Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
Last weekend we popped into the annual Fall Fair at Fletcher Park, and what a surprise it was! It was our first time going and loved the talent of local artists and makers filling the park with handmade treasures and heart.
One of the most unique things we saw was a “paint and sing” duo performing on stage (Little Red Birds) — a man playing guitar and singing folk tunes while beside him a woman painted a forest scene in real time. It was mesmerizing, this beautiful blend of sound and art flowing together.
Later, wandering through the stalls, I stopped in front of Just Genna Designs, an artist who paints joyful scenes and quotes on reclaimed wood. One piece stopped me in my tracks. It read:
“In my mind, I’m gone to Carolina. Can’t you see the sunshine, can’t you just feel the moonshine?”
The famous James Taylor lyric.
And just like that, I was transported back to my childhood in Australia - my mum playing that song on repeat, and little me saying, “Mum, I should live in Carolina.”
Life has a funny way of listening to our tiny childhood dreams, doesn’t it?
That lyric hit me so deeply that I had to buy the piece. It now hangs near two maps in our home — one of Australia and one of North Carolina — my two homes.
I actually wrote about this moment in my personal newsletter, The Golden Thread, earlier this week because it moved me so much. It’s one of those stories that reminds you of how the universe weaves things together in quiet, magical ways. You can read it here ➜
And get this: the next day I received a message from Dave, the singer from that paint-and-sing duo on stage. He told me the last song he performed that day — just after we walked away — was “Carolina in My Mind.”
Talk about a full-circle moment. Part of me was gutted to have missed it… but honestly, I think I might’ve started sobbing right there in the park!
Here’s to following those little threads that connect our stories, and to the songs that remind us where (and who) we’re meant to be.
Caroline
P.S. This upcoming festive season will be wild for us as we explore the many different seasonal events and offerings across the city! As always, we’ll share that fun with you, so you know how to have holiday fun too!
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
Dinner at Figulina - wow! What an experience. I put this up there with Heron’s at the Umstead for its sophistication and complexity of flavors in each dish (at least the ones I ate!)
Angus Barn Christmas decorations: Finally, we experienced the incredible holiday decorations at Angus Barns. We popped into the Wild Turky Lounge for a drink and a looksee. We’re actually going for dinner when Craig’s parents are here. They will be dazzled! See more in our reel.
Jaycee Park - what a beautiful hidden gem this small park is with a wooded trail, small garden, and even palm trees! See more in this reel.
Brunch at Foxcroft Food & Wine Co: One of our favorite wine bars in Raleigh just started brunch, and it’s a delicious experience. I highly recommend the salmon board - so fresh and flavorful! YUM!
My Henry bar in the Village District - classic English pub style vibes with a dash of Raleigh sophistication. The kind of place you can settle in for a while!
Lamb tenderloin
Angus Barn
Mr Henry
Salmon board Foxcroft
⭐DID YOU HEAR?
The Pantry Bowl 2025 is on. Help raise much needed funds for the Feed the Pack Food Pantry at NC State for students, staff, and faculty facing food insecurity. For the Pantry Bowl we are aiming to get more monetary gifts than rivals UNC Chapel Hill. #GoPack Learn more here.
Drift Kitchen has opened a new location at the Horseshoe at the Hub RTP. It’s just as amazing as all the others. We met the owner and was thrilled to discover he spent time surfing and traveling Australia and fell in love with the wellness, - community-gathering intention behind our cafes and culture, which inspired him to create Drift. No wonder we feel so at home at Drift (#happyheart )
Raising Cane’s will open on Hillsborough St the second week of January. Does a college town work without it?
Both UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University are intending to raise tuition 3% for the first time in nearly 10 years.
The northern lights came out strong this week. You can see some of our Facebook community photos (and share your own) here.
Vita Vite has announced they’re closing their downtown Raleigh location, on Dec 14. We’re sad to hear this as we love their wine bar and were just in there the day before the announcement!
🖋 ON THE BLOG
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
Sat… ongoing North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival – prepared to be dazzled by thousands of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing various themes. 6-10pm; performances: 7pm, 8pm and 9pm, nightly at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary Read our guide to the festival.
Fri & Sat: Moonlight in the Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum Illuminated gardens, live music, food trucks, s’more fire pits, and more. 5:30-9:30 p.m. See reel
Sat: 2025 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off: activities including ice sculpting, caroling, and vendors. Plus, they’ll launch their annual donation drive to raise funds for Town-sponsored initiatives making a difference in our community. Noon - 4pm
Sun: Forest Park Art Walk in the Forest Park Neighborhood, West Raleigh twenty neighborhood artists will open their studios to the public. 1- 5pm
More ideas 👇
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