You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Local Businesses' tag.
Last week, I was eating lunch at my favorite local pizza joint, I <3 New York Pizza, when I did the obligatory, “Hey, I’m eating alone so I’ll read the Metro Pulse while I do so,” routine. I’m glad that I did. Really glad. As I was perusing the random articles I noticed an advert for a local shop called LIVING VINTAGE in South Knoxville. Perfect! I’m in South Knoxville right now! So, I hop in Marannshi the Matrix (my car), and head on over. Sooooo coool. Apparently it’s run by sisters and it’s a wonderful collection of retro items that are so cool and hip that I dare you to not make a list of items you want to take home with you. The best thing about the store is the prices are REASONABLE for vintage items that it’s hard not to let your self go overboard. In fact, I had my eye on a great table and chair set and a fabu funky retro/modern designed black and red coffee table. I make sure that the ladies at the store knew that I would blog happily about the store and blessedly I was given the option to put my name in their book in case they get in any vintage cameras (which the Jim and I collect). So, bonus!
So, that stimulated my appetite for more things retro-modern. Our friend, Sir PirateNinjaMonkey suggested that we stop by a place in Bearden’s Homberg Village called Nostalgia. In fact, if he hadn’t driven us past it one night on one of our let’s drive around after dinner evenings, I’d have never known about the place. So, on saturday after stopping by the best hair studio in town VIBE salon, I headed over to NOSTALGIA. I was very happy I did. The shop is set up like a whole land of dioramas where it appears that those who deal in vintage/retro items can claim/pay for a “booth space”, create a “you should buy this stuff layout” and sell their wares. The place is presided over by a wonder-pug named Napoleon too. There were more than a few things I wanted in this store and a nice bevy of vintage cameras that I drooled over. I have my eye on one but need to save up a bit for the purchase. I did take home a super sweet Imperial though and a peace-sign bracelet that was recommended by one of the shopkeepers. I was thrilled. Oh, and you can email them about items your interested in – I got a great and prompt reply too!
So, these two stores are well worth a gander and as new things come along all the time, I can guarantee that I’ll be visiting them often. Check ‘em out!
I was going to do another “weekend wrap-up” post, but in short it was a good if not SHORT weekend as I have a busy week ahead of me…and I mean BUSY. So, what about the title of this post? Well, after getting a pleasant surprise call from The Dotsons on Sunday, we ended up at Puleo’s Grille where I had my “ususal”, Thin Crust Margherita Pizza and the Jim had a burger with a side of broccoli (I applaud the effort). Well, the Jim remarked how amazing the broccoli tasted. I’m not the biggest broccoli fan so when he offered me a spear, I initially declined…but eventually gave in. I mean, he was RAVING about it. Well, that was the best tasting steamed broccoli and carrot dish I’ve ever had. Something about how they season it at Puleo’s (Merchant’s Drive), buttery, garlicy and just YUMMY. The Jim actually ordered a second side of it and downed that excitedly. So, in short – fabu weekend (hair did at Belleza VIBE – best salon in town), and amazing broccoli. A bit of randomness on a Monday morning.
Since WME has a booth at the Knoxville Healthy Living Expo, I had to go and check out what was there this year, and I stumbled upon some great finds:
1) Jazzercise – IT’S BAAAAAAK. I’m going into this with a little apprehension, but Jazzercise, the exercise for frustrated Jazz dancers of all ages is making a resurgence from the 80s. So, I decided to sign on up. I am, of course, a frustrated Jazz dancer myself who misses dancing and thankfully Jazzercise also incorporates some strength training so, BONUS! I’ll be sure to blog about it on Anna 101 so stay tuned. Find a class near you at www.jazzercise.com and go get your groove on!
2) Rita’s Ice-Custard Happiness – I was born and raised in Easton, PA and lived a lot of my adult live nearer to Philadelphia than I expected. That’s where I found the joy that is Rita’s Water Ice. This stuff is GOOOOOOOOD! Not just the water ice, but the frozen custard is something that I find I crave every now and then. So, you can imagine how happy I was that a Rita’s Water Ice opened up here in KNOXVILLE! I mean, apparently the Jim saw a car with the advertising all over it and hurriedly contacted me to let me know – IT’S HERE, IT’S HERE (since he learned to love the stuff when he was coming up to visit and dating me). The proprietor is really great, and everyone was raving about the free samples on hand at the expo so I’m hoping they got good some good exposure. They’re located in Market Square and I think that when Sundown comes to town, business will be BOOMING…at least I hope so cause I need them to stick around! Check em’ out at www.ritasknoxville.com – better yet, GO!
3) Massage Envy – Already raved about them here (see blog post “You Don’t Have To Be Envious”). Great find and best of all making massage affordable!
4) Tap-N-Burn – First of all, I only wish they weren’t so far out in West Knoxville (i.e. Lovell Road), because I’m ready to sign up and grab my taps. Unfortunately it’s not sensible for me to drive that far to take a class that’s not essential but rest assured, if they every come to North Knox, I’m onboard! Check em’ out at www.tapnburn.com.
5) A local Cutco Representative – A long time ago in a living room not so far away (okay, my parents’ living room), a friend of our family’s daughter was selling Cutco while she was in college. My Mom decided to have her come and demonstrate the product and I will never forget seeing Marci stand on the steak knife holder (which was plastic), and it didn’t break! If that wasn’t enough, my parents have had those knives since I was 13 years old or somewhere around there and they still look almost the same as the day they bought them and are still the best knives that I look forward to using when I’m visiting home (sharp baby sharp). So granted, I was happy to find a local representative that I can order from when I need to. While these knives ain’t cheap (they are an investment folks), they are worth the price you’ll pay for them. Seriously. So check out the offerings at www.cutco.com and feel free to email local rep, Harold Williams at cutcoharold@yahoo.com and tell him I sent ya! If you decide to get some, you won’t be sorry.
5) Haze & Co. – Local yumminess in salad dressing and marinades. I highly recommend buying local when we can so check out www.hazeandco.com; I took home the Ginger Lime Dressing and the Buttermilk Dill – delish!
6) Over The Moon Milk – Believe it or not, it’s non-fat chocolate and regular milk that tastes creamy and rich. Check it out at www.overthemoonmilk.com; I already bought some for the fridge (and my belly).
Add to these finds, a great sampling of FABULOUS Papa Murphy’s Pizza, a free chair massage, a possible option for daycare for us when the time comes and I feel like I got a lot out of the Expo so I plan to go next year too!
Okay, so it sounds more elaborate than it really is right? This is our little slice of internet nonsense, which basically is our on-going effort to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our lives, our love and our continuing pursuit of pomegranates. In this modern age of movement, we’ve realized that distance is not an excuse to not keep everyone posted, so please - stop by anytime - in person or internet-ly and know that you are all never far from our thoughts.
