Hotspot: Press Coffee + Crepes

European Inspired.

Carolina Made.

Four simple words to describe the latest coffee shop to hit Alamance County.  Press Coffee + Crepes opened its doors on Monday and is quickly becoming the talk of the town.  On Tuesday "Sweet Mama", Fiona, and I had the chance to try out some delicious coffee and amazing crepes!

From the moment we walked in we were greeted with a bubbly smile by Sabrina who is a total ray of sunshine.  She gave us a full rundown of the offerings to help us make our decisions. 

I originally asked for a hazelnut latte, but after a quick chat with Forrest, the barista, I went with a latte having equal parts of chocolate, caramel, and vanilla...OH MY DELICIOUS!  Forrest has officially introduced me to my new morning coffee of choice. 

While studying in Paris I indulged far too often in wine and crepes! I actually had never had a crepe until I visited France, but it quickly became one of my favorite guilty pleasures.  Press offers a wide variety of breakfast, lunch, and sweet crepes.  We tried the "Down Home" crepe filled with ham or bacon (you make the call), egg, and local hoop cheese and of course the always classic banana and Nutella filled crepe.  Both were delicious. 

 The decor offers an urban feel with exposed bricks and pipes.  I love when a business goes into an older building and brings it back to life while leaving the "history" in tact.  I think I will always be a fan of this look.

  

While I was having my little moment with my yummy latte and crepe I noticed Jason, the owner walking around the shop chatting with and getting to know his customers.  THIS solidified what I already had quickly discovered...I will be a regular and I will spread the word of Press.

You just can't beat a big city feel with a small town heart!  

Make sure to visit Press in downtown Graham and stay connected with this new found treasure via facebook and instagram.

European Inspired Home {Complete Brilliance}

This insanely gorgeous European Inspired home of Julie Carabello and 

husband, Michael Baum in Marin County California was built back in 1906.  

 The two decided to restore the historic home and pull inspiration from 

the city they (and all of us love) Paris.

Luxe Interiors + Design is featuring the entire home so do hop over to see 

the complete home tour and don’t miss the redesigned outdoor space as well. 

It’s a beaut! 

What I love most about this home is the clean and crisp design lines, 

the soft turquoise and subtle pops of color through-out. 

And just wait till you see the light fixtures...AMAZE!  

The once brown hardwood floors in the living room

updated in a high gloss white lacquer that at first I would think how dare they cover them but, 

again, well played design choice.

 

Kelly Wearstler wall paper...gimme!

 Bravo Julie and Michael on superb estate! 

For The Love Of Cooking

Eggplant is a fruit, well wait a tic...is eggplant a fruit or veggie?? I guess I might should have investigated this tidbit of info prior to this post but, you'll forgive me right?!

Whether it be a fruit or veggie, eggplant for years has always caught my eye while browsing the produce section. I'm pretty sure it was its vibrant purple hue that raised my curiosity but, being the picky eater I am, I was still skeptic of this oddly shaped colorful fruit/veggie.

After traveling to Paris to study fashion in the summer of ’05 I really started to venture away from my normal menu picks and try out a few new items. Eggplant being one. My review, not too bad. It wasn’t however, until a few weeks back when my brothers lady Tina was in town that I gave eggplants another go. Tina is Italian and well the rumors are true, the girl can cook like no other! Yeap Miss Arduini now has me reaching for the purple passion!

I recently came across this appy that I plan to give a go in my first attempt
via Laylita's Recipe Blog.

Recipe

Are you a fan of eggplants?
Know of any good recipes?


Looking for more delightfully chic?!
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Nearest & Dearest With a Few Guests of Honor

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I totally went MIA on everyone for the past couple of weeks as I have been planning for a Christmas soiree (aka Jingle Bell Mingle) to be held at my home this past Saturday night with my nearest and dearest friends!

I have for years and years dreamed of the day when I would live in the most beautiful home (preferably on the intercoastal waterway in South Florida) and host lavish parties for every occasion imaginable.  Well, reality finally hit around the first week of November when I realized I was less than two months away from turning 31 and even though  I am not married, nor have I relocated to that glamorous home in SoBe that HELLO, life is quickly passing me by and I needed to stop putting my dreams off...and I mean ALL of my dreams!

So, I called my amazing "mama" and told her of my ah-ha moment and being the rockstar that she is, she said..."Assistant Mama reporting for duty" haha OK, maybe not in so many words but, she knew as well as I did I would be blowing up her phone nightly to brainstorm and plan!

Whether I like to admit it or not, I am a complete control freak and everything has to be "Tiff's way".  From decor, to the food (reminder: sign above my stove says "i kiss better than i cook"), to the festive holiday cocktails, I wanted to handle every aspect.  I wanted nothing more than my incredible friends, who might as well be family to have a night where they could come over, enjoy, relax, and not have to lift a finger!

 

I've never claimed to be Martha Stewart BUT, for my first solo event, I have to say the party was a success.  My very best friend since kindergarten, Rebecca Ballard-Boggs was kind enough to snap a few shots before the night kicked off. 

Festive Decor

Hors D'oeuvres

Holiday Cocktails

Since my home would not accommodate a sit down dinner for 20 plus I decided that the true guests of honor could take a seat at the table ;)

Rudolph, Dancer, Vixen, and Prancer were all in attendance!  

Stay tuned for pics of my wild and crazy friends!

I Spy: Old Hollywood Glam

You had me at "Old Hollywood" then you toss in Glam...count me in a thousand times over.

When in search of amazing party ideas my first stop has been for several years now,

 Hostess With The Mostess!  A def must add to your daily reads!

If the day ever comes that I am blessed enough to have a sassy little girl in my life she will absolutely have a soiree as fab as this!

Total perfection!

Stop by HWTM for the complete how to's and breakdown.

Quote Of The Week

"Paris is always a good idea"

Audrey Hepburn

This weeks quote and pic are BOTH a repeat to the DC blog but, I feel it's absolutely necessary!

A special someone picked up a copy of Midnight in Paris for me (I have wanted to add to my collection from the first night I saw the flick...if you haven't seen it, put at the TOP of your to-do list) this past weekend and after watching the phenomenal movie again my need to go back to Paris and walk the streets grew even more intense!  There is just something so magical about the city.  

Today,  I will just have to settle for a Paris daydream...

Amaze Balls

New obsession... La Case de Cousin Paul

How amazing would these threaded ball lights look at your next soiree?!

I adore that you can get creative and pick your own colors...DC loves, here's the deal we can order on line but, where's the fun in that?? Let's pack our bags and make a trip across the pond to Paris and brighten up our lives with these fun lights...Sound like a plan?!

images via 1 & 2

For The Love Of Cooking

The majority of my life I have been the pickiest eater…Like seriously the wait staff at restaurants probably huddle around in the kitchen to laugh or actually they probably throw things because of my ridiculous requests!

So when I decided to study couture fashion aboard in Paris I was terrified of what I would eat while I was there. I mean I was ok with all the cheese, pasta, croissants, and WINE but, could I seriously live off these few items for over a month? Then I tasted my first crepe…Hallelujah, seriously I heard angels sing with each and every bite!

Every street corner seem to have a little French man selling a delicious crepe and the best part, there are so many varieties…It was official, I was NOT going to starve to death in Paris!

So this week I bring you...a smorgasbord of crepes!

Strawberry White Chocolate Mousse

recipe

Banana Nutella

(my fave)

recipe

Ice Cream Crepe

recipe

Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Egg

recipe

Summer Vegetable

recipe

Ok...I now have to hop a flight to Paris for a mouth watering crepe!

What's your fave?!

Ba-Na-Nas...

Seriously, you need to sit down for this one!

Jordan of Oh Happy Day is having the most amazing giveaway in celebration of her 5 years of blogging!

Ok...Seriously, I wasn't kidding...You want to sit down for this...

Jordan is giving her readers a chance to win a

7 day trip for 2 to PARIS, FRANCE!!

Can you say...MAJOR!!!

The lucky winner will stay in the ultra chic Mama Shelter Hotel

Check out all the details and enter here!

Je T'aime Paris

I would give anything to be walking the streets of Paris today.

Champs Elysee, St Michelle, Gay Lussac (where I called home summer of '05).  There is just something so magical about the the streets of Paris.

Sometimes it's best just to head out into the city with no map and just loose yourself and be free!

Since I can't hop the next plane...I will have to daydream for now...

image via