Anniversary Trip To Nashville

Dale and I spent Memorial Day weekend road tripping to Nashville! It was our first time in the city as adults, and I would have to say it exceeded our expectations. We stayed in a lovely East Nashville Airbnb with hosts who were more than willing to share their favorite spots. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee

We arrived late Friday night and got up early Saturday morning in order to get in a full day of exploring! Our first stop was Biscuit Love for breakfast, and I have to say the Bonuts were as good as I imagined. (I suggest going early because there was already a line forming at 8 AM.) The waiter recommended 12 South as an area we wouldn't want to miss, so we drove through on our way to Pinewood Social for some morning bowling. The restaurant at Pinewood Social looked great but we were so full from breakfast that we headed back to 12 South right after in order to do some shopping. Our next stop was the Nashville Farmer's Market. After that we explored Hillsboro Village and then made the trek out to Hewitt Garden and Design Center. If you are on the hunt for a cactus (like I was) this is the place. I could have been happy snapping photos of all the different plants for hours. 

By this point we were exhausted and headed back to our Airbnb to relax before dinner. We choose to eat at The Pharmacy, and boy was it worth the wait. The beer garden atmosphere was just what we were looking for after a full day. (I recommend grabbing a drink at the Holland House Bar and Refuge next door if you have a long wait.) We finished off the evening with a drink at No. 308 and headed back home for the night. One of my favorite parts of the trip was chatting with our Airbnb hosts that evening! 

Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee
Letters Are Lovely | Trip to Nashville, Tennessee

Sunday we slept in and then headed to Barista Parlor for coffee and breakfast. This is perhaps one of the most well thought out restaurant spaces I have ever been too, and I really appreciated their attention to detail. Amelia's Flower Truck was parked right outside which was an added bonus. After eating and relaxing for a bit we wandered down to several shops close by including Wilder. The rest of the afternoon was spent driving around to a few other shops we didn't want to miss (White's Mercantile & Old Made Good) before a late lunch at Desano Pizza Bakery. I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate our First Wedding Anniversary! If you are headed to Nashville, take a peek at A Beautiful Mess' posts, too, because they were super helpful in planning our trip.

Until next time, Nashville!


April Around The Web

I hope you all had a lovely April! This month was much anticipated, and full of surprises and spontaneous decisions. Here are a few of my favorite finds around the web this month:

β€œBecoming yourself is really hard and confusing, and it’s a process. I was completely the eager beaver in school, I was the girl in the front of the class who was the first person to put her hand up, and it’s often not cool to be the person that puts themself out there, and I’ve often gotten teased mercilessly, but I found that ultimately if you truly pour your heart into what you believe inβ€”even if it makes you vulnerableβ€”amazing things can and will happen. ”
— Emma Watson

Personally this month I was able to spend a weekend in Lawrence with my mom and sister while Dale visited his friend in Boston. I love being back in my college town, and even got to stop in the new Wonder Fair location. I also purchased a painting this month from my mentor, Lisa Rogers, show. I can't wait to get it home! This weekend I will be reunited with my girl friends for a Bachelorette Party, which will be the perfect end to the month. I can't wait for more springtime adventures in May!


March Around The Web

I hope you all have had a wonderful March! I couldn't think of a better representation of my favorite things on the internet this past month than Libby VanderPloeg's "Lift Each Other Up" illustration for International Women's Day (which was March 8th). I am very proud to work with and have so many talented & driven women friends who inspire me daily. Take a look at Libby's website to see more of her wonderful illustrations! 

March Around The Web: Libby VanderPloeg | Letters Are Lovely

Other tidbits from this month include:

Personally, my favorite moments from March were spent in Portland with my family, and outside enjoying the warmer Spring weather. I can't wait to see what April will bring!


Portland, Oregon

Hello from Portland! I spur of the moment bought a plane ticket to join my family on their Spring Break trip. My first trip to the city has been wonderful, here is a recap from some of my favorite places we visited over a long weekend:

Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
  • CARIOCA BOWLS β€” I've been wanting to try one of these bowls forever, and it definitely lived up to the hype. So delicious! I would love to make one at home.

  • Drive to MOUNT HOOD β€” Beautiful views & lots of snow!)

  • Dinner at HUBERS CAFE with family friends

  • VooDoo DOUGHNUTS β€” Also worth visiting, quirky and delicious.

  • The PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDEN β€” Stunning! We got very lucky with our weather, and I can imagine it would be even more spectacular when everything is in full bloom.

  • The PITTOCK MANSION β€” Great view of the city.

  • DIVISION ST. FOOD TRUCKS // MENAGERIE SHOP β€” There are so many different food truck locations in the city it was hard to decide where to sop, but the ones at Division St. were wonderful. I tried Smakken Waffles. Lots of options, and a very cute seating area in the middle. Also visit Menagerie, it's a lovely little shop.

  • Drivee to CANNON BEACH β€” One of my favorite parts of the trip. You could easily spend more time in the park around the beach.

Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
Letters Are Lovely | Portland
  • MULTNOMAH FALLS β€” Breathtaking waterfall, only about 30 minutes from the city.

  • PAADEE β€” Lunch stop for some Thai Food

  • ARTEMISIA COLLAGE WITH NATURE β€” Lovely store filled with plants and terrariums.

  • INK & PEAT β€” Home and lifestyle shop we stopped by.

  • WITCHES CASTLE β€” Forest Park is beautiful for hiking.

  • For our last meal we enjoyed French food at PETITE PROVENCE and we couldn't help but brave the one for SALT & STRAW for dessert. Worth it! (I tried the Salted Caramel Cupcake, Honey Lavender, Lemon Amaretto Sour Sherbet & Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper. I choose the last two in a waffle cone!)

Until next time, Portland! 


January Around The Web

Happy almost February! Per usual, here are a few of my favorites from around the web this past month. I'm happy to see the iridescent trend seems to be here to stay. I loved Aww, Sam's roundup of 10 Iridescent/Holographic Things You Need. Enjoy some other links below!