Roanoke Virginia Girls Day Out

The start of everyday should include a scrumptious breakfast, and that is just what I made for my gal pals before we hit the country roads to Roanoke Virginia:) Nothing satisfies quite like cooked brown eggs, blueberry scones with jam and home whipped devonshire cream, a fancy glass of OJ and a painted tea cup filled with blended black tea:)

Ok, now that we're filled up, let's go!!! :)

Thankfully, it was nice and sunny on this Winter's Day so we opened the sunroof, turned up the music and cruised through the blue ridge mountains.

Roanoke, was first named Big Lick in 1852 for its large outcropping of salt around the Roanoke River. In 1882 it was renamed Roanoke, an Algonquin word for shell money, the shells of which might have been found in the river. Surrounded by West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland, the city became a major transportation hub and the city grew rapidly over the years. Big Lick became a stop on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad in the 1850's. Mill Mountain overlooks the Roanoke Valley and is home to the Roanoke Star and the Mill Mountain Zoo. Visitors can also enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway which runs south of the city and the Appalachian Trail which runs through the north. Activities to enjoy in the areas around Downtown are scenic driving, hiking, and other outdoor sports.

On this particular day, we enjoyed the bounties of the city:)

As we rolled into Historic Downtown, we were greeted with the cutest coffee pot sign:) We turned right on Salem and parked in a garage just across the street from a few, very cute shops:)

Our first stop, Antique Blue!!! This shop was love at first sight, from the gorgeous, local, oil paintings that grace the front windows and the inner walls of the shop to the antique, wooden furniture, hand painted clocks, etched mirrors and little odds and ends:) The owners are so gracious and sweet you'll want to talk antiques all day!!!! Definitely one of my new favorite spots!!!

Appalachia Press will delight you with a million and one goodies, all over the shop!!! It's a candy land of vintage accessories, handmade cards, fine art prints, books and other stationary goods:) We were dazzled!!! So check it out, M-F by Appointment Only, Sat 9-5pm.

Chocolate Paper is as yummy as it sounds;) With a mixture of stationary goods, local nuts, jams and handmade chocolates AND adorable accessories for him, her and the home, you'll find something for everyone on your list at this tasty little shop of goodies:)

For the creme de la creme in clothing, you'll look no further than 310 Rosemont. Just prepare your pocket book because this place isn't cheap, in a stunning sea of high end labels, I fell in love with a Tory Burch linen shell I soooooo couldn't afford! Wah:(

Now La De Da is more my speed! Filled with an abundance of layered skirts, embroidered shirts and sweaters, denim, FRYE boots, other footwear, jewelry and home accents! The Indian, hand painted wooden stools and metal peacocks definitely caught my eye:)

The Villages of Africa specializes in hand spun baskets, hand carved statues and games, paintings and unique jewelry. They also have wonderful chocolates, soup mixes and bread mixes.

Queila is contemplating taking home some fresh fruit from the local farm stand, she likes to Shop Small:)

Birdy's Loft is a haven for pretties!!! The lovely owner here will work with you on pricing, she'll educate you in all things antique and best of all, she'll help you pick out the prettiest things in the shop for yourself:) Birdy's has everything from china, furniture, accessories for yourself as well as your home and best of all, vintage clothing, I couldn't resist taking home an emerald green 1960's shift dress!!!

After our shopping excursion in Downtown, we drove just minutes away to a shop everyone has been telling me to go to, Black Dog Salvage!!! And now I know exactly why:) This place literally has it all and then some! Not only are there rows and rows of antiques, architectural items, salvaged old doors, windows and mantels but there are custom designers and artists that can help you create a truly unique space out of your once, ordinary home:)

When our appetites started interrupting our shopping we decided to drive over a little bridge into the small town of Grandin Village for dinner at a hot spot called Local Roots:) Although we did a bit of peeking into the nearby shops before we got our table;) New to Me and Urban Gypsy looked pretty cute, so we'll definitely be back to investigate! From the windows we saw some pretty cute clothing, accessories and home decor!!!

If you have time, there's the fantastic Grandin Theatre, Roanoke's only historic, non-profit movie palace:) Check out a show and wrap your lips around the best popcorn in town!!!

Local Roots, a restaurant fueled by their philosophy S.O.L.E. Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical, are here to serve up the best the local farmers have to offer:) Their menu changes seasonally to deliver the best, most natural ingredients at the peak of their freshness:) Their philosophy on their eats extends to their drinks, working with small wineries who care about the flavor their wines produce and their impact on the earth. This place serves up some of the best dishes I've ever had; I indulged in the curried acorn squash soup with toasted poppy seeds and creme fraiche and then dove into the gnoochi with lamb, beef, and pork bolognese, brussel sprouts and confit sweet potatoes- absolutely divine!!!!! This place comes very highly recommended, and the staff is just as magnificent as the dishes:)