North Carolina

February 9, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos, Restaurants

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 40

2.9.14

Don’t you just love it when your pancake comes out of the kitchen with a swirl in the middle of it, that you can make into an “R?”

I do!

The rest of the deliciousness on that plate is the bottom half of my scrambled egg and cheese biscuit sandwich, and this amazing fresh made local blackberry jam that Zada Janes Corner Cafe’ has on every table. That jam calls to me! Twist my arm, jam! I guess I will have to slather you all over my fresh-made biscuit…yet again.

Mmmm. I love you, brunch.

This is where I found my Blue Lollipop Road today. Where did you find yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #CLTEats

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February 5, 2014 In BLR365, North Carolina, Olympics, Operation Charlotte, Photos

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 36

2.5.14

Tonight I watched NBC’s back story on a few of the Olympians who will be competing in Sochi, as I sipped wine and worked under my snuggly fleece blanket:

It pretty much felt like heaven.

This is where I found my Blue Lollipop Road today. Where did you find yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #Hibernation #OperationCharlotte

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February 3, 2014 In BLR365, Great companies, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 34

2.3.14

I had coffee today with LT, owner of Pistol Polish. She’s a member/has an office where I sometimes work. I thought her company looked fun & interesting, so of course emailed her curious to learn more.

Well, you would’ve thought we were long lost friends the way the two of us sassy Yankee ladies instantly started chatting about anything and everything, barely taking a breath between words. It was a blast! I’m always impressed to meet those, I want to work for myself so I’m going to make it happen go-getters. Bonus that LT is not only a super smart & savvy business woman, but she’s hilarious and a blast to be around too. I love that she let me play around with some bottles of her nail polish:

Do you see what I see? This bottle below looks pretty close to Blue Lollipop Road Blue!

Maybe I’ll be able to talk her into naming a blue polish, Blue Lollipop at some point:)

If you’re a mani-pedi kind of gal (or guy!) and are always looking for a new color for your nails delivered right to your door- check out the Pistol Polish subscription options.

If you’re not a mani-pedi kind of gal, you’ll still be inspired by LT’s message to be your best badass self:

pis•tol: noun; a refined yet fiery woman

A PISTOL Woman envisions who she wants to become – whatever that may be – and devotes her life to making that vision a reality. PISTOLs chase their dreams every damn day.

Amen, sister!

This is where I found my Blue Lollipop Road today. Where did you find yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #PistolPolish

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January 31, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos, Restaurants

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 31

1.31.14

I fulfilled my week-long hankering for the best veggie burger around today, and we went to Pinky’s for lunch. I was starving, so I thought a fried pickle app was a good idea. Then we decided to play with them and the condiment tray:

Nothing like a responsible 35 and 41 year-old squirting hot sauce, ketchup, and mustard all over the place for reasons of blog post. The staff at Pinky’s is so chill they never would have yelled at us for making a mess of the table anyway:)

If you are in/near/ever visit Charlotte, you must eat at this place! (I recommend the Nature Boy. Mmm…) Walls are covered with random tchotskys, there’s a photo booth, pinball machine, colorful tatted up staff who give speedy friendly service, and a million yummy burger combos (and non-burger) fresh-made options as well. A perfect overall funky vibe of relaxed cool.

I’m soooooo full. (And happy.)

This is my Blue Lollipop Road. Wanna show me yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #FridayLunches

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January 30, 2014 In Articles, Links, North Carolina, People, Photos, Virgin Islands

when two people who don’t know each other…

…send you the same link on the same day in an email reading: “Did you see this?!” – it probably means you should share it with others too. (And that those around you might know you better than you think they do, or better than you know yourself.)

Read this from America’s Finest News Source; The Onion.

Roots? I’d say more like temporary stickies, but hey- you never know.

Where do you call home?

#OperationCharlotte #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #PossibleForeverNomad

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January 29, 2014 In BLR365, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 29

1.29.14

It’s SnOMG in the south! Charlotte rarely gets the white stuff, so naturally this one little inch that came last night:

…has set The Queen City into a tizzy; School, work, and sport cancelled, milk and bread flying off the store shelves. (All that kind of stuff that Vermonters think is really funny when they live in places like North Carolina during the winter.)

I “made” the above BLR on my balcony with a spatula (#AlternativeArtTools) and then of course stood inside to take the photo. I said I was from Vermont, not that I actually like the snow, people! My apartment heat is currently set at 74 degrees. That’s the kind of temperature I’m talking about on January 29th:)

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #SnowDay #SendMeToTheTropics

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January 24, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 24

1.24.13

Mexican Fiesta indeed!

Oh I wish I was on a beach in Mexico right now. Brrr!!! Since when did North Carolina adopt Vermont winter weather?! I guess for now eating Mexican food is what will have to keep me warm. Don’t tell anyone, but this was basket and bowl of chips & salsa # 2 for me and my friend. (#ReasonsWhyIGetUpExtraEarlyToRunInThePolarVortex.)

Mmmm…chips and  fresh salsa…and pretending I’m in a Corona commercial (this one cracks me up) as I sip…

Ok, back to business:

I’ve just gotten a couple really cool submissions from a few cutie & creative kids in Louisiana that I’ll post this weekend. Send me your submissions: Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #TGIF

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January 23, 2014 In BLR365, Food, Links, North Carolina, People, Photos, Reader Submissions, Restaurants, Travel Tips and Tricks

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 23

1.23.14

Hello submissions! We are on a roll!

This just in from a new Blue Lollipop Road reader, Grace:

Here she is!

She makes maps for a living. (Um…how awesome is that?!) She’s been stuck at her desk all day today, so she said she was happy to participate in the BLR project fun.

Here’s to getting creative, even when you might feel stuck, and to letting yourself daydream about anything and everything during the middle of a work day.

Thanks Grace!

Who else is ready to make a BLR?

Send me your submissions: Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com so I can share here!

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #CubicalCreations

PS~ If you ever get to Wilmington, NC– you should definitely go nosh at Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn. It is gooood…

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January 16, 2014 In Be active, BLR365, Great companies, grow, Links, North Carolina, Photos, play, TTAA

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 16

1.16.14

I’ve recently started working with a fantastic organization called Soccer Shots. As I was getting my gear in order this afternoon for the kick off of the winter/spring season next week, three letters popped in my head:

Blue Lollipop Road and soccer go hand in hand! Do you know the story? If not, click here to read it.

If you have kids between the ages of 2 and 8 years old, and you don’t yet know about Soccer Shots, run- don’t walk to the nearest computer to find a program in your area and sign them up! This organization is incredibly well-organized, professionally run, and the curriculum is exceptional. Every last person I’ve met since starting with them, really cares about their job and the kids. I am thrilled to be a part of the team, and to have found a company who’s words and actions actually match. Such a rarity! Super bonus? The Soccer Shots mission, method, and motivation are very much aligned with what BLR is all about. Love that!

I started playing soccer at the age of 5 in tiny little Shaftsbury, Vermont at a place called Howard Park. (The same spot I’ve hosted BLR Play It Forward the past two years.) I’ve been playing ever since. The friends I made, the teamwork and dedication I learned, and the fun I had (especially during those young impressionable years), have had a huge part in shaping who I am today. I’m happy to be a part of the soccer community, and proud to be a part of Soccer Shots. To be in the position to coach young kids now, and teach them some of the lessons I learned through team sport, feels totally awesome.

Here’s to the love of the game, and to STRONG MOJO!

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #SoccerRules

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