The Point Launches 12 Days of Christmas Contest for Local News Readers

The Point, a weekday newsletter service that delivers a quick morning read of the things you need to know to get your day started in the Triangle (current events, politics, sports, weather and local entertainment), is kicking off a 12-day contest on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, awarding readers with truly local gifts and experiences - and a new chance to win each day.

Contest prizes include local coffee shop gift cards, apparel from local brands and retailers, and even concert tickets. Prizes will be announced each weekday in the morning newsletter sent to subscribers and readers will have until 11:59 p.m. to register at the unique link provided to win.

To get in on the first day of reader giveaways - and to get a reminder for each of the following 11 prizes - register at http://www.ReadThePoint.com to receive The Point direct to your email inbox on Monday morning.

Taking Local Love to a New Level

So this whole "concept" is something that Mandy and I have been talking up for a looooong time. And I am really pumped to finally be getting it out there. It's not anywhere close to being as content-rich as it will be soon, but it's at least a start.



Right now, the biggest features are the email newsletter (bringing local style and retail directly to your inbox - but no, not like Express/Banana Republic/etc. style... I refuse to harass you all daily), Top Picks, and the feature appearances from local readers, too!

If you have a few minutes, please stop by and check it out. Today our Black Friday content is still up, so you can check out what we liked for November... but tomorrow and over the next few days, December will be making its way in.

And if you're a local shopper, or just appreciate good style, please consider joining the email list, too :-)

And YES, I really DO want YOU to send me your tips, pictures, etc. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. A lot of work, of course - but most importantly... a lot of fun.

www.iheartretail.com

Local Round-Up: The Remedy Diner

Have I blogged about the The Remedy Diner before? Because I've sure tweeted/facebooked it.

Seriously, if you are EVER so lucky as to be in Downtown Raleigh... you must try this place. Good food, good prices, good service.

I don't think I've ever ventured off the breakfast menu, since it's served all day, but the BF has and has enjoyed it. Wait, I've probably had a BLT. That's at least not totally breakfast.

Not only do they have kick ass "mainstream" food, but they also are very impressive with their "alternative" offerings. Plus, I love a restaurant that's confident enough with itself to refer to their vegetarian bacon as "fake bacon".

Veggie BLT
Fake bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and chipotle mayonnaise on toasted wheat. 7.50 (sub Vegannise for .50)
Anyways, go and get the Blueberry Cheese pie (empty plate - pictured at right).

Why?

The BF's not a pie eater but these were the words out of his mouth - "I don't really like pie, but that was gooooood." All of the desserts are made by the owners mama. (Yes, I said "mama", this is a Southern blog, after all.)

The Remedy Diner
137 E. Hargett Street
Downtown Raleigh, NC
919-835-3553
www.TheRemedyDiner.com

Don't believe me? Then read the reviews. When I was Googling for this post, I noticed almost all of the reviews have 5 stars - excluding one by a man named "Jim". That is darn near impossible in the restaurant biz.

Local Round-Up: North Raleigh

For a DTR (Downtown Raleigh) and South Raleigh kid, trips to North Raleigh (especially North NORTH Raleigh) can often be a haul.

Nick and I ventured out a few months ago after a laser appointment and really enjoyed stumbling upon a restaurant we'll be sure to try again next time we're out that way: Buffalo's Southwest Cafe.

Their website, Buffalos.com (wow - they did great to snatch that one up, but the logo is different, so who knows... they may have lost it), doesn't really offer anything (other than "under construction"), but I was reminded of the restaurant when Sue Stock posted about a great deal on wings there today. Every Wednesday in August, they're doing 10 wings for $1.60. For whatever reason, wings are not cheap, so that's a great deal being offered by a restaurant (below what they're paying for them, I'm sure).

I had a wrap of some sort and chips and loved it. I can't for the life of me remember what Nick had, but I do remember he also really enjoyed it. And it was less than $20.00 for the both of us, including drinks and tip.

The main reason for this post? I also just finished a long write-up on my fashion blog about one of their neighbors: GiGi's Boutique.

So there you have it, the North Raleigh adventure in a nutshell.

Buffalo's
7504 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh, NC‎

Phone: (919) 676-0332‎


{Image: Taking Stock blog}

Calling All Local Readers with a Cause or Two

Here's a quick PSA, because I like to pay it forward and I know that lots of my local readers have some great causes to share! :-)

Last year, the Swagger Gifts Holiday Open House Preview Party raised over $1,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society, and now your very own favorite cause could be featured this year!

If you are involved in a worthy organization, cause, or non-profit, please tell my friends at Swagger about it!

Email Mandy (at) SwaggerGifts (dot) com with the story behind your cause and why you think it would benefit from being featured as this year's Holiday Open House Preview Party charity!

Nominations will be accepted until August 1, 2009.
Swagger will choose and let everyone know in August who has been selected.

The 2009 Holiday Open House Preview Party (possibly benefiting YOUR favorite charity) will be held on November 5th, 2009.
The 2009 Holiday Open House will be held on Sunday, November 8th, 2009.

PS - If you do email a suggestion to Mandy, please drop me a comment or an email to let me know! I'd love to hear that one of my reader's suggestions was selected and have the chance to support you and your favorite cause at the annual party.


{Image: SwaggerGifts.com}

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) :-)

Great Giveaway for You Southern Chefs

I received some delicious responses to yesterday's post about Natty Light Chicken and cooking with beer.

In honor of that, I'm posting a fantastic giveaway that everyone would be crazy not to enter themselves into!

My favorite local gift and decorative accessories boutique, Swagger Gifts, has been hosting a Facebook Friday of the Week (see former giveaway items here) for a few months now where each Friday something special in the store will be given away to one (sometimes even two) lucky commenters who are fans of Swagger Gifts' page on facebook. The winner is randomly selected and then posted to Swagger's blog (which also, is SO worth following).

This week's giveaway is a monogrammed "Big Wood Board" cutting board. They are PHENOMENAL.

All you have to do to be entered to win is leave a comment directly on the photo on facebook. It's THAT simple.

While you're on Swagger's page, you should obviously click on "Become a Fan" so that you get an update every week when Swagger offers up a new great giveaway.

Biased much? Sure. But when you win a kick butt gift, I bet you'll be thankful for my bias. :-)

PS - Regina and Randall, I'm formerly calling you girls out to enter to win because the sample photo has a "R" on it... how much more appropriate could it get?

{Double Post} The Shop with a Conscience

I can't believe this is another thing I've never remember to blog about, because it's one of my Cameron Village favorites - Beleza: A Fair Trade Boutique.

Described on their website as a place where:...you will find unique and extraordinary textiles and hats, jewelry and art that catch your eye and touch your heart.

Beyond offering beautiful things, Beleza exists to provide hard working people from countries around the world – and here in the US – essential support to provide daily necessities for their families.

While the store is fair trade, the major emphasis of Beleza is to treat people as they should be treated, and assist in global economic development.Beleza is owned and operated by two of the most wonderful people I know: P. Dail and his wife Sara.

I received the following email today from Sara about a new addition coming to their store that I am really excited about:Recently we met Audias from Honduras. Born without arms, he paints with his feet. We will have his work in the store very soon and encourage you to come see this work. Audias has no other means of support. We plan to host a special event for you to meet him.I'll be sure to update when I hear more details!

In the mean time, go check out Beleza and become an addict of their amazing selection of goods with a heart, too.

I've Never Mentioned Brian Davis Before?

Really? My apologies!

For folks in the Triangle, there's a good chance you already know the name Brian Davis - or Brian Davis Live. For those of you in the other parts of the country, take any opportunity you get to see Brian near your own town... you WON'T be disappointed.

For all of you current fans looking for any last minute holiday gifts, be sure to check out Brian's merchandise... I just got an email from Cole (Brian's marketing manager) today who says:

"We are trying to clear out as much merch as possible to get ready for a brand new 2009 line up. For a limited time order any Brian Davis t-shirt or CD and receive a free koozie AND a free exclusive full-length MP3 off his yet to be titled fourth studio album!! Visit the store now and do a little shopping!!"You heard the man!

PS - Be on the lookout for Brian's 4th studio album coming in January 2009!This new record will feature 12-15 brand new tracks including "When Hank Comes Back", "Summer Back", "Thank God She's a Country Girl". There will be an album release party at City Limits Saloon in Raleigh.PS #2 - I will NOT be missing the farm party in '09. Not a second of it.

CB Goes {Green}

I saw this featured on News14 - a woman from Carolina Beach has come up with a great fabric wrapping system for gifts (all shapes and sizes) that reduces your paper waste and can be used year after year - and even all year long!

In all honesty, I can't totally afford to do all of our gifts this way this year (we all know being green ain't always cheap!), but I'd like to move to using a system like this all the time in the future.

Double love that 1% of each sale goes to an eco-organization!

PS - I still consider Carolina Beach, NC to be "local". It's a few hours away, but the products are made in the US and even better... made in NC!

P.D.C.

Pretty. Darn. Classy. (if you ask me):

Red Hat cancels party; will feed needy instead

"Red Hat recently scrapped plans for a massive holiday party.

Instead, the Raleigh software company will donate the money it would have spent to a food charity chosen by employees.

The move comes as the slumping economy is hurting philanthropic donations and increasing demand among the needy.

"We felt it was the wrong time to be spending a lot of money on ourselves," said DeLisa Alexander, Red Hat's senior vice president for people and brand.

She declined to say how much money Red Hat will donate, but it's enough to pay for about 800,000 meals at food banks run by Feeding America. In the Triangle, the group runs the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle."Click through and read the whole N&O article on how this trend can help unite employees in a cause - a great thing when a slumping economy is always dampening moods - and how other groups are doing some good.

I'm Very Disappointed...

...in blogland right now.

People offer up a free preppy item, something monogrammed, etc. on their blog and folks comment from miles away and throw comment counts in to the hundreds.

A Southern Accent, a fellow semi-local blogger, graciously offers to:

"I thought I'd try something a little different. For every person that leaves a comment on this post, I'll contribute a dollar to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, up to $100"And she gets a mere 28 comments? Really?

Lame.

Do a little bit of good karma duty today and 1: go comment on her fabulous "give-to" (instead of "give-away") and 2: repost! (If you're not into reposting, that's fine... but at least email friends and family members who might appreciate the gesture!)

Restore my faith in people a little, won't ya?

Majorly DIY, Majorly Local

So I was just checking out Spoonflower (after a recommendation from Southern) and doing the usual - sharing it on Google Reader, emailing it to people I'm not directly connected to on Google Reader, adding it to my Google Toolbar bookmarks (noticing a trend here?), and registering for the site - all normal stuff.

Then I stumbled upon this:

Activate your new account.

Welcome to Spoonflower!

Your account has been created. To activate it you must open the activation email that has just been sent to you and click on the indicated link. This will bring you straight back to Spoonflower where you can customize your password and start creating beautiful fabric.

Spoonflower gives individuals the power to print their own designs on fabric that they can then use to make quilts, clothes, pillows, blankets, framed textile art and many, many other things that might surprise you.

If you experience problems gaining access to your account...

You can email us at help@spoonflower.com

Or give us a jingle at +1 919 321 2949

- the spoonflower teamAre you kidding me? 919?? You KNOOOOOW how I like to keep it local. I'm giving this a try as soon as I can figure out what I'd like to DIY in the next few weeks (ie: when I may actually have time to DIY something).

Whitney Barnes Deal, is this your doing? I can so see this being a project of hers...

11/16/08 Update - Got an email from them today with a Mebane, NC mailing address. Totally thought that was (336) territory, but I could be wrong.

I Don't Do "Scary"

"I don't do 'scary'."

Those were my exact words to my favorite group of hooligans in our weekly "so what are we doing this weekend" group gmail conversation. However, because I'm almost always a good sport (assuming it's not 7am), I'm still most likely going to do all of the spooky local things that my friends are SO excited about.

This - the Horrow Show in Snow Camp, NC - terrifies me with the website alone. (My friends and boyfriend are sure going to enjoy watching me jump and scream every 10 seconds.)

Aside from that show, G105 is also hosting a list of Halloween events in the Triangle. Anything else that should be included? Let me know... my friends will thank you, I'm sure.

PS - Be sure to check out one that's for a GREAT cause!Raleigh Jaycees to Hold Annual Haunted House Oct. 17-Nov. 1; Proceeds to be Donated to Area Charities

Raleigh, NC – Alert! A prison break has occurred at the old Possum Creek Penitentiary and the escaped living-dead prisoners are being corralled and will be put into a new prison, currently being built at 6234 Glenwood Avenue, at Pleasant Valley Promenade. Tours of this new prison begin on Oct. 17.Boo! (See you there - I'll be the running running back to the safety of the car!)

Good News, Good Vibes, and Good Tunes Today

I feel awful today - I'm running on next to nothing but I am counting down the days (and minutes) 'til Wolfpack Football and after Labor Day... which is when the BF and I can finally get away on that vacay we're both long overdue on!

Luckily, my daily blog reads & XM Radio are helping me through the day:

--Why Carl Edwards is the man
--I can't wait to give TWC the boot
--I don't need a single thing... but some of my favorite causes definitely need your support. (Especially those that help our four-legged pals.)
--My partner in crime... for so many reasons.
--The light at the end of the (Murphy Center) tunnel.AND XM is playing a lot of Luke, Eric, and my hometown boy - JMC - today!

Oh, and I saw Kenny with a few of the favorites this weekend, too. Maybe THAT'S why I'm a little tired today!

Local Round-Up

A collection of some good to know local info from yesterday's blogosphere...

From the retail business news goddess, Sue Stock:
North Carolina's Fresh Market stores have started stocking fresh shrimp that have been caught in NC waters.

Add this to the ridiculously long list of things to do this Saturday:
the Town of Cary's Lazy Daze festival!

Another from Sue Stock - the business news writer who keeps us on our retail toes:
Replacements will be selling more than 100,000 pieces of overstocked merchandise. Unlike previous years, shoppers will pay a $5 entrance fee and then $5 for a box that they can then fill with as much yard sale merchandise as it will hold. (Yes, you can buy multiple boxes.) Items in the separate sidewalk sale section of the event will still be priced per item.Love it all.

Sleep-In for the Cure and Get Your Beauty Sleep, Too!

A freebie for Lisa S. - because I really love Fred's Beds' commitment to Komen for the Cure.

Fred’s Beds Continues Partnership with NC Komen for the Cure as First Corporate Sponsor for Sleep-In for the Cure

Raleigh, NC – In 2007, Fred’s Beds celebrated the grand opening of their 11th store during the months of October and November with a special shopping campaign that benefited the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In continuing that partnership, Fred’s Beds Vice President, Lisa Stansbury, has announced that Fred’s Beds has joined the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® series. Fred’s Beds is the first-ever, and sole sponsor of Sleep-In for the Cure® for the Komen NC Triangle Affiliate.

For race-day participants who aren’t spending the morning catching up on their beauty sleep, the Raleigh-based specialty sleep store, with locations across the state from Kannapolis to Wilmington, will be on-site at the race with a special display of their most popular futons and coordinating covers with a special emphasis on the color pink. Giveaways and special contests are just part of the line-up during the special event. The family-owned business is also looking forward to being able to connect with this very important part of their community in such a personal setting. “This is such a unique way for us to connect with our customers”, says Lisa Stansbury. “It is one thing to raise awareness about breast cancer and the dedication to finding a cure in our stores”, she says, “but this is an opportunity for us to stand along side so many other individuals, groups, and businesses who share the same vision of a world without breast cancer.”

Savvy-shoppers may have noticed that pink striped futon covers aren’t the only tool used by Fred’s Beds to highlight their dedication to the search for a cure for breast cancer: the newest locations in Wilmington and Garner, NC both sport pink parking lot lines. These bright parking lots not only create a positive vibe when shopping for specialty sleep products, but also remind consumers who notice the bright color, of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer.

“We have been really inspired and humbled by the support that we’ve received from our customers and our peers in this industry”, Stansbury says, “and we were thrilled to have another opportunity to work with the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in a new capacity. From a marketing-perspective, you could not ask for a better fit for Sleep-In for the Cure than Fred’s Beds and the importance of sleep for your health. From a family perspective, I could not ask for a better way to honor my Grandmother and other close friends.”

Sleep-In for the Cure® gives interested participants a unique opportunity to support the race while not actually being in attendance. “As a working-woman, with a busy schedule like so many other people, I encourage those who want to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, but who may not have the time or the availability on June 14th, to consider Sleep-In for the Cure® as an alternative”, says Stansbury. Interested participants can register to Sleep-In for the Cure® and not only receive an event t-shirt and support the cause, but also get their beauty sleep.

For more information about Fred’s Beds, contact Vice President, Lisa Stansbury at LisaStansburyFB@BellSouth.net or visit their website at http://www.fredsbedsonline.com/.

For more information on the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure, call 919-493-CURE (2873) or visit their website at www.komennctriangle.org/.

About Fred’s Beds
Fred’s Beds is a specialty sleep store founded in 1985 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds by owner Frank Stansbury. Since then, the company has grown to become a local, award-winning favorite of customers in search of a knowledgeable bedding retailer with a commitment to unparalleled customer service. Fred’s Beds boasts 16 reader-selected awards from such publications Metro, Encore, Wilmington Star, Independent Weekly, and others. With 9 locations throughout North Carolina (including Raleigh, Wilmington, and Greenville), there is almost always a Fred’s Beds close by where buyers can trust that “nobody knows beds like Fred”! For locations, hours and additional information, please visit Fred’s Beds online at http://www.fredsbedsonline.com/.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I’M AWARE.And once again (like in my other blog), in the interest of full-disclosure: I wrote and distributed this press release for Fred's - but it's totally blog worthy!