150 years old never looked so good!

When business takes you to Lafayette Square...

...you take your time to explore and soak in the beauty of the stunning 19th century architecture. It never gets old, friends... my heart pitter-patters every time I am here.❤️

Weekend Happening: Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street

This weekend is one of the city's most festive street parties...

...the 2017 Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street! With 15 years under their belt and drawing over 50,000 people annually, the festival is a true celebration of the culturally-rich Cherokee Street neighborhood.  Complete with a parade, live entertainment, live art demos, margaritas /cervezas, local artists, vendors, and the most delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine in all of St. Louis...this annual fiesta is an amazing time!

NITTY GRITTY...

Saturday, May 6 from 11:00AM- 10:00 PM

DIRECTIONS...

From highways 40 or 44 exit at Jefferson and go South (Right). Continue South on Jefferson about 1-2 miles to Cherokee. To go towards the Festival Area make a right on Cherokee. The festival area starts at Iowa and Cherokee.

FOR MORE INFO...

Web:  http://cincodemayostl.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/CincodeMayoSTL

CLOSED: #6310 Oakland Avenue in Dogtown

One of the most fun and interesting aspects of my job is connecting with clients in a variety of places.   I initially connected with this Buyer's daughter on Twitter and the rest is history. Social Media is incredibly powerful and it is always fun to meet the face behind the handle.   =) 

Exciting changes are happening for this family and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to help them in their next big step!  Their new adorable Dogtown bungalow,  just steps from Forest Park, Turtle Park, and the Zoo,  is a wonderful fit! 

Huge congratulations and THANK YOU to the B Family!

2014 US News & World Report's Best High School List

Each year, US News & World Report releases their Best Public High Schools In The Nation list ranked by state.  The 2014 report is hot off the presses and has everyone buzzing.

The U.S. News rankings include data of more than 19,400 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.  Their full methodology can be found HERE.

Per Missouri, 8 out of the 10 "Best High Schools" ranked in the state are in the St. Louis area...

 

Other Missouri statistics...

 

In addition, Missouri is home to two schools awarded gold medals (Metro and Clayton in the St. Louis area)- only 2.8% of the schools in the nation are awarded this, representing the top 500 schools based on performance on state exit exams and highest college readiness. 13 Missouri High Schools were awarded silver medals (Marquette, Lafayette, Parkway West, Parkway South, Lindbergh, McKinley, Oakville, and Valley Park included in the St. Louis area), only given to 8.6% of eligible schools in the country and 126 were given bronze medals.

 

While locals often mock the popularity of the age old St. Louis question "Where did you go to high school?"... the question remains pertinent here due to our well-established and deeply-rooted public school system.  School District not only affects the quality of education here in St. Louis, but it is also directly correlated to property value in many areas of the Metro, as well.  While I do not  fully agree with all aspects of this list, as many of our local highly- reputable school districts sit lower in the rankings for one reason or another even with impeccable "College Readiness" scores and small class ratios...  the report is interesting and worth a share.

 

See all Missouri Rankings HERE.  See the FULL report and rankings in ALL states HERE.

Hidden Gem: La Patisserie Chouquette

I adore Foursquare and Instagram for a plethora of reasons, though notably, they are powerful avenues to learn about the hot new places in town.  Both apps allow me to see the establishments that my friends frequent, view the photos of their experience, and read their reviews.   As a result, I have a "must-do" list in a number of cities.  Invaluable information from the people who I trust most. 

Anyhoo, friend after friend has been "checking in" to this establishment recently, sharing photos of the most delectable-looking treats! As I was in Tower Grove on Saturday morning, and in need of a hostess gift for a party that evening, I figured it was the ideal time to pop in.

Located at the corner of McCree and Tower Grove, in the sweet little spot of the city nestled between the Shaw neighborhood and the Grove, is a hidden gem that boasts to be "A Sweet, Chic, and Unique Boutique specializing in French Pastry, Couture Wedding Cakes, and Wow-Your-Date Desserts"...

Indeed!  I could easily ramble on about my lovely experience at La Patisserie Chouquette, though I will instead let my photos do the talking.  I will preface, however, that the entire experience (and it IS an experience) from the space to the treats - as pretty, charming, delicate, and delicious as it looks. 

Note:  Our choice to share, the "Great Gatsby", could be renamed the "I have possibly just died and gone to heaven via creamy lime and candied ginger-layered crepe goodness".  Highly recommend.

 

I have been blessed to enjoy delectable hand-crafted goodies on the streets of Paris.  This is by far the closest thing to that experience that I have found here in St. Louis.  As soon as you cross the threshold of La Patisserie Chouquette, you are transported to another time and place.  Everything that you see- pretty.  Everything that you smell- wonderful.  Everything that you taste- sinful.  La Patisserie Chouquette is an experience that every local needs to have at least once.  Incredibly special, this little hidden gem is.

If you are in the neighborhood- drop by and plan to stay for a bit.  If you aren't in the neighborhood, it is worth the journey, I promise.

 

NOTE: for those of you with allergies, the bakery is ALSO gluten and peanut FREE.

 

Nitty Gritty...

1626 Tower Grove Avenue

St Louis Mo, 63110 

314-932-7935

 

Store Hours...

 

Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm

Web:  http://www.simonefaure.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chouquettestl
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/chouquettestl

See my other "Hidden Gems" HERE.

Hidden Gem: Sanctuaria Wild Tapas

Located at #4198 Manchester Avenue in The Grove, sits...

I have been meaning to do a Hidden Gem post featuring Sanctuaria for MONTHS, as my accidental stumble into this sexy little tapas/cocktails spot turned out to be a beautiful introduction to one of my favorite local hotspots.

Their website claims: 

Experience Sanctuaria, bringing flavor and atmosphere to you. Sanctuaria is a place where people gather over amazing food, unique cocktails and incredible atmosphere. It's truly a "sanctuary in the city".

Plain and simple- they deliver.

Sanctuaria boasts a cozy, eclectic interior and a fabulous outdoor patio space for summer fun.  Looking for a unique date or Girls Night out spot?  Sanctuaria is it!  The tapas-sized servings allow you the opportunity to go on a true "foodventure" with small bites of numerous items.   Trust me, me the Latin-inspired cuisine and delicious cocktails (created by a trained Mixologist with house made liqueurs and bitters) will leave your taste buds spinning! 

The menu constantly shifts with the seasons and there are new specials DAILY.  Fantastic.

A teeny peek at our latest visit (prepare to drool and leave your diet at the door)...

 

Above:  Sangria

 

Above- Bacon Wrapped Dates
Stuffed with Spanish chorizo & pepper jack cheese; served with dipping sauce made of rye whiskey, apple & chipotle 

 

Above: Spring Mix and Pepper Salad with a fresh Cilantro Basil Vinaigrette

 

Above: Frita Slider

Traditional Cuban pork & chorizo sliders topped with Monterey Jack cheese & crispy Yukon gold potatoes; served on a Cuban sweet roll & garnished with citrus herb sauce. The chef added an egg to our culinary delight.

 

Above:  Grilled Lamb Chops on a bed of polenta

 Above:  Havana Bread

Spiced Caribbean cake baked in a vanilla custard topped with Meyer`s dark rum raisin sauce

 

I can say without hesitation that every single morsel that I have ever put in my mouth at Sanctuaria Wild Tapas was absolute heaven on a plate.  Google the reviews- everyone is raving and with reason.  Run, don't walk, to make reservations and don't forget to check out their amazing Happy Hour specials HERE.


The Nitty...

Sanctuaria

4198 Manchester- corner of Manchester and Boyle St. Louis , MO  63110 314 535-9700  http://www.sanctuariastl.com https://www.facebook.com/sanctuariastl https://twitter.com/SanctuariaTapas This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FYI- More of my St. Louis Hidden Gems can be found here:  http://carrienenonen.blogspot.com/search/label/Hidden%20Gems

Hidden Gem: Stl STyLehouse on Cherokee

Another Hidden Gem alert, St. Louis!   

So the buzz, buzz, buzz has been prevalent for years and you literally can't go anywhere in the Lou without spotting one of their goodies.    While I have perused their website/FB page for a long time, I finally made my way down to the STyLehouse on Cherokee Street and couldn't wait to share!

Located downtown at #3159 Cherokee...

StL STyLehouse is a mecca of cool St. Louis pride-themed apparel and posters.

Their sayings/mottos/logos are smart, snarky, and frankly... brilliant for locals with a healthy sense of humor.  My relo clients always remark about how deeply rooted St. Louis is.  It is incredibly true!  Our city most definitely has his own unique set of customs and quirks- it is a St. Louis thing, you just don't understand.  This shop captures that perfectly.

So, how does it work?  While they have pre made items for sale in the store, you also have the option to customize.  You choose the shirt/item, you choose the logo, they print it on the spot!  It is that simple.  They have every style, size, and color imaginable.  Per logo, they have so many hysterical choices...

... it is incredibly difficult to choose just one?!

“My Way or Kingshighway”, "Get Your Thrills in St. Louis Hills", "Midtown- Ain't it Grand", "Where'd You Go To High School"... all perfectly St. Louis.

I left with a new Forest Park tee and another with our good ol' buddy Saint Louis (who sits at the top of Art Hill in front of the St. Louis Art Museum)...

... tagging area code "314". 

Brilliant.  Love it!

If you have a chance, make your way down to the shop.  If not, I encourage a visit to their website which is super easy to navigate and shop.

The Nitty...

STyLehouse
3159 Cherokee St.
St. Louis, MO 63118
Tel 1: (314) 494-7763
Tel 2: (314) 761-4469

Store Hours
Tue-Fri: 10am-5pm
Sat: 11am-5pm
Sun: 12pm-4pm
Online: 24/7

Web: http://stl-style.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/STyLehouseSTL
Twitter: http://stl-style.com/

EYE love Peat Wollaeger...

You can hardly go anywhere in St. Louis without seeing the whimsical touch of local graffiti stencil artist, Peat Wollaeger! He is livening up St. Louis, one piece and "EYE" at a time.

While his work is starting to pop up all over the country, it is super widespread in St. Louis...

This piece is my personal favorite, as it brought healing to the heart of a city suffering a horribly tragic loss.  Peat perfectly captured the magic of the beloved Bob Cassilly, creative genius of the St. Louis City Museum and numerous other local treasures like Turtle Park.

Peat even has real estate on the walls of MY house =)... 

If you have never seen Peat work, it is pretty amazing!  A perfect ode to St. Louis, I present to you Peat's St. Louis Breakdown...


NITTY:

Blog: http://stensoul.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peat-Wollaeger-stenSOULcom/157354443109
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/stensoul
Online Store: http://buyart.stensoul.com/

Hidden Gem: Missouri Baking Company

In the heart of a tight knit Italian community, aka...

Sits a little bakery that has been around since 1924...

There is always a line...

But it is worth the wait...

The Missouri Baking Company offers  wide array of goodies done the old fashioned way: cakes, breads, cookies, and delicious Italian treats like homemade biscotti and cannolis ...

This week, I picked up goodies for our neighbor who extended major kindness when I was in a jam...

I, of course, also picked up a little something for my 2 favorite Cardinals fans as well...

It is a St. Louis MUST!

NITTY GRITTY:

7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

On Sundays, they're open from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m.

They are closed on Mondays.

Missouri Baking Company
2027 Edwards St.
St. Louis, MO
314-773-6566