And the Kicker Is...Pawley's Front Porch

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Last night was the premiere of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featuring none other than Columbia's own Pawley's Front Porch! James and I spent our "Valentine's" dinner there last night and watched the episode on a projector and under heaters of the front porch of Pawley's. It was a really fun time--the staff and clientele were all really excited for the debut of the episode, aptly named "And the Kicker Is...", referring to Pawley's fried green tomatoes and other house made burger accoutrement.

I ordered the Mahi Mahi Salad, fresh mixed greens, shredded cheese, grilled pineapple, black bean and corn salsa, with a Vidalia onion dressing. (I ordered mine sans pineapple). It was really tasty and refreshingly light, yet filling. James ordered the Caw Caw Creek Burger, which included fried pickle chips, Frank's Red Hot onion rings, cheese, and house-smoked Caw Caw Creek bacon. He got more onion rings as his side. We both agreed the onion rings could have been spicier and more flavorful, (especially with a name like Frank's red Hot onion rings), but he said the burger was great.

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{actual image of the Wadmalaw Burger at Pawley's}

Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring my camera along, so I have no pictures of the night or of our food, but take my word for it, Pawley's serves up some great meals. And the staff is super-friendly too.

Or, if you need more convincing, here's a review by Free Times' Tad trencherman, and here's one posted by blogger Columbia's Lunch Review.

In case you missed it last night, catch the Diners Drive-Ins, and Dives episode featuring Pawley's on February 26th at 9 pm, February 27th at 12 am, or March 7th at 3 pm on the Food Network.

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Local Etsyians V-Day Wish List

Valentine's Day is never a huge production in our house. My husband currently works in the service industry, (and has since we met), so he never has the day off, and besides, I'm just not an overly sentimental person. V-Day is generally a bit cheesy for my taste. (If you've ever heard the story of how James asked me to marry him, and the reason behind it, then you know exactly what I mean--if you haven't heard it, I'll post about it soon).

But, who doesn't enjoy getting a gift every now and then?! So, I reminded my hubs last night that I had indeed bought him a gift for V-Day...(not-so-subtly telling him that he better get me something too...).

Hence, the text that I got while at work today: "Babe, I looked on your blog to see what you wanted for Valentine's Day, but couldn't find anything." I hadn't even thought to post a Valentine's Wish List, but since he asked...

This is a list of items listed on Etsy, but from local sellers only:

From Nella Designs Fine Paper Studio, located in Columbia, SC:
Custom Couple Silhouette Print with Date This listing is for an 8x10 and is only $20.

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From Flash Forward Photography, located in Lexington, SC:
this Ole Oak Tree 8x10 print-- gorgeous, and only $10.

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From softspoken, located in West Columbia:
this Chain Drop Circle Scarf- you choose the color, $35. Tres chic, don't you think?

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{I also follow softspoken's blog here}
{softspoken's scarves are carried locally at The Bohemian, which just moved to 707 Saluda Ave in 5 Pts}

And finally, for the men, from Garnet & Moss of Columbia, SC:
this Travel Gift Set for Men, only $12.50! Isn't the packaging so fresh and clean!?

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I love finding locally-made gift items--such talent in Columbia, SC! What are you giving or receiving for V-Day?

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Local Treats for V-Day Weekend

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Want a lesson in what to do when love goes bad? Head to the Barnes & Noble at Midtown at Forest Acres at 7 pm Friday evening for a book signing by SC first lady, (and soon to be divorced), Jenny Sanford. She will be signing copies of her new book Staying True.

Looking for a Creative and Unusual Valentine's Date or Un-date, as the case may be? Check out 701 Whaley's "What's Love" event. The What's Love Fest 2010 is a sensual celebration of art in all forms- visual art, music, and dance. There will be visual art from over 20 local artists, 4 performance art groups, including the Unbound Dance Company, and music from the quartet Les Paramours, which includes Danielle Howle. There will also be last-minute Valentine's gifts for sale from local vendors, and BBQ from Blythewood restaurant, Smoke. Wow--that's a lot. Starts Saturday at 7 pm, tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Click here for more information.

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Monday is Pawley's Front Porch Party for their debut on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Never seen the show--click here to get an idea of what you're in for. Beginning at 7:30 pm, enjoy cheap drink specials and giveaways as well as miniature versions of the 3 burgers that will be featured on the show. There is even a Guy Fieri look-alike contest! The show airs at 10 pm. Click here to see Free Times' Eva Moore's blog post about the event.

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Love Animals? The Humane Society has started a new fundraiser that will happen once a month. A local restaurant will give 10% of your meal cost to the Humane Society on the particular night. The date for this month's event is next Tuesday, February 16th from 6-9 pm. February's restaurant is M Cafe at 1417 Sumter Street, Downtown Columbia. Print the card here, give it to your server, and 10% of your meal cost will go to help animals locally!

What are your plans for the Valentine's Day weekend?

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A Word for Wednesday

romulgate: to proclaim or make known


As in: Last night, my sister and her husband promulgated to family and friends that their unborn child is a boy. I cannot wait to be the aunt of two boys!

Or as in: I am promulgating to the blogospere that I am officially 8.4 lbs lighter today than I was 2.5 weeks ago. I just may be the Hampton Hills Biggest Loser yet!

Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische.

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February Faves

So, now that the big race is over, and our Super Bowl party is history, I feel the need to enumerate some things to look forward to in the next week, so here goes:

1. My sister's Baby Reveal Party! Tomorrow night I am going to a Gender Reveal party for close family and friends where my baby sister will let us know the sex of the baby that she is due to have on June 28th. I am so excited to find out...she's doing a really cute-themed party where we have to wear blue or pink based on which sex we think it is, then we'll bite into cupcakes and see which color icing is inside to find out the actual sex! (We got the idea from Hostess with the Mostess' blog post here).

2. Going to see An Education at The Nickelodeon this Wednesday night. This film has received 3 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.



3. Valentine's Day...I will be babysitting my nephew, Ben, for the night and allowing his parents to celebrate V-Day, as my husband will be working all day and night. We plan on celebrating V-Day the following night. I am super-excited about the gift that I will be giving my husband this year! (Thanks for the idea, Rebecca).

4. Beginning my book club book of the month, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

5. My second week weigh-in tomorrow night for Hampton Hills Biggest Loser. I am crossing my fingers that not drinking and dieting for 2 weeks has continued to pay off in weight loss!

What are you looking forward to this week?

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Just 'Cause

I am having a stressy day today--pulling together the details for a 5K race with over 200 participants is not easy...and in the cold and rain no less. Especially when people don't do what they say they're going to do...ugh!

So, instead of thinking about it for the next 5 minutes, I am thinking of the pedicure that I will have tomorrow afternoon when it is all over.

Here are my new favorite colors:

Metro Chic Sephora by OPI:

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Fashion by deborah lippman:
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{I don't actually own this exact color, but I did find a Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear polish that is pretty similar at Walgreen's, it's called Celeb City Frost}.

OK, thanks for indulging me in that 5-minute escape.
What are your favorite nail polish colors?

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Everything's Coming Up Cupcakes

OK, so this post may have sprouted from the fact that I am limiting my diet recently, so it has not included any sweets. I usually do not have much of a sweet tooth, but cupcakes are a new passion of mine, and more because I love the way they look than for the taste. They're just damn charming, aren't they?

I made some for a party I had right before Christmas--2 kinds, lemon cupcakes with a lemon cream cheese frosting, (the same recipe my sister used for my wedding cake), and my grandmother's infamous "Ms. Wolfe's Cupcakes." (I will save the recipe for a future post, but they are unbelievable--a chocolate cupcake with a sweet white icing and then a layer of dark chocolate ganache on top, hardened in the fridge. To die for...)

Just in the past 2 days I have seen posts about cupcakes on a few different blogs that I read...

Like Post Grad Hair Cut's post: Vancouver Guide: CoCo Cupcakes.

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{Coco Cupcakes' Hungry Caterpillar}

And this post from simplesong: ticings.
You can order these sheets of edible icing printed with contemporary designs to use with your own cupcakes!

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And finally Happy Lady Eats' post the best cupcake in {san diego}:

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{chocolate and red velvet cupcakes from the Daily Scoop in San Diego}

So, here I am doing my own cupcake post...about the only cupcake shop I know of in Columbia, (please, do tell, if there are more): Cupcake.

Cupcake's original location is in Charleston, and one moved into the Vista in Columbia last year. There are 9 cupcake flavors baked fresh daily. They also sell Cupcake Gift Tokens, packaged in a pink or chocolate brown bag, you can send a 1/2 dozen, dozen or more tokens as a gift to be redeemed at any Cupcake store. What a sweet surprise Valentine's gift that could be!

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{lemon blueberry cupcake from Cupcake}

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{Cupcake is located in the Vista at 1213 Lincoln St}

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{Cupcake Columbia's daily flavor chart}

Has anyone tried cupcakes from Cupcake in Columbia? What's your favorite?

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