Afternoon Tea at The Pinner House

The holiday season really was a whirlwind of events at The Pinner House.  We are so glad to have taken a moment to host and enjoy some specially-curated events here at our Boutique Bed and Breakfast in Downtown Suffolk.

I believe we should be celebrating more often and what a perfect occasion to celebrate loved ones during the holiday season.

We’ve set our intentions for the new year on enjoying good company, good food and especially good tea!

Historically, afternoon tea had its start in the 1800's when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford who, at the time was a close friend of Queen Victoria and a prominent figure within London society complained of "having that sinking feeling" during the late afternoon. Girl- we can relate to that.

She wanted something small to satisfy her hunger, nothing too large just something to see her through until dinner time.

Tea parties are not only for posh ladies, grannies, little girls, and their dolls, or the British - everyone can enjoy afternoon tea in style.

Mothers & daughters, girlfriends, and families came to enjoy our afternoon sandwiches, pastries & desserts- yum! The table was beautifully set with a winter-woodland theme. It was a perfect winter afternoon to cozy up to the warmth of fireplace. Each attendee was gifted a lovely scented candle from our own PH Provisions signature scents.

Some featured fare included

Tarragon-scented chicken salad accompanied by arugula and dried cranberries, nestled within a flaky, buttery croissant.

Harvest bread with smoked turkey, whipped honey brie, and fig jam.

The classic Cucumber Sandwich, with tangy lemon and dill cream cheese, nestled between hearty white bread slices.

A warm buttery scone, served alongside luscious strawberry preserves and mascarpone whipped cream.

Gingerbread Cake, dusted with a delicate veil of powdered sugar

Petite Eggnog Cheesecake with a crust of gingersnap.

Gourmet Truffles of decadent dark chocolate dusted with cocoa powder

The teas selected were a perfect cozy winter variety from a local tea house, including

Frosty Plum Spice

A harmonious infusion of black tea, succulent apple, warming cinnamon and ginger, aromatic clove, delicate amaranth, luscious plum, and vibrant safflower.

Gingerbread Latte Tea

A harmonious fusion of rooibos tea, honeybush, green rooibos, cinnamon bark, raisins, ginger root, candied ginger, candied pineapple, maple bits, and safflowers - all without the enchantment of caffeine.

The Pinner House Princess Anne

A tantalizing alchemy of black tea, sun-kissed papaya, blackberry leaves, and succulent apricot and peach pieces, intertwined with delicate petals of rose, cornflower, calendula, and sunflower.

If you missed out on these afternoon tea events- good news!  There will be more to come! You can find announcements of upcoming teas on our website and socials.

The Third Annual Pinner House Holiday Market

And… That’s a wrap for 2022 events!

We had a blast putting together a beloved holiday tradition: The Pinner House Holiday Market.

A few things that made this market extra special…

A GINGERBREAD EXTRAVAGANZA event led by the talented and extraordinary, Susan of Baked Expectations.

We set the scene for a Winter Wonderland with paper snowflakes cascading from the ceiling, jolly lil’ polar bears and penguins, and decorative greenery. Our guests warmed up in the light-filled sunroom with a cup of steaming cocoa. And then Susan brought some magic…

Possibly the most adorable gingerbread houses. Complete with a chimney, and multiple windows filled with candy glass. Whimsical fairy lights fill the interior at the press of a button.

They came ready to add your own personal touches with hand-piped frosting wreathes, Christmas trees and figurines, in addition to hard candies, pretzels and more!

What better way to preserve those special childhood memories than a SANTA SESSION!

The dynamic duo were back: Emily Conner Photography & East Coast Santa!

Kenny is the embodiment of the Christmas Sprit itself. Jolly as the day is long, patient and kind, and guaranteed to make the kids smile.

One of our favorite moments of the day was when a Santa inquired to a young boy his desires for Christmas. His response was “A chicken!” (Being his only request all season long.) Santa just so happens to bring a sack full of beautiful toys to interact with the children in their session. Santa pulls out a chicken from his sack and the squeal of delight from this boy lights up the room.

The line-up of artisans this year was incredible!

Everyone brought such beautiful pieces from hand-dyed silk to large-scale wood art.

A huge thank you to all our wonderful vendors who participated!

Ashlimarierose/ Barely Touched Natural/ Bristles And Design/ Cativa/ Fable Flowers/ The French Corner/ Foster Lane Living/ Hillhead and Co./ Hill Woodworking/ Kennon House/ Made/ MINIMO/ Monellisa/ Of Great Value/ Pressing On Juice/ Porch Wren Pottery/ Sue Bee Pottery Sun Haven Wood/ VA Goods/ Wren/ Wuby’s Wings/ Yoo Clean/ Zapantis Designs

& the incredible food by The Silver Fox

Kendal & Wesley 05.14.22

These beautiful images of Kendal and Wesley’s wedding day make our hearts stop.

It rained just enough to produce a beautiful double-rainbow, but not so much that the couple and their guests could still enjoy the grounds on this May evening.

Not to mention, we LOVE the outfit change with matching sneakers to dance the night away at the reception!

Caterer- Chef By Deign

Hair- Flawless On Site

Dress- Studio I Do Bridals

Florals- Gather Floral

Planner- Amber Justine Events

Photos- Sara Myers Photography

xoxo,

The Pinner House

Abigail & Nicolas 8.12.21

Happy One Year Anniversary, Abigail and Nicolas!

Your wedding was the perfect mix of young love and summer heat.

Things we love about this event:

• The use of citrus as decor (still as cute as ever!)

• Nicolas’ reaction of Abigail walking down the aisle !!

• That you both incorporated praise and worship in your ceremony

To a long-lasting marriage, Abigail and Nicolas!

XOXO,

The Pinner House Team

This Editorial Shoot Defines Effortless & Romantic

We love that this bridal styled shoot depicted three different brides with very different looks, but are all GORGEOUS and quintessential “Pinner House Brides".

The photographer, Cat Deline did an exceptional job of capturing the beautiful light natural light and all the fantastic details.

You can tell these models can’t help but twirl in these gowns by local boutique, Virginia’s Daughter Bridal Boutique.

VENDOR LIST

Venue: The Pinner House | @thepinnerhouse

Photographer: Deline Photography | @cat.deline  @catdelineteam

Videographer: Dragon Photo Studio | @dragonphotostudio

Bridal Shop: Virginia’s Daughter Bridal Boutique | @va_daughter

Makeup Artist: Makeup by Myiah | @makeupbymyiah

Hair: Citrine Bride | @citrinebride  @beautybin_bytrin

Bakery: The Pink Box | @thepinkboxsweets

Florist: Studio Posy | @studioposy

Rings: Lorak Jewelry | @lorakjewelry

Earrings: Night & Daye Studio | @nightanddayestudio

Rentals: Waterford Event Rentals | @waterfordeventrentals

Rentals: The Collection by Courtney Inghram | @thecollectionbycourtneyinghram

Signs: Pop & Pandy LLC | @popandpandyllc

Stationer: Mulberry Paper Co. | @mulberry_paperco

Mobile Bar: Sipping Southern | @sippingsouthern

Models: @claireheilig | @iamprii | @katiewiktorek

The Making of a Pinner House Bed

The only thing better than crawling into bed after a long day is crawling into a thoughtfully curated, indulgently comfortable bed with buttery-soft linens. The bed that allows the kind of sleep that leaves you feeling rejuvenated, invigorated and with a clear mind to start the day.

As someone who struggles with sleep, creating a sleep environment that does this is what I consider to be an art form and a love language of mine. I take pleasure in the presence of gentle, soothing things like freshly brewed coffee and cashmere socks. Creating a relaxing and intimate atmosphere is about the simple things, but it’s all in the details.

Setting the ambiance for restful sleep is not just for special occasions. So this blog post is in part, a response to guests constantly asking about and commenting on how comfortable our beds are, but is also my guide on practical ways of creating sanctuary and indulgence in the midst of a very real life.

Start With a Supportive Mattress: Saatva

I chose this mattress with comfort, support and sustainability in mind.

Every Saatva mattress is proudly handcrafted to order right here in the U.S. using only the highest quality, consciously sourced materials.

⁃ The Saatva Classic mattress is covered in 100% organic cotton, grown from non-GMO plants without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. As a result, it is soft to the touch, breathable, and durable, as well as gentler on the environment. The Saatva Classic mattress incorporates organic components and other eco-friendly features, including a 100% organic cotton cover with a plant-based antimicrobial treatment; Certi-PUR foams that are certified to be low-VOC and contain natural ingredients derived from soybean and corn oil; a natural thistle flame barrier in place of chemical flame retardants; and recycled steel in the support coils.

Splurge on your sheets: Terrera

Terrera is the brand of sheets we use universally for all the accommodations at The Pinner House.

I knew I wanted a silky soft high quality sheet that would stand up to continual washings. These sheets are the best! I love that they are organic and free of chemicals and they are earth friendly. I felt it is extremely important to consider any product that is you will be breathing in for 8-10 hours per night. Bamboo is known for being both warm and cozy in the winter and cooling in the summer making it the perfect sheet for all seasons. I love these sheets so much I carry them in our shop PH provisions. They are definitely one of most popular products.

Cool-to-touch, ultra-soft, luxurious sheets made from certified organic viscose from bamboo. With a 400 thread count, these bed sheets will guarantee you the best sleep ever.

⁃ Terrera means "Our Time On Earth". It is formed with two words, "terre" meaning earth in French, and "era", meaning period in time

Get cozy with Down Comforters and Pillows

We use a medium weight down comforters. While I do not have a brand favorite. I look for a cover with a higher thread count and uses white goose down for a filler. In addition, we use goose down pillows for all of our pillows.

Incorporate texture in Linens

The following is a bulletpoint list of all the layers that make up a Pinner House Signature Bed and why we love them.

Sijo French Linen Flat sheet for a coverlet.

Every set of our linen bedding is stone washed, meaning it gets to you in a lovely soft texture and only gets better and softer with time. Our linen also keeps you cool without sacrificing comfort and softness. Derived from flax, our French linen is incredibly sustainable as it does not require much water. Like our bamboo lyocell, our French linen bedding is Oeko-Tex Certified, meaning it is safe on the skin and free of toxic, harsh or harmful chemicals and detergents.

Again I love that this company is conscious of the environment and conscious of the sourcing of their products . I love the look of French Linen it is so timeless and just evokes a feeling of relaxed elegance.

Pottery Barn Waffle weave shams -

I knew I needed to add another texture to this bed to give it a little interest and dimension and these shams were perfect.

Engage the senses: True Hue

Scent matters in your sleep environment and True Hue met all my boxes on what creates a relaxing environment to fall asleep. What drew me to these scents are the organic, earthy, fresh and clean notes. Honestly I cannot say enough about these fragrances- they are heavenly!

The Inspiration behind ELEVATE: An Entrepreneur Retreat

I have been living the entrepreneurial lifestyle for over 27 years now with my husband, Allyn. Although this lifestyle can be challenging on many fronts, I can’t imagine life any other way. I’ll admit this life is not for the faint of heart. There are no guarantees and it’s all you every day. To some, this sound like a nightmare. To me, it’s what ignites me.

Having creative liberty over your life and knowing that the choices you make can make or break your business is what really gets my creative juices flowing. To survive in business today means to constantly be adapting and adjusting to this ever-changing world; to have the mindset of a learner.

In my first three years of business running The Pinner House, I have come to recognize and value the power of having a team of supportive creative people around me to bounce my next crazy idea off of or to help organize my thoughts to execute my vision. I cannot image doing this on my own.

One of the reasons why we recently started PH Collective Creative Studio was for community. To create a space where people could get to know one another, and the artist or small business owner. A place where we could learn from one another and feel supported. At any given workshop there are four or five different businesses or artisans coming together. From design to the coffee, we create a fun experience for the community to enjoy.

It can be an intimidating and frightening thing to lay it all out there and go for your dream. It is essential to have like minded creative people to encourage you and support you through it. Knowing that some one else has gone before you and has succeeded in creating the life of their dreams fuels you to keep moving forward.

“It can be an intimidating and frightening thing to lay it all out there and go for your dream. It is essential to have like minded creative people to encourage you and support you through it.”

Collaboration is key in the entrepreneurial life. You do not need to know how to do everything. Your business and vision will really come to life if you value and integrate the services of other talented entrepreneurs into your vision. Honestly this has been my favorite part of running The Pinner House. The network of creative people and their stories that have been interwoven into the tapestry of The Pinner House story since the beginning. Some things I love to see and admire in The Pinner House: the flowers that were hand picked at Fable Flower Farm, the candles that I was able to curate my own signature scents from VP Candleworks, and the artwork by local painter, Katie Heard Art Studio. Knowing where our products come from and the people who make them is part of our identity as a business. Many guests have shared that they “ just feel this place is “special” but are not able to put their finger on what exactly “it” is. I believe it is in part due to the intentionality that we put into everything we do that creates this energy that is tangible to the guest.

Our most popular Signature Event is our Artisan Markets held in April and December. This market enables us to showcase over 25 select artisans from the Hampton Roads area and beyond who come and bring their best work.

It is a proud moment to see each maker and to watch them grow and form relationships with other entrepreneurs and guests! We love creating an elevated experience for all who attend and for our community to take pride in all that downtown Suffolk has to offer.

Our latest venture to help entrepreneurs who would like to take a deeper dive into their business is our Entrepreneur Retreat we are launching at the end of March.

“We are so excited to be able to offer a luxurious experience to help the small business owner take a step back and focus on their goals and vision for the year.”

We are so excited to be able to offer a luxurious experience to help the small business owner take a step back and focus on their goals and vision for the year.

. We have an amazing line up of women who are true rock stars in the branding industry. We have Mia Byrd of Byrdhouse Brands, who has spent many hours helping me unravel The Pinner House’s vision and all I wanted to create here. She has been my sounding board and has brilliantly helped to put words and visual content to my vision. Mia will be giving a workshop on brand identity and strategy, and exploring all aspects from telling your story to brand design. Emily Benson of Emily Benson Consulting will be our second workshop speaker and she will be exploring the book “Chillpreneur”. Leading a round table discussion around important topics such as mindset and dealing with burn out. Mia and Emily will then assist participants in a hands-on workshop to help create the perfect flat lay or visual content for your brand.

Emily will be offering some one-on-one consultations for those who would like a bit more personalized attention. Katie Heard of Katie Heard Art Studio will be joining us for a curated, editorial branding headshot sessions. pH coffee bar will be serving up amazing specialty coffees and breakfasts. Kip from Crop Foundation has put together some creative menus in the afternoons and evenings, including an experiential communal dinner and wine pairing that will allow attendees to get to know each other and forge new friendships.

Our hope is that everyone is able to walk away feeling refreshed and inspired; having clarity and energy to move into this new era we find ourselves in. We are so grateful to be able to create this experience and to play a part in your story.

The Cottages at The Pinner House

First, a little history. My husband Allyn built the cottages on the property over 20 years ago. He bought the wood and decorative details from an old house they were tearing down in Suffolk thus creating the look as if they had been here all along. Over the years we have primarily used them for storage and Allyn’s workshop. More recently, we had converted them into offices for The Pinner House. As my reservation books filled over this past summer and I was continually turning away business, we realized it was time to expand. We had always toyed with the idea of turning them into accommodations and now seemed like the time.

After owning the bed and breakfast for over two years, I have gotten a feel for what draws my guests to The Pinner House and what they are looking for when they stay here. So with that information in mind, I set out to create the perfect retreats.

In this interesting time we find ourselves in, a time of disconnect, a time of constant busyness and rapid changes in the way we do things and interact; I find that my guests are craving a pause, a moment to catch their breath and reconnect with each other.

This is difficult to do within your own space where the stack of bills and laundry are calling you. I created the cottages to be a place that you can feel inspired and a place for you to recharge your battery and allow for a little space to tackle whatever challenges you are facing.

The design is meant to feel cozy and welcoming but most of all: peaceful.

As with all of my designs, I am always drawn to the less is more philosophy. While I love interesting decorative items and various color palettes, for these types of settings I choose to pair back and allow the space to speak to me. The light that filters in from the stained glass windows in these cottages is so relaxing and magical. I made them the focal point and used a soft color palette of neutrals with a little blush to add interest. This allowed for the architecture details in the space to shine.

A collection of local artist, Katie Heard’s artwork is thoughtfully displayed over the desk and is the perfect addition to the space.

See more of her artwork and services here.

These cottages have everything you need for a comfortable stay. There is a kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, air fryer -toaster oven, a full size farm sink and of course plenty of coffee! There are dishes and glassware if you opt to dine in for the night. They are equipped with Smart TVs to allow you to curl up for a cozy night watching your favorites on Netflix. A Bluetooth Marshall speaker is provided to help set the tone with your favorite playlist. As with all of the beds at The Pinner House the bedding and mattress will make you want to stay in bed forever!

There is a walk in shower with heated floors to warm your feet on a chilly morning and a desk to work if necessary or maybe to sit and write in that journal you have been holding onto for years. If you feel the need to get out for a while there are several amazing privately owned restaurants, coffee shops and a charming wine shop and Brewery within walking distance. Both cottages have private entrances and are nestled among the boxwood garden. There is a family of ground hogs that occasionally make an appearance scurrying across the property and if you are lucky you can spot one of the owls that reside here. The sound of the church bells in the background will transport you back to a time when life just felt a little simpler. My hope is that these cottages will leave you feeling recharged, refreshed and of course- inspired.

Break Bread With Us

Journey to Wellness:

Sourdough Class with Whole Home Hannah

Autumn is upon us, friends! At the Pinner House, we plan to celebrate one of the most beautiful and transformative seasons by breaking bread with loved ones with a steaming cup of apple cider.

To continue our Journey to Wellness Workshop Series, we will be learning to ferment and bake sourdough bread with Hannah Newton from Whole Home Hannah.

I can hardly think of anything more satiating for mind and body than enjoying sourdough made by my own hands and shared with friends and loved ones. I can just imagine myself beaming with pride walking into my thanksgiving dinner party with a beautiful, golden brown loaf of sourdough I made to contribute to my hostess’ table.

Hannah has been baking sourdough for a decade and she will be sharing her passion and expertise in a Sourdough 101 Workshop.

During the class, Hannah will cover the health benefits of sourdough, demonstrate how to maintain a healthy sourdough culture, walk you through the steps of mixing two basic sourdough bread loaves and teach you how to artfully score and bake your loaves. 

She will also cover how to store sourdough bread, what to do with your starter when you go on vacation, types of flour to bake with, "discard starter" recipes, working sourdough into other recipes and more. 

Our favorite mobile coffee trailer, pH Coffee Bar will be popping up to serve you specialty lattés! You’ll also enjoy gourmet sourdough toast with toppings of your choice!

At the end of class, you will feed your sourdough starter for the first time and begin your baking adventure!

We are so looking forward to baking with you!

Brewing something special with pH Coffee Bar

If you were in attendance of events at The Pinner House in 2020 and 2021, you may have noticed a wafting smell of espresso brewing from a cute little trailer with a black and white striped awnings with scalloped edging. If so, you’ve experienced Pinner House’s most recent business venture- pH Coffee Bar!

We are ecstatic to announce that pH Coffee Bar is now officially available for bookings at venues outside of The Pinner House and will be popping up around Hampton Roads!

pH Coffee Bar was born out of a Craigslist impulse-buy from husband, father and Pinner House resident bargain hunter, Allyn. He set his sights on rehabbing a vintage Coca-Cola concession trailer with no specific purpose in mind. This is until September of 2019, when owner and Pinner House visionary, Kris felt inspired to make French crêpes, a staple in her childhood household, for “The Taste of Suffolk”. A vision was set that Pinner House would offer a full-service specialty coffee bar and crêperie, catering everything from weddings and workshops to our bi-annual Artisan Market. The trailer was then outfitted with a custom paint job, a La Spaziale espresso machine, and some delicious coffee from local roaster, Town Center Cold Press.

Stop by and say hello to Melody, expert barista and owner of pH Coffee Bar, who is here to make all your coffee dreams come true!

You can find pH Coffee Bar at The Peanut Crossing Apartment Complex Saturdays, 8/21, 8/28 and 9/4 from 7am-11am,

as well as The Taste of Suffolk downtown event on 9/11.

Follow our instagram to stay up to date on pH Coffee Bar schedule and menu offerings.

@phcoffeebar

On select events, pH Coffee Bar and Café Geneviève have teamed up to bring you the most amazing French macarons made by Geneviève herself!

Our Favorite Local Eateries

A running joke among locals in Downtown Suffolk is the city’s marketing tagline from years ago, “Surprising Suffolk” - that is as true a description today as it was years ago. Even after 27 years of living in Downtown Suffolk, I am continually and pleasantly surprised by the quality of restaurants appearing on the downtown scene.

Food itself is tied directly to the identity and culture of a geographic area. Everyone knows that Key Lime Pie is better in the Florida Keys and Peach Cobbler is best in Georgia. As a visitor, I think you’ve missed a whole cultural experience if you don’t partake in the hard-work and creativity Suffolk’s chefs put into their dishes.

The best of the restaurants we have to offer in Suffolk have weathered months of lockdown and come out the other side stronger, more nimble and with a deepened commitment to hospitality. For that, I think it is more important than ever to devote our patronage to local establishments and direct my guests to the finest and freshest foods around.

Here’s a brief list of my all-time favorite local eateries in Suffolk.

Harper’s Table

Harper’s Table serves locally sourced Southern cuisine just walking distance of The Pinner House. What we love about Harper is attention to detail that is prevalent in the incredible dishes and the intimate and timeless ambiance he has curated in his establishment. In addition, we LOVE working with Harper as a private chef catering our own events hosted here at The Pinner House. Just as we believe in telling your story through event design and hospitality at The Pinner House, so does Harper Bradshaw root his passion in story.-telling and honoring local traditions through food and gathering at the table.

Sushi AKA

Sushi Aka is one of our favorite local spots for many reasons. You will be absolutely blown away by quality of authentic sushi Chef Mike prepares. Every vegetable is grown and harvested right here in Suffolk and the fish source globally for the freshest seafood. Chef Mike has honed his craft of traditional sushi preparation for years under the influence of renowned experts. You’ll find unique and exotic dishes here that is unparalleled to any other Asian restaurant in Hampton Roads.

The

General Public

All of our favorite restaurants so far have locally sourced food featured on their menu crafted with care, including The General Public. This establishment is also just a short walk from The Pinner House, located right next to our local brewery, Nansemond Station. Serving a casual, hearty and rustic menu, Chef General Lewis’ cuisine is inspired by his love for cooking at home with his mother and backed by 21 years of experience. With exceptionally friendly and attentive staff, you’'ll have nothing short of an amazing dining experience at GP. In addition to The General’s local eatery, they offer catering services that are to-die-for, that you’ll see regularly featured at Signature Pinner House Events.

Amici’s Pizza Cafe

Let me tell you- you literally can never go wrong with Amici’s Cafe. Conveniently located on Washington Street and with ample parking, you’ll find creatively delicious topping combinations on their New York style brick oven pizzas, amazing pastas and even a weekend brunch. Amici’s is a flagship establishment for Downtown Suffolk eateries, having been in operation for over 10 years. You’ll feel right at home with a casual, warm and welcoming vibe. I love their patio seating enclosure and the feature exposed brick wall extending the length of the restaurant.

The Mod Olive is the new kid on the block of our Downtown restaurant scene, but you’ll find it reminiscent of it’s sister-eatery, The Plaid Turnip whom we love as well. The Mod Olive has a quirky vintage style and an endearingly eclectic menu. Owner, Ed Beardsley does it again by serving up a delicious, creative and seemingly endless menu in Suffolk.

Adventure Awaits In Suffolk

After every long winter, the mere mention of spring has us thinking about an energetic shift in our environment and in ourselves: fresh starts, warmer weather, and the anticipation of enjoying the outdoor activities we’ve been missing for months.

I’ve found that fresh air, exercise and good company is just what I need to shake off the winter blues. Fortunately, Suffolk and surrounding areas have no lack of outdoor and recreational activities to indulge in when the weather is this irresistible.

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Kayaking

Tap into your inner voyager and set out for adventure on Suffolk’s lakes and rivers.

Constant’s Wharf Marina

Of all the bodies of water listed, I find Constant’s Wharf Marina to be the most convenient- both in proximity to The Pinner House and ease of access to the kayak launch. This spot is less than a mile from Pinner Street, and has a functional floating dock featuring a kayak launch that easily glides your vessel into the Nansmond River. The Marina is located behind The Hilton Garden Inn and on a pristine public park. Constant’s Wharf has a rich history in Suffolk, being a community developed in the 1720s around John Constant's wharf, dwelling and tobacco warehouse. When city events are in full-swing again (post-Covid,) you can expect Friday Night Concert Series and fireworks on The Fourth of July. After a full day on exploring the Nansmond River, find yourself sun-kissed and content, sitting on The Hilton’s expansive back porch with a view of the river and a cocktail in hand.

100 E Constance Rd Suffolk, Va

The Great Dismal Swamp

The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. This spot in Suffolk is perfect for biking, hiking, birdwatching and kayaking. Lake Drummond is the larger of only two natural lakes in Virginia; extending 3,142 acres. The swamp holds a rich historical and ecological significance to Virginia. The canal within the swamp was drudgingly carved out of the earth at the labor of slaves in the late 1700s, taking 12 years to complete. It played crucial role in the American civil war, being an important strategic position for Union and Confederate forces. To get the full experience of everything The Great Dismal Swamp has to offer, one would benefit from taking a tour with a guide and local naturalist to point out the history of the area and identify the vast wildlife you are sure to encounter.

3100 Deser Rd Suffolk, Va

Bennett’s Creek Park

There are so many things to enjoy when visiting Bennett’s Creek Park! Take your kayak down to one of their three boat launch and you can access the Nansemond River through Bennett’s Creek. Here, you’ll find 57 acres of park with a tennis courts, skate park, frisbee golf course, inclusive play grounds, and nature trails. One of my favorite things about this park is the city-hosted drive-in movie events! You’ll feel transported in time enjoying an old-fashioned carpool cinema with friends, snacks and treats. In addition to Constant’s Wharf, you can find Suffolk’s TGIF Summer Concert Series at Bennett’s Creek! The night will be full of family fun with food vendors, adult beverages and merchant vendors to shop from.

3000 Bennetts Creek Pard Rd, Suffolk Va

Lone Star Lakes Park

Lone Star Lakes Park is one of our favorite spots to visit for summer time. It is located in the Chuckatuck area in Northern Suffolk. In addition to boasting 11 fresh water lakes with six convenient boat ramps, you can find a playground, multiple walking trails with look-out spots with the best views of the lake, and picnic tables and grills. One of my favorite things about this park is the various, serene walking trails- some up to 4 miles long. The park it’s is a whopping 1,172 acres, and the lakes vary is size from three to fifty acres!

401 Kings Hwy, Suffolk Va

Click here for a full list of boating and fishing in Suffolk

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Kay’s Acres

Ride through the lush wooded trails at Kay’s Acres. You’re sure to find adventure bonding with your newfound four-legged friend, galavanting through Suffolk pastures to cool wooded trails. The establishment of Kay’s Acres was inspired by the founder, Joe’s special relationship with Kay who was diagnosed with Autism and finds a finds a safe space to play, grow and express herself through the healing companionship of horses.

Click here to book a guided trail ride

Horseback Riding

Skydiving

Skydive Suffolk

If you’re looking for the thrill of flying through the air at exhilarating speed- look no further than Skydive Suffolk. Skydive Suffolk is the premier skydiving center in Suffolk and has been in operation since 1960. The facilities at Skydive Suffolk also support skydiving training operations for multiple branches of the United States Armed Forces. Sign up for an experience you won’t soon forget!

Click here to book a tandem dive

The Taste of Suffolk (Santa Edition)

If someone had told me three years ago that I was going to be making crêpes in a mobile mini bar with a French Santa Claus I am sure I would have laughed in their face. Yet, here we are... and I LOVED IT! 

I cannot express the joy that I receive when a community comes together for an event like The Taste of Suffolk. I have such a passion for small business and for the entrepreneur mindset. These kinds of events are exactly what showcases that best! The Taste of Suffolk allows people to step out of their routine of going to a large franchise and to appreciate local businesses and all that they have to offer. This is so important in today's society, especially with how isolated we have become. Going to a local business allows you to get to know your community so much more and to support them better. 

Starting a small business is not an easy task to say the least. It requires persistence, self-discipline, vulnerability, and courage. These vendors who came out to The Taste of Suffolk are incredible men and women who are taking risks to make their dream a reality. 

I believe that there are still towns like Downtown Suffolk that are ready to fully support small businesses and to help them succeed and develop the community. In order for this to happen it takes an effort on our part. This means breaking out of routine and not only acknowledging small businesses at events such as The Taste of Suffolk, but to remember them on a Friday night when you're going out for drinks with your girlfriends, or on a Sunday morning when you're stopping somewhere to get a pastry. If we support small business then we will support our community and our downtown area will be all the better for it. 

The Purpose: The Pinner Proposal

“The Pinner House Proposal is not just about my design, pretty pictures, and events going on at the Pinner House; it’s about the transformation happening within my own heart.”

This season has been very uplifting and exciting, but it has also been very difficult. One thing I have had to wrestle with and process has been the death of my brother. It has been a huge loss to our family. Kurt was always a huge encouragement to me. He believed in me, and my dreams that I expressed to him. Whenever I talked to him I always walked away from the conversation feeling like, "I got this." I have really needed this type of encouragement as I have been developing the Pinner House. The thought of him not being here to see me accomplish this dream has created an intense grieving within my heart.

I have had to fight the voices inside myself that say, "you aren't enough," without his help. This has been challenging, to say the least. I find it much easier to believe what someone else says about me than to examine my own heart and say, "you are good, and you are enough." I honestly often dread self reflection, and it often feels like a waste of time. I am ready to throw off this mindset, and part of how I am doing that is through this blog. The Pinner House Proposal is not just about my design, pretty pictures, and events going on at the Pinner House; it's about the transformation happening within my own heart.

The process of transforming the Pinner House has been messy, overwhelming, frustrating, painful, wonderful, rewarding, invigorating, and healing. If transforming a house is filled with so many struggles and triumphs how much more will it be for transforming my own heart? The transformation might be messy, like pony tail up, lying on the couch crying kind of messy, but that is ok! We are still beautiful, even during those parts. Even when the paints peeling, roofs leaking, and the yard is a mess; the architecture and bones of a house can still be remarkably beautiful. Let's stop looking at all things wrong with us and start looking at the remarkable structure God has built within us. Lets step back and say, "that is something I can work with," and be patient with ourselves as we begin to fix the broken places.

I would like to dedicate The Pinner Proposal to Kurt. For all of the encouragement he gave me, and the worth he showed me that I have within myself. He will forever remain in my heart as my biggest fan.

My goal with The Pinner Proposal is to honor his spirit of encouragement and bring it to others. To encourage myself and others in the way that he did. I might be describing the transformation happening within my own heart, but I hope that it might speak to the transformation happening within your own heart as well. We are not alone in this life, let's all remember that.

Channeling My Inner Lorelai

What inspired me to create an Inn in downtown Suffolk?

“I stop drinking coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words-putting-into-sentence doing.” -Lorelai Gilmore

Despite the title of this blog post, I have not had the lifelong dream of opening an Inn like Lorelai Gilmore, though I appreciate how her style and attitude are depicted in the show. My journey is a bit different in regards to how I became inspired to open an Inn in downtown Suffolk. Truthfully, I have often thought that I would like to leave Suffolk and this 6,000 square foot estate that I have shed blood, sweat, and tears to maintain for so many years. Instead, I have begun to see the amazing potential the Pinner house holds. It is easy to live our lives with the mentality that the grass is greener on the other side, but I don’t want to live my life that way. I would much rather make the side I’m on the greenest it can possibly be through vision and creativity. 

I have such a vivid picture of the potential that this house holds. My passion may be driven a little by nostalgia, since I have watched my family grow up in this house for the past 25 years. I was married in the entryway, we hosted many holiday parties with music filling the house and Christmas trees in practically every room, but most importantly, we raised our two lovely daughters in this house. As they have grown up and embarked upon their own endeavors I decided it was time that I embark upon my own.

Along with the nostalgia that drives and inspires me, I have always had this ambition to make spaces feel welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. When I say always, I am really not exaggerating. When I was four years old my mother caught me rearranging my furniture in my bedroom, so I guess that is when this fixation with creating spaces began.

My goal is to create a space that people can appreciate as well as feel welcome and at home. A balance between the historical aspects of the property mixed with up-to-date styling that doesn’t make you feel as though you have walked into your grandmother's house. A space with high-quality fabrics, furniture, and details that fill the space, but still allows the architecture to speak for itself. My goal is to marry the past and the present; to design a place that guests can not only enjoy, but truly experience; in the same way my family has, and so many others before it, in this grand, beautiful, historic, and timeless Pinner estate.