Maxie B's Meet-up!

This weekend marked the first meet-ups of the Southern Blogger Society summer event.  Every state will be holding an event for bloggers to meet and greet and get to know some new SBS members throughout the next week.  As the North Carolina state representative I planned the event, we had on Saturday, in Greensboro, mid-point between Charlotte and Raleigh.  We meet at Maxie B's Bakery, one of my favorite spots in town! Their cakes and cupcakes are renown to all Greensboro locals and is always my first pick for sweet treats!  My personal choice is the hummingbird cake, but with unique flavors such as 7up, pink lemonade, thin mint, mocha buttercream, and chocolate mousse there's something for everyone's taste!  However, if the delicious cupcakes aren't reason enough to stop by the bakery, the atmosphere they have created is just beautiful!  It's the small details they've included into their new renovated decor that makes the ambience soft and intimate. It is the perfect place to host any meeting especially for a group of bloggers who love to photograph pretty food, places, and people, as all bloggers do.

For our morning meeting I choose a light strawberry cupcake, with real fruit filling, and a cup of Raspberry Zinger tea.  Even though our meet-up was small, it was so great to meet some fellow NC bloggers and I got to know two sweet ladies a little bit better!  Check out their blogs with the links below!

Haute Couture by Grace Lee

Hokie, ESQ by Manisha

Maxie B's Bakery Blog

Spring has Sprung!

This Saturday was so pretty outside, I didn't want to stay indoors at all!  So Vlad and I spent the early afternoon grabbing a Greek gyro for lunch and then walking through the Greensboro Arboretum.  It's almost the peak of this spring season so all the buds are finally opening into full blossoms and adding a sweet fragrance to the air.  

The Arboretum is a unique collection of blooming trees, sculpture art, and wildlife.  It's "come sit and enjoy the scenery" atmosphere makes for the perfect afternoon of leisurely strolling.  Vlad and I were both intrigued by the way they labeled every different kind of flower, shrub or tree, letting you know exactly what you're looking at.  My favorite was the Japanese Cherry Blossoms that were in full bloom with the last few buds opening.  They were so delicate with their pastel colors and silky petals. The butterflies flitted through the branches landing from one blossom to the next.  It's days like these that lifts my spirits and makes me think anything is possible in such a beautiful world.  Thank goodness spring has finally sprung!

Product Review: eShakti

I'm sure you guys have already read several bloggers' perspective on different eShakti products.  As another reviewer it's been interesting to see what you all have to say!

First off, if you haven't heard about eShakti, they are a women's clothing company who offers great styles, but the best part is that you can customize any style to fit you just perfectly! Shakti means power in Sanskrit.  eShakti therefore means the power of the Net.  In their words: "we believe the internet empowers customers and allows us to be extremely customer-centric by enabling the buying to be inter-active."

As a customer, this means I can add my specific measurements through their "checkout" system, so when the product arrives I have full confidence it will fit my body, not just the models.  But my favorite part of this customization process is being able to choose a particular length.  I really like slightly longer dresses so I can either wear them to work by day or out on the town by night.  It's easier to dress styles up or down when they are more versatile to begin with.  As a more modest person it's hard to find dresses this time of year that aren't mid thigh or shorter at certain stores.

Another great thing about eShakti, is that the majority of their styles are either retro/vintage looking or just simply elegant.  I was so thrilled with the dress I received and yes, it did fit me perfectly right out of the box!  Here are five of my personal favorites that I would love to add to my closet next!

Five Favs::
Her Fifties Floral Dress
Yellow Floral Corset Dress
Geometric Floral Colorblock Dress
Pleated Strapless Red Poplin Dress
Indigo Chambray Dress

For YOU lovely Thirsty World Readers I am here to offer another sponsor discount!
Here is a special discount code THRSTYWRLD, exclusively created for my readers to get 20% OFF when they shop at eShakti!

(((This code will be valid until March 20th, 2013.  It must be entered in the 'Promotional Code' box and isn't case sensitive. No Minimum Order Value. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period ends and can be clubbed with any other gift coupon or gift card in the same order. This discount isn't 
applicable on the overstock category.)))

eShakti Facebook / eShakti Twitter / eShakti Pinterest

80 Years of Family

This weekend I was happy to be an event photographer for Lindley's grandmother's 80th birthday party!  Her family hosted it at Table 16, located in downtown Greensboro, which was a perfect atmosphere for gathering together to celebrate!  

With a handmade stand displaying various flavors of cupcakes and a selection of bite size appetizers, the food and wine added to the casual elegance of the party.  Photographs throughout the decades were scattered on the tables partnered with a "What Happened in 1933" fun fact sheet.  Her grandmother was surrounded by family and friends, including two girlfriends that she has known since the first grade!  Can you imagine being able to stay in touch with someone for almost 75 years?!  

The entire afternoon was full of love and joy, as people reunited with relatives and family friends. With laughter and small talk, I felt so welcomed.  It was so nice to spend time around people who exuded kindness and good karma and who were enjoying the moment with the ones they loved the most. 

Ridgeway Lights

I wish that photos could do this Greensboro street justice, but alas its just one of the world's wonders that is just better in person.

Every year Ridgeway Street and several neighboring streets put up this beautiful light display for the holidays.  What started as one neighborhood, quickly flowed through Greensboro as a decorating tradition, and has become somewhat infamous.  Hung anywhere from three feet to three hundred feet in the air, these simple balls of chicken wire and Christmas lights create an amazing scene to drive through.  They are all different colors and shapes, some are even peace signs or stars, but together they have a seemingly endless effect.

As the display has become more popular, the tenants have used it to bring charity to others, by hosting canned food drop off points throughout the streets and presenting the "Running of the Balls" marathon event, complete with t-shirts and hot chocolate for the participants.

Ellie showed me this street of lights our freshmen year of college as a surprise for me, and now every year since, I drive down Ridgeway several times of week just to enjoy the colorful glow.  If you're ever in Greensboro, NC around Christmas, its worth the drive to see the Greensboro Christmas Balls.