Charmisa is a Must

 

Taking a stroll down Middle Street is a must while in New Bern. It is a delightful, charming place to find all your fashion needs and wants. On my daily trump down the historic part of town, I stumble upon a quaint boutique that invokes California nostalgia. It has a keen likeness to the stores of Melrose Street(Los Angeles), Ventura Blvd (Sherman Oaks), Catalina Street (Redondo Beach) and Highland (Hermosa Beach), this store is my new retail therapy hot spot.

Charisma houses a number of things other then just fashion. Inside the store there is a table  adorned with exquisite nautical theme plates and other little novelty nick-nacks. However, it was the cowgirl boots that demand my immediate attention. These boots were definitely made for walking. What I love the most about them is the vintage ambiance that it invokes; the feel of distress, without being second hand. I know I will have to get a pair as soon as my budget allows it.

My other favs were definitely the orange sac, that also served as a backpack. The adorable lace racer back tank can be use in the dog days of summer and layered for the fall. The burnt orange skinny jeans that would look great with those boots or flats. So if you are in search of being soigne, please stop by and get some Charisma.

  

To get the look on a Poor Broke fashionista, try these alternatives to achieve the look.

Not loving the Orange then try Red Skinny Jeans instead

Don't enjoy lace then try this white racerback

Leather alternative to the suede backpack

Oh, I almost forgot say hi to Lola for me and try not to mention about her alcohol problem.

What Cooking at The White's?

In the south, it's the norm to get dressed in your Sunday's best and have a delightful brunch or lunch after church. It is also the norm to wait at least an hour to be seated for it. So when we found the parking lot at White's Family Restaurant almost bare, (in comparison to the other hot spots in New Bern) we settle there in hopes of good home-style southern cooking.

As you walk into the establishment, it is filled with all the country fix-ins' one is use to in a country kitchen. The smell of fried chicken, the bottles of chilli pepper vinegar, the hunting insignia, dark wood, and country smiles. We had choice of seating, and of course I had to sit in cozy booth.

We were greeted by a sweet lady and asked what we would like to drink. However, it was a tab bit annoying to find out that we had to share one menu and break our neck to look at the menu board;That disappear the minute we turned our head. Other than that it seem to be okay.

I ordered the fried chicken with a side of collards and potato salad. Which seem safe enough in an unknown territory. The chicken was fried to perfection with a little kick of spice, light and crispy. The potato salad was tart, filled with red potatoes, red pimentos, and hints of oregano. What I enjoyed the most about the salad was the lack of sweetness, for I despise sugar filled potato salad. It's not a dessert, for god sake.

I truly believed that I was filled to my gizzards, but then the waitress walk by with a fabulous meringue top banana pudding pie. Of course, my stomach made the proper accommodation for the pie. I was sweet banana pudding with a base of vanilla wafers and light meringue.

After the delightful lunch, I asked a few questions about the establishments, and to my surprise they sent the owner by to answer me. However, she did the complete opposite, she filled the conversion with Bubba Jokes that I guessing is a Cove City thing. Now I love a country joke here and there, but when I trying to blog about your establishment I will keep it to a minimum. However, if you enjoy that nonstop humor, go ahead and ask for the owner.

Overall the experience was good, the menu price is just right for any income level, the bathrooms are clean, and the food is fantastic. So if you are every on the Neuse, stop by The White's and enjoy real southern cooking.

Also please feel free to comment on my blog about your experience.