NASHVILLE

Last May we adventured with the Grundys in Nashville for Collegiate Summit.  During our free time, I led an unofficial culinary tour of Nashville.  Blake said that I kept us eating around-the- clock like newborn babies. 

We had coffee and treats at Barista Parlor.  And the lattes and pour-over coffees were the best!

We stopped for afternoon coffee at Crema.

And bonuts and biscuits for breakfast at Biscuit Love.

We shared burgers at The Pharmacy and ordered old fashion sodas.  And saved room for tacos and tamales at Mas Tacos (across the street).  If I had to choose, I'd pick tacos!

Brian and I dined at Husk on our first night in town.

And ate delicious breakfast at Marche Artisan Foods. 
We tried Nashville hot fried chicken at Hattie B.'s and all sorts of yummy southern sides (greens, pimento mac and cheese, baked beans, potato salad) and the boys got fries. 

We ended our trip with a picnic in the park by the Parthenon. 

spring sunshine

hello spring

oh texas wildflowers, nice to see you again.

AUSTIN IN APRIL

Happy Fall Y'all!  I realize it's October and I should be crafting fall decor, eating candy corn, wearing fall scarves, and drinking pumpkin spice lattes (I drank one just for FALL and I think one pumpkin flavored anything will be enough for 2012).  But since I'm a behind on blog stories from spring and summer, I'll throw in a few wildcards to mix it up with the fall posts!

Jess and I drove down to Austin 

to meet up with some sweet, dear Louisiana girls 

and one little handsome guy!  

We got our tickets for Country Living Fair.

State shaped tables, I'd pick you, Louisiana.

This sweet mama and her sweet baby boy!

Country Living Fair goodies and inspiration.

 

Afternoon coffee and treats at Mozart's, a good place to relax by the water. 

 

Loved hanging out with some of the best people you'll ever meet!

Then we went exploring on South Congress downtown 

 

Mags found some delicious bacon candy for her man.

We ended our night with the perfect combo of cupcakes, pizza, and ice cream. Don't judge.

 

Thankful for fun trips to refresh and relax!

Cupcakes Are Best Shared With Friends.

Dear bestie, two cupcakes per person is the best idea. 

Happy to meet your friend from work for lunch at the FW Food Park. 

I'm glad we like to try every cupcake shop in sight and still think Curl's Cupcakes are the best.

Mostly just glad to call you friend!

Cupcakes from Red Jett Sweets feat. on Cupcake Wars : Red Jett Velvet, Strawberry Sashay, Nuts for Kentucky/caramel pecan (my favorite one!), and Lovin' Lime 

HEY, I'M OUTDOORSY | CALI 2012

We did some light hiking on the trails at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur.  I felt quite adventurous!  We actually had a lot of fun following the trails (without a trail guide/map --- I like maps but they didn't have any)!  I'm not really what you'd call a lover of actually being outside in the great outdoors, but beautiful California + cool weather + no bug or dangerous wild animal attacks + new places to see and explore = "Hey, look I'm outdoorsy" and brings out the best of the outdoor love that's somewhere in me.  (It was almost like the first and last time I was in a lake and proclaimed, "Hey everyone, I'm in the lake.")  Brian clearly feels right at home in the woods.

BIG SUR | CALI 2012

Since high school, I've wanted to visit Carmel/Monterey Bay, CA after seeing some super cute cottages.  I guess I put it away in the memory bank and remembered it when planning our last minute two year anniversary vacation.   

After doing my homework, I realized that Carmel was a good starting point for the famous Big Sur/Pacific Highway drive.  We drove south along the coast from Carmel to Big Sur. (And by we drove I mean, Brian drove and I navigated and took pics!)  

Amazing views in every direction.

Mountains and Valleys.

Rocks and waves.

Gorgeous coastal landscapes.

A waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer State Park that emptied into the ocean. 

Marine clouds and ocean spray!

Best afternoon drive ever.