WEEKEND RECAP: BLOOMINGTON, IN

This past weekend I met up with 7 of my sorority sisters in Bloomington for the weekend. After a long work week, seeing great friends was the perfect remedy and we just had the best time together. I got into Bloomington late Friday night and met my Nashville roommate out for a quick drink while I waited for Claire and Ashley to get in from Cincinnati. They picked me up and we went to Theta, where we were staying, and just laid in the rec room and chatted for way, way longer than planned.

In the morning the rest of the girls drove down from Indianapolis and by 8:30, we were headed to Kilroys for early morning drinks. The rest of the day was spent stopping by tailgates, chatting at Theta, playing Sink the Biz for hours at Nicks, making up our own mini bar crawl, and ending the night with Qdoba burritos. I swear, there are days that I feel like it was just yesterday I was in college, and then your friend gets pelted with a beer can and you're home by 11:00 and it seems like a long, long time ago. 

I'm so, so glad that we made the random trip back to Bloomington. It had been so long since a group of us had been together back in Bloomington and I think we can all agree that it needs to happen much more often. I love living in Nashville, but there are definitely times that I'm jealous of all my friends in Indianapolis and how often they see each other. Luckily we have a few weddings in 2015, so we should be seeing each other much more often, which makes me feel very happy.

Have a great Monday!

HILTON HEAD WEDDING WEEKEND

As I mentioned yesterday, I spent Wednesday-Sunday on Hilton Head Island for my best friend's wedding. Besides being a much needed vacation, it was the most perfect wedding trip ever and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a little post-vacation/wedding depression. All of our best friends and family friends were in one place and the majority of our time was spent on the beach.

 

On Thursday morning, Ali's grandpa took the wedding party out on his boat for 3 hours. It was the perfect way to kick off the wedding weekend and we had so much fun chatting and soaking in the sun. 

 

On Friday morning, one of our family friends taught us a Zumba class on the beach. I felt really uncoordinated, and we definitely got a lot of stares, but we had such a blast! One woman riding her bike even stopped and joined in on the fun.

The rest of the day was spent on the beach with friends and family. There literally wasn't a cloud in the sky. We played tons of Kan-Jam and Kadima, went out on paddleboards and kayaks, and basked in the sun. So perfect.

Saturday we got ready at the house, which was really relaxing, and took pictures early afternoon. I can't wait to see how the professional photos turn out.

 

Ali was the most stunning bride. She was absolutely radiant and shining with so much happiness and love. I definitely teared up seeing her walk down the aisle.

 

The father of the groom performed the ceremony. It was such a beautiful and sweet ceremony and you could feel God's love everywhere. Especially sweet was the siblings of the bride and groom singing Multiplied by Needtobreathe.

 The rest of the night was spent as any other wedding would go - and it was absolutely perfect. The toasts were funny but sentimental, the first dance made me cry, the food was incredible, and the band ROCKED. I think we would have been dancing until 3 am if we had the choice!

Congratulations and cheers to Ali and Daniel! I feel so lucky and blessed to have been part of your day and surrounded by so much love and happiness. Love you both so very much!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Has everyone recovered from their Labor Day weekend festivities? I think it took me all of yesterday to remember what working was.... yikes. But that just means my weekend felt super long and relaxing! Ready for a weekend recap?! This is going to be long, and I really apologize in advance... but too much good stuff not to share!

 

THURSDAY

Meet two friends for dinner at Tacombi. Have the crispy fish and pork belly tacos - yum. Highly recommend. Follow up with dessert at Milk. Hi, cracked pie and cereal milk ice cream and cake truffles. You were amazing. 

FRIDAY

Jane works till 2:00, so I wander down to SoHo and aimlessly shop. Literally the most perfect weather ever - 70s and NO humidity. Have a yummy smoothie at The Bean. Decide at 12:30 to slowly make my way to meet Jane for work. Walk through NYC up 5th Ave to the Flatiron building. Walk in Eataly, realize there are way too many people to handle, leave after approximately 30 seconds. Meet Jane. Go back to Madison Square Park for Shake Shack. 45 minute wait = worth it. Subway to Central Park to row boats in the reservoir but decide against it after seeing another really long line. Lay in the park, enjoying the weather and talk to my Grandma. Decide to get a macaroon at Laduree because even though we are stuffed we want one #yolo. Take subway back to East Village. Drink wine on Dorothy's rooftop, eat yummy pasta and cheese, go to Destinations for a couple beers. Sleep. WHEW!

 

SATURDAY

It's gameday!!! Wake up weirdly early - attempt to rent Citi Bikes to go to the Brooklyn Bridge and fail miserably. Try to take the subway to Brooklyn Bridge and it's out of service for the weekend - another fail. Fill our sadness with an amazing donut from Gasoline Alley. Go to brunch a couple hours later at Fonda - cheers to the Dawgs and bottomless margaritas! Find some street merch on the way back to Jane's apt, hooray for a desk chair! Go to American Whiskey (UGA bar), watch Todd Gurly and crew crush Clemon #gurleyforheisman. Sleep.

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY

Yet again wake up strangely early. Decide to seize the day, eat amazing avocado toast and ricotta toast at Two Hands. Walk through parts of Chinatown and Little Italy. Make it to the World Trade Center / Freedom Tower. So pretty. Continue walking through the financial district (we're explorers!) and see Stone Street - such a cool street with lots of restaurants and bars and open air seating. Have a late lunch at Chelsea Market with Kaitlyn who is visiting from DC! Nap because it's pouring rain. Meet Natalie for dinner at Keste and celebrate her engagement (yayyy!!!!!!) and eat more delicious food - this time, pizza! Sit in Washington Square Park and enjoy each other's presence.

 

 

 

MONDAY

Ate NYC bagels from Tompkins Square, walked to find a book for me to read on the plane, and off I was to JFK. I had the best weekend in NYC visiting Jane and I'm so glad I took Friday off so I got an extra day. I'm not kidding when I say I think I gained 10 pounds on the trip and walked all of Manhattan, but it was all worth it. Thanks Janie!!! I will be back soon :)

 

 

WEEKEND REVIEW

This weekend was so perfect. It was the kind that you want to last forever, with no threat of work on Monday. After a really harsh and cold winter, the sun finally shone and Nashville got some temperatures in the high 60s. I think everyone in this city was celebrating outside. On Saturday I took a walk around the neighborhood, literally trying to soak in as much Vitamin D and fresh air as I could. 

The Grilled Cheeserie was parked in 12 South, so Patrick and I met there for lunch. The line was so long, which goes to show how good the grilled cheeses are. It's not Kraft singles going on these puppies (although I won't discriminate against any grilled cheese). We both got the Pimento & Chee and the wait was well worth it. Can't believe this was the first time I've had The Grilled Cheeserie!

Then me and some girlfriends headed to Midtown for a crawfish boil at Soulshine. We had such a great time being outside, listening to live music and (some of us) eating crawfish. Later in the evening, Mary Jeanne and I went to Patrick's for a cookout (how can you not love warm weather?!!) and then made our way back to Midtown for some fun at Loser's. It was too fun and just what I needed to get me out of this cold weather funk.

Hope you all had an equally great and sunny weekend. Now to tackle a full week of work.

LOVE, ACTUALLY, IS ALL AROUND

 

 

 






Pretty sure I post on this same topic each Valentine's Day, but I think it's a good reminder, no matter what holiday it is. 

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There's a lot of hate around Valentine's Day. Girls are depressed because they are single, guys are annoyed that this commercial holiday forces them to spend money because if they don't, they're in trouble. The thing is, though, the heart of the holiday (see what I did there?!) is supposed to be about love, and it's just kind of silly that so many people put so many negative feelings out into the world on this day, and that so much of it is centered around a relationship status.

The world can be a sad enough place - I mean just read the comments on any news article and you'll get instantly depressed - so why can't we just celebrate a day about love? It's not just about you and your significant other or lack there of, but about all the people in your life who you love and love you back. I feel so lucky and blessed to be surrounded by so much love in my life - from my family, my friends, my coworkers, and yes, my boyfriend.

It's all of these relationships that make life wonderful and worthwhile. The ones that make you smile, laugh uncontrollably, feel happy, feel loved. Take a minute today to let everyone important in your life know how much you love them, and not to do it just today, but every day.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone <3 :)

PINEWOOD SOCIAL

This past Sunday was definitely a fun-day. Me and seven other lovely bloggers of Blog Nashville had a little brunch at Pinewood Social, Nashville's newest hangout spot. It's safe to say I'm obsessed and already making plans to go back.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Pinewood Social, let me elaborate. A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to hear brothers Max and Ben Goldberg speak about the beginnings of their Nashville enterprises. They own a series of well known restaurants and bars in Nashville: Merchants, Paradise Park, The Catbird Seat, and The Patterson House. All establishments are fabulously wonderful and unique in their own way, whether it's Paradise Park with it's cheap drinks, green astroturf and tater tots and grilled cheese, or the famous Catbird Seat, with a meal that's more of an experience than just food on a plate.

Pinewood Social. The idea came because the Goldbergs were spending so much time in coffee houses and restaurants while working. Except the thing was they never felt like they could just sit for four hours and work, or hang out and meet up with people - they had to get up and give someone else a seat. And there was nowhere in Nashville where you could really do that. So the idea of Pinewood Social was born. 

It's a place where you can literally spend all day if you want. Brunch (waffles or chicken & biscuits!!!) or coffee in the morning, do a little work here and there, have lunch, bowl a little, do more work, meet friends for happy hour (the cocktails are awesome), get dinner and dessert - bam, you just spent your whole day in one place. I mean, to me it's brilliant. Plus, the aesthetic and just everything about it feels cool. It's a huge open warehouse with couches and booths and seating everywhere. It's inviting, it's warm, it's fun. It's the place you want to hang with your girlfriends over a long brunch, go on a date and bowl and have a few drinks, or just slump in a chair and read a good book. You can rent private rooms and karaoke with friends or have a viewing party for the Super Bowl. There's supposed to be a pool and bocce ball opening this spring. I mean, seriously. How much better can it get? Pinewood Social can literally be anything you want it to be. It's a place to meet.

Can you tell I'm obsessed? I warned you :) If you live in Nashville, add it to your must-do list. And if you're planning on visiting, also add it on your must-do list. I'm telling you - it won't disappoint.

TUESDAY INSPIRATION

 

Tuesday has always my least favorite day of the week. 

In my opinion, Monday will always be Monday. Wednesday is one day closer to the weekend, happy hours are planned, and on Thursday, weekend plans are starting to form. Friday is obviously the start of the weekend. 

But poor little Tuesday always gets the cold shoulder from me. Which actually is so silly, because it's another day for great things to happen! Somewhere, someone is getting a promotion, giving birth to a new little baby, getting engaged to their soulmate, or traveling to a new city or country... and that is awesome. 

These little words of inspiration are exactly what I need on a Tuesday. I don't know if it can ever be a Friday, but maybe it can get a little bit closer. :)

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ATHENS WEEKEND

Any weekend I can spend with someone in my family automatically puts the weekend in the amazing category. This past weekend my parents and I went down to Athens, GA for my sister's fabric design exit show. I'm planning on doing a full recap - but you can see a little preview of her work in the above picture. It was so special and touching to see how many of her friends and our family friends drove from Atlanta, Illinois, and Tuscaloosa to see her work on display. Girl has talent, y'all.

From the exit show we headed to downtown Athens for great food and drinks and celebrating Jane. The rest of the weekend consisted of quality family time meandering through Athens, watching football games at Pauley's and dinner at The Globe, and trying to track down a hot dog vendor. Family is just the best and I'm so glad we got to spend Jane's last official weekend as an undergrad in Athens with her. Proud of you Janie!

I'M A FLORIST!

For awhile now, I have wanted to learn how to do flower arrangements. I've even searched online to see if Nashville offers any day classes for it (they don't - at least I haven't found any). Better than a class though, was helping my mom put together our arrangements for Thanksgiving. I think my mom is amazing at everything she does, and flower arrangements is definitely high on the list. The poor iPhone quality doesn't exactly do them justice - but aren't these flowers gorgeous? Everything came from our local grocery store and let me tell you, it was so easy to put together! I'm looking forward to putting together more arrangements... so time to start planning a party! Who wants to come?!

WHEEEEE WARMER DAYS ARE HERE!

Isn't the beginning of spring just wonderful? I apologize in advance to all my friends living in states where it's still snowing, but I just am loving the fact that my 10 day forecast has warmer temps and sunny days. Something you should know about me: I get genuine happiness and giddiness over simple things like seasonal changes (I love when it turns to fall as well) and I have a slight craze with Daylight Savings in the spring. Yes, that hour of lost sleep is just miserable, but that only lasts for about a day and then we are onto longer days, which is so worth it! 

Example A: Today I was at work until 6:15 and it was STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE!!!!!  Then I went to meet Patrick for dinner at Taqueria and it was STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE!!!!! I don't think it actually got dark until 7:00, which makes me filled with glee. No joke. I'm a serious freak - but does anyone else agree with me?! There's just something about warmer weather and longer days that doesn't make me want to go straight home post work and crawl into sweatpants and my bed.... thank goodness because I don't know how much longer I can take of that! :) Now I want to find a bicycle and roam around a pretty brick paved city like the girls above. Doesn't that just seem lovely?

WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE.

When I stumbled across this image on Pinterest a week or so ago, I felt like it completely encompassed how I have been feeling the past few weeks. For those of you who have been following this blog, or know me personally, you probably have some insight into this past year and how it was a bit of a struggle for me. On more than one occasion, I second-guessed my decision to move to Atlanta. I didn't dislike Atlanta, but we never quite "clicked." I felt unsettled and temporary by not having a full time job - even though I had amazing internships that I wouldn't trade for the world. While I had a couple great friends in ATL, I didn't feel like I had found my niche, which left me feeling lonely, constantly missing my college life and sorority sisters.  Basically, I didn't feel like I was where I was supposed to be. (I promise this has a happy ending).

Fortunately, that all changed when I moved to Nashville. I truly, truly am so happy and content. I have a stable job that is perfect for me, and I have a wonderful group of girlfriends that I cherish. Patrick moves to Nashville today, and it feels like things are just falling into place. Everything that felt wrong in Atlanta now feels right in this new place I call home. But to give Atlanta credit - I wouldn't be where I am with the people I am had I never moved there. Everything happens for a reason, but now I can certainly say that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Happy Monday :)

WAIT, IS IT SPRING?

Something absolutely wonderful has happened here in Nashville.

It feels like SPRING. I'm talking 70 degrees, wind blowing and that new spring, flowers are coming up kind of smell. It. Is. Amazing. Talk about the perfect way to start the weekend. Now I know my happiness will be short-lived because in true winter form, it will become cold and gray in a few days, but for now I am going to love on this warm weather and go on a walk (maybe even run?) and have my windows open and sleep with a nice breeze. 

Is it 5:00 yet? I'm ready to get a cocktail on a patio :) Happy Friday everyone!

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THANKFUL

Oh my gosh, ya'll. I can't tell you how happy I was yesterday. How happy I am TODAY! And no, it wasn't because of the election. After a long, long wait and countless amounts of tears, prayers, hairs falling out... I finally am able to say that I have a job!!!! I'll be working for The Buntin Group as an Assistant Media Planner. This is an official, benefits and salary, my own office kind of job. And it feels so, SO good. Even though this wait has been incredibly frustrating, it really does make it that much more rewarding.

So now I'm headed to Nashville, my new home (!), in less than 3 weeks! I am incredibly excited to be reunited with some of my best, best friends and make many more new friendships. The last year has had it's highs and lows, but I'm confident that this next year is going to be wonderful. With this new job, I've also kind of kicked myself into high gear with this blog, in case you didn't notice a couple updates, like the banner page. I've actually started making a editorial calendar so that I can deliver posts on the reg - how about that?! Seriously, I can't wait to share all of my adventures in Nashville.

See you soon, Music City!!!