mentally negotiating whether a second cup was worth blowing my daily limit.
Tailspin of thoughts. Totally normal Friday behavior.
Then I opened our Facebook page to reply to comments. We get a lot of them every day, and I do my best to respond. My personal rule: only respond to kindness, and only with kindness.
But there it was. A DM full of insults. And then another comment, same energy. Angry people convinced that their unhappiness is somehow our fault.
I bit at one. Deleted the other. Pleaded for that second cup of coffee.
"That's it," I announced (with a swear word thrown in, I'll be honest). "I'm not sending a newsletter this morning." I was already halfway finished.
Cranky pants were fully on. What an Australian would call a good old dummy spit. For the uninitiated, a dummy is a pacifier.
And then I caught myself. About to let someone else's anger turn into a hand grenade aimed at you — complete innocents. The exact thing I was worked up about in the first place.
So I paused. Took some deep breaths. Watched my cat Mavis drink from her water fountain — one of those small, gentle acts that pulls you back into the present and into a kind of quiet awe. And when the frustration finally melted away, I could ask myself: Who do you really want to be? How do you want to show up for the world?
And I started writing this.
I am committed to showing up for you. Your kindness, your support, your little reminders of how this newsletter helps you plan fun weekends gives me purpose. I need it more than I sometimes let on. Thank you.
You saved me this morning in ways coffee never could.
In other news: It's going to be a glorious day and an even better weekend. As my daughter said walking out to school this morning: FRIYAY!!
P.S. I am now giggling at the sheer childish drama of my dummy spit. It's amazing where our minds can take us when we forget we're the ones in the driver's seat… or if we drink our coffee too fast 😂😂
If I Were Planning My Weekend, I’d …
Start Saturday morning at Spring Daze, soaking up the artsy vibes in the forest by the beautiful Bond Lake.
Head to the new Y’all Means Y’all NC Beerfest in the afternoon at Raleigh Brewing
On Sunday, go to The 13th Annual Festival of Legends 2026 in Holly Springs for a mystical dayof music, magic, dragons, dancers, knights, and so much more.
Squeeze in the Spring Fling Annual Dog & Cat Fundraiser at Koka Booth on Sunday for some pet love, learning, and support.
Pick up some plants at JC Raulston Arboretum's spring plant sale and garden festival Saturday.
Warm up for Bike Month (May) with an enjoyable loop around Lake Lynn.
Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday by visiting a favorite local bookshop. Suggested Quail Ridge (North Hills), So & So (N Person St) Blackbird Books & Coffee (City Market), Readers Corner (Hillsborough St)
Take a short trip of these Triangle coffee shops worth driving to!
A Few More Things Before You Go
Some favorite finds, news to know, and ideas
Our favorite, Moxie Salon have announced they’ll be opening a second location in Parkside West, Morrisville May 11, and have some new member deals.
Last night we enjoyed delicious pizza - including gluten free - at Rosati’s Pizza in Morrisville with Kalyra who was visiting from UNCW! Order the Rosati’s Monster! (Locally, family owned and everything for the pizzas made fresh in house with local ingredients where possible!)
Yesterday CertaPro painted our downstairs - not our kitchen as hoping to one day renovate that #oneday. They were awesome and finished in less than a full day. We replaced the awful light almond color with natural white. It’s so much brighter and better. AND it’s paint you can actually clean dirt off without removing the paint. Video coming soon (they’re a partner)
A great Flat White from Bad Brain at Raleigh Iron Works using our Coffee Crawl Pass!
Crooked Hammock Brewery has opened not far from Crabtree Valley Mall. I'm always saying yes to hammock life.
The Canes won game 3. That means a win tomorrow takes us to Round 2! #lookinggood
White and bright
Rosatti’s Pizza
Bad Brain
Wildflowers, Nash Square
If You Missed It This Week
This is Raleigh Reader Discounts
Click the links below and use the code as directed. (We’re personal customers of all below)
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Trusted Housesitters - great for pet owners who love to travel. CODE: TRUSTED15 for a 15% discount off your membership fee.
Google Fi: get $60 credit if you make the switch (for cell phones). We recently did and love it. For frequent travelers like us it makes sense. Plus, better price than ATT and better service (data and customer!) Use CODE: 7ANFM2
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