5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Weekend…

April 21, 2016

Sara Silver . Inspiration, Travel

Food for thought heading into your weekend!

Ocean Island Living

Saturday and Sunday are the fastest two days of the week. Why? Because instead of getting up early and following a routine like we do the rest of the week, these days start later and often include several hours watching America’s Next Top Model reruns while folding laundry. If your still young enough to go out at night than most likely your weekends consist of too much alcohol, Waffle House at 2AM and breakfast at noon. While there’s nothing wrong with that on occasion, falling into a routine of mundane weekends leaves you feeling like you’ve wasted precious time and uninspired when Monday rolls around again.

Here are 5 ways to revamp your weekends and utilize your two days of freedom.

#1. Plan a Day Trip or Weekend Get Away

If you live within a few hours of the beach, the mountains or even a state park plan a short trip. Leave Friday night…

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Dreaming of the Outer Banks, NC…A Perfect Summer Destination

June 21, 2013

Sara Silver . Inspiration, Travel . NC, Outer Banks

Style Me Pretty / Elaine Palladino

The Outer Banks, NC are unlike any beach town you’ve ever been too. Several years ago when my son was still very young I had the good fortune of spending a week there and to this day it’s the most memorable vacation I’ve ever had. The night of our arrival a large storm front slammed into the coast and shook the windows of our beach house with such force that I was sure they would shatter. I sat up all night feeling the floor sway under my feet as the stilts holding us up above the sand gave way little by little to the wind.

The following morning we made our way to the beach and what we found was a wall of foam, waist-high – a testament to the power of the storm. In its wake were thousands of sand dollars and starfish scatter along the shore for miles in every direction. We spent the rest of that afternoon throwing as many as possible back into the water.

In the evenings we’d wait in anticipation for the dolphins to come in to feed, impossibly close to shore, darting through the waves just before they broke at our feet. In Corolla, we found our way to a secluded beach and watched as wild horses fed on sea oats and walked freely through the shallow waves – a scene so beautiful I count myself lucky to have seen it in person.

Jared Lloyd Photography

I was reading through some posts this afternoon and came across a photo gallery of the barrier islands taken by Elaine Palladino for Style Me Pretty; it instantly reminded me how much I want to go back. There’s something magical about this place – if you ever have the chance to go, you should.

Style Me Pretty / Elaine Palladino

Amelie’s French Bakery…Charlotte, NC

May 3, 2013

Sara Silver . Food, Travel . Coffee

Poetic Edge

This morning’s post is all about some hometown love and a really funky French bakery called Amelie’s in the NoDa district of Charlotte, NC. My husband and I stopped by for a visit last Friday night after a late dinner at Carpe Diem on Elizabeth Ave and even at 11:30PM, Amelie’s had a line.

(This is my husband’s ‘I guess we’ll just have to wait in line’ face).

NoDa (short for North Davidson) has become the arts and cultural entertainment center for the city with bi-monthly gallery crawls and some of the best live music around Uptown. Places like Amelie’s have helped define this area as the trendy place to be; they’re eclectic with a hipster vibe – open 24 hours a day and always busy. The coffee is simple but strong, best enjoyed with fresh macaroons or an embarrassingly large Napoleon (my favorite)!

Star Peninger

Even if you’re not into coffee or fresh pastries (it’s hard for me to imagine such a person) this is just a really cool place to hang out. People watch, read a book, whip out your lap top…it’s one of my favorite spots in Charlotte.

Enjoy your weekend…maybe I’ll see you at Amelie’s! xoxo

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Weekend…

April 26, 2013

Sara Silver . Food, Inspiration, Travel

Ocean Island Living

Saturday and Sunday are the fastest two days of the week. Why? Because instead of getting up early and following a routine like we do the rest of the week, these days start later and often include several hours watching America’s Next Top Model reruns while folding laundry. If you’re still young enough to go out at night than most likely your weekends consist of too much alcohol, Waffle House at 2AM and breakfast at noon. While there’s nothing wrong with that on occasion, falling into a routine of mundane weekends leaves you feeling like you’ve wasted precious time and uninspired when Monday rolls around again.

Here are 5 ways to revamp your weekends and utilize your two days of freedom.

#1. Plan a Day Trip or Weekend Get Away

If you live within a few hours of the beach, the mountains or even a state park plan a short trip. Leave Friday night or early Saturday morning and get away from it all. Take advantage of sites like Priceline, Expedia and Hotwire to find last-minute hotel deals. If you can find one for around $60-$90, book it! Consider what you would spend ordering takeout or making an unnecessary trip to IKEA and it really evens out…and what you end up with is family memories instead of a Vejmon (IKEA speak) coffee table.

#2. “You” Time

If you plan on staying local, take some time out for yourself. Is there a book you’ve been wanting to read or a new recipe you’ve been meaning to try? Take some time to relax and focus on something that gives your mind a chance to rest.

#3. Do House Work During the Week

Instead of letting the dishes and laundry pile up throughout the week and then spending hours trying to catch everything up on the weekend, work those chores into the evening hours Monday – Thursday. Get everyone involved; make it part of the routine so when the weekend rolls around you’re free to do other things. Here’s a sample schedule I really like!

clutterbug.me

#4. Plan Something for Sunday Night

Even if you love your job and can’t wait to get back to the office Monday morning, Sunday night can be a downer. If you hate your job than this is especially true. Plan something for Sunday night; it prolongs your weekend and keeps your mind occupied instead of sitting around the house mulling over Monday. Whether it’s a long family dinner or a yoga class with friends, end your weekend on a high note and leave thoughts of Monday for Monday.

The Heart of the Sea Home

#5. Plan Ahead

There’s always room for spontaneity but try planning out your weekend ahead. Instead of waiting until Saturday morning to make plans for Saturday night, start making those calls mid-week. Having your plans established early will give you and your family something to look forward to. Whether it’s a reservation at a restaurant or a play date for your kids get those plans in motion. Call the babysitter early, get online and grab tickets ahead for that new movie before it sells out. Make the weekend what it’s supposed to be…a two day vacation!

Let’s Lasso the Moon

Charleston, SC…A Weekend Escape

April 11, 2013

Sara Silver . Travel

Wmagazine

We spent this past weekend in Charleston, SC; every time I go I wish we could just move their permanently. Like really, I consider options for relocation and whether I would rather live in a shack in Charleston or a lovely apartment just outside of Charlotte. That’s a hard one.

People in Charleston still stroll; through the cobblestone walkways between the 18th and 19th century homes with porches facing the South and West to capture the cool ocean breeze. It’s a different way of life and living in general; as if there’s some sort of conspiracy to keep southern charm alive and everyone who lives there is in on it.

I kept a little photo diary of our trip…a sampling of some traditional low-country cuisine and some of our favorite spots around the city. If you’ve never been, enjoy the tour!