Free People Top + Best Date Night Ideas in Charlotte

Hi Friends! Happy Wednesday! I’m not normally a weekend wisher (I can’t decide if it’s all of this Date Night talk or this week in general), but I’m ready for the dang weekend! Someone please tell me I’m not alone! Whew, it’s been a doozie. Today, I’m so excited to show you guys a darling Free People top and dish about my Top Date Night Ideas here in Charlotte! I have had fun talking all things Date Night and hearing all of your positive feedback from Monday’s Post (My Top 10 Date Night Outfits) and yesterday’s post (Style Board Series dedicated to Date Night Essentials), though! I’m happy to know that I’m not the only who finds date nights super exciting and also a little intimidating when it comes to remembering how to dress for something other than carpool.

Today’s post is the final Date Night post for the week and it was the most fun one to put together! I’m sharing one of my favorite Spring outfits and I also put together a list of our Top 10 Date Night ideas here in Charlotte (that can also serve as inspo wherever you’re reading from)! So, now that you have your closet ready to go, it’s time to get excited about a fun idea and call the sitter. Get something on the books and get out and enjoy this beautiful weather!

It probably won’t surprise you guys that I B-lined for this off the shoulder top in the mall. Blush pink, darling tie sleeve details, tunic length, off the shoulder AND under $80…it definitely checks all of my boxes and was 100% going home with me! It’s a lightweight cotton and a perfect transitional top to wear now with skinny jeans and a little later on with denim shorts.

Blush Off the Shoulder Top ($78 + 4 colors available) | White Denim (I’m wearing THIS for le bump) | Nude Heels | Similar Sunnies | Tassel Earrings | Clutch | Lip 

Top Fit Info: I’m 5’9 + 30 weeks pregnant here. This is a Size L. My favorite thing about the top is that A.) It’s tunic length, so it’s darling with an ultra skinny jean or even leggings and B.) The shoulders stay in place! Unlike most off the shoulder tops that require constant re-adjustment, this one stays put and wore well!

In general, I feel like it runs a little big. Size down for the best fit.

I’m sure that you guys have noticed by now, but I’m LOVING all things Free People for Spring. Their versatile styles are great for anything from carpool to date night and that’s something that I really appreciate these days! Remember this casual tunic that you guys went nuts over on Instagram last week? Yep, Free People! Here are more favorites:

My Top 10 Dates in Charlotte: 

US National White Water Center | River Jam 

Starting in May the WWC has live music every Thursday night (view the schedule HERE)! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and relax on the lawn as the sun sets over the gorgeous White Water Center. There are tons of food options and the hubs particularly loves their vast selection of craft beer!

A casual and comfortable outfit like this one is perfect for the WWC, especially because the bag can be worn cross body!

Stripe Tunic (Comes in 3 colors and is $68) | Utility Vest | New Balance | Denim Bag

The Cellar at Duckworths + a Concert Uptown

If we are ever uptown for a concert or play, we always plan to eat at The Cellar beforehand. Their craft cocktails are some of the best in the city (take my word on the Spicy Smoked Peach Margarita) and the hubs and I both really enjoy the food. I always get the Tuna Tartare and Dan loves the steak…the charbroil them in the oven for a crispy exterior…yum!

An Early Dinner at Kindred + Enjoying Davidson

This one takes a lot of planning and a bit more of an investment in a baby sitter…but making the drive to Davidson is always fun and SO worth it. We adore Kindred and think that their menu is next to none...ahem the milk bread, broccolini, crispy oysters…I could go on and on! After dinner, we always find ourselves strolling down the quaint little main street in Davidson and usually perching on the outdoor patio of Summit Coffee where they normally have live music under the twinkle lights. Here’s a schedule of who’s playing.

Summit Room

We recently tried Summit Room and it definitely lived up to the hype. We sat outside on the patio and as the weather cooled down they turned on the space heaters and brought guests blankets to cozy up in. They also had really great music playing, so I was truly a happy girl! Dan had one of their “Seven Summit” signature cocktails and loved it. I, on the other hand, was real focused on the pimento cheese corn fritters…

Food Truck Friday

This is such a great early date night to plan. Of course, most also welcome kids, but it’s fun to meet the hubs out at the food trucks for an early dinner and beers. Normally there’s some sort of live music and yard games going on. It’s also a great place to meet a group of friends for a couple’s Date Night.

FTF’s in Charlotte: SouthEnd | Plaza Midwood | Matthews

Aqua e Vino

Admittedly, I’ve only been here for a girls dinner, but it’s truly one of the cutest special occasion date night spots in Charlotte and I’m dying to take the hubby! It’s a small and quaint spot really tucked back making it not very noticeable. The chef is originally from a small town in Italy and it’s obvious that he brings all of those flavors and charm into the dishes that he prepares. I had the gnocchi and it was off the charts. See the full menu HERE.

Cantina 1511 + Live Music at Stonecrest

If there are two things that the hubby and I can agree on…it’s Mexican food + live music…which is why this is one of our favorite casual date nights. Cantina is casual Mexican food, but we like their table side guac and have recently discovered the “Tlayudas” (think gourmet Mexican Pizza). After dinner, we normally walk over to the center of Stonecrest where they have live music every Friday and Saturday night starting in April. Pop in to Dean and Deluca for a bottle of wine to enjoy while listening to music…OR to to ColdStone creamery for some cake batter ice cream to end the night with. Both are winning options in my book 😉

Swing Tunic (on SALE!) | Cross Body Bag | Distressed Skinnies

Foxcroft Wine

One of our absolute favorites…we have to talk ourselves out of going here for EVERY single date night. Luckily, it’s also a great spot for girl’s nights, so I get my fair share of yumminess. It’s a full wine bar, offering wines by the glass OR you can pull a bottle from their shelves and enjoy it with dinner. I do enjoy a good glass of wine (7 more weeks, y’all), but the food is really where it’s at here. The truffle fries are always #1 on my list, followed by the 3 cheese flat bread and finished with the signature doughnuts…oh my! See the full menu HERE.

Day Date at a Brewery

Luckily Charlotte has a ton of local breweries that have turned themselves into some of the most fun places to frequent on the weekends. With yummy food, local and fresh craft brews, live music, and yard games…it’s hard to beat a day date here during the Spring. Our favorites are OMB & Sugar Creek.

I haven’t worn this top on the blog yet, but I will soon! The most darling day date tunic!

Good Food on Montfort + Bowling at Park Lanes

Sneaking into Good Food early means that you don’t have to wait foreverrrr AND you can walk across the street for a friendly bowling match up after dinner! Win Win! If you sit down for tappas definitely try the Beef Carpaccio, Truffle Fries, Gnocchi, and Steamed Bun. After dinner skip over to Park Lanes for an after dinner drink and some bowling with your hunny…always fun to mix things up! If you’re feeling extra adventurous you could always keep the night going at Brazwells after your game of bowling 😉

I’d love to hear your favorite date night ideas below in the comments! 

This post was written in collaboration with Nordstrom. All ideas, photography and content are my own. Thank you so much for continuing to support brands who believe in and make Style Your Senses possible.