Tag Archives: date night

Red + White {Valentine’s Day + Date Night Style}

I know that around these parts I wear jeans and what’s comfortable most of the time (especially right now). But, I wanted to prove that I do get gussied up every now and then.

When husband and I stayed at the Fearrington Inn this past weekend, we went to an AMAZING dinner at the Fearrington House Restaurant. It was a 3-4 course meal, and although I couldn’t pronounce pretty much anything I ate, it was AMAZING and SO good.

Plus, with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching (nine days!) I thought some of y’all might like some outfit inspiration.

Now, I’ve had this red silk dress in my closet for at least five years and I never wear it. I got it randomly for like $10 from the Banana Republic outlet back in early 2008 and have always had trouble styling it. It’s just a boxier dress and so I always felt shapeless in it when I wore it.

Well, the loose style is PERFECT right now to mask my baby belly and make me feel feminine at the same time. Plus, by adding the blazer, it gave the dress that structure I needed.

still being molly: red silk dress, white blazer, black heels

Snapped a photo in the room before we left. still being molly: red silk dress, white blazer, black heels

Me and husband after dinner: still being molly: red silk dress, white blazer, black heels

And because I have no shame, I had to include this blooper photo of me and my husband: still being molly: red silk dress, white blazer, black heels {{Blazer: Forever 21
{{Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (old, similar here)
{{Shoes: Target
{{Bag: Valentino (bought in Italy six years ago, I drool over this one though).

What about you? What’s your go-to date night style? Do you have any “fancier” pieces in your closet that you have trouble styling?

My Social Media Roommates + #YOLOmondays Link Up

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You guys, I’m guest posting for the fabulous Angela of Head to Toe Chic today! You should check it out!

On to today’s post! Now, I love social media. I think, when used correctly and responsibly, social media can be such a blessing and a GREAT way to connect with people. Anywhere.

Well, last Friday night, husband and I were going out for a casual date night for my “official” birthday dinner, and I COULD NOT decide what to wear. I was stressing out. For real.

So I thought, “Man, I miss being in college and having girl roommates whom I could run in to their rooms and ask for opinions.”So, I thought, I’ll do the next best thing. I’ll ask my social media roommates.

I took pics of my outfit options (photo below). Combined them in #PicFrame, and then posted the picture to my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts:

Then, I went and finished getting ready… you know I did my hair and my makeup.

Within MINUTES, between the three accounts, I had close to 40 responses from people.

“1!” “2!” “3!” – It was awesome!

My husband also happened to see the picture on twitter and asked if his vote counted. Of course. His vote was most important! Well, he happened to agree with the majority… and outfit #3 won!

So, here’s what I wore for casual date night:

Outfit Deets:

One-shoulder Blouse: Joy Joy (old, purchased at local boutique Scout & Molly’s, similar)
Jeans: JCrew outlet (here, ON SALE!)
Flats: Fab’rik Chapel Hill (similar)
Bag: c/o Oasap
Earrings: Gift from Jennifer of The Weekly Shoe

And you know, had to blow out a candle in some sherbet. No big deal.

So, have YOU ever turned to your social media roommates? Do you love social media?

Speaking of social media. It’s NOW time for the #YOLOmondays LINK-UP with my awesome co-host Carly from Lipgloss & Crayons! This is such a great way to get to know other bloggers!

Love seeing y’all linked up every week. Grab the button (code is available in the sidebar, or you can just right-click and save the above button)

The Rules for #YOLOMONDAYS Link-Ups:

Grab a button and / or post a link back here in your BLOG POST (NOT your blog’s main page) so your readers know what all the #YOLOMONDAY-ness is about. We love you guys linking up and we do go through and read all your posts… so if you do not give credit, we will have to remove your link. That’s no fun, right? Right. So be nice and share a link! Pretty please?
Link your blog post up using the linky tool below! It can be ANYTHING! An outfit post, a giveaway, a story, a recipe, whatever. Why? Cause it’s #YOLOMONDAYS!
Visit a blog or four that you’ve never been to before and leave a #YOLOMONDAYS comment – you never know, you might “meet” someone new that you will lurve!
Have fun! Cause #YOLO!

52 in 52: Russell’s Steakhouse in Hillsborough, NC

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You guysssssssss, I have a man outfit in this post. YESSSS!

You’ll see more of these pics in a coming post… but I figured since this is what we both wore to dinner, I’d include it for fun.

If you don’t know, 52 in 52 is a weekly series that I publish on Friday afternoons where the hubs and I visit / try out a new restaurant in the area that either one or, preferably, both of us have never been to. Then we review the restaurant! The goal: 52 different restaurants in 52 weeks of marriage.

Check out my hunk of a husband before dinner! Check him out in his Cody James boots c/o Boot Barn!

…And, I felt a little frumpy, but it was SUPER hot this day and I just threw this on out the door to dinner…

Seriously. How hunky is this guy?

hubs: shirt: old navy, jeans: old navy, boots: c/o boot barn, shades: ??

me: shirt: juicy couture (old), jacket: old navy, necklace: jcrew via ebay, shorts: belk, boots: ebay

Anyway, onto this week’s 52 in 52.

Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to Russell’s Steakhouse in Hillsborough, NC. Okay, I’m going to be honest with you… this place is not new to Hubs and I. Nope. It’s our favorite restaurant in the whole world (well, all of Hillsborough and the surrounding area, at least). We had our rehearsal dinner here and we hadn’t eaten here since we’ve been married… and honestly, I feel like I’d be letting Y’ALL down if I didn’t tell you about it.

Russell’s is located off of Old 86 and I-85 in the old Occoneechee Steakhouse location. The owners, Rusty and Sheila, took over the place, renovated it, and completely re-did the menu and it is now AMAZING.

Seriously.

That’s hubs probably telling me to stop taking pictures…

It’s a rustic-looking restaurant with all certified Angus beef, local chicken, and fresh fish. Honestly, the prices are really good for what you get, too.

The filet (my favorite) is only $21 for a 9oz. Yes, $21 is expensive for steak, but for THE BEST FILET EVER? $21 is not bad. At all. And their burgers and other dishes are all VERY reasonably priced. Oh and the service is great, too!

Their sides are amazing. Their shimp scampi? TO DIE FOR. All their beef. SO GOOD. Oh, and the bread? The bread! GAH! SO GOOD. …now I want Russell’s tonight.

This is the lobby of the restaurant. I didn’t get any pictures of us at dinner because it is really dark in there and my camera doesn’t do well in low lighting (dangit!) but I can assure you, Russell’s does not disappoint.

We go there a lot for dinner but like I said, they specialize in special events. They have a GORGEOUS (read: SO NICE) event room / space that we had our huge rehearsal dinner in and it was PERFECT. In fact, the place was SO nice, we had almost considered it for our wedding reception. It’s such a cool, rustic venue.

Seriously, y’all. I can’t say enough good things about Russell’s. I LOVE the people, the place, and the food. It’s such a hidden gem that I just want to scream from the rooftops how awesome it is.

So, yeah. Go. Check Russell’s out. You won’t regret it.

Here are the deets: Russell’s Steakhouse, 378 South Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 | (919) 241-4902

Website | Yelp

What restaurant should we check out next?

All for now.

52 in 52: Lockhart’s Trading Post

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You guys… for those of you that care – I am SORRY that I have totally slacked on 52 in 52 posts the last two weeks. I was gone and before that hubs and I had such a busy week that we went to Bandito’s… our usual date night spot – so it didn’t qualify for a 52 in 52. So, I know I’m behind, but it’s fine.

I’m picking myself up by my bootstraps and moving on and continuing on. BACK to our regularly scheduled 52 in 52 post.

For those of you that are new to the blog: 52 in 52 is a weekly post that I share where hubs and I try a new restaurant or place to eat that either one or, preferably, both of us have never been to. The goal: to eat at 52 DIFFERENT places in a year. Obviously that’s a LITTLE off right now, but hey, we’re trying.

This week’s restaurant? LOCKHART’S TRADING POST in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Yelp Link (they have no website, facebook, or twitter – that I could find…)

Lockhart’s is an establishment. Like, it’s been in Chapel Hill for a LONG time. I’m not sure HOW long, but I know a long time.

It’s one of those places that kinda tucked away and is so old that you may miss it. It’s down the road from where hubs and I live and we drive past it all the time, so we knew that we needed to add it to our list of places to try.

When you walk in, you can tell the place has been around a while. But I LOVE the side-of-the-road, old-country-burger-joint feel of it. The menu is still one of those “move the letters around” menus and they keep things real simple… and CHEAP. A double cheeseburger for $4.25 or a hot dog for $2? Not bad.

Being that it is also a “Trading Post”, Lockhart’s has a TON of convenience store stuff and random, old antiques. It’s really cool.

I LOVE these kind of Coke machines – they make the DC taste so much better – cause the mixture is just right.

you know you’re in the South when…

hubs waiting for our food… and we played some checkers. i lost.

my cheeseburger. OH. MY. GOSH. toasted bun? fresh ground beef? SO GOOD. seriously. one of the best burgers i’ve ever had.

more antiques.

had to get some Blue Bell ice cream

and a Diet Coke to go…

So yeah, Lockhart’s is exactly what I imagined it would be food-wise. Only… there are acouple frustrations… Lockhart’s has SUPER weird hours – like the grill closes at 6pm on weekdays – so going during the week is basically impossible… and their fryer is OFF on Saturdays! WHAT? So I couldn’t get french fries. Also, they close early on Saturdays and they’re, of course, closed on Sundays. BOOO.

So, if hubs and I want to go, it HAS to be Saturday lunch… and I really wanna try their fries… but who knows when I’ll be able to get over there before 6pm on a weekday. Sadface.

But yeah, I mean, I love it – I just wish it was open more. It’s the exact kind of country store I LOVE. I love living in North Carolina. Seriously. BEST PLACE.

Do you have any small-town joints you wanna try? Have you tried any? Have you been to Lockhart’s?

Happy Friday, y’all!!

xoxo, all for now.