Otto's for Sunday Brunch

This Sunday my homies and I went out for a Sunday Brunch at Otto's in Mainstrasse Village. My homies being my husband and two daughters. It's a cafe, or a bar, or something; but they have killer brunch on Sundays. Their website can be found here.

If I had to describe this place in one word.... hmm, I couldn't. Home-y, artsy, quaint, southern friendly- like you're in the south. I mean they do serve Shrimp n Grits for dinner after all. I love Shrimp n Grits. I was meant to live in a big Georgia mansion in another lifetime, except I don't believe in other lifetimes, but you know, I can still use the saying.

If only my wiggly worm would stay still for 5 seconds for my camera to auto focus, this would be my ultimate favorite picture. It's still pretty up there on the list though.

We had a good time and kids were civilized halfway into my Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast, so I'd call it a win for a restaurant outing.

The french toast was unreals. It should defiantly make it to the Food Network in my opinion.They also served fresh peach sangria that made the meal perfect. As my side I got a potato cake full of creamy potato and peppers. 

Hub and the girls got Belgian Waffles topped with strawberries and blueberries and that crispy little tart is a piece of goetta. Although I love food, I can't consider myself a foodie because I couldn't tell you what makes a waffle Belgian as appose to a regular ole' waffle. One day I'll learn all the secrets. 

We love to go to and contribute to small businesses around the city. That being said, we of course occasion Cracker Barrel and IHop from time to time, but there is just something you can get from these places that you can't get from the big chains. I would definitly suggest it as one of my little gems in our city to visit.

Off on an Adventure We Go

I had a birthday a few weeks ago. I'm a young mother at the ripe old age of 25. I didn't take the typical path in life that some do. I couldn't image being an older mother though, because I'm young and my kids wipe me out most days. I'm sure there are older mothers out there though overflowing with energy and would put me to shame. I'm pretty sure this stream of consciousness is going to go somewhere, so stick with me. Last week I was home with my girls, off from work, worn out and wanting nothing more than to lay in my bed all day in a quiet, chilly (but not cold) house, under my covers and watch hours of mindless America's Next Top Model seasons or Gray's Anatomy reruns. I would maybe order some Thai food and lay in my bed and eat it. Doesn't that sound like the most lazy, fabulous day? I guess that says a lot about me. haha

Instead of laying in a cozy bed, I awoke to a quiet morning where my girls had not yet woke and make myself  a cup of coffee. I reminded myself, perhaps more than once, that I'm a young mom full of energy. I thought about my dream date with myself, but quickly realized that I had way more important things to do with my free hours of that day.

My girls straggled into the kitchen (it's still new that Raigan get out of her new big girl bed without assistance and it couldn't make me more happy that she's growing in her independence because she glows when she accomplishes something for herself) groggy eyed and with bed hair. I hurried them to eat their breakfast and promised them an adventure. Things are always more fun when you call them an adventure. Instead of going to the grocery, we're on an adventure to find food! Sounds much more exciting.

So after their quick bite and a shuffle to get dressed off we were well before noon, which frankly is unheard of around here on off days.

We crossed the bridge and Raigan was whinning because I told her no when she asked if we were going to the play place at the mall. Riley joined in and I told them we were going to a bookstore. Not just any bookstore, a fabulous children's bookstore that reminds you of The Shop Around the Corner in You've Got Mail.

I love exploring our city for things and places that are unique and one of a kind. Places that you can't find in any given city in our country. The Blue Manatee is one of those amazing places. My girls have a love for books that I would like to take at least partial credit for instilling in them and what more fun of a place to visit than here.

The store is scattered with unique artwork, displays, benches, and reading nooks very appropriate for feeding little one's imaginations the creative fuel they need.

They have a great selection of children's books, educations materials, classics, chapter books, and on and on.

They also have a cafe that sells all vegan selections. Their website offers a schedule of activities going on at the bookstore as well, like French Story time.

The Root Beer Stand

Last week, or well I guess it was this week, being that it's still Saturday and all, a bunch of us went to a place in Cincinnati that I have only heard tales of. I have been wanting to see if it could be true for the longest time, really a place that makes homemade root beer?

It was true and it was wonderful.

It truly is a stand, very small and cozy inside with a counter and only about 20 of these stools around it. There is seating outside on picnic tables, but we choose to go with the nostalgia of it all and sit inside. Apparently, the Root Beer Stand is the place to be and they take the stand part of their name very seriously, as we had to stand and wait for a place to sit for awhile. haha

The wait was well worth it though for the creamy goodness that was their homemade root beer. It tasted almost like drinking a cream soda flooded with vanilla.

They sell footlongs and burgers, popcorn, and few other menu items. They also make homemade lemonade and orange soda, and you can of course get a root beer float.

These are my nephews and niece, unfortunatly Riley missed out on the Root Beer Stand because she was hanging out with her other cousin for the day, but she has reminded me that she missed out on it more than once, so we'll of course have to go back, twist my arm...

Raigan's faces as of late have been cracking me up, she gives me these when she doesn't want me to photograph her, I'm assuming, because she doesn't tell me. There are times when this 1 1/2 year old will say, "No picture!" So I just click away the cuteness unless she tells me otherwise.

If you live in the Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area, this place is a must try, especially if you have little ones. Classic stands like this are hard to come by, and home made root beer is too.

It's located in Sharonville right off I-275.

Here is their website for more details: http://www.therootbeerstand.com

We ventured downtown today to Abby Girl Sweets, a Cupcakery that features made from scratch cupcakes that are amazing.

They feature flavors of the week. This weeks was root beer float, I didn't try it, but my nephew said that it really did taste like a root beer float. I love this little cupcake boutique.

A Hidden Gem

I love getting to explore our city, but here lately we haven't had much time with school being so crazy and work and life. Riley had been more and more interested in trying new things and seeing new places, so today I had the day off of everything. We explored and we found this little hidden gem down in Mainstrasse in Covington, Ky:

Stoney's Gifts: All Things Princess & Fairy. 

I dreamed of a place like this as a little girl, and I love that there are people that still have little unique stores like this that offer things that you aren't able to find anywhere else.

There are so many cute things offered that are specific to princesses and fairies, naturally.

Riley and I were in love with all of it, even the tulle displays and the fairy splattered paint on the floor.She was especially fond of the little fairy tree house displayed on an authentic tree stump, what a creative idea! 

This store is packed with unique creative things,including an array of fairy outfits to choose from:

The shop owner paints as well. I'm desperately in love with the one on top of the boy and girl kissing that I may just have to go back and buy it, it's pretty adorable.

If you have a little girl should definitely hold a place on your things to do and see list. 

It's located at 323 West Sixth Street in Mainstrasse Village in Covington, KY 41011. 

Their website is www.stoneysgifts.com for more information.

Festival of Lights

We finally went to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo! It was freezing cold when we went, but it's been freezing the whole month of December it seems. I didn't take too many pictures because I was busy trying not to loose the three kids that weren't in the boat double stroller we took.

 The thousands of beautiful lights made the temperature in the teens seem more tolerable.

Here's Riley and my goofy nephews:

Here are the kids in the reptile house. Riley is totally scared of this whole place, especially the tiny little alligator that lives in the middle of the round house.

They even had Santa Claus!

... and Reindeer!

I'm glad we made it again this year and squeezed one more visit out of our season pass.