Dear Winter,
I’m officially breaking up with you. It’s time I start seeing other seasons like spring. He gives me sunshine and flowers.
Sincerely,
Courtney
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Chicago.
It’s a city that has captured my heart and if it weren’t for the sub-zero temperatures and harsh winters, I’d likely move there. From the varying architectural styles, the booming food scene and I can’t forget that mid-western hospitality, Chicago really has it all. My love affair with the city started years ago and I have since made subsequent trips soaking up as much of the city as I possibly can. No trip to the Windy City is complete without some Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
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Undoubtedly social media is a key part of our culture. It was only a few days ago when social media junkies experienced one of the most painful outages in history when Facebook and Instagram were down for over 14 hours. Did you panic? I immediately thought my account was hacked and incessantly tried to change my password. When I say incessant, I mean I tried for HOURS and to no avail failed miserably.
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In a city where whiskey and hot chicken dominate the food scene, it can be challenging to find diverse ethnic cuisine. Every food blogger in Nashville can rattle off their favorite taco spots, burger joints, and coffee shops, but how many can tell you where to score proper Venezuelan food in Music City?
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Do you ever feel like you are on auto-pilot? Simply coasting through the day with a predictable routine and making decisions with little to no thought because they have become so automatic?
I know I am guilty of it. I get in the habit of wearing the same things, going to the same restaurants, repeating the same workouts and hanging out with the same people. No judgment, but it can make for an awfully mundane existence.
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Valentine’s Day is one of the most polarizing holidays on the calendar. People are either gushing over their significant other or it serves as a bitter reminder for those who are single.
If you aren’t rushing to make dinner reservations or shower your loved one with heart -shaped boxes of chocolates, I recommend trading in an evening of Netflix and wine for the Lonely Hearts Club.
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Before there was Instagram, Yayoi Kusama’s avant-garde perspective was revolutionizing the visual art world. From her vibrant paintings, playful sculptures and captivating Infinity Mirror Rooms, Kusama is by far one of the most important artists to come from Japan. Her artwork challenges the status quo and encourages us to think differently about our connection with the world and those around us.
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While most Americans are joining gyms, Marie Kondo-ing their homes, and trying to live their “healthiest” life, I am posted up at the chef’s counter sipping wine and eating all the things. Why? Two reasons: First, life is all about balance and second, Nicky’s Coal Fired just kicked off their second annual Guest Pizza Chef Series.
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We are barely a week into 2019 and I’m sure I am not the only one finding it hard to abide by these resolutions and intentions I set forth. Am I right? Undoubtedly, many Americans vowed to eat healthier, exercise more or even participate in the infamous “Banuary.”
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Each trip to wine country presents its own unique, first world challenges. With over 400 wineries in Napa and Sonoma, it can be difficult to decide which new wineries to visit while making time to visit trusted favorites that have yet to disappoint.
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In 2011, the Goldberg brothers, masterminds behind Strategic Hospitality, transformed the culinary scene in Nashville when they unveiled The Catbird Seat. Unlike any other restaurant in Music City, the Catbird Seat elevates the dining experience as guests gather around a twenty-two seat U-shaped bar and are entertained and enthralled by the stylings of the chef and his team.
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You may have read the title of this blog post and immediately assumed that I was going to share my experience at The French Laundry. While that is not completely farfetched, I thought I would share another French treasure that can be found in Yountville, Bistro Jeanty.
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As 2018 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on my travels and adventures throughout the year. I am incredibly grateful to have a chance to visit those places that are familiar and those that were foreign, but extraordinary. While I was doing so, I realized that I had not shared one of my most memorable moments of 2018. Although there are quite a few, this one was certainly momentous.
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Making the list for travel in 2018 was Austin, Texas. This wasn’t my first trip to Texas. My college roommate was from Houston and I have visited Dallas and San Antonio with work. However, many of you may be scratching your heads and wondering why in the world would Austin make it on the list over so many other cities, especially since I live in Nashville.
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At the beginning of every year, I put together a wish-list per-se of places I’d like to visit in the upcoming year. Of course, usual suspects like Chicago and San Francisco seem to always make the cut, but I make a concerted effort to incorporate a handful of new places that I have yet to explore. Aside from my colossal trip to Japan earlier in the year, Austin, Texas was one city that made the cut.
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Christmas came early for many as Nashville veteran chef John Stephenson re-emerged into the Music City culinary scene with the opening of his first restaurant, Hathorne, located in Sylvan Park. For my Nashville transplants and those who aren’t so familiar with this work, let me give you a little background on this notable Nashvillian.
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With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to snap out of that tryptophan trance, put away the stretch pants and officially welcome the holiday season. Break out the twinkle lights, whip up a batch of your booziest eggnog and don your ugliest Christmas sweater because some of Nashville’s bars are decking the halls from top to bottom.
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Maybe you caught my StyleBlueprint Nashville take over or you’ve seen my recent Instagram stories, but it’s no secret, Nicky’s Coal Fired is by far one of my Nashville favorites. From their delicious housemade pasta to their craft cocktails and crispy coal-fired pizza, I’ll gladly order one of everything on the menu. When I heard the news of bomboloni, breakfast pizzas, and mimosa kits, I knew where I’d be on Sunday morning!
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If you’ve followed Blonde Voyage Nashville for any length of time, you know that Chicago has a special place in my heart. I’ve been traveling up there on a regular basis since 2011 and I continue to become more captivated with the the architecture, the culinary scene and the great people of the city.
Why Chicago?
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We all have moments in our lives that can be considering defining or fundamentally changing, shaping us into the amazing humans we are today. Perhaps it’s getting your degree, persevering and finishing that first marathon, meeting the love of your life or taking your first trip abroad, each changes your perspective and outlook on life. The evening that I opened the door to Alinea was pivotal as my outlook on life and food was forever changed.
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