Strike a pose at Pose Selfie Studio

I recently had an opportunity to visit the NEW Pose Selfie Studio in Raleigh, NC with my daughter and it was so much fun. The great thing about this studio is that you have all the tools you need to capture your perfect photos alone or you can go with a group of friends and achieve the same outcome. Every room is equipped with a tripod, ring light, props and creative backdrops. Please plan and purchase you tickets online, they do not accept walk-ins. There are two available restrooms for freshening up makeup or wardrobe changes.

Pose Selfie Studio Hours are Wednesday – Thursday 4:40pm to 9:00pm. Friday – Sunday 11:00am to 9:00pm. They host private groups and schedule events by appointment. You can email them to inquire within. It is perfect for Birthday Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Boudoir Sessions, Family fun and so much more! There are nine rooms that you have access to and some of them have multiple photo opportunities within them.  Visit the Pose Selfie Studio website for additonal information.

My favorite room is probably the Purple Room! It is my absolute favorite color, and the Nature Room is the runner up. The Rose Room is awesome as well as the Game Room, Rainbow Room, Zen Garden Room, Split Color Room and Neon Room. I guess you can say that ALL the rooms are AWESOME! One thing I would suggest depending on your purpose of the shoot is to dress for the room. If you are wearing solid neutral colors, you can probably get away with the same outfit.

I wore a Purple Tie Dye Summer Dress with Purple Open Toe Kitten Heels. My hair has purple highlights, and I wore MAC Matte Purple lipstick. So, I was ready for the Purple Room. I will say that my wardrobe choice did not pair well with all the other rooms but, I made the best of it. I did pack an additional outfit which was black and white but opted to just keep wearing my original outfit. All sessions are one hour unless you purchase an additional slot time. General Admission is $32.00/ for an hour.

If you have mastered quick wardrobe changes and can squeeze a few within an hour to match your favorite rooms, I say go for it! There are COVID-19 safety precautions in place. The number of guests in the studio at one time has decreased to allow for social distancing. Masks are required to enter the studio and when you are moving in between rooms. You can remove your mask for photos. There are hand sanitation stations conveniently placed throughout the studio.

The rooms are thoroughly sanitized and the beginning and end of each day and throughout the day props are spot sanitized every hour. Especially high traffic areas and surfaces that are frequently touched by guests. Overall, I had a great time experiencing Pose Selfie Studio thanks to Amanda and Nicholas. I asked if the rooms would ever change, and they may switch every six months. They also have a multipurpose themed room in the works for holidays. I cannot wait…

Side Note: You will be asked to sign a liability waiver and release form before your studio session.

Guess What?!?! I want you to experience the Pose Selfie Studio for yourself, so I am giving away two tickets for Saturday April 3rd at 2:00 pm. Check your calendar and head over to Instagram to enter!

Good Luck! Have you ever visited a selfie museum?

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)

A Few Reasons to Visit Seasons 52

I recently had the opportunity to visit Seasons 52 Restaurant to preview their summer menu. My partner in all things food (my daughter Bre) was my guest. It was all a delicious treat. You can expect fresh grilled menu items, wine bar with seasonal menus, artisan cocktails & craft beer. You’ll enjoy American Cuisine paired with a variety of wines including international choices in a chic and upscale setting. The restaurant is conveniently located at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, North Carolina. Open daily for lunch and dinner while brunch is available on Sundays.

Seasons 52 offers more than 100 wines by the bottle and 52 wines by the glass. They have craft beer and local and regional liquors that are featured in their hand-crafted cocktails. The Seasons 52 seasonal Menu is inspired by fresh locally sourced ingredients. There are several menus available and even some that cater to dietary restrictions like gluten sensitivities, lactose intolerance, vegan and vegetarian menu options. I appreciate this since I have food allergies. Happy Hour is “Sunset at Seasons” Monday – Friday 4-6:30 pm.

When I walked into Seasons 52 I immediately liked the vibe and atmosphere. We were in the private dining area rather than the general dining area. They host private events in that space on occasion. I looked around the room to see all the different stations set up for our tasting pleasure. My eyes gravitated straight toward the dessert table, because the way my sweet tooth is set up… I just couldn’t resist! I did pull myself together and opted to sample the entrée options first since that’s the right thing to do. The Rack of Lamb with sautéed vegetables and Yukon Mash was a treat!

Next up was Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops, sweet corn risotto, snap peas and toybox tomatoes. It was so flavorful and I loved every bit of it. I honestly went back for seconds, thirds… etc. They had Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Salad with shaved red onion, feta and lemon vinaigrette. It’s such a refreshing treat. There was Roasted Prosciutto Wrapped Figs, Gorgonzola stuffed with 15-year aged balsamic. I was just trying to work my way over to the dessert table. Slowly but, surely I was getting there!

Furthermore I can’t forget to mention the Watermelon Fresca! It was such a refreshing treat. I had it with and without Vodka! I enjoyed them equally the same. Of course I went for the Belgian Chocolate S’more because you know… Chocolate! Chocolate Cake, Rocky Road Mousse, toasted marshmallow and chocolate dipped graham cracker. It was so rich and delicious! I also had the Key Lime Pie. That’s one of my favorite desserts as much as anything chocolate. Pecan crust, toasted meringue and delicious!

Disclosure: I was invited to sample the seasonal menu at Seasons 52 for a blogger preview event. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own. #Hosted

Have you been to Seasons 52?

Go Ape Zip Line & Tree Top Adventures

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to get outside for some outdoor fun and adventures! That’s just what my family did this past weekend when we went ape at Go Ape Zip Line & Tree Top Adventure. Go Ape is located at Blue Jay Point County Park – 3200 Pleasant Union Church Rd. Raleigh, NC 27614. The park is dog friendly, has a children’s play area and a variety of walking paths. There are two Tree Top Adventure obstacle courses available. The Tree Top & Tree Top Junior! There is a practice trial before you tackle the real course and there are Go Ape guides throughout the course to help you.

The Tree Top Adventure is a 2-3 hour journey through the forest taking on a few obstacles like Tarzan Swings, Zip Lines and Rail Tracks. The minimum age to participate in the Tree Top Course is 10 years old. You have to be a minimum of 4 ft. 7 in. and maximum weight of 285 lbs. (subject to harness fit) The supervision Ratio is one adult to two children between the ages of 10-15 years old. The longest zip is 516 ft., highest platform is 41 ft., longest crossing is 56 ft. and total length is 2,590 ft. This is definitely a tree top adventure!

The Tree Top Junior course offers a 1-1.5 hour outdoor experience geared towards the young adventure seekers in your life. There are 20 obstacles and two zip lines to conquer all while being safe and having fun. I think this is a great course to start with and then graduate to the Tree Top Adventure course especially if you are a first timer or afraid of heights. The Tree Top Junior course is open to all ages. The maximum weight is 285 lbs. (subject to harness fit) and the minimum height is 3 ft. 3 in. There is a one adult to every two children ratio.

Go Ape is a great place to overcome your fears! I am afraid of heights. This was my FIRST zip line and tree top adventure experience. I went all the way to Las Vegas and thought I was going to zip line over Fremont Street and walked away after making the mistake of looking down! That was two years ago! I think I started too BIG. Ha! I conquered the Tree Top Junior Course with my nine year old. He wasn’t old enough for the Tree Top Adventure and I’m not mad about it. He was FEARLESS and loved zip lining the best. I took baby steps… I am excited to go back again!

My entire family had a great time! I’m working up the nerve to conquer the Tree Top Adventure course after a few more times tackling the Tree Top Jr. course. Go Ape Tree Top Adventure is a great group activity, for corporate events, Birthday celebrations and they also offer customized team building programs. There was a Birthday Party in progress while we were there and it looked like tons of FUN! There are several Go Ape locations throughout the United States. Visit the Go Ape website for more information and find a location near you. It’s so much FUN! Head over to my instagram to see hilarious video footage!

Tips: Get there a few minutes before your scheduled time to fill out the disclaimer and sign waivers. Wear close toe shoes and flats. I wore my Merrell Hiking Shoes. Don’t carry any loose objects. I had my phone to take pictures and stuck it in my pocket when in the middle of an obstacle. Everything else stayed in the car. Make sure everything you carry is secured. Have a ponytail holder handy for longhair. Wear comfortable clothing for an outdoor adventure. I was in jeans and a t-shirt!

Would you “Go Ape” on a Zip Lining & Tree Top Adventure?

error: Ask And You Shall Receive!!