Bill! Bill! Bill!

This is what we did in Charlotte last night.  And it totally rocked!!!

This Week

This is what we're doing in Charlotte this week. 

Out and About in Charlotte

Have you heard about the Showtime program called "Homeland"? 

Well, they are filming it in and around Charlotte.  Apparently, we can pass for lots of other places in the right light, which is a plus when you're trying to get movie work....

Anywho....  They were filming up by the Courthouse the other day and I took this picture of the truck on the way from Court.  One of the movie people (not famous, a crew person) commented that it seemed like a pretty boring picture (and there I was trying to be so cool and surreptitious with my iPhone) and I totally geeked out.  Let's just say that the prop truck wasn't boring to me...

Out and About in Charlotte

I love Cafe Monte.

Any place where I can get French food and a Paris vibe is on my list.   The fact that its in my neighborhood is gravy.  The fact that they will give you such a good weekend brunch just knocks them out of the park!

Sunday Afternoon

Chocolate milkshakes.....

Out and About in Charlotte

Did you know that Carson McCullers wrote part of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter while living in Charlotte?

She did.  She wrote while living in what is known as The Mayer House, over on East Boulevard.  It is now home to an Indian Restaurant called Copper..... 

Angie Harmon Ripped Us Off!!!

My Aunt (who lives in Oklahoma) called and left us a message last week.

Now - bear in mind that she does not know that Angie Harmon lives in Charlotte or that we have passed her in the grocery store met her. 

My Aunt called to relate to me that she had been watching this TV show called "Rizolli and Isles" and in this one scene the cop (Angie Harmon's character) pulled up in her car beside her brother (a dog walker) who was walking the dogs down the street and she turned her siren on and her brother says:

"Turn that off, you're scaring Finn and Lola."

Coincidence?

We think not. 

Clearly, Angie Harmon is exploiting living here in Charlotte and her close proximity to Chateau Bee Charmer - and RIPPING US OFF!!

Can you believe it?  

I mean how could that have just been some coincidence?  She must be a Bee Charmer fan.  There is just no other explanation!

Out and About in Charlotte

My darling friend and I ate dinner at Halcyon last night - uptown in the Mint Museum. 

First - YUM!

Second, 'Halcyon' is my favorite word - seriously...

Third - look at this beautiful view. 

The food was great, the service was amazing, the view was SO beautiful.  If you haven't been down there -

Go. 

Now. 

Thank me later.....

Out and About in Charlotte

Last weekend I went uptown to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and to the new uptown Mint Museum -

The Mint was really great - it was lovely to see the Design Museum and the Art Museum together and much more space.  The building itself was not as 'photogenic' as the Bechtler....

The Bechtler Museum is lovely from an Architectural standpoint.

And I would have loved to have taken some gallery shots but alas, photography was not allowed!

It was a lovely way to spend the morning and a lot for Charlotte to be proud of.

Out and About in Charlotte

One of the chapters in my favorite book, Creating a Charmed Life, is entitled 'Practice the Vacation Principle' and it encourages us to be tourists in our own town and in our own lives.  The author feels that when we do this, even the lackluster aspects of living day to day can seem life part of an amazing journey.

I've really been trying to do this this summer.  For one thing I think there is some truth to it and for another thing I've been so absolutely worn out from work that I'm kind of willing to try anything.

And you know what?

It's working.

This past weekend, I visited Wing Haven, a local garden located in one of Charlotte's oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods, Myers Park.  The house was built in the 1920's and the owner, Elizabeth Clarkson, constructed this garden that eventually covered 3 acres.  Now it is a beautiful oasis and bird sanctuary on one of Charlotte's most beautiful residential streets.

It was a joy from start to finish.

All in all, a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

If your local to Charlotte or visiting for the weekend (I'm lookin'at you, O.K.) it's a lovely way to spend an hour. 

Out and About in Charlotte

In celebration of restaurant week, my darling friend and I had dinner at Luce - uptown in the Hearst Plaza.

Loved it.

Gorgeous, intimate dining room.

Impeccable service.

Perfect French Martinis (my personal downfall).

Delicious, gorgeous food.  I wanted to put my face down in my dessert and lick the plate clean. 

Don't worry - I refrained - but it took self discipline.

Out and About in Charlotte

I took this at Slate over the weekend.  It's such a fun little place to poke around in.

Charlotte Restaurant Week

It's Restaurant Week here in the Q.C.  and I'm trying a couple of new places.

For those of you who don't know what Restaurant Week is, its a twice yearly event that lasts for a week and many local restaurants participate.  You generally get three courses for $30 so it's a great deal - especially at some of the pricier places. 

I'm eating at Luce Ristorante on Wednesday and New South Kitchen on Thursday.

I love restaurant week and I've gotten to try a lot of new places this way over the years.  I'll let you know how this goes.  I'm excited to try both of these joints!

Out and About in Charlotte

Last weekend my friend and I headed over to dinner on North Davidson street or NoDa if you live in Charlotte.

This is where Charlotte gets it's 'artsy' on... in a wild bohemian way.  Or whatever that passes for in Charlotte. 

I mean, Jesus graffiti is 'edgy', right? 

And then dinner and bear at Cabo Fish Taco....

Fun place - but the guac sucks.  Just so ya know.

Angie Harmon Lives in Charlotte!

Y'all!

Did you know that Angie Harmon lives in Charlotte?

Well, she does.  They reported it on the front page of the paper - so it must be true.

Still, I didn't really believe she was going to 'live' here. 

And then I totally saw her shopping for groceries at the Teeter on Good Friday!

One doesn't often bump into celebrities in Charlotte, let alone in the frozen food section of the Teeter.

This was my total thought process:

OMG! It's Angie Harmon!

Be cool, Tonya.

I have to tweet!  I have to blog about this!

She looked at me and I smiled (while trying to play it cool) and then I scurried off to the wine section and called my best friend - like the uncool hillbilly that I really am.

After I calmed down, I was happy that I had a cartful of 'cool' groceries - fresh veggies, wine and flowers for my dinner party - as opposed to a 25lb bag of dog food and a big box of Kotex.  Not that she looked at my cart anyway - but still.  

I can report to you, darling readers, that she is very beautiful and very thin and her children were very well behaved.  All three of them.   She was wearing little or no makeup and dressed like all the other moms.  Nothing 'celebrity' her. 

And no one was bothering her, which made me happy and proud of Charlotte.

I hope she and her family will feel at home here.

Polka Dot Bake Shop

Charlotte Peeps!

Have you been over to buy your cupcakes at the Polka Dot Bake Shop?

If you haven't, what are you waiting for?

Slate

Hey!

Have I mentioned Slate Interiors, over on Central Avenue?

No?

Well, it's there and it's super fun and if you're in Charlotte, North Carolina and inclined to decorate your house with cool stuff, you should definitely go!

I went over this past Saturday and left with $20 worth of happy!

A little porcelain dish for my living room.

I know y'all are stunned!  Tonya bought a little bowl/dish for her house?????  NO!!!

Yes.  Yes, I did.

You know I have a thing for little bowls and dishes.

And how could I not? Especially when I have the perfect stack of unadorned books to put it on top of!

I'dnit precious?  I'dnit perfect?

Slate advertises itself as "Paris Flea Market Meets Soho" and well, that should tell you everything you need to know about why I first went in there.

Go. Shop.  Decorate.  Thank me later.

Democratic National Convention 2012

I am excited and proud that my party's convention is going to be in our city next year!

*and by the way, the young man on the right is our mayor, Anthony Foxx, not a random pretty man - although he is awful pretty*

Seriously, yesterday was a very exciting day for Charlotte.  And I'm very proud and thankful because I know that so many of our leaders and citizens have worked hard for this. 

Congrats and YAY!

Queen's Feast

Hey - Charlotte Peeps!

The Queen's Feast kicked off this week and there's some good eating in Charlotte this week! 

If you're local you've got a great opportunity to hit some old favorites or try some new places.

Go.  Eat.  Eat some more.....

Sunday Afternoon

Graffiti walls in Charlotte???

Who knew? 

Oh, and please don't tell the city - I'm sure if they find out about it they'll paint over it - tout de suite!