Our Staycation On Lake Norman

 

This last month was hard on my family with our long-time Aupair's departure. Our bond was so strong and our goodbye so devastating for us and the kids. I wanted to give everyone a little distraction, so we booked a staycation! 

We have actually never done this with the kids before. We would normally hop on an Allegiant flight and head to my mom's house in Florida, but this was so much easier! No flights to catch. No car seats to haul. No strollers to break during plane-side check. 

We found our perfect vacation destination right here on Lake Norman. I had no idea this even existed (outside of Airbnb or VRBO), but there is a company called Southern Charm Vacations. They rent out vacation homes all over Lake Norman and Asheville! They specialize in beautiful lakefront and mountain properties in the Carolinas!

Living in Ballantyne, our family doesn't make it to the lake much. We don't have a boat of our own, so we don't typically have a reason to go but it's so close! Lake Norman is truly one of Charlotte's precious gems. They have lakefront restaurants, like Toucans and Hello Sailor, beautiful coves, and great beaches for the kids to play on! 

When we started planning our staycation I never thought we would be able to find a house to sleep our 14-person posse, so we were pleasantly surprised when we found a lakefront home that slept 17! Booking our vacation was so simple. When you go to LakeNormanVacation.com you can either put in your dates or browse a list of homes and plan your vacation accordingly. 

Personally, I think it was easier to book than Airbnb or VRBO because there is a phone number on the site for any questions you might have about the property. Plus, it's one management company taking care of all the properties so you don't have to wonder about their quality of clean or care. (Let's just say I've had some bad Airbnb experiences). Southern Charm was fully staffed, responsive, and super hands-on throughout the whole process. 

Check-in was 4pm and the house was pristine! You could tell that someone from the company had personally walked through and check the house before we got there. I guess that is the benefit of working with a small business... personal touch. 

Our weekend was so relaxing. We spent our time napping in hammocks, enjoying family dinners, and getting competitive in the game room! We also spent afternoons on the pontoon boat. I think this might be my favorite feature that Southern Charm offers. We were able to add a pontoon boat to our rental. The boat was delivered right to our dock and was already there at check-in. 

In fact, Southern Charm offers a whole concierge service where they can help you find anything from a chef to a personal trainer to use during your stay. They can even fully stock your refrigerator so you don't have to drag coolers and groceries to your destination.

I really do love the concept that Southern charm provides! It's great for renters and owners! Owners can ease their worries knowing they have a company managing their property while sitting back and receiving passive income and renters like us can take advantage of their good fortune!  

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Arrivederci To Our Sweet Elena

 

As I sit here with a box of tissues, it is an understatement when I say, " I am not ready to write this blog." 

How have 913 days passed since our sweet, vivacious Elena came crashing into our lives? I remember picking her up from the airport like it was (legit) yesterday. I was late (of course) and she was patiently waiting for me in the baggage claim area at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. She smiled warmly at me as I walked up to her and she gave me the biggest hug, melting away both of our fears. Neither of us knew exactly what we were getting ourselves into. I was inviting a complete stranger into my home to live with my family and she was leaving behind everything she called "home". 

However, in the most unlikely of ways, we fit each other's puzzle perfectly. She quickly merged into our family seamlessly, like she was always here, and now I can't imagine our life without her. She is the most AMAZING person and caretaker for Cashton and Jaxson and she has truly become my best friend. 

Many have asked, "will we get another Cultural Aupair?" The answer is yes, but Elena will forever have a place in our hearts as our "first". She taught me exactly what this program is all about. When I signed up to host an Aupair I thought it would be a "cool" cultural exchange for us and the kids, while solving our childcare needs. Little did I know my party of four was about to become Strager -Party of Five with Elena at the helm! 

Sure, I didn't learn one lick of Italian while she was here (which was one of my goals... I even took an Italian language class that I failed out of) but I learned a new love that my heart didn't know before and for that I am eternally grateful. 

Elena has touched so many people during her time in the USA, that includes not only our immediate family but our extended family as well. You know a person really has a special soul when family members from all over the US from Montana to Florida go out of their way to spend time with her. It's easy to see how Elena has made so many friends along the way and has even won the hearts of our Kiss 95.1 listener family too. 

Elena has been there for me in ways that not many others have. She knows a side of me that few will ever see. She can sense when I am stressed or something is weighing on me and she knows just how to brighten my day. We instinctively know what each other is thinking before either one of us ever opens our mouths and her love is felt by just a look. In short, she has become the sister I never had and I truly know she will ALWAYS be family now.  

She has been so instrumental in Cash's development, Jaxson's joy, my laughter, Dallas's sanity, and for truly making our house feel like a home. She completes our family in a way that is hard to understand from the outside looking in, but to us, she will ALWAYS be a Strager. 

She is a woman of strength and many talents and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her. As we say our "see you laters" I say countless prayers that Cashton continues to thrive and that Jaxson remembers her. I pray that she will visit often and that we can take the children to visit their "extended family" in Italy one day. And I pray that we have made a profound, lifelong impact on each other's life and path in this world. 

Thank you Elena, for 2.5 of the best years I could have asked for (even with covid). I love you so much and I hope you truly know how much you mean to me and our family.  

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. 

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"Best Of The Best" Of Entertaining In Charlotte

 

(Photography by Amy Kolo) 

If you are new to the "All Of The F-words" family, WELCOME and allow me to fill you in. I. LOVE. Entertaining! It is one of my favorite pass times. If I could plan a party, over just attending, I would choose to host 9 times out of 10. I love seeing an idea or theme come to fruition. To be there from inception to completion is so rewarding for my OCD. 

With that being said, now that I have two children, I need a little help from the professionals. Gone are the days of running around DIYing my way to the perfect party. I just don't have the time, chasing after a 1 and 4-year-old is just too chaotic. (Momma's I know you feel me.) 

Around the time Cashton turned 3, I started farming out some of the bigger decor. Marquee lights and cakes seemingly got handed off to the pros, and by the time Jaxson was born, I had a baller Rolodex of some of the best companies in Charlotte to use when planning a get-together. 

After an event, I always get asked about who I use for decor, catering, and details. Since we are in the midst of saying goodbye to our sweet Elena I thought it was the perfect opportunity to have some of my favorite vendors work together to design the perfect "send-off" for her as we say arrivederci!  

 I am especially proud of this compilation of businesses since all of these companies are female-owned and operated! I think we can all agree that it is a beautiful thing to see women supporting other women! Here is my shortlist of event companies and rentals that I have found to be the "best of the best" for entertaining in Charlotte! 

Paradise Playland.

If you are looking for a fun focal point for your party why not an adult bounce house? Yes, Taylor from Paradise Playland carries bounce houses for children's events and birthdays too but why should the kids have all the fun? Paradise Playland offers luxury bounce houses in all sorts of colors! (white, sky blue, mint green, blush pink, lavender purple, sunshine yellow, sand tan, royal blue, hot pink, and black) 

For Elena's send-off, we collectively decided on a boho travel theme that would seamlessly tie all of our vendors together. Thus, we went with a beautiful 20' tall white luxury adult bounce house for an eye-catching entrance. 

POP Charlotte.

Maggie from Pop Charlotte started her balloon garland business during the pandemic. She started by just doing a few friend's get-togethers and her talents were so well received this stay-at-home mom was able to launch a full-blown successful business venture! 

We brought in Pop to create 40 feet of cloud-like balloon garland to wrap our gorgeous Paradise Playland bounce house in! Maggie was first on the scene the day of and she worked hand in hand with Paradise Playland to create the dream-like vision we had inside our heads. 

These two companies, don't stop there. They also have a few more tricks up their sleeves to add even more pizzazz to your party!

Paradise Playland offers marquee letters too! 

Now, if you've been to one of my parties in the past you probably know I typically use my girl Julianna from Alphalit Charlotte for marquee letters but this particular weekend she was fully committed (which is a great problem to have) but luckily Taylor from Paradise Playland offers them too!

 We thought the word "ciao" (the Italian word for hello and goodbye) was fitting for the cornerstone of our sitting area and offered a grand ambiance to our theme. 

Pop Charlotte also offers a stunning photo wall with neon lights for fun at your event. 

Maggie currently has two backdrops (this one and a beautiful pink rose wall) but she is working on more! 

Exciting things to come for this growing business! 

What's Up Buttercup Florist.

No party is complete without a floral touch! Melissa from What's Up Buttercup was totally dialed into our theme and vision. She knew exactly what the centerpieces needed to look like with pompous grass, greenery, and soft roses. 

She really nailed it, all while planning her elopement to Ireland! Her vision was so strong all while staying in budget and providing gorgeous arrangements the fit right in with our theme. 

What's Up Buttercup also has a "flower bar" in Rock Hill! Yes! You heard me. An incredible bar in the middle of a beautiful interactive floral studio. Perfect for girl's night or date night! 

Brie-licious Boards.

Wow. Where do I begin? Talk about a grazing table! Becky from Brie-licious Boards really knocked it out of the park with this gourmet setup. Not only was it BEAUTIFUL but it was delicious too and included a decadent array of meat, cheeses, fruit, crackers, and desserts! The board was also dressed with olives, pickles, jams, and honey. All the things that you would want from a catering partner. 

Becky's setup was quick and detailed. She wrapped her grazing table in flowers and eucalyptus linking her tightly to the rest of the vendors. This is definitely one company that will impress your guest in the food department! 

Maybe you don't need a huge grazing table? They also offer specialty and charcuterie platters/boxes too! 

Vanilla Event Decorations.

I used Vanilla Event Decorations for Jaxson's first birthday and I have nothing but AMAZING things to say about this company! I originally contacted them to handle Jaxson's cake table at our country club for his "wild one" first birthday. That's when they informed me that they just started offering picnic set-ups as well, so I happily added on the service. 

Vanilla Event Decorations did NOT disappoint! Jaxson's birthday was the talk of our club for weeks to come. They were so professional and patient even when being shuffled around by our venue when we were trying to come up with a rain plan. 

Since "Chicnics" are all the rage right now, I knew I had to include them this time around too! I have seen other picnic setups and I can say Vanilla goes above and beyond when it comes to their setups. The time and attention they put into their products and services is second to none.

After having personal experience with all of these vendors I can wholeheartedly attest to the amazing job and services that they all provide. Their customer service and willingness to collaborate with each other while staying dedicated to a theme have made my hosting experiences enjoyable. 

This group is truly a "dream team" of boss ladies providing beautiful parties that I know anyone would love to attend or host. They take the stress and the guesswork out of throwing a celebration. 

Simply put, they are my "best of the best" (in my opinion )when it comes to elevating your hosting experience and providing your guest with a unique, fun, and unforgettable occasion that they won't soon forget! 

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