Bachelorette parties galore

My two best friends in the whole world are both getting married next month!!  So I have been in charge of some serious bachloretting.  I got to host J's party here in Nashville which was so much fun!  I took them to some of my favorite places and got to try some new places out!  

I can no longer say that I have never been to a drag show!  We went to a charity show at a local bar.  We were all a little nervous.  None of us had ever been to anything like this before.  We ended up having a great time.  The dancers were so beautiful and made us feel like we need to try a little harder...  I mean check Ms. Chaquita Banana out right here!  

I can't remember this friend's name, but she and J were instant besties.  

Of course, I made decorations, (Thanks for your help D!)

This group shot took 6 minds and about 30 minutes to take.  iPhone pics FTW!

 One of the very talented bridesmaids painted these for everyone.  I mean, come on, how cute are they!

The tradish lingerie shower happened of course!

We finished the weekend out with some Monell's.  It was delicious as usual and we all rolled out and to our respective cities.

Next up was C's!  We met in Atlanta for this one!  It was so nice and relaxing and wonderful!  One of the bridesmaids had pity on me and planned the whole thing.  I am forever indepted to her.  She did such an amazing job!  We met at the hotel on Friday night and headed to dinner at JCT Kitchen.  It was so beautiful!

Saturday morning we went to brunch at Rise and Dine near Emory.  C's "Bride to be" glasses were a hit!  

 Since the valet at the hotel lost the keys to one of the girls' cars (who knew that ever happened!), we decided to have the bridesmaids move all cars to C's apartment complex while K and I set up for the shower.

Her face was very serious when she was opening her gifts so this is her response to me saying "Act like you are having fun!"

Since the new thing at bachelorette parties is crossing things off your bucket list, we took a pole dancing class at Dance 411.

Maybe some of us had to use their inhalers before we started....

Here is our bride ready to do it!  That's our instructor Kitty Purry in the background with the shoes!

 It was nearly as scary as we were expecting and we were all pros by the time we left 65 minutes later!

Next up, WEDDING WEEKENDS!

Travel wishes

I am lucky enough to work in a school district that has two weeks off in the fall and spring. In the past years, I haven't really taken advantage of that time. This spring break will be different!  One of my high school besties/college roommate and I are in the midst of planning a grand adventure to...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

South Africa!

It is the perfect opportunity. One of my best friends since middle school lives in Joburg and it will be summer there!  Really, that's all I need!

We have grand plans of our time there. Mainly exploring Johannesburg, laying on the beach in Cape Town, and going on a Safari in Kruger National Park.  I can't wait to see a real live lion or elephant!  Check out these pictures!

 From here

From here

From here

And I could do nothing but stare at this view for the whole two weeks and be perfectly okay with it!

From here

I think this is going to be a great way to satisfy my travel bug for now!  Or maybe just make it worse...  16 days and counting!

My life via Instagram

Full Moon Pickin' Party

A few weekends ago I attended what I think is the most stereotypical and amazing Nashville event.  The Full Moon Pickin' Party is a once a month fundraiser for the local parks where everyone is invited to bring an instrument and play along with thousands of others.  You even get $5 off your admission if you bring an instrument.  People brought anything from a harmonica to an auto harp.  There is also a main stage with three headlining acts each night.

For those of us that are less than musical prodigies, it is a great time to enjoy all different kinds of music, a few craft beers, and a picnic with friends.

Unfortunately, it poured down rain the entire time.  We did not let the torrential downpour ruin our night though.  We enjoyed the live music with our rain jackets on hiding under an awning.  Hopefully next month the sun will be shining for the last Pickin' Party of the year!

Pumpkin Patchin'

This week when I was visiting family in Georgia, I was on the hunt for some pumpkins for my front porch.  I know I can buy them at the grocery store, but there is something about a pumpkin patch to get you in the Halloween spirit.   

As it turns out, Tuesday is not the best day to visit a pumpkin patch.  As it turns out, pumpkin patches are only open on the weekends.  Womp Womp Womp.  I was worried about a meltdown from this little lady who spotted the inflatable slide from a mile away.  Fortunately, the nice lady let us play a little bit before kicking us out.    

 She loved playing in the corn-box.  

 She made some really wonderful corn angels.  

She didn't enjoy the inflatables at all...

It turns out that showing up to the closed pumpkin patch was a great idea!  We had the whole place almost to ourselves.  

Brew at the Zoo

Every year, the Nashville Zoo hosts Brew at the Zoo as a fundraiser for the Zoo programs.  There are over 100 craft beers to try, food trucks, and animals, no animals to see.  Literally every single animal was in for the night by the time we got there. But luckily there was a lot of other things to entertain us.  Like watching people who were at least 10 beers in riding the carousel.  We stood and watched them for about 15 minutes.  At least 40 Instagrams were posted by each rider during their five minute ride.  Except for the one guy who was holding on to his ostrich for dear life and looked like he wasn't going to make it to the end of that ride.

There was entertainment, like this steel drum band, throughout the park.  It almost made up for the lack of animals.  I mean come on people, we are at the ZOO!

This group was having the time of their life.

This is just a few of the beer tents at the main festival area.  The antlers are advertising for a local brewery called Jackalope Brewing Company.

It was such a fun night, but next year I will be sure to bring my necklace like this.  Pretzel necklaces?! Who knew this was even a thing!  I will be a better informed beer festival go-er!   

Source

Grouper

I discovered the coolest thing today.  Or maybe something as sketchy as finding a date on Craigslist.  It is an app/ social club where you get matched up with a person of the opposite sex through Facebook.  Then you bring two friends and so does the other person and you go out and have the best time!  It is very MWF seeking BFF.  It seems like a much less scary/awkward way to meet people than going out on 52 one-on-one same-sex dates in one year.  And just look how much fun these people are having!  Reading over the application kind of makes me think it is geared more towards people trying to hook up with one another rather than meeting friends and having a good time, but who knows until you try right??

These are fun people, right?

Just hanging out acting silly

I don't know what this is, but I want it.  

Wait, what?  Maybe these folks are a little too crazy for  me