Quarter Note
Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
Last weekend was a big one: we dropped Kalyra off at college in Wilmington, explored a little more of our favorite coastal town (fun finds below), and soaked up some Wrightsville Beach sunshine (hello beach sunrise yoga). We even spotted the same alligator (yes, that alligator!) hanging around Anne Bonnie’s restaurant that we saw last year when we dined there with my parents. Naturally, I snapped a pic and sent it straight to them—“look who’s still here!”
I didn’t quite know what to make of the person paddleboarding against the fast moving Cape Fear River at sunset with an alligator nearby. Would you?
Back in Raleigh, this week has been all about preparing Savannah for her freshman year of high school. Cue the back-to-school shopping spree at Crabtree (send help). I have to admit, I’m really missing the simplicity of her middle school uniforms. But she did manage to distract me from my grumbling by convincing me to finally get my ears pierced. Yep—two months shy of 50 and I’ve just joined the club. Proof you’re never too old to try something new!
This weekend marks the official kickoff of Raleigh’s fall-and-holiday festival season, and it’s coming in hot. We’ll be dashing between Lazy Days, Kirby Derby, and Packapalooza (all happening at the same time, of course!). Thankfully our Pinehurst trip was postponed, so we won’t miss a beat here at home.
We’re also working on our content plan for the rest of the year—blog posts, social media, and yes, the podcast is coming back! We’d love your input: what do you want to see more of? And which channel do you love following us on most—blog, email, Instagram, Facebook, or podcast? If it’s all of them, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And if it’s just one, that’s more than enough—we get it!
Caroline
P.S. My thoughts on our latest half-empty nest transition shared to our travel email community.
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
Quarter Note Coffee A great flat white just down the road from Crabtree (better than the chains they offer inside!)
Capt’n Bills in Wilmington - people travel from Raeleigh to play on these beach volleyball courts, either for league or pickup fun or to collect AVP points. You can also just watch and enjoy delicious food (house-smoked pulled pork tater tots) and craft brews from the brewery on site. It’s a cool place!
Social Coffee House in Wilmington officially does the best coffee - we’ve tried a LOT!
The tropical chicken burger at Anne Bonnie’s in Wilmington was sensational. That’s such a great place to eat - right on the riverfront at really good prices and delicious food.
My first time having Moe’s Southwest Grill and I was impressed with the price of the chicken bowl and it was tasty. Crabtree’s food court is not bad.
sunrise beach yoga
Sunset paddler
Capt’n Bills
Social Coffee House
⭐DID YOU HEAR?
Rumors are circulating that 42nd Oyster Bar could reopen under a new ownership group as early as February. Raleigh awaits with bated breath.
Visit Raleigh tells us a new record was set with 19 million people visiting Wake County in 2024 spending $3.4 billion
Women's boutique, Veronica Beard has announced a North Hills opening in early 2026
Good Graces market shop and eatery is finally open in North Hills
Baekho Coffee & Ice Cream has opened at Boxyard RTP bringing Korean-inspired flavors, blending modern café culture with scratch-made ice cream.
Single-game tickets for the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2025–26 home games are now on sale.
Kings of Leon and Zach Bryan have released a collab and it’s bringing me joy this morning!
🖋 ON THE BLOG
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
Sat: Packapalooza block party, Hillsborough St. There’ll be student athlete autograph signings, interactive stations, vendors, performances all day, and it will finish with a concert headlined by Save by the 90s and a fireworks show! 2pm - 10pm
Sat: Kirby Derby at Dorothea Dix Park: There’ll be all manner of hand built, gravity-powered cars barreling down Harvey Hill 3:#0pm
Sat & Sun: Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival at Cary Town Hall Campus. .More than 300 artists from 16 states. There are also multiple stages of live local music, a beer garden and food trucks. 9am - 5pm
Sat: Tedx Raleigh at the Raleigh convention center. Speakers from various fields will share their unique perspectives on the theme of “Shaping the Future.” 12 Ideas, 12 Speakers, 10 Minutes. 1pm - 5pm
🗣JOIN THE CONVERSATION
The social posts that have everyone talking (click image to join)
👍ON THE GRAM
Need a Raleigh Realtor?
No need to spend all your resources trying to find a knowledgeable and trustworthy realtor who puts customer care first! We have partnerships with savvy and experienced, local realtors who can help you find your perfect property (or sell the one you have!) allowing you to focus on the more important aspects of your move. You'll also get personal access to us to help you with questions on life in Raleigh! Reply to this email or click the button 👇
If you find our newsletter helpful, please share it with people you know. We’ve created a referral program with a few rewards to say thank you! 👇