Hotels I Love: Nashville's The Hermitage

As much as I admire a boutique hotel, there's something about a city's grand historical hotels that can't be beat. Maybe it's knowing the celebrities have stayed there. Maybe it's the history. Maybe it's that we just don't make 'em like that anymore and never will again. But whatever "it" may be, historical hotels have an undeniable charm. 

And Nashville's The Hermitage is one of the best. This grand hotel hosted me for two nights in Tennessee this past July, and I was swept away from the moment I stepped foot in the building. I mean, just look at that lobby. 

Behold: the magnificent lobby. 

It exudes elegance and old school glamour. Plus, the staff was just beyond friendly. But aside from the impressive building, there's the guest rooms. Oh, my room. I was put in a deluxe room with a view of the Capitol and wow, did it impress. 

This bed was so beyond comfortable. I could have lived on it. Seriously. 

I melted into the sheets as soon I lay down on that big, soft bed. I appreciated the big TV, desk and sitting chair complete with the latest issue of the fabulous American Songwriter magazine. The plush room and slippers in the closet were a nice touch too. 

But what I really loved was the marble bathroom. This could have been featured in Dwell magazine. Two vanities, a deep soaking tub, separate bathroom and deluxe shower rounded out this impossibly plush room. Did I mention the hotel also gives out Molton Brown bath products? This line just smells luxe, and I can never get enough. 

If you think this hotel tub looks great, you're right. 

The Hermitage exceeded my expectations, and even if you're not staying there, be sure to check it out. Also, even if you're a woman, check out the men's bathroom in the restaurant. Reese Witherspoon posted a photo of herself in there, and I missed it when I was there. Yes, even the men's bathroom at this hotel is worth looking at! Just another reason why I'll have to return. 

Travel Highlights of 2014

Since 2014 is behind us and 2015 is here, I wanted to recap some of the best places I've visited last year. It was my busiest travel year to date.

1. The Pacific Northwest

I know it's far. I know the plane ticket from the East Coast is expensive. Yes, it does rain. But not as much people think. But the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous. I thought all the cloud cover would depress me, but it works with the aesthetic. The clouds seem to melt off those bright green trees that blanket the mountains. Put Seattle and Portland on your lists of places to see. Both cities are fun, hip and just gorgeous. Portland is pretty much the hippest city in the country right now. And Seattle is just full of so many iconic sights. Plus, the Puget Sound does seem to sparkle when viewed from up high. Both towns are nearby stunning outdoor scenery. I could go on, but I'll stop. Just visit and see for yourself. 

The view from the Bridge of the Gods in Oregon. You can get on the PCT from here.

Seattle as seen from the Columbia Tower. The photo doesn't do it justice. 

2. Kentucky

Don't write off Kentucky. I'll say it again, don't write off Kentucky. Every time I go, I'm always blown away by something. Maybe it's the local pride. Maybe it's how everyone who lives there seems to have an inherent knowledge of bourbon. All I'm really sure of is that I like it. Drink some bourbon. Have a hot brown. Check out uber-cool hotel chain 21c and enjoy Kentucky. 

Plan on drinking plenty of bourbon when you're in Kentucky. Go ahead, and have the Old Fashioned.

3. Michigan

The representative from the tourism bureau put it best, "Once you arrive, it sells itself." And it's true. From beautiful blue Lake Michigan to cute small town Petoskey, Michigan is chock full of cute quirks. You'll fall in love with this unpretentious place as soon as you arrive. 

Pretty Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes Park.

4. St. Croix, USVI

Whenever I'm on an island, I always think, "I could live here." And when I spent a week on St. Croix, I was already imagining where I would buy my groceries. Enjoy the ocean views, white sand and greenery. I couldn't get enough of this beach-side view from my The Buccaneer hotel room. 

I woke up every day to this incredible view in St. Croix. Swoon. 

5. Nashville

The food scene. Barista Parlor. The music. The Hermitage Hotel. Nashville lives up to the hype. It's the perfect size town that's just quirky enough. If you don't fall in love with the honky tonk bars on Broadway that are obsessed with late 90s country, you'll probably enjoy the hot chicken and record shops everywhere. I even bought a CD last time I was here. And I haven't done that since the early 2000s. Music City gets in your veins and stays there. Enjoy.

Nashville's Broadway is happening and touristy. 

6. Salt Lake City 

I wasn't expecting much from Salt Lake City, but I ended up loving it. The city has a really vibrant subculture and is just plain beautiful. I always love a mountain town and this is one of the best ones. I mean, just look at that incredible sunset. Be sure to check out nearby Park City if you're in town too. 

The breathtaking view from the Natural History Museum of Utah. 

Here's to more traveling in 2015!

The Best Thing I Ate in 2014: Hattie B's Hot Chicken

Since 2014 has just a few hours left, I've decided to eek out a few end of the year posts. I thought about doing a food list, but since the Internet is filled with lists galore, I decided one post devoted to my favorite dish should suffice. My best, by far, of 2014 was Hattie B's Hot Chicken. Hot chicken is exclusive to Nashville, and once you've tasted it, you'll wish it would come to your town. 

Behold: The magic that is Hattie B's hot chicken. 

Hot chicken is fried chicken that's spiced just right. The hottest at Hattie B's is called "Shut the Cluck Up." (wink. wink.) I ordered mild, but I wish I'd gotten it hotter. But then again, I like my pho so spicy that it makes me cry when I'l almost finished, so to each his own. But one thing's for sure: you must try this. Eating hot chicken in Nashville should be a commandment. Right up there with "thou shall not steal." 

Hattie B's chicken is hot, juicy and tender. From the moment you sink your teeth into that bird, you won't want to stop. The skin gives just the right amount of crisp and crunch that gives way to that succulent meat. And this is coming from someone who didn't eat meat for a decade. But the chicken's just the start. You'll want sides too. The fries were just crispy enough without feeling soggy or greasy. But the real winner here was the mac n cheese. This creamy concoction was probably the best variation of the dish I've ever had. Writing this post has even got me salivating just a tiny bit. 

And my final confession? I ate Hattie B's right before I left Nashville and pulled off at the very first road stop to finish it. I just had to have it. 

My Activewear Wish List

Oh, the holidays. They can be dreamy and they can be nightmarish. But wouldn't it be fun if you could get everything you wished for? So I came up with this fun list. Price isn't a factor since this is a wish list. And who cares if it doesn't come true? This is supposed to be fun. Behold my dreamy activewear picks for the holiday season. Who knows? Maybe it will come true. Miracles do happen. 

Maybe I'll get some brand new activewear under the tree.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Alan Cleaver. 

1. Lucy's Pocket Capri in Ultramarine Spacedye

I cannot get over that color. I'll say it again. Icannotgetoverthatcolor. I'm going through a space dye phase and that dark blue is just perfect. Plus, I'm in love with the pocket capris. Like I would marry them. (OK, so not that much, but you get the idea) I don't why activewear creators hadn't thought of this already. A pocket in the side panel is not that revolutionary. But man is it helpful. I love being able to stick my iPod/keys/knick-nacks in there without those items adding bulk.

2.  Alala

I love that color!

Everything from this entire brand makes me swoon. Everything. It's like wearing Chanel to the gym. The company loaned me a pair of its capris to review, and I could not get enough. The material is thick, but light weight and moisture-repellent. Alala is expensive though, which is why it made this wish list and not my closet. Sigh. Oh well, it's always nice to look, right?

3. Athleta Chi Tank in Red

Sometimes you just need a plain tank top. And my favorite tank du jour is Athleta's Chi Tank. It's soft, but doesn't let the sweat cling to you. It also has slimming lines and hangs just right. In short, if you're looking for the perfect, basic top, make it this one. And I cannot get enough of that pretty Saffron Red color. 

4.  Nancy Rose Performance

Look at this beautiful red colored wrap top. 

If you're not familiar with this brand, you should be. Nancy Rose crafts the most gorgeous activewear on the market. And that's a fact. One of the brand's signature styles are its wrap tops. They're slimming and gorgeous. I own one, and I've been lusting after another for a long time now. Right now, my eye is on this Arabesque Tank Top. 

5. lululemon Emerge Renewed Crop

Look at the mesh! Look at the texture! 

I'm always lusting after something from lululemon. My current obsession: lululemon's Emerge Renewed Crop. I love seams, and I love mesh and these are the perfect combination of both. Now, the material on these does look like it could be a little stiff, but these also might be the best.

6. Nike Studio Wrap

Stupid shoes, we've all got 'em. You know the pair. Those kitten heels you tell yourself you'll wear, but then actually do and it sucks so you give up. Since I'm not big into high heels, athletic shoes are my favorites. And these are my stupid shoes. They look beautiful--like something a real dancer would wear--although I have a feeling they're not terribly functional. But who cares about function when it comes to beauty? Nike even makes a pair in Tiffany blue for the company's annual half marathon. All I can think of when I see these is "want, want, want." And that's why they made this wish list.

Happy holidays! 

Ways to Save on Activewear

As an activewear lover (with a special place in my heart for brands like lucy and lululemon), I know how hard it can be to justify shelling out mega bucks on clothing that you only wear when you're sweating. I suffered from severe sticker shock the first time I looked at a price tag in lululemon. But then I let myself buy a few items, and I was hooked. Funny how that goes, huh? Since I've been following the market for a few years now, I've picked up in a few tips and tricks to really save money. Besides, you should never pay full-price retail. Here's my first tip: don't shop Black Friday. You can usually get better discounts throughout the year. That is unless you enjoy tackling herds of stampeding crowds.

Discover ways to save on activewear using my tried-and-true tips. Courtesy of Flickr user: 401(K) 2013.

1. Sign Up for the Mailing List/Facebook/Instagram

This is key. Companies will alert you to sales, giveaways and other in-store deals. Lucy and Athleta are the two biggest brands that have the best sales. Following the companies on Facebook and Instagram is useful too. My favorite company to follow on Instagram is Nancy Rose Performance.

2. Read Blogs

This probably only applies to lululemon, but sometimes bloggers will know of a sale before it happens. Check lululemon addict or lulumum for the latest news and cute pictures of new gear.

3. Attend in-store/brand-sponsored events

Going to a store event is somewhat of a crapshoot since the store will rarely advertise that it's going to be discounting items. But sometimes they do, and you can win big. I once attended an outdoor Pilates class at Studio BE that lucy sponsored and scored 40 percent off the sale. And I got to get a workout in too. As an added bonus, you may even score free gear. I went to an event at Alexandria's Swet Ride and got a free lululemon towel, and I once won an Athleta raffle that included a gift card and a headband. Certain studios also will host trunk shoes and have their own sales too. That's why it can pay to get on their mailing lists too.

4. Know the Brand

One of the easiest ways to save money is by getting familiar with the brand. Here's what I've learned about my favorite ones:

1. lucy

lucy is probably the best when it comes to having great sales. This past Veteran's Day the company discounted everything on its site by 30 percent. Everything. But the easiest way to score deals here is to wait for the seasons to change. The company will discount everything once and then offer more discounts later. Once you get that first email, wait for the next one before you purchase.

2. Athleta

This brand has seasonal sales too. If you go to one of their special events, you also can get discounts too. I feel like I've almost always scored discounts after going to in-store events.

3. Lululemon

My favorite brand of all time almost never has sales. :-( Aside from the warehouse sale the company holds annually in one spot in the country, you just have to get lucky. The have what they call "mark-downs" of goods in-stores. The discounts are usually good, but the merchandise can be somewhat picked over. The mark downs are either on a moveable rack or spread throughout the store. The employees will usually put a bright purple discounted tag on the long price tag that you can spot. You can head over the website's "We Made Too Much" section (also known as "loot" to the lulu fanatic) to get deals online. Heads up though: this section does sell out quickly.

Sites Where You Can Score 

eBay

You've got to be careful with this one since people do scam each other. But you also can great some great deals too. I've bought a handful of items from the site, and I've always had good luck. To prevent scams, just be sure to look into the buyers' rating. If the buyer has a bad rating or one of the comments is that the person didn't send an item or sent something in horrific shape, I'd never purchase from them. You can even set up really specific alerts so you get emails when you want is available. It can pay to "track" an item so you can see if the buyer ends up coming down in price.

Craigslist

I've never bought anything off this site, but it's another option too.

Threadflip

This is a much smaller clothing site, but you may be able to score deals here.

Facebook

I belong to two different Facebook groups (lulu lounge and lululemon trading post) and every so often someone will post sale items. You have to be careful with scams here though. It's not regulated in any way like eBay or a bigger website.

There you have it. I hope you enjoy this list and score some great deals on activewear. Because the only thing more satisfying than a great workout is wearing clothes you paid a lot less for. Happy shopping! 

Hotels I Love: Portland's Ace Hotel

The rise of the boutique hotel has given the hospitality world some truly great and creative chains. Exhibit A: The Ace Hotel. This entire Seattle-based chain exudes cool. It's an upscale hostel with an edge.

Behold: My bed topped with a made-in-Portland blanket and lit up with that photographer's light. 

Every detail--from the locally made tiny black square bar of soap hanging from the sink in my room to the stack of real (!) albums in a crate beside the bed--is carefully chosen. When I first got to my room at the Portland outpost in May, I immediately fell head over heels with the building. I loved the bikes in the lobby (this is Portland, after all) and the little sign in the elevator that said "It would have been faster if you took the stairs." 

Check out that sleek, cool lobby--perfect for just passing the time.

But what really stood out was how the Ace Hotel is designed to bring people into the hotel. The lobby--complete with a photo booth and shabby chic couch--is connected to a Stumptown Coffee cafe. If you've never had Stumptown--it's only in a handful of cities throughout the country--put it on the top of your list. Their java offerings are downright delicious and impossibly smooth. A barista at this chain once re-made me a latte because he deemed the latte art not good enough. My East Coast mind was officially blown. That kind of commitment to quality coffee makes me swoon. I also enjoyed its full-service restaurant next door. Head over to The Daily Meal if you'd like to read more about my dining experiences at The Ace. 

I just loved this sink. I think it was the symmetry that got me.

Another quality you'll love: each room at the Ace is different. A representative from Portland tourism--the company that paid for my stay--told me each year the hotel invites a local artist to decorate a room. If you visit this spot, be sure to peer into the different rooms to see how each one's decor differs. With any luck, the days of boring and bland hotel rooms are long behind us. Here's to hoping The Ace Hotel sticks around forever. 

Neighborhoods You Should Know: Cincinnati's Over The Rhine

Who doesn't love a good comeback story? If you're searching for a place with a great tale, Cincinnati's Over the Rhine neighborhood is for you. Back in 2000, Over the Rhine (just over the bridge from Cincy's downtown) held records for most crime-ridden neighborhood in the country. According to one local business owner, some streets that were so bad that you couldn't even look down them. 

From old... 

To new! Both look like New York a little, don't they?

But flash forward to 2014. This crime-ridden place has been transformed into a thriving spot. Many fine small businesses call this part of town home. And I fell in love with this neighborhood this fall. 

Start your visit on Vine Street. I enjoyed a smooth latte at the 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab. And I fell in love with the doughnuts at Holtman's. Watch them being made in the window and enjoy creative creations like the red velvet topped with cream cheese (my personal favorite) or the maple bacon--one of the shop's signature offerings. According to Cincy's travel team that covered the costs for my trip, the wait at fried chicken joint The Eagle can sometimes be more than three-hours long.

Local businesses like the one above have been a key part of revitalizing the area. 

But it's not all just food--although that is one of my favorite parts of any city. I also enjoyed a visit to Steam Whistle Letterpress on Main Street. Owner Brian Stuparyk gave me and another writer the low-down on his unique business. His creations look like a nice mix of vintage and modern posters. My favorite of the bunch were these concert posters and these ultra-modern, sleek wedding invitations with embossed writing. 

And I've really just scratched the service of this dynamic spot. It's fascinating to watch a neighborhood transform, and you can literally find and see that transformation happening when you're in Over the Rhine.