Spring in the south is one of my favorite times of the year. The flowers and trees are blooming, the sun is shining consistently, and there are so many great spots to enjoy the city and nature. Whether you’re a local or visiting Nashville, these five spots are great for a Spring visit.

Arrington Vineyards

Head 25 minutes south of Nashville to Arrington Vineyards. This is one of our favorite spots to enjoy the weather and relax. Spend an afternoon enjoying a wine flight (or our favorite, a frose!) and take in the beautiful views. The 95-acre property has five tasting rooms, gorgeous views, live music on Saturdays and Sundays, and shaded picnic areas. You can bring your own food for a picnic or grab something from the winery like charcuterie, chips, etc. Every weekend in April through November, the gourmet food shop “Simply Living Life” serves freshly prepared take-out food at the Pavilion and Barn areas. Fridays are Food Truck Fridays where you can enjoy some of Nashville’s best food truck offerings (The Mac Shack is our favorite, but they’re all great!). Pro-tip: while there, be sure to look for the tree swings for cute and more private areas to relax. So, grab a picnic blanket, friends, and some wine for a memorable weekend.

Frist Art Museum

Located in the Gulch, the Frist Art Museum is an award-winning museum in Nashville. It’s housed in an Art Deco building from the 1930s and exhibits change frequently. The museum does not have any permanent collections which means that the experience is different every time that you visit. The size of the museum is great, but doable so you aren’t getting lost in galleries for hours on end. They also offer programs like drop-in drawing, architecture tours, multisensory gallery experiences, and member-only events.

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Cheekwood is a favorite for both locals and visitors. The property contains botanical gardens, an arboretum, and a museum. The mansion on the estate was built for the Cheeks in 1929 and now houses world-class art exhibits. Enjoy strolling through the 13 gardens. During the spring, over 250,000 bulbs are on display - Cheekwood in Bloom - is open from March 11 – April 9. Grab tickets and take in the beautiful scenery. They also have a cafe serving a casual, made-to-order menu including soups, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, baked goods, a children’s menu, snacks, coffee selections, and alcoholic beverages. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday 9 am - 4 pm.

12 Avenue South

Located in the 12 South neighborhood, 12th Avenue South is a street featuring some of the best shopping and dining destinations in Nashville. Whether you want gourmet restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries, or boutiques, you’ll find it on 12th Ave. Favorites like Five Daughters Bakery, White’s Mercantile, and Stoney Clover Lane are all located here. For upscale dining, try Urban Grub or Josephine, and for a great burger head to Bottle Cap. Some other favs: Bar Taco, Edley’s BBQ, and The Frothy Monkey. Reese Witherspoon’s flagship clothing stores Draper James, LoveShackFancy, Emojene + Willie, and Gorjana are also great stops for shopping.

Franklin Farmer’s Market

During the Spring and Summer months, we love visiting the Franklin Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Filled with fresh, locally grown produce, flowers, food trucks, and baked goods, it’s such a fun way to start the weekend. The Franklin Farmers Market is located behind The Factory, at the corner of Franklin Road and Liberty Pike and hours are 9 am - 12 pm. Take my word for it when I suggest you go early. The farmer’s market is very popular and can get crowded closer to the afternoon hours.

Grab some donuts from Ellie’s Old Fashioned Donuts, walk around the produce sections, and be sure to grab some fresh flowers for the week ahead while supporting the local vendors. Once you’ve grabbed your goods, head inside The Factory and check out more local stores, great tacos at Mojo’s Tacos, and a scoop of Jeni’s Ice Cream. If you’re looking to extend your day a bit more, head south on Franklin road and walk around the heart of downtown Franklin for cute shops, restaurants, and charming stores.

Spring is such a great time to visit Nashville so check out some of the best spots in town and comment below any other favorites the TCB community should try! Thanks so much for reading!

Hey, y’all! It has been a whirlwind of a summer for us already (is it even officially summer, yet?!) and we were fortunate enough to spend some time traveling for my birthday in May. After a couple weeks at our family’s home in Florida we drove to Charleston, South Carolina for a long birthday weekend. We had never visited before and it was such a treat to discover the city together! After sharing the trip on Instagram in real time, I got some requests to share the details of our trip and any recommendations for those of you traveling there later this year. Below is a breakdown of all the details of our 4 day vacation in this cutie little town!

Where We Stayed

We visited during Memorial Day weekend, but we booked our stay at Kings Courtyard Inn and loved it! Wrigley tagged along for the trip and they were so accommodating with being pet-friendly. Our room was in the old carriage house of the building and so cute! The inn was built in 1853 on one of the most iconic and historic streets in Charleston - King Street - and is one of the oldest buildings on said street. Its charming hospitality and three courtyards give a romantic and picturesque experience for guests. We chose to eat out each morning/afternoon, but the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast, and cocktail hour each night.

Located steps from some of the most infamous restaurants, shops, and locations in historic Charleston, the location was perfect! We ended up walking pretty much everywhere and thought the location of the hotel was ideal. Since it was a holiday weekend we paid a bit more for the room rate, but overall our experience was awesome and we loved staying here!

Other Hotels (based on recommendations and reviews online - we haven’t stayed here):

• The Restoration

• Emeline

• Hotel Bennett

• The Mills House Wyndham Hotel

• Hotel Bella Grace

• The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor

• The French Quarter Inn

• The Spectator Hotel

Charleston Eats

I feel like all we did this trip was eat, eat, and eat some more. Charleston did not disappoint on the food front! Here are some of our favorites from our trip:

Drinks/Cocktail Hour

Bourbon and Bubbles: $$-$$$

This was one of the highlights of our trip. If y’all know me personally or have read the tagline of the blog, you know I LOVE champagne and prosecco. When I was looking at places to celebrate my birthday that had a champagne focus, this place immediately popped up. The best part? Kollin enjoyed it just as much, if not more than I did. He is a huge bourbon lover and this chic and modern restaurant and bar combined both of our favorite drinks in one spot. We stopped in before dinner and immediately loved the ambiance and vibe. We each ordered a flight (champagne for me and bourbon for Kollin: half off during happy hour!) and the crab dip to start. Y’all - it was incredible. Kollin, of course, befriended the bartender and they bonded over a bourbon he had yet to try and ended up ordering and loved while I stuffed my face with crab dip and Veuve Cliquot. Needless to say, we were in our happy place. A must-try if you are in town and enjoy either beverage! They have a fully stocked bar if you’re looking for something else too, but from the looks of post-dinner time and their Instagram, they have a good time there.

Elevé: $$-$$$

We walked here for dinner one night and loved the rooftop vibe! It was very chic and romantic. It was a Friday night and it was a popular spot so we didn’t get a seat outside, but from our table, by the bar, we still had a great view. We both ordered a drink (sparkling rosé for me and The Wentworth for Kollin - both we recommend!) and watched the sun go down and waited for dinner to arrive. I had the burger (it was great) and Kollin had the catch of the day special (personally, not a fish girl, but he loved it). Everything was excellent and we can’t wait to go back and grab a drink on the rooftop!

Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar: $-$$

We stopped in here to grab dessert one night and realized it was a full bar as well! Honestly, I don’t know why more people haven’t brought this concept to life - it is genius! Hot tip: if you check out the menu prior to visiting and order online you won’t have to wait in line. It’s very popular so you could be waiting a while. Our first time there (yes we went multiple times LOL), we grabbed a cannoli and walked down toward the water to watch the sunset. They have everything from cakes, key lime pie, milkshakes, and specialty drinks. With seating indoors and outside, it is such a cute spot for a drink and sweet snack no matter the time of day.

Rooftop at The Vendue: $$

We had one night with no reservations and a friend shared this spot with us a place to check out for a rooftop view. I’m not going to lie - it was pretty packed and the service wasn’t the best because of it, but we liked the drinks and it was a fun vibe. It had a nice view and we heard the food is good - it looked good from what we saw too! We ended up having dinner later that night somewhere else (that I won’t name because it was a fail), but from what we saw and reviews, we should’ve stayed at Vendue! They do not take reservations so be sure to account for time when visiting as you might have to wait out a spot. I ordered the strawberry basil lemonade and Kollin had the Red Moon Margarita. Both were good and we said we’d come back again!

Restaurants

Husk: $$-$$$

When we decided to visit Charleston, we both knew this would be a part of the plan. The restaurant started in Savannah, GA, and expanded to Charleston and Nashville. We’d been to the location in Nashville and LOVED it so we knew we wanted to try it here. A month before visiting we called and they were fully booked. The night we arrived we called on a whim and they had a reservation first thing the next morning for brunch! It was definitely the best meal we had in town- everything was incredible. Their menu changes almost daily, but they have a few staples that remain on the menu. We ordered the ribs, donuts, the burger, and the fried chicken. Everything was amazing and the cocktails were outstanding too! Highly recommend the Light Dragoon’s Punch - it comes from a recipe made in 1792 that was found in the archives of the preservation society of Charleston. It was delicious.

Aw Shucks Seafood: $-$$

Located steps from our hotel, we came here one night wanting something casual. You order at the counter and they bring everything out to you. Kollin had the oysters and grouper tacos and I had shrimp tacos and the frosé. Everything was so delicious and so fresh. I’m not sure if this is just the night we were there or the holiday weekend, but they closed at 7 pm so be sure to check that out if going!

Magnolia’s: $$$

We came here for my birthday dinner and it was everything we wanted and more! Described as upscale southern, the traditional southern dishes did not disappoint. Everything was cooked to perfection and it was the home-cooked, heart-warming cooking you look for in the South. We ate here on our last night in town and it was the perfect way to end the trip. We ordered the fried mac and cheese to start, I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Kollin had the Grouper Special (can you tell he likes Grouper lol). We ended the night with a little birthday dessert they prepared for me (so nice!) and champagne, of course. If you’re celebrating something special or looking for a quaint and picturesque meal in one of Charleston’s most notable restaurants, you need to try Magnolia’s.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits: $-$$

This recommendation came from a friend on Instagram and I’m SO glad we went here on the morning of my birthday. Known for their incredible biscuits, we ordered a biscuit sandwich and biscuits and gravy. Kollin told them it was my birthday and they gave me a special birthday biscuit with icing and sprinkles - it was SO good! I think this was one of Kollin’s favorite spots because he asked that we go here again before driving back to Nashville the following morning. Again, it did not disappoint. They have specials that change all the time so be sure to try them and even grab some biscuit mix to take home! Be prepared to wait in line for a bit - it is very popular.

Other spots to try:

• The Ordinary: $$$ - check out if you love seafood.

• Poogan’s Porch: $$ - another spot we didn’t get to try but came highly recommended. We had reservations and then got behind so we had to cancel. Definitely on our list when we go back.

• 167 Raw: $$-$$$ - they don’t take reservations and based on what we saw it is one of the most popular spots in Charleston. We didn’t make it there, but it came highly recommended from readers and friends.

• Circa 1886: $$$$ - low country cuisine, fine dining.

• Butcher & Bee: $$ - we’ve been to the Nashville location and really enjoyed it. The whipped feta is incredible.

• Prohibition: $$ - rustic-chic American menu with jazz-themed ambiance.

• Le Farfalle: $$ - Italian menu and laid-back environment. Great reviews and date night vibe.

Sights to See

Charleston is a very walkable city so if you’re up for it I highly recommend just walking around to see what is around you. Like I mentioned earlier, we stayed in the historic district so most of what we did was in that area. We walked around King Street and did some shopping, walked to the water and saw the infamous Pineapple Fountain, and also ventured over toward Rainbow Row.

Some highly recommended sights to see:

• Rainbow Row

• Waterfront Park - Pineapple Fountain

• Charleston City Market

• Fort Sumner (accessible by boat)

• South Carolina Aquarium

• Ravenel Bridge

• Gibbes Museum of Art

• The Charleston Museum

• Halsey Institute of Modern Art (College of Charleston)

Charleston is a very old, but charming city, and admiring the architecture, homes, and the colorful landscape was one of my favorite parts of the trip. As you walk around you’ll see several tours taking place. There are walking tours, horse carriage tours, trolley tours, ghost tours, and some I probably don’t even know about. My recommendation would be to skip these and just discover the city on your own. We loved walking around and just turning the corner to read about a church from the 1700s or the home of the first Attorney General of South Carolina rather than having a tour guide. That is our personal preference, but if you’re looking for a formal tour check with your hotel for recommendations.

There are several museums in Charleston, but the ones that came recommended to us are the Gibbes Museum and the Halsey Institute of Modern Art. Be sure to check schedules for when they are open as the open and close times threw us a little bit. If you have kids with you, the Aquarium came highly recommended.

Our last two days in town we ended up spending at the beach. While shopping we asked the associates their favorite spots and they recommended Sullivan’s Island. We prefer a quieter beach so we opted for Sullivan’s Island rather than the more well-known tourist beach, Folly Beach. Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms are located about 25 minutes from Charleston and a much more laid-back, secluded vibe. A couple of things to keep in mind: Alcohol is prohibited there (and most beaches) and you can get fined pretty heavily if you have it. We actually saw a couple get written up while there. The police confiscated the alcohol and gave them a citation. They looked well over 21 and I’m not sure if this is just because it was Memorial Day, but either way, it was kind of a buzz kill (literally) - locals, if you know please weigh in on non-holiday times! We also realized that dogs have specific times they can be on the beach and not so be sure to read up on the guidelines before going if bringing a pet.

Other than the rules, we had a really nice time there and loved the beach. When we go back I think we will end up staying on Sullivan’s Island in an Airbnb or something rather than a hotel. The homes there are stunning and would be so fun for a group or bachelorette!

Things to Keep in Mind

• I’ve heard it is actually quicker to get some places by boat than a car. If you’re looking to go off the peninsula, then check out water taxis or private charter, especially to Kiawah Island, Isle of Palms, or John’s Island.

• Parking wasn’t too bad. Coming from Chicago, I was thinking it would be a nightmare, but overall we didn’t have issues with parking, and being a tourist town, they do it pretty well.

• Footwear - y’all know I’m all about a fabulous shoe - but if you’re walking as much as we did keep this in mind. You want something not only comfortable but durable. Charleston is old and sorry to say, dirty. My feet when wearing sandals got pretty dirty from walking around everywhere.

• Reservations are a must if you can - we went during a pretty popular holiday, but having reservations set up in advance will help you from having to scramble to find dinner plans. We actually were pretty amazed at how early everything closed here and the random days of the week that things were not open. Be sure to check the dates and times for restaurants and attractions for your visit. Charleston definitely has a sleepier feel and closes down earlier than we anticipated.

Thanks so much for reading! If you’re planning on making a trip to Charleston, I hope this helps in some way! We can’t wait to go back and visit again to update this list! If you’ve been comment your favorite spots below!

Kings Courtyard Inn

King Street

Sullivan's Island

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

Husk - order the Light Dragoon's Punch

Husk Brunch

Aw Shuck's Seafood

Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar

Queen Street

Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar

Magnolia's

Magnolia's

Hey y’all! I might still be covered in bruises, but I did it - I survived my first snowboarding trip! My husband, Kollin, has gone on an annual boys snowboarding trip every year since college with his best friends and this year because of COVID it got pushed back. It ended up landing on his golden birthday (that means you’re turning the age of your birth day date - ex: 28 on the 28th) and rather than spend his golden birthday apart, he invited me on the trip!

I tried skiing when I was 14 and was NOT a fan so I kind of avoided it ever since, but when Kollin went to Colorado for college I knew I would probably need to pick it up at some point. While living in Chicago there wasn’t really anywhere nearby that was worth the trip so Kollin would do his solo boy’s trip each year and I didn’t think I needed to learn. When we moved to Nashville we were closer to some places that were basic mountains (ok, more like hills) and I tried snowboarding this time after Kollin showed me some pointers in the living room lol. We made a trip to Perfect North in Indiana and y’all, I didn’t hate it! I had some hard falls, but overall got the hang of it pretty quickly. As a practice run for the Squaw Valley. CA trip, I’m so glad we went because the mountains out west are no joke. To be totally honest, I was pretty scared that first day. Since the weather can change pretty quickly I wanted to be prepared with different options. I decided to go with a onesie style for my outer layer for ease and budget. Skiing and snowboarding clothes are pretty expensive and I didn’t want to spend too much without knowing that I was going to continue with the sport. Here’s what I packed for snowboarding:

SNOWSUIT

When Kollin wanted me to come on the trip I was immediately shopping for outfits because duh, I’m me, but I didn’t realize that snow clothing were so expensive! Everything I loved was $500+ and finding things on a budget was tough. I wanted it to be cute, but also functional, which funny enough didn’t really go hand in hand. Enter ASOS. I found some great options for lower budgets.

I wore this one on our trip and while there is a guy in the picture, I would say it is unisex. It is meant to fit tightly like a onesie so be sure to pay attention to the sizing. I ordered the XS small size and am 5’6 and 118 lbs for reference. I’d say it fit pretty true to size and was still loose enough to be comfortable. Now, let’s get into the most important part: the base layers.

BASE LAYERS

Since we were snowboarding in pretty mild temperatures we got lucky with nice weather and not needing anything for frigid temperatures. However, in order to stay warm throughout the day, layers are really important. One of the first things Kollin said I needed was base layers. Thankfully, from living in sub-zero temperatures in Chicago for 5 years I had some options in that department. I went with this set from Under Armour and love them. Here’s the order I went with:

• Sports Bra

• Under Armour shirt (x2 if really cold)

• Under Armour Leggings

• Thick black leggings (I wore my Fabletics pair, but anything thick will work)

• Snowsuit

This is just my personal preference and allows for layer changes if you get too warm. All of this fit nicely inside the snowsuit without feeling too bulky. But, if you prefer a jacket and pants you’ll definitely have more room for layers. For example, Kollin likes to wear a pair of sweatpants over his Under Armour rather than two pairs of leggings. You could also do a thermal or long sleeve shirt in place of the UA shirts.

ACCESSORIES

Now that I had the important parts of the outfit down, I was ready for accessories. I rented my actual gear so I didn’t need a helmet, boots, or a board, but most of these items I recommend going ahead and getting prior to your trip. First up, goggles. This is a personal choice based on what type of look you want, but also keep in mind the weather. You want to make sure you get goggles that can work in most types of weather like sunny days, cloudy, actively snowing, etc. Visibility can be an issue, but rather than spending a ton for my first trip I went with these from Amazon. They had amazing reviews and are a 1/5 of the price of the Smith ones I had my eyes on. The goggles held up great (spoiler alert: we went on another trip and they were great again!).

Next up on the list are the neck gaiters/face coverings. Everywhere we went requires a mask even while on the mountain so having a face covering that is the dual purpose of warmth and safety from Covid was great. These are great for that. I went with just plain black, but you can get these in a ton of colors and patterns depending on the look you’re going for. Highly recommend getting two or more because these will get a bit wet from breathing in them and wearing them all day. We snowboarded two days so I just swapped for the other one on the second day and washed the first.

Gloves are another really important aspect of your snow gear. As a beginner, I was falling and sitting down quite a bit for breaks so having really good gloves that are waterproof and warm are a must. Kollin has been snowboarding since he was a kid and prefers to snowboard pretty low to the ground and use his hands to glide quite a bit so no matter your skill level having durable gloves is important. First question: do you prefer gloves or mittens? Kollin prefers mittens and I prefer gloves so it really is a personal preference. No matter what you choose, I suggest a thinner glove layer underneath for when you need to use your hands, but still want to be warm.

APRES-SKI

During our trip, I took some long lunches and on the second day only did a half-day while most of the group continued to snowboard until the end of the day so rather than wearing my snow gear around the rest of the day, I opted for a quick Apres Ski outfit change. I headed back to the car and removed my boots, snowsuit, neck gaiter, and other snow-specific accessories. I kept on my base layers and then threw on a sweater, jacket, and my favorite find of the season: Moon Boots. Are they ridiculous? Yes. Are they comfortable, warm, and absolutely epic? YES. These are especially great if you are going somewhere that gets a ton of snow. I also threw on a cute beanie to keep warm and a pair of sunglasses to replace my goggles since it was so nice and sunny.

While I’m no expert on the ski or snowboard front and I’m sure I left out a lot in these categories, I hope it was somewhat helpful! I’m excited to add more to my snowboarding wardrobe and share some more amazing locations with y’all! Thanks so much for reading!

I’d like to start this post by thanking my husband for working so hard on this trip and planning everything with our travel agent (LOVED working with her and would highly recommend her! I won’t be sharing her info publicly, but if you are looking for someone to help you plan a trip she is your girl and I’d be happy to pass along her information privately!). Second thing to note is that any links in the post are to the Google Map location of the place mentioned if you’re looking for specific details!

Kollin and I always knew that Italy would be a part of our honeymoon, but after months and months of trying to make Italy a part of a multi-country trip we decided to spend our entire 10 days in Italy and I’m so happy we did! Our entire trip included 3 days in Rome and 7 days in the Amalfi Coast. Given the amount of info and pictures I am breaking up the posts into two or more posts to cover the locations with more detail. So, first up is our first three days in Rome.

I had traveled overseas once in high school and been on some longer flights, but Kollin had never flown to Europe before. Working with our travel agent we discovered that flying a smaller airline was not only cost effective, but was such a great experience too! We flew Air Italia from Chicago to Rome and took off from Chicago around 4PM a few days after the wedding. Since we knew we were flying overnight and would arrive at 7AM local time, comfortability was a must so my jogger set and Barefoot Dreams blanket were a great move. The flight was 9 hours and pretty great until about 2 hours before landing. I can be a nervous flier and hadn’t slept much on the flight over and got sick around 5AM from the combination of everything. There’s nothing like puking on your honeymoon flight right next to your new husband to get the newlywed feels started!

Luckily, it was just a nervous moment and not an actual sickness. Kollin was the sweetest (would expect nothing less) and we landed in Rome about an hour and a half later. We met up with our driver and made it into the city in about an hour (traffic can be horrible). We arrived at our hotel, Hotel Art that was right by the Spanish Steps in the Campo Marzio (Rione IV) neighborhood. Our room wasn’t quite ready so we decided to find some breakfast and walk around. I still wasn’t feeling that great so we stayed close by and went over to The Spanish Steps (only about two blocks away) after grabbing a croissant and Coca-Cola (I’m not a coffee drinker so that was my only source of caffeine during the trip and saved me!).

Something to consider: The Spanish Steps are a huge attraction and can be packed during the day. If you want to see them on the emptier side, go early in the morning or at night (picture below) and you’ll have the place to yourself. But, rules have changed and you can no longer sit on the steps. Also, look out for guys “giving” women flowers. It’s a ruse to try and get money out of you. We had a couple weird run ins, but my biggest take away was to just ignore them and give a firm ‘no’ when they ask anything or try to hand you something.

To be completely honest, our first couple of hours in Rome were not that great. I wasn’t feeling well, we were both tired and had been harassed by the flower guys after getting yelled at by a cop for eating the croissant by the steps. Unfamiliar with the culture, we just weren’t aware of the tourist areas or our surroundings. We headed back to the hotel to check in and against all advice from friends and other travelers, we napped. It. Was. Life. Changing. I felt like an entirely new person ready to take on Rome.

Hotel Art was beautiful and had a boutique, artistic flair compared to the other hotels in the area that really embrace the “oldness” of the buildings. It felt contemporary and young while also fitting in perfectly with the glamorous and fashion-forward Spanish Steps neighborhood. While the room was small, it had everything we needed and was perfect for our short 3-day stay. We grabbed some lunch at a cafe nearby called Canova in the Piazza de Popolo - we loved the pizza and bruschetta. After lunch we walked around and did a bit of window shopping. I would compare this area to Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, CA. Surrounded by high-end designers, ateliers and seriously the most beautiful people I’ve seen in my life, it is hard not to feel luxe there.

After a couple hours it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. Kollin’s one request of the entire trip was to have a Michelin Starred restaurant experience. We decided on Moma and the six course pre-fixe menu. The menu was inspired by the chef’s childhood and the dishes that invoked nostalgia for him. Needless to say, it was amazing. Kollin did the wine pairing and you couldn’t have paid him a million dollars to wipe the smile off of his face. The restaurant was small in the best way, modern and very welcoming. We had the place to ourselves until about 8:45pm when the locals showed up for dinner. The sommelier explained all of Kollin’s wines and why he chose them for each dish. It was truly an experience and I cannot recommend Moma more for their impeccable service, delicious menu and elevated, but comfortable atmosphere. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!

After dinner we were dropped back off at The Spanish Steps (its like a promenade and cars can’t drive on it so there are meeting points for cabs and cars to stop at and you walk from there) and spent some time walking back to the hotel taking in the city at night for the first time. Obviously we were on our honeymoon, but Rome at night is one of the most romantic experiences I’ve had. Something about the light in Rome during the day and night is completely magical. We knew the following day was going to be fully packed so we went straight to bed and found getting to sleep to be pretty easy. My biggest jet lag tip? Take a shower before bed each night rather than when you wake up to relax you and tell your body it’s time for sleep. Your feet will also be filthy so you’ll need to shower anyways lol. And a glass at wine at dinner always helps!

We woke up so excited because it was the day we were going sightseeing. After going to the same cafe as day one for breakfast we jumped in a cab and headed to The Colosseum. We decided not to take the tour inside (we don’t regret this, but would definitely do it when we go back), and rather walked around the outside. We walked all the way around and loved seeing the different sides and perspectives. After walking around I remembered I wanted to try a place I had seen on a blogger’s (The Blonde Atlas - amazing travel content!) Instagram called The Court that is a Michelin starred rooftop restaurant in Palazzo Manfredi and sits right in front of the “Ludus Magnus”, the largest Gladiator training camp in Ancient Rome. We didn’t make lunch reservations there due to the high price tag, but we had a drink (delicious) and took in the incredible view. If you go: ask for an Aperol Spritz with tons of ice.

something to consider: head to the eastern side of the colosseum on the via nicola salvi for a great view and picture moment. It sits at a high point and offers a great perspective, but, be mindful that this spot is very touristy and the flower dudes / people selling things will be there along with other people trying to take pictures.

After a drink we walked around to try and find something to eat. To each their own, but we were against the idea of going somewhere that Americans flocked to. These tend to be places with “fast” food and lack the cultural experience of dining like locals. For example, we learned to avoid really crowded outdoor cafes or anywhere with pictures on their menus. When standing in a place, listen to the conversations and if the majority of people are speaking Italian or the crowd is older - you’re good!

We ended up finding a walk up counter/cafe a few blocks off the main street (also a place to avoid tourist traps) and Kollin had one of his favorite meals here. It was called Bar Gastronomia and he got a lemon caper chicken dish and I got the most amazing ham and cheese grilled sandwich. We sat among the locals in air conditioning (it was very hot that day) and decided what to do next. As we ate we watched the Italian cooking channel that was on the TV and listened to a few businessmen on their lunch break a couple tables down. I think the entire meal cost $8 and was delicious. Places like this one are a great way to eat on the go without having to break the bank at a more traditional sit-down restaurant.

We decided to walk through Ancient Rome and had the best time just taking our time. It was very hot so there were frequent breaks in the shade and to just stare at all the history surrounding us. We walked through Palatine Hill and saw Orti Farnesiani sul Palatino (ancient gardens), the Forum of Caesar, and the breathtaking Altare della Patria. We hadn’t seen the Trevi Fountain yet and we didn’t realize how far we had walked so the 0.7 mile walk wasn’t too bad. We stopped in so many corners and buildings on the way there and it was crazy how you can just turn the corner and see something as magnificent as Trevi Fountain. It was very crowded and hot so we didn’t spend a ton of time, but we grabbed a gelato, snapped some pictures (don’t know how Kollin got the solo one of me with no people lol, but I’ve heard going early in the morning (6AM) is the best time to avoid crowds) and then headed back to the hotel.

According to legend, tossing one coin into the Trevi Fountain means you'll return to The Eternal City (Rome), tossing two coins means you'll return and fall in love, and tossing three coins means you'll return, find love, and marry. We each tossed one coin in considering the whole marriage thing already happened lol.

After relaxing for a bit and changing for dinner we remembered a place we had passed on our first day trying to escape the flower dudes. It was called Caffè Ciampini di Marco Ciampini and was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. They opened right at 7pm when we arrived so the place was empty aside from a larger area of the restaurant where a wedding reception was being prepared. The outdoor dining space is filled with greenery and lanterns and has a view that overlooks Rome. You can even see St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. The staff were so friendly and told us all the places to get the best pictures, pointed out monuments and not to mention we had the best mozzarella of our entire lives here. I ordered the gnocchi and Kollin had a seafood dish. We watched the sunset while listening to the church bells from the wedding and took in the new families in the other room come together in such happiness. It was a pinch me moment and I highly recommend going for a romantic dinner or even just dessert during sunset.

During dinner, we were discussing what to do next. We had wanted to do some more during nightfall to experience the city more and the jet lag was getting better so we weren’t as tired. We had been told by multiple people to see Trevi Fountain at night and decided to take a quick 5 min cab over to see it (with more gelato, of course). It was just as, if not more crowded, but it does warrant another visit as it was beautiful. We took a walk around the Trevi neighborhood and heard live music coming from somewhere. We looked around a few blocks and as it got louder, the crowd got bigger. We had stumbled upon a live performance of two guys playing violin and guitar to popular American songs. As we approached they were playing Justin Beiber’s remix of Despacito and it was amazing! The crowd was so lively and fun that we stayed for a few songs and danced along with about 100 other people. I was told that they are a popular group and are around that area often!

We quickly realized the time and knew we had an early morning so we went back to the hotel for the night. The next day was the only “planned tour” we had of the trip to The Vatican. Being Catholic, this was always a special bucket list moment for me, but Kollin was equally excited to witness such a historic site. We were married in the Catholic church too so he now has new understandings of the religion, history and meaning behind the sacred location. Our driver picked us up at 8AM in front of the hotel and we had about 3 other couples in our group.

I highly recommend getting a private tour set up to avoid the long lines and crowds outside. They vary in group size and price and will not only save you time, but will provide you with a guide to explain your experience rather than an audio tape. Also remember to wear something conservative regarding skin showing. Since it was hot I opted for a maxi dress and added my jean jacket while in the chapel. They don’t have air conditioning in most parts of the Vatican as an FYI. Our guide told us that in July and August they have nurses and doctors in every other room for all the people who faint from the heat. Crazy!

Our tour guide was AMAZING. We learned that while in The Sistine Chapel there is not supposed to be any talking and the tour guides are not allowed to point anything out or share information while inside. You also cannot take pictures (Kollin broke that rule below). Our guide stopped our group before going inside and pointed out the elements of the room and described to us what we should look for. One of my favorite parts of his chat? The room is painted to look like it had architectural features on the walls. The curtains, moldings and other features are illusions done with painting. It was mind-blowing to see in person. He let us stay in the room for about 20 minutes and then over our ear pieces announced quietly when he wanted the group to meet again. There were about 300 people in the room total so Kollin and I made our way to the middle and just took it all in.

In addition to the Sistine Chapel, he took us through the museums and everything took about 4 hours total. After the tour, the guide mentioned how if we followed the Vatican wall on the outside for about half a mile we would reach St. Peter’s Basilica. We of course wanted to see it so we grabbed some gelato (duh) and started walking. As we approached the square we saw how long the line was to get inside the Basilica. It was about 3:30PM at this point and the doors closed at 5PM so we decided that we wouldn’t wait in line in the case that they’d close before we got there. This ended up being a regret of the trip because we didn’t have time to go back and try again while in Rome. While I don’t think we would have gotten in in time, we will definitely be waiting the next time we are in Rome! We hung out in the square for a while and a couple of women came up to us asking to take our picture. We told them we were on our honeymoon and they fawned even more taking 50+ pictures lol.

With some time to walk around before finding a place for dinner we decided to get lost. With no destination in mind we just took off into the Borgo / Tor Di Nona neighborhoods once outside Vatican City. We stumbled upon Castel Sant'Angelo and walked across Ponte Sant'Angelo and into what felt like the most “local” part of our time in Rome.

We walked through the neighborhood and saw quaint cafes, families heading to mass, a group of boys playing soccer, and the most picturesque flats and homes. Italy’s culture lends itself to a very laid back, welcoming and warm atmosphere. Aside from the flower dudes, I don't remember interacting with any rude or unpleasant people. A few parts of the culture that we discovered while there were more so around tourism and experience. Firstly, despite Kollin’s need to tip everyone sight, tipping isn’t standard for services like dining and drivers. Many times this fee is built into the bill or just simply not expected. We tended to leave a little something when dining at cafes and we tipped the American standard for the Michelin restaurants as the experience and service were exceptional, but many of the drivers and others we interacted with had looks of confusion on their face when Kollin handed them some bills.

One other thing that surprised me was having to pay to use the restroom. This wasn’t everywhere, but mostly in transit based places like the train station or airport. After our first experience with this I carried around a couple coins just in case, but mostly everywhere we went there wasn’t a need.

The last cultural aspect that was new for us was that restaurants will charge you for water. We expected this for bottled water, but experienced it for tap as well. The water in Rome is completely safe to drink and we even had some people tell us to drink from the natural fountains in the city (we didn’t, but saw locals do this a lot). We took a water bottle with us everywhere and would refill from the tap throughout the day to save on the lunch / snack bill when out. Ice also isn’t really a thing when dining and drinks will come chilled, but if you’re into ice in drinks that aren’t cocktails then remember to ask for it!

As we kept walking around we noticed that the crowds started getting larger and we walked right into the Pantheon. It is a temple built circa 118 to 125 A.D. with the iconic dome and Renaissance tombs, including Raphael's. We had to wait in a short line to get in, but the temple is free to visit (not all monuments are, but are usually a low fee to get in).

We had walked about 5 miles at this point so we jumped in a cab back to the hotel and decided to get dinner in that area. We walked around a bit and shopped before dinner and by that point were famished so we stopped at a street cafe and while it was good it wasn’t super memorable. We should’ve taken our own advice about eating out, but when you have to eat you have to eat. After dinner we shopped some more and bought some things for family and friends back home. We took in a couple more hours of Rome at night before going back to the hotel and packing for our next destination: The Amalfi Coast. Our driver was meeting us at 10AM to go to the train to Naples.

We woke up so excited and got ready for a day of travel ahead of us. We got in the car to the train station and on our way there we hit some bad traffic. This wasn’t unusual because coming into Rome it was pretty backed up as well, but as we hadn’t moved in 10 minutes, our driver got out of the car to see what was going on. When he opened the door we could hear chanting and police began blocking the street. We had driven straight into a university protest. It was unclear to us what they were protesting, but we waited another 20 minutes before the police would let us pass. We considered walking the rest of the way as it wasn’t too far, but the roads were cobblestone and we had three big suitcases with us that were all overweight lol. We had plenty of time to make the train and the driver couldn’t move anyways so he didn’t mind. He did however have to call his next pick up and let him know he wouldn’t make it. (Interesting fact: Uber is illegal in Rome, or at least everywhere we were. Your best bet for cars is a taxi or car service through your travel agent or hotel. If you’re brave enough to drive, good luck!).

We eventually got to the station and made our train to Naples. About an hour and fifteen minutes later we got off and met our driver inside the station. His name was Antonio and he barely spoke English. We didn’t have too many interactions with people who didn’t understand English, but Antonio preferred to speak into his Google Translate app and then show us the English translation on the screen. We did this back and forth our entire ride to the coast and had the best conversation with him about his background, childhood, America and how he said we were about to be in Paradise in the Amalfi Coast. His words about the location were perfect because where we were headed next was the most magical place I’ve ever been.

Hey ya’ll! It’s been a bit since I’ve done a post on this not so little place I call home and wanted to showcase some of Kollin and I’s favorite summertime activities in the city. Chicago truly comes alive in the Summer and reminds everyone who lives here why they just stuck out 9 months of winter! Now on our 4th summer in the city, we’ve come to really love certain annual events and activities. I’ve rounded up 10 fun things to do in Chicago in the summertime below with a little bit on why we love them!

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

Tuesdays at 6:30PM June - August | Free Admission

Every summer, Millennium Park hosts a film series and releases the schedule in June of what movies will be shown each Tuesday at 6:30PM. While the timing of this is not ideal for tourists, it’s a really fun and unique experience if you’re able to make one! Kollin and I usually go right from work and bring a little picnic to snack on while we’re watching. Hosted in the Pritzker Pavillion that features a huge lawn, big screen and amazing sound system, people bring blankets, chairs and all the food and wine. Movies range from comedies, classics, fan-favorite cult movies and even some horror films. So grab a blanket, some vino and snacks and enjoy! You can view the movie schedule here.

Lollapolooza

August 1 -4 | Grant Park | $$-$$$

Opinions on this event vary as the age of attendees seems to be dropping every year and the lineups have been hit or miss the last couple years. While Kollin and I have never been, people flock to the city for this huge music festival that seems to draw some big names in the industry. You can buy tickets for one day of the four day festival or buy packages for all four. See the lineup and tickets here.

Chicago Air & Water Show

August 18-19 | Free Admission

This weekend brings in one of the most crowded times in Chicago summertime. Millions (yes, literally) of people flood to North Avenue Beach and the lake front to watch the air show of fighter jets, planes, and the Blue Angels fly over the city. My best tip for this weekend? If you have friends in the city with a rooftop or your hotel has one, hang out there rather than the beaches. Some of the best views are from several stories up! If you do head to the beach be sure to get there early to get a spot. See more about the show here.

Spend a Day at the Beach

Beaches in Chicago | Free Admission

Offering 26 miles of shoreline, one of the most unique parts of Chicago is how close the beaches are to the city. Whether you’re looking for more of a party vibe on North Avenue Beach at Castaways Bar and Grill or wanting to take your dog to Montrose Beach, there are many to choose from. We love packing a bag and drinks and heading to one of the beaches for the day. While it definitely gets hot here and you’ll want to take a dip in the lake, be sure to check the temperatures as Lake Michigan takes a while to heat up. It’s the middle of July as I’m writing this and the water is still only about 57 degrees so swim if you’re brave!

We love the beaches that are further north so we can escape the large crowds. Foster Avenue Beach and even some beaches up into Evanston are quieter and to be totally honest, a lot cleaner.

Neighborhood Festivals

Various Locations | Free Admission - $$

Sometimes deciding how to spend your time in the city can be hard. There are so many options to choose from every single weekend here. One of the best parts about Chicago is the many different neighborhoods that make up the city. Each neighborhood has it's own vibe, culture and food scene. To celebrate this there are usually anywhere from 3-15 festivals happening a weekend, if not more. Ranging from Taco & Tequila in Lincoln Park to Roscoe Village Burger Fest, there is something for everyone. The majority are food and drink focused, but also include art festivals, culture festivals and block parties. Find the best festival for you here.

Our Favorites:

• Gold Coast Art Fair (June)

• Clark After Dark (August)

• Taste of Randolph (June)

• Taste of Chicago (July)

• Windy City Smokeout (July)

Head to a Museum

Various Locations | Free Admission - $ - $$

Chicago is full of some of the most amazing museums in the world. From world-renowned art at The Art Institute of Chicago, to getting lost in the huge Field Museum of Natural History, you could spend your entire trip in these buildings. While the city does offer a “City Pass” where you can spend $100 and get access to some great tourist options for the entire weekend, we suggest breaking them up unless you want sore feet and exhaustion to hit pretty quickly. A museum can be a great way to escape the heat and if you’re here on some weekends there could be events at them as well.

Our favorite museums:

• The Art Institute of Chicago: the largest and oldest art museum in the United States houses amazing works by Monet, Pollock, Van Gogh, Manet, Georgia O’Keefe, Grant Wood, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and more.

• The Field Museum: Chicago’s museum of natural history is a big one.I personally wouldn’t recommend trying to see the whole thing in one day unless you’ve got some serious time on your hands. But there are some pretty amazing exhibits there including the largest dinosaur ever found, Ancient Egypt, and a hall of gems.

• The Shedd Aquarium: boasting one of the largest tanks in the US, the aquarium is a really fun spot. With tons of wildlife, a range of shows and animal encounters, this is a great way to spend some time especially with kids. If you happen to be here during the week on a Wednesday, check out Jazzin at The Shedd.

• Museum of Science and Industry: I’ve personally never been here, but Kollin and his brother have visited and loved it! Ranging from engineering, physics, manufacturing and space, this museum dives deeper into the space of innovation and invention. Truly one of the most unique museums, you’ll learn a lot here in an interactive space.

See Hamilton

We were a little late to this train, but if you haven’t already, seeing Hamilton in Chicago is a fun experience. Back in the early 20th century, going to the theater was quite the event and it feels like that in the city too. Hosted in the CIBC Theater downtown, the production is magical, funny, sometimes sad and overall fun. Kollin and I saw it back in May and loved it. We saw a matinee show which was not only cheaper, but let out at the perfect time to grab dinner! Find more and tickets here.

See a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field

Wrigleyville | $-$$$

One of the most Chicago things I’ve experienced (and loved) was eating a Chicago dog in Wrigley Field watching the Cubs play. My family has been Cubs fans since I was little so to see the iconic stadium (the second oldest in the US behind Fenway Park) was really cool. It still features its original structure and architecture that brings some real charm to the stadium. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, visiting the stadium and surrounding neighborhood of Wrigleyville is great. There are fun bars, restaurants, and a definite party scene at night. Since the Cubs won the World Series, ticket prices have gone way up and go quickly for big games so be sure to try and find tickets well in advance.

Have a rooftop drink(s)

One of my favorite things that Chicago offers is the option to drink beverages several stories up. There are so many rooftop bars, cocktail rooms, eateries and even clubs on rooftops. If you haven’t experienced a Chicago rooftop, to drink or not drink, I highly suggest doing so! Some of the best views I’ve seen are from rooftops and it’s not like any other regular bar on ground level. With a variety of options and several neighborhoods to choose from, you’ll be sure to find something! I’ve rounded up some of our favorites:

• Cindy’s

• LH Rooftop in the LondonHouse Hotel

• Cabra

• The J.. Parker at The Lincoln Hotel

• Apogee

• The Signature Room in the John Hancock Building (96 floors up, FYI)

• Upstairs at The Gwen Hotel

• Z Bar at the Peninsula Hotel

• Streeterville Social in the Loews Hotel

Chicago Architecture Tour

Kollin and I did this the first summer we moved here and loved it. We’ve been on one since and it varied slightly so each tour company is going to be different on what they offer and cover. Our first trip we booked through the Chicago Architecture Association and it focused much more on the history and features of the buildings (which we nerded out on and really enjoyed). The second tour we took a few weeks ago was more pop-culture and random facts related than the true Chicago history, but still really enjoyable! In both cases we saw amazing views, great weather and had a memorable time. I think this also definitely depends on your tour guide and their approach to the tour. Either way, we highly recommend as it’s only 1.5 hours and there are several departure times!

Summertime Chi is the best time to visit this bustling city. The temperature is finally above freezing (lol), there are endless events happening, and the city comes alive with energy. I hope this post was helpful, but as always if you are planning a trip to Chicago and want some more details or ideas I’d love to hear from you! Check out my first Chicago Edit: Part One here for some of our favorite restaurants and activities from 2017 (still great options!).

Have a great week everyone and thank you so much for reading!

If there is one thing that this year includes it’s travel! Kollin and I are so fortunate to be able to jet off to friend’s weddings, family visits and wedding planning meetings in Kentucky and in September, our honeymoon. With all this travel in place, I asked for a travel set birthday present last year and my mom did not disappoint!

Through college and even a few years past graduating, I was using travel cases, makeup bags and toiletry bags from ages ago. Whatever I could find at Target in the sale bin or whatever had come in my Lilly Pulitzer gift with purchase. I wanted something that would last and create a chic, cohesive look with my travel set.

When we travel I am definitely the organized one of the family ha. I have my suitcase (Kollin and I usually pack separately – it has saved us in many ways), a carry on tote and all the pouches inside needed to for cords, papers and IDs, corgi needs (he usually travels with us!) and anything we need for the plane ride. Any other girls become a pack mule for their significant other when traveling? I’m not sure why men are so against man purses – it really would help them out!

Anyways, back to the travel set that I’ve been loving. It’s from Cuyana and while it is a bit pricey, it is so gorgeous and the perfect size and quality for traveling. The two piece set has smaller pouch – that I use for makeup – and a larger pouch that can hold hair products, skincare, etc. You can also Monogram them which was another selling point for me! As Reese Witherspoon famously said, “if it isn’t moving, monogram it!”

While I love the chic and sophisticated look of the Cuyana bags, I also love a more fun moment too. A couple years ago I discovered Stoney Clover Lane and thought their line of pouches, bags, totes and packing essentials was so cute and fun! With their interactive site and tons of options, I spent a couple hours designing a few different pouches. Perfect for travel and thematic situations (bachelorette party, traveling to the beach and more), there is something for everyone. The cutest feature? They have patches that you can add to any product – letters, numbers, destinations, cute animals and symbols – you can completely customize your travel needs!

My last travel piece is one that can obviously be used outside of travel but having a great carry-all bag creates a seamless travel experience. I’m linking a few below that I have used and love but want to take a moment to talk about the I Love Jewelry Coco Bag. I first found this bag when I was deeply falling in love with the Chanel Deauville tote, but obviously my dreams were crushed when I saw the price tag. When I saw this bag, that takes inspiration from the Chanel version, I thought it was a no-brainer! Well below the designer price, available in a variety of colors and the option to monogram make it really accessible and personalized. I have this bag in the beige and all black version and love them! They are great for travel because they hold a ton, but I also love them for the work week as a carry all of my computer, change of flats and you know all the girly stuff we always carry around. And everything I mentioned above for travel sets and pouches fits in the bag! The pink or gray is next up on my wish list!

Are you headed a trip soon? I would love to hear where and what your must-have travel essentials are! Thanks so much for reading! xx

Happy Friday, y'all! I asked on Instagram if y'all wanted a Mexico trip update on the blog and you did so here it is! As I am typing this I am dreaming of being back there! As I mentioned in my previous post, we were celebrating Kollin finishing his law school career with sitting for the bar exam and 3 long years of post-grad education. We left two days after the bar was over and it was the perfect timing! Since this trip was about Kollin and celebrating his achievements, he got to pick the place! He and I talked about going somewhere that was relaxing and didn't require too much effort on our part once there. 

I have never traveled to Mexico before, but Kollin and his family have many times over so he knew right away that he wanted to use Apple Vacations to plan the trip. His past experiences working with the company have been amazing and I couldn't agree more after our trip. He decided on Mexico, Playa Del Carmen specifically, and started looking for hotels. Since this was only our second vacation together of just the two of us - first was our trip to DC - we knew we wanted to just relax and not be surrounded by a ton of people - queue adults only resort!

We decided on The Iberostar Grand Paraiso resort, which is connected to the larger Iberostar resort (about 4 other resorts in the complex). 

​As soon as we arrived we knew we were in for an amazing 6 days! Everything was so beautiful, the hotel staff was extremely accommodating and thoughtful with everything! We got settled in our room and then headed out for post-travel lunch and beach time. After 2 bowls of guac, fresh seafood and several margaritas, we finally began to sink into getting relaxed (this still includes Kollin rethinking the bar in his head repeatedly, but that disappeared on day 2! 😂). Our suite maid and butler sent the sweetest note to Kollin the day we arrived! 

We spent the rest of the week soaking up some sun, eating a ton and just spending time together. Kollin won’t admit this, but I think the sole reason he picked the resort was because of the free two rounds of golf on their Jack Nicklaus course 😉

it was so cute how excited he was to play that I let playing in the 90+ degree heat and a random thunderstorm slide ha. We had the best time and essentially had the course to ourselves, which was so nice! 

It was our last night in Mexico and we were so not ready to head back to Chicago! We ended our trip with heading to the steakhouse on the resort for dinner. As we were walking we caught the sunset and had an amazing view above the resort to take it all in. 

SHOP THE LOOK

This romper was the perfect touch for an easy, but chic look for dinner and was an airy, relaxing feel for the hot weather. I loved the back detailing and crochet finishes on the seams. I opted for an all white look with my shoes and thought it was a great contrast to my newly acquired tan! 

Dinner was delicious and we spent our last night soaking up the amazing views, gorgeous weather and salty air. While heading back to the room we came across a lone raccoon looking for scraps around the pool and I wish someone caught my reaction on video - I was not excited to see the little guy! Another couple passing by who obviously didn't see the raccoon asked if I was okay lol so embarrassing. But I also styled this once we were back home with a jean jacket and strappy sandals for a different look. It's super versatile and extremely comfortable! Wishing we were back in Mexico, but we'll be enjoying the rest of what’s left of Summer here in Chicago. Have a great week everyone! xx 

Thank you to Shein for the romper, it's brands like yours that make The Creative Brief possible! All opinions are my own.

Happy weekend, loves! Going back to work this week was tough after Kollin and I  spent a long weekend in Washington, DC! We had the best time and visited his family in Phildelphia too for a day. As soon as I received this Shein Jacket I knew it would be the perfect travel outfit! Oversized, cozy, yet a chic flair of embellishments made it stylish.

The perfect mix of casual and chic, this embellished jean jacket is an easy mix and match piece with anything in your closet. Pair it with jeans, leggings or even a fun Spring dress and sneakers. For our long day of travel I paired it with leggings, a long sleeve black sweater, my favorite Cubs hat and a pair of Nikes for comfort. 

Our trip was so much fun and we saw everything! From The National Gallery of Art to see the Jackson Pollock exhibit, all the monuments, The Holocaust Museum, National Archives and delicious resturants, it was such a memorable trip. We then drove to Philly and stopped for cheesesteaks before spending the weekend with Kollin's family. 

After a long work week, we are taking it easy this week and #adulting by registering our new car and prepping for our upcoming move in April! We are staying in the city, but headed to a new neighborhood - can't wait to share more with y'all Happy St. Patrick's Day!

SHOP THE LOOK

Thank you to Shein for this jacket and partnership, it's brands like yours that make The Creative Brief possible! All opinions are my own.