It's a little-known fact, but I was born in Charlotte.


My parents are both from the Northern Panhandle, but met each other in Charlotte, had me, and returned home.


The weird thing is - I have never spent time in North Carolina. We left when I was just a few months old, and I've only experienced it as an adult via the airport.


So, while heading to South Carolina for a friend's celebration, I made a point to drive through Charlotte to see my birthplace.


And the first stop was Amelie's Bakery.


The French bakery creates authentic French-inspired pastries, soups and savories.


Walking in, there were giant cases in front of me full of delectable goodies.


They have Napoleons, Salted Caramel Brownie (their signature!), Creme Brulee, macarons and so much more.


I went for a few different things - the salted caramel brownie of course, as well as a cotton candy macaron and a berry tart.


So delicious.


What's your favorite treat?

There's nothing quite like a fresh-baked cookie.

A soft, chewy cookie that has layers of complexity and delicious flavor - that's Love, LC.

This local restaurant pro has begun a side hustle baking up unique flavors like fruity pebble, campfire, chunky monkey and more.

And I was lucky enough to score a sampler box, which included Autumn Spice - pumpkin spice, pumpkin, candied pecans and maple. It's fall in your mouth. Then, I tried the classic chocolate chip - while tasty, is not my favorite kind of cookie (my mom, however, said two thumbs up!). The "Peanut Better" had peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter cups - my goodness. Think a peanut butter cup x 10.


One of my favorites was the cookie & cream, which has white chocolate chips and Oreo crumble. YUM.
And finally, the Rainbow Chip: White Chocolate Chips. Milk Chocolate Chips. Rainbow Sprinkles. Which ones have you tried?

Kirke's Homemade Ice Cream is well-known in the Ohio Valley for being tasty homemade ice cream.



It's sold at a variety of outposts in the area, but I wanted to check out the source.


The restaurant has a whole case of homemade ice cream flavors, but the one that stuck out to me was "CatDog."



Not only did it remind me of the cartoon, but WHAT is this flavor?



Well, it's cookie dough AND Oreo ice cream. Kinda the best of both worlds.

It's always exciting when a new cuisine comes to town.


In this case, there's a new shop focusing on African foods.


Located in Morgantown, African Foods Regions Services features a wide assortment of foods you won't find at the typical grocery stores.


There is dried fish, plantains, beans and so much more.


It's a really great resource for folks, and I'd love to learn a bit more and make something!


Have you been?


Do you have any suggestions for things to try?

Jack-O-Lantern Pizza
Why get distracted by average, store-bought candy or pumpkin spice lattes when you can have a pumpkin shaped pizza? Here at Papa John's, we take Halloween seriously and we cater to our customers by offering fun pizza specials that can feed an entire costume party's worth of people. If you're looking to amplify your night with delicious pizza that's decorated like a Halloween pumpkin with a pepperoni border and smiley face, look no further than Papa John's Jack-o-lantern pizza, made to order and delivered to your door at a price to suit any Ghoule or Goblin. *pizza arrives uncut (Papa John's)

Have you tried one?