MONTANA ROAD TRIP

I spent a few weeks in April driving scenic roads in Montana. I wanted to take my mind "offline" and clear my thoughts and this trip succeeded in leaving me refreshed and focused. My friends in Bozeman graciously let me stay at their home for some of the trip and it was so nice to have no schedule and the only goal of taking photos, finishing a book, and what beer I'd like.

Montana 2017-0055.jpg

I started in Big Sky with a stay at 302 Cabins. Since it was still off-season, finding things to do and food were a little tough but I managed to have a great bison burger at Corral Bar and a flight at Beehive Basin Brewery. I made my way all the way up the mountain in my rented Chevy Impala to see the sunset and found a nice spot between two impossibly pretty ski chalets. The next morning I woke up to not a dusting, but a full on foot of snow piled on my car. After a nice guy at the cabins helped me clear all the windows, I started to make my way to Paradise Valley.

Chico Hot Springs nestled in the valley was a highlight of the trip, as was every view in Pray. I woke up to faded yellow grass and blue skies (when it wasn't raining) and planned my day according to dinner reservations. I fell in love with countless horses and small ghost towns and as usual, plotted how I can own a remote cabin here one day. 

The last days of the trip led me to friends of friends who have a home in Condon. To my heart's delight they have a huge property with a log cabin, and yes, a tiny cabin with a four mile driveway. I stayed and watched them work the land with their energetic yorkie terrier and we gathered each night for a home cooked meal and conversation. It was the perfect way to say 'til next time to Big Sky country. 

IF THERE'S LOVE



Citizen Cope playing at Marathon Music Works made me weak with nostalgia. His songs have been with me for years and every time I hear them I'm brought back to exactly where I was in that moment - mostly college dorm nights and riding the metro at 2am. 'If There's Love' will always be one of my favorite songs and I'm so happy that I got to capture this guy in action last night for the Nashville stop of his 'Clarence Greenwood Recordings 10th Anniversary Tour'.


TEQUILA & TACOS





Last night William Collier's put on 'Tequila & Tacos' with Trianon Tequila, Mas Tacos Por Favor and music from the soulful, Jeffrey James. Folks came for the tequila tastings and cocktails (I loved the use of mole bitters and muddled jalapenos!) and yes, the tacos. One of my favorite meals anywhere in Nashville, Mas Tacos was on hand and such a hit. I saw the guys in their element turning out these amazing cocktails all night and I'm just so stoked that I get to work with them and this sweet little bar in Marathon Village.

DC CELEBRATING


I spent the weekend in DC for my birthday and had the best time going to some of my old haunts. Dinner was at the new Public Trust in Brookland and then of course American Ice for picklebacks. The next morning friends and I headed to Union Market for post-celebration brunch. Driving through the city reminded me how much I love a busy place and having friends come in from all over made the weekend so great. Til' next time, DC.



THE BLACK KEYS AT MERCY LOUNGE

I had the pleasure of snapping pictures of The Black Keys at Mercy Lounge last night and I still haven't stopped smiling over it. The whole show felt like a dream and getting to hear a great mix of old and new tracks was the perfect way to kick off summer and reaffirm just how much I love this band.


Special thanks to the amazing Franny + Rick over at Sirius XM for letting me tag along and gush forever about this night!

THANK YOU, JOSH.

To the man who carried me up a flight of steps at 13 years old to meet my idols, No Doubt, thank you. 


To the man who walked me to the Metro countless times after my shift to make sure I got home safe, thank you.


To the man who stood behind me while I got yelled at through the box office window from a patron, then made me laugh it off, thank you.


To the man who carried me down a flight of steps to the Backbar at 23 years old after a few too many stellas and jamesons, thank you.


To the man who let me interview him for a college exam, then who scolded me when I got a B- because, "I'm 'A' material," thank you. 


I'll never have another friend like you who looked at the world with such thoughtfulness, meaning and non-judgment. Thank you for just being you. You will always be missed, Josh.

THAT COLORADO AIR










I spent a good two weeks taking in as much of the Colorado mountains as I possibly could and it was just as awe-inspiring as I imagined. For my birthday, we drove the winding and no-safety-rail byway all the way up to the top of Mt. Evans. The views are insanely awesome and it was also insanely cold (duh, on the top of 14,200 ft mountain will do that) but it was so, so worth it.


A huge trip highlight for me was going to see Red Rocks. I've dreamed about this venue, the drive up, the atmosphere. And it was...everything. It's incredible to see something natural preserved and enhanced for people to appreciate and enjoy. Now all I have left are the Gorge and Hollywood Bowl. But I have a sneaky feeling Red Rocks will always win.


On one of the last days I begged to go on the Estes Park Tram and when we got there I almost completely chickened out. The IDEA of seeing the sights from way up is great in theory, but getting into this old tram with wobbly cables was nerve-wracking. Once I was in though, it was amazing. We could see the mountains for miles and miles and even spotted a bald eagle in a nearby tree. 


I'm lucky to have a few friends who have made Denver their home and just going to all their spots, experiencing their routine, and seeing them all settling into this scenic city made me so happy. I love that all my friends aren't afraid of taking risks, moving to new cities and just making it work. After seeing the art museums, delicious restaurants, and just the heart that folks have there, Denver will always be a place I want to go back and visit again and again.

AT HOME



Every spring I have made it a tradition of rereading, 'One Hundred Years of Solitude.' There's just something about the writing, characters and settings that makes me read it like the first time, every time. So, this week I opened my windows, arranged some makeshift patio furniture and spent most afternoons on my balcony reading and thinking about how much has changed in 12 months.


In one year, I have moved to Nashville, made it my home, embraced stranger's kindness, become less alarmed at people asking how far I parked so they can carry my groceries, got back onto a tennis court, bought vinyl, scratched vinyl, dealt with job setbacks, learned not to place my entire value in work, left people not worth my time in the past, been confident to go to dinner alone, made great friends, ordered moonshine more than once, gotten butterflies again and grown up.


My apartment feels like a home and the many friends who have spent nights chatting over whiskey have made me feel more loved and supported than I could have ever imagined. Right now I'm on the cusp of making some decisions on jobs and for the first time in a long time, I'm not anxious about it. I'm excited at the prospects, taking chances and just living. Who knows where I'll be a year from now but I'm hoping it involves a good book, sunshine and many more airport pickups.


SPRING BREAKING

A few insta-snaps of my unofficial spring break with family, tons of amazing meals and finished commissioned paintings. And I'm excited that my bar cart is stocked and all ready for friends coming to visit & spend warm nights on my balcony. C'mon summer :)



LIVIN' ON BISCUITS


It may be April showering as I type this but last week it was THE best weather for my mom, little sis & brother's visit! They chose to spend their Spring Break with me (I really think it's the access to delicious tacos and Loveless Cafe biscuits but that's a-okay with me) and I'm so happy I got to spend some time cooking, picking their brains and playing cards with them. My little home already misses the screaming and their cat running around like crazy and I'm so thankful I was able to take in a week of family and visiting the Parthenon, which is quite the sight to be seen in the midst of downtown Nash. 

CAFFEINE JITTERS

I love a good cup of coffee. Barista Parlor has a whiskey coffee that is so good it makes drinking whiskey at 11am completely acceptable. Over the past few weeks I've made it a point to visit local shops around town, bring a book, journal and maybe even get some painting inspiration. It's been pretty great to realize that I can sit with others at a community table, not say a word but feel completely at home through smiles and reassuring glances while students stress over papers. I have also realized that straight days of espresso drinking can end in an all out cry-fest. My friends know how tough I am on myself and this whole not having a job yet anxiety got the better of me one evening this week. But the catch about having these twice yearly sob sessions is having friends that knew exactly what to say to me. They assured me I'm allowed to be upset, but on the same hand I have to regroup, make a plan and get focused again. Which is exactly what I did. There's something so human about going to bed so uneasy but waking up with a clear mind and full heart knowing you have some pretty amazing folks in your life who let you be you no matter what. 


So here I am, the morning after having had a beautiful meal at a new neighbor/friends home and feeling pretty darn happy and confident things are about to go my way. It's all about patience and I'm learning how to practice it more and more every day. And really, who can still be down after a bacon old fashioned? Yes, that's a thing here and I'm never leaving.




TURN IT UP // MIX 3


I was trying to think of a variety of songs I've been listening to, keyword on variety but right now I'm all about Shovels & Rope. Over the moon, can't stop thinking about, totally in love with this band. I think this love got even stronger (if that's possible) with their show at Mercy Lounge a few weeks ago. Seeing Cary Ann & Michael give everything they've got and leave the stage sweaty but smiling is what makes you see and feel the heart in all their songs. 


1. When I...

2. The Thread

3. Gasoline

4. Birmingham

5. Keeper

6. Hollowpoint Blues

7. Lay Low

8. Hail Hail

9. The Winner


>>>>> Listen on Spotify

SUNDAY SUPPERS

My wonderful friend, Allyson came to town and we spent a few packed days wandering around Nashville, record shopping, drinking whiskey and of course, eating tacos. I've officially converted her to a Mas fanatic but still have work to do on Robert's baloney sandwiches :) Ally is also a big Shovels & Rope fan, so it was such a good night seeing them up close at the Mercy Lounge. 


Since I've been here, I've had a friend come visit every few weeks. This is kind of amazing in that I rarely get lonely and it gives me a good reason to plan little day trips around town. I'm happy we got to spend some time in the small but mighty, Third Man Records and I can't wait for more friends to come see why I'm always gushing about this town. And for City Houses' Sunday Suppers... it's almost not right how good that place is.



GETTING COZY

With this cold weather I have something to confess: I am absolutely attached to anything sheepskin. It's such a great and cozy piece to warm up with for late night tv watching and entertaining. I'm also guilty of wearing (and loving) uggs from time to time and when I found a sheepskin throw, it went right on my couch front and center. I'm really digging all these looks that incorporate sheepskin into daily and home office life and especially that grey tinted throw.

1. M.A.S. Fashion

2. Lu-Lu

3. Tumblr

4. Vogue Australia

TURN IT UP // MIX 2


I'm happy to report my winter blues haven't kicked in full force this year (thank you unseasonably warm days!) and thus no super emo songs have made their way into my playlists. With a more upbeat tone, this list has Youngblood Hawke who I saw open for Keane this month and they were hands down one of the best openers in memory. So energetic, fun and a cool mix between Grouplove and Walk The Moon.


Since I've been living in Nashville, I've fallen even more in love with a few local bands that are giving this town such a good name. I've been a huge fan of Leagues and their EP for awhile now and I was so thrilled for their new album that it made my playlist a couple times this month. It's catchy, fresh and just a tad bit sad. So yeah, there's my winter blues creeping in just a little but in the best way possible.


1. Leagues >> Spotlight

2. Shovels & Rope >> Birmingham 

3. Miguel >> Adorn 

4. Turbo Fruits >> Harley Dollar Bill$

5. Leagues >> Magic

6. Atlas Genius >> Trojans

7. Youngblood Hawke >> We Come Running

8. Family of the Year >> Hero

9. Tegan and Sara >> Closer



>>>>> Listen on Spotify


JANUARY 2013

This month was filled with crazy weather with temperatures reaching the low 70's, then immediately heading into chilly winds the next day. I debated scarf etiquette, wandered around my hood, job interviewed, got lost trying to find the post office for an hour, made delicious banana bread, and smiled at seeing the pool open like a summer day. But last night will be remembered as the night I unintentionally slept through multiple tornado warnings (and sirens? what?) and woke up to a bright sun peeking through the clouds and quite a few missed calls from concerned friends and family. My building is an renovated old warehouse, so I feel pretty safe against bad weather but since I'm sleeping next to 15 ft. windows I might have to abandon my love of ear plugs when the skies start lookin' grey.



DC REMINISCING

Today as I watched Inauguration coverage from the comfort of my couch, I started feeling super nostalgic about my time and memories in DC. 4 years ago I was one of the many hopeful and excited people on The Washington Monument lawn watching President Obama get sworn in at the U.S. Capitol. To this day, that whole weekend with everything from the freezing weather, the Inaugural Ball, playing dress up, drinking gin & tonics, making new friends just by wearing an Obama sticker, and seeing a military tank parked outside my dorm, it was one of the best DC experiences I and many of my friends had. Going to a school in the district was made even more special when big events like Election Night, the Inauguration or even going (and being late) to class because you watched the motorcade drive by.


I'm thankful I was a part of the action that weekend and got to see DC in such an electrified moment in time. 4 years later, I'm happy and excited to see President Obama serve for a second term and see what the future holds. And I'm hoping every student, professor, friend crashing from out of town that's in Foggy Bottom right now are taking advantage of being in that 20052 zip code. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT HONKY TONKIN'

One of my very best friends Amanda is in town to visit and we've spent our days catching up, honky tonkin' at Robert's, going to Bluebird Cafe, watching Shameless, eating incredible meals, and of course getting her some cowboy boots. It's amazing what quality time with an old friend can do to lift spirits and keep you focused on what's important. After hours at the Country Music Hall of Fame looking at Patsy Cline memorabilia, Elvis' gold car and piano and too many framed platinum records to count, I found a new favorite place here and started to feel a little bit more at home.

Amanda has said more than once that one of her hobby's is going to restaurants. To say she loves food is an understatement, so from the airport (after a quick pit stop at my place) we went to Mas Tacos for a meal so good we went back again later in the week. I knew City House had to be on the list for their belly ham pizza and top notch cocktails and they didn't disappoint. The Catbird Restaurant (look out for an entire post on this meal....) had to be our highlight though, with its 10 courses, savory & sweet oreos that bookend the meal, and impeccable service. 

This city is booming with food so delicious and sights so fun you don't want to leave. I'm so happy Amanda has gotten to experience the best Nashville has to offer at the moment and I'm counting down (and making reservations) for her next visit in June :)