Nashville Adventures: Let's Give 'Em Something to Talk About

Friends, as I've mentioned in recent posts my Sarasota life went on pause for a trip to meet five other bloggers in person, for the first time, in Nashville and I'm finally spilling the beans on this great memory. So, whether this fabulous city is on your list of places to see, or you're open to new possibilities, pull up your bootstraps and saddle up. I've got some tantalizing tidbits to share with you! Now, there's no way to hit all of Nashville's delights, but we sure did try our best. 

A little backstory...

Oh 2018, how many adventures you bring!  While contemplating the adventures behind today's post, I couldn't help but reflect over this year's events. As I did, a passing wave of emotion filled me from head to toe. You see, when an unexpected email from a sweet blogger friend appeared amongst the daily junk mail, suggesting a girl's trip with a few blogger friends, my biggest adventure to date was a gift exchange I participated in with The Blended Blog. (Ya'll it's the little things.) I didn't know that by the time this trip came to pass our family of 6 would live in an entirely different state! 

So, I thought that my life was in need of more adventure. And what better way to get some adventure than to meet up with, stay with for 4 days and a explore an unfamiliar city with 5 other women I've never met in person before?!

Now let's fast forward about 6 months to Nashville. If you haven't read up on our big move to Florida, you can catch up HERE. 

I enjoyed planning Nashville "style" outfits for the week with the slight disappointment in the predicted weather reports of a HOT week (#fallfever). And before I knew it I was on a plane, by myself, headed to TN. Side note: In the clothing line up I packed ONE pair of pants. A pair of black denim by Jones New York that I found at Costco for $7.00.

Monday: Travel to Nashville & We Meet

The stress induced by leaving town settled and my thoughts began to wander about the wisdom of taking a trip like this. Confession: I'm a procrastinator.  I was the "newest" blogger to their scene and only corresponded with two of them on a regular basis.  However, I would soon learn that those wayward, insecure thoughts were unfounded.  AND with all life the changes over the past three months, it couldn't be a better time for an adventure like this! 

Upon arrival, I leave the plane and head to the baggage claim area. It's there I meet Shelly and Laura. We hug, exchange pleasantries and before long Lisa shows up. She kindly played the part of UBER driver for the day. Now there were 4. Our first stop (as well as the rest of the itinerary) was perfectly planned by Shelly with lunch AND location in mind, as Kellyann's flight was due to arrive later that afternoon. Andrea was driving in and would meet us...

Nashville's hospitality begins with FOOD at the Sky Blue Cafe

The Sky Blue is a small corner cafe, nestled in the historic Edgefield neighborhood of East Nashville. I'm told that at peak times the wait is considerably lengthy, but we only waited about 20 to 30 minutes - it was Monday after all. When Andrea arrived the squeals were so loud that those around us looked on with amused curiosity. Andrea put this trip together and is well loved by all she meets. I'm sure of it! 

Once our name was called, I had read over the menu several times, but I was no closer to a decision - it all looked so good!  My breakfast transpired hours earlier, with only a plane-sized pretzel snack to hold me over. I was ready to eat!  Inside, I momentarily paused to check the place out. The quaint Luke's Diner from Gilmore Girls, with an added Nashville flair, came to mind. The small cafe felt intimate with a pleasing, down home atmosphere.

Decision time came when our friendly server looked at me in order expectation. "LO's Bowl" left my indecisive lips. Done!

Meanwhile, conversation continued to flow and my uncertainties melted away like the morning's applied makeup in the Nashville summer temps. #wherewasyoufall

Come to momma!

LO's Bowl:  Home fries sautéed with peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, tomato, avocado adn topped with parmesan cheese and avocado.

Admittedly, I was the only one out of five to down the entire plate of food AND I ate some of Andrea's delicious yogurt parfait with homemade granola. (Let's get through the pleasantries people!)  With stuffed satiated bellies we strolled through the park, passing old brick buildings until we arrived at Greg's Auto Repair on Main Street. Hey, don't knock it. He had an old, chevy truck waiting to rev up our photography practice. 

Our first mural was right across the street...but those darn cars parked for work made it exceedingly difficult to get a good shot. This was just the best I could do.

When you're hot, hot, hot...

Ok, I'm not going to overwhelm you with every detail, so let's hit the fast forward button again. We are now joined by Kellyann, settled into our quintessential air bnb on 15th Avenue South with more than enough space AND bathrooms for all 6 of us!

Dinner would be a laid back affair within walking distance...

Taco Mamacita off Villa Place

My California Club and Taco Royale tacos were delicious but the Mexican street corn was off the charts. Take me back!

Tuesday: Morning Rain Showers Means a Detour: The Mall at Green Hills

We didn't hate it. Not at all. In fact, I loved the stand alone Free People store, the pricey but fabulous Sundance store, Lucky Brand and the list goes on! I loved all those boho vibes!

The rain clears up and we head to our original destination: 12 South

12 South boasts great restaurants, beautiful murals, shopping, hot dessert spots and more charm than the butter in Paula Dean's recipes.

Draper James clothing boutique by Reese Witherspoon, where sweet tea and southern hospitality go hand in hand...

The Frothy Monkey for Early Dinner - Still on 12 South

I kept a running story going on Instagram...how could I not?

Club Royal Sandwhich, Homemade Tortilla Chips and of course an iced coffee...

 Photo cred to the fabulous Shelly. 

The Frothy Monkey is another place where you will encounter big crowds, but on that particular Tuesday, around 3 o'clock it was fine. I can see why it's a popular place and would go back again!

Yet Another Mural: The Nash.TN Mural

Jeni's Ice Cream

We passed by Jeni's icecream and I felt this unexplainable magnetic pull...

PUMPKIN SPICE ICE CREAM

Sidenote: I begged, pleaded, twisted arms and pestered the group to return so that I could try the recommend goat cheese and cherry ice cream. It.did.not.disappoint.

The Grand 'Ole Opry

Y'all it was time to get ready for the Opry. Those tickets were purchased well in advance and other than Rascall Flats, I had no idea who would be there. Ahhh, surprise me Opry! 

Sometimes I forget to take my tags off AND coincidentally I felt like Minnie Pearl and I we were on the same fashion wave length...

Once settled I felt electrified as band after band took the stage, ranging from Opry veterans to first time guests. Harmonies, solid jams and incredible talent filled the classic space and I sat enraptured - especially when Striking Matches, a new duo to hit the music scene drew me in with nothing more than their voices and two guitars. Good gracious!

Wednesday: Hillsboro Village, the Gulch & the Nightlife

We kept our mornings slow and easy, knowing the days would be packed full...

Brunch at the infamous Biscuit Love in Hillsboro Village, followed by shopping

 The Famous and Must Try Bonuts

The Lindstrom: Shaved Brussel sprouts, hazelnuts, Parmesan, lemon vinaigrette and two poached eggs...

We do more shopping and then head to the Gulch

More Murals

 "What Lifts You" 

Can I be serious for just one moment?? 

Let's try that again...(Ok we tried SEVERAL times)

Here's my favorite group shot from the whole adventure...

Ok. Now we were worn out from jumping and downright hungry so we trudged over to  LA Jackson at the Thomson Hotel for a quick snack and city views.

Dinner and a Peek at Nashville's Night Life

Bar Taco - Yes, More Tacos

 Miniature Tacos and more street corn...this time off the cob

Key Lime Pie for Instagram Stories

Broadway or Nashvegas

"A sight for the eye and ears" - Chandler from Friends on the episode when Monica gets her hair braided

The cacophony produced by the crowded sidewalks and bands at every bar is indescribable, and it was only WEDNESDAY! This girl doesn't get out much at night, so the visual and sound stimulation had me wide eyed the entire time. 

Thursday: Time to say Goodbye

With the earliest scheduled flight, I quietly readied myself for the trip home. However, the girls insisted on seeing me off. I first walked to Andrea, looked at her sweet face and began to express how grateful I was for her blogging friendship and the invite on this trip. However, before I could finish tears filled my eyes and constricting emotion blocked all hope of saying more. I wordlessly hugged the rest tightly, knowing that they understood. 

For those who I had been corresponding with and reading their stories week after week, our already forming friendships were solidified on this trip. And for those I just met in and out of the blog world, I felt welcomed into their lives as well.

Andrea, Kellyann, Shelly, Laura, Lisa

Andrea of Living on Cloud Nine will draw you in with her genuine love for others, great style, and mouth-watering recipes. There's not a mean bone in this woman's body and she gives the absolute best gifts and since my love language is gifts, you know I'm over the moon for this lady. ha! But for real though. 

Kellyann from This Blonde's Shopping Bag is our comedian, will keep you guessing, bringing laughter and all the great jokes. She's stylish and makes affordable fashion look expensive. Sweet Kellyann will have you wanting more from week to week.

Shelly from Queen In Between, the tell it to you straight, witty Texan with a terrific fashion sense,  and is somehow organized from head to toe. Andrea put this trip together and Shelly planned our itinerary.  I loved bouncing ideas off of her over the course of our adventures!

Laura, from The Horton Family our veteran blogger with 11 years in the blog world, exudes southern charm and doesn't even realize how beautiful and funny she is! She's a great listener and conversationalist...

Lisa, from Coast to Coast 2, is your rock steady, laid back, deal-finding, practical and all around lovely person. There's lots to learn about life from this beautiful lady!

Thank you ladies for magnificent memories and thank YOU for reading along! Nashville has welcoming hospitality, delicious FOOD, history, SHOPPING, enough visual stimulation to shake a stick at and you can almost feel the dreams, both broken and realized of all the hopefuls passing through. If you haven't been, put it on your list. You will leave with something to talk about. Wink. Wink.

If you have been, what's your favorite place to see there?? 

Chrissy

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