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I Believe in Wilmington

  • Writer: ashleynritchie
    ashleynritchie
  • Aug 10, 2018
  • 6 min read

Is there a mini beach vacation in your future? Then pack your bags and head to Wilmington, North Carolina! Home to One Tree Hill, Wrightsville Beach and the best hot dogs ever, it’s our go-to vacation spot. Since we shipped Scott off to Montana for the summer, the boys and I loaded up the car, drove nine hours and met my parents and sister in the lovely city for a memorable summer vacation.

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Checking in.

We spent five nights and five days in Wilmington at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. About a year ago I discovered travel rewards credit cards and ever since I've only had one regret: that I didn't discover them sooner. I'm only going to talk about my rewards for this specific trip, but stay tuned, because I've been waiting to share some travel credit card secrets for awhile. Scott opened the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card at the beginning of 2018. While IHG hotels are not my favorite and I normally wouldn't recommend this credit card (just because there are a handful of travel rewards credit cards I'd recommend before this one), if the signup bonus can get you free travel to a location you've had your eye on like us, I'd say go for it! We knew we wanted to plan an upcoming trip to Wilmington beforehand and we knew the signup bonus could get us up to five free nights so we went for it (yes, we paid absolutely nothing for our hotel). For simply spending $2,000 in the first three months of account opening, we earned an 80,000 point signup bonus. When redeeming rewards points with IHG, customers get their fourth hotel night free. Since the Holiday Inn Express & Suites retails for 20,000 points a night, with the fourth night free bonus we had enough for five free nights. In addition, cardholders earn 10 points per $1 spent at any of their 5,200+ hotels worldwide and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else. There is a $89.00 annual fee, however, it pays for itself with the Anniversary Free Night at one of their eligible hotels worldwide, every year. Finally, cardholders get automatic Platinum Elite Status as long as they remain an IHG Rewards Club Premier Cardmember.


Our favorite part about our stay was definitely the free continental breakfast. We had a wide range of choices from cinnamon rolls and muffins to eggs and bacon, as well as various cereals, fruits and yogurt. Interested in free travel? Check out the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and see if it's right for you!


Dining out.

My favorite vacation activity? Eating. And I think the boys would agree. Day-to-day I try and stick to a low carb diet but vacay is the perfect time to indulge in my favorite foods. And this trip was no exception. From Mexican cuisine to Italian cuisine to seafood, we enjoyed a little taste of everything!

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On our first night in Wilmington we chose to eat at K-38 Baja Grill (Oleander location). It’s a Baja Mexican grill that uses chilies and spices from all over the Southwest and Mexico in their restaurant. Bring on the chips and queso, tacos and burritos. If you like Mexican food, this place does not disappoint and their sister restaurant, Tower 7, is also a good choice, located on Wrightsville Beach. Other locations include: K-38 Porters Neck, Cafe Del Mar, K-Bueno Cocina, KBueno Mexi-Q Grill, KBueno Norte, and Cruz.




The Pilot House is located in historic downtown Wilmington in the newly restored Chandler’s Wharf. It was originally built as a residence, so guests actually dine inside a restored 19-century house. There is also the option to sit on the riverfront deck, which I recommend, because it offers spectacular views of the Cape Fear River! All of the dishes from this upscale restaurant are made from scratch. The menu ranges from "down home cooking", to Cajun, as well as traditional Southern food. Because I was full from our Kilwins dessert before dinner, I went with a traditional salad with grilled chicken.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill is one of my favorite restaurants in Wilmington. Located on the waterway, they offer breathtaking views of the water and sunset so it’s a must to snag a table outside. They serve a selection of traditional American food as well as fresh seafood and all of us enjoyed too much fish, shrimp and fries. And as a bonus, Bluewater has a summer music series every Sunday from 4:00-8:00 p.m., April 1 through September 30 that I highly recommend.

Who would have thought a hot dog stand could be so popular? We always make at least one trip to the Trolly Stop while in Wilmington and it’s the perfect lunch spot if you’re relaxing on the beach. The very first Trolly Stop opened in 1976. The original store is called Station 1 because it was located on the first stop on the trolley line in Wrightsville Beach, and it is still there today. Since then, the Trolly Stop has expanded to Southport and Chapel Hill. The concept is simple. First, you pick a hot dog: Sabrett, Original Trolly, Carolina Smoked Sausage, Vegetarian, or Fat Free Turkey. Then you pick a style: North Carolina, American, All The Way, Surfer, Chicago, Nuclear, German, Wrightsville Beach, Battleship, Cape Fear, Old Baldy, Mexican or My Way. Because I am a picky eater I always get the Original Trolley, Old Baldy (totally plain) and I add melted cheese. The boys both tried the Nuclear. It consists of deli mustard, melted cheese & jalapeno peppers. They gave it 5 stars. Note that the Trolly Stop accepts cash only.

Despite passing by this little dessert shop for many years, this was our first-time visiting Kilwins. The smell of fresh homemade waffle cones was always tempting, but it wasn’t until I took my first bite that I realized what I had been missing! The first night we had dessert before dinner and we loved our ice-cream cones so much that we went back two more times. When in Wilmington, do as the Wilmingtonian's do! Between the six of us we tried almost a dozen flavors:

  • Blue Moon

  • Butter Pecan

  • Cake Batter

  • Cappuccino Chocolate Chip

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter

  • Heavenly Hash

  • Maple Walnut

  • Mint Chocolate Chip

  • Sea-Salt Chocolate Caramel

  • Turtle

My favorite flavor was hands down Cappuccino Chocolate Chip. In addition to their Original Recipe ice-cream, Kilwins sells Mackinac Island fudge, various candies and chocolate treats, and fresh apples dipped in their original caramel recipe. And, don’t worry if there is a line! Guests can check out the homemade treats being produced right before their eyes while they wait.

Pasta and pizza, por favore! Every family vacay usually includes dining at a Mexican restaurant and at an Italian restaurant. So, on our last night in Wilmington, we chose to eat at Osteria Cicchetti. Their menu includes a variety of pasta dishes, a full Antipasti selection, and specialty pizzas. We sat outside and Maddox and I enjoyed lasagna while Alex tried the pizza – very delizioso!

Having fun.

It's true what they say: life is better at the beach! We spent most of our days having fun in the sun on Wrightsville Beach. We tossed football, played frisbee, and had ping pong battles. We wrote our names in the sand and jumped a ton of waves. We also got sunburned and sand everywhere, but hey YOLO!


Swimwear

  1. Target Xhilaration Swim Top and Swim Bottom in Blue Stone Floral

  2. Abercrombie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit in Olive Green and Light Lime (currently on sale and lots of color choices!)

The beach fun didn't stop during the day. I put on my best Zara dress and made time to take some family beach photos. Shoutout to my sister, Alyssa, for snapping some photos of me and the boys. It's rare for me to be in front of my 6D Mark II, so I took full advantage of having her there. Didn't she do an outstanding job? *Insert clapping hands emoji for a round of applause! We captured some selfies too, of course!

There's a reason I chose to tie the knot in downtown Wilmington a few years ago: it's perfect! It's full of historic charm, unique retail shops, a plethora of dining and dessert options, and now the Aflac Duck (see below), who by the way, has over 65,000 followers on Twitter. Anyway, I love taking a stroll down Wilmington's cobblestone streets or the Riverwalk. It's always had a way of putting my mind at ease. I also may be a little biased as it's home to various One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek (two of my all-time favorite shows) filming locations.


Recommended attractions

Shopping

The shopping scene in Wilmington could not be any better. Because it's an artsy community, most shops are full of handmade items from locals. I spent way too much in the most organized Forever21 I've ever been inside of, located in Independence Mall (separate blog post coming soon), and the boys snagged some pocket Buddhas at one of our favorite shops, Planet.

Top 5 must-visit Wilmington retail locations

We had such a great time in Wilmington this summer and are already looking forward to our next visit. Sometimes it's nice to just sleep, eat, beach, repeat. It was the most relaxing vacation I've had in a long time, and sometimes that's exactly what you need!


Matilda the Musical Brings Magic to LCT Stage in Must-See Summer Production

  • Writer: ashleynritchie
    ashleynritchie
  • Jul 20, 2018
  • 2 min read

Even if you’re little, you can do a lot! This weekend and next, Lexington Children’s Theatre will present Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical as part of their 2018-19 season. From Broadway to the Bluegrass, if you live in Lexington you don’t want to miss LCT’s 17th annual Summer Family Musical, performed on the LCT Main Stage.


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Last night we attended opening night of LCT’s only full-length musical of the season. The production is phenomenal. The stage is stunning. The cast is captivating. And the performances are perfect.


The musical puts a new spin on the classic tale of Matilda. And although it does not follow exactly the same plot line from the book and movie, the production includes the classic scenes we all love: Bruce being forced to eat an entire chocolate cake; Matilda gluing her father's hat to his head; Lavender hiding a newt in Miss Trunchbull's drinking water; and Miss Trunchbull swinging Amanda by her pigtails.


Speaking of characters, the cast is made up of mostly children which is quite impressive. Even with a complex script and challenging choreography, all of the kids perform to a very high standard. Matilda, played by seventh grader Ayla Nelson, nails her part. Her voice, charm and delivery are incredible as she takes center stage to tell a story within her story.

The adults also stole the show. The decision to cast a male performer as the Headmistress Trunchbull was a brilliant one, and Cavan Hendron played the role remarkably. Miss Honey, played by Cassidy Mullins, had the most beautiful voice and played the kind-hearted teacher so well that one may think she is one in real-life. Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda’s parents) were played by Brian Moscoe and Madeline Williamson and their performances were outrageously entertaining. One of my favorite parts was when Mr. Wormwood sang “Telly” during the intermission. Yes, they even kept the audience mesmerized during the break! I was just simply blown away by the amount of talent on one small stage.


The production is made up of two acts and 18 songs, running approximately two and half hours long. Every scene from this magical musical had the audience laughing, singing along, and wanting more. It’s a show the whole family will enjoy. And, don’t forget to stick around after the show to meet the super down-to-earth cast!

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Upcoming Performances

Friday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m.


Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. So grab a book and a piece of chocolate cake – sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Big Reputation, Big Reputation: A Taylor Swift Concert Review

  • Writer: ashleynritchie
    ashleynritchie
  • Jul 14, 2018
  • 4 min read

Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour should be on everyone’s summer bucket list! Since the boys and I jam out to her albums on the regular (boys can like Taylor Swift too!), I decided to take us to her first-ever stadium tour in Columbus on July 7. The biggest production to come to Ohio Stadium, like ever, this show had it all!

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The Tickets

I purchased our tickets last minute via Ticketmaster. I had a few priorities in mind when I went to make the purchase. I wanted to be in the front row of a section (it didn’t really matter what section) so the kids and I could see. I also wanted to be on the end in case we needed to take a quick bathroom or concession stand break. And finally, I didn’t want to pay a fortune. Days leading up to the concert, I watched as Ticketmaster released new seats at lower prices. The day before the show I finally pulled the plug. I snagged B level Box Seats for $100 a ticket. Even though I was originally looking to pay around $50 a ticket, the extra money was worth it for the convenience and the view.

The Outfit

Since we decided to attend the concert at the last minute, I had to pretty much work with what I already had. I chose to wear a red dress, an oldie from Abercrombie & Fitch, to match my MAC Russian Red lipstick. I knew I wanted to wear something snake-like, so I searched and found the most perfect gold snake choker on Amazon (free two-day shipping for being a Prime member). It can be ordered with black or red eyes and as you can see I chose black. I also wore snake flats, Old Navy circa 2017, and Madewell chunky medium hoop earrings

in vintage gold. If you plan to attend the tour later this summer, check out some affordable clothing recommendations below:

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The Opening Acts

Charlie XCX and Camila Cabello were Taylor’s opening acts. Talk about girl power. We arrived around 7:30 p.m. so we only heard the end of Charlie XCX’s performance on our walk to the stadium. I recently became a fan of Camila Cabello, mostly due to her song “Never be the Same” featuring Kane Brown, which has become an instant favorite. So, when I found out she was an opening act, I couldn’t wait to hear the song live!

The Main Event

Taylor performs on one massive stage (in front of two large screens) as well as two smaller stages. I think for her concert any seat is a good seat. Even if you are farther away, the experience itself is remarkable.

Upon entering the near-sold out stadium, we each received a free bracelet that lit up to the beat of the music during the entire concert, making everyone in attendance a part of the show. She came on stage around 9:00 p.m. with the perfect opener, asking the crowd, “Are you ready for it?” She wrapped up around 11:00 p.m.


The visuals were simply stunning. A fireworks show lit up the sky, confetti rained down on the crowd and snakes, well, they were everywhere! Giant inflatable snakes, animatronic snakes – snakes on the screens and snakes in the songs!

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About midway through the performance, she flew over the crowd to the first side stage where she sang two songs, including “Shake It Off” with Charlie XCX and Camila Cabello. It was one big dance party. Afterwards, she walked to the second side stage, touching hundreds of screaming fans on her way over (so cool).


Taylor played most songs from the Reputation album, as well as a variety of old songs from all of her other albums. The two-hour Columbus setlist included (in order):

  • “…Ready For It?”

  • “I Did Something Bad”

  • “Gorgeous”

  • “Style”

  • “Love Story”

  • “You Belong With Me”

  • “Look What You Made Me Do”

  • “End Game”

  • “King of My Heart”

  • “Delicate”

  • “Shake It Off”

  • “Dancing With Our Hands Tied”

  • “Sparks Fly”

  • “Blank Space”

  • “Dress”

  • “Bad Blood”

  • “Should’ve Said No”

  • “Don’t Blame Me”

  • “Long Live”

  • “New Year’s Day”

  • “Getaway Car”

  • “Call It What You Want”

  • “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

  • “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”

The Other Stuff

Take note: there is a separate bag restriction for each venue. For Columbus, bags could be no larger than an 8x5. Every venue is different so be sure to check the venue website prior to attending. In addition, if you are dropping kids off, there are parent drop off lots close to each stadium. This is a big help when it comes to traffic. Again, all information can be found on the venue’s website.


The Final Thought

I’ve literally grown up listening to the 28-year-old singer-songwriter. I remember listening to her first single, “Tim McGraw,” when I was 17 and I have been a die-hard fan ever since. I saw her open for Rascal Flatts in high school and attended her Fearless tour in Lexington as a college student. But the best day will forever be when the three of us attended Taylor’s Reputation tour. We sang along to all the songs and danced the night away. We laughed when a collage of Taylor’s cats invaded the screen during “Gorgeous” and jumped when the first snake took the stage in “I Did Something Bad.” There was never a dull moment.


And, I didn't know if you knew So I'm taking this chance to say That I had the best day with you today.

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