Nashville

Two weekends ago  four of my friends and I went to Nashville for the weekend.  I had only been to Nashville once and it was years ago, so it was so great to experience the country music capital with my friends.  

The city through my sunglasses (photo taken by Carly Grand).  

Pre-flight coffees and smoothies.  

Emily and her mom, Michelle, took me, Maddie, Anna, Carly and her mom Paige.  

Happy to have landed in the country music capital.  

Johnny Cash Museum in downtown Nashville.  

Rustic decor in the Tin Roof, a bar and restaurant.  

Downtown Nashville, which is filled with bars, country music bands, restaurants, and a lot of boot stores.  

If you can't tell, downtown Nashville is filled with many boot stores.  

View of the river and Titans' stadium from the rooftop of Acme Feed and Seed.  

My Aunt Sherin, who lives in Nashville, recommended Acme for lunch or dinner and it did not disappoint.  You order food on the main floor, and can either eat there or on the second or third floor.  The first floor has a bar, a lot of seating, and live music.  The second floor has more seating options including couches.  The rooftop has a bar, outdoor seating, and a great view of the city (pictured above).  The food was delicious, and the website is attached here.  

Maddie M., Emily C., Carly G., Anna B., and me on the Acme Feed and Seed.  

Saturday afternoon we shopped around downtown, and listened to amazing live music in different venues.  

Saturday night we went to the Grand Ole Opry, before we grabbed sushi at the beautiful Gaylord Hotel .  

The Gaylord Hotel.  

Anna B., Emily C., Carly G., me and Maddie M. before seeing Hunter Hayes at the Grand Ole Opry, all decked out in dresses and cowgirl boots.  

After the concert we wandered around downtown.  If we had a dollar for every time we saw a bachelorette party we would be very rich.  

Sunday we explored the neighborhoods of Hillsboro and the Gulch.  Pictured above is the boutique E. Allen, which had more expensive clothes and accessories.  My favorite boutique was Blush, which had more inexpensive and stylish options.  Both these boutiques were located in the Gulch.   I bought the cutest romper, which I cannot wait to wear, and a beautiful necklace for my mom.  

 Then we visited the Parthenon, which was recreated in Nashville, TN.  Although we could not go inside the monument because it was Sunday.  

Obviously we had to go see Vanderbilt University, maybe just for the Snapchat filter or to admire the beautiful school.  

We also went to  Hillsboro, which is filled with the cutest boutiques and restaurants.  Pangea, an eclectic shop which sells trendy clothes, including Free People and other brands.  The store also carries fun jewelry, gifts and home accessories.  

We also had to step into the famous Nashville Goo Goo Clusters Store.  Their candy bars are delicious so we all had to buy boxes to bring home to our families.  

Then we walked across a bridge to look at the river and admire the city.  

 I've known these girls since Elementary School (Arlington Science Focus School) and we are all still best friends.  

"friendship" 

While they're taking a cute picture, I'm reenacting the Lizzie McGuire Movie when she makes a wish by throwing a penny in the fountain and becomes an international superstar...I wish.  

 We had to take a picture next to this sign, "we love moms" as it was Mother's Day and I missed my Momma.  

 This was taken before our 6 am Monday morning flight.  When we got to school we all looked like the walking dead because we had been awake since 4 in the morning.

I had an amazing weekend with my friends, in a great city.  Below are some other recommendations not to miss on your next trip to Nashville.

The Pancake Pantry - which is a popular Sunday brunch spot, however it tends to be very crowded.
San Antonio Taco - another popular restaurant, recommended by my Aunt.
Mike's Ice-Cream - had the best Blueberry Cheesecake Ice-cream, and looks like an old fashioned ice-cream shop.
Hot and Cold - a coffee and ice-cream shop.  Which had the best homemade popsicles, I recommend the chai popsicle.
                                                              xoxo
                                                            Olivia 

Bald Head Island

Over Spring Break my family went on vacation to our favorite place in the world (or in the U.S.).  Bald Head Island is located off the coast of South Port, North Carolina.  

You reach the island by ferry and leave your cars and cares behind!  The island is car-free...golf carts and bikes only.

The marina is filled with yachts and fishing boats, and is surrounded by beautiful beach homes and several great restaurants.   

The island is so peaceful and has the most beautiful beaches, marshes, and forests. 

Pictured above is Old Baldy, the lighthouse on the island, located right off the marina.  

My younger brother Sean is an amazing photographer. Sean took this and many other photos documenting our trip.  Our adorable puppy Bo sat on the back of the golf cart while we cruised around the island.  However golf carts aren't all fun and games, I accidentally fell off the back..nothing serious though.  

There is only one church on the island and it is the cutest chapel pictured above.  The island is a popular destination for weddings, and this chapel is the most beautiful venue for a ceremony that overlooks the salt marsh.  

This is the chapel during Easter mass, there was even overflow seating in the outside gardens.  

This is the view from the back of the chapel, looking out onto the beautiful salt marsh.  

Let's talk about beach hair (photo taken by Sean).

Bo loved the whole vacation and was not happy to go home.  

               All the photos pictured above were taken by Sean while Bo and I played on the beach.  I                       wore this bikini made by Triangl Swimwear.

Is he not the cutest?  Bo loved the beach, however he was afraid of the ocean and barked at the waves as they crashed.

I took this photo of Bo admiring a kite

Sean took all these photos of our afternoon exploring and fishing at the marsh.  I wore a Free People dress similar to this 

I took this photo of Quinn fishing. 

 Our family loves vacationing on Bald Head Island because we can relax and still have fun with one another.

   If you're interested in a relaxing island vacation, Bald Head Island is perfect.

                                                             xoxo
                                                            Olivia

First Family Wedding

It has been way too long since I've posted, and this post is way overdue.  Back in March my oldest cousin, Allen married his long time girlfriend Jess.  I've probably known Jess since I was around six years old and she has easily molded with our huge family (which is not easy to do).  So when they got engaged we couldn't be happier and now she's officially apart of the family, however she has been for awhile.

The wedding was in Jess's hometown, Cincinnati Ohio and our whole family came to celebrate the marriage of the amazing couple.

The ceremony was in Music Hall, the venue was so beautiful and the actual ceremony even more touching.  I along with two other girl cousins were program attendants, and my brother Quinn and other boys were ushers.  

All the wedding colors, both venues, and every detail in between were beautiful. 

 The reception was at the timeless Cincinnati Club.  

The bride walking down the aisle by her father 

 

                                     some of the girl cousins Annie, Patricia, Elizabeth, Mary

                                                   
 My cousins Mary, Annie (myself), Elizabeth, and Lucy (bridesmaid and youngest sister of the             groom)

After the reception all the guests went into the street in front of the reception venue and held white balloons and sparklers as Allen and Jess made their exit.  

This was the first wedding in my family and we could not be happier to welcome Jess into the fam.  It was so much fun and wish them only the best.  

xoxo

Olivia