Date Night at SCarowinds

If you've been reading my blog long enough, you know how much of a Halloween nut that my husband is. I've always liked it, but he LOVES it. If the television is on at any given point in October in our home, there's an 80% chance that a Friday the 13th will be playing (well, you know, when no kiddo eyes are around). 

Two years ago, for Ian's birthday, I gave him tickets to SCarowinds ... it's the Halloween version of Carowinds where the lights go out, the spooky songs are blasted throughout the park, and there are actors dressed in costumes who wander the park, spooking the guests! He LOVED it, and we would have gone again last year but I was pregnant with Charlotte. This year was the perfect year to return!

We got our tickets and made our first stop to get our Fast Lane Plus passes. These are not inexpensive ($70/ea), BUT we consider them essential. They allow you to bypass the lines. My husband is not patient and not a fan of lengthy lines, so this is a no-brainer for us. We were also paying for a babysitter, so we wanted to spend our time at SCarowinds riding tons of rides and not waiting in line all night.

Next stop? Fury 325.

I don't like rollercoasters. Well, I didn't. I was PETRIFIED of them growing up. My middle sister rode them with my dad and I waited at the bottom, trembling. Sometimes I'd get in line with them and then the panic would set in and I'd have to maneuver my way solo out of the snaking line to find my mom and baby sister. 

But Ian loves them, and I rode one two years ago, and dare I say that it was a thrill ... and fun?! So as soon as we got our Fast Lane passes, we headed straight to Fury 325 (it's rather new and was not there for our last trip) and Ian asked for first row seats. I could have hit him. Heights reach 325 feet and it goes 95 miles per hour.

But it was also fun to knock the scariest ride out first. 

And we survived!

After a while, we sat down for a beer with a map and plotted out our roller coaster plan. Intimidator was one that we rode two years ago and really enjoyed. Afterburn, Carolina Cobra, and Carolina Goldrusher are three of my other favorites. Nighthawk is the one where you are laying down on your stomach, which I was really excited about, but it wasn't open on Sunday night. 

If you are planning a trip to Carowinds, here's a description of the roller coasters and rides so you can make your plan of attack. 

Remember to wear comfy shoes and have some sort of pocket that zippers or snaps for important items like your keys and phone. I wore my new military vest which had snap pockets and was perfect for the park (yes, it's from the kid's department, more on this later). 

SCarowinds is, I think, the perfect time to visit because you get all of the fun of the park with the added bonus of getting really excited for Halloween. But if you want to visit SCarowinds and do not want to be spooked by the actors in costume, they have a "No Boo" necklace you can purchase which keeps you safe from the ghouls and goblins that wander the park. SCarowinds is designed for those above the age of 13, making it the perfect date night spot. There's something about running around an amusement park together with your honey that is just so thrilling. Like turning the time machine back.

Rollercoasters ... do you do them?

Nordstrom Event For The Charlotte Social

November's meet-up for The Charlotte Social was last night, and just like all of the other events I've attended, it was a true blast! Big high fives to Bre from Baubles and Bubbly who hosted the event along with stylist Leigh at Nordstrom. 

We were able to try on some of the most beautiful holiday pieces at Nordstrom, and the best part was just chatting with fellow bloggers from Charlotte and the surrounding areas. We had quite a group to show up!

  

photo from Baubles & Bubbly

I'd met Bre several times before but was finally able to meet Emily from Life With Emily ... a long time in the making to hug this sweet girl!

I also had some great time to chat with Melissa from Simply Sweet Melissa and Elizabeth from A Carolina Mrs. -- both such sweet friends.

It was great seeing all of the fun new pieces out for fall and winter.

I was immediately drawn to this Alice + Olivia dress which was a gorgeous ivory metallic lace with antiqued rhinestone details at the collar and hem. Oh my goodness. What a perfect holiday dress!

photo from Baubles & Bubbly

I posted a few photos on Instagram last night and you all were so sweet about my hair! It's embarrassingly easy to style this way ... but would you be interested in seeing a quick tutorial?

...only if you pinky promise not to laugh at me for doing a tutorial of the simplest hairstyle ever.

My BLO Visit

One thing I used to think was overrated? Blowouts.

That all changed a few years ago when I had my first professional blowout during a New York girls trip. At that point, I became a blowout believer.

Now, I am not one of those girls that can make a blowout last for four days -- my hair needs (begs for!) daily washing. So, for that reason, I like to save blowouts for special occasions, like a fun girls night out or a special date night. I was positively thrilled when I first saw that Blo Blow Dry Bar popped up close to my home!

Blo was so sweet to invite me to their media opening day so I could check out the spot for myself and put my tresses in the very capable hands of one of their stylists.

Blo also has great neighbors -- a boutique, a cosmetics store, a candy store, frozen yogurt across the street -- what more could you ask for?

The interior is all pink, grey and white with fantastic decor. Everyone who works there was so sweet and welcoming.

Stephanie was my stylist, and I would highly recommend her. She started off by showing me the hair menu with Blo's signature styles. I went with the Holly Would style -- lots of big curls.

Here's the before shot. Stephanie took me back for a shampoo using Blo's Unite hair products. The shampoo and conditioner smelled positively amazing, like honeysuckle.

Stephanie used a medium round brush to dry and curl small sections of hair, which she then rolled up in duckbill clips and secured until my entire head was done and the curls were cool. She didn't need to use any heat tools at all!

And the result? Bouncy, healthy curls! Plus -- that volume at the crown was right up my alley.

Blo has such a good vibe going on. The music was on-point and not too loud, but just loud enough to feel like you were pre-partying for a spectacular night out.

They spoiled us with cupcakes, punch & bubbly as well as a full candy bar -- Blo knows the way to my heart!

They even sent me home with a sweet little swag bag with lots of great goodies, including a full size of this Unite detangler and leave-in conditioner which leaves my hair incredibly smooth and soft. It will be a staple in my bathroom cabinet!

 

The verdict? Between my sweet stylist, the salon's fab decor, and the red-carpet worthy blowout, I will most definitely be back -- and soon.

Blowouts are $35 and available for any type or length of hair.

Blo Charlotte 

Colony Road Shops 

2850 Selwyn Avenue 

Charlotte, NC 28209 

@bloheartsyou

Five On Friday: Blogger Meet-Up Edition!

Today I'm going to change it up a bit and do a blogger meet-up edition of Five On Friday. We had the BEST time last night at On A String, the cutest, most girly and fun beadshop located on Providence Road here in Charlotte. So here we go ... 

O N E

Simply loving our great group of bloggers! We had fifteen girls to drop in and it was such a fun crowd. Some familiar faces; some new faces. Everyone was just so sweet and excited about our wrapped bangle tutorial.

T W O

If you've ever been to On A String, you know that the store is total eye candy. The walls are adorned with gorgeous beads, the chandeliers are blinged out, and there is stunning jewelry to buy at every turn.

T H R E E
Thank heavens for patient teachers! Christine, the store owner (far left in below photo) is just the sweetest and was so patient with me when my gold wire kept springing off of the form like a slinky. She did a perfect job of walking everyone through the steps and made 100% sure that the gals were pleased as peas with their creations. If you've ever wanted to learn how to make jewelry, she's your gal.

Sidenote: the Dr. Pepper, Starbucks, and Ajax you see below are her creative ways of creating the perfect-sized bangle! Our wine glasses, well, those were just there for us. :)

 
F O U R
Loving, loving the finished product! Everyone got to leave with two bangles of their own design. Some gals went blingy; some went muted. Some chose bright colors, others opted for neutrals. I loved seeing how they all came together! My combo is the bottom right, the cobalt blue and green.

F I V E
Loved chatting with friends old and new! There's just something so fun about getting bloggers together -- maybe the fact that we can connect on such random points (like what blogs we read first thing in the morning and what our favorite blog design companies are).

Me with Zelle from A Southern Style

Melissa from Simply Sweet Melissa

If you would like to be included in future meet-ups, follow along with the Charlotte Social blog!

I think a lot of you know how this works but if you are new to the party, please join this link-up along with me and my beautiful co-hostesses -- Darci, Natasha, and Christina. Playing along is simple!  Just write a post about five things on your mind today, anything goes really, post the logo below on your blog, and then enter your post address below in the link-up section. It's a great way of meeting new friends and getting more eyes on your cute blog!

Ian's Birthday Dinner

Last night was a very special night, my husband's birthday!

I was home from work at 5:30, and by 6:00 we were already out the door heading to our friends' home for a pre-dinner glass of wine and a toast to the birthday boy.

Since my guy is a guy who loves a little R+R (but never puts himself first when it comes to that), I treated him to a gift card to Ballantyne Spa. We had appointments there a few months back and it is just the best way to spend a Saturday or Sunday!

I also have another little surprise for him this Saturday morning but that one is still hush-hush ... I'll post on Instagram (@alizadventures) what our little adventure ends up being!

  
We had dinner reservations last night at Nolen Kitchen, a neighborhood favorite! They have zucchini chips which very well may be my favorite appetizer in all of Charlotte -- very thinly sliced and flash-fried, served with a lemon aioli. They are positively delicious. 

It was a wonderful dinner together and I'm so happy to celebrate yet another birthday with this guy!

Weekend Girly Time

Ahhh, what a weekend it was!  My girlfriends headed back home yesterday afternoon and I truly felt like I was about to cry.  We had the best time, as is always the case. 

We had the house all to ourselves -- Ian left Friday for the mountains with some guy friends. We could just be extra loud and giggly and girly as we wanted!

As soon as the girls got in Friday, we poured some fun blueberry-cucumber cocktails that I'll be sharing the recipe for soon.  This was easily one of my favorite cocktails I've made all summer.

We had appetizers for dinner and just snacked and chatted until it was way past our bedtime.

The next morning, I put out some cinnamon rolls and fruit before we headed to Freedom Park to take a walk.  It was so warm out, but we always feel better if we do something active.  It justifies the champagne.  We walked for a mile and a half before surrendering to the heat and calling it quits!

We'd planned a bit of shopping for that afternoon ... we hit up Monkees, Vestique, and Petal and then topped off the day with manicures and pedicures at Polished.  I just love this place ... not only is it decorated so swanky, but they serve you drinks while you get gussied up!

When it was time to get ready for dinner, we all got ready in the same room.  What's better than doing your makeup with your girls by your side?!  We sprawled out our makeup on the dresser and beautified together.

Dinner reservations were at 7:00 that night at 5Church in uptown Charlotte, so we parked the car and took the lightrail into the city center and then just walked to the restaurant.

I thought 5Church was delicious!  We absolutely loved the atmosphere and menu.  The 5Church martini was right up my alley -- vanilla vodka, lychee juice, ginger ale, and fresh lychees.  Good gracious, it was tasty.

On the way back to the lightrail after dinner, we decided that the night was too fun to come to an end.  We went to the Epicenter and checked out Bubble Lounge, a new champagne bar.

I loved wearing my new Loft Racerback Jumpsuit ... a little step out of the comfort zone, but it was so fun!  I paired it with BCBGeneration rose gold heels, my new ILY Couture necklace, and an Asos tassel clutch (gift from my sister).

This champagne bar was so much fun and we nabbed the perfect seat on the patio overlooking uptown Charlotte.  We got champagne with St. Germaine ... a favorite combo.

Sunday we enjoyed a French brunch at Georges Brasserie.  I'm still dreaming of those chicken and mushroom crepes!  Oooh la la, they were magnifique.

As sad as I was to see the girls leave, I'm even more excited to plan the next get-together.  There really is nothing like great girlfriends who lift you up, support you, keep you laughing, call you out, hug you hard, and tell you they love you!