Food

Instagram Worthy Nashville Guide

For as many times as I’ve been to Nashville (heck and almost moved there in 2019!) this post is LONG overdue. Nashville is hands down one of my favorite places. I always have an absolute blast every time that I go so I have no doubt you will have the trip of a lifetime. Good food, great partying and a hell of a lot of fun dancing make for the best memories.

WHERE TO EXPLORE

Broadway– where ALL of the bars (and people) are. Many of the bars are owned by famous country singers. Expect live music, big crowds and drunk shenanigans here. I like staying walking distance from Broadway.
Music Row– bars and restaurants. Come here if you want to get away from Broadway but still have several fun bars within walking distance! Also walk over to The Graduate hotel for a coffee or drink- you won’t regret it.
The Gulch– come for the biscuits (Biscuit Love), stay for the shopping and pictures with the giant angel wings. Also another good area to stay if you don’t want to be so close to Broadway.
12 South– fun area with a good mix of restaurants, shopping and wall murals. Want a cute Instagram photo? Come here.

WHERE TO STAY

Noelle- I’ve never actually stayed here but everyone RAVES about it. I’ve stopped into the hotel lobby bar as well as the coffee shop multiple times and always love the vibe! The rooftop bar, Rare Bird, is also supposed to have a great view plus it’s walkable to Broadway!
Thompson Nashville- Located in the Gulch it’s an absolutely beautiful, hotel with modern music touches. My only complaint- no bath tubs 😛 Other than that it’s a great location.
Westin Nashville- Great location (downtown near Broadway) and very upscale for a Westin! If you are looking for a more budget friendly option than some of the others, this is a great choice and the rooftop bar is AMAZING.
Bobby Hotel- I stayed here on my most recent trip to Nashville and the rooms are definitely a little funky when it comes to decor but overall it’s so much fun and all of their food and dining is top notch.

WHERE TO EAT

@libertycommon- Located near Broadway. We went for a late brunch (HH starts at 2) and thought it was so darn cute. Made for the perfect start to day drink on Broadway!
@thehamptonsocial- Located near Broadway. Although this is a chain it’s still a fun spot especially if you’ve never been! It features the iconic “Rosé all Day” neon sign. Suggest going for a boozy brunch but honestly you can’t go wrong with lunch or dinner either!
@bartacolife- Located in 12S. I go here every single time I hit the ground in Nashville it’s that good! First things first- amazing spicy margs! Also all of the menu and ordering process is virtual so you order everything through an app and it’s delivered to your table in a matter of minutes. Excellent food, decor, and service!
@henrietta_red- Located in Germantown. I keep wanting to try this cute stop but still haven’t made it. I had to include it because it comes highly recommended for their simplistic, chic decor and fresh ingredient dishes!
The Southern- Located in South Broadway. If you are looking for a nice dinner spot, look no further! Amazing steak and oyster options plus it’s a short walk to Broadway if you want to go two step the night away after! And if you go for brunch don’t pass up the ribs. *chef’s kiss*
@pinewoodsocialist-Located in South Broadway. This is a popular instagrammable spot featuring delicious menu items as well as bowling in an industrial-chic atmosphere. Great for large crowds!
@urbangrubtherestaurant12south- Located in the 12S area. The BEST brunch in Nashville by far. You will die when you see the buffet spread is insane (oysters, crab legs, shrimp and grits, plus the regular breakfast fare). Heads up- don’t order the “all you can eat” buffet option (it will set you back $50!)- just get the “one time” buffet option and pile that plate as high as it can go! Scott and I didn’t realize how expensive the unlimited option was and both of us ended up eating only one plate!
@biscuitlovebrunch- Located in the Gulch. You absolutely can’t come to Nashville and not indulge in some biscuits. Lots of places have them but Biscuit Love is arguably the best. They also have good drink specials.

WHERE TO DRINK

@lajacksonbar – rooftop bar in The Gulch. Great vibes and always a good crowd not to mention the view is INSANE.
@fglhouse – Florida Georgia Line’s Bar on Broadway that NEVER disappoints. Love day drinking here.
@acmenashville – located on Broadway. We usually stop and get food here but it’s also a fun bar!
@whiskeyrownashville– one of my favorite bars on Broadway. We always end up here especially later in the evening! The third floor (rooftop) always has a DJ making it a fun spot to dance.
Tootsies– you can’t come to Broadway and not go here. One of the oldest honkey tonk bars!
@zeppelin.nashville – rooftop bar off the beaten path. I forget what the shot is called but you must get the edible flower shot- it makes your whole mouth numb (in a good way lol).

Losers– total dive bar but SO much fun. Seriously I saved the best one for last. They have a bar next door called winners but it’s way more fun to be a Loser;)
@whitelimozeennash – cute rooftop bar. Located at the top of The Graduate hotel. If you can make a reservation for brunch- do it!

Instagram Worthy Nashville Guide
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Vegas in 48 Hours

Vegas in 48 Hours

Serious question: How can a hangover last longer than the actual trip? Apparently not everything that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

My baby sister turned 23 this past weekend and what better place than Las Vegas? Imagine The Hangover (movie) minus the strippers, tigers, and unexplained baby and you’ve got a good idea at what 48 hours in Vegas looks like. I lost my phone to the pool you see pictured above so the pictures from the weekend are few and far between because unfortunately some things that happen in Vegas actually do stay in Vegas.

HOTEL


We stayed at the MGM Grand Las Vegas mainly because it was cheap, relatively nice and housed two of the clubs that we wanted to attend (Wet Republic and Hakkasan). I’ve been to Las Vegas before and stayed at the Palazzo which is a bit nicer but not as conveniently located. Nonetheless everything is just an Uber away and honestly there are few places you can go wrong hotel wise in Vegas! My one piece of advice is to try to plan out what events you want to attend while you are there and if you can stay on sight or within walking distance to some of your events, it will cut down on Uber expenses.

POOL PARTIES/CONCERTS


Use this website to find out what concerts will be going on, where and how to buy tickets. We attended two pool parties and two nightclub concerts while we were there. Pool party wise, we saw Kygo at Encore Beach Club and Calvin Harris at Wet Republic. Concert wise, we saw The Chainsmokers at XS at Encore and Zedd at Hakkasan. If you are going with a group of girls, it is not unlikely to get approached by promoters to get into concerts for free. This is 100% the way to go if possible. They will give you their phone number and get your group in for free. Unfortunately if you are going with guys, this will not work.

SHOWS


While we did not go to any shows this trip, it is certainly a fun thing to do in Vegas! You can use this website to see what shows are in town and buy tickets. I have attended several Circque du Soleil shows and they never disappoint. If you are going with a group of girls, especially for a bachelorette party, you’ve got to experience Magic Mike in real life via Chippendales or Thunder From Down Under.

FOOD


This one is not my area of expertise so I will just leave a few places that my family can’t go to Vegas and not go to for dinner. First one being Giada’s and the second being Emerils. The Grand Lux is a great breakfast option. Most hotels will have a food court and restaurants inside so if you are looking for a convenient food option or late night snack, look no further.

OUTFITS


If you are planning to attend any pool parties the attire ranges all over the place. If you want to be extra, Las Vegas is definitely the place for it so don’t be afraid to go all out! Keep in mind that you will most likely be taking your clothes and shoes off and leaving them in some random place by the pool. I learned the hard way that stuff does get taken. So don’t wear your brand new $200 cover up (RIP cover up). Other than that you will certainly see girls wearing heels with their bikinis but honestly you can’t go wrong wearing a swimsuit, kimono and sandals. As far as going out, it’s Vegas! Meaning throw on your sexiest attire, red lips, and high heels! See below for some of my outfits.

Las Vegas Pool party attire

Las Vegas Nightclub

Las Vegas Pool party attire

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Hair Edition: Everything’s Bigger in Texas

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Hair Food. The opinions and text are all mine.

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Hair Food Volume Enhancement

Photography by: BanAvenue

Over the years my hair has thinned out tremendously and left me with a mane which is extremely hard to achieve natural volume. Being from the south (more specifically Texas), this is not something to mess with. I’ve tried everything from teasing brushes, to extensions, and every product imaginable trying to make my hair look bigger than it actually is. Yes, teasing works. Yes, extensions work but they both damage my hair and that’s not ideal when you are already losing hair you can’t afford to be losing!

A couple of months ago I got the chance to try out Hair Food’s Volume collection infused with kiwi fragrances and have noticed such a change in my hair and I would be a bad friend if I didn’t share the results with you ladies! in addition to adding natural volume and shine, Hair Food’s Volume collection is free of parabens and mineral oil (shampoo is free of parabens, too!). Instead it is infused with nutrients your hair actually needs! Just like your body, your hair is in desperate need of power foods and pure ingredients to grow big and strong.

Part of my hair road to recovery has been limiting my washes to every two or three days rather than once a day. I now use both the Hair Food’s Volume collection shampoo and conditioner. The combination leaves my hair feeling energized and full of body. I also have to mention the scent of these products are extremely nice and light. The kiwi and fig blend remind me of tropical vacation or fruity cocktail – both of which are two of my favorite things!

Hair Food also makes a collection for moisture and another for color treated hair. All three collection can be found at your local Walmart. That’s right, a drugstore brand that will not break the bank and actually works. A rare combination to find!

*Thank you Hair Food for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

 

 

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Charleston, SC in 48 Hours

Charleston City Guide

Charleston, SC had been on the top of mama and I’s travel list for quite some time and if it’s not on yours already, it should be! You will not find another place that offers so much southern hospitality, charm, history, and good old fashioned comfort food. It’s the perfect destination for a weekend trip because while this charming town has a lot to offer, it is easily done in 48 hours! Sure, there are some restaurants and sights that we didn’t get the chance to try out, but all the more reason to make it an annual trip 🙂 My one piece of advice if you are only staying for 48 hours is to stay somewhere downtown so that everything is within walking distance of your hotel!

W H E R E  T O  S T A Y

The Restoration Hotel. After several recommendations from friends, we felt like The Restoration Hotel checked off everything on the check list. Cute. Affordable. Great location. Lots of amenities. Coffee and and food choices on site. Did I mention cute?!

When visiting Charleston you have one of two types of choices for hotel options. You can go the old fashioned, vintage southern charm route or you can go for something a bit more modern. We wanted the best of both worlds. The Restoration provided touches of southern charm while still feeling like a luxurious getaway. My personal favorite thing about the aesthetic of the hotel was the exposed brick throughout each room. Not something that you see in Texas!

Not only were the rooms extremely spacious, turn down service is provided, breakfast is brought to your door each morning (in a picnic basket!), there is a cute coffee shop on site, a library to use as you please, and a more than accommodating staff! The Rise is the coffee shop attached to the hotel and dubbed to be “the most Instagrammable shop in Charleston” which I can attest to. The Watch is their rooftop bar and restaurant that draws quite the crowd as it should for it’s view of downtown Charleston, great ambiance, and great food! There is also a spa on site if you would like to treat yourself!

Charleston City Guide

Charleston City Guide

Charleston City Guide

Photography by: N. Mickle

W H E R E  T O  E A T

  • B R E A K F A S T/ B R U N C H
    • Hominy Grill– Known for their shrimp and grits but I opted but for “Charleston Nasty”- a fried chicken biscuit topped with gravy. The long lines are well worth the wait plus they have an outside drink window while you wait so you can enjoy a mimosa on the patio.
    • The Daily– The same owners as Butcher and Bee but we preferred this place. The Daily has a hip vibe and very small menu. That being said, if you want something quick and good, this is the place!  I was a huge fan of their avocado toast and blueberry coconut smoothie.
    • Husk– I put this on here specifically for brunch because you have to go for the shrimp and grits- oh and the cornbread too! Best shrimp and grits in Charleston and they serve old fashioned cornbread with best flavored butter you’ve ever tasted. If you go for dinner, I’ve been told to sit on the bar side which is a carriage house and has the best burgers!
    • Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit– Most delicious breakfast biscuits ever. If you wanted to do this before a full on brunch or treat yourself to a snack later in the day, you totally could as they are snack sized!
  • L U N C H/ D I N N E R
    • 167 Raw– On the smaller side so I would suggest this place for lunch or an early dinner. They are famous for their oyster bar and lobster roll!
    • Cru Cafe– Southern comfort food done right! They certainly have something for everyone. If the weather is nice, they also have a great outdoor seating situation.
    • The Watch– If you are staying at the Restoration Hotel then this rooftop restaurant is very convenient! I highly suggest their oysters and scallops. The scallops were the best we had the entire trip!Charleston City Guide
    • 5Church– Hands down our favorite dinner spot and there is no way that I will do it justice. I tried to take pictures but you have to see it to get the full affect. This restaurant is made out of an old church so there are still stained glass windows and the bar is made from an alter. The ceiling is miles high and has words written all over it. If you don’t go here, I can promise you are missing out. We easily hung out here for 4-5 hours! All of their dishes are extremely creative and a true foodie’s delight. I highly suggest the meatballs and scallops.
    • Poogan’s Porch– We were so hungry and the food was so good that no pictures were even captured. This little yellow house is right next door to Husk and is everything the reviews made it out to be. Make sure to make a reservation as it is a hopping place. I got the short rib ragu with sweet potato gnocchi and goat cheese and holy cow I’m still dreaming of it!
    • The Darling Oyster– If you want oysters, look no further. This cute spot has everything you could ever dream of when it comes to oysters! And since Charleston is right on the water, you haven’t had a fresh oyster until you’ve tried them in Charleston!

W H E R E  T O  D R I N K

  • C O F F E E
    • The Rise– This is the coffee shop that is attached to the Restoration Hotel and dubbed to be “the most Instagrammable coffee shop in Charleston”. Not only is it cute though, the coffee is dang good. I had it every morning that I was there. I’m not sure how long they will have the Winter Thyme latte but if it is still available when you are there, GET IT. Charleston City Guide
    • Black Tap– We didn’t venture here but I’ve heard it is another super cute coffee shop!
  • C O C K T A I L S
    • Zero George– This hotel is everything you dream of when you think of Charleston. If you aren’t already staying here or coming for dinner, make sure to at least stop by for drinks. They do happy hour prices and you can choose to sit anywhere in the house that you like. My personal favorite spot is outside on the covered balcony.Charleston City Guide
    • The Watch– Even if you don’t make it here for dinner, I’d highly suggest stopping by for at least drinks. The view and cute rooftop are the perfect setting for a pre-dinner cocktail or glass of wine.Dress: Nordstrom | Bag: Urban Outfitters | Jacket: Similar
    • The Gin Joint- Such a fun and cozy spot that comes highly recommended. If you like to sip on a fancy cocktail and enjoy a creative atmosphere, this is the place! Make sure to do the bartender’s choice- SO MUCH FUN!
    • The Belmont– This bar is AMAZING. They have the best cocktail bar in Charleston and if that didn’t already sell you, they even have homemade poptarts for dessert.

S I G H T S  T O  S E E

  • King’s Street– The best shopping in Charleston, seriously. Even if you just want to window shop, this is the place! I suggest starting here and then making your way to The Battery, Waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s all in walking or biking distance to each other. Charleston City GuideTop: Nordstrom | Jeans: LOFT | Shoes: Similar | Sunglasses: Raybans
  • The Battery– Make sure you walk down to The Battery and explore the neighborbood around there. So many cute and historic spots. 
  • Waterfront Park– An ocean view and a beautiful walk around the harbor. There is also a Pineapple fountain that you must see. If you didn’t know, pineapples are a symbol of hospitality and they are all over the place in Charleston!Charleston City Guide
  • Rainbow Row– The iconic row of 13 colorful houses. I personally thought it was a little overrated and not as “picture-esque” as it looks but still a cute spot to visit on your walk around Charleston.Charleston City Guide
  • Plantations– There are several plantations in Charleston that allow for visitors and each holds a special piece of history. All of them are said to be gorgeous in their own way. Since we only had a few hours, we made the trek to Mount Pleasant to see “The Notebook” house otherwise known as the Boone Hall Plantation. You only need an hour or two to do this but Mount Pleasant is about 20 minutes away from downtown Charleston and can be easily accessed with Uber if you do not have your own car.Charleston City GuideTop: Target | Leggings: Spanx | Jacket: Similar | Shoes: Nike
  • Sullivan’s Island– Charleston is home to a few beaches, but if you only have time for one, make sure to hit up Sullivan’s Island! The beach isn’t especially the prettiest but being so close to the ocean, it’s a fun afternoon spot to enjoy the sun. We stopped by The Daily and picked up food/drinks to take down to the beach. Charleston City GuideSwimsuit: Aerie | Hat: Similar | Sunglasses: Raybans

*This post is done in partnership with The Restoration Hotel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Instagram worthy spots in Charleston, SC
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