Inspire

06.11.18

Time To Empower

There’s something I’ve been contemplating for the last few months. Empower.

What does being EMPOWERED look like? What does it mean? Last week we all heard the news that Kate Spade took her own life. Then we heard the same news about Anthony Bourdain. These people were professionally SUCCESSFUL and had, what looked from the outside, to be GOOD LIVES. Then we all see the tweets, the instagrams, the notes of concern, consideration, condolence. We have public conversations about being there for people, or watching for the signs.

But then, time SOFTENS the shock, and life dictates that we continue to carry on. Not to be CALLOUS or to show indifference but because that’s what must be done, we must carry on. Whether it’s a school shooting, a suicide, depression, lack of confidence, or something else that makes anyone feel unworthy of their own LOVE AND RESPECT, we try to help each other, but when the pain doesn’t present itself obviously we sometimes miss it.

I’ve DECIDED that I’m not going to feel ineffective against these things any longer. I’m going to actively seek to EMPOWER people to recognize their own worth and potential. I started to feel a SHIFT in this direction recently when working on my EP because I didn’t want to sing songs that would do anything but make people feel WORTHY AND POWERFUL. I wanted to empower people and to lift them up by making them feel and RECOGNIZE they had inner strength.

I have known that place of powerlessness in the past and once I realized those feelings I promised myself from that moment on that I would never let my inner power be anything but UNBRIDLED, CHANNELED, and FREE. So, I’m not sure what this will look like as I move forward, I’m guessing it’s going to be reflected in blogposts, my MUSIC, in interviews, and in other mediums as well. But I know that I am done seeing people suffer needlessly when I can DO SOMETHING, however small, about it. We all have every tool within us to discover SELF love, self POWER, and self HEALING, it just needs to be uncovered.

To be honest, even writing this and before posting it, I was thinking, “WHO AM I to say these things?” But then I realized who am I NOT TO? What if it helps ONE person? Because I’ve been thinking these things for a long time, and it’s time to try and INTENTIONALLY help others with these words. I am not going to let self-doubt hold me back from anything, and you shouldn’t let it hold you back.

Going forward I hope that I can offer you some INSPIRATION and PEACE; to know that I will be here to empower you with words, songs and music, stories, and good vibes that I’m sending to you always.

06.08.18

30A Beach Days

It’s almost summer time! Which means it’s the perfect time for a road trip….especially to the beach! We recently went down to Florida for a little Memorial day getaway and had such a good time. I had so much fun in fact that I’m sharing with you some of our favorite things we did while on the 30A stretch of the pan handle!

The Donut Hole

I have a few favorite things about the donut hole, beginning with the laid back vibe and centering around red velvet donuts for $1.35. It’s the perfect way to begin a beach day and if you happen to be dining alone you can usually skip the line and sit right at the bar! Order the “diet plate”, it’s more than you need but it’s worth it!

Dogs after 4pm

This is something I was so excited to find out about. After 4pm, on some of the beaches, you can bring your pup! Audrey is almost always with me and I was so excited that she was going to be able to go to the beach with us! She had a great time and loved all the attention from passersby.

Seaside

A trip to the beach wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through the beach towns! We love Seaside because of the vintage airstream food trailers and also because we found this great little taco stop that was so good! Seaside also has this open air market just off the beach with tiny little booths. These booths don’t have hardly any of the typical tourist items that are overtly branded with the location, it’s more of a curated collection of beach inspired items. You can usually find something special that will perfectly mark the memory of your trip.

A Room With a View

Find a rooftop bar with a view of the ocean! We found one in Rosemary, but there are several along 30A to try! It’s really just about the experience and in my book a rooftop ocean view is the perfect way to enjoy an afternoon!

05.21.18

Donut District Me!

I read about District Donuts from a New Orleans guide and then discovered I was only about a five minute walk from the location while I was in the Garden District!

The Donut District was very unassuming from the outside. But inside it was such a cool, funky, and vibey little spot. It’s the first time I’ve been to a donut shop that was also a bar! They didn’t have a ton of donuts, but like Five Daughters Bakery in Nashville, they seem to specialize in seasonal really unique and delicious flavors!

I had been told that certain parts of Magazine Street were a cool spot to wonder around, and this little corner did not disappoint. As a musician I found so many little nods to the musical heritage of the city. Not just in the typical spots; the restaurants, the bars of Bourbon Street, but also in little places like District Donuts where they had a deconstructed piano as a light fixture!

We chose four and brought them with us, because it was still a little early for consuming THAT much sugar. As I’ve mentioned before I’ve developed a sensitivity to gluten, which as someone who could eat all sorts of baked sweets before can be VERY hard in moments like these.

So I had to just try a bite of one of the donuts because anytime I have regular flour it can cause a reaction. I’m working at trying to cut it out completely, but it can be a challenge when it comes to DONUTS. However, I am able to report that the other donuts were delicious because I was fortunate enough to have people who are not sensitive to gluten with me!

So while you’re exploring the Garden District do yourself a favor and find your way to District Donuts!

05.18.18

Garden District

There is a section of New Orleans that is definitely my favorite…the Garden District.

I found myself returning time and time again to the Garden District. To get lost in the gothic romanticism. The drama of the history. The architecture, the sweltering (already) summer heat, and the beauty. The homes and streets tell stories of Mark Twain and Degas. The blooms on every street can easily convince you that you’ve been transported in time. The trees are showing their age by uprooting the sidewalks right beneath your feet. It’s easy to get lost in time here.

The garden district is full of historic mansions that have a unique architectural nuance that is an amalgamation of many styles.

One feature that is prominent in much of the historic architecture around New Orleans is the wrought iron work that was handcrafted. This is especially true of the Garden District. We visited the Buckner Mansion, Anne Rice’s previous home, and several homes remarkable homes. We just happened to stumble upon so many while taking in all the beautiful buildings.

The stained glass in the windows was so reminiscent of a bygone era. It recalls memories of a jazz age that still lingers in the air. It’s a similar feeling to watching Midnight in Paris, but if you transported the entire film and story to New Orleans. One of the houses that we spotted was rumored to have hosted parties for the elite and intriguing of the early 20th century. I have a feeling there were more than just a few lavish parties thrown with many iconic people in attendance.

So if you’re in New Orleans do yourself a favor and make sure to visit the Garden District. Watch for my next post on a great and unique little donut shop in the Garden District you don’t want to miss!

05.12.18

Oak Alley Plantation

I just got back from a trip to New Orleans. I’ve been once before, and this time there were two things I really wanted to see, one being a beautiful old plantation home, and our morning at Oak Alley Plantation was born.

We drove about an hour outside of New Orleans into what just looked like farms. Until all of sudden the architecture began to change. There were two extreme juxtapositions of architecture; very big beautiful grand homes, and then little shacks that you could practically see through. As we came around a turn we found the driveway of Oak Alley. It actually runs along side the famous Oak Alley, and I was so busy looking for the turn I missed the view from the road!

Once we passed the ticket gates I could see why so many people visit here, the “big house” as the call it, is beautiful even from a distance.

But just on the other side of the view is where the slaves lived. It really tugs at your heart when you think about the conditions of the people living on this land and how there were totally opposites lives existing in the same space at the same time.

The “big house” is what is called an Antebellum style home, and you can just picture women in big ball gowns walking through the home. It has undergone several renovations, but the original beauty of the home is preserved.

The most beautiful part of the entire Oak Alley Plantation experience would have to be the magnificent oak trees that line the iconic front drive. It’s just unbelievable how grand, and healthy, those trees are. There was also a little armadillo who lived in the massive root system of the trees! He came out to see us for just a moment.

All in all I absolutely recommend the trip out to Oak Alley Plantation. The team that runs the plantation does an excellent job of allowing you to appreciate the beauty. They also educating you on what life was like for both the groups that lived on Oak Alley. The white slave owners of the time and the slaves who lived vastly different experiences from the slave owners.

05.08.18

Restoration Hardware: Brunch Edition

Brunch is such a luxury. So is Restoration Hardware. What do you get when you put them together?! One of the most satisfying, design-rich brunch experience around!

This was actually my second experience at Restoration Hardware Cafe because I just love the whole experience that much! It is SUCH a beautiful space. Thought and consideration has been put into every detail, from the view into the kitchen right down to the apparel of the servers.

Chandeliers are inherently feminine, but mixed with the right metals, fabrics, and materials and suddenly it’s not just feminine it’s a complete aesthetic. I LOVE the design of this entire space because of the way it makes me feel. It’s tranquil and luxurious, and exactly the kind of space you want to spend time in.

The menu has not been neglected in terms of details. It’s highly curated to just a few VERY WELL DONE dishes. Personally I find the scrambled eggs to be decadent and delicious. They incorporate so much more into this dish than simply eggs, and it elevates said eggs from a breakfast staple to an experience.

The tea service is my other favorite aspect besides the design. The tea is casual silver service. It feels like a tea party for one (or two, if your dining partner also likes tea)! I know there are multiple locations of the Restoration Hardware Cafe, is there one in your city? If yes, have you been? Let me know in the comments!