Hostess Gift Fail and a fun Nashville Weekend

Hey party people!
This post will be a little unlike my other posts. Tomorrow, I’ll share a delicious and healthy recipe. Stay tuned.
Last weekend, I went with a group of bloggers on a fun Nashville weekend. We were hosted by Forest Home Media, which is a PR/Internet Marketing company specializing in home-related businesses. They help builders and companies, like Southern Living and HGTV, promote their business and events. They do the area Parade of Homes and worked recently with the HGTV Smart House. Forest Home Media is made up of Dana Tucker and Nancy McNulty. These ladies are so fun and are on fire. Our weekend was packed full and I experienced one of the worst hostess gift fails of all time.

 

(Rhoda & Kacey from Channel 4) 

First stop was NBC Channel 4 in Nashville. Rhoda Vickers, from Southern Hospitality, was on talking about the 5 things people need to know to start a blog. She did an awesome job.

 

(Meryll talking with a guest) 

(L-R: Meryll Rose, Rhoda Vickers, Angela Folds, and me)

Then we were whisked away to watch Meryll Rose on Talk of the Town (WTVF CBS). Doesn’t she just embody what you think of when you think of Southern Beauty? She isn’t just beautiful on the outside, but on the inside too. She hosted us that night at her home and was the perfect hostess. Here’s a shot of the gorgeous table she set for us.

One of the coolest things we got to do on this trip is watch the HGTV Smart Home Giveaway show in the actual home!

 
These were just a few shots I was able to snap with my phone. It really is an amazing home. You can open the front door, operate all the TVs, the sound system, and more by just using your iPad. Pretty impressive. The house is now up for sale, if you’re interested. The winner, Ashley, lives in Chicago and it wouldn’t have been easy for her to move down to Nashville.
This post will be forever long if I go through all that we did, but…if you’re planning a trip to Nashville here are some stops we made that I highly recommend:
Downtown Nashville – 
Pinewood Social  – Delicious food, indoor bowling alley, and an airstream bar. How can it get cooler than an airstream bar?

Tootsies – Two separate stages with great live music and a fun atmosphere.

 

(L-R: Me, Rhoda, Dana, Beth, & Heather)

The Stage – The band we heard was incredible and we even witnessed a proposal on stage.

Shopping – 
Nashville Flea Market – Great finds here! This Rock N Roll sign was only $60, and as you can tell, it’s huge. They had the best deal on metal signs that I’ve seen. I also got some fun pocket watch faces that I’m going to try and make some necklaces out of.

Leiper’s Fork Village – Serenite Maison & West and Co both had great things. If you’re in Leiper’s Fork, you need to stop by and eat at Joe Natural’s Cafe. Everything is super fresh and flavorful.

 
(The Whole Crew: (L-R) Beth from UnSkinny Boppy, Me, Meryll Rose, Denise & Lesley from Chaotically Creative, Dana Tucker from Forest Home Media, Heather Patterson At the Picket Fence, Kari Anne from Thistlewood Farms, Carmen from Carmen Johnston Gardens, and Rhoda from Southern Hospitality…minus Nancy & Angela)
Scarlett Scales Antiques & The Barn Door – You will swoon over the items in Scarlett Scales and the Barn Door has some rustic and unique items.
Loveless Cafe – If you love a good hearty breakfast, this place is for you. They serve melt in your mouth biscuits and delicious chicken & waffles. It may be a wait, but it’s worth it.

 

(L-R: Beth, Me, Nancy, Carmen, Heather, Rhoda, and Dana) 

And…you may run into someone famous. We ran into Larry Gatlin, from the Gatlin Brothers. All the girls got a picture with him, but I offered to snap the pic. The guy at the cash register asked if Larry and myself were together. Larry just chuckled and said, “She’s a little too young for me.”

Myself, Beth Bryan (from UnSkinny Boppy), Rhoda Vickers (from Southern Hospitality), and Heather Paterson (from At the Picket Fence) stayed with Dana. Her house is incredible. It is decorated impeccably from floor to ceiling. Here’s just one example. She’s only been there for 3 years and I cannot believe it. We’re not even half done with our house and we’ve been in ours for 3 years.

Trying to be the good little Georgia Peach that I am, I brought a little hostess gift for Dana, Nancy, & Meryll. Champagne and chocolate…what can be better? Well…I can tell you what can be worse. Chocolate in a hot car. My hostess gift looked like someone pooped all over it. #PartyFail

 
Thanks again to Dana, Nancy, and Meryll for such a wonderful weekend. And thanks to each blogger that was there. I learn so much from you and think you are all kick butt ladies who are super gorgeous!

One more thank you goes to Carmen Johnston for sending us all home with these beautiful fall container gardens. So far mine is still alive! #littlevictories
Stop by tomorrow for a healthy and delicious recipe. Until then…party on!