Get Your Custom Burger Fix at BUILT®

I recently attended the VIP Grand Opening of BUILT® Custom Burgers in the Triangle’s NEW Alston Town Center in Cary. It was surprisingly only fourteen minutes away from my house and it’s a straight shot for me down Hwy 55. The location is 5033 Arco Street Cary, NC 27519. There are so many reasons I am excited about BUILT®, first and foremost I love the option to “build my own burger” and it makes it very easy for me to just add ingredients I can tolerate due to my food allergies.

You get 100% Angus Beef with NO hormones or antibiotics, the chicken is ALL NATURAL, ALL NATURAL Turkey, Vegan Veggie options and it’s one price fits all. So, no matter how many toppings you put on your burger it’s the same price! Can you say FREE unlimited toppings? I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t nickel and dimed for extra sauce or to add bacon or any other topping for that matter. You have a variety of toppings, sauces & dressings to choose from.

There is a Single ¼ lb or Double ½ lb. that you can choose from. You also have the option to choose a bun or bowl and your toppings and choice of protein will be on a bed of greens. There are Brioche, Whole Wheat and Gluten Free Buns available. The bowls come with Mixed Greens or a Lettuce Blend. There are also pre-styled burgers to choose from if you opt not to build your own burger. Carolina Style, N.C. Heat, The L. A. Way, Panther Club and the Breakfast Burger.

Fries & Tots are the sides available and you can get regular seasoned French fries, sweet potato fries, Tater Tots, Sweet Sriracha Fries or Tots and Garlic Aioli Fries or Tots. I wanted to try the Carolina Style Burger but had to re-create it and build my own because I couldn’t have everything that was originally on it. So, I went with the Double and added Lettuce Blend, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Sautéed Mushrooms with French Fries. I also had a Vanilla Shake to top it off!

This location is the first standalone location in the state. There is a BUILT® location at the Streets of Southpoint in the food court. I really like the concept of building your own burger or bowl with fresh ingredients and it’s not time consuming. It’s perfect to grab and go if you’re always on-the-go like me and don’t have a moment to dine in. I would highly suggest setting some time aside to have a dine in experience. It’s great and you get to see everything happen right in front of you.

Bonus: Starting Friday December 8th, through Sunday December 10th, all guests will receive a side of popular garlic or sweet sriracha tots with the purchase of any burger. Head over to the BUILT website to learn more. Disclosure: Thanks to my friend Leslie of SobeSavvy for extending the invitation. I enjoyed a complimentary lunch and learned all about BUILT®. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own.

How many toppings would you add on your custom BUILT® burger?

Feeling Right at Home with Homewood Suites

I didn’t hesitate to stay at Homewood Suites – Mayfaire on my last Wilmington Coast getaway. It was an easy decision to make because it’s convenient to Wrightsville Beach along with the Mayfaire Town Center. I can appreciate the amenities that Homewood Suites offers because I love to feel like I’m home away from home with access to studio living. You can reserve a one or two-bedroom suite with separate living area and bedroom(s). There’s a fully equipped kitchen along with work area and complimentary WiFi.

I really enjoyed just relaxing in bed and watching the flat screen television. I have a few tech devices that need charging and really liked the electric outlets with USB ports. I was able to charge multiple electronics at the same time and it was great! I can’t afford to be on 7% when I need a full battery so I can stay connected via social media to livestream, Tweet and Instagram Story what’s going on in REAL time.

The Homewood Suites really rolled out the red carpet for me and it was perfect! I was their “special guest” of the day which was a cool surprise upon check-in. I got a cute welcome bag and was greeted immediately with the best guest services. The lounge area and dining area look really inviting and you just want to sit down and enjoy a drink from the full-service lobby bar. There is a weekly scheduled evening social offered Monday through Thursday.

You also get a nice and hot complimentary breakfast each morning. My favorite area is lounging around the resort style heated outdoor pool. In the evening, you can sit by the fire pit and enjoy the night air. You also have access to the hot tub if you want to soak. I’m glad there is a fitness center on the premises for when you have the urge to workout. This was a quick escape for me so I didn’t have working out on my agenda.

I was able to take care of all business from my suite but, there is a business center for your convenience and it’s available around the clock! I really like that because I work remotely and need to be able to conduct business wherever I go. I also travel with my family a majority of the time and I homeschool my youngest son. I like knowing I have options when it comes to my business and son’s education. Homewood Suites gives you all the essentials you need while staying there.

I like to go grocery shopping and have stuff available to us in the suite. We do tend to dine out when we are on vacation and staycations but, we also love to snack and drink a whole lot. So, I make sure we have enough snacks and beverages to hold us over until our meals. Depending on the length of our visit I may fully stock the refrigerator in case we choose to dine in and cook. We like options! Outside of grocery shopping I do love a little retail therapy and the Mayfaire Town Center has all the stores with all the things!

I must put myself on a budget when I’m in this type of setting because window shopping turns into real purchases for me. I have minimal self-restraint when at the perfect retail location with all my favorite things. Oh… AND don’t let there be a SALE going on! I like having the convenience of shopping, restaurants and entertainment close by. I also like that we are about ten minutes away from the beach and about twenty from historic downtown Wilmington.

I get the best of the best! There are many local attractions that you can take advantage of and explore Wilmington or go fishing, boating or even golfing. This post is #NotSponsored

Overall, I love staying at the Homewood Suites whenever I get a chance. My family can spread out and enjoy their own space whether lounging in the living area or bedroom. I am a sucker for conveniences and love having everything I need at the grasp of my fingertips. I also should mention if you have a hybrid or electric vehicle there is a complimentary electric charging station on the premises. You also get free parking!

Where will you book your next staycation or vacation?

Family Travel: Escape to Wilmington this Fall

I recently had the opportunity to visit Wilmington, NC during my Birthday week. I’ve honestly been trying to get to the beach since June and it just didn’t happen this past summer. So, I did the next best thing and started planning to visit during the Fall season and explore all Wilmington had to offer. I had a jam PACKED itinerary full of family friendly activities for all ages and managed to fit EVERYTHING planned into our schedule. My children vary in ages. I have two young adults 21, 20, a teenager 17 and a 9-year-old.

When I’m making travel plans for my family I take everyone’s age and interests into consideration. My goal is for us to all enjoy ourselves when on vacation or in this case a staycation. The first thing we did was visit the North Carolina Aquarium in Fort Fisher. We all had a great time! I enjoyed seeing Luna, the rare albino alligator. It just looked so surreal and she was underwater so it was like she was glowing. My favorite moment was watching the jellyfish! They just look so cool and carefree.

My youngest son had fun when he got to touch the bamboo shark(s). I was just a bystander while he enjoyed his hands-on experience. He also got to get up close and personal with the horseshoe crabs and got a chance to feed them. I really like that some of the exhibits are interactive allowing you to have a real aquatic experience. My son is homeschooled and we had a great learning experience. North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a teaching facility. I can’t wait to visit again real soon!

We worked up an appetite at the aquarium so we stopped at the Hang Ten Grill for some lunch. I ordered some hushpuppies to start and they were delicious. I’ve been eating a lot of burgers lately so I decided to have a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad for lunch and it was a great choice. My teens opted for burgers and my youngest went for the kid’s chicken fingers with French fries. Hang Ten Grill is a great lunch spot and very convenient to Kure beach and the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The staff is friendly, helpful and the menu is diverse with a variety of grill and seafood options.

Once we refueled we were ready to have a Wilmington Water Tour on the Cape Fear River. We enjoyed cruising down the Cape Fear River in a Catamaran. It’s fully enclosed with spacious seating for up to 49 guests. You also have access to a rest room and cocktails from the bar. Cruises are scheduled daily and are also available for private functions. There is so much history in Wilmington and I enjoyed learning about it while we were cruising on the river. The waterfront is a beautiful sight to see from the water.

I was honestly wiped out after such a full morning so we stopped at Wrightsville beach quickly before we checked-into our suite at the Homewood Suites – Mayfaire and I took a nap before dinner! Our evening plans were to grab a bite to eat at The Basics, go on a horse drawn carriage ride around historic Downtown Wilmington as well as enjoy a guided ghost walk tour in Old Wilmington. I love the Wilmington Riverwalk. It’s full of eclectic shops, restaurants and boutiques.

Once I was refreshed from my nap it was time to head over to The Basics. Oh, Happy Birthday to ME! The menu has a southern feel with fresh regional ingredients and some popular favorites. For starters, I ordered Warm Spinach Dip with French baguettes for dipping. It was perfect with a kick of spice and the French baguettes were just as fresh as can be. For my entrée, I ordered the Filet Mignon crowned with herbed goat cheese, wild mushroom demi-glaze, mashed potatoes and green beans. It was tasty and I ate every bite!

My youngest had grilled chicken with fresh fruit and rice. My daughter had grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese and fresh fruit. We were all so stuffed that we looked at the dessert menu but, didn’t have any room to partake in the sweet treats. The Basics has a great atmosphere and you feel right at home as soon as you walk through the door. The staff is welcoming, accommodating and gave us excellent recommendations. They also have a good beer, wine and cocktail menu. It was a Birthday Treat!

Next Up… Horse Drawn Carriage Tour! The horse was beautiful! I can’t even tell you the last time I went on a horse drawn carriage ride. It’s been years! It was so refreshing to sit back and take in the downtown historic Wilmington scenes. It was a bit chilly so I was excited to see that we had blankets available to us. It’s a half hour narrated tour throughout downtown. I enjoyed learning about the different houses and who lived there. It was interesting to see the architecture on some of the historic homes with minimal updates.

Who doesn’t like a good haunt? It was time to experience the ghost walk tour of Old Wilmington. It’s a 90-minute ghost walk tour through the city’s most actively haunted homes & burial grounds. You get to hear spooky tales of ghost occurrences, including actual recent encounters. It’s Wilmington’s #1 haunted attraction. As if things weren’t spooky enough… My son’s phone took an unexpected photo on the ghost tour and he insists he caught a spirit. Boo! What say you? Most tours are scheduled nightly at 6:30 & 8:30 pm. There’s limited space so it’s best to get your tickets in advance!

Our night came to an end and we geared up for our next day of adventure. We were up early and decided to head back to Wrightsville Beach before heading to lunch. I love the water! There’s just something soothing about being on the beach, taking in the scenes and listening to the waves crash on the shore. They say, “The voice of the sea speaks to the soul.” I believe that with my whole heart! I left the beach feeling refreshed. It’s one of my happy places!

Time for lunch at The Pilot House overlooking Cape Fear River. I really enjoyed the outdoor seating and it was a beautiful day! All the dishes are cooked with locally sourced ingredients and sustainable seafood. The Pilot house menu gives you a variety of tastes to choose from. I started with the lobster mac & cheese and made that my meal. It was so delicious! I got a side Caesar salad to go with it. My son opted for a burger, my daughter got a grilled chicken Cesar salad and the youngster got chicken fingers with French fries and fresh fruit.

The staff was very attentive to us and took care of everything we needed. I can’t stress how much I enjoyed eating on the patio overlooking the river. It was refreshing and I can’t see myself dining indoors on the waterfront after this experience. It was AMAZING! Overall, Wilmington is a great place to relax, sightsee local attractions and dine at some of the finest local restaurants. I can’t wait to plan my next Wilmington staycation. There’s so much more to see and do!

What do you want to experience in Wilmington?

Disclosure: Thank you to the Wilmington and Beaches CVB, for being amazing hosts. I appreciate the warm welcome and recommendations. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own.

Delicious Sunday Brunch at J. Alexander’s

If you are looking for a place to have Sunday Brunch, look no further… J. Alexander’s in Raleigh, NC has a delicious brunch menu to satisfy your taste buds. When you walk in the restaurant you are immediately swept into a contemporary open space with stylish décor. There is available outdoor seating in addition to the indoor dining area. I had a party of thirteen and J. Alexander’s handled us with the best quality service. Everyone had a great dining experience and can’t wait to go back.

I really enjoyed the open restaurant layout. You can look directly into the kitchen and see your food being prepared. J. Alexander’s serves wood-fired American Food. It’s definitely a great location for pictures because we took a ton inside and outside. We even ventured into the restroom and took “bathroom” selfies. The bar is very open right next to the wine room that you can look directly into because it’s a glass room. I thought that was a great touch to the whole décor.

There is a full-service bar available with an amazing selection of wines served by the glass and bottle. My cocktail of choice was a Mimosa. For starters we had Smoked Salmon Dip, Deviled Eggs and Sushi. It was time to order Brunch and I couldn’t decide between the Brunch Burger and Belgian Waffle. I opted to order the Brunch Burger. It’s their classic cheese burger topped with Canadian and Applewood Bacon. Finished with an over easy egg, accompanied with breakfast potatoes and fresh salad.

Everything about the Brunch Burger was PERFECTION! It’s the first time I’ve eaten a burger with an egg on it so I was being adventurous and I loved it! I couldn’t help but admire what everyone else was ordering as well. Our table had Eggs Benedict with Grilled Tomato and Avocado, Huevos Ranchero and Croque Madame. Our neighboring table had Lemon & Ricotta Hotcakes, Belgian Waffles and West End Quiche. It’s safe to say we ordered one of every entrée on the Brunch Menu between all of us.

We were absolutely stuffed after the starters and brunch entrees but, couldn’t resist the desserts that were mentioned. Chocolate is my weakness so it’s not surprising that I went straight for the Chocolate Fudge Cake with fudge and vanilla ice cream. I had to look on in envy as my friend’s indulged in the triple layered carrot cake with vanilla bean cream cheese icing, chopped pecans and caramel. I have a food allergy to carrots and nuts. That cake was definitely a conversation piece. I was totally jealous! The cappuccino was a treat as well.

Overall, we had an amazing time having Sunday Brunch at J. Alexander’s. They have a lunch and dinner menu that will make your mouth water. Whether you visit for, brunch, lunch or dinner you are in for a treat! The Wine Room has over 600 bottles of wine to choose from. You get to dine in an amazing atmosphere with a top notch staff that will ensure you get the best dining experience when you visit J. Alexander. Visit the J. Alexander’s website to check out the menu(s) and book your reservation!

J. Alexander’s (Raleigh Location) is open 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday. Brunch is served on Sunday’s in between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. Tip: Book your reservation so you won’t have to wait to be seated.

Thank you to J. Alexander’s for being the perfect host for a portion of the #JENtober festivities. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own. #JAlexanderPartner #Ad

Doesn’t the J. Alexander’s Brunch Menu Look & Sound Amazing?

Photo Credits: O. Laing (J. Alexander’s Sign), J. Jackson (Belgian Waffles) , L. Heigh (Deviled Eggs & Sushi), B. Snipes (Cappuccino & Eggs Benedict with Grilled Tomato & Avocado)

Is Virginia College the Right Choice for You?

When I visited Virginia College for an open house event in early August, I had an opportunity to meet two students in different certificate programs. I was able to interview them to get a sense of what their day, week and month looks like as a student at Virginia College. I also asked why they chose Virginia College to further their careers and obtain professional certification. You’ll get to see what a day in the life of these two Virginia College students is like and understand their “WHY?”

Meet Joi Murphy, she is in the Medical Assistant program and Rawan Alta is in the Pharmacy Technician program. What I found interesting about these two young women is that they were both attending other educational institutions and transferred into Virginia College. Joi started at Virginia College in April 2017 when she decided to transfer from a local state university. Her days are usually Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to– 3:00 p.m.

Joi likes that she doesn’t have to take a bunch of classes that she doesn’t need and takes classes that are in line with her career goals. She also prefers a more personal experience with smaller classes that are tailored to exactly what she needs. Joi appreciates the hands-on experience in class because she is being prepared for her career in the field.

Rawan Alta has a more flexible schedule depending on the day. She enjoys the hands-on experience even though she can handle the text book work. Rawan was attending an area community college and wanted a change in her career goals. She is originally from Sudan where she received some Medical Assistant training but, decided to switch gears and become a the Pharmacy Technician through Virginia College’s program. I really enjoyed speaking with Joi & Rawan and wish them tons of success.

I had a chance to visit both the Medical Assistant and Pharmacy Technician Classroom(s) and Lab(s). It’s set up so that the students can really have an authentic experience as if they are actually in the setting of a doctor’s office, hospital or pharmacy. This is definitely one of the things that stood out to me. What better way to prepare students for their career(s), than to put them directly in the environment they will be in. I personally learn better with hands-on experience, so I know I would excel with this teaching model.

There is some course work done outside of the classroom online, which also helps with the schedule flexibility. Virginia College has the Career Development Department that tries their BEST to match students up where they have a passion. They host career seminars, as well as mock interviews to prepare students for their job interviews. They also partner with organizations like Dress for Success to assist with what to wear when you attend an interview along with etiquette skills.

Virginia College offers a variety of certificate programs and the flexibility to prepare for a career in as little as nine months. This type of program is appealing to me as a mom of four with a hectic schedule and career goals that I’d like to achieve. Some students work full-time jobs and attend evening classes. The Virginia College Campus is open until 10:00 p.m. daily. This is the type of flexibility that is needed when you are juggling life’s responsibilities.

Disclosure: Thank you to Virginia College for sponsoring this post and being such great hosts. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own.

If you could go back to college for career development would you?

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