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Fashion, Food & Fun 

Mom's the Word

Remember when mom meant the apron-clad housewife cranking out tin after tin of muffins with her oven-mitted hands?  Um, sure.  Mothers come in all shapes and stripes.  Whether she's fancy or homey, modern or retro, your only one or one of several, one thing's for sure: Mom deserves something nice at least once a year.  And so Mother's Day was created ...

The Proud Mama: She treasured every macaroni necklace and clay hand-print.  Give her the grown-up equivalent: Hyla Dewitt Jewelry is running a 15% off Mother's Day Special this week.  She'll love these beautiful, fun necklaces, earrings and bracelets by Raleigh designer, Hyla Dewitt.   

Call or email to see her complete line or shop online from her Website. Ph: 843.697.4952, Email:  JewelryByHD@gmail.com.    

The Perfect Lady: Her debutante days may be over, but she's still nudging you to keep your elbows off the table.  The perfect gift would be some proper thank you notecards from Paperbuzz in North Hills.  They are passionate about finding the freshest most stylish stationery that reflect her personal taste.  Paperbuzz  will personalize your cards by printing or engraving mom's initials or name.  They will strive to provide the best service you can count on.  So mom, have fun, enjoy, celebrate and write on! 

The Outdoor Enthusiast: Around this time of year she takes up permanent residence in the backyard. Get her started on her very own rose garden.  Witherspoon Rose Culture has been enhancing the lives of others through the outstanding care of roses for many years.   Witherspoon in Durham will consult, install and maintain your rose garden.  They'll help you pick premium rose bushes that suit your yard and soil.  The fragrances will sweetly surround mom in the comforts of her own backyard where she'll stop and smell the roses all while thinking of you!  

Witherspoon Rose Culture: 3312 Watkins Road, Durham, NC 27707,  919.489.4446 and 800.643.0315. Website.

The Indoor Enthusiast: For this mom there's no such thing as too much comfort.  A rich throw in lightweight but warm comfort pima cotton and alpaca from Lavender and Lace will keep her nest well feathered.  Toss in a 3-CD set of Time Life Platinum Collection - They're Playing Our Song and she'll never leave the house again!

Lavender and Lace: 1902 Bernard St. Raleigh 27608,  919.828.6053.  Website. 

The Earth Mom: She prefers Birkenstocks to Ferragamos and remembers Woodstock like it was yesterday.  You'll find the perfect gift from Ten Thousand Villages in Raleigh's Cameron Village.  This non-profit, fair trade retailer offers handicrafts by artisans in more than 30 countries.  Products include home and garden decor, jewelry and personal accessories, musical instruments, toys, coffee, and tea.  She'll be in hippie heaven!

Ten Thousand Villages: 435 Woodburn Rd. Raleigh 27605, 919.821.1101, Website.  

The Sugar Mama: A woman after your own heart (and ours), she and her sugar lust need to be indulged.  Cheesecakes from Sweet Loralee is one way to indulge.  These cakes are made from scratch and with the numerous flavors to choose from you may end up with more than one.  Call or drop by for one of the best cheesecakes you'll ever taste.

Sweet Loralee: located in The Factory Shops in Wake Forest, NC on US 1-A/Main St.  919.453.1024, Website.

The Business Mama: Now that the kids have left the nest, she's thrown herself into her work.  Jane Marvel bags are fun, fast, fabulous fashion at affordable prices.  No guilt for looking good!  Designer, Jane Saidenberg has created a line of totes, travel bags, clutches, computer bags, make-up bags and other must-have accessories in colorful and unique floral, geometric and animal prints, metallic and more.  In coated canvas and vegan leather, these bags are perfect for any woman's lifestyle.  Even better, every bag is loaded with pockets to keep her organized.   

Find Jane Marvel bags at Urban Village 1020 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, 27605, Ph: 919.800.0197.  Website.

That should do the trick.  Still, hold on to the receipts.  Because, as we all know, the more moms change, the more they stay the same.

To Bee or Not to Bee     

True Grits - City Market Open for Sunday Brunch

Think Global, Eat Local:   There was a time (dare we say 2011) when City Market, Raleigh was a ghost town on Sunday.  Local residents and downtown church goers were forced to wonder elsewhere to find Sunday brunch (exception - Tir na Nog).     Well, Spring is in the air and pedestrians are now everywhere Downtown (including City Market) as the Buzz spotted eight (8) City Market restaurants open for Sunday brunch.  Talk about your Global Choices ... From authentic Belgian Waffles (Benelux Caf�) to traditional Southern grits (Big Ed's), City Market now has you covered.

Benelux Cafe:   Inspired by the cuisine of Holland, the beer brewed in Belgium, and the people of Luxembourg, Benelux is a small coffee house & caf� .   It is the perfect place to sit back and relax while enjoying handcrafted espresso drinks,  Brussels-style Belgian waffles, a fruit smoothie, or even a Belgian Ale.  The walk-up menu includes savory, made from scratch sandwiches and breakfast items.  The coffees and teas taste divine and don't leave without steaming a Dutch Stroopwaffle from the top of your coffee mug.  309 Blake Street; 919.763.5267; Website

Big Ed's:  What's not to like about a good, old-fashioned breakfast like your Grandma used to make?  This Raleigh institution finally opened for Sunday brunch back in December.  This is a friendly, homey place with all sorts of signs, license plates, farm tools, etc. hanging from the ceiling and on the walls.  Your only dilemma is whether to order the country breakfast or a country lunch.  Our recommendation is to order both and share.  220 Wolfe Street; 919.836.9909

Batistella's: New Orleans cuisine came to City Market in September, 2011.  Owner/chef Brian Battistella was born across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, where his family owned the city's oldest fish market.  His culinary pedigree includes the legendary Commander's Palace and Dickie Brennan's in the French Quarter.  Experience real Louisiana gumbo, shrimp & grits, crawfish remoulade or the Blount Street benedict ... all are distinctive and delicious. 200 E. Martin Street; 919.803.2501; Website

Tir na Nog: A traditional brunch buffet that is one of the best secrets in Raleigh.  Reasonably priced and kid friendly, Tir na Nog offers a sizeable choice of brunch fare that will put a smile on everyone's face.  Take your time and sample everything (if you can) and stay the afternoon to toast the end of the weekend.  218 S. Blount Street; 919.833.7795; Website

Troy Mezze Lounge: Allow yourself to be transported to Turkey by the rich flavors and intoxicating smells of authentic Turkish cuisine.  Owner Arif Denk, a native of Troy, provides his guests with the opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of his hometown where he learned the secrets of authentic, Turkish cuisine firsthand.  The lunch menu includes kebobs, clay pot dishes, soup & salads, tabboulleh, and sample platters.  317 Blake Street; 919.834.8133; Website

Zydeco Downtown:  Raleigh's premier jazz lounge and restaurant is open for Sunday brunch.  Owned by two-time super bowl champ Antwan Harris, Zydeco offers Cajun-based and Southern cuisine as well as live entertainment every night.  Sunday brunch is buffet style or you can order individually from the menu.  Try everything from chicken & waffles to baked catfish to Grandma's ribs.  208 Wolfe Street; 919.834.7987; Website

3rd Annual BrickMagic LEGO Festival -  May 19 and 20th, 10am to 5pm Saturday, and 10am to 4pm Sunday. Help Certified Professional LEGO Builder, DAN PARKER build a 6-foot wide LEGO Deathstar.  See a huge hall filled with custom LEGO creations.  Be the first to see top secret new sets that LEGO will unveil.  Build with thousands of bricks in the Free Build Room, participate in workshops on building techniques and customize a LEGO mini-figure with professional customizer, JARED BURKS.  View animated LEGO films and learn how to make them with the pros from SHATTERPOINT ENTERTAINMENT, watch a robotics competition by teams from area schools and shop for hard-to-find LEGO parts and sets.  Enter the Spaceship Building Contest, and see presentations on Mindstorms and more! Tickets: $12 adults, $8 kids (age 4-16) and Seniors (get a $1 discount when you order online). Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. Phone: 919-449-0344. Website.    

Mother's Day Brunch at Raleigh Little Theatre: Mother's Day is a way to honor not only your Mom but the entire family.  Family is the essence of Raleigh Little Theatre and we choose to honor our local families through this event. The Mother's Day Brunch is a sumptuous al fresco brunch in the Raleigh Rose Garden to benefit Raleigh Little Theatre.  The Raleigh Rose Garden is one of only three accredited rose gardens in the Carolinas and mid-May is a spectacular time to enjoy its beauty.

Hunt & Gather Fine Estate Furnishings on Glenwood Ave. is having a very Special Mother's Day Sale Event! Join them for three days of special shopping as you look for that perfect gift just for Mom. Extending our store hours to 8:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday May 8, 9 & 10 and providing helpful staff to assist with finding just the right items. Light food & refreshments will be available from 5:00 to 8:00pm and special sales throughout the store just for Mom.

Find savings throughout the store from our wonderful collection of dealers and consignments from 10% to 30%. Additional Savings include; 50% off select Seda, Votivo and Olivina candles, fragrances, lotions and soaps and 50% off our final selection of Chelsea House chandelier shades. Come see our wonderful selections of contemporary and estate jewelry with 25% savings on select jewelry. Hunt and Gather: 8724 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, NC. 27617, 919-787-4288.     

Hunt & Gather on Bernard Street holds a Save After Six Shopping Night once a month!  On the third Thursday of each month you will find great markdowns, refreshments, and friendly faces at Hunt & Gather, 1910 Bernard Street, Raleigh 27608.  

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined:  I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, I can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

Price Reduced $599,000: 2748 St. Mary's St. Raleigh, 27609. Ideal Location! Walk to great schools, greenway and North Hills! Renovated in 1995. New paint/ refinished floors. DR w/FP, LR/Sunroom & large FR. Large White Kitchen w/granite & subway tile backsplash. 5 bedrooms. Private quaint backyard -wooden play equip, greenhouse, climbing trees, Covered Carport, & 1car garage, 2 decks, fully landscaped.  Contact: Jill Rekuc, Olde Raleigh Real Estate at 919-389-0555.  Website. 

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about.   

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