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'Top Chef' alum bringing trendy authenticity to Cary, NC with new restaurant & 311 comes to town

3/27/2022

Every once in a while you fatefully find that trendy & comfortable but local jaunt that takes you away to another place when you walk in the front door. This doesn't happen often, but it happened to me this week. It also happened the same night I was invited to see a (sold out?) 311 show at the Ritz in Raleigh. It was amazing to see the crowd of smiling faces which is a sight not many have seen for the past few years.

I live right in the middle of Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, and before the 311 concert at the Ritz this week; I was invited to make a visit to try out a newish conveniently-located "Cocina and Tequila Library." I def felt like I was taken to another place. And this place had a LOT of tequila and the people were very friendly.

FRIDAH KAHLO MURAL at A'VERDE in Cary, North Carolina

Also, by like 6pm every seat in the place was occupied, so I highly suggest you reserve a table when planning your visit.

Here are 3 things about me you should know:

1. I have always admired the artist and icon Fridah Kahlo. A'verde has a supercute mural of her on the wall of the restaurant facing you as you walk in. You can't miss her.
2. I like Tequila.
3. I am in love with A'verde and am very much looking forward to spending hours here this Summer, perched on the back patio stuck in deep and light conversation alike. I plan to do a lot of writing here this Summer.

A visit to the "Tequila Library" was something I was happy to partake in. Also, I didn't know what Street Corn WAS until I tasted A'verde's version. This is a must to try.

I love living in between Raleigh and Cary. I love what it is becoming and I feel lucky to be a part of this creative hub and am super excited to watch it blossom. From A'verde's back patio and beyond.

May the rap-rock stylings of our Nebraska fore-fathers be with you all.

311 at The Ritz in Raleigh, North Carolina | 3.23.2022. Some videos from the show can be found on my Instagram and Tiktok.

Estoy agradecida!

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Golf for Good: Kismet of Influencers, #SportsFashion and Ethical Tech

11/8/2021

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Jacqui from T & T Creative Group and I getting ready to tour the Lonnie Poole golf course!

Recently I had the privilege of attending the exclusive T&T Golf Invitational at Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State University - my alma mater. I will definitely be making this an annual thing! The invite-only event is hosted by T & T Creative Group. I suggest visiting ttcreativegroup.com to get a good feel of the ethos behind this company/community and to see some of their incredible work in tech and multimedia. And FYI for all of you golf buffs out there, Lonnie Poole Golf Course was designed by the legend himself, Mr. Arnold Palmer. This was surprisingly my first time visiting the course, and I can see how people spend countless tee times relaxing out there while taking in the scenery and improving their golf game.

So, how did I connect with all of these fine folks? You can call it kismet, however I have to give a shoutout to Gabi’s Grounds for making this connection for me (find them at gabisgrounds.com). When I first started my #SportsFashion brand (which has been featured on MSG Networks, Sirius XM Radio and our local ESPN affiliate in Raleigh, 99.9 THE FAN) the tagline for my marque was “WHERE FASHION, SPORTS AND ETHOS INTERSECT WITH BEAUTY AND LUXURY.” Let me explain . . .

I was blessed to grow up in the world of Sports and after years of experience working in the Fashion industry, I currently found myself hungry for more of the “ethos” side of things. I was lucky enough to be able to satiate this need by meeting my new BFF, Gabi. Gabi is a Raleigh celebrity that I had so much fun getting to know and giggling with at the event! Both of our favorite colors are pink, and she is way better at golf than I am (although she says that the most fun part of these events are seeing all of the cute boys).

Gabi hanging out NFL great, Desmond Clark, who helped Chicago Bears win 2006 NFC Championship and trip to Super Bowl XLI

Gabi has been featured literally EVERYWHERE from the local Raleigh News and Observer to the national Kelly Clarkson show. The mission of the company is to “EMPOWER the SPECIAL ABILITIES COMMUNITY to find their place in the world and ENJOY FULFILMENT in everything they do.” And the private-label coffee blends by Gabi’s Ground are better than Starbucks, believe me. The Perfect Holiday Gift!

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TBD

11/8/2021

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Behind every NHL Legend is an encouraging WAG: #SportsFashion with Dave and Sarah Ayres

2/22/2021

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Behind every NHL Legend is an encouraging WAG, and Sarah Ayres is the blonde bombshell behind the guy who, on this day last year, single handedly turned up the NHL making Mr. Ayres an overnight hockey legend. And it was awesome.

On February 22, 2020 the hockey world witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime “feel good” story that will forever go down in sports history. Dare I say that this was the highlight of 2020, a year that was challenging to get through for so many of us. But the hockey gods must have been smiling down upon everyone that fateful night at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena as Dave Ayres wore an iconic Hockey Night in Canada towel draped around his neck and took to the ice to help get the W for the Carolina Hurricanes where they came out victorious against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I’m sure most of you have heard the story by now of how the emergency goalie and former Zamboni driver was, incredibly enough, called into play for the Carolina Hurricanes after starting goaltender James Reimer and backup goalie Petr Mrazek had to take leave due to injuries. Ayres made eight saves in the third period and earned the first W ever by an emergency backup goalie. Epic.
And if you haven’t read up on it, that’s ok because Disney will be making a movie retelling the tale. No ordinary day at the office for Dave!

What I like most about this guy is how he has humbly used his notoriety for good causes. When he was a guest on the The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, you can really see his personality shine. You can watch the replay on Youtube. The Ayres’ are big proponents of the Kidney foundation which operates in Canada and America. Sarah tells me that Dave launched an emergency fund initiative and raised $100,000 CAD in one month. Dave’s Mom actually donated a kidney to him in 2004 and watching her surprise him on the Today show was such a sweet moment. Sarah is also teaming up with some folks in the sports industry and will be launching a Six Degree campaign very soon so be on the lookout for that.

The hockey heros

So, where does Sarah shop for the perfect outfits to wear while supporting her man? She tells me, “I love revolve.com because everything you need is in one spot, but most of the time I’m in Lululemon because of my work and working out schedule. If I’m not dressing up I will be dressed down in Lululemon.” Good choices, Sarah! Who doesn’t LOVE Lululemon?

Two fashion brands you will see Sarah wearing are Frank & Eileen and LNDR Athletic

As for the hubs? He says he’s not picky when it comes to his fashion choices but he will channel that hero energy by keeping up with the stats for most Canes games and will text back and forth with his good friend Tripp Tracy.

With Sarah by his side, the Canes flew the Ayres’ to Raleigh to celebrate his epic W

“No man succeeds without a good woman behind him. Wife or mother, if it is both, he is twice blessed indeed.”
Harold MacMillan, 1st Earl of Stockton

So . . . do you believe in #SportsFashion miracles? Maybe you do now.

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