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A Northern Christmas Village - The Chocolate Boutique   

No need to jump a Polar Express and head to Santa's Village for some Christmas spirit.   Just head north; North Raleigh that is!  At Lafayette Village there's a charming shop called The Chocolate Boutique.  Walk in and you'll immediately feel as if you've entered into an Old World, European chocolate shop.

The smell of its heavenly chocolate will entice you to taste every sample available.  The Chocolate Boutique provides a very unique chocolate experience for chocolate lovers of all ages.  Owned and operated by longtime Raleigh residents Maurice and Kesha Dozier, who have created decadent chocolate creations from fine Belgian chocolates.  Upholding a standard of supreme customer service they place this same care in their chocolates.  Kesha studied at Ecole Chocolat and admits that her goal was to bring the elegance of chocolate from Europe, right here to NC.

There is a wide variety of chocolates for gifts or for your own indulgence.  Delectable truffles made in dark, milk and white chocolate using fresh ingredients from

Unusually delicious:  Milk chocolate covered bacon is a very popular treat.   The salty and sweet combo is irresistible.  Perhaps you'd rather drink your chocolate?  Then you must try their chocolate wines. Chocolate and red wine is a perfect pairing.  Blending rich chocolate flavors with fine red wine creates a decadent experience that is deliciously different.

Let's have a Party!  At The Chocolate Boutique you may reserve your date for a Chocolate-Making Party of 5 to 30 guests.  Enjoy the fun in learning to make chocolates, pick from hundreds of molds, drink wine, listen to music and get your chocolate high with co-workers, friend's birthdays, family outings, bridal showers or any other occasion.

The Chocolate Boutique: 8480 Honeycutt Road, at Lafayette Village, North Raleigh 27615.  Phone: 919-322-0960. Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - 8pm, and Sun 11am - 5pm.  

While visions of sugar plums danced in your head, The Chocolate Boutique made sure you'd have nothing to dread.  So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

PDQ - People Dedicated to Quality

PDQ - No, this is Not a new iPhone App:  It seems like every store and food chain has swallowed the   Madmen marketing ploy of using initials ... BK, KFC, JCP (do you really think that the initials make Penny's more upscale?).  Anyway, here's a new fast-casual restaurant that dropped its original name "Tenders" for PDQ (short for People Dedicated to Quality).  Huh?  Well, regardless of the reason for the name change, this new entry to the Triangle (intersection of Falls of the Neuse and Spring Forest roads in Raleigh) is catching on for its fresh chicken tenders, salads, made to order sandwiches, fresh daily-cut fries and hand-spun milkshakes.

No Stopping Us Now:  The owners of PDQ are planning 5 other NC locations including Wake Forest, Durham, and Cary.  For now, however, you will need to travel North (North Raleigh that is) to try it out.   The menu is all about chicken and turkey (sorry Beef eaters) served as tenders, sandwiches, or salads.  The poultry is never frozen and the salads, sauces and dressings are mixed at the start of each day.  Every ingredient is combined to make each bite a journey toward a complete and satisfying meal.  This along with memorable service and genuine hospitality complete the PDQ.  Try it out!  Menu:

PDQ: 6305 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh; 919-803-1171; Website

To Bee or Not To Bee

Twas the Week Before Christmas - Triangle Christmas Events

The tree is decorated, you survived the office Holiday party, and the online shopping is done with days to spare (pressure's now on UPS).  So what to do with oneself?  Well, the pre-Christmas events are still in full swing so here are a few last minute options:

The North Carolina Symphony presents Holiday Pops: A Pink Martini Christmas: Friday, Dec. 21 & 22, 8pm - Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh: The jazz/samba/lounge/pop ensemble, Pink Martini, returns to Raleigh to put its irresistible musical stamp on holiday favorites from around the world.  Special guests the Von Trapps and NPR's Ali Shapiro.  Tickets $18-$75 through the NC Symphony Box Office.  Website

An evening of Irish Christmas Entertainment: Saturday, Dec. 22, 6pm, Tir na Nog, Raleigh: An Irish Christmas with Traditional Irish musicians: Wake & District Pipes & Drums: Irish Dancers from Inis Cairde: Gerry Mc Crudden from Belfast Barleycorn & Rye.  Plus special guest Irish traveling Comic, musician & all round entertainer Seamus Kennedy:  Tickets are $10 advance purchase. Website 

Gingerbread House Decorating: Saturday, Dec. 22, Kidzu Children's Museum, Chapel Hill
Kids will get to experience the fun of decorating a gingerbread house at Kidzu Children's Museum. Each  participant will receive an undecorated gingerbread house with frosting, shaved coconut snowflakes, and candy decorations. $20 per house (2 children can share a house), only 10 houses per session. For children 3-10 years of age. Registration required. 1-2 pm or 3-4 pm.  Website

Joy, An Irish Christmas Featuring Keith & Kristyn Getty, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 7pm, DPAC, Durham: Join acclaimed Irish singer/songwriters and recording artists Keith and Kristyn Getty for an unforgettable celebration of Christmas. Among the preeminent modern hymn composers of this generation, the husband-wife team presents a spectacular evening of beloved carols, modern hymns, and spirited Irish reels and jigs that capture the wonder and beauty of Christmas. Website 

Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest for iPad Mini;, Thursday, Dec. 20 5pm, TheeDesign   Studio,  Raleigh:  'Tis the season to be tacky? This Christmas, TheeDesign Studio is spreading cheer by giving away an iPad Mini to the tackiest holiday sweater!  Contest is going on NOW and runs through Dec 20th, 2012!  See Website for entry and contest rules. 

Tis the Season for Giving - CT Weekends will contribute 5% of all regular price purchases on Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 17 & 18 to Interact.

Shop CT Weekends in Cameron Village: 437 Daniels St., Raleigh, 27605, Phone: 919-787-9073, Email: ctweekends@aol.com.

Last Minute Shoppers, Don't Panic... YET!   

Courtney L. Bell Jewelry Trunk Show at Lavender & Lace is on Saturday, Dec. 22nd - Courtney Bell makes each piece of jewelry by hand, often incorporating vintage brooches and chains.  She uses high quality sterling, gold filled and plated components along with seashells, many of which she finds on North Carolina beaches.  Combining art with nature, each piece of her jewelry is one of a kind.  

 Mark your calendars to attend Trunk Show at Lavender and Lace on Saturday, December 22nd  from 11am to 4pm. Or call for an appointment. Phone: 919-696-8262, Email: courtney@courtneybelljewelry.com.   Website  

The Insiders - Would you like to know the activity in your neighborhood, specific to your home?  Sign up for automated email reports of homes for sale in your neighborhood, prices of recently sold homes as well as overall market stats for homes comparable to your specific home.  This report includes interactive maps, charts and home details.  You can choose to receive the email every 2, 4, or 8 weeks, or just view it one time. Want to Get IN the Know for the real estate market in your neighborhood?  Sign up for your free report. Click Here 

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 can help you with your Holiday Decor! I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  I have been designing and decorating homes for over 20 years.  I worked in Miami for most of my career, but now live in the Triangle.  (I grew up in the Triangle and have always loved the Tar Heel state.)   

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 again.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510.  

In Memory of David Shannon - Chi Phi has partnered with five other UNC fraternities to fully fund and build a Habitat for Humanity home in Chapel Hill beginning in January 2013.

Your support will be crucial to the success of the 2012/13 Brothers project and in fulfilling the dream of home ownership for a deserving Chapel Hill family. Not only will the project provide a new home for a family in need, but it will bring many members from different fraternities together to accomplish this goal.

This year's Brothers project is dedicated to the memory of a lost fraternity brother David Shannon. David was a freshman from Charlotte, who died in an accident this fall. David was an enthusiastic new member of Chi Phi who became very involved with the Brothers project at the start of the year. He raised the most money of any new member, and he very enthusiastically worked at the New Member Blitz Build in September. In just a short time at Carolina, David demonstrated his commitment to service and leadership, and we are very proud to honor his legacy through this year's project: Brothers for David

Chi Phi has committed to raise $78,000 to sponsor the construction of the Brothers for David home. They need your donations to make this project a success.  All funds raised will be used to help pay for the costs of construction materials and contracted labor for the home they will build this spring.

Please make a contribution on the secure online giving page: Click Here.  

Or, you can make a gift by check (with Chi Phi on the memo line) to:

                     Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

                     88 Vilcom Center Drive, Suite L110

                     Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

(All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law)

An Invitation to Consign - Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, LTD is proud to announce that their Three-Day Winter Estate Catalogued Auction was a great success, selling over $1 Million in Fine Art, Jewelry, Antiques, Fine Wine, and other collectible objects to buyers around the world.  This exciting auction was in pace with their previous catalogue-level sales and marks their eighth consecutive $1 Million+ auction. The complete auction results for most recent sales can be found online.

Specialists are now evaluating estate collections and other fine objects for inclusion in the Three-Day Spring Estate Catalogued Auction to be held March 14-16, 2013.  Please contact the gallery to schedule an appointment with one of their specialists today, or tell them about your object or collection by completing this online consignment form.

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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