Hey Y’all! My sincerest apologies for the lack of posts this past week. When I was in Nashville this past weekend, I didn’t have as much time as I thought I would to blog and when I came home, Wheeler unfortunately came down with the flu. So these past few days, I’ve been nursing her back to health and trying to disinfect as much as possible, so that the other ones don’t get it. Lanier left for a work trip on Monday morning, so I’ll be extremely happy when he returns tonight! Carried this Belmont Bag (top) and Captain’s Bag (bottom) with me on my trip.
So lucky to have my good friend Lindsey traveling with me! She used to live in Nashville, so she’s pretty used to traveling around the area. We stayed with her friend Abby that was kind enough to host us for three nights.
I sent this pic to the kids, and Lanier said one of them asked if I was going sky diving.
Arm Candy: Watch // Ring // Bracelets (7 to a pack) // Top
The first night, we headed out to Bartaco in 12 South. It was absolutely delicious! A great first meal to enjoy when we arrived. How good does all that food look? It rained up until right when we flew in. We were so lucky it didn’t rain for the rest of our trip!
Day One: What I Wore
Top // Sandals // Ring // Bracelets
The next day, we went to visit my sister Kimberly and her family. She’s #4 of the 6 girls. She was soooo excited to see me, as I was her! She used to live in Asheville and has lived in Nashville for the past three years and loves it! She has a girl and a boy, and they were anxious to show me their rooms as soon as I walked into the house. This is my niece, Raleigh Kate. Kimberly and her husband both went to N.C. State University. They loved the city so much, they decided to name their daughter after it.
What I Wore: Day Two
Top // Cardigan (old, similar here) // Shorts // Sandals // Crossbody
I took this pic above before my trip, and decided to switch out the earrings and sandals for these earrings and sandals.
Here’s another pic of how I styled the tassel earrings above. // Top // Pants // Lips are Talk to Me // Wedges // Wearing this bra under my top.
A few of my readers let me know that Kate Middleton wore the exact same style last night in red! I now have my eyes on these blue ones.
Back to my Nashville trip, that night, my sister came with us to eat at Salt & Vine. Abby loves this place, and knew exactly what to order.
Loved all the clean and crisp lines, and the white washed tables. Everything was so fresh and neat.
Abby says this is honestly one of the sole reasons she loves this restaurant so much – for the Burrata, and I’d have to agree. Basically, it’s a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream.
The green curry mussels with grilled bread was another highly recommended item on the menu. Be sure and ask for extra grilled bread. You’re going to need it at the end, to soak up the yummy leftover juice.
Looking at all this food again is making me so hungry! These sliders with gruyere, caramelized shallots and thyme aioli were heaven.
And so were the sopes and street corn. The jalapenos were the perfect toppings!
Loved how low-key and quiet this place was. I’m guessing it probably does get pretty loud, judging by the high ceilings, but we ate dinner pretty late, so that may have knocked down on some of the restaurant traffic.
After dinner, we headed downtown to Broadway. I was so excited to get here.
Lindsey and Abby wanted to visit one of their favorite locals spots when they were in grad school, so we stopped into Tin Roof before we got to Broadway. After that, we headed to the Honky Tonks. Our first stop was through the back alley to The Stage.
As soon as I walked in, I don’t think you could hide the excitement on my face. Why don’t they have bars like this in Charleston?! So much country music, played by life performers, everywhere you turned. That’s probably the best way I can describe it, and I still feel like it’s such an understatement. One thing’s for sure, pictures don’t do it justice. If you love country music, you will love this scene.
I mean, this mural is amazing! I’d thought maybe I wouldn’t bring my phone with me, but now I’m so glad I did. Takes me back.
We stopped in at Robert’s, then Tootsie’s. All awesome spots.
Because I get this a lot from readers about my hair, I use this to style my hair. Super, super easy to use! Got it last year during Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale and have never looked back.
What I Wore: Night Two
Top (only $42 and comes in lots of other colors; super lightweight and feels like silk) // Jeans (absolutely LOVE this style! High waisted and very slimming!) // Necklace (only $38 and comes in other colors too!)
Don’t worry, I’ll be back to share the final two days of my trip with you tomorrow! Took so many pictures, I couldn’t possibly include them all in one post! So stay tuned!
I posted this pic to my Instastories last week and some of you message me, asking me who made this dress I’m wearing. You have no idea how many compliments I received on it that day. It’s by Lilly Pulitzer, you can find it here (also available here). Fit is true to size. Love the fabric of it and that it has a little swing to it too.
On Instagram last week, I ran a little giveaway for these three beauties. Two are new pieces by Sugarfix by Baublebar carried at Target. And the earrings at the bottom are by Baublebar. You can shop more of them here. I never had a chance to announce the giveaway on the blog, so I’m doing it now. To enter, simply leave a comment telling me your favorite country song. If you don’t have a favorite country song or don’t like country, you can choose a different song. Can’t wait to see all of your answers! Also, I know those of you who receive my blog post via email, you receive it a day late. So I’ll give you a chance to enter, as well. Giveaway ends on Thursday at midnight. I’ll announce the winner on Friday morning. One entry per person, please.
Good luck!
As I mentioned earlier, Wheeler came down with the flu on Monday morning, so any plans I had to watch the finals of the NCAA tournament were shot. It was fine though. I probably needed the rest, after a fun, but long weekend. How perfect are these Carolina Blue Rice Beads?
Seriously though, how about those Carolina Tarheels!
Can’t believe we’re National Champs!
Hope y’all are having a great week so far!
To shop my most recent looks, check them out here.
Wagon wheeL! I never get tired of it.
Wheeler used to say they were singing that to me when we’d hear it. She called it “Rock me, Mama.” 😉
My favorite country song is “Best Friend” by Tim McGraw! It’s my husband and I’s song and always reminds me of our wedding.!
I LOVE Nashville! It is by far one of my very favorite cities. The sugarfix by baublebar pieces are gorgeous! I would have to say my favorite country song is Strawberry Wine!
It’s am old one….but Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks?
Humble and Kind is my new favorite country song!!!
I love Nashville! Such a fun spot for a girls trip. I am a Kenny Chesney girl-so any of his songs will do. If i had to pick one it would be Beer In Mexico.
Can’t go wrong with KS, especially in the summertime!
My favortie song right now is Holy by FGL! I love to sing along when it comes on the radio, but my toddler is less fond of me doing that 🙂
Gah i always have 17 different favorite country songs! So hard to pick … right now I’m loving Body like a Backroad, anything FGL, Brantley Gilbert…
Did you see Sam Hunt serenade his fiancé to it at the ACM awards this past Sunday? Lucky girl!
Dixieland Delight!! So fun!
Alabama was one of my first concerts. 😉
Nashville is so fun! Currently loving “Bar at the End of the World” 🙂
Friends in Low Places!
Did you see that the Duchess of Cambridge wore those Kate Spade tassel earrings yesterday??
My fave country song right now is “House Party” by Sam Hunt. Perfect for chillin on the beach!
Another reader DM’d me about it! So cool!
I guess I’m old because my favorite song is Pancho and Lefty.
I”m loving Josh Turner’s new song….Hometown Girl.
Calling Baton Rouge! By Garth Brooks
They played that one at a lot of places! Love that one too!
Anything old school Reba! Fancy is a classic. It’s on my running and swimming playlists.
They’re in the process of making it a musical!
Anything by George Straight!!!
Love Nashville, Ashley! My favorite country song is Beer for My Horses by Toby Keith and Willie Nelson… every July 4th my great, family friends have a huge party, and the party doesn’t start until after the Beer for my Horses sing/ dance along! Such a great memory I will have forever and can’t wait to continue!
Not a huge country person (does that hurt my chances?!) but I’m loving in Leon Bridges lately– “river” is a true dream of a song (and it was featured on Big Little Lies!)
Haha! No way! I’m a fan of a TON of genres. Trust me. Love that one too. 😉
Definitely “Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait. It may be slow – but it’s special since my dad and I danced to it on my wedding day!
Xo, Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com/
Hard to choose!Maren Morris(JoJo’s twin)- My church or Little Big Town- Girl Crush
Love “My Church” by Maren Morris!
Strip It Down!!!!
My current favorite is body like a back road! Your trip looked like so much fun!
Love Zac Brown Band and Darrius Rucker I listen to them on Pandora all day long!! So I have to say my favorite song is Chicken Fried!!!
Hmmm I love Keith Urban’s “Blue ain’t your color” right now
“Tonight I Wanna Cry” by Keith Urban
Unanswered Prayers!
Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean!!! Ate at Josephine in 12 South Sunday night with friends visiting from Chicago and it was SO good!
Whenever George Strait or Garth Brooks comes on I can’t help but sing along. Love all the “new” country out there but guess I’m more of a classic country music gal!
I agree. Love both too. 😉
Love the pretty jewelry. My favorite song is Crazy. Hope I Win!!!!
That’s one of Wheeler’s favorites too. 😉
Biscuits by Kacey Musgraves!
Wagon Wheel just makes me smile!!!
Love Nashville! Went a few years back for a long weekend, and it was one of my favorite trips anywhere! I was raised on old classic country, and LOVE all old George Strait, Alabama, The Judds, Hank Williams Jr, and Reba! But Dolly Parton’s Jolene is one of the very best. 🙂
My list, by Toby Keith!! My mom used to play it every time we were in the car, now when I am stressed about school I listen it to and it reminds me of my mom and what’s important!
Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man”!
Best.Song.Ever.
Anything and everything by Carrie Underwood! 🙂 Love your posts!
Old school….Keith Whitley and Lori Morgan – Till Each Tear You Cry Becomes a Rose
Tennessee whiskey by Chris Stapleton. Love henversion with his wife
I’m loving everything from Hunter Phelps right now and I’m also obsessed with “You Broke Up Wuth Me” by walker Hayes!
“It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” Travis Tritt ; )
No one Needs to Know by Shania Twain was the first country song I ever loved!!
What Was I Thinking by Dierks Bentley
Brad paisley, mud on the tires, has always been a favorite of mine. Love country music! Ur trip looks amazing. I hope to go to Nashville one day !
I Just Want You by Cole Swindell would have to be my current favorite! ? Loved this post!
Livin’ on love by Alan Jackson! I asked my husband to choose our first dance at our wedding, so it would be a surprise. He picked the song that was playing in the background the first time he said he loved me! Nothing will beat that song now : )
5-1-5-0 (Dierks Bentley) ?
Body like a backroad right now 🙂
The Stage is my favorite! I absolutely LOVE Nashville. So happy you enjoyed yourself!
Currently loving Josh Turner’s “Hometown Girl”!!! Would LOVE to win!!!
Oh my… so my good country songs, it’s hard to pick just one! I’d have to say Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice.. there’s just something so sweet about that song 🙂 I need a trip to Nashville!
My all time favorite country song is My Maria! The whole family loves to sing along on road trips 🙂
Fancy by Reba!
Anything from the 90’s!!
So glad you got to spend some time with Kimberly 🙂 It looks like you had a fun trip! My sister lived out there for a few years too and we loved going to visit! Such a cool town. Obsessed with Baublebar jewelry lately.
Thomas Rhett is hands down my favorite right now. “Die a happy man” was our first dance song at our wedding a year ago and still really digging his other new one “American Spirit.”
I gotta go with Friends in low Places
This is tough! I basically like any country songs that don’t have to do with cleaning a gun 🙂 Maren Morris is a new favorite artist of mine- love her voice and her style! “My Church” is a good one!
I like “Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffet! Love listening to it in the summer. 🙂
God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton!
Livin’ on Love by Alan Jackson.
I love so many county songs but my favorite right now is either “you look good” by Lady Antebellum, or “body like a back road” by Sam Hunt. Can’t wait for the new summer songs to start coming out too!
Oh man!! How do I even pick just one song or singer!! I love country music. Even the “old” stuff. But gotta go with anything by faith hill!! #GOZAGS. ?Mourning the loss!
I don’t listen to the radio much “we’re a Spotify family ?) but right now I can’t get enough of Kasey Musgraves’ Dime Store Cowgirl!
We are too! Love our Spotify, especially now that we can sync it up to our Alexa.
I love old school Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood, makes me think of riding in the car with my mom when I was younger.
I love Waylon and Are you Sure Hank Done It This Way is one of my favorites So glad you loved Nashville…..I met you briefly at the Stage last Friday.
Yes! I’m so glad you said hey! That was definitely my favorite spot to be! 😉
Sweet Southern Comfort 🙂 it’s the best!
Right now it’s Fighter by Keith Urban?
I lived in Franklin, TN for 7 years when I was little and have the best memories… I love Nashville! And you are right, there is not better place to be than Nashville if you love country music 🙂 My all time favorite country artist is Garth Brooks, I grew up listening to him. But I also love Zac Brown Band, my favorite is “Colder Weather”
God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton. My husband of 23 years and I have picked it as our song of the moment.?❤️
Anything Kenny Chesney or Eric Church!!!
Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton. Love!!