Since I’m going to be away this weekend, I wanted to make sure I posted a blog post before heading out. Hopefully, I’ll be able to post some recipes tonight. I’m making blueberry muffins for the road trip and pumpkin apple fruit leathers! You know I’ll be lighting the fall candles and dreaming of Autumn.
Oh…you’re probably wondering where I’m going? Atlanta!
This was such a beautiful week. The weather is finally tolerable and comfortable down here. No more of that 109 degree heat with humidity.
Tuesday was my mom’s birthday, so I took her to Waxhaw for a long walk with Grumples and I. Walking Grumples and hanging out with him makes her the happiest person in the world. Whenever I don’t see her for a long time, she has to hug Grumples first.
This was Grumples’s first time walking around Waxhaw and he loved it! He loved peaking in the shops, and the shopkeepers had to run out and pet him. There are bowls of water for dogs to drink along the streets too. Waxhaw is very pet friendly.
Grumples also had a fascination with the John Lafayette house.
I had to get this shot of my hair. I’ve been doing this new thing at night it. I make four french braids while it’s damp, and sleep on it through the night. When I wake up, I take out the breads and it’s magically curly! I already have naturally curly hair, but when I sleep on it, it’s a bushy mess. This is the easiest life hack ever. It saves so much time in the morning for getting ready.
Waxhaw also has a couple trails too.
We walked around the back neighborhoods so we could look at all the historic houses. 
After the walk, I grabbed coffee at Crossroads Coffee House and we sat at the park with Grumples. It was so relaxing.
I also stopped at Petco and grabbed Grumples a new bone. He had fun burying it….
Even though it’s a mess, he looks so darn cute and happy.
Around six, I got ready for my mom’s birthday dinner.
We went to one of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte, Nan & Byrons!
This was my mom and dad’s first time there. They loved the atmosphere and had a blast. On Tuesday nights, they have half off wine bottles and glasses. My favorite wine there is the Brazin. It’s an old vine Zinfandel.
I ordered the side caesar salad and six chicken wings. I was in the mood for something spicy! I did the sweet chili glaze one three and the dry rub on the other. My dad loved their meatloaf and my mom loved her dish as well!
You can’t do a birthday without dessert. I was so disappointed they didn’t have the brownie. I wanted my mom to experience it for herself.
I mean…I basically wrote a whole blog post on just one brownie…
We ordered espresso and a couple different desserts. The rhubarb strawberry cheesecake and the Nan and Byron’s oreos. Both delicious.
My mom had a great birthday and it’s hard to believe she’s 52!
Bright and early yesterday morning, I met up with a couple friends to go hiking. I filled up on on Sparks Energy Drink from advocare and a Larabar. I’ve been sticking to one cup of coffee a day. I have to blame it on the vitamin energy drink from advocare. I feel so much better.
We took the pups hiking with us too. I know I look hideous in the baggy shirt, but I forgot to bring mine and had nothing else to wear. Ohhhhh well! The trail isn’t a fashion show.
I was really proud of Tino. This was his first hike EVER! He did amazing and he was off leash most of the time. He’d trot a couple yards ahead of me, and then stop to make sure I was coming. I did put him on a leash once we got to the top because I wanted to be safe.
The weather was perfect for the pups and Crowder’s mountain is very shaded. I brought water for him too.
After the hike, I rushed over to get ready for an appointment. I had to grab another photo of the braided technique! I still can’t believe the colors in my hair. No die, monthly hair cuts, no flat irons or blow dryers…I’m guessing the sun.
After the appointment, I had to grab a pick me up! It was two and the only thing holding me over after a hike was the Larabar and a sparks energy!
I grabbed a skinny quad latte with a splice of nutmeg on top. I also had some roasted almonds. I can’t wait for the pumpkin lattes to come out! Did you know that Starbucks is getting rid of the artificial dyes and flavors in the pumpkin spice syrup?! Woooo!
I picked up a Harris Teeter salad too! It had greek pasta salad, broccoli, cucumber, onion, kale, spring mix, edamame, and bean salad.
I got home later on and fulfilled the last of the orders! I wanted to make sure they were all out by this morning. I have more to do tonight so I can drop off before I leave town tomorrow.
For dinner, I had a grilled black bean turkey burger with half a bun, lettuce, and sweet potatoes on the side.
This morning I woke up and headed to the post office bright and early. I love chatting with the ladies who work in there! After getting that all taken care of, I headed to Earthfare to pick up juice for breakfast, coffee, and some ingredients to make blueberry muffins and fruit leathers!
I have new scarves that came in today so I’ll be putting those up ASAP!
Have a great Friday everyone and I hope I get the chance to blog before I head out on my trip!
I haven’t tried Nan & Bryon’s yet. I will have to try it when I visit Charlotte in October. I am excited to see what Charlotte looks like in the fall. Also, I love the braid technique. I have super straight hair so I don’t know how it will work for me, but hey it’ worth a shot!
It’s definitely worth a shot. It’s a lifesaver for me!
Charlotte is pretty in the fall:) So is Ashville a couple hours north of us in the Mountains! I really wanna make it up there once the leaves change.
I do the braid thing with my hair too, only two braids. I’m not sure how 4 braids would work ha ha.
The two braids doesn’t work well because my hair is so so so thick, so some end up being straight! lol
Your hair looks beautiful and I’m so happy to see Grumps is doing much better! I wish Spark didn’t have sucralose in it – it doesn’t sit very well in my system. I’ve noticed my coffee intake creeping up lately and need to find some good alternatives before it gets out of hand!
Have a great trip!
Thank you Lesley!
I had no idea that it had sucralose in it. I guess I should have done my research better. Tea is another great way to break the coffee addition! 🙂
My puppy loves to hike too! She likes to explore too much to take off the leash though. Where in Atlanta are you visiting? That’s where I’m from 🙂 You should climb Kennesaw Mountain or Stone Mountain if you have time! There are also a million great restaurants! Have fun!!
We are heading to the Yankees game! Tino is pretty good about staying on the path, but Grumples would be all over lol! I used to live in Atlanta and hiked Stone mountain a couple of times 🙂 What is your favorite restaurant!?
xo xo Carolyn!
It’s almost time for school and you’re getting in some last minute vacation? 🙂
Lol school has already started. It’s a weekend trip!
it’s spelled blueberry. 😛
lol I know. My stinkin’ Mac keeps autocorrecting it. My problem is I read it over and my mind automatically sees it as “blueberry”. lol ahhhh
I’m so jealous of your weather and hiking in Charlotte! Crowders Mountain is one of my favorites and your pictures make me want to pack up and head north (especially with threatening Tropical Storms in Florida). Hope you have a fun and safe weekend away too!
Thank you Emily! I hope you stay safe too! It’s funny how we always want to be where we aren’t. I’d love to be down in florida by the beach drinking some coconut milk 😉 xo
I live in Atlanta and recommend West Egg Cafe for breakfast if you’re here early enough. Also Bartaco has amazing tapas food, Antico’s has authentic pizza and it’s also a BYOB, and Superica is by far the best tex-Mex I’ve ever had. Just a few favorite recommendations 🙂
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I live in Atlanta too and second Antico. Also check out Ria’s Bluebird Cafe for breakfasr, Empire State South for dinner, and Krog Street Market during the day. it is a food hall with some tasty places and a few small vendors. You came at a perfect weekend since next weekend is Dragon Con. Welcome back to Atlanta!
Thank you!:)I haven’t been back in two? three? years (other than the airport) I think this makes me a stranger now! 🙁 I do miss living in ATL!
Taralynn
You’ve gotta try JCT! They have a delicious burger and their fried chicken is so good that you have to get there early if you want it. I LOVE their muscles and they have truffle parmesan fries. Delicious!! There is also a cute little bakery type restaurant called star provision with sandwiches and all kinds of delicious treats! Have so much fun!!!
Truffle parmesan fries sound incredible!!!! Thank you for the recommendations! 🙂
I love Spark, but if you are concerned about caffeine consumption, it is just as high, if not higher, than many types of coffee.
While you are in Atlanta, you should go to the flying biscuit for breakfast! It is so good, you wont regret it!
Your mom is adorable 🙂
You know what Starbucks needs to do… They need to make a skinny pumpkin pie latte. We have a skinny peppermint mocha for the winter season. I hope one day they finally make one!
They do have pumpkin spice though!:) and its delicious! I DO LOVE the skinny peppermint moncha!!