TGIW- Thank God It's (the) Weekend

Yes! We made it through another week and it's time for the weekend! It's supposed to be beautiful here in Charlotte. Get out and enjoy the elements wherever you are...

Gift Tip #65: Birchbox

Birchbox is such a cool concept and would be a great gift for any beauty junkie! Birchbox delivers high end beauty product samples from hair care to skin care right to your doorstep each month. So much better than just getting bills in the mail, right?

The beautiful box arrives early in the month and you receive about 4-5 products that are custom picked for you...so if you decide to purchase one for a fellow sample loving friend you may not have the same products that she gets.

The good thing about getting these pint size beauty finds is that you can "rent before you buy". How many of us have full size cleansers, too many eye shadow compacts or perfume that you know won't be your signature scent gathering dust in your bathroom? Well, Birchbox helps you to avoid this--and if you love the sample size products you get in the mail you can visit the Birchbox website and purchase the full size.

In addition to the beauty products, once you are a member you will have access to tips, tutorials and you'll earn Birchbox points for future purchases.

Showing your Mom some Love

It's almost Mother's Day and it's time to show your Mom some appreciation for bringing you in this world and helping you become the person you are today. There really is no gift that can match what she has done for you...I mean really--you literally would not be here if it wasn't for her but that's no reason to cop out and not get a gift at all. Give her a little something to let her know that you care, appreciate and love her! Here are my top 3 Mother's Day picks:

Professional Portrait-Moms always want to have a "family photo" but since it's her day why not set up a professional portrait for just her? Use a local photographer, do the photo "on location" at one of her favorite places or at home, wherever she feels most comfortable. She will get to primp and smile for the camera just like Naomi Campbell. In the end, you know there will be at least one group photo...so as the giftee you should be camera ready too. Mom usually wants the attention but wants you to get in on the action too. Say cheese!

Jewelry-A little bling to add to her collection will be sure to make her smile. There are plenty of jewelry stores that now do custom made pieces. It will cost you but no one else will have your Mom's unique piece. If that's not your Mom's style, you can always go classic with Tiffany & Co. or funk it up with many fun pieces you can find at etsy.com or a local jewelry boutique like Handpicked. Be sure to pick a piece that reflects your Mom's personality and style.

Mom's Day Off- Maybe your money is a little funny right now. Hey, it happens to the best of us! Instead of a trinket why not give Mom a break. A break from something she hates doing, whether it's laundry, washing dishes, making dinner or going grocery shopping make it your gift to do it for her! She will appreciate the time she has to not do those things and do something she loves...and maybe that is having a glass of wine on the balcony or a hot bubble bath. Oh- and if you money isn't funny, you can hire a cleaning service. Just a thought.

Few extra ideas...

• Night out at her favorite restaurant. You know she loves the place, why not take her there and to make it even better--get her a surprise dessert! Heck, they may even put candles on it- it's almost like a birthday, right?



• Does she love cooking? Get her the latest and greatest cookbook. Choose the type of food that she loves to make- is it Italian? Maybe try Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis.

And I will leave you with a question- is there one item that you know your Mom wants but she can't bring herself to purchase just because of its frivolous nature? If so, that's the gift! Get it- she'll love it and wished she purchased it long ago- and now she has you to thank for it! Who's the #1 child?! Ummm, yup it's YOU!

photo source: mylware.bravehost.com

Gift Tip #64: Hats

On the cusp of the Royal Wedding I have decided to do a post on hats...not because the hats were so exquisite at the wedding of Kate and Prince William (weren't they though!!) but because there is another hat wearing event coming upon us: The Kentucky Derby.

I must admit I never gave this event much thought before moving South but it's a pretty big deal here. There are Kentucky Derby events that take place all over the city. In addition, there are private parties for what is deemed the greatest two minutes in sports. Women get out their hats and it's the one time that no one sneers at the guy in seersucker pants. So if you or a friend are celebrating this Southern tradition here are a few cute hat suggestions:

David & Young Floppy Straw Hat, Macy's

David & Young Hat, Striped Floppy

Carmen Marc Valvo Hat, Neiman Marcus

Now all you need is a mint julep!

Bzzz: My event pick for celebrating the Kentucky Derby is the Young Affiliates of the Mint Museum Derby Days event. It takes place on the lawn of the Mint Museum (Randolph Road) location and sells out every year.

Weekend Time!

After a few weeks of out of town trips, I am staying put this weekend and catching up on life's little things...I hope you are able to relax and rejuvenate this weekend.

source: prettystuff.tumblr.com

The Spotlight: Flex + Fit

One normal day in Uptown I was driving along and saw an unassuming sign about Flex + Fit but under the sign is what caught my eye. It included some of the services the company would provide...yoga and cooking classes, you say? Not to take anything away from Charlotte but with a place like this I was wondering if I was still in it. Flex + Fit sounded so interesting and different-I was immediately intrigued.

After connecting with owner Shama Patel, I found out a few tidbits that made me fall in love with the place even more...so much so that I had to share with HoneeBee followers even though the place doesn't open until May, which is not normally my style but don't worry I will let you know when the grand opening is and give you a few gift ideas in the meantime.

Telling you that Flex + Fit (FF) is a health club doesn't do it justice. Yes, FF will have four studios where various exercise classes will take place including air yoga (where you can hang from hammocks...yes hammocks!) and spin classes where there will be large theatre screens projecting images that allow you to feel like you are literally moving in the studio. As Patel told me one of the images "feels like you are riding through the hills of Hawaii". Personal training sessions are also available. Now don't forget I mentioned cooking! In addition to the fitness studios, FF will host cooking kitchens where local chefs show you how to eat well and all participants walk away with a recipe. A great combination to your workouts, no?

Flex and Fit will also include a retail center, tea and smoothie bar and art! In addition to opening this beautiful club, Patel is an artist and her art will adorn the walls of FF and she hopes to bring in other artists too. When asked about this concept and why, she simply told me "I knew I needed to do something different". And guess what? She did it and I can't wait to see it in the flesh in May.

Here are a few gift ideas (below) that I sprinkled throughout my post. These would be good for the fitness nut, your bestie who is bored with her current fitness regime, your bro who needs to learn how to cook, man cannot live on pizza alone and anyone that is ready to try something new in the world of fitness and cooking.

Gift ideas

• fitness class passes- I don't know about you but I'd like to spin through Hawaii!


• cooking class passes- Learn how to cook healthy in the same place you are trying to exercise to be healthy? Yes, please!


• Artwork- original artwork is very subjective but a great gift when you know the giftee's style


• Personal Training sessions for you and your boo- take time out to get fit together!

source: flexandfit.com

Weeeeeekend!

Do things you L-O-V-E this weekend! It's all about L-O-V-E!