Hi Raleigh Lover!

It’s been another epic week of Raleigh adventures with my sister visiting from Australia—and let’s just say we may have eaten a little too well! We’ve officially downgraded to one meal a day just to make room for all the incredible food Raleigh’s throwing at us lately.

We kicked things off with a First Friday Greek feast at Taverna Agora, complete with dancing and garden-terrace joy. Then came the Bubbles & Brisket event in Smoky Hollow where we sampled every brisket style imaginable. (You know we take our BBQ research seriously.)

We balanced the smoky with spicy thanks to a taco stop at Little Rey—a new favorite! My sister loved the edgy vibe of Raleigh Iron Works and fell head over heels for The Flourish Market (same, girl, same). And speaking of culture… she also got the full American dining experience with our daughters at The Cheesecake Factory. Aunt Jen is racking up major cool points with facials, shopping sprees, and girl time galore!

We did sprinkle in some non-food fun too: a candle-making class where I accidentally discovered that the scent I was drawn to—Ky’s “PVO” (Positive Vibes Only)—was made with Palo Santo… the same wood I burn every morning during meditation. Manifestation in wax form? Yes, please.

We also tackled an historic water tower escape room (victorious!), celebrated our daughters high school graduation, and cheered our hearts out at The Soccer Tournament, which is quickly becoming a summer staple for us. We were especially thrilled to watch the U.S. Women’s team—featuring several UNC legends—light up the pitch. What a gift to have events like this right here in the Triangle!

More memory-making to come in Jen’s final week: we’ve got plans for Durham Bulls, Drive Shack, Wet & Wild, wine & design, and a few surprises up our sleeve. There’s nothing better than showing off our beautiful region to the people we love—and watching them fall for it too.

Catch you next week with more local love!

Caroline

💖 FAVORITE FINDS

• The lucky photo capture I got of my daughter looking up at her thrown cap at graduation. I think it fully encapsulates the moment of saying goodbye to high school and the joy of venturing into the unknown.

• Dinkers Nuts have moved into our area and they are quite delicious (online store)

• The trio of dips at Taverna Agora - and that patio 😍

• Narrative Coffee Cart - they were at TST and brewed a delicious cup! You can find the cart at various places in Raleigh and they are soon opening a cafe in Durham. Raleigh next please!

• Of courses, Ky’s Kandles - her candle making classes are a lot of fun and well worth doing with a friend or loved one for a special occasion

• The new luxury Maeve Apartments in Downtown Raleigh are dreamy. Resort style pools, great amenities, amazing views, and overlooking Red Hat so you can attend the concert without the ticket price! Reel coming soon.

• The smoked chicken wings and esquelto salad with plantains and quinoa at Little Rey were delicious!

• The Tower Escape rooms in the historic water tower in Downtown Raleigh was fun - we did the The Castle of Loches room.

⭐DID YOU HEAR?

• Summer solstice is this coming Friday. Does anyone else feel a slight tinge of sadness with the realization at what comes after the longest day of the year.

• Boatman Spirits Co. will open at 713 Seaboard Station Drive in Raleigh today! Think distillery, cocktail bar, and Mediterranean food!

• Electric Flamingo, an ‘80s Miami-themed pop-up bar, opens today at 10 p.m. beneath The Merchant.

• According to a new RentCafe.com report, Raleigh has emerged as one of the newest millionaire renter hotspots in the U.S.

• The first Ebisu Life Store in North Carolina has opened on Hillsborough St. We saw crazy lines snaking out of here!
  

🖋 ON THE BLOG

📆THIS WEEKEND

You may like…

1. Sat: The Capital City Juneteenth Celebration at Dorothea Dix Park with musical performers, speakers and storytellers, vendors, kids’ zone, and exhibits.

2. Sat: NC Hops Fest, Midtown Common, North Hills with unlimited samples of local brews, food trucks, and live music.

3. Sat: Apex Pride Festival is on at the Apex Town Campus. Celebrate a day of inclusion with music, food, games, vendors, and activities!

4. Fri - Sun: NC State University Ghost & Urban Legend Walk

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