BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Nashville Photo Diary & Travel Guide

March 3, 2017 by jessica 5 Comments

I’ve finally put together a recap of our long weekend in Nashville last October. I’m not a country music fan by any stretch of the imagination (I’m more of a hip-hop girl), so people were surprised that we were making the trek to Music City. But there’s more to the city than just honky tonks (which you have to do, by the way). It’s a vibrant city with pockets of charm that appeal to both country music lovers and non-lovers alike! I listed the things that we did on our trip below. This barely scratches the surface of what Nashville has to offer, but we did a pretty good job of experiencing the highlights over three days.

Sonix iPhone case

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Honky Tonk: Even if you’re not a huge country music fan, you can’t go to Nashville and completely ignore the music scene. Just about every bar downtown offers free live music each weeknight. Just head to Music Row and pop into any bar to embrace the honky-tonk scene. It’s a lively, laid back experience that really shouldn’t be missed. Be sure to bring singles so you can tip the bands! My favorite night was at Nashville Crossroads where a younger band was playing. There weren’t many patrons in that bar, so they were casually taking requests. After one girl requested “Baby Got Back,” Dave requested R. Kelly’s “Remix to Ignition.” It was more amazing than you could possibly imagine with a country twang! (Be prepared to show your I.D. everywhere no matter your age. To a Wisconsinite, it was a little obnoxious since we rarely need to flash our I.D. if we look over 21.)
Street Art: Nashville has an incredible street art scene with murals in the most unlikely places. Some of my favorites were spotted just walking around the downtown area. However, there are a couple of iconic photo locations you’ll want to add to your itinerary for a true Nashville experience: “What Lifts You” by Kelsey Montague (302 11th Ave. S.) with the pint-sized version for dogs and “I Believe in Nashville” by Adrien Saporiti (2706 12th Ave. S.). Be prepared to wait your turn in line with a bevvy of other girls and their Instagram Husbands eager to get the perfect shot.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge: This bridge spans the Cumberland River and offers great views of the city skyline.
The Parthenon: Built in 1987 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, The Parthenon in Nashville is a full-scale replica of the Athens original. I wanted to go inside and see the statue, but I suddenly felt sick and had to head back to the hotel for some R&R.
Go Gaga for Goo Goos: I had never had a Goo Goo Cluster before visiting Nashville, and I was missing out on its marshmallow nougat, caramel, roasted peanuts and milk chocolate perfection. You can visit the factory, but it’s unremarkable unless you’re a huge fan and have a burning desire for Goo Goo-emblazoned products to bring home. I just picked up bags of the mini Goo Goos at Walgreens and was Goo Goo shamed by the employee who asked if I was eating them for breakfast. (So what if I am, sir…so what if I am?)
Hatch Show Print: If you’re a huge letterpress fan, book a tour to get a behind-the-scenes of this iconic print shop. Their posters make for unique souvenirs and you’ll enjoy them long after you get home, unlike cowboy boots and rhinestone-encrusted belts.
The 12South Neighborhood: 12South is a vibrant neighborhood in Nashville that offers plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops. In fact, it’s where Draper James and its photo-worthy blue and white striped wall is located. Be sure to check out White’s Mercantile, which is a carefully curated, modern take on general store. When we were there, Amelia’s Flower Truck was parked outside. You can follow them on Instagram for their location each day. It’d be a shame to visit Nashville and miss out on that Insta-opportunity.

Line & Dot dress (old; love this) | Ann Taylor sandals (love these and these) | Julie Vos necklace (c/o)

PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden: The Pharmacy will satisfy any burger craving you might have with a menu full of creative burger toppings. They also serve German-style wursts and vintage-style soda shop offerings like milkshakes and malts. The real gem of The Pharmacy is the outdoor beer garden. It’s a well-landscaped oasis and the perfect place to throw back a few pints on a warm night. The stroganoff burger is amazing. (Dave and I split one because the portions were gigantic.)
Husk: Husk is definitely a splurge, but it’s an absolute must for a romantic date night. The restaurant serves up traditional Southern ingredients with a sophisticated twist and is housed in an elegant historic mansion. Like most of Nashville, the dress code isn’t terribly formal. You can get away with a simple dress and a pair of nice flats. Make reservations in advance to make sure you get a table.
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken: Hot chicken is a Nashville staple and Hattie B’s is the place to go to experience the spicy fried chicken with Southern sides and local beer. There’s typically a long line, but it moves fairly quickly and the food is absolutely worth the wait.
The Filling Station: Located in the 12South neighborhood, this is one of Nashville’s best destinations for craft beer. It’s a store-meets-bar with a myriad of regional brews available on tap and for carry out. There are just a few tables inside, but you can also take your beer to the small outdoor seating area.
Frothy Monkey: Rumored to be one of Taylor Swift’s favorite Nashville locations, Frothy Monkey is one of the best brunch spots in town. Be sure to get the turtle latte for a caffeinated treat.
Yazoo Brewing Company: Yazoo Brewing Company is a local brewery with a wide selection of beer varieties to enjoy on-site. The taproom is large and lively and a great place to enjoy a few mid-afternoon brews before continuing your tour of the city. There’s also an outdoor seating area.
Jackalope Brewing Company: I didn’t like this brewery as much as Yazoo Brewing Company, but it was still a solid option for a couple of beers. They have games available, too.

A DETOUR WORTH MAKING
If you head to Nashville through Kentucky, you can stop at Kentucky Down Under and feed kangaroos! Best. Day. Ever.

Ring My Bell Sleeve

March 1, 2017 by jessica 6 Comments

When I first put on this coat, Dave immediately demanded that Siri play “Witchy Woman.” I get it. Dramatic bell sleeves on a noir coat can conjure up visions of spellbinding sorceresses. However, I think it looks more like a playful topper for a cocktail dress when paired with a major piece of jewelry and less like an eight-month-early Halloween costume! Although, if it can double as both, well, that’s a win in my book! Even though the sleeve detail didn’t get quite the reaction I expected, I’m not shying away from the trend for spring. I think it’s a fun way to update an otherwise boring silhouette and I especially love it on floral blouses like this one and this one.

The Coveted

February 28, 2017 by jessica 2 Comments

I’m so hopeful that this dress will go on sale for at least 50% off so I can get my hands on it. I’m absolutely obsessed with the print, the colors, and the shirt dress silhouette. It’s one of those pieces that you can throw on with a pair of ballet flats and head to work without a second thought. Another piece I have my eye on this week is this pair of beaded statement earrings by Tory Burch (not featured above). They’re gigantic! I have a $200 Visa gift card that I received at Christmas and I’m tempted to put it toward the statement drops. They’re just too good to pass up.

Budget Update: February 2017

February 27, 2017 by jessica 16 Comments

After a year of casually looking for a flattering trench coat, I finally purchased one from Banana Republic this month. I’m not sure how I managed to go without this wardrobe staple for so long, especially since I’ve worn it every warm day we’ve had recently. Aside from that, I’ve been all about print and color again this month. I’ve gone far too long with only purchasing versatile classics that I feel like my closet is overdue for a refresh with playful, eye-catching pieces. I’ll admit, though, that’s it making my annual Pinterest board of sartorial purchases look a little disjointed! It’s easy to overlook quality when enamored with a pretty print, so I’m diligently selecting only items that have expensive-looking prints (so many wallet-friendly prints look cheap) and are made well.

BUDGET
First Quarter Budget: $850
Spent in January: $358 (decreased thanks to a Nordstrom price adjustment)
Spent in February: $256
Amount Remaining: $236

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial purchases here.

Vero Moda drop-waist floral dress ($58; worn here): I’m all kinds of obsessed with this cute little dress for spring. The shirt-dress detailing makes it appropriate for work and the gathered skirt skims over hips with ease. The skirt portion is lined, but the top a little sheer, so you’ll need a nude bra that matches your skin color almost exactly if you don’t want to wear a cami. I first ordered a size large, assuming that the European brand would run small. Nope. If anything it runs a hair larger than true to size. I opted for a medium and there’s still plenty of room.
Banana Republic belted cotton trench ($120; worn here): I’ve been looking for a khaki-colored spring coat for the last two years and decided to give this one a whirl. I like that it has a single row of buttons rather than the double-breasted look of a traditional trench coat. There’s a removable quilted lining inside, which is a nice touch. It runs true to size. Mine arrived pretty wrinkly, but nothing a steamer couldn’t fix.
J.Crew Factory tissue tunic ($31): I love the vibrant colors in this tunic. I went up a size to give me more room around my hips, especially when throwing it over a wet bathing suit this summer. I’m hopeful that I can also half-tuck it into a pair of shorts and wear it during the day.
Neiman Marcus ruffled popover striped dress ($47): Madison Magazine reached out to me to see if I’d like to be part of an upcoming story on “stylish Madisonians.” I’m flattered and a little nervous about the whole ordeal. (I realize the irony of having a public blog and yet still being shy when it comes to stuff like this.) However, I needed something to wear for the photo shoot next month. Obviously. I found this cute striped formal dress at Neiman Marcus Last Call and love that it highlights my shoulders and collarbone, adds oomph to my chest, and accentuates my waist. I’m probably going to pair it with the Cult Gaia bag I’m obsessed with (above) and possibly these earrings. I need to find a good cuff bracelet and shoes, though. Suggestions?

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration.

Karen Walker “Number One” sunglasses in black (worn here): I had credits from my partnership with DITTO and put it toward these sunglasses. I bought the tortoise shell version a couple of years ago and love them so much. After borrowing the black pair for a month, I knew I’d wear them just as often.
Garnet Hill cashmere wrap in grey (worn here)
Helen Ficalora “XOX” disk charm necklace in sterling silver (worn here)
Make Me Chic bell-sleeve coat (in an outfit post later this week)

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Things I tried and didn’t love.

Sam Edelman “Yaro” suede sandals in black: I wrestled with whether or not to return these. They’re really cute and I loved how my legs looked with the extra height. However, I just wasn’t convinced that I’d wear them all that often when I typically reach for flats. At $120, I figured that money was better spent on something I’d wear more often. I’ll consider them again if they go on sale.

DAYDREAMING ABOUT
The items I just might add to my wardrobe next month.

Playful black-and-white earrings
Loafers (if I can decide between patent pink and matte white)
A couple of sundresses for our mid-March trip to New Orleans
Red shorts to wear with the J.Crew Factory tunic so it gets some mileage away from the pool, or possibly this pair which is a similar print.
This one-shoulder top that I just ordered.

***
I’ll be linking up with Fran!

Weekend Reading

February 25, 2017 by jessica 1 Comment

Happy Saturday! We booked a trip to New Orleans for mid-March, so this weekend is all about researching the best activities for day (we have evening drinks on lock!), planning my outfits, and scouting out the best Instagram locations! Have you been to the Big Easy? What would you recommend that we see and do? I can’t wait to take tons of photos of the colorful houses like this one!

OSCAR WORTHY: I much prefer television over movies, but I do get into the Oscars for the clothes. Here are some of the top Oscar fashion moments of all time.

GO GREEN: You’re better than green beer. St. Patrick’s Day will be here before you know it, but there’s still enough time to perfect these recipes for green cocktails that don’t need food coloring to be festive.

PORK INSIDE: How cute are these illustrations meant to ease the language barrier in Japan?

SALE ALERT: You can snag my favorite spring earrings (perhaps in pink?) for 30% off now through March 3 with code COLOR. The code applies to all non-sale items.

ALL EARS: It’s time to ditch that statement necklace. Earrings took center stage at the AW17 runways. And, while we’re speaking of ears, the Oscars have been the perfect time for celebs to grab your ear when it comes to political statements. I’m sure we’ll have at least one on Sunday.