My knowledge of Greece was limited to four things: Greek Mythology, Greek Salad, Baklava and breaking plates. 

One of the things I love about Charlotte is its diversity. It feeds my hunger. My desire for knowledge.

I recently attended The Yiasou Greek Festival that’s held annually at the majestic Holy Trinity Greek Orthadox Cathedral. 

Booths were set up selling authentic Greek fare.  

Live music played as dancers in historic Greek clothing performed. The children’s dance was adorable. 

As I snacked on a Baklava sundae I saw there were many more Greek desserts than I’d realized.

Cooking demonstrations went on all weekend. I watched the making of Loukoumades. These ‘Greek Donuts’ were served up sprinkled with sugar, honey, or Nutella. 

Nesting dolls and religious items carved from wood were popular booths.

The high point was touring the cathedral. 

I was hesitant to take pictures but there was a sign encouraging visitors to take as many photos and ask as many questions as we like.

Hourly tours were given. I was in awe of the stained glass windows and the painted ceilings. 

The crystal chandeliers just added to the elegance. 

I learned it was built in 1954. And it’s the only Eastern Orthadox Cathedral in North Carolina. 

I came away full of knowledge of rich history of the Greeks. 

Check out the festival next year. There’s so much more than Baklava. 

OPA!!!

Imagine everything a woman could ever need under one roof.

On August 24-26 the Charlotte Convention Center delivered just that. 

Row after row of things we want. Things we didn’t even know we wanted. Things we didn’t know existed. 

Champagne tomato jam anyone?

I wasnt expecting to like this delicacy from Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. The mixture of flavors was a surprising favorite. 

Belk transformed a section into a mini beauty and fragrance department making us look and feel beautiful

Food Lion put on many demonstrations. But what fascinated me most was the ‘Apple Stacking’ contest. It’s the little things in life folks.

The fashionista in me had to examine Opera Carolina dresses made from playbills. 

If paper dresses aren’t your thing then you should check out Dressed Charlotte.

They have dresses for every occasion for rent! As well as accessories. Why pay for an outfit you’ll wear one time? Let Bernadette turn you into Cinderella for the evening. Your bank account will thank her. 

All that walking was exhausting. I found the perfect place to sit a spell.

Everyone knows women love candy. And there was plenty to choose from. The most popular being eye candy.

The line to meet Shep Rose from the show Southern Charm wound halfway thru the building. I watched from afar as his charm elicited squeals of delight from his dedicated fans.

I came away from the show with a list of new things I never knew I wanted! We southern women can never have too much stuff.

This Diva loves her designer items (hence my name). There’s no better place to find them than the best mall in Charlotte. 

For me it’s like being a kid and happening upon a park with all your favorite playground equipment. But instead of see saws and slides it’s Chanel and Tiffany’s

The blogging community is often given early access to the latest and greatest in every area of interest. We then get to share it with our followers. 

My Neiman Marcus SA had emailed me about the newest fall shoe collection.  What Diva can resist an invitation to Heaven?  So I set up an appointment on a day two other stores in the mall were hosting events. 

The first thing I do anytime I walk into Neiman Marcus is stop and take a deep breath. Inhaling the sweet smell of designer leather mixed with high end perfume. Then I hop on the escalator and ride while the iridescent butterflies glitter and flitter above me. 

When I arrived at the shoe department I was greeted by Zafir. The most patient SA on earth. He puts up with me. And if he was fed up with me looking at EVERY SINGLE SHOE  he never showed it. He’s amazing. Make sure you ask for him when you call or visit. 

I was in my happy place. The sparkles, the fur, the 4 inch heels….swoon.

Choosing a favorite pair is like choosing a favorite child. Impossible. But I did manage to narrow it down to three. 

I’ll never be able to choose between the Louboutin, Manolo or Chanel booties. Don’t even make me try. 

After prying myself away from the shoes….sigh…..I ventured on to Banana Republic where the Sloan Pant was guest of honor. 

I first became acquainted with the Sloan earlier this year at an event (see my Pants Journey blog) and I’m quite a fan. 

Hosted by stylist Majory Brifil, the evening did not disappoint. The wine, the catering, the clothes! Plus leaders in the Charlotte fashion scene. The presence of Noah from @noahwilliamsstyle and Melissa from Charlotte_Fashion_plate was an added touch of  Celebrastyle to the event. Yeah, I made that word up. Feel free to use it. 

If you’ve never met the Sloan Pant you must head to Banana Republic and introduce yourself. The slim tapering fit is flattering to all body types. They can be dressed up or down. Perfect for business casual or a night on the town. 

Time to move along because the Preppy Prima Donna in me just had to get to the launch of Lilly Pulitzers new yoga line.

Lilly is a brand that’s ever evolving while staying true to its roots. 

 The Luxeletic line launched a few years ago keeping the Lilly look while branching out into the athletic wear market. 

In addition to the jogging shorts, jacket and skorts Lilly recently launched their yoga line. 

These are not your everyday yoga pants. With their colorful patterns they stand out from the usual ‘running errands’ uniform. 

Donning a pair of these yoga pants will make you feel more polished. Whether you’re actually doing yoga or headed to your favorite mall shopping!

If you’re ever at Southpark Mall and spot me plastered against a store window drooling, please feel free to stop and say hello. And tell me about your favorite part of the playground! 

Happy shopping!

Life is short. Eat dessert first! And at last weekend’s Love Desserts Charlotte event I did just that. 

Imagine if you will, rows and rows of booths with sweet sugary treats. All under one roof. 

Sugar Creek Brewery was transformed into a magical candy land. As I stepped thru the door I felt like Charlie visiting the Chocolate Factory. 

Thank you Love Desserts Charlotte for giving me the ‘Golden Ticket’.

Gourmet cupcakes at every turn. Cakes both big and small were almost too pretty to eat. I said almost. We all know I’d dig right into them. 

Donuts called out to me from each aisle. I was especially drawn to the Donut Palm Tree.

Ice cream, shaved ice and King of Pops were a welcomed sight on this hot summers day. 

I was especially fond of the watermelon mojito pop.

Huge, colorful candy apples caught my eye. They’re one of my favorite fall treats. 

Emoji cookies were popular with kids and grown ups alike. And I was excited to see a cookie decorated to represent my beloved Tennessee Vols!

The pop corn lover in me couldn’t get enough of the flavored popcorn. There was even popcorn topped cupcakes!!!!

I lingered longer than I should have at the edible cookie dough booths (don’t judge me. You would have too). 

The highlight of the day for me was meeting the young man who started his own business. Who doesn’t love potato chips dipped in chocolate???

Visions of sugarplums danced in my head as I fell asleep that night, dreaming of the next event from Love Desserts CLT. 

Charlotte fashion elite turned out in full force last week for the 2017 Summer Show. 

Cosmolinx is synonymous with Charlotte fashion.  And their events never cease to impress. 

The show was hosted by Candice Rushing aka @candice_themodel and benefitted two amazing foundations. I’m a longtime believer and supporter of The Myrtis Simpson Walker Youth Leadership Foundation founded by Cynthia Johnson. And I’ll attend all the events I can benefiting this organization. And I was very impressed with empowering  OvercomeHer foundation. Both worthy of our attention and contributions.

Five designers were showcased. Cute and Classic, swim wear and formal wear are the norm for fashion shows. There were ooohs and aaahhhs over Patricia Designs, Diva’s Classy Chique Boutique and Emerald &a Onyx. Then this runway experienced the unexpected. Edge by KS and Evolve & Rebel brought us out of our comfort zones with some surprising favorites. 

Fashion is more than clothes. It’s art. It’s expressing oneself thru what we wear. It’s an impression left behind after meeting someone.

Cosmolinx Summer Show ’17 was a complete success. And it’s left me anticipating the next show.

As a long time Belk shopper and lover of fashion in general, I was excited and honored to attend their Southern Designer Showcase.

For the past five years designers have vied for the opportunity to have their collections in Belk stores.

Thirteen finalists were chosen to show their creations at a fashion show held at the Craft City Social Club in downtown Charlotte. 

Surrounded by cabanas and a killer view of the Queen City skyline, models strutted down a runway installed across the swimming pool. 

The evening was a perfect mix of amazing food, talent and fashion. The cocktail hour provided the opportunity to network with the designers and fellow bloggers. 

The winners collections will debut in Belk stores in March 2018. Be on the lookout for the following designers:

Natalie Wood Designs: Women’s accessories by Natalie and Ken Wood of Irving, Texas

Gigi Carreras: Women’s apparel by Mia Carreras of Snellville Georgia 

Symbology : Women’s apparel by Marissa Heyl of Grapevine, Texas

Veronica Ramirez: Women’s apparel by Veronica Ramirez of Snellville Georgia

Agape Gems: Women’s accessories by Courtney Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia

Since 1888 Belk has brought us sophisticated southern style. And these five truly exemplify that.

Thomas Wolfe said it best with his novel You Can’t Go Home Again. 

Having lived my entire life until recently at ‘Home’ I always disagreed with his concept. Of course you can always come home. 

‘Home’ for me was a tiny Appalachian town where time stood still.  Where peoples’ desires and dreams reach no further than the county line. Which was five miles away in any direction you face. Home is where there’s no shopping, fine dining or arts. And a traffic jam is getting caught behind Ole Man Chester’s tractor. 

While this sounds endearing to people who didn’t grow up there, it was never enough for me. I had already outgrown ‘Home’ by the time I was born. I always longed to be ‘anywhere but here.’

Don’t get me wrong. I still get homesick occasionally. I miss my family and friends and UT Football Games. And leaving after a visit is always bittersweet.  

As the mountains appear further and further away in my rear view window I feel both sad and relieved. Sad to leave behind everything I love. And relieved to escape the town that always suffocated me. 

I’ve come to terms with Thomas Wolfe. Home is now a nice place to visit….I just wouldn’t want to live there.

And fro yo. And gelato. And sorbet. And non dairy ‘ice cream’. And Italian Ice. Basically any frozen goodness. 

It’s always been my favorite dessert. As well as my first word as a baby. True story! While normal parents got to hear ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ mine were having to spell ice cream so I wouldn’t launch into an ice cream induced hissy fit. It worked for awhile. However I quickly learned what they were spelling. And so my love affair with ice cream began.

I would impatiently wait on my front porch on a hot summer day as my grandmother cranked the old timey ice cream maker. 

While that homemade version will always be the best in my opinion, we live in a world of instant gratification. And Charlotte is full of wonderful little ice cream shops. My plan is to visit them all!

There are, of course, many chain stores. Baskin Robbins, Brusters, Carvels, Pinkberry to name a few. But I’ve found so many independent shops along my journey.

Several Charlotte neighborhoods have ice cream within walking distance. Golden Cow, Two Scoops and Elizabeth Creameries are charming additions to the areas.

 Pikes Soda shop is a blast from the past. As well as being featured in the movie ‘Shallow Hal’. It also takes you back to the good old days of soda jerks and sharing a sundae with your beau. And the Tequila flavored ice cream from Michoacana’s is a must try!

Atrisen makes an amazing non dairy Ecuadorian gelato that’s so creamy you’d never guess it’s not ice cream. And the Asian shaved ice Snow Fluff also offers vegan options.

Young and old alike will enjoy watching their ice cream being made at  Jolly Rolls. The mix is poured onto a cold slab and scraped into ‘rolls’.  And I’m always on the hunt for a King of Pops sighting around town. 

Wow, this blog is a lot longer than I thought it would be. I guess I’ve eaten ALOT of ice cream. And there’s even more out there for me to try. 

What’s your favorite place? If I’ve not named it then I want to try it 🍦

The word ‘trend’ makes me a bit apprehensive. While I want to be fashionable and trendy I do not want to invest money on items that will only last one season. 

Thankfully there are several trends from last spring that are being reflected in this season’s fashions. 

White denim is returning for another season. Making me glad I took the plunge and finally added a pair of white jeans to my wardrobe. 

Your feet will be happy to know that those chunky heels you bought last year can still be worn. And the cold shoulder tops that lend a little sexiness to any body type are here for another season. 

We can still wear our bright colors. And those lightweight bombers that pull any outfit together are not going away. 

Buying trendy items are hit or miss. These are just a few of the Spring Trends that are echoing 2016.

So reach into your closet and pull those items out for another season!

Living in the diverse city of Charlotte for the past three years I’ve attended festivals celebrating many different cultures. It wasn’t until recently that I attended one celebrating my own heritage. 

The annual Celtic Festival is hosted at the historic Latta Planatation located just north of Charlotte. 

There were bagpipes and Scottish dancers. Beer and shortbreads and foods of my forefathers. ( If you don’t know what haggis is, be glad. Don’t google it. Trust me)

There were war reinactments and fairies. And I even received a print of my grandmother’s coat of arms. 

My favorites were of course the bagpipes. And a father with his wee little lad in matching kilts.

I’m proud of my strong Scotch/Irish heritage. And enjoyed the memories this festival brought back. 

Next year I hope you’ll check it out. And learn about Celtic ways. Just don’t eat the haggis lol. 

Erin Go Bragh