Brandy, Author at Travel & Experiences at Boutique Hotels and Restaurants Around the World

North Carolina Apple Festival

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The North Carolina Apple Festival has been a family-friendly tradition for 80 years. And it’s in the pretty mountain areas west of Charlotte, in Hendersonville just minutes from Asheville, NC.

While the Main Street location sounds like Anytown USA, it’s no ordinary festival…

And what makes this festival stand out is the Street Fair Parade. And the theme? Apples! 🍎 But not just any apples… North Carolina apples. Even though fall is prime apple season, apples are available year-round.

And if you pay attention to what’s available, you see that certain varieties show up earlier and some show up later in the season… from Gala to Honeycrisp and Empire in mid-August to Red and Golden Delicious, and Fiji (my fave) in mid-Sept. You can see the NC list schedule.

And in case you haven’t heard, North Carolina because of the moderate, warm climate serves as a farmers market for many restaurants up north. The soil is perfect for agriculture and apple trees.

And the contests stay on theme with apple window decorating and apple recipes… are you ready for apple pie yet? 🥧

The King Apple Parade is on Labor Day (rain or shine). So you can count on this event every year… same day, same place. 📆

And from the North Carolina Apple Festival, you can head to the highest mountain peak in the Appalachian Mountains, Mount Mitchell ⛰️ just a few hours away. And to split up your days from festival to mountains, you can stay in between in the mountains at a modern warehouse boutique hotel with brick accent walls. Check out this one. Labor Day is the perfect time to enjoy the last summer days in the mountains with apples. 😊

And if that’s too far west for you, and you prefer to stay along the accessible I-495 area as you’re transitioning into fal, you can do some outdoor shopping… and here’s a Raleigh, NC outdoor shopping area cheat sheet guide.

5 Best Raleigh Outdoor Boutique Stores

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Raleigh outdoor boutique stores are great when the weather is nice. You get to enjoy the weather and appreciate the live greenery. And my number one pick is Cameron Village.

You’ll see plenty of pink against black and white stripes and frou frou mini poodle decor, just to get a sense of the the scene ivbe. Put on your chic Jackie O’ sunglasses and get shoppin’ or window shopping.

Located closer to downtown Raleigh and Five Points area, this all-outdoor mall has everything from local honey and tea stores to clothing boutique stores (CT Weekends) that even sell Michael Stars. And look for the Carolina blue cupcakes.

And for outdoor indoor green for practical decorating, you can find a Michael’s Store at Brier Creek.

Raleigh outdoor boutique stores have green indoors too

Brier Creek Commons (near RDU Airport)- outdoors, you can drive around and stop for amazing chocolate and do all your one-stop shopping from specialty home goods, coffee, eateries, stationery gift stores, books, pet goods, wine, and package shipping.

Streets at South Point (Durham) – has small outdoor boutique stores and you can enjoy with your non-shopping partners who just want to sit down. And once in a while, you might even catch a street performance.

North Hills (North Raleigh) -this is the posh outdoor boutique store area that has all the one-of-a-kind boutiques… And get your hair cut at Salon Blu boutique hair salon in case you find yourself needing a haircut in town.

Triangle Town Center (Northeast Raleigh closer to Wake Forest)- this is a gigantic mall… and close by if you need some good fabrics for your projects, there’s a boutique-worthy Mill Outlet Village fabric store with checkers and prints and every pattern you can imagine. 🎨

And now that your head is spinning with ideas, here’s how you can optimize your time by narrowing down which outdoor shopping areas you should visit.

Which best outdoor boutique shopping area should you go to if you need…

A unique wedding gift for someone: Cameron Village

An anniversary gift: The malls, Triangle Town Center (unique mall stores) or Streets at South Point (Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, jeweler, sports store). Belk and Nordstrom at South Point

A birthday party gift or planning a party: Brier Creek Commons (Target, Party Store, Hallmark)

Furniture: Southpoint (Lovesac, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel)

Home furnishings: Target and Home Goods at Brier Creek Commons and unique furnishing stores in Cameron Village and North Hills

Apple electronics: South Point or Crabtree Valley Mall if you want to stay in Raleigh (…and if you get hungry, you can’t go wrong with The Cheesecake Factory while you’re there).

Back to work fashion: Streets at South Point (Anthropologie, Lilly Pulitzer, Lucky Brand, Loft, Express, Free People, Gap

So now you know which Raleigh direction you’re heading in

And if you would like a nice unique spa stay in a tranquil setting, try The Umstead in Cary (that’s no longer the Contained Area for Relocating Yankees). And if you want a beachy spa experience a few hours away, you can drive to OBX and visit this Duck hotel spa.

2023 Philly Restaurant Week Best

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Depending on what cuisine you like, at 2023 Philly Restaurant Week there’s something for you. After Labor Day’s big Made in America Music Festival curated by Jay-Z, or Parx horse races, you can get your fill of good Philly eats.

Center City District 2023 Philly Restaurant Week has lobster pot pie, mac-n-cheese, arancini, and peach desserts on the menu, so there’s something for every taste! 😋 And you like seafood (see-food 👀), you’ll like my best picks…

Philly restaurant week has lobster dishes like this lobster macaroni

In 2023, it’s $45/3-course dinner and $20/2-course lunch. Forget cheesesteak hoagies for this one because this is the finest aged cuisine brought to one of the oldest cities in America:

Some fave highlights are seafood and Italian cuisine.

The 40-year old Oyster House (BEST seafood) is offering luxe Lobster Roll (chilled New England Style with fries), four oysters. and chocolate panna cotta as a sample $45 menu… that’s a lotta lob and oy-STAHS that are hard to resist! 🦞

And if you’re allergic, then maybe the 30-year old Alice Pizza restaurant inspired by authentic ❤️ Rome foods, can be your new love. Oozing Burrata cheese, Jumbo shrimp (gotta love the oxymoron! 🍤), Amatriciana famous Roman pasta, and sfogliatelle pastries with vanilla gelato or traditional tiramisu. Seafood and cheese are okay in Philly!

And if you want to get really authentic, you may want to try…

Gran Caffe L’Aquila with cinghiale meatballs, monkfish puttanesca-style, and gelato made by the Italian & World (Gelato) Press Champion, Stefano Biasini, that’s like winning the World Cup of Gelato. 🍨

And if Italian isn’t your food vibe, you’ll also find German, Middle Eastern, Thai, and so much more.

Philly is an easy drive on the east coast.

If you need a stay recommend, this is a boutique hotel with so much inspiring charm from the cute building to the mood room interior mod-design headboards adorned with black and white (trending) striped drapes…. NOT your boring blah-beige or solid-color window treatments. And if you look up in the ceiling, you’ll see different mod features you’d see in HGTV dream makeover homes. And for an eclectic feel of unusual art and mix-n-match patterns, this is a moderate-affordable stay worth checking in and checking out!

…And you may be interested in the NYC Restaurant Week or DC Restaurant Week just a few short hours away.

Blue Super Moons In The Air

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blue super moons can be in a shop window

With Blue Super Moons, you can see them everywhere in the world (like this Louis Vuitton shop window, haha) because the moon is super high close to the planet we all live on. And like an ordinary find such as Blue Moon beers 🍻, Blue Super Moon are earthly sightings… but unlike earthly occurrences, they happen every 10 years or so as the second full moon in one month. 🍻 That’s like twin moons.

And now that we’ve established Blue super moons are SPECIAL, the 2023 one was seen from Lake Michigan to Toronto to the Apollo ruins in Greece. And won’t return until after 2030. In my area, it was cloudy and rainy so I missed the super event live, but am over the moon seeing all the after-photos with the building foregrounds. 🌑 But you can find more natural spots too…

Next time you wonder where to catch the moon, the beach is a perfect place. After you check out the sunset on the horizon sitting on the cool sand, you can wait for the blue super moon to appear like glitter in the air.

🎶Pink “Glitter in the Air” song lyrics:

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself
Will it ever get better than tonight?

And then there’s the day…

When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite day field trips was to the Planetarium where we saw the 3-D planet films and constellation light experiences.

And these post-internet days, telescopes are still in great use. One of the largest telescopes is at the U.S. Naval Observatory in DC.

Today we can see the daily and current moon phase with NASA’s high-tech equipment. And if you want to check it out while you’re visiting DC, these are some great one-of-a-kind DC boutique hotels to stay at… and maybe experience and enjoy DC Restaurant Week.

OC Fair Events Beyond The Fair

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oc fair events beyond include agricultural and farming

A fair is a fair and has it’s usual fair stuff with food, rides, contests, and a carnvial atmosphere. Fair? And the OC fair events in Costa Mesa (Orange County) you can count on that lasts for 23 days to be exact.

And while the fun fair may end right at summer’s end or when school starts, 🤔 the fair event remnants last beyond through autumn. You can check out the farm and garden classes, agricultural markets, and make and DIY home contests.

You can also check out the Costa Mesa speedway events as Costa Mesa is home to the motorcycle speedway that the OC fair helped to birth.

When I think of the OC Fair, I think of the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena just minutes from Costa Mesa. And the OC Fair may not be filled with roses, but is full of orange inspo and expos. 🟠

Remember, California has a superior fruity advantage, so don’t be surprised if there are unique citrus conversations even when the yearly theme changes. Orange you glad?

And this fair stands out ’cause it’s super family-friendly with all kinds of young kiddo events like the Centennial Farm.

It’s a great exposure to learning about farming culture if you live in a city or the ‘burbs. In California healthy style, there are 8 nearby certified farmers markets (verified to sell what they make, aka organic.

These fit the bill: Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Tustin, and Costa Mesa (where the OC fair is), Santa Ana, Placentia, Huntington Park, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim. And if you need a central place to stay, this Costa Mesa Avenue of the Arts boutique hotel has a garden oasis inside and the exterior has sleek architectural lines (and reminds me of the National Gallery of Art in DC designed by Architect I.M. Pei).

And instead of traveling all around creation in farmers market-related OC Fair events, you can see all of them at the OC Fairgrounds, so you can compare apples to apples. 😃 And oranges to oranges.

And when the OC Fair events are over, besides farms and speedways, you can think about contests that maybe you want to enter for next year if you’re arts and crafty or like to decorate table settings… that’s more my speed. 💕

If you’re missing the carnival fair atmosphere, the California State Carnival is worth checking out in Sacramento, CA.

Minnesota State Fair Weekend Things To Do

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minnesota state fair has birthday funfetti cupcakes

The Minnesota State Fair is a great fun event to visit over a warm weekend, especially if you’re a foodie or if you have other Minnesota local agendas.

For foodies, there are 34 new official foods and 7 new food vendors participating. Of course, there’s funfetti Birthday Cake sprinkled 🧁 and long hot dogs 🌭 everything…

But there are also foods I would serve and add to the gourmet menu at parties and catering events I planned. Like creative flavor pairing eats: hummus with basil at Holy Land in the International Bazaar. That by the way is gluten-free.

…And fried green tomato sandwich, fried egg hole, or Halloumi cheese on toast. Plus, local unusual red-wine infused pizza sauce, huckleberry and lavender lemonades, St. Paul pickle kettle fudge, and churros with cinnamon ice cream. I mean c’mon 😋 this is so fitting for post-2020… (and I thought I was cutting-edge with gourmet popcorn jelly beans 🤣).

To win you back, this was my home contribution to angel food cake and ice cream (not bad, huh?)

angel food cake and ice cream are served at Minnesota State Fair

At the Minnesota State Fair, you’ll also see the purist Angel Food Cake competition (no strawberries 🍓 or glaze on top).

…Maybe you’re visiting family or checking out a Minnesota Vikings game at the U.S. Bank Stadium (Quarterback Kirk Cousins who used to be the QB for my hometown Washington Commanders).

…Or you’re in for a girls-only weekend checking out Mall of America (the mall on your bucket list of mega malls)… like East Coast Tysons Corner I and Galleria II that I grew up with.

Once in a while, a Cirque du Soleil 🎪 would come through on the limited real estate greens… but nothing like the entertainment scene at The Minnesota Mall.

But in Minnesota’s Mall of America, there’s more of a year-round fair feeling with the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park and water animals at the Sea Life public aquarium.

And for me, Minnesota hit the map when I learned about specialty scrapbooking. Some ladies were doing this in my office and I’m all about sharing photos and memories (…can you tell?). Creative Memories is from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and the whole scrapbook phenomenon.

I used to throw scrapbook parties for my creative outlet and go to the Scrapbook Expo Fairs in Chantilly, VA, and A Shopping Spree! in Raleigh, NC.

Some chase concerts, I chased scrapbooking events back then… and today concerts and fairs too!

And if creative is up your alley, the Minnesota State Fair has an agenda for creatives! 👩‍🎨

The creative activities include stamps, postcards, and baked product competitions with chocolate chip cookies, Bundt cakes, sourdough, and banana bread as a few categories. 🍞

And the Minnesota State Fair has tranquil artistic gardens (not your usual fair features). So take a looksy around 👀

The State Liberty Bell from 1921 is all green and dolled up as a dense topiary (I have a great sticker for that but no emoji 😊) with moss roses and 6,000 succulents 🌵that btw, we need for zen garden sustainability as cactus-like plants are very efficient and need little water!

And see the waterfall and herb features that you can easily miss around the regular greenery!

While gardens are the quiet areas of the fair, they are doing the community a world of good. And you can see the pop of color and pink roses everywhere if that’s your thing like it is mine.

And from there, you can do a small city trip…

You could stay close by in Saint Paul (the capital) and get a feel for the city. Some places have a very fairytale vibe with blue and gold silky fabrics bedding with frills and tassels. 🛏️

2023 Amador County Barbera Wine Festival

Amador County Barbera wine is one of the hidden best wine areas in California. It’s off the beaten path from other big wine valley counties like Napa or Sonoma County. Amador County is east of Sacramento, CA and produces some of the best red wines if I may say so. 😊

The highest mountain vineyard terrains are compared to the Mediterranean foothills exposed to long sunny days suitable for tasty wines. And, Amador County is is also credited with cultivating the first Zinfandels.

Amador County Barbera wines are like a Syrah or Shiraz with fruit-forward jammy berry flavors like raspberries and strawberries. If that’s your jam, then a Barbera can grow on you fast.

And to get some tastes, you may want to visit the Barbera Festival (in its 10th year) with over 40 wineries to try in one fell-swoop. 🍷

Amador County Barbera Wine county grapes

Amador County is in the Sierra Nevadas mountain range. And one boutique quality vineyard in the heart of Plymouth, CA is Coopers Vineyards. The wines you taste in the boutique winery store may not change your life, but they can definitely change your wine life! ❤️

They produce winners at the Orange County Fair wine competitions with an unforgettable Petite Syrah and Primitivo Reservo and unique Sangiovese (it’s not just in Italy anymore!). From Folsom Lake, you can go south on Latrobe Road and turn on Shenandoah Road to find this winery and vineyard.

Cooper Amador County Barbera Wine prodcer in Plymouth, CA

Coopers will be at the the Amador County Barbera Wine Festival where you can sample their Barberas. The festival is in Plymouth, CA next to Coopers at the Terra D’Oro Vineyards (Land of Gold) with 800+ acres. Traces of gold are found in the vineyard land in case you’re wondering…

And in these superior lands, to make your trip planning life easy, you can turn your “gold” trip into a hotel spa trip for maximum joy or a boutique stay in the heart of downtown Plymouth, CA. That’s my two senses (and cents!). 🍇

Royal London Food Carnival

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I can sniff a food festival from around the globe… and a London food carnival is happening at the Hampton Court Palace. The 👑 palace looks like it’s straight out of a storybook in its spire features and symmetrical architecture.

And it reminds me of the brick facade on the iconic Smithsonian Castle near the National Mall Smithsonian Carousel on the other side of the ocean. That was my first merry-go-round riding memory. 🎠

And this Hampton Court Palace Food Festival is happening on the manicured lawns next to the Palace and Magic Garden playground for all ages. And a Kitchen Garden for foodies at the London food carnival.

The Palace has history and inside even has artwork from Rembrandt and Caravaggio. It’s situated near the seasonal Ice Rink and The Great Fountain Garden (with wildflowers, seasonal flowers, and of course my fave, a Rose Garden with pink roses). On the western outskirts of central London, you can visit two-in-one and make a one-stop-shop.

The garden was recently completed with 13 fountains and artistic Baroque design that actually matches the nearby castle. 🏰

You wonder where the moat is. 💭

And if that doesn’t flip your boat, then a Restaurant Show is coming to London in Olympia, closer to Chelsea, that’ll showcase new hospitality trends. It’s where caterers and chefs experience the latest and greatest, and probably you do too…. who doesn’t love to taste good foods!

And don’t be surprised if you see Great British Baking Show (or Great British Bake Off) former contestants like Nadiya Hussain (from Nadiya Bakes) who may shows up at these events. 🎉 And who knows who else?

…That to me would be worth the trip.😊

If you want to stay more city central in Westminster, you can try this mod, delightfully designed Georgian castle-like boutique hotel.

California State Carnival Happening

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california state carnival is in Sacramento and has the traditional merry go round that goes around the country

Who doesn’t love a State Fair? They happen at or near the state’s capital… and today in summer, the California State Carnival is happening in Sacramento.

One of my secondary homes is California as family lives on the West Coast in the Golden State. I still remember my first trip to Northridge (near L.A.) attending a wedding and up the coast to Monterey.

California State Carnival surroundings in Sacramento area that has mountains and vineyards

And then many fun girl trips I had to San Francisco, touring Wine Country, and Sacramento.

I have fond memories with friends as we ate the best fresh seafood pasta dish at Sabella & La Torre along Embarcadero and Pier 45. It’s not a fancy place, but the food was outstanding and it has been running since 1927.

And when you’re done with a meal, you can feel like the nap-time San Francisco sea lions and work off your meal walking to Pier 39. An artsy affordable stay could be close by in Chinatown that’s a short ride to Fisherman’s Wharf that’s a year-round carnival with street performers and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. 🌁

Those food memories are unforgettable and you can make memories today at the California State Carnival. There’s a Food Festival going on that’s good fun food for little ones and young at heart. ❤️

At the fair, whether you like live horses, live concerts, or just being around the carnival atmosphere, it’s going on in August.

And even though it’s hot everywhere… you can do a quick cool in the slip-n-slide and waterlog flume rides.

And then at night see all the twinkling lights… ✨

Oh, and enjoy some lowkey sports… who doesn’t love a round of putt-putt?

At the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento, there are also upcoming events you may be interested in, like…

…A Foodie Land Event with over 170+ vendors!

…Or a Women’s come-together event in soul sisterhood. Neither of these ticketed events will break the bank.

And if you’re getting married, get all the favor ideas, and vendor resources, and try wedding cake morsels at the International Wedding Fair. Having been a wedding and catering event planner in a former life, I still appreciate and enjoy the girly good taste events. And, I’m all for the tastings big and small.

So… this can be a one-stop-shop for you at the California State Carnival.

Maryland Fair Farmers Market

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The Maryland Fair Farmers Market is a summer and fall seasonal one-stop-shop market occurring while the Maryland State Fair is happening over several weekends and over Labor Day at the Timonium Fairgrounds (north of Baltimore, MD). Hint, hint… in case you needed some late summer ideas to fill your calendar. And entertain.

On the fairgrounds, there’s also an opportunity to learn about agriculture and sustainability in the farmers market building that you may not otherwise visit. And it’s a chance to get out of the city and see farm animals.

During the Maryland State Fair, you can also check out and enjoy the carnival festivities. 🎡 It’s a place full of fun ideas and to take kiddos where you can find many free or low-cost activities that don’t break the budget. And FREE entrance for the toddlers.

Ya just never know how those small events are excitingly BIG to little feet, and that they remember when they grow into their bigger shoes. 😊

This carnival also has 60+ rides and games good for all ages. And they’re surprises, so you may just have to get out there to see what they are! If you want to save $5, Chick-Fil-A has a ride coupon offered on the site.

maryland fair farmers market is a fun ticket for everyone

And the Maryland State Fair has all the lights and colors you’d expect at a carnival fair. And of course, cotton candy galore, and you can bet there are good eats like Maryland crabs. 🦀 And I hear there’s some judging going on over mac-n-cheese mini donuts, maple bacon iced tea, and unicorn ice cream… and all the whimsical foods you’d not eat on most days! 🦄

And even after the fair is over, you can still visit the farmers market as a permanent event summer and fall event with the Maryland fair farmers market vendors.

You can find all kinds of seasonal fruits and veggies, egg, poultry, and homemade cheese that’s healthier without hormones and preservatives.

Those are all good fairgoing take-homes that you’ll enjoy!