A day late, but still lucky!
I’ve never found a four-leaf clover before… pretty exciting. I’ll admit that I squealed hysterically. I’m such a sucker for superstition. Fun fact: I kiss the side of airplanes before I board!
I was definitely feeling lucky when I stumbled upon FABO Cafe (FABO = Fabulous Art Buying Opportunity) the other night and knew I had to come back ASAP. Free WIFI, local art, great wine and coffee, and yummy baked goods? I’m sold!
And yes – FABO is pet-friendly, too! Which meant I rushed home and picked up James before settling in to get some work done. He had loads of fun at FABO.
Maggie stayed at home, but she was there in spirit – in the form of this awesome spotted dachshund chair (which was for sale – but waaaaay out of my price range).
A pretty cool place, huh? You guys KNOW I’ll be back to FABO to do some writing!
FABO sparkling wine:
And 1/2 a caramel brownie (split with Sophie):
And some cheesy sticks (James ate most of ‘em):
(Cheese eyes)
Sophie made the whole family dinner – I loaded up on the salad and had a bit of pasta on the side. Sophie used hummus to make a really yummy ‘cream’ sauce for the pasta – it was great!
And then we spent the evening relaxing on the back patio… It’s so great that spring is finally here. It makes my whole body sing from the inside-out. Chirping birds, warm breezes? Yes, please! 
We’re watching The Fighter and I’m snacking on buttahed toast. Have you seen it (with Mark Walberg and Christian Bale)? It’s amazing.
Psst – Fun little plug for the Husband: He’s currently offering a Savvy Town (kind of like Groupon) coupon for $49 for two acupuncture sessions (75% off!). If you’re in Charlotte, check it out here! So proud.
Do you have a favorite locally-owned coffee shop? What makes it totally unique? I think FABO’s combination of art, wine, coffee, and pets makes it unlike any other.
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{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
I love frequenting this little coffee shop on the corner. You probably haven’t heard of it. It’s called Starbucks. It’s very sheik; might even become big some day!
I have never found a four leaf clover. I will keep looking!
That restaurant seems really cool. I’ve never been somewhere that lets you bring in your pet like that.
what a unique find, that’s pretty awesome. i need to find a few more awesome places around here!
I have a dachshund named Squirt and he loves…. loves … loves cheese =P He has really bad allergies (including beef and eggs) so unfortunately/fortunately cheese is pretty much his only treat
He too has cheese eyes 
Cheesey eyes make me so happy.
That place looks awesome!! Where in CLT is it?
Near Yoforia on Swelyn.
That place looks awesome!! There’s a really cute little NYC chain called Think Coffee that I love. They give a percentage of all their profits to charities, and have the best jasmine tea ever!!
I would love to visit that place — that furniture is so cool!
I go to chain coffee shops around here — Starbucks or Caribou.
I love local coffee shops because they usually have so much personality! A few weeks ago, a crepe + coffee place had a free specialty coffee day. It was great because they also use fair trade, locally roasted beans.
I’ve not really found a place like that in my town, but the Bean Cycle in Fort Collins, Colorado is AMAZING! It’s half coffee shop and half used book store. LOVE.
You kiss the outside of the plane!? I’ve never heard of that before lol. That is such a good idea they allow dogs. Studying/working with pets is so much fun and relaxing
Yum, I want to know how to make the hummus “cream” pasta sauce! Looks delicious!
She just mixed a bunch of hummus with some canned tomatoes. Tada!
my spot used to be this little cafe in the suburbs of atlanta…. art all over the walls, huge portions, yummy “cafe” type food, and even better SWEETS!, not to mention they had live bands at night and free wifi! There were comfy couches everywhere!!!! Aaahh I miss that place
What an interesting place! I feel like that would be such a great spot to take friends who are visiting from out of town. I have a great coffee shop in my hometown, but haven’t found one yet in New York!
That cafe looks really cool. I’ve emailed you before for running advice….well I have my first 5K tomorrow!!! I’m just listening to my new playlist and I feel mentally prepared. Now I just hope my body cooperates (been dealing with everything from shin splints to IT band issues). Please send me good running vibes….. I’m so nervous/anxious/excited!!
Comment #13?!?!- GREAT!!! Can I have your four leaf clover?
How did you do!!!
The coffee in Buffalo is generally pretty bad, haha. But I do like Spot Coffee (technically a chain, but it isn’t a huge franchise like Dunkin Donuts or Starkbucks), which I frequent because it has Irish creme-flavored coffee (my favorite flavor) and big comfy chairs. It’s usually too loud to do work there, though.
i used hummus for a cream sauce tonight too! it was delicious!
caramel brownie = yum!
yes i live in urban san diego…there are about 17 coffee shops, fresh juice bars, ethiopian food, mediterranean fare, and everything in between all within like 2 blocks of my house. My fave locally opened coffee shop is the one across the street from me…it’s open 24 hrs, is open-air, and has a liquor store and a medical marijunana dispensary next to it..so there’s always GREAT people watching!
Um, awesomesauce.
SO wishing I lived near ya’ll right now… in need of some accupuncture on my left pec. Feel like I’m going from one injury to the next these days :l no fun. …getting old much ?! ;P lol
I’m a huge fan of using hummus in ‘kream’ sauces. Gives them a really nice silky, creamy texture w.o the cream… plus hummus makes everything better right ?
you look absolutely stunning in the pic with James!
no fun coffee shops in rural MA.. I wish! My doxie has to sit in the car when I run into Starbucks to get coffee
Thank you Megan
Cute that they’re pet friendly! I’d love to have a pup just to take to cafes and what not like that. For some reason I don’t think walking in there with a at would go over too well..
I love Infusion Tea and Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar in Orlando! Super chic, artsy and vibrant place to hang out
OMG. must move to CLT! Just so Toby can come with me to GABO
Amazing. more places need to be pet-friendly!!!
(fun fact: I’m looking at either staying in Raleigh or moving to CLT when i graduate from law school at UNC!)
CLT, CLT, CLT!
4 leaf clover!!! cool
That’s so cool that you found one. I never have!
That coffee shop sounds amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.
i live in bloomington, IN and there’s a great local non-profit coffeeshop called the pourhouse. they donate their proceeds & tips to different charities every quarter… it’s pretty neat. they have great fair trade coffee and yummy treats there too.
Mmmm…Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Just bringing the comments around to what really caught my eye on this post.
I’d love to find a coffee shop like the one you’ve got here.
Mark Wahlberg = EPICALLY HOT in that movie.
I love the look of that place. Any where that has art I love.
Jame is so cute, as always!
Octane Coffee in Atlanta is just like that place! Minus pets being allowed…unfortunately. The coffee is fantastic, there’s a bar, snacks, free wi-fi, and tons of cool, local art. It’s my fav.
I love this place called “It’s a grind” near my house (several other locations though) b/c the atmosphere is sooooo comfortable to study at! people there aren’t loud or too “high school” so it’s great to concentrate
my real favorite ones though, aren’t near me. at least 40 minutes away!
We have this great local place right off of our “main street.” It used to be a house, but it’s been turned into a coffee place. It’s AMAZING, and so so popular. It has a gazillion little rooms and places you can hang out and talk and stuff. I typically get their smoothies (yum!) and a few times have gotten soup or a sandwich or something for lunch. It’s pretty reasonably priced, too. It’s a really great atmosphere. They have music there some nights; I haven’t been there on a music night, but I think it gets pretty packed. It’s mostly locals performing, so depending on who’s singing/playing, it draws a different number of people, I suppose.
I don’t go very often–the last time I was there was about two weeks ago when two of my college friends were home and we went to catch up a little. But I love getting to spend a little time there.
That looks like a great place! I wish there were pet-friendly places like that around here. I don’t have any pets, but I love animals.
And James is a total cutie, as usual! 
I need a place like this near me. All we have is the typical “bucks”. I need to search the internet for some fun new hang out spots. Love the four leaf clover. I only found one once and if you can believe it I was riding my bike when I was young and saw it sticking out of the grass and when I went back to look sure enough it was a 4-leafer!
Cool “groupon”! I’d totally take advantage if I didn’t live on the West coast…
Have you been to Amelie’s? It’s in Charlotte (NoDa area)–so cute and such good pastries and food!
I have not – everyone talks about it, too!
i just saw the fighter last night and it was amazing! glad your enjoying it
I am so lucky to be living in Auckland, New Zealand. such a cool city! i’m trying to find a locally-owned place that I like, though. everything seems like a chain, so I admit I stick to Starbucks! They give me GREAT service, you’d think it was locally-owned!
What a neat place to get some work done! I’m jealous of your spring weather.
Where did you get your shirt – it’s so cute!
I’m moving in with you! That place looks awesome!!
man, i wish i could find a place that allows pets so i can go and hang out and not feel guilty that the little guy is bored at home…
I love the idea of a coffee shop being open to pets. James looks like he’s right at home there.
There aren’t too many local coffee shops where I live, but there is one cute little cafe that is completely rustic in all in the furniture, food, and drinks. It’s all shaped around feeling like you’re in the mountains, even when you’re miles and miles away. I love it.
What an adorable coffee shop, and so neat that it allows pets! I love discovering little shops and restaurants in my city!
And that dinner looks like such a great mix… fantastic!
I LOVE your tan and purple shirt! Where did you get it?
Anne Taylor Loft
Thanks!
I used to work at a coffee shop like that during my master’s degree….oh I should have quit school then and just worked there because I loved it. Then I wouldn’t be in this debt and could just write and do the coffee on the side
I want to see The Fighter! So glad it’s out on DVD – cheaper than theater. Do you write in that position on a sofa usually? Stay there long? Or was it just doing some random computer stuff?
That coffee shop looks amazing, especially since it serves wine!
I love independent coffee shops! Growing up, my friends and I went to one so often that the owner started remembering our orders haha.
Wow! I would LOVE to take my dog into a coffee shop, reminds me of France.
Also SO cool you found a 4-leaf clover, I would totally jump up and down!!!
What a cool place! How did you find the clover?
I saw The Fighter and LOVED it! Such a great movie! And I need to find a small coffee shop near me. I just moved to this area and all I’ve really seen are Starbucks and Dunkins.
I don’t drink coffee or tea, so I don’t usually frequent coffee places. But that looks like a neat place! That brownie looks amazing. And I’m totally intrigued by using hummus to make a “cream” sauce!
What a cool place!! I love my neighborhood coffee shop because they make the most amazing latte’s AND they’re cheaper than starbucks. They don’t allow dogs though – only outside
Wow, what a cool place! I love pet friendly establishments
My husband and I are looking to move about 30 minutes south of the Charlotte area within the next year and I can’t wait! We also watched the fighter last night. Was the Mom making you as mad as she made me??
i have never found a four leaf clover!!
Also, I heard the fighter was REALLY good
I recently found a local coffee shop that has several non-dairy options. Since becoming a “vegetarian with vegan tendencies” (the best way I’ve found to describe my new eating habits)…I’ve been really annoyed that most coffee places only have soy milk for a non-dairy option. I don’t like soy. This place has rice, almond, oat, and hemp milk also!! …and it’s only 25 cents – most places seem to charge 50 to sub it in!
I was pretty excited. Hehe…
we live in seattle – home of starbucks – but there are literally thousands of unique coffee shops around the city! my husband & i consider ourselves coffee snobs, so we shun starbucks, & choose to frequent the small, independently owned shops. we love exploring new neighborhoods & checking out our friends recommendations.
FABO sounds like a really cool place! I have never heard of a coffee shop/ cafe being pet friendly!! How awesome is that!?
Um whoa. First off… I’ve never found a four-leafed clover in my entire life, and i’ve always looked! Where did you come across yours?
Also… this FABO place sounds amaaaazing! I’m totally hitting it up with Happy. Hopefully she won’t destroy anything… haaa!
I found mine in my front yard! Can you believe it?
I understand your excitement – I found a four leaf clover this weekend when I was cleaning out our garden at home. I ran over and showed my husband, but he was WAY less excited than I was (perhaps just jealous I found it…
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ooo I so wish I had a fun coffee shop like that in my area but no luck.
Stuck with Panera or Starbucks. Starbucks is ok but I don’t really enjoy the food or drink.
I am dying to see the Fighter! It looks so good!
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