Back from Nashville!!!

I am home sweet home after an amazing trip to Nashville aka Music City USA! It was definitely somewhere on my list of places to go, and I knew it would be fun, but I've got to say it kind of exceeded my expectations. What a place.

While there my friend and I definitely took advantage and did everything we could: we went to a hockey game, the Grand Ole Opry, Memphis to see Graceland, hit up just about every where downtown, and even did The Color Run! The Color Run was actually the base of the trip in the first place - after Boston last year we said we'd try to do The Color Run in a different city every year. I have never gone on a trip with as much planned to do as this one but let me tell you, I'm so glad we did it all! It also made the trip feel a lot longer and as a result, probably explains why I'm still a wee bit exhausted.

 

 

If you've never been, I HIGHLY recommend it. But like I said to start, at the end of the day it's good to be home sweet home! :)

Away I go...

Today I am leaving on vacation! I am headed to Music City, also known as Nashville. We've got lots of things planned and I am too excited for words. That being said, I will be MIA until my return next week... :)

Been Away...

This past weekend I took off a few extra days to make it a long 5-day weekend, and went away with some of my girlfriends to the most amazing cottage! It was a dream. Today is my first day back and I'm not gonna lie, it's been tough. Waking up early and to an alarm. Putting on real clothes. Putting on heels. And now sitting in front of a computer screen. It was nice to unplug and relax. Take me back! :)

The cottage aka paradise

Go someplace you've never been

I love this! Even if it's not far I think it is an awesome idea to travel somewhere you've never been once a year, or more importantly, somewhere you've always wanted to go! Time is too short to let that bucket list sit idle...

The last few years I've done exactly that with the following trips:
     2010 - Mexico, Las Vegas
     2011 - Boston
     2012 - New Orleans
     2013 - ??? (I have some ideas but it's too soon to say...) 

I've been many other places in years past, but so far I'm on a roll with at least one new place every year! Where would you love to go?

Merry Christmas Holidays!

Today is my last (half) day of work and reality before the holidays! I'm now off until early January. I so love this time of year, but especially the vacation part - I mean who wouldn't? I get to bake, watch movies, relax, read, spend time with family and friends, all to my heart's content! Not to mention enjoy the odd rum and egg nog!

Wishing you have a safe, happy, and joyful holiday!!!

The Big Easy!

Jackson Square

As I alluded to in a post last week, I recently went to New Orleans! I didn't want to report on it until I got my pictures sorted out to share and now they are.

This was a trip I had been thinking about doing for a while. I always had the fall in mind as well for when to go. This fall all the pieces came together and I made it happen! It was just me and a friend and we went down at the beginning of the month for a long weekend. It. Was. A. Blast. There is no place like New Orleans. Nadda. One of the initial motivators for me was that I heard it was kind of like Vegas, and outdoor Vegas. And I really liked Vegas. After being there, I can totally see why! It's the same party-party atmosphere and energy, everyone is having adult beverages all day long and on the streets, and when you're on Bourbon street it's just bar after bar after bar. It's crazy!

On top of ALL that it's a gorgeous city. I'm not one to say "ooooh, it's full of culture and history", but man, is it EVER full of culture and history! We went on a couple of tours that showed us around the French Quarter (where we stayed) and learned so many interesting things about that history. It was actually super cool and added to the experience. The horse and buggy ride around the French Quarter was recommended to me and surprisingly was one of my favourite parts of the trip! As far as the culture it's so cool and laid back. The buildings are French, Spanish, and Caribbean inspired architecture - at least during the rebuild after the great fire of New Orleans (see, history!). It's a very unique look. It seems like wherever you go you can always hear jazz or blues music in the air. The food is unique too! Creole and Cajun. Lots of seafood (but lots of NON seafood choices for someone like me who doesn't prefer it). There's something for everyone! Also worth mentioning was that everyone we met was super friendly! 

It was a place that was on my bucket list and I can now check it off! If you've not been, I highly recommend it. I think it's only a matter of time before I make my way back there... :)

Must-try New Orleans cocktails from right: Pat O'Briens (World Famous) Hurricane, Hand Grenade, Shark Attack - with names that like, it's a wonder we survived!