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2016 involved many adventures for both me and my hubby. We visited many of our favorite places; traveled for work; traveled near and far for weddings of our dear friends; and visited new destinations! First up - Savannah! This is my favorite place & holds sentimental value to both of us. We decided to get out of town for an early anniversay trip. Check out our top Savannah adventures here.
In March I scooted off to Nashville for a bachelorette party, and it was a BLAST! So happy I got to check this off my bucket list. Check out my Nashville post here.
A few short weeks later I hopped off to Delray Beach Florida for another friend's bachelorette weekend. This cute little Florida town is FABULOUS and quickly became one of my favorite beach towns. The beach is white sand, the water is teal blue, and the shopping and resturants are wonderful (and within walking distance)! Check out my favorite Delray spots here.
Every April I head to High Point, North Carolina for spring furniture market! All of the new trends are out, and it is the hub of the international home furnishings and design industry. Check out my re-cap of this year's trends here.
In later April my friend, Ashton, got married at a beautiful barn location in West Georgia. It was a perfect day for a perfect couple, and Conner and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it! Check out my post here.
We kicked off the month of May with another wedding in Virginia. The trip started off rocky with a delayed and cancelled flight and lost luggage, but it was quickly reedemed with a girls' night at the Grandover Resort with my bestie. The wedding day was a perfect spring afternoon--with great food, good drinks, and even better company! Check out a full re-cap of our trip here.
After moving back to Charlotte from NYC in June, we took a break and spent a week with family celebrating the 4th of July at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, SC . Click here to check out what I packed, where we ate, and our favorite things to do!
The end of July was wrapped up with my bestie's wedding weekend in Pittsburgh, PA!! To say we had a blast would be an understatement. It was a perfect weekend for the perfect couple, and we were so blessed to be a part of their big day. Not to mention, Pittsburgh is one of the most fun and friendly cities I've ever visited. Click here to see all of the wedding pictures & tips on Pittsburgh!
After all the fun, I headed to Las Vegas for a work trip... there could be worse places right? Of course I hit up all of my favorite places and got caught up on all of the upcoming trends in home fashions. Click here to read the full post.
We wrapped up the summer with a quick trip down to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. We survived a hurricane and had two beautiful days on the beach. Check it out here!
In September I went back to NYC for another work trip. Even though this trip was for work, it was one of my favorites of the year. Our hotel overlooked One World Trade Center, and I just happened to be there on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. I will never forget this special moment of being able to pay my respects to all of the heroes. I also was able to revisit all of my favorite little spots and catch up with all of my favorite NYC peeps! This city will always have a piece of my heart.
We hopped back down to the beach for the end of September and the first weekend of fall to celebrate my Paw-Paw's 80th birthday. There was a big surprise party with all of his friends and family. Beach time and family time -- there's nothin' better!
Every November, we spent the weekend in Lexington, VA with my husband's college friends. It has officially been named "Roo-union" weekend since Virginia Military Institute's mascot is a Kangaroo. It's always a fun time filled with friends, tailgating, and mimosas!
We wrapped up November with Thanksgiving in Georgia!
The first weekend of December we headed back to Lexington, VA for a magical holiday wedding of two dear friends. It was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season! This was one of my favorite posts of the year; check it out here.
And last but not least, we celebrated Christmas in Charlotte, North Carolina. We did so many festive things; be sure to check out these posts: -Holiday Home Decor -High Tea -Gift Wrapping & Bow Tying Tutorial -How to Style Your Bar Cart for the Holidays -Christmas Traditions
What a year! Cheers to 2017 and all of the adventures it will bring!! Thanks for strolling down memory lane with me today. Comment and let me know your favorite places to visit--we are making our 2017 "travel wish list"! XX-Molly
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What's better than a work trip to Las Vegas!? But seriously... Check out all of my favorite Market trends and Vegas "to-do's"!  Summer 2016 Market Trends:  Cacti and succulents are a HUGE trend right now for the home. Aesthetically they have become apart of interior accessories physically as well as popular textile and artwork prints.  Guys, I'm dead over this sofa. I need it right now! Colored upholstery is all over the place these days and I think it's a great way to infuse a pop of something unexpected into your decor. Be bold and try something different! This particular piece is from A&B home - hand designed and crafted by Sunny Lim Ko Seng - go check it it out!  Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals! They are still hot, hot, hot! However, these tone on tone pallets are mixed with tons textures and patterns to create visual interest. This look was sponsored by Loloi Rugs.  Kate Spade Home...enough said! I'll take one of everything please! Check out all of their product offerings here.  Books are the new accessory! Stacked or lined, old or new, covered or original they are appear in all aspects. These are a great way to add color, texture, or height to your space for a very minimal cost. Check out your local flea market for these old treasures that can be transformed.  Bold Prints & Bold Colors! Art work just isn't taking on it's form in a frame anymore; bold artistic prints and patterns are appearing on fabric and furniture!  The chic bohemian beach look is still popular. This style offers sophistication with comfort.  Restoration Hardware has created a phenomenon within the home fashions industry, and from what I can tell the look isn't going away any time soon. I love the way these neutral tones and denim fabric are paired with the dramatic, soft pink lettering, and the contrast between the clean lines of the cocktail table and the rustic storage bins.   A peak into the AMER showroom featuring some of my summer designs. Vegas "to-do's"  View from the Cosmopolitan Hotel: A-M-A-Z-I-N-G  First top for anyone traveling to the west coast should be In-N-Out! It is the absolute best burger and fries on the planet.   Dinner with a sweet friend at La Comida, in downtown Vegas. After an afternoon of shopping at the outlet mall of course :)  "The Flower" drink at the Chandelier bar in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Not only is the location amazing but the drinks are too! This drink is a "must have". You take a sip of the drink, eat the flower, and finish the rest of your drink...but the catch is that the flower makes your mouth all nub and tingly! Supper fun! In all of the work and craziness I forgot to document many places and moments...oops! But here's a complete list of my favorite things to do/see: -Hoover Dam -Red Rock Canyon -High Roller Faris Wheel -Mastros Butter Cake -Pizza Rock -Triple George -A ride in the gondola at the Venetian Hotel -Historic Vegas Sign So it looks like I just broke the golden rule "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas", just kidding... Thanks for reading! Cheers y'all - Molly Mays Let me start off by saying that I am no expert on this subject; these are simply my opinions and observations. I fly for work quite a bit, so I have experienced many different encounters on airplanes and in airports. So take this bit of advice as you wish... That being said, I'm sure most of us have had some type of unpleasant experience while traveling. It sort of comes with the territory, unfortunately. Traveling can be very stressful, and it doesn't always bring out the best in people. Hopefully, these tips will be helpful reminders or will at least provide a good laugh because you have experienced them personally. Enjoy!  - Be sure to use the bathroom before you board your flight - you'll thank yourself later! -Try not to use the bathroom on your flight, especially if you're in the window or middle seat. You really shouldn't have to go if your flight is 3 hours or less. Hold it. -Don't recline your seat if you don't have to. Legroom on flights is tight as is; if you recline your seat, the persona behind you will probably recline theirs, and so on. It sort of creates a chain reaction that is unnecessary. -If you're listening to music in your headphones, make sure no one else around you can hear it. -If you're traveling with children, do not let them kick the back of the seat in front of them. -If the gate agent suggests that you check your bag to your final destination and you're part of a later boarding group, just do it! It's free, and you may even be able to claim your bag as you exit the plane! -Don't touch other people's items; leave this job to the flight attendants. And certainly don't squish other people's items into the bin; you don't know what they may have in their bags. -Be very conscious of your space. Space on airplanes is tight as is, so be sure to only take what you are given. Everyone else is suffering just as much as you are. -If you are unfortunate enough to have the middle seat, I do think it's appropriate for you to assert control over both armrests. The window seat has the window, and the aisle seat has the aisle. That being said, don't be rude about it or take more than your fair share. -While waiting in the airport, don't give you're luggage it's own seat especially if it's very crowded. It's luggage...it's probably been in worse places than the airport floor. Also, keep your belonging close to you not only for safety reasons but also for the courtesy of other passengers trying to navigate the aisles. - Remember where you are; it is an airport and people are generally in a hurry. Just like a highway, if you're strolling along MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE. It's fine if you aren't in a hurry, good for you (insert thumbs-up emoji here), but many other people are and trying to dodge the strollers in the middle of the aisle only heightens frustrations. -If you're riding the moving side walks, be sure to walk on the left and stand on the right. (but if you want my real opinion, if you aren't going to walk don't even get on - the purpose is to move people along more quickly.) - Once you are boarded, stow your belongings as quickly as possible and get situated in your seat. The less you fidget and move around, the more your fellow passengers will thank you. - When retrieving your luggage, you do not need to stand directly in front of the chute right up against the belt. Everyone take a breath, step back 10 steps, and relax. I find it best to watch from behind, often down the belt a little bit; and when you spot your luggage, step forward to grab it. - If you choose to only use a carry on, make sure you can actually lift your items. Often times a nice gentlemen will offer to help anyways. - After landing and the plane is parked, you do not need to jump up into the aisle as if you're dying, especially if you have checked luggage. What's the rush? Also, it is common courtesy to let each row fully exit in front of you. Do not run from the back of the plane to the front cutting everyone else off. Wait your turn. Hopefully these tips and tricks help make your next traveling experience just a little more pleasant, and feel free to share this post with your neighbor on the plane ;)
Cheers y'all! Thanks for reading! XX-Molly Y'all! It's safe to say I have a new favorite place... NASHVILLE!!! A few weekends ago I had the privilege of spending the weekend in this fabulous place with some great girlfriends! Check out below to see all of our favorites! You can't go to Nashville without going down Broadway! It's where all the famous bars and honky tonks are, and there is LIVE music EVERYWHERE! Here's a list of places to be sure to hit: Blue Bird Cafe The Stage Wildhorse Saloon Losers Coyote Ugly  A visit to Nashville isn't complete without a visit to Tootsies! (Be sure to go all the way to the top.)
Whiskey Kitchen is located in the midtown area. It's a great bar/restaurant with an American menu. They have a fun outdoor area complete with fire pits and TV's. Yes, we are dressed up for St. Patrick's Day; and yes, we proudly wore our tutus into the restaurant! Check out this Tutu Tutorial for how to make your own tutus for your special occasion. And...of course, the Nashville Pedal Tavern is a MUST! It is such a good time and a fun way to see the city! (This was one of my favorite things.)
 A visit (or stay) to the Gaylord and Opry Land is also a must! Pictures simply do not do this place justice. You feel like you are outside, but everything is totally covered! Plan to spend a few hours here wandering around, exploring, taking the boat tour, and eating at one of the many fabulous restaurants. 
Nashville is the perfect destination for a Bachelorette party! We had so much fun celebrating our friend Ashton, the beautiful bride-to-be! We stayed in an Airbnb property rental, but here are some other excellent lodging options right in downtown: Hyatt Place Downtown Nashville Omni Nashville Hilton Nashville Downtown Sheraton Nashville Downtown
Draper James has quickly become Nashville's favorite photo op! We popped in for some quick shopping hoping to catch-up with our "friend" and Draper James creator, Reece Witherspoon. Sadly, she wasn't in, but we understand that she's very busy ;) Everything about this place is simply magical--from the clothes, to the displays, to the Southern hospitality--not one detail is overlooked. Be sure to read the full story of Draper James & shop the look here.
Right next to Draper James is the Sprinkles cupcake shop...complete with their very own cupcake ATM. I mean does it get any cuter!? And yes, it really does automatically dispense your cupcake...we tried it out, just to be sure! Plus, their flavors are amazing- - you won't be disappointed!
It seems like I just got home, and I'm ready to go back! Here are a few other favorite spots from my cousin Jill who is a Nashville expert. Trust me, you won't want to miss these! Pancake Pantry Loveless Cafe Jacks BBQ Rock Bottom Brewery Rooftop Nash Trash - BYOB comedy tour  Hurry and book your trip to Nashville! Be sure to let me know what your favorite places are! Thanks for reading! Cheers...to Nashville, girlfriends, honky tonks, cowgirls boots, & our beautiful bride-to-be! XX- Molly 2/12/2016 5 Comments Traveling with MM: Top things to do in Savannah - A re-cap of our low-country weekend!Y'all! I'm SO excited to share all of our Savannah favorites with you! I fall in love with this city more and more every time! For the first time in a long time, we were able to enjoy it for all that it is without rushing around to appointments and planning wedding details. So let's get to it! (P.S - Everything that is highlighted in a different color is a link, so you can check out everything directly!) Where to stay... We chose The Brice for our special weekend get-away. It is so chic and dreamy, and the service is impeccable. They offer a free wine and cheese cocktail hour every day in the lobby, free bikes to take around the city, luxurious bath products, and free umbrellas and yoga mats in your room--I mean could it get any better? I think you should just go and decide for yourself!
There are so many other fabulous places to stay in Savannah, too. Here is an extended list of some of our other favorites: The Marshall House is quant and historic. This place really gives you the true Savannah feel. The Forsyth Mansion is more removed from all of the hustle and bustle and is located right off of Forsyth park. Its rooms are grand and plush and really make you feel like a princess! The Grand Bohemian hotel has such a unique interior and is located right on River Street. What to eat... Savannah is such a "foodie" city! We basically ate our way around Savannah. Between new modern restaurants, old historic eateries, and hole in the wall places; we certainly didn't go hungry! Let's start with Day 1: (breakfast was at the airport terminal and consisted of a cold pastry, so I figured we would just pass on that) Lunch - Treylor Park You MUST try the PB&J chicken wings, the shrimp and grits tacos, and the biscuits and gravy benedict!
Snack Time - Leopold's Ice-Cream This old fashioned soda shop is a classic. Their mint chocolate chip is green so you know they do things up the right way!
Dinner - Olde Pink House This is an historic Savannah classic, too. The service is excellent; the food is to die for; and you even get a short history lesson while you dine. Don't forget to try the Pink Lady cocktail! (If you're wondering, no I did not intentionally match my outfit to the color of the building; but I wasn't mad about this happy coincidence!)  Day 2: Breakfast - every morning we ventured down to the hotel restaurant to enjoy a power breakfast before starting our day!  Lunch - Paula Deen's "The Lady & Sons" The best, classic Southern food (& sweet tea) you can find! Do the buffet, so you can get a little bit of everything. Also, make sure you make a reservation, or you could find yourself waiting in line for hours!
Dinner - The Grey This is Savannah's hottest new restaurant, and I now know why! IT'S AMAZING! Besides the food being delicious, the interior is impeccable. The space was brought back to its former glory as a bus station. Even if you can't make it for dinner, grab a drink in their bar just to experience it!
 Day 3 Brunch - Collin's Quarter Y'all, my love for this place is unreal! It's perfect for brunch or just a coffee or a mimosa! They even have a walk-up to-go window! Some of you may not know that Savannah has no open container policy... you can take your cocktail with you! (as long as it's in a clear plastic cup not larger than 16oz)
Late Lunch - Vinny Van Go-Go's It's basically the best pizza you'll ever have! Make sure you bring $$$ It's cash ONLY!
Day 4 Lunch - Zunzi's This is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall place! It's a walk up only with outside seating. They serve hot sub sandwiches with an African twist. Their "special sauce" is so delish that I could drink it with a straw!  Snack Time - River Street Sweets This is a candy wonderland that is famous for Pralines. If you haven't ever had one, then you haven't really lived!  We simply didn't have enough time to hit all of our favorites, so I have included an extend list here: Crystal Beer Parlor - Great casual atmosphere, and their sweet & sour duck wings are amazing! Rocks on the Roof - The best place for drinks with a view! Rocks on the River - Great for lunch or brunch and convenient to River Street 700 Drayton - Modern steak house with an excellent dining experience Alligator Soul - Another one of Savannah's hot restaurants, AMAZING food with a slightly more casual feel. Soho South - The cutest, most eclectic brunch or lunch spot! Check out these don't miss museums... The Savannah History Museum This is most famously known for housing the Forest Gump Bench, but it also gives an excellent overview of the history of Savannah and the start of the Girl Scouts organization  The Jepson Center This museum is most well known for housing the "Bird Girl, " but it also has excellent modern art exhibits. The image on the left is of a mechanical piece that moves and changes color according to your motions--you can see I was holding up my left arm. The picture on the right is their representation of a glass house...and we all know how that story turns out.
The Telfair Museum This a beautiful old mansion that houses more traditional art collections dating mainly from the 18th to 20th centuries.  Now for one of the most important things...Where to shop! Broughton Street is the main strip for shopping most of the chain stores in Savannah. However, the small boutiques off the beaten path can lead to finding the best treasures! One Fish Two Fish is one of my favorites! They have the best keepsakes, art work, bar ware, jewelry, and basically anything you would ever need or want for your home! If you could picture me in a store form, this is it! 
Savannah Bee Company is another fun place! You won't regret bringing home any of their treats as a souvenir. They offer free tastings before you buy and educate you on the different types of honey available. My personal favorite is the whipped honey--that and an apple = the BEST snack EVER!
Things to do & sites to see... Savannah is never short on things to do; here are our favorites: The best streets to stroll are River Street, Bay Street, & Jones Street. (pictured left to right)
We decided to be adventurous and take a Segway tour around the city with Adventure Tours in Motion. It was SO MUCH FUN!! They have several different types of tours, but we decided on the movie tour. It didn't disappoint. Also, make sure you hit Chippewa Square, where the famous bench scene from Forest Gump was filmed!  Take a bike ride through the city and Forsyth Park. It's the perfect place for a picnic!  A few of our other favorites not pictured are Old Savannah Trolley Tours Horse drawn carriage rides Hearse Ghost Tours
I'm so glad that I could share this trip with y'all! I hope this has inspired you to plan a trip to the Low-Country...it truly is a magical place and a little slice of heaven on Earth! Comment and let me know what your favorites are! Thanks for reading! Cheers - Molly |
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