couldn’t have said it any better myself.
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Chi Town Memories
A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I drove up to Chicago on our way to a music festival in Michigan. Being that we were only going to be about 2 hours away from Chicago, and never had gone, we had to make a detour.
We only had a few hours to wander around, but that was enough to win me over. I quickly fell in love with Chicago.
So I dragged Kriti with me and off we went to roam about.
My absolute favorite thing in the world is to wander around cities. Leave me downtown somewhere and let me explore. Turning down random streets, wandering about, just to see what you’ll run into and find. That right there makes my heart the happiest. Add some amazing food in the mix and I’m in heaven. For lunch we ate at XOCO, which is one of Rick Bayless’ restaurants. Then we ate at RPM Italian, which is owned by Bill & Giuliana Rancic. Do yourself a favor and stop by both places. I was seriously in food heaven. My stomach and heart were so happy (and full) by the time we left. I can’t even explain how excited I was, you’ll just have to ask Kristi one of these days.
All that to say, I love Chicago and I cannot wait to go back and actually spend some quality time around the Windy City. (And of course, catch a basketball game )
#WanderlustWednesday: Edinburgh
This week let’s venture over to the UK.
One place that I would love to wander about is Scotland. With its beautiful highlands and gorgeous men, I mean, why wouldn’t you want to get lost there (insert winking emoji). ANNNNDDD, let’s not forget, Scotland’s national animal…the ever majestic Unicorn! Yes, its true and yes, I love it! (It’s part of an ongoing joke with a few of my friends, dont ask me how it came about or why, but I slightly love unicorns now.)
But on to more serious things, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. Edinburgh is known for it’s history, architecture, arts, culture, food and geography. It is said that the city is more of an experience than just a destination. From museums and galleries to unique boutiques and chic coffee shops, Edinburgh has a bit for everyone.
Edinburgh is host of many festivals that are world renown. It’s Edinburgh International Festival is one of the worlds largest art and dance festivals that draws thousands each year. The also host the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and International Book Fest.
The city is rich in literary tradition. From Sir Walter Scott to Robert Louis Stevenson to J.K. Rowling, all have had some sort of start or impact from Edinburgh. For my Harry Potter fans, J.K. Rowling began the first book in a coffee shop in Edinburgh. I read somewhere that it was cheaper for her to go to that coffee shop and buy a cup of coffee than to pay for the heat bill in her apartment whilst beginning to write her ever popular book series. You can still visit that same coffee shop, The Elephant House.
Of course, you cannot miss all of the history that fills the city being surrounded by the Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral and all of its beautiful architecture that has been around for hundreds of years. Also, get out of town and go do a tour of the highlands all around Scotland. Go breathe in the fresh Sottish air and take in all it’s natural sights. It’s on my list for sure.
My absolute favorite beer is based in Edinburgh, Innis & Gunn. The beer was originally used as a way to flavor the barrels used for a whiskey distiller. It was supposed to be thrown out after is flavored the barrel but the brewers discovered that the aging worked well with the beer thus, Innis & Gunn began. The Rum Finish is my favorite of the varieties. I made Sticky Toffee Pudding with it last year for Christmas and it was UHHH-MAAZZEEE-ING! Do yourself a favor and go try some. Of course, if you like whiskey you’ll have to check all the distillers in Scotland.
And, I mean, Edinburgh is also the birthplace of Sean Connery…so..now you have to go, haha. Seriously though, just go and explore and see what you find on your way.
”Edinburgh is an experience / A city of enormous gifts / Whose streets sing of history / Whose cobbles tell tales.”
#WanderlustWednesday:Florence
My heart has always been drawn to Italy.
A country filled with amazing food, a beautiful language, stunning landscapes, incredible architecture and some good looking men. It’s my kind of place.
I long to pack my bags, move to Italy, take a cooking course and learn the language. I would love to travel all throughout the country to each region and learn how to cook the local cusine.
Another place on my list for Italy is Florence.
Florence is the capital city of Tuscany. It is famous for it’s history, culture, renaissance art and architecture. It’s had a major influence in art, culture and politics. Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. It was also one of the wealthiest cities during medeval Europe.
Forbes listd Florence as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Florence is also ranked as one of the top 50 fashion capitals of the world. Salvatore Ferragamo calls Florence home. While Gucci, Roberto Cavalli and Emilio Pucci hold their headquarters there as well.
If you happen to get the chance to wander about Florence for a day, check out: What To Do If You Only Have One Day In Florence http://huff.to/1lAMNt0
And now to day dream about Florence….
How about we move to Italy?!?
I’ll meet ya there 😉
Thoughts from Library Wanderings
On Saturday I finally went to the Nashville Library in downtown Nashville. It’s basically the main library in Nashville. It’s a beautiful building with three floors including an art gallery, a courtyard in the middle, a cafe and several meeting halls.
I was just wandering around the isles and isles of books. So many books that I have never even heard of yet even began to read. I felt like Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. I was in filled with awe and wonder.
Whenever I go to any library, I always need to find the travel and the food section. Two of my passions. In the midst of the cooking section, surrounded by all kinds of cook books, I started dreaming of my own cookbook collection and how one day I would love to fill an entire wall full of cookbooks in the middle of my own personal library.
I am quite the fan of public libraries. Although I do enjoy having a Kindle and the convenience of having books in one place that I can pull up with just a swipe of a finger, there is nothing quite like holding a physical book, hearing the sound of each page as it turns and being able to make notes of things that catch your attention. Maybe its just the old lady in me that enjoys sending letters in the mail and carrying around an actual book.
In the midst of wandering around the library I couldn’t help but thinking of all the adventures, knowledge and possibilities that these books hold. It’s a wide open field and anything can happen. Thus the dreamer within me was stirred.
You see, sometimes I want to be a chef.
At other times, I want to be a writer
Then I want to be a stylist
In the next moment, I want to be a photographer
An explorer
A blogger
An adventurer
Occasionally I dream of being famous
I love the outdoors
But I also love big cities and getting all fancied up
I’ve got a gypsy soul
I roam about here and there
I want to be everything at one time
It’s my dilemma in life. I can’t stay in one role for too long. I get bored and then I feel as if I am dying within. I’ve never been able to just pick one thing to do in life. Even as a small child I wanted to be a ballerina and an artist at the same time. I just want it all.
This life I lead, it’s an interesting and unconventional one, to say the least.
Maybe one day I’ll figure it all out…or quite possibly… I won’t….
Who even knows? If you know some secret to getting it all figured out, please feel free to share.
Yet, this is where I am. It’s not all that glamorous and I don’t have much, but I have enough, and for now, all is well.
#WanderlustWednesday: Savannah
This week I thought I would bring it back State side to the South.
Savannah,Georgia
Savannah is one of the oldest cities in the South, rich with history and culture. Known for it’s Southern Hospitality, Savannah has been called the “Hostess City of the South”. The city is made up of 24 different plazas (or squares) that were all strategically placed. The downtown area of the city is one of the nations largest National Historic Landmark Districts. The architecture of the city varies in several different styles such as Federal, Georgian, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Italianate, Regency, Victorian, and Colonial, which attracts many people all the time.
Savannah is known to be an eclectic city, full of different scenes. Not only is it rich in history but it also has quite a large design and art community. They have all kinds of art, music and film festivals throughout the year. Savannah has a style all of its own.
And that is why I must go! I cannot wait to go and wander around Savannah and see what I find. For now, these pictures will just have to do…
#WanderlustWednesday: Randoms
Hey guys!
Hope you’re having a fantastic week!
This week is CMA Fest in Nashville. Most people aren’t really familiar with it. Basically, this whole week here in Nashville, there are just about every and all kinds of concerts and events. Thursday through Sunday at LP Field, they have concerts every night with the biggest names in country music. During the day, there are heaps of events and shows all around town. Basically, its a country music fans heaven.
I, being a fan of country music, have dreamed of being a part of CMA Fest for years. Thankfully one of my co-workers had an extra ticket so you best believe I snatched that up as soon as I found out about it.
Also, seeing as I work at the Grand Ole Opry, it is also a big week for us there. Between my two jobs and CMA Fest, this week is crazy busy for me. I am super excited for all the events but I’m already tired, haha. I haven’t had much time to work on the post, so for this week’s #WanderlustWednesday, I thought that I would just share some of the pictures and quotes that keep me dreaming of travel.
Just a bit of inspiration for the week. May you continually explore this beautiful world, learn from new people and do incredible things.
Love ya’s!
#WanderlustWednesday: Almalfi Coast
When most people think of Italy they mainly think of Rome or Venice or for the fashion savvy, Milan.
All of which I would love to visit but one of my top places to visit in Italy is the Almalfi Coast. Although, I’ve heard it is a bit “touristy” the views and the seafood are enough to pull me in.
The Almalfi Coast stretches about 50 km along the southern part of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Some of it most well known cities are Positano, Almalfi and Ravello. Theses cities hang within the cliffs boarding the Mediterranean Sea. This area is well known for its lemon and olive groves that grow along side the mountains. Of course with the sea being so close in proximity, they have some incredible seafood. Anywhere where you have fresh lemons and seafood in one place, you can consider me in! I put lemon on just about everything and then you add some fish or calamari..I’m in heaven .
Then with the beautiful beaches and colorful houses…it’s like a piece of what I would consider heaven to look like.
It’s also where I would totally get married at. You have to understand, I am not one to sit on Pinterest and pin things to some “wedding” board. I honestly dont have one. For me, getting married is so far off in the future that I just can’t be bothered to think about it yet. I also work in a part of the wedding industry and from what I have seen, weddings are so complicated and over the top that I just can’t be bothered to want to have to stress over all that nonsense.
I don’t want a “traditional” wedding ceremony with the white gown, the church ceremony or the reception b.s. I want to just have a big ol’ party and actually enjoy that day. So I have said for years that I would just get married in Italy on the Almalfi coast. Whoever would want to come can join but I am not going to waste my money and time on people who i hardly know. But I digress…for me, this is one area that I continually dream about and hopefully one day soon I will be able to stand on the beach and smell the sweet salty Mediterranean Sea mixed with the lemon groves and Instagram the hell out of the breathtaking views.
Enough with the talk…let’s just take a moment and daydream about being there instead of being stuck at work…
Hopefully, one day soon, I’ll be able to post pictures that I have taken myself, but for now, these will do.
Sometimes You Just Have To Go
Have you ever had the longing for an adventure?
Like something within you was pulling you towards someplace new and unknown…
Last Saturday I couldn’t stop thinking about Charleston,SC. I posted a picture for my #wanderlustwednesday a few weeks ago. So, as I was steaming a wedding gown, I decided to actually go and wander about the city for myself.
Since the drive from Nashville to Charleston is about 8 hours away, I almost didn’t do the drive. I had to work on Sunday and I only had Monday off so I would have to do a quick trip. But as I was on my way to work “Heads Carolina, Tails California ” came on the radio and at that moment someone in with South Carolina plates got right in front of me. That was my sign, haha.
So after work on Sunday I filled my gas tank and headed down further south. As i was passing through Murfreesboro I almost decide to turn around and head back home. It would be the longest drive I’ve ever done on my own. I knew that after about 3 or 4 hours I would get bored and want to turn back, yet I knew I would regret not doing this trip, so on I went.
I drove down through Chattanooga and into Georgia. Going through Georgia, a fog started to cover all the fields and roads. It was slightly creepy yet beautiful as the sun set and the moon rose. Atlanta was pretty at night, I have never been but I’m planning on going in August. Then through Augusta and into South Carolina I drove on.
I made to about an hour from Charleston and I had to stop for the night. After drinking a Monster energy drink, i felt sick, exhausted and delirious. I laid there in some random town in SC regretting having to do the drive all over again the very next day. It was one of those moments in which I definitely regretted the decision and assuming that I got caught up in emotions and that Charleston would disappoint. But there I was, so I would have to go through with it all.
I woke up early in the morning. Got myself a cup of coffee from the hotel lobby and trekked the last hour of the trip.
I was planning on going to a certain restaurant that I had read about on a couple different sites and on yelp. As I passed the parking lot I decided to turn off my GPS and just drive around. With every street I came upon I just went with my instinct on whether to turn or drive straight through.
I ended up by the bay, then after finding a parking garage I was off to wander about the city. I ended up by the Waterfront Park and the Pineapple Fountain that you see in so many pictures of Charleston. Then after a few more turns I ended up on Rainbow Row. Rainbow Row is a series of colorful historic homes in the French Quarter of Charleston. That spot was where the picture that I had posted on Instagram was taken from.
I then spent the rest of the afternoon just walking about Charleston. I found a cute little restaurant called, Eli’s Table and had Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict with the best grits that I have ever had in my life. Every bit was like a bit of southern heaven in my mouth. It was the perfect combination of southern cuisine and seafood. Those were probably the best variation of eggs benedict that i have had. Then off I went to explore some more. I was probably one of the youngest tourist walking around. Most of them were older folks taking the same pictures of the architecture as i was. I know though that I am a nerd and I am fascinated with history so it’s the perfect city for that.
The smell of the honeysuckle, the architecture, the wrought iron gates, the ladies weaving palmetto baskets, the history, the culture…all that make up Charleston…i loved.
Although I only spent a few hours there so that I could do the 8 hour drive and get home at a somewhat decent time, I know that I will return to explore some more. It was worth all the hours on the road and the moments of delirium.
I did return home exhausted but I am so glad that I did this trip. Exploring and getting lost in new cities is one of my absolute favorite things in the world. It does good to my heart to wander in places I’ve never been before. It’s the gypsy in me that pulls me from place to place. It’s a need within me to drift about. One day, when I’ve finally settled down (if I ever do), I don’t want to have any regrets and you’ll regret the things you dont do more than the things that you do.
And so, the southern wanderings continue…let’s see where I may end up next time….
#WanderlustWednesday: Norway
For this weeks #wanderlustwednesday lets talk about a country that not too many people are familiar with.
Norway
I never really thought about going to Norway until I met some Norwegians whilst I was living in Australia. A couple of them became dear friends of mine and I cannot wait to go visit. I just want to jump through Instagram and join them in their everyday life.
Norway (from what I’ve seen in pictures) is an absolutely beautiful country. It lies in Northern Europe next to the Atlantic Ocean and the North sea. It shares a border with Sweden. Norway is approximately a bit bigger than the size of New Mexico. It has 64,000 miles of coastline and 240,000 islands. It’s not a very large country but it’s natural beauty, interesting cities and incredible people make up for anything that it may lack. It’s one place that you could explore for years and really not get bored.
So lets just take a bit of a look and maybe you’ll join me one day in exploring Norway.
I mean, how could you not want to go here?
This is Oslo, even with their capital, it’s still surrounded by gorgeous trees and mountains. Yes, please.
Standing on these would make for a pretty badass profile pic…just sayin…
Then there’s the midnight sun in part of summer where the sun does not set
but of course the Northern Lights are something that I must see with my own eyes
or how about chasing some wild reindeer
yet I’d be totally okay with going through Geirangerfjord
or wandering about Aalesund.
This is beauty at it’s best. So who’s in to go wander about Norway?
Oh, and of course we can’t forget about this Norwegian gem…
Needs Room to Wander 