Thursday, April 25, 2024

Happy Fall

May this autumn bring you a harvest of fun times and laughter with family and friends!

Grab a Coffee, Read a Book at Brewed Awakenings

Brewed Awakenings is a local Newark coffee house that earns high marks for quality and ambiance. The coffee itself is fresh and aromatic, and the skilled baristas do a great job at making all the standard espresso drinks with care and precision.

The shop's atmosphere is half-library, half-living room, with bookshelf-lined walls and a pile of board games. Feel free to pluck a novel off the shelf and spend a few hours reading; you certainly won't be the only person doing so, as Brewed Awakenings is also popular with studying students who hunker down with their books, computers, and notes. If you get hungry while you're there, try a turkey wrap with cheese or hummus, or ask about the soup of the day. If you've got a sweet tooth, you might indulge it with a pastry or cookie from the display case.

Brewed Awakenings
64 East Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 562-7567
www.facebook.com/pages/Brewed-Awakenings-Newark/294869415397
www.yelp.com/biz/brewed-awakenings-newark-2

Three Awesome Ways to Decorate With Maps

These days, mobile maps can definitely be more useful for traveling than a paper map. However, paper maps are beautiful to look at! So why not use them in your home decor? Here are three creative ways you can decorate with a map.

  • Use a map to revamp your lampshade and give it a warm, vintage feel. All you need to do is find an atlas with pictures of beautiful maps inside, a lamp with a shade, and a few craft items. Make a template for your shade and test it out to make sure it fits perfectly. Then, just lay out your template on top of your map pages and make the pages match the size of the template. Finally, use some rubber cement to glue your map on and you're finished!
  • Cover the drawers of your plain-looking dresser with a map. You're pretty much going to use the same process you did for the lamp. Make sure to measure everything out perfectly and remember to cut out tiny circles for the knobs.
  • Give your living room a unique, vintage feel by covering the top of your glass coffee table with a map. If you have a large enough coffee table, you may even be able to see the whole map.

Vintage Map Lampshade [Pretty Handy Girl]
10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Maps [Babble]
7 Ways to Decorate with Maps and Globes [Conde Nast]

Local Microbrews are Just What the Doctor Ordered at Farm-A-Sea Bistro and Crafthouse

A mix of red brick and honey-toned reclaimed wood create a warm, welcoming atmosphere at Farm A Sea Bistro and Crafthouse. It's a fitting look for the eatery, given that its kitchen sources ingredients directly from local farms that probably look similar to the cozy dining room. Chefs also rely on the pulls of local fisherman to craft their dishes, beginning with breakfast and carrying straight through to lunch and dinner.

A big part of any meal at Farm-A-Sea, however, is your chosen libation. The Crafthouse keeps locals in Delaware-crafted microbrews, seasonally inspired cocktails, and wines. So pair your chili-rubbed pork or pan-seared salmon with an Evolution Lot 3 IPA or a Victory Golden Monkey from right across state lines. You can also match a pomegranate Mai Thai with a light flatbread or a glass of chardonnay with a juicy hanger steak at Farm-A-Sea bistro and Crafthouse

Farm-A-Sea Bistro and Crafthouse
56 S. Old Baltimore Pike
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 266-0400
www.farmaseabistro.com
www.yelp.com/biz/farm-a-sea-bistro-and-crafthouse-newark

Design a Gallery Wall These Pro Pointers

A gallery wall can elevate the style of your space and really make a personal statement about your life and style. However, the process takes time, preparation, and patience. Here are some tips to help you build your own gallery wall!

  • Pick out your frames and create diagrams to help play around with some layout ideas.
  • Lay out your frames on your floor before hanging them on your wall to measure everything out.
  • If you find purchasing prints to be too pricey, use your own photography, pictures of family, or restore old photos to place in the frames for a personal touch.
  • You can also hang up empty frames and collect pieces of art over time so you won’t have to splurge on a lot of pieces all at once.
  • Use one large piece to start your collection, then use different sizes and orientation of the pieces to fill space and keep your eyes moving.
  • If you’re going for more of a classic look, use a nine-square grid layout with even space between each frame.
  • Use sturdy frame hangers to protect your walls and your photos against scratches and nicks.

How To Create A Gallery Wall [Pottery Barn]
How To Create a Gallery Wall on a Budget [Apartment Therapy]​
The Guide To A Well Hung Gallery Wall [Emily Henderson]

Happy Labor Day!

Have a relaxing day with fun and laughter!

Taverna: A Classic Italian Bistro

For authentic rustic Italian dining in Newark, you may want to give Taverna a try. As a part of the Platinum Dining Group Experience, Taverna features classic food in an equally classic setting. The décor features exposed brick walls, modern lighting and comfortable seating setting the mood for your meal at this trendy Italian bistro.

The bar has a large selection lot of flavorful beers on tap as well as wines by the glass. The knowledgeable wait staff here is intimately familiar with the menu, and will be glad to help you pair a good wine with your order. The hearty food is authentic Italian, with a nice selection of apps, entrees, pasta and even hearth-baked pizza!

Taverna
121 East Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 444-4334
www.tavernamainstreet.com
www.yelp.com/biz/taverna-newark

Leap and Laugh at Launch Trampoline Park in Newark

If you or the kids need to blow off some steam, you should head to Launch Trampoline Park. From the floors to the walls, this place is one giant trampoline just waiting for you to bounce until you can bounce no more. You can come in during free time, book a party for yourself or your child, or bring your child in for toddler time or middle or high school night. In addition, the first Sunday of every month is kids' day. Not only do the kids get to bounce, but they can also have their face painted and participate in a craft activity.

Launch Trampoline Park also has fitness classes, dodgeball, and a special area for small children. There is a cafe so that you can get a snack after working up an appetite jumping and an arcade for when you need to cool down on a break. Don’t forget to say high to Joey, Launch's kangaroo mascot, if you see him hopping around.

Launch Trampoline Park
200 Interchange Blvd
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 709-1889
launchde.com

Hollywood Grill: Tasty Fare in Wilmington

Generous portions, reasonable prices and tasty home-style fare served in a warm, family-friendly environment are Hollywood Grill’s claim to fame. Diners love to dig into hearty, stick-to-your-ribs breakfasts like Blueberry Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Belgian Waffles, and Bacon & Eggs.

Hollywood Grill's omelets come with your choice of a wide array of additions, including ham, roasted peppers, spinach, feta cheese, cheddar, pastrami, broccoli, sausage & roasted peppers. Stop in later in day for something fresh and healthy like an Authentic Greek Salad, or a Mediterranean Shrimp Salad. Wraps, Deli Sandwiches and Burgers are also on the menu, along with entrees like Roast Turkey with stuffing & cranberry sauce, Homemade Meatloaf with mushroom gravy, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Chicken & Biscuits and Liver & Onions.

Just a short trip from Christiana Reserve in Wilmington, Hollywood Grill is open every day.

Hollywood Grill
1811 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 655-1348
www.hollywoodgrilldelaware.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hollywood-grill-wilmington

Blank Wall, Blank Slate: How to Transform a Wall into a Focal Point

Plain, bare walls are blank canvases just waiting to be filled with accessories or décor. Hang almost anything on your wall and your space will instantly feel homey and more personal. Follow these tips to bring some life to your bare walls.

  • Use a variety of different patterns or colors of washi tape to create a custom design on your wall. This is great because you can easily switch it up if you get bored of the same design and want to switch it out for something new.
  • Add an oversized photograph or piece of art that is almost as big as your whole wall.
  • Hang or lean a large mirror with a detailed frame to your wall. They make a really strong statement and can make your room feel larger.
  • Frame a large chalkboard to write messages on, display photos, or to write recipes. You can even use unique frames or frames to match the rest of your framed photos on your wall to bring the whole look together.
  • Give your wall an elegant touch by hanging a large, oversized clock.
  • Add character to your wall by hanging modular shelves. Not only do the shelves look great, they also provide space for more decor. Use them to display your photos, vases, candles, books, or more.

​25 Ways to Dress Up Blank Walls [HGTV]
http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/how-to/g451/blank-wall-solution/?How To Decorate A Large, Blank Wall [Elle Decor]
Wall Decor: How To Fill Your Blank Walls [Style At Home]

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