We took a much needed screen-free trip to Center Hill Lake to “glamp” in a dome. 10/10 recommend! It was truly the sweetest experience and core family memories were made.
You can book directly from the Tennessee Glamping website HERE. Dome four at Center Hill Lake was the exact one we stayed in.
The dome was air conditioned, had a toilet and large shower, a king bed, a pullout couch, a microwave, sink & a grill. It was very comfortable. The outside had a large deck, a solo stove, a grill and a hot tub. (The hot tub was the star of the show for our kids!)
We went about a mile down the road and swam in the lake at a beach area and fished. It was located close to a marina as well.
A couple things that were hits with the kids:
– Oreo S’more (You just open up the Oreo and put the marshmallow/chocolate in between.) HUGE hit with the boys!
– A glow dance party! We brought a bunch of glow in the dark necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses, etc. We played some music and had a family dance party.
– Fishing… we used a tangle free kid rod. They LOVED it!
– Magnifying Glasses- The kids could check out the bugs, leaves, etc. Kept them entertained for a long time.
– Movie Projector- we brought a little projector to watch a movie on the ceiling of the dome.
We had the boys cuddle up in their sleeping bags and put them on the top of the pull out bed.
The property we stayed on had an incredible view, but it is VERY high up with a steep drop off. We had to keep our eyes on the baby at ALL times. Just an FYI!
Our family can’t wait to go back when the leaves change this fall for another little retreat. It felt magical!
Things We Loved Having:
Trey’s Western Cowboy Camp Breakfast Scramble Recipe-
** We prepped this all before we left and just popped it on the grill when we got there. With the eggs we wanted to make it right before we left & kept it refrigerated the night before. **
* 1 pack of 30 oz. of frozen shredded hash browns
* 1/2 on of diced ham – we used deli
* Dice 1 large bell pepper
* 2 -3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, i like Philadelphia melted kind
* 8 eggs
* 1/4 cup of milk
* 1 tsp. of onion powder
* 1 tsp. Garlic powder
* Couple of dashes of hot sauce
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Top it with some parsley (optional)
** Mix it all in bowl, wrap with tin foil.
Put on grill at or around 400 degrees 30 – 40 min covered.
Take off foil, cook another 30-40 uncovered.
Raising children really does take a village and I feel so blessed to have some amazing women in my life to “mom life” with. My sweet friend Nicole Digiacobbe (@thedigigirls on IG) is having her third baby girl and we wanted to celebrate that in a fun way.
We decided to do a “high tea” theme and kept everything floral and girly for baby girl #3.
I was lucky to co-host this shower with some fabulous ladies you should check out! My nearest and dearest, Kristen Brust. She is over on IG at @kristen.brust and has a podcost “In Kristen We Brust” that will make you equally laugh and cry. Mallory Ervin (@malloryervin on IG) and Holly of @ourfauxfarmhouse.
For our catering we used High Tea Tennessee. They take care of everything so that the host can actually talk and enjoy the party instead of rushing around to tend to the food and drink.
We really wanted to do something a bit different and special and this was absolutely a hit! Professional wait staff will make your guests feel like royalty while serving your selections in courses.
Set-up, delivery, and collection is included in all of their parties, along with the option of serving your guests, so you don’t have to worry about lifting a finger at your event! All tea parties include vintage bone china, napkins and runners, fresh flowers, tiered serving stands and platters, and complementing decor for you to enjoy the delicacies of a fancy tea party. Traditional afternoon tea selections like bite-size tea sandwiches, warm scones, and freshly baked sweets are served alongside piping hot tea.
It’d make such a unique bridal/baby shower, birthday, holiday, etc. The owner was so generous to offer a discount to use on your first tea party. To book your tea party, use code 20OFF for 20% off your party (book by June 16th for my discount) and check them out at @highteatenn on IG.
Vendors We Used And Loved:
Event Space: Ozari Nashville– Located in the L&L building. This space is wide open so you use it for so many different types of events. It has beautiful natural light and I love that your guests can easily park on site.
Light Up Letters: Alpha Lit Nashville– These make such a BIG impact at your event. They are a showstopper and quickly become the photo spot at any event.
Florals:
Rentals: Please Be Seated– They put on some of the most dreamy events in Nashville and have everything you could ever think of for party rentals! P.S. the owner, Mary, is hysterical and shares all things “delegating parties” on her IG account, @mrssouthernsocial.
As we creep into September the temperatures will be dropping and the fall fashion will be here before we know it! Fall is my absolute favorite when it comes to clothes. Bring on all the cozy layers! I found some staple items that can all be mixed and matched and are perfect fall fundamental pieces that are versatile and get lots of wear. Best part? They are all under $50!
Striped Sweater- This one is a little slouchy on the fit and comes in a black version as well. It’s under $25!
2. Buffalo Check Shirt Jacket- Favorite find so far of the fall fashion. This looks nearly identical to the Anine Bing designer version (you can check that one out HERE) for a fraction of the price!
3. Faux Shearling “Shacket”- Great texture on this cozy piece. Will be super cute with faux leather leggings and tall boots for a dressier look or with a t-shirt and sneakers for day wear.
4. Hooded Sweatshirt Dress- The detailing of the strings and coloring of this one are perfect. They make it look much more high end than it is!
5. Black Maxi Dress- You can wear this open as a duster for more versatility with this one. Easy to throw on with booties or toss a sweater over it with sneakers. Can’t believe this one is under $25!
We headed over to Nashville’s Opryland for a staycation to celebrate Wilder’s birthday and had the BEST time! The hotel is very family friendly and B-E-A-UTIFUL! It features 9 acres of indoor atriums, an outdoor pool, live music, special summer activities such as the atrium fountain show and live performances, scavenger hunts & hotel garden tours. And of course – SoundWaves!
The hotel has taken several safety precautions to ensure a safe stay for you and your family. They have provided enhanced cleaning technology, hospital-grade disinfectants, attendants dedicated to sanitizing frequently throughout the day, etc. All staff and patrons in common areas were wearing masks. There was also plenty of signage throughout the hotel showing social distancing best practices, signs on the floor that marked 6 feet, etc.
The upgraded atrium view room was perfect for our family and Wilder’s birthday party. We chose the two queen beds (you can also chose a king) and it had two bathrooms, a living area and a kitchenette. In the living area was a murphy bed (the kids thought that was so fun!) and a pull out couch as well.
Wilder asked for candy and to “stay at a hotel” for his birthday, so this was extra special to have a Nashville Opryland version where everything feels bigger and better!
The hotel is not currently operating at full capacity, but there were still plenty of options for food. Cascades restaurant had sushi (yum!) and we were also able to order room service for a special breakfast in bed. Pizza night is always a hit and we were able to enjoy that in the room.
Soundwaves was the biggest hit of all! (P.S. If you are a Tennessee resident and wanting to head to Soundwaves for the day without staying the night… you now can! Check out the information on that, HERE! )
The waterpark has both an indoor and outdoor section. Our boys (ages 3 and 4) loved the toddler areas, lazy rivers, and slide in the toddler section. For anyone over 42″ there are tons of slides and rides.
I also recommend renting one of the cabanas. It was nice to be able to order food and drinks (ahem, and a few adult beverages for mama 😉 ) right to the cabana. We have been diligent with social distancing and this made that super easy. The cabana was also great because we had a “home base” to meet up. Wilder was going so hard he fell asleep… so the couch in the cabana converted into his nap spot.
The past several months have been hard on everyone and it was SO nice to have a little break as a family. We made the most precious memories and can’t wait to go back again this Christmas season!
Nashville is such a fun and vibrant city that I feel so grateful to call it home. It’s always fun to play tourist in your own city, but when it’s with Lindt Chocolate and a girl group it’s even better!
To say I was blown away by the Lindt brand would be a vast understatement. It’s so much more than just chocolate for them. They are determined to show that women can “treat themselves” on the daily. Whether that’s with full blown retreats or a simple minute alone with a LINDOR truffle. They are really an indulgent experience that can give you that special self-care any day.
I thought it’d be fun to walk you through our weekend in case you wanted to re-create it with some friends of your own! If you are visiting Nashville I would HIGHLY recommend all of these places.
First up, where to stay. There are so many hotels popping up in the city, but Vandyke Bed and Beverage is really something special. There are six rooms with different themes. There is also the cutest bar, great food and a fun little outdoor area. (Note.. if you aren’t staying here I’d still swing by for a drink at their bar.) The entire place is extremely “Instagram-worthy.”
We started by having mani/pedis at Poppy & Monroe. It’s an all natural nail spot that can also do super cute designs and nail art.
Following that we had a chocolate tasting and wine pairing with the Lindt Chocolatier. It would be fun to re-create this by buying some Lindt pieces and doing a wine/charcuterie board.
Dinner at Lockeland Table is always a memorable experience. It’s farm to table with an ever changing menu.
One of my favorite activities from the retreat was a yoga class at BlossOming Yoga. You can rent out the studio for private classes and it makes such a fun birthday, bachelorette, girl meet up, etc. We did the Hatha Flow. It’s a true mind-body experience. We all left feeling so amazing!!! I instantly signed up for more classes.
We did a chocolate and tea pairing next door at High Garden Tea. The inside transports you to a mystical place. It’s very relaxing and the highest quality tea that you will find in Nashville. Everything is organic and they source from the finest farms all over the world.
Brunch at Marche is a Nasvhille staple. Don’t miss out on the blood orange mimosas!
Pouring your own candles at The Candle Bar has become my go to for any type of event lately! They have drinks there as you make your own candles. They also have the cutest gift shop to stock up on gifts and home goods.
I read an article the other day saying that the average mother works 98 hours a week and spends about 6 minutes alone a day. (That could be in the shower…) We are quick to serve our families and forget about ourselves. It’s difficult to pour from an empty cup. I’m so glad I decided to take a day for myself. I encourage you to find a few moments for yourself so that you can perform at your highest level for the ones that you love.
P.S. If you are looking for a more rowdy weekend..I’ve got a full Nasvhille Bachelorette Party Post you can check out HERE.
**Through the end of September, if you purchase 2 bags of LINDOR (5.1oz or larger), you can get a free movie download. Give yourself the ultimate self-care night! You can find more here: www.lindtmovienight.com **
Photo Credits: Chelsea Rochelle & Evin Photography
I made it my New Year’s Resolution to live a more intentional and purposeful life. If I’m being honest, I was getting really bored writing about another outfit with no substance to blogging past that. Now, I still love sharing great fashion finds don’t get me wrong. So I’ll still be posting fashion shots, but I want to share meaningful things alongside them. So yes, these pictures are not a realistic day for me. It sure is fun to get dressed up though!
The other day on one of our many holiday road trips I was listening to Julie Solomon’s Influencer podcast and The Skinny Confidential was the guest. Everything she was saying truly resonated with me. She said she had the opportunity to meet the ultimate girl boss, Bethenny Frankel. She asked her for one single piece of advice and Bethenny told her to, “be like Michael Phelps and stay in your own lane.”
I sat there and thought about that for the rest of the trip. How are you supposed to get to the finish line if you are constantly checking the other swimmers and drifting off into their lane? I’m the first to admit that I struggle in comparing myself to others, and being far too hard on myself at that.
Let’s just be real. Social media is everyone’s “Christmas card pictures.” (Myself included.) It’s not the blooper real. Life happens in between each picture perfect Instagram square.
For me, social media is used as a marketing tool for my blog. It’s also used as inspiration and more as an artistic medium than anything else. I do use Instastories as more of my “reality.”
I’m a mom to two babies. No I am not walking around with a full face of makeup and heels everyday. At any given moment there is baby throw up on my clothes, and there’s a great chance I haven’t had a moment to take a shower in at least three days. That’s reality. And that’s OK!
Fashion has always been a passion of mine. It feels good to get dressed up and put on a cute outfit. It makes me feel like myself and it’s fun. But the pictures that are on social media are simply the ideal. Not the everyday.
Now let’s take a minute to think about what happens when we don’t create our own happiness, but base it off of others. The biggest problem is when it starts to affect your self-esteem or when it causes anxiety or depression. (Anxious to keep up or sad that you don’t feel your life is adequate.) This is when it’s most important to focus on your own lane. Be happy for others when they post something fantastic, but realize behind closed doors they suffer from issues of their own. You never know what someone is going through.
For much of my life I just wanted to fit in. Wanted to feel “cool.” Even with blogging, when I first started I would see several girls posting the same sweater, for instance. I would feel pressure to go get that same sweater with the mind set that it must be selling well and I needed to follow suit to keep up. (Now hey, if you REALLY love that sweater, get the dang sweater.) BUT I’ve learned this is the completely wrong mind set. Who wants to see 10,000 pictures of the same sweater? When the school of fish is all swimming one way, I think that I would rather be the rainbow fish swimming against the stream.
The theme of social media comparison is dangerous. Make an effort to support others without comparing yourself to them. Competition is human nature. It’s great to put your best foot forward (Or best picture…) There’s nothing wrong with that. As long as we keep a healthy mind set and honest approach to how we look at ourselves and others.
This goes hand in hand with my New Year’s Resolution. You can read more about that HERE.
Balance. How can we have it all, do it all, be it all, see it all?
The Creative Souls Tribe reached out to me to write a piece about balance for their May blog series, and I was so happy they did! First off, if you’ve never heard of them you MUST check them out. “Creative Souls is a community that inspires and equips females to take action in their creative endeavors. Our mission is to connect and empower women to get in touch with their true creativity.” I mean how amazing is that?! They also have meet ups and community outreach. Check them out HERE.
I wanted to share with ya’ll my thoughts from that…
Balance. How can we have it all, do it all, be it all, see it all? In today’s society it is normal for us to wear so many hats. For me, it’s mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, blogger, traveler, chef, house cleaner, traveler, believer, decorator, teacher, wannabe fitness junky, and the list goes on and on. How is it even possible to balance all of these things each and everyday? It seems overwhelming just typing it out. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not possible. More importantly, THAT’S OK.
Since having my son, Georgie, I feel some days are just a whirlwind. I’m not sure there has ever been a day where everything has gotten crossed off the to do list. You may start the day with the best of intentions, but then he crawls in your lap and needs attention, misses a nap or spills his lunch on top of his head (yes this happens) and needs a daytime bath. From there the whole day is thrown off, and the productivity goes on a downward spiral. Before you know it, I’m on the couch eating Halo ice cream and bing watching ‘Teen Mom.’ (Hey, don’t judge.)
I’m constantly seeking that perfect balance. Being a great wife, keeping a clean house, having healthy home cooked meals on the table, teaching my son as much as possible, taking him to as many activities as possible, working out, spending time with my friends, creating great content for my blog, and who even knows what else. It’s easy to get anxiety attempting to balance it all.
I was once told you always have time for the things you make time. Simple, but true. I’ve tried to use this as my key to keeping balance in my life. Think of it as a scale, some items are heavier than others on some days. For me, I never want to compromise being a mother, wife or friend. Those are my “heavy weights.” So to keep the scale balanced, I always put those on the one side, every day. Then I can add a few of the extras to the other side to balance it out. If you were to add every single other thing, the scale wouldn’t be balanced.
Being stubborn at heart, it’s always been hard for me to ask for help. You want to wear that superwoman badge, and be able to tackle everything without reaching out for any assistance.
Good luck to ya. I’ve learned to allocate outside help whenever I can. It’s like being able to wear all the hats, but having help putting them on. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?
If you want to eat healthy, but don’t have time to cook that day, then get a delivery meal service that offers homemade healthy meals delivered. If you want to get your workout class in, but don’t have a babysitter that day during the class (ahemmm my everyday scenario), then take a quick jog, do some squats while you do your hair, some calf raises while you make dinner, and a few planks before bed and call it a day. If you want a clean house, but just can’t seem to have time, splurge on a house cleaner that week. You get the picture. Leave your pride at the door, there is no shame in the help game!
Somedays, Georgie may not get learning time, park time, and a bath in during the course of the day. I might have to do a little more work for the blog, or help a friend with some errands. That’s ok, I try again the next day.
For me, that key to balance in life has been a two-parter. First, prioritizing what is truly important to me and gives my life purpose and meaning. Concentrating on those things, and feeling fulfilled with those things alone. The second, learning not to compare my life to others, and losing the need to compete with others to keep up. Can we all make a pledge not to judge one another? You really never know what someone is going through. It may seem like they have it all together, but if you take a closer look they could be falling apart. Find what works for you and be happy with that. And if your day ends on the couch with a tub of Halo, hey, that’s ok too.
Now that we’ve agreed not to judge one another, I can let ya’ll know I have literally worn this every day for the last 5-6 days now. My obsession with longhorn everything is strong, and I couldn’t resist the back detailing. It’s also made with a loose knit so it’s cool and perfect for spring and summer. The white on white trend is as strong as ever, and easy to do. I’ve probably mentioned my favorite v-neck pocket tee a million times, but it’s the easiest go to piece. Of course I paired it with my white cut off denim shorts. These are a great low rise fit so I’m able to continue wearing them preggo because they hit under the bump. Hallelujah!
Happy Monday! I’ve been so excited to share this massive giveaway with ya’ll!! I strongly believe you are whom you surround yourself around. I chose to surround myself with positive friends that chose to build each other up and help each other out. When you eliminate any jealousy or petty-ness and truly want the best for your friends, it only helps yourself in the long run. I’m so thankful to have a group of great girlfriends here in Nashville that are out there pursuing their goals and dreams and are not afraid to do the daily hustle and work hard for what they want. To celebrate this notion…… we’ve paired together to bring ya’ll an ultimate Nashville day! (How perfect would this be as a date?! Just in time for Valentine’s day..)
We are giving away:
A free night stay at the Thompson Hotel (King room plus valet). This is the hottest spot in Nashville right now. You must check out L.A. Jackson, their rooftop bar.
A $200 gift card to have dinner at the new trendy restaurant Fin and Pearl.
A Beauty package from Parlour 3. If you don’t know Parlour 3, it is the top of the top in the beauty world. They cater to tons of celebrities and country stars. Owner, Melissa Schleicher is Carrie Underwood’s go to girl for hair and make-up!! I was lucky enough to have her do mine for this shoot, and I picked her brain about everything she was doing and products she used. (Post on that to come soon.. but for now I will tell you she said if she could only pick one product to have in her make-up bag this concealer would be it, and here is her “most perfect” nude lipstick in the shade “nude Kate.”)
A $150 gift card and a swag bag from Kitty Nashville. Kitty is one of the coolest clothing boutiques in Nashville. It’s owned by my friend and total boss babe, Sarah Davidson. She has curated the coolest looks and it’s got the best decor. A must stop when visiting Nashville!
We really had so much fun getting ready at Parlour 3 together, and just talking about our upcoming goals and aspirations. To enter the giveaway head over to my instagram (@beauandarrownashville) and follow us, as well as tag a friend you would love to share this ultimate Nasvhille day with!
