Art in Bloom
Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
Our finds are a little sparse this week—we spent most of it snowbound! ❄️ We hope you made the most of it though… sledding, snowmen, cozy walks, or just soaking up how beautiful Raleigh looks under a blanket of snow.
Big milestone moment in our house: Savannah finally went back to school for a FULL instructional day. Parents everywhere, let me hear you say YAY! She also started driver’s ed this week, which feels… wildly surreal. How did we get here already?
As Raleigh starts to warm back up, we’ll be racing out the door again to explore and reconnect with the city. It starts today with lunch with one of our oldest Raleigh friends, and on Wednesday we’re hopping on the train to Greensboro for the day to experience NC Ale by Rail. We love train travel! There’s something about slowing down and letting someone else do the driving. If you’ve got Greensboro tips (food, walks, hidden gems), hit reply and share them!
Community Meetups (We’re Finally Doing This!)
One of our intentions for this year is to create more ways to meet up with you—our community. Craig and I have been tossing around a few ideas:
A casual trip down to Selma for our favorite Boston-themed café (clam chowder in a bread bowl or their new Northern-style bagels). Would you be into that?
And the one we’re officially putting into action…
Wake Tech’s Reach, Rally, Fun Fundraiser
We honestly hadn’t heard of this event until Wake Tech reached out and invited us to join and help spread the word. After learning what it supports, we thought: why not bring our community along with us?
The event isn’t until April, but I wanted to share it now while early bird pricing is open (ends Feb 20).
We’ve created a THIS IS RALEIGH team and chosen the 5K option (you can also do the 10K if you’re feeling ambitious). If enough people join our team, there’s even the possibility of receiving $5–$10 back.
This feels like a fun, healthy way to kick off more community meetups in 2026 and support a really meaningful cause. All walking or running abilities are welcome. Truly. This is not a race, it’s a gather.
I’ll be honest with you—after 15 years on this entrepreneurial journey, launching anything new still feels scary. The fear of “what if no one shows up?” is very real. But we’re not letting that stop us anymore. You never know where something small and well-intentioned might lead.
This will be a friendly, low-pressure group. Walk or run, chat along the way, meet new people—and together we help Wake Tech students stay enrolled and on track during unexpected financial hardship.
That feels like a pretty good reason to try!
Caroline
P.S. We’ve teamed up with Woodhouse Spa for a $150 Giveaway! You need that pampering! They also have a great Valentine’s promotion for a free bracelet when you purchase a $350 gift card in spa. Enter the giveaway here!
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
A regular favorite, rather than a new find. In need of sanity relief, I worked for a couple of hours at Fount Coffee savoring their coffee cake with a latte. #favoriteforlife
Hot chocolate with my Savannah after her Invisalign and braes checkup at Gladwell Orthodontics - they have a cafe for patients with complimentary drinks.
Craig worked out at the YMCA on Hillsborough St for the first time with our friend Clark Rinehart and really enjoyed the space. Clark is running for Raleigh City Council and can vouch in the quality of his character and are for this community!
Fount Cofee
My sweet girl
With Clark Rinehart
Poor Peach
🖋 ON THE BLOG
⭐DID YOU HEAR?
Art in Bloom Tickets are now on sale. Hurry as they typically go fast. Here is our guide. We usually go every year and are always wowed by it!
It’s time to get prepared for voting. Our friend Experience Raleigh has a voting guide I am avidly learning from her as this is the year I can finally vote. I officially will become a citizen Feb 24!
The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics starts today at 2pm. Are you watching?
Raising Canes has opened on Hillsborough St. Tell us your thoughts via the Facebook update below! (We also have one on Instagram if you prefer to chat there!)
Bahama Breeze is closing its tropical-themed Raleigh restaurant in April.
Rose & Lee’s new Spring collection is out and I’m all here for the colorful florals and stripes. If I buy a spring dress from there this week, will it make Spring arrive faster?
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
FRI: First Friday is on tonight in Downtown Raleigh with love themed events. Click for events and guide here.
SAT: The annual Krispy Kreme run is on from the NC State Bell Tower to Krispy Kreme and back. Wil you eat the 12 donuts in between.
SAT: Lunar New Year Market at Raleigh Iron Works Shop from AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) owned businesses, eat delicious food and celebrate the new year. 11am 0 4pm FREE
SAT: Gold Medal Games at Downtown Cary Park: Cheer on Team USA as they chase the gold, then step into the action yourself by trying out a variety of winter sport–inspired challenges.
SUN: Living In Color Opening Reception, Dorothea Dix Chapel with live music, spoken word, and a theatrical dance performance! Mix and mingle with the exhibiting artists and enjoy drinks and light hors d’oeuvres. 1pm -3:30pm FREE
More ideas 👇
🗣JOIN THE CONVERSATION
The social posts that have everyone talking (click image to join)
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! 👇