Boston 2018 || Touristy Adventures

There is nothing more iconic to Boston than baseball and beer.  While we were there this summer we definitely had to check both out.  We went to a Red Sox game one of the nights.  It was so much fun.  Even more so that the Red Sox lost!

We took a brewery tour of Sam Adams as well.  We learned all about the gigantic production of Sam Adams beer sold almost everywhere.  There brewery in Boston is actually smaller than I was expecting.  They do a lot of small batches and funky beers at this brewery.  We love breweries and funky beer.  It seems like the Charlotte beer scene is huge so it was a cool experience to see beer in a different place.

We also had a chance to explore china town and eat at the best dumpling place, a recommendation curtesy of friends which was so delicious.

We stayed in the North End of Boston full of Italian food and bakeries. I just loved walking home every evening and smelling all the delicious food!

There was so much to do and see and EAT in Boston.  I would highly recommend a trip there.  Such a fun, beautiful, delicious city!

Boston 2018 || Freedom Trail

Boston.  Such a rich juxtaposition of history and modern city life.  There was so much to do, so much to see, so many various cultures and ways of life joined in a beautiful port city.  The integrity of the historical significance is still so much intact and evident in the city's architecture. 

We spent some of our summer days simply walking along the freedom trail.  We stopped in places that were interesting and caught our eyes.  We walked and explored a new city.  It was refreshing to be a tourist.  To explore. To wonder.  And more importantly to wander. While walking around the city streets I couldn't help but to think about all who have walked here before me.  It is always humbling to reflect on other's lives besides my own. 

I would highly recommend exploring the city upon a first visit via the freedom trail.  You cover so much of the city.  You can choose to stop in the historical sites or various restaurants, coffee shops, or stores along the way.  You can take it as quick or as slow as you want.  The trail is your path and guide but it is your choice of how you want to explore.  I am a history nerd, so of course we stopped at the historical sites to learn more about the city. 

Boston.  You were lovely.  I will definitely be back.

The Happiness List

Location: Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC

As you know, I have recently been trying to find ways to live my life to the fullest and part of that means being a tourist in my own city to explore all that it has to offer.  Recently, I heard a fitness blogger I follow talking about what she does to make her daily life and routines feel like it does while you are on vacation.

When we are on vacation our days move in a relaxed, care-free manner. The choices we make on vacation are all about having fun, trying new things and foods, as well as making decisions that bring us joy. So why can't we live our daily life that way?

In order to live daily life like you are on vacation that means changing our mindset about every day.  Her idea was to create a happiness list of things that make you really happy and try to do a few of those every day so that you bring joy and relaxation into your routines. I thought it was such an incredible idea. 

When we do things that we love we are staying true to our authentic selves.

Sometimes it is hard seeing other people living this seemingly happy life with all of their fancy things and opportunities.  But other peoples lives are not our own.  Instead of striving for happiness in what other people have or do, be your own person.  Make your own happiness list and do something every day to honor your own happiness and live every day like you are on vacation.

Here is my happiness list:

1. Journaling and reading the bible over a slow cup of coffee
2. Taking care of my plants [one day I hope this will be full blown gardening] 
3. Reading a good book
4. A long walk with the pup or a friend outside
5. Working out
6. Cooking a delicious meal 
7. Candles
8. DIY spa evenings [nails, face masks, the works] 
9. Good conversations with people I love 
10. Finding a really good deal on fashion [although this one will add up if it happens daily so this one has a limit] 
11. Exploring a fun place and trying something new
12. Hiking or any adventure outdoors 

What are some things that make you happy?

A Music City Weekend

 Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Recently, I was in Nashville for a friends Bachelorette Weekend.  Ya'll, I had never been before and this city is so. much. fun.  I would definitely go back so I could explore even more because there is just so much that we couldn't get to everything!

The weekend centered around the bride to be.  We had some fun activities for the weekend, like a cycle pub the first night we got there and a pole dancing class at a local place. We went out to the bars on Broadway in the evenings.  They are such a good time because every single place has live music playing.  Even inside of one bar it could have multiple floors each with it's own live band and different vibe.  I totally get the reason for the nickname music city.

The food at every place we went to was fantastic.  Even brunch was accompanied by live music! I loved all of the different murals there were around the city.  A good fun mural is everything for the photo lover in me.

I would highly recommend Nashville to anyone and especially bachelorette weekends, we ran into so many other groups for the trip simply because there is so much to do in a concentrated area on that main strip.

Have you ever been to Nashville? What are your must do's there?