‘Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him.’ –Annie Dillard In the days leading up to the eclipse, I read Annie Dillard’s classic essay on the subject. She described it perfectly — yet I still couldn’t wrap my brain around what exactly we […]

I wondered whether Gatlinburg was ready for tourists after last year’s wildfires. I’m so glad we gave it a chance and scheduled a Gatlinburg vacation this summer — Tennessee’s most famous mountain town is back, and better than ever. Thanks to  Visit Gatlinburg for hosting our weekend getaway.  Like most Tennesseans, my ties to Gatlinburg are […]

This post was written in partnership with Twin Creeks. It only takes a few episodes of Gilmore Girls to become smitten with the series — But  the real reason I stuck with it over the years was less about Lorelai and Rory Gilmore and more about where they lived: Stars Hollow.  In this charming (and, unfortunately, fictional) […]

Whether you’re a Nashvillian in search of a quick weekend day trip or getaway or a traveler looking for a place near Music City with small-town Southern charm, Rutherford County is calling your name. Located just 30 minutes from Nashville, Murfreesboro and the surrounding towns of Rutherford County have it all– from rich cultural history, exciting outdoor […]

Don’t let the summertime blues get you down  — There are plenty of things to do with kids in Nashville this summer! Here’s my annual list to get you started. I guarantee there’s something here for everyone, no matter your age.     Tell me this has happened to you, too — All year long, […]

This post was written in partnership with the Grand Ole Opry. Country music wouldn’t be what it is today without the Grand Ole Opry — The longest running music radio program in history is still going strong, with a range of performers that appeals to music lovers of all ages. But while I’ve been to see […]

This #MadeinTN post was written in partnership with the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. I’ve lived in Nashville for more than 15 years now, and while there’s lots to do in Music City, lately I’ve been looking for adventures outside city limits. I’m always on the hunt for great restaurants where I can actually get […]

This post was written in partnership with the Grand Ole Opry. It was December of 2000 and my parents were visiting me for the first time since I’d moved to Nashville. As newcomers to the Nashville tourism scene, they’d dutifully booked tickets to see the Grand Ole Opry, and I was reluctant to go with them. I […]

Here’s everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) you need to know about visiting Rugby, Tennessee, a perfectly preserved Victorian village nestled in the forests of the Cumberland Plateau. For a more concise overview of Rugby, check out my companion post on Style Blueprint! Rugby, Tennessee isn’t all that far from Nashville in theory– Make the […]

Check out Part 1 of this post to see the most popular stops on the Natchez Trace Parkway between Nashville, TN and Houston, Mississippi! Or head over to Style Blueprint to see my Top 15 Stops on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Covering 444 miles of ground between Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi, Natchez Trace Parkway […]