I Shouldn't Tell You This...

...because I'd like to keep my odds of winning high, but... 518 West has a Facebook Page and they're giving away a $25 gift certificate.

I know right - awesome!

I have been there at least once a month for the last six months: it's where all but the most recent skirt! After Work events have been, Amber and Daniel had their rehearsal dinner there in September '08, and E. Riley just hosted our bridal luncheon there two weeks ago.

If you haven't been, you've missed out.

For lunch, get the Grilled Pear Insalate - I swear by it.

Grilled Pear Insalate

Grilled Bosc pear with field greens, walnuts, gorgonzola and a honey-walnut vinaigrette...

small... $5.50
large... $8.75 I'm hungry just thinking about it! And such a good deal for only $8.75 for the largest portion.

PS: They have a blog, too.

PS #2: If you win, you have to take me to lunch. Sound fair?

PS #3: The boys who valet are the nicest ever. (It's complimentary and you should tip them. They do an excellent job.) Note: I valet when it's cold and when I'm running late. Duh.


(Images: 518 West's website.)

So THAT'S How Much They Are...

I ran into Well I Do Declare while a few members of the Y.E.S! exec board and I were doing some planning during Happy Hour(s) at Fosters tonight and she asked me if I had ever found out how much the Megatickets are this year.

Well, no, I hadn't seen/heard the prices anywhere, but we finally got a postcard in the mail today (and I mean finally - the presale DID start today after all) with our renewal code.

They are $179.00 for the renewal, $30.95 for the fee, and that makes them $209.95 total. It's $34.99 per show for 6 shows. If it was JUST that, I'd probably buy them. But it's darn near impossible to coordinate a tailgate for less than $50 (ice, booze, food, grilling supplies).

Oh what to do, what to do!

I love that George Strait (aka: THE MAN) is on the schedule, but I've seen Toby, Rascal and Kenny every year for the last few and they don't change that much.

To be totally honest, Kenny's show was no good last year. Loved him and loved the pirates theme, but the mics were screwy and it sounded like crap on the half-empty lawn.

As Lisa S. wrote in a MySpace post today, "it is expensive being me". Amen, sister!

From My Boys at Deep South and Lucky B's...

Coming Soon...




Free Bar Crawl: Friday, March 26!
Yay! I love it.

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me About This Before??

During one of my previous posts directed at XM Radio (and my current lack of satisfaction with the constantly increasing rates handed down to loyal customers), Gracie left me a comment encouraging me to check out Pandora.

I'm. In. Love.

Why didn't any of y'all ever tell me about this before?????

It is the definition of amazing.
(Click to enlarge.)All I did was create a nice little account, start with my first "station" by typing in the country band "Lady Antebellum", and it keeps building songs from there. The navigation and tips it gives you along the way are SO polite with a little snarky worked in - just the way I like it.

So far, I've only "X"ed one song (Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream" - I don't do songs about soldiers who don't make it home) and it promised it'd "never play it again". I've even discovered some great country songs I've never heard before - songs that haven't been released as singles!

I can't wait to create a station based on the following two artists: Jason Michael Carroll and Flo-Rida. I think it'll be very interesting to see where that one leads.

For those of you who are in my Gmail contacts, who I didn't think would mind the invite, you got an invite from me yesterday. (Sorry - I forgot to include the personal message.) Another sweet feature is that it shows your friends who are members and you can share you favorites, etc.

Long story short: Goodbye XM!

The only thing I need to figure out now is how exactly to hook it up so that I can do Pandora in the car and on the boat :-)

Feel free to add me if you're on Pandora - I'm ncsulilwolf by way of ncsulilwolf@gmail.com.

The Return of the MegaTicket

It's back!

(Source: WQDR)But ya know, I wish these kids would release the info more than a week before the pre-sale renewal date. Can we give a girl on a budget a chance to decide if she want to save up money for the ticket? /rant

Via today's Monday morning email from WQDR:The QDR Country Megaticket is back powered by Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q!
Go here for all the dates, acts and prices.

Also, listen to win your season pass for summer fun free at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion by correctly guessing in order all 6 of the Megaticket songs played backwards on QDR!!! And just for you--late this week check your e-mail for a chance to buy your season pass for summer fun before anyone else with a special QDR Country Megaticket E-Card!And here's the info from LiveNation:2009 QDR COUNTRY MEGATICKET POWERED BY SMITHFIELD’S CHICKEN ‘N BAR-B-Q

Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion proudly announces the 2009 QDR Country Megaticket Powered by Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q, a six-show “package” featuring some of the summer’s hottest country shows at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion. Available only online through megaticket.com, the 2009 QDR Country Megaticket Powered by Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q gives you the opportunity to buy your tickets first for the 2009 stellar lineup of country shows at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion.

Several different packages are available for a limited time only, and orders will be accepted online beginning Monday, March 2 at 9am, several weeks before individual show tickets are available. The 2009 QDR Country Megaticket Powered by Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q includes the same seats to all six shows.

For more detailed information click on the FAQ button towards the bottom of the page. You can also call us at 919-831-6400 for additional questions.

Renewal Presale begins Wednesday, February 25 at 9am.

General Public On Sale Monday, March 2 at 9am.If I can find the specific info on shows, dates and pricing, I'll be sure to update with those details since there was no FAQ button at the bottom of the page I looked at in Firefox.

Update: Here are the details from WQDR's webpage...WQDR counts down to the hottest summer ever—with the 2009 QDR Country Megaticket powered by Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q!

Here's a peek at who is heating up your summer:
* George Strait with Blake Shelton & Julianne Hough - 5/16/09
* Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley & Jimmy Wayne - 6/6/09
* Toby Keith with Trace Adkins - 7/11/09
* Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker - 8/2/09
* Alan Jackson - 8/22/09
* Kenny Chesney w/ Miranda Lambert & Lady Antebellum - 8/30/09

Renew yours or be a first time QDR Country Megaticket buyer click here now for info and make sure you join the QDR Posse while online for special on-sale dates just for you! The QDR Country Megatickets are your season pass for summer fun! Win them before you can buy them—The QDR Country Megaticket back for your partying pleasure! Exclusively on 94.7 QDR!Ok, NOW, who's in?

"Helloooooo Hangover"

I usually put Swagger's giveaways on the girly blog (all things retail, style, and trends), but this one can apply to many of you - girly or not, and it prefaces a later post on this past weekend's really awesome Riley-Dorn wedding extravaganza.

This week's Facebook Friday of the Week from Swagger's facebook page is a product that has gotten rave reviews and flies out of stock: Sprayology.

Sprayology Party Relief is one of our all time most popular items - and we FINALLY have it back in! Some of our customers (you know who you are) have been begging for it!

This Party Relief is a HANGOVER REMEDY and it works like a charm - I had to test it out for you guys! :) You will be seriously happy you found this product!

You can check it out here: https://www.swaggergifts.com/party-relief $24Would have been AWESOME to have some handy yesterday and this morning. My hangover (possibly second hangover of the day) hit around 2pm while we were having breakfast at iHop. Yep, breakfast at 2pm. (I had to go retrieve my car from the Sheraton parking deck while I still had a driver and a vehicle at the townhouse before he had to go to work before I could meet the gang for breakfast.)

PS - So how did I get home? White Horse! These are my boys (because they deliver me home safely on a regular basis) and I love them. Cabs suck - get in the truck! (That should be their new tagline.)Put the following numbers in your cell phone address book: 919-782-5893 or 888-62-HORSE (888-624-6773). You WILL thank me the next time you'd like a reliable ride home at 2am.

My Dear Boyfriend...

...and I say this in the nicest way possible: SUCKS WHEN IT COMES TO DINNERTIME.

Well, that's as nice as I could make it. It's downright frustrating. The man (boy in this situation, because it's quite illustrative of the attitude of a 5 year old) is picky when it comes to food. I don't even know if picky is quite the word, it's not strong enough.

He only eats meat (mostly red), potatoes, rice, bread, and sometimes fruit, but he's not adventurous in the fruit category, either. NOTHIN' green. Ever. (With the exception of his mom and aunt's "Brocolli Casserole", but that's all cheese, really.)

It's is SO frustrating because I get very bored, very easily, and I like to get crafty in the kitchen. Not to mention the fact that I could live off of vegetables, fruit, and artisan breads.

In discussing these frustrations yesterday, Lisa S. and I decided "Deceptively Delicious" is going to be my new tactic. I'm too busy (legimitately busy - although he'd tell you otherwise) to cater to his food whims and I refuse to have only a selection of 5 meals to choose from for 365 days out of the year.

(Deceptively Delicious - by Jessica Seinfeld ... also known as Mrs. Jerry Seinfeld, available on Amazon.com, etc.)I'm pretty excited about it, actually... assuming he doesn't decide to check up on my blog and foil this genius plan.

Anyone done this before? Any well-favored recipes to share?

Wear It Well

I'd be ok with seeing all of your other shades of color that aren't Wolfpack Red if it's for this cause:

The V Foundation 8th Annual 'Show Your Spirit' Campaign Begins : published at CarolinaNewswire.com - Stay on top of the day's business & technology news

Registration has begun for The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s 8th Annual “Show Your Spirit!” campaign. In conjunction with the start of the collegiate basketball tournament, companies, organizations and schools from across the country register to join together to raise funds for essential cancer research, on March 19th and 20th. With a minimum $5 donation to The V Foundation, participants “earn the right” to wear their favorite team apparel to work or school. Corporations are urged to match employee donations.

Corporate support aids in making The Foundation one of the nation’s leading fundraising organizations for cancer research. Team ESPN has partnered with The V Foundation on Show Your Spirit since the inception of the program. This year, through a generous donation from Nike, Inc., The V Foundation can once again assure participants that every penny of their $5 donation will directly fund cancer research. .

“Don’t Give Up… Don’t Ever Give Up!” buttons will be distributed to each participant to visibly commemorate support and remind others of the continued need for cancer research. Non-basketball fans are encouraged to participate, as well, in this grassroots campaign that nearly everyone can afford to support.Sign up and share your pics with your team spirit proudly displayed :-)

Such Cool News for Downtown Raleigh

This past weekend the R-Line* was launched. This week, NC State ties into the R-Line with WolfProwl.

Via The Howl - an email from NCSU's Student Body President

WolfProwl - NC State's connection to downtown Raleigh
For years, students have been seeking a way to access the incredible entertainment district that is downtown Raleigh. Starting this Thursday, WolfProwl will make that connection for thousands of NC State students.

Service will run 9pm-3am every Thurs.-Sat. and tie into the "R-line" downtown circulator serving:
-Glenwood South
-Convention Center
-Fayetteville Street
-Moore Square & more

Tapping existing Werewolf routes, service will include:
-Main Campus
-Hillsborough St.
-Greek Village
-Wolf Village
-Avent Ferry Rd.
-Gorman St. & more

Service will run approximately every 30 minutes. Until more definitive arrival/departure times are known, riders can use the online Transloc service to find their bus. For more info, maps, & rules, click here: http://ncsu.edu/wolfline.

Student government is hosting a kickoff event will at 8:30pm Thursday on the steps of Talley - click here for info: http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=50513004804.There are already tons of online updates about R-Line, so check those out, too!

*Here's a quick definition of the R-Line from the City of Raleigh:"The R-Line will connect employees, residents, conventioneers and other visitors in the central business district to retail and entertainment venues, restaurants and parking. Two environmentally friendly hybrid electric buses, both with 36 seats, will be used on the route.

The R-Line will run every 10 to 15 minutes. Hours of operation for the new service will be 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday."Yay!

PUMPED

While everyone is celebrating last night's UNC victory over Duke, let's be honest... both are tops... one was going to win. More importantly, let it be known that NCSU beat Wake!

And in even MORE fantastic news, look what came out today:

(Click to enlarge.)
Heck to the yes.

I have been agonizing over whether or not to renew my tickets. I know what most of you are thinking "umm, there's nothing to consider - get them already", but it's just that it's SO much money. Totally worth it, but still, so much money.

Scout.com and GoPack.com are reporting four weeks of opening at home (ie: half of the season will be warm weather tailgating!), 3 of those being evening games (tentatively), and NCSU vs. UNC on home turf on a holiday weekend.

I think the decision has already been made. Goodbye $900.00 - Hello season two in the end zone seats!

(Image: GoPack.com)

Viva Las Vegas!

The girls and I had a blast!

(Click to enlarge)Here's my list of don't miss places and sights (note: it's mostly bars - which I figure is ok, because since there are so many, you'll need to know which are worth going to).

Sigfried & Roy's Secret Garden
Located at Mirage
Only $15 and some very, very cool creatures. Lions, tigers, dolphins... all in a non-performing environment.





Forty-Deuce
Located at Mandalay Bay
A hidden gem in the nightlife scene. Literally - hidden. Luckily, the Director of VIP Services found us wandering Mandalay and offered us a round of champagne. I wish we had started the night at this place!


Stack
Located at Mirage
A very cool steak house with lots of delicious choices for people like me who don't want steak all the time. Also had some affordable $30 three-course options, etc. which is important in a town where you could easily spend $100 on dinner for one.


Mix
Located at Mandalay Bay... on the 64th floor.
One of the best views in town - period. And not painfully over-crowded like super-trendy Pure and Tao bars/clubs.



Playboy Club / Moon
Located at Palms
Fun bars, personable bartenders. I was shocked how many people in the service industry who were working for tips just sucked in this town. Not at the Playboy club, though! The Bunnies are dealers, but the male bartenders were cool, too! Moon would have been awesome had the retractable roof been open.


Minus 5 (-5) Lounge
Located at Mandalay Bay
There are a few located around the world. I didn't get to go there, but walked past it enough to want to. The front is very lodge bar looking and the other part is surrounded by ice. I hate the cold, so the free drink passes that were being passed out by the promoter and PENGUIN that Lisa S. and I walked by would have to hook up a lot of anti-freeze (drinks) for me to stay long.

Hard Rock Hotel
Very cool music industry displays... everywhere. Kenny Chesney will be having a concert in their in-house concert hall (The Joint) at the end of April - I bet it will be awesome.







Christian Audigier
Located at TI (Treasure Island)
Fashionable rock n' roll-themed bar . This was in our hotel and we didn't get a chance to go, but based on seeing it in passing and it's branding/image... I will for sure next time. I'll also be dropping my business card for Buckhead because they apparently have an awesome service industry night.All in all, Forty Deuce and Mix were my favorites for bars.

PS - We HAD to go to Coyote Ugly because as all 80's babies, we love the movie. Everyone who told me it sucked... was right. It was one of those "Cool, I've been there. Once was enough."

PS #2 - I can't believe I forgot the crowd favorite. O'Sheas. Count on my friends to find the beer pong in Vegas!

(All images linked to sources.)

"even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul"

I verified this on Snopes.com before passing this along since I received it via email. Snopes says it's a true story - and very heartwarming at that!

This is a little bit of the story - you can read the full email on Snopes and even visit the pup's official website.


This is a story about a dog who was born on Christmas Eve in 2002. He was born with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which needed to be amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him. He was rejected and scorned.




His first owner also did not think that he could survive. Therefore, he was thinking of putting him to sleep... at this time, his present owner Jude Stringfellow came into his life and wanted to take care of him. She was determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself. She thought, "all we need is a little faith". Therefore, she named him 'Faith'.



His present owner Jude Stringfellow has given up her teaching job and plans to take him around the world to preach, 'that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'.

Happy Wednesday!

I am usually not a fan of national news... until today. Thanks NewRaleigh!

Click through if you can't see the video below:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

As the link in my facebook notes: "Shoplifting puppies and doughnut gobbling State kids... love it!"

Reminder: Kristi Winters (Walker) Fundraiser Today!

Stop by McDonald's in Cary/Apex if you can today!

Missed the details? Here they are in my previous post - "Calling All Raleigh/Cary/Apex Readers".

Rehab...

....is where I will need to check myself into when I return to Raleigh next Monday night.

Can you guess where I'm going? Here's a hint:

That was one of the more exciting videos I could find in my 30 second YouTube search.

Well, other than:...but if I come back hitched, I'm willing to bet my tail is grass!

I'm heading out at the crack of down on Thursday and meeting in lovely Las Vegas with 8 of my favorite girls (and sisters) from college for E. Riley's bachelorette party - including fellow blogger, Adrianne! Lisa S. is coming in this weekend for a industry event next week and will be hopefully joining in with our 20-something shenanigans on Saturday night!

The nights have pretty much been planned out (Palms, Playboy Club, Coyote Ugly *I hear it's a sausage party, but what girls who grew up in the 90's/early 2000's didn't love that movie?*, Thunder from Down Under *sorry Mom!*, and Pure), but what do any of you former Vegas visitors recommend during the day?

In case you didn't know, my other blog is titled "I Like My Money Right Where I Can See It... Hanging In My Closet", so gambling is not ranking very high for me on the "I could do that all day" scale. Other suggestions?

I'm SO excited. AND a little worried about my liver.

Crap, I should've asked my Red Bull rep if he knew any of the Vegas team. I can see that coming in handy.

Local Rave: Alter Ego Salon

I'm in love.

A second story Downtown location (with a view that many would kill for) and prices that make it possible to keep you looking good without having to take out a loan.

Alter Ego Salon - Mary-Taylor did my recent cut and rocked it out.

Video courtesy of the Triangle Blvd boys:



Sign up for their email newsletter (just create an account on their site), that's how I found out about their January special which snagged me a free manicure with my haircut.

One of my favorite things about this salon may not have been the cut at all but the fact that they emailed me an appointment reminder that also included my upcoming scheduled events, including bridal updos for a friends wedding. Apparently, they speak my language (email-based and organized) :-)

Making Tuesdays a Little Better

I am known for saving my weekend shopping for Tuesday... especially when it comes to Best Buy and iTunes. Here's why: New Music (or Movie) Tuesdays! New music and movies are released on Tuesdays (except in-theater movies, we know that's reserved for Fridays and holidays).

Here's a look at my personal picks this week:

Tuesday - February 3rd, 2009
{Country} Dierks Bentley - Feel That Fire (snag a deal)

{Rock} The Fray - The Fray
Don't even bother looking for lists elsewhere, Billboard has the most comprehensive cross-genre lists available (by week). If you're looking for country in particular, RoughStock has a much easier to navigate list of those releases.

I've had February 3rd on my list of dates to be excited about for a long time now and I can't wait to listen to both albums. And yes, my picks are wildly different... but that's how I roll.

March 24th (Jason's Where I'm From album) and March 31st (Keith Urban and Rodney Atkins) are going to be great dates as well!

A Deal on Dierks

Mannnn I hope this isn't some silly promotion where I still end up spending more than I would have otherwise, but here's hoping Dierk Bentley's label and GAC make Dierks out to be a man of his "word" on this one:

Get FEEL THAT FIRE for $3.99!

After spending more than two years writing, road testing and recording new material, Bentley is ready for the next phase: the Feb. 3 release of Feel That Fire, a 12-song serving of rockers and ballads with a dash of honky tonk and bluegrass. Get your copy of Feel That Fire - in stores on Feb 3! Order your copy today!

Bookmark this page and come back on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd and we'll hook you up with a link that will get you a digital copy of Feel That Fire for only $3.99. Yes, it's crazy but we're serious...See you on Tuesday!

TRACKS
1. Life On The Run
2. Sideways
3. Feel That Fire
4. I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes
5. Here She Comes
6. I Can't Forget Her
7. Beautiful World
8. Little Heartwrecker
9. You Hold Me Together
10. Better Believer
11. Pray
12. Last CallSource: GAC email newsletter.

February is Breast cancer Support Month at Amedeo's North

Amedeo's is pretty much a local legend in itself and their sister restaurant, Amedeo's North is hosting a great benefit with a creative menu to fit this month:

February Named Breast Cancer Support Month at Amedeo’s North Italian Restaurant

Amedeo’s North’s owners, Rick and Lisa DeAngelis have partnered with the Pretty in Pink Foundation and made February Breast Cancer Awareness at their north Raleigh restaurant – in honor and memory of Rick’s mother, Betty DeAngelis.

The restaurant is located in the Northridge Shopping Center, at 6006 Falls of Neuse Road, near Spring Forest Road in North Raleigh.

The kick off to the month of special support will be on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Painted Ponies Y Princess Tribe will be selling Pretty in Pink wrist bracelets and jars of Amedeo’s North pasta sauce from 5:30 to 7:30pm to benefit the foundation. 10% of dinner sales each Tuesday in February AND 10% of Lunch Specials Monday through Friday all month will also benefit Pretty in Pink Foundation

There will be a special Memory Candle TeaLight Luminaria – people are welcome to purchase a Memory Candle in honor of a loved one, in memoriam or as a survivor. Lit candles with names written in pink will be displayed in restaurant. All proceeds go to Pretty in Pink Foundation.

In addition there will be a featured “pink” item each Tuesday and an extra percentage of related sales will also benefit the Foundation. 2/10 Mini desserts special; 2/17 Special entree w/Pink sauce; 2/24: Birthday Cake.

Customers can register throughout February to win prizes; the drawing for prizes will be held on Sunday 3/1 to remember Betty and celebrate her birthday.We just might have to venture north of Amedeo's on Western at some point in February for this great event.