My Birthday, and a Taste of Southern Pines

My birthday was on Tuesday; you might have seen the above photo on Facebook and if so, then you know that I had a wonderful evening!  I’m a little old (and way too conservative) to dance on the bar, but I’m more than happy to pose on the counter of the Lilly store!

Coincidentally, one of our school’s most beloved events was the same night, and it was the perfect birthday party.  The “Taste of Southern Pines” is an annual restaurant and shop crawl and it’s a great way to experience our sweet little downtown (along with several hundred of our closest friends).

{White chicken chili at Chapman’s Food & Spirits}

Your ticket gives you access to sample a tasting from over twenty local restaurants, but the “tastings” are big enough that I usually let my two kids share one ticket between them–and they still walk away stuffed.

I’ll link to all the fun places in the photos; that way if you ever head to Southern Pines or Pinehurst for a visit, you’ll know where to eat and shop!

The dozens of participating stores stay open late and most offer special discounts, gifts with purchase, and beer or wine so you can sip while you shop.

My friend Kathie organized a champagne toast for me at the beginning of the night and I was so surprised!  (She reads the blog, so just let me publicly say thanks, my friend!)

| You Had Me At Tacos graphic tee |  Black and white striped clutch  |

And while my friends are definitely the most precious gift of all, I did get some truly amazing goodies this year.  Most of the time I’ll say that words of affirmation are my love language, but when it’s birthday time, I start to think it’s gifts!!

The event is held rain or shine, and rain was predicted, but it held off and the weather was perfect.

The downtown area can be covered on foot (we had maps marked with all the tasting and shopping locations), but Kirk Tours provided a free shuttle running continuously down the route for those who wanted to rest their feet a bit.

{Handmade ravioli at The Flavor Exchange; they also offer weekly cooking classes here that are so fun!}

{ Crostini at Southern Whey }

Chef Warren’s served a vegetable curry with naan.

One of the things I love most about the Southern Pines/Pinehurst area is that it’s safe.  Having just moved from Savannah, an amazingly gorgeous city with a huge crime problem, it makes me happy that the kids can navigate the downtown area without needing an armed escort!

When they’re not moving in a pack, some of the kids volunteer to help the various chefs serve–it takes a lot of hands on deck to make such a large event run smoothly, and this event is all about building relationships within our community.

I loved the vegan sweet potato chutney that Stephanie at Sweet Birch Gourmet was serving in Marie & Marcele…

…and I found a gorgeous pair of earrings there, too.

 

I spent the bulk of my shopping time at Pink of the Pines; as you can see in the photo below, I started the night in the Taco shirt and ended it in the Lilly top I’ve been eyeing for weeks, so I consider that a success!

|  Shirt (or here if it’s sold out) |  Pillows  |

The girls at the shop are so sweet and helpful, and are always willing to let my daughter and her friends browse to their hearts’ content.  Are they twinning or tripletting in this picture?

|  Romper  |

Several of us had husbands who were out of town this week, so it turned into an impromptu girls’ night out and was so much fun.

I didn’t make it to all of the restaurants or all of the shops…the event was from 5-8pm and I literally could have rolled myself home at the end of the evening.  Next year, I’m bringing a doggie bag so I don’t miss a bite!

Then I came home to enjoy a gorgeous bouquet of flowers that our good friends (and neighbors) dropped off during the day.

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect birthday.

And if you happen to be in Southern Pines next September, be sure to join us for the fifth annual “Taste of Southern Pines,” but bring your doggie bag!

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Event Sponsors:

Sandhills Classical Christian School  •  Pinehurst Medical Clinic  •  FirstHealth of the Carolinas  •  Carolyn Ragone Real Estate  •  KEP Designs  •  Mark Wesley Parson, Inc.  •  Whistlestop Press

Participating Stores and Restaurants:

Ashten’s  •  Broad Street Bakery  •  C. Cups Cupcakery  •  Chapman’s Food & Spirits  • Chef Warren’s  •  Curt’s Cucina  •  Etalia  •  Red Bowl  •  Rhett’s  •  Sage Harvest Gourmet Jerky  •  So. Pies Pizza  •  Southern Pines Brewing Co.  •  Southern Pines Growler  •  Southern Whey  •  Swank & Pinescones  •  Sweet Birch Gourmet  •  The Bell Tree Taven  •  The Flavor Exchange  •  The Ice Cream Parlor  •  The Wine Cellar •  Thyme & Place  •  Bella Bambini  •  Casino Guitars  •  Gracefully Rustic  •  Green Goods  •  KEP Designs  •  Lavender  •  Little Toy Shop •  Living on the Bliss  •  Marie & Marcele  •  Mockingbird  •  Pink of the Pines  •  R. Riveter  •  Raven Pottery  •  Reverie Cocktails  •  R.I.O.T.  •  River Jack  •  Serving SP  •  The Country Bookshop