December has arrived and if your calendar is looking like mine, it is filling up fast. I was listening to a TED talk this morning about writing your personal story and one of the points that the speaker made was about saying no. It is alright to pick and chose what you do with your time! Participate in the things that make you smile during the holiday season!
A dear friend of mine who lives in Mobile is hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange on Saturday. I will readily admit that I am a "cookie monster" and even though I have given up sugar, this gathering is going to be delightful! Trust me, my husband is super excited about the tin of cookies I will bring home from this party! What a lovely way to spend the afternoon with ladies that I adore! Why not host your own gathering at your home? Put on a pot of coffee, add some hot chocolate and make some memories.
Our friends at Loblolly Farm hosted their first Winter Wonderland night at their park this past Saturday. Folks enjoyed watching the movie Elf while sipping on hot chocolate and making new friends! This Saturday in addition to the movie, Loblolly is part of the Semmes Christmas Tour starting at 3PM. The Hickory Pit will be participating as one of the local caterers. What a fun way to spend a Saturday...making holiday memories!
We'll be putting out the luminaries in our neighborhood early Saturday morning and lighting them when the sun goes down. This is such a wonderful way for our neighborhood residents to get together and meet one another! Many folks around here will be attending the annual Dawes Christmas Parade that rolls down Dawes Road at noon. Click here for more information.
Shop Local Support Local
There are still some fantastic deals with local Mobile shop owners that you can purchase for holiday gift giving. Many will ship & gift wrap for you!
Meredith Simmerman, owner of Reney's Honey Butter is ready for holiday gift giving! She is offering sample size gift bags of her delicious small batch flavored butters! What a wonderful and tasty gift for folks on your shopping list.
The added bonus is that you can visit her storefront, The Cottage and experience it's wonderful & inviting atmosphere.
9211 Cottage Hill Road
Mobile, Alabama
251-545-3840
Brooke Goff and her team at Domke Market will make you look like a "hero" to folks on your shopping list. They are masters at putting together custom baskets for your family, friends and clients. Just let them know what your budget is and let them take the reins! You will not be disappointed.
720 Schillinger Rd.,S., Ste 8
Mobile, Alabama
251-287-1851
* Wine Club membership is an awesome gift!
Our friends at Crimson Blue are making everything fashion festive for the holidays! Hope & Suzy have merchandise coming in daily for your party and gift giving needs!
9120 Airport Blvd.
West Mobile
251-545-2650
* Hungry after shopping? Walk down to Joe's Pizza & Pasta for some of the best Italian fare in the South!
I heard an interesting statistic this morning. Over 50% of adults would love a gift card for Christmas! Many of our Meet da' Boss business owners offer cards for holiday giving.
Salt & Light Spa Joe's Pizza & Pasta Reney's Honey Butter Domke Market Clean Eatz
Crimson Blue Boutique The Cheese Cottage Nouveau on Dauphin The Hickory Pit
Ruby Ribbon Bellissimo Concepts Photography Upspyre Andy Wood Executive Leadership
TipTop Kimble's Cleaning Acme Pressure Washing Diane Cashen Interiors
Ashley Scarbrough Skin Consultation Green Magic Landscape
Things happening in Baton Rouge the week of December 9th - 15th
Our friends at Visit Baton Rouge have a host of Christmas Events on their website.
Click here to see what is on the schedule this month!
69TH ANNUAL CORTANA KIWANIS CHRISTMAS PARADE
December 14th - 4PM - click here for details!
Parade Grand Marshals Jay Ducote, Aaron Lambert and the Snow Queens from the Petite Princess Company will lead the parade, beginning at 5:30PM. Family Fun!
Are you looking for a luxurious pampering session in Baton Rouge? I suggest you visit Ellen Pino, owner of Avant Tous Beauty Bar & Spa! She has two locations for your convenience! Nails, lashes, skin care and so much more are on the "menu" at her spa.
Of course a gift certificate from here would be wonderful...hint, hint!
You can't visit Baton Rouge without sampling some Louisiana cooking! If you are looking for something upscale, try Stroubes located at 107 Third Street in Downtown Baton Rouge. Owner, Rick Volland, offers fantastic steaks, seafood and great weekday Happy Hour specials. Click here to view the menu!
Stroubes
107 Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
225- 448-2830
Reservations recommended
Are you headed to New Orleans?
This week I was talking with a client who enjoys taking his family to New Orleans, and he was picking my brain about places to go that are "off the beaten path". There have been quite a few recommendations over the past couple of weeks on the blog, so definitely check them out. Here are some ideas from my NOLA native hubby for you to explore.
Imagine a restaurant that was no bigger than a parking space when it opened. Irene's began that way in 1993 and rapidly expanded over the years. It has moved to a new location at 529 Bienville Street.
This is one of the places that my husband always suggests to people looking for excellent Italian food. Click here to explore the menu and to read their remarkable story. Irene's is open Monday - Saturday for dinner.
My next recommendation is for the adventurous among you that will venture out to an industrial area. Trust me you will question this one when you are driving out to New Orleans East. There is a bakery located out on Chef Menteur Highway that is INCREDIBLE. In fact during Mardi Gras season expect to wait in line (for an hour or more) for their celebrated King Cakes. Dong Phuong has been open for many years and recently has become one of the most popular bakeries in and around the city.
We stop by when we are in town and load up on Banh Mi bread, an assortment of cookies and of course anything else that catches our attention. There is a restaurant next door with some wonderful Pho Soup if you are a fan! Click here to visit their website!
Visit New Orleans (CVB) has an extensive list of happenings in the city. So check them out by clicking here. Pay particular attention to all of the live music events! There are some outstanding musicians in the city!
My insider tip for NOLA is this: Slow down and soak up the culture of the city. Music, food and friendly folks are everywhere! Instead of going to the typical tourist destinations, explore some of the lesser know areas. Everyone should visit places like Dorignacs (yes it is a grocery store), the Lakefront and City Park when they are in town.
Have a wonderful week!
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