Hi from us! On Friday afternoon, we went swimming with Nona (Thomas’s mom) and then showered up and walked to Mono Loco for dinner. It was a fun way to kick off the weekend!
We had worked up quite the appetite swimming, so we chowed down on this chips. Love the flour ones!
I had a Spice-A-Rita – it’s the best!!
I had a stuffed pepper for dinner, which was good, but it wasn’t as good as Zocalo’s!
On Saturday morning, we couldn’t find Mazen (although we heard him moving about downstairs so we knew he was there and safe) and Thomas finally heard a knock from inside the vanity and Mazen had been hiding inside. Crazy boy! No idea where he got the idea to start the day in there.
We snuggled on the couch for a bit before I made a huge family pot of oatmeal.
I stirred a little hot cocoa mix into Mazen’s for a chocolatey delight. I think I may have set the bar high, and he’ll ask for this every single time now!
Mazen’s soccer practice was cancelled this weekend, Thomas wasn’t playing golf, so we had a clear Saturday. We decided to drive down to Short Pump for some weekend shopping!
Quick stop at Bodos for bagel sandwiches during our trip.
It’s about an hour drive to the biggest shopping area you can imagine with every. single. store. So close but so far!
We are actually on the market for a new upstairs couch, specifically one that is better suited for lounging encased in a stain-proof fabric, so we went to Crate + Barrel and Pottery Barn to consult with the experts.
We looked at the Lounge II and Verano II at Crate + Barrel. We thought the Lounge II was just a little too cushy and wanted something with a bit more structure. The Verano II seemed to be a better-made sofa (and it is also a bit more expensive). Both come in chaise-on-the-left options. We don’t want a giant sectional, just a small sofa with a chaise extension on one side. We’d have to do the Traxx Lake blue-ish fabric if we went with the Verano.
At Pottery Barn, we liked the PB Comfort Roll Arm in Memory Foam. We can do the chaise option here too (similar to this minus the back on the side), and I like that we can opt for a washable slipcover in the magical stain-proof Sunbrella fabric. We’d go with Pebble in either the Slub Tweed or Boss Tweed. I have samples of both and I’m going to mush a melted chocolate chip in them and see if it comes out!
One thing’s for sure: we’ll be waiting for a sale for either purchase. I hear PB has a great Memorial Day sale, so our couch upgrade didn’t happen this weekend and is still probably a few months away.
Snack attack:
After we wrapped up at the Town Center, we headed over to Lidl, a grocery store that had emailed me a while back about a visit.
Lidl is unlike any other grocery store I’ve been in – it’s sort of Costco meets Trader Joe’s meets World Market. They had a combination of good prices, European brands, and interesting products – even some housewares. The chocolate selection was on point, and we picked up a variety of dark chocolate bars!
We had planned to head back to Cville by late afternoon, but time totally got away from us, so we decided to get an early dinner at Mellow Mushroom right across from Lidl.
As KK would say, “I could use a good salad!” This Greek salad was amazing. Loved the dressing.
We ordered a Kosmic Karma pizza and a pepperoni, mushroom, and green pepper pizza, which was accidentally dumped onto our table upon serving! We didn’t care though because we were able to salvage most of the slices. We ended up getting a second pizza brought out (which we took home) and both pizzas for free. Great customer service on Mellow Mushroom’s part.
We dipped into our Lidl chocolates on the ride home. 🙂
Sunday morning blueberry pancakes:
We watched coverage of the March for our Lives Saturday evening and Sunday morning, and wish we had made it back in time to go to the Pavilion for ours, which was the plan. We are 110% against guns in this house. The speeches the girls made in Washington were very inspiring. I hope the 3+ million high school graduates they mentioned gaining voting rights will register and vote to help turn the tides on this outdated legislation.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
That’s a huge shopping area indeed! I really miss places like this in Hong Kong, we’re such a densely packed city, so I never get to see sprawled out spaces like this! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Abby says
What a fun weekend!!! I’d recommend checking out Macy’s for furniture too. I found a couch at a fraction of the cost of C&B and PB. It’s held up so well – especially with stains from kiddos (and adults). Customizable with fabric options that don’t require upgrades. Just had to share because that process took me forever! Have a great Monday!
KathEats says
Thanks for the tip!
Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola says
We have the Lounge II couch and it definitely lives up to its name! We used one of the 15% off moving coupons when we got it. Sounds like you guys had a fun trip!
Jennifer says
After years on an old couch (i’m embarrassed to admit how old it was), we got a sectional from Haverty’s – the Norfolk. Great fabric, super comfy! They have couch/loveseat or the sectional. It’s daunting, so good luck!
Catherine says
Please post your findings regarding couches! We are also in the market for a new couch and have been eyeing PB, but with 2 kids under 3, I will wait to hear your stain removal analysis before purchasing
KathEats says
I will! I wouldn’t dare buy a lighter colored couch without it these days. I’m just not into leather or dark colors – except navy – which we already have in the basement.
Rachel Schlosser says
My husband and I love Mellow Mushroom, every time we are back in Dallas we go to one.
Meredith says
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the March for our Lives. I know bloggers get a lot of flack either way when they do or don’t acknowledge issues like this, and I know I personally am glad to see any person with a platform use it to stand up for what they believe in. It’s too important not too.
Suzie says
I wouldn’t recommend PB couches, we bought one 2 years ago and I’m a bit disappointed for what we paid! We upgraded to the high performance fabric (we have a now 4 year old and a cat). The fabric has really not stood up, it’s super pill-y. And the cushions have gotten pretty saggy. Requires a lot of frequent fluffing.
My friend bought a 2 PB couches the same year and had s similar experience. She even tried to get them to replace/repair her couch and they wouldn’t budge, despite them admitting there was a flaw in their high performance fabric that year that caused excessive pilling. (She didn’t have kids or pets at the time, literally pilled just from sitting on it).
I will say that stains come out easily with a little upholstery cleaner. So that’s good!
KathEats says
The lady in our PB store was actually telling me about the pilling fabric (because it was one I liked). I think it’s pretty bad that they have discovered a defect and won’t help people replace the cushions. Or maybe they do? A gift card at least would be nice! They had excellent customer service when I complained about my fading outdoor fabric. I’m surprised the cushions are saggy though! What is inside of yours? The C+B couch actually had springs in the cushions which appealed to me for longevity’s sake.
Suzie says
Not 100% sure what the inside filling is made of, it’s the PB comfort collection. I should clarify, the seat cushions aren’t saggy, but the back cushions you lean on are. I think they are some sort of down blend. It’s comfy! It just looks…more worn than I think it should after 2 years.
KathEats says
Gotcha. Do you have the flat back ones or scatter pillows?
sarah says
I don’t know if you have a Su Casa near you (we have some in Baltimore) and their krypton fabric is amazing – it feels like regular fabric and they have a ton of different choices. I have three dogs and one threw up on the sofa, another bled on it from a broken nail, and the third knocked a glass of red wine all over it with his tail and it all came RIGHT OUT -literally i just wiped it up with a cloth. it was amazing and i honestly thought the sofa was ruined each time.. but then it wasn’t! Not sure if other retailers sell the krypton or just su casa but thought i would mention it!
KathEats says
WOW – that’s the kind of fabric I’m looking for!!
Sarah says
Yeah- it definitely exceeded my expectations even though they said it was pet and kid friendly!
Suzie says
They are flat back!
emma says
Just to add a different perspective, we have the PB Comfort Sq sectional, have had it for 7-8 years and LOVE it! Looks almost good as new. It has spurred 3 other family/friends purchasing it! (The “comfort” depth is key!)
That said, 2 of those 3 I’ve noticed the back pillows doing what Suzie mentioned and they both have the linen fabric. Ours on the other hand is totally fine. A few things I’d attribute this to:
-We got the cotton canvas material which I think is a bit stiffer. Similarly, I think sunbrella fabric would keep it “sturdier”
-Can’t remember the pillow fill but my guess is the synthetic not down
-I am fairly particular about swapping the cushions around (front/back and location) and correcting/fluffing them. I personally believe “couch maintenance” is an on going thing (which the other 2 mentioned above I know do not care for their couches in the same way). Nothing wrong with this, just need to keep in mind what type of person you are!
-Ours they say not to wash the covers b/c it’s not slipcovered so in theory they could become discolored from the base material, but I’ve given them all a wash and 90% of things have come out. Again, I’m particular and we do veryyy minimal eating on it and my husband and guests know to keep it clean.
All that said, we recently purchased a new couch for another room, the family room which gets slightly more day to day wear and I went to ValuCity Furniture (do you have one?). I had never heard of it but our neighbor had a PB look alike couch from there. It’s not as crisp and clean looking as the PB, more fluffy, but just starting the young kid phase it’s been great so far for rougher use! …oh, and 1/3 the price!
Couch shopping feels like car shopping — so many options and it’s an investment!
KathEats says
Thanks for all of this info!
Shane says
I live right outside DC so I got to go to the main March for Our Lives event and it was awesome. These kids are incredible. I saw someone with a sign that said “Our future POTUS is marching” and I think it’s true.
KathEats says
Yes, love that.
Andie says
Love that!
Allison says
We have a PB couch (plus 2 kids and a dog) and it just hasn’t been great. The seams on the slip covers are splitting and it seems to have faded a lot. It’s in our family room, and gets a ton of use, so we are keeping it for now2, but the CB sofa it replaced was much better.
The FL kids are so inspiring. Hope they inspire people to get out and vote. I know my 17 yo is looking forward to voting for the firs time time!
KathEats says
Now I’m swaying more C&B due to all of you who say PB is failing!
Celeste says
We ordered a PB couch a few years back, knowing it would take a few weeks to get to us. A few weeks turned into a few months turned into an estimated NINE MONTHS for delivery and so we shopped local and got a very comfy couch.(For those of you Houston-adjacent, a Gallery Furniture buy – love Mattress Mack!). For the record, we ordered a very run of the mill couch in a very run of the mill fabric!
KathEats says
Gosh!!
Olivia says
We just got the lounge sofa from CB and love it! We got the petite version which is not as deep as the original one and it is seriously the best couch I have ever owned! We love it and can’t reccomend it enough! Got it from the short pump store as well!
KathEats says
Good to know! We would get the petite and shorter depth too. Do you think it’s supportive enough? It was cozy, but I thought maybe TOO cozy! Is there such a thing?!
Christine says
Out of curiosity, how do you think where you live affects your views on how having a gun in the house? Charlottesville seems to have a pretty low homicide rate. Are there a lot of armed break-ins in C’ville or your surrounding area? If not and you lived in an area of the country where this was the norm (Baltimore City for instance–and not in the “good section” of town), do you think this would affect your view on having a firearm in the house? Under lock and key of course and with the appropriate license and training for those that have access to the gun.
KathEats says
Definitely not. I have a panic button on my night stand here, and I would have more in more places if I lived there. I never intend to ever touch a gun, for “fun” or for protection.
Christine says
Thank you Kath. I certainly understand and respect your choice. My choice is responsible firearm ownership (license, training and gun safe) so I have the option to immediately defend my family and not wait the 10 minutes for the police to arrive. I hope you can understand and respect my choice as well.
Shane says
I appreciate the civil conversation, but the statistics are just not on your side.
https://www.vox.com/cards/gun-violence-facts/gun-house-death-risk
Christine says
Typical liberal response. I thought more of you but not anymore. Bye bye. Mutual respect is an amazing thing. Too bad you’ve never heard of it.
Shane says
To be clear this was my response, not Kath’s, which I think is how you’re reading it? Speaking of knee-jerk responses.
Celeste says
I mean this truly – how could that comment, which was polite, non-inflammatory, measured and had a stats link “liberal” and not respectful?
K Christensen says
Would you please share your pancake recipe. I can see you use oatmeal and I have yet to find a good oatmeal pancake recipe. Thanks!,
KathEats says
It’s the Great Harvest mix and it’s the best there is! If you don’t have one near you, they can always ship it to you.
Sarah says
Do you know about cocococo ? Amazing custom chairs and couches made in North Carolina and far better quality than crate and barrel and pottery barn for better prices. We just ordered two chairs from them and their customer service is amazing. Check them out online
KathEats says
I haven’t heard of them. I do feel strongly about being able to sit on a couch before buying which is why I’m somewhat limited by the bigger stores
Karen M Monson says
Maze is turning into a trickster!
Don’t buy a sofa until you check out MetroDecor here!
Chelsea says
My good friend was quoted by the New York Times! For whatever reason, I have a ton of teacher friends here in Wisconsin. Most of them are not too happy about potentially being asked to carry guns.
KathEats says
Yeah, especially when they can’t even carry peanut butter. I think giving teachers guns is absolutely ridiculous. If anything, some kid is just going to find a way to use his teacher’s gun for harm. It makes them MORE accessible. Ugh.
Flo says
Hi Kath, I just wanted to say I agree 110% on the guns. We need gun reform now. The kids (who actually speak like adults) are amazing and inspiring. After Columbine happened, a boy on my daughter’s school bus threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot everyone. She was 13 at the time. I called the superintendent ASAP, but it fell on deaf ears. We had to contact the police. When they went to the boy’s house, there were a lot of guns there. It was very scary. You shouldn’t have to worry about your child not coming home from school.
KathEats says
Oh man that is very scary for you to go through. I’m glad the police at least investigated it. I think only the police and military should have guns. Period. (Maybe a single shooting rifle for hunters, but definitely nothing semi or automatic and maybe they should be rented and stored by police when not in use). I have an extreme view that I know is not realistic, but that’s how strongly I am against them.
polly.grismore says
Kath your oatmeal is always on point! The chocolate chips makes me wanna try that! I’m with Mazen! haha 🙂 XOXO
polly.grismore says
oh my gosh it was cocoa mix i just re read that. oh wow yum.
Andie says
I loved watching the march, too. Gotta keep our kids safe!
Sally says
We recently bought a couch at Bob’s Discount Furniture in Northern Virginia. I’d seen their commercials and always pictured a big, cheesy warehouse with cheap furniture, but I have to say I the couch we bought has been fantastic so far. It looks and feels very similar to a model I had been coveting for forever from Pottery Barn. We also opted to buy the extra (but inexpensive) warranty – if we spill anything, they will come out and do a professional stain removal at any time, and it also came with an at-home stain removal kit for smaller / less intense stains. Might be worth checking out!
KathEats says
Cool, thanks!
Susan says
As a cop’s family, we have two guns: one for work and one personal. Both are always locked in a gun safe. Though all of my kids’ friends knew my husband was a cop, not one ever asked if we had guns in the house. Always ask a new friend’s parent if there are guns in the house!
Jenny says
Have you tried Ikea? People seem to like to slipcovered white sofas better than PB. Also, have you made the trek down to Green Front? Aways a fun adventure, as long as you focus on one item per trip! 😉
KathEats says
I haven’t heard of Green Front….!
Jenny says
OMG! You have to go….it’s in Farmville about 1 1/2 hr south. Warehouses of amazing furniture, rugs, etc. at great prices. A really fun daytrip. https://www.greenfront.com/
KathEats says
Love the look from the website! Might be a great stop on the way to my parents house when I drive south : )
Liz says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the March! I couldn’t agree more and I’m finally hopeful that the tide of public opinion is turning. As a parent, I just can’t accept the current reality for our kids! On the subject of couches, we love the Karlstad from Ikea, it’s got washable covers and has stood up to our active six year old since he was a baby 🙂