Atlanta Adventures: Shoot the Hooch

Summer may be over, but the warm weather is not. One of the best ways to cool off on a sunny weekend is floating down the Chattahoochee River with some of your best friends.

It's BYOF (bring your own float) and the floats can get pretty elaborate. You'll see inner tubes, rafts and even air mattresses. Anything goes. I think they do have float rentals at specific places, but it's way more fun (and cheaper) to just buy your own float on Amazon and take your time with a group of friends.

So grab some snacks (you'll be out there for a while) and your drinks. There's an island half way where people tie up and hang out. There's even a rock you can jump off if you're feelings adventurous.

This is a great group activity and relatively cheap way to spend a Saturday. Make sure you have cars parked at the end point too so everyone can get back to their cars. We dropped in at Johnson Ferry and got out at Paces Mill (I think). We were probably on the water about 4 hours? But you can take as along as you want to. Final note, don't forget the life vests, they're serious about everyone having one and they do patrol. 

What's the most elaborate set up you've seen on the river? I'd love to hear below! 

xx Kristen

Weezer and Panic! At The Disco Summer Tour







June 16, 2016

Lakewood Amphitheater

 

Did you dream of Beverly Hills in middle school? Did you write sins not tragedies?  I know I did and that's why seeing Panic! At the Disco and Weezer was a dream come true.

Full disclosure, this wasn't just a nostalgia thing for me. I bought Panic!'s new CD when it came out and it's freaking amazing. I saw them at Music Midtown last year and knew they were going to bring the house down at Lakewood. 

I like both bands, but you could definitely see a divide among the people there were there to see Panic! At the Disco and those that were there to see Weezer. Even in the group of people I went with, some were more excited for one than the other. If I had to chose what side I was on, it would be Panic. 

Y'all, Brendon Urie's voice is actually insane. The sound of his voice and the notes he can hit just blow my mind. He's the only person left of the original band but because he's the lead singer you would probably never guess that. 

I knew all of their old hits and their new songs (again they're amazing, buy Death of a Bachelor) so I had the time of my life jumping up and down and belting out every word. 

They also always sing Bohemian Rhapsody and just absolutely kill it. So that at least got all the non believers up on their feet singing. When they finally played I Write Sins Not Tragedies the entire place went nuts. You couldn't escape that song in middle school, not even the Weezer fans. 

If you ever get a chance to see Panic! at the Disco, do it. Watch Brendon in all his glory doing a backflip shirtless while hitting a beautifully high note. 

The other half I enjoyed way more than I had originally planned to. Yeah I like Weezer, yeah I knew their hits and had bought a few new song of theirs (their new stuff is great too, buy it). But I didn't think I would get as into it as I did. They have been around for sooo long and they are still crushing it. Their presence, their voices and their energy were at an all time high. I loved watching them preform, I loved singing along with them and I loved just dancing to any of the songs I didn't know.

These bands clearly had a special place in our hearts from middle and high school, but how impressive is it that they can still do this to a crowd? That they can still put out new music and tour and people are still losing their minds. I love that they both stood the test of time. That their fans never stopped loving them, that they never stopped loving their own music.

It was, in a word, electrifying. I hope they keep doing what they're doing, singing music they love and playing to fans that love them back.

xx Kristen

This is Gospel - Panic! At The Disco
I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! At The Disco
Hallelujah - Panic! At The Disco
Victorious - Panic! At The Disco
Miss Jackson - Panic! At The Disco
The Ballad of Mona Lisa - Panic! At The Disco

Beverly Hills - Weezer
Say It Ain't So - Weezer
Island In The Sun - Weezer
Perfect Situation - Weezer
California Kids - Weezer

Lightning Literature: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

I love books, I love reading, I love getting lost in a good story. Looking for a new book to read? Grab your wine, get in your reading chair and get lost for a few minutes. Enjoy the first installment of Lightning Literature, where I share recent reads and recommendations.

I feel like I enjoy a wide variety of books, mystery, classics, romance, fantasy and mortivational. However, my favorite books to read have always been YA novels. Give me a dystopian world and a love triangle and I'm hooked. Throw in some magic and an royalty and I can't put it down. That's exactly what drew me to Red Queen.

Dystopian World? Check.

Love Triangle? Check.

Magic & Royalty? Check.

The Characters

Mare Barrow

The leading lady of this story, Mare is tough and poor and her blood is red. She's 17 and living in the Stilts, stealing to feed her family. One night, she tries to steal from right guy (or wrong if you've think about what all has happened since that night).

Cal Calore

The crowned prince. He saves Mare from a life of poverty when he meets her on the streets and offers her a job at the palace. He seems kind, but he is still destined to rule as a silver king. Cal inherited his father's power to control fire and his a keen military mind.

Maven Calore

Cal's younger half brother, Maven also can control fire like his father. To keep Mare around under the watchful eye of the crown they promise her to Maven. Although Maven seems to be kind and understanding, we soon learn that he is not quite the man we all think he is.

Kilorn Warren

Mare's best friend in the Stilts, they've always been there for each other. When Mare heads off to the castle, Kilhorn joins the Scarlet Guard.

Farley

A captain for the Scarlet Guard, she is as determined as she is stubborn. She's also not super forthcoming with any details on what the Scarlet Guard wants or what they're willing to do to get it.

The Plot 

In this dystopic world there are the Reds and the Silvers. The reds are human, normal and super poor because of the color of their blood. The silvers are rich and posses superpowers that keep the reds in check. This is the way the world is, divided by silver and red, rich and poor, the powerful and the powerless. 

Except Mare has red blood and can create lightning at will. Could there be other anomalies like her in the world? 

Now the little lightning girl has been thrown into a role she never wanted, future princess. She is bethrothed to Maven to keep her secret hidden and under the control of the crown. The king hopes to use her to stop an uprising from the Scarlet Guard, a princess of the people plucked from poverty. The Scarlet Guard hopes to use her to take the monarchy down from the inside.

Never sure of anyone's true intentions, Mare can trust no one. Too bad she doesn't listen to this warning and pays the price.

What's Up Next

The second installment was recently released, Glass Sword, and a companion book with some short stories, Cruel Crown. The second book was a little hard to get through, I'm not going to lie, but the end left me hanging just enough to want to finish the series when the third book comes out.

If you've read Red Queen I would love to hear what you thought! Let me know below!

xx Kristen

Buy Red Queen here
Learn more about the author here

Ellie Goulding Delirium World Tour

June 6, 2016

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

What a voice, what a performance, what a woman. It poured down rain, but Ellie Goulding brought the house down. 

I think what I loved most about Ellie's concert was how she was unapologetically herself on stage. I guess she's been around longer than I think since she came from the U.K and was big over there before she made it over here. You can forget the sky high heels, Ellie was in her doc martens the entire show or barefoot. She looked georgeous and very much like herself, you could tell that she really had a say in eveything that was going on up there.

She did have a few outfit changes, but her amazing dancers kept us entertained during the transitions and during her upbeat songs. I think having this extra element allowed her to focus more on singing than entertaining. She definitely danced with her dancers as well, but I think having them there really allowed her to let her voice be her main focus.

I really enjoyed myself, even with the rain and the hundreds of wet people that took over the stands when they were washed out of the lawn. She was a good performer, has an amazing voice and watching her live really made me like her more as an artist. She was a little hard to understand with her accent at times, but she looked so happy to be up there so it was okay.

It was just a fun concert to be at. She was a good entertainer and has an amazing voice. I would definitely see her again if given the chance. I was sad that I had to miss her at Bonnaroo later that week, but I heard she killed it there too. I think people don't give her enough credit, I love that her voice is different, that she doesn't sound like every pop star out there and that she's authentic. If Ellie Goulding comes to your town, check her out, give her a chance to blow you away! Also, buy her latest CD Delirium, it's awesome.

xx Kristen

Something In The Way You Move - Ellie Goulding
Burn - Ellie Goulding
On My Mind - Ellie Goulding
Army - Ellie Goulding
Powerful - Major Lazer feat Ellie Goulding

 

Let's Go: Charleston, SC

A few months ago we took a girls trip up to Charleston, SC for a long weekend getaway. I love Charleston's charm, atmosphere, history and all of the amazing places to eat, shop and drink. If you have never been before, do yourself a favor and make it your next vacation. It's perfect for a long weekend because there is plenty to see, but it is a small town so you might not need an entire week. If you do go for longer, I highly recommend taking half the trip to visit one of the islands nearby for some beach time (Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island).

Check out what my friends and I got up to in the beautiful city of Charleston!

The Hotel

Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel

Location Location Location. Charleston, SC is a walking city so make sure where you decide to stay is near where you want to be. It may cost more to be within walking distance, but it is well worth the extra cost.

The Renaissance was a perfect location, just a little off to the side, right by the College of Charleston. We were able to walk just about everywhere we needed to. The accommodations were pretty standard, nothing too extravagant and our group was able to get joining rooms so that was nice. The only annoyance was having to pay for parking at the parking garage across from the hotel, but at least the lot was close I guess.

I would definitely recommend this hotel if you are looking for a good location and just planning on using the hotel as a place to rest your head at the end of the day. It's not right in the thick of things, but it's easy enough to walk anywhere you want to go.

The Drinks

Stars Rooftop

We spent our fist night at Stars, a restaurant that becomes more of a bar after the dinner crowd is gone. They had a great DJ, a rooftop bar and wine on tap. It was pretty packed, but super fun. We danced the night away to 90s tunes and drank our fair share of Riesling on tap served by some very friendly bartenders. I would highly recommend this place for a night out with the girls.

The Rooftop Bar at Vendue

I had been here before, so I was excited to bring my friends back to this beautiful rooftop bar the second night. It was a great place to hang out as we were aiming for more of a chill night. The views really are great, but it was actually pretty chilly while we were in Charleston so we didn't venture onto the patio much because of the wind. We stayed by the bar near heat lamps under the covered tent they had set up for warmth. When the weather is nice, there's nothing better than this rooftop bar with twinkle lights. Don't miss it.

The Food

Queology

This award winning BBQ place was our first stop when we made it to Charleston around lunch time. Our hotel wasn't ready and we were starving, so it was a great find. The pulled pork was amazing and the drinks were pretty awesome for a bbq place. The service was super friendly and we loved the location right by the City Market. If you're tired of seafood and craving some great BBQ, check out Queology!

Toast

Another award winner, Toast served up some amazing breakfast. The wait was actually pretty long, but we walked around to kill time and they served coffee and mimosas and Bloody Mary's while we waited so it wasn't too bad. Also, it's not just a breakfast place. Apparently Toast is named after glasses toasting, not the slice of bread. However, their breakfast food was delicious so the name made sense to me either way.

Southend Brewery & Smokehouse

 

This place is just neat, when you walk inside it's all brick and iron and beautiful. We had dinner here the first night and their food is just as good as their drinks. I got a flight to sample all of the beers they brew in house and it was the perfect compliment to a delicious burger. Go inside for a drink at the very least, it's worth seeing inside the building.



Oyster House On Market

 

Our last meal in Charleston was one of our best. We were dying for some seafood being so close to the ocean so we found this oyster house right by the City Market. The service, the atmosphere and the food were all top notch. Most people got oysters, but there were plenty of other items on the menu and nobody was disappointed.

Sassyass Coffee

The name alone was enough to sell us on trying this coffee cart. The people running it were so friendly and very conversational with all of us. The coffee was also delicious! They had a huge selection and the ice cold lattes were just what we needed to pick us back up after walking around the city. Make sure you look out for them on your visit there! We found them right by that park with the obelisk

Carmella's Café and Dessert Bar

This place was adorable. I actually didn't eat anything there because I wasn't hungry, but my friends did and said the food was pretty good. Some of them also got an alcoholic shake or something and said it was pretty amazing. It's a little tight in the space, but the windows open up into the street and give the shop an airy vibe. It seems like the perfect spot for drinks and dessert.

Christophe Artisan Chocolatier

Right next to hotel we were staying in was this tiny chocolate shop. The chocolates were beautiful and they had such a huge selection! My friends got a few and said they melt in your mouth. If you need a chocolate fix, check this place out.

The Sights

Kings Street Shopping

You will find a ton of high end stores on Kings Street and a few local shops. You could easily spend a day walking around shopping in Charleston. There are also a lot of art galleries around the city that you should peak into. It's always a little awkward since we clearly were not going to buy million dollar paintings, but all of the store owners we encountered were very friendly.

Battery Park

With beautiful views of the water and the famous bright houses, taking a walk around Batter Park is a must. You can see historic Fort Sumter from the raised pathway along the water and we even caught a glimpse of a wedding happening right in the park. It's a nice place to stroll and get a bit of shade on the hotter days.

Historic Charleston City Market

If you've never been to Charleston before, this is definitely something you need to check out. It's a huge open air (except for a small closed in part) market place where people sell everything from crafts to food to all those touristy souvenirs you want to bring home to your friends. The closed in part is probably the nicest with a few permanent shops. They have a small barbeque place and sandwich/coffee shop that you can take a quick break at, because the market is pretty long. Once you've gone to it a few times though it kind of loses it's appeal and it's always packed with tourists.

 

Walking Around Charleston

 

Honestly, I love just walking around Charleston. There is beauty on every corner, from the brightly colored homes to the churches to the parks. I love a good cobblestone road and the private gardens that you can peak into from the street are impossible not to swoon over. It's such a historic city and a lot of it has been left intact and renovated with so much love. I could wander around this city for hours and not get tired of the little treasures I find. Do yourself a favor when you visit Charleston, get lost. Turn down street after street and then find you way home.

 

Charleston is a place I would return to time and time again. It's beauty and atmosphere are so unique and so refreshing. There's history, architecture, entertainment, restaurants, bars, shopping, art and so much more. Charleston is one of my favorites, and I think it would be one of yours too.



Have you been to Charleston before? I'm always looking for new places to explore in one of my favorite cities! Share you recommendations below!

xx Kristen

Go Kickball Atlanta Kickball League

Photo from www.gokickball.com

Do you love sports? Do you love hanging our with your friends on a weeknight? Do you love winning (and sometimes losing)? Then why are you not playing in an adult sport league yet?

For decades theme week we were the Red Jaguars from Legends of the Hidden Temple

I played Kickball at Lynwood Park in Brookhaven through Go Kickball this past spring and I am currently playing in their summer league. It is so much fun! If you're in the Atlanta area they play at Hammond Park and Piedmont Park as well. It cost about $65 for a season, but it comes with a shirt and it's seriously well worth the price.

We play in a coed league where there must be at least 4 girls on the field at all times. Most teams are super laid back, drinking a few beers and celebrating win or lose. There are a few teams that take it a little too seriously, but with the right team you'll have fun.

We play on Thursday nights, but they have other days of play too, so you can find one that allows for all of your friends to join. We took on some free agents our first season and ended up becoming pretty good friends with them. A lot of them even stayed on our team for this summer season! So if you're worried about joining alone, don't be! Everyone is pretty social and welcoming from what I've seen. Sports bring people together.

They have kickball pretty much year round, so be on the lookout to register for the fall league. It really is the best way to make sure you see your friends at least once a week and it gives you something to look forward to!

Do you play in any other adult sport leagues? Share your favorites down below!

xx Kristen

2016 SweetWater 420 Fest

SweetWater 420 Fest

Centennial Olympic Park

April 22nd-24th
 

The Food
 

What is a good music festival without some delicious food? I enjoyed some Fox Bros BBQ the first day for lunch and then some pizza from one of those unnamed stands for dinner. When fatigue hit Sunday after my shift I enjoyed a refreshing Bearclaw iced coffee. A coffee truck might seem out of place at a beer sponsored music festival, but caffeine is a must have to make it all weekend long.

The next day I had some amazing parmesan truffle fries from The Fry Guy and some mac and cheese from Mac the Cheese Truck. These two sides were huge and enough to get me through the rest of the day.

The Drinks
 

All the SweetWater 420 you can drink!! They had all different kinds of SweetWater beer, they had Rex Goliath wine and they had some mixed drinks. They also had a soda station that served Coke products and because of that the food vendors were only allowed to sell water.

Things To Do
 

Artist Village
 

There was a fairly large area with people selling art, clothes random hippy items and essentials like sunscreen. It was definitely worth a look, but I never really find anything worth buying, plus you end up having to carry it around the rest of the day.

There were also booths set up by the Atlanta Hawks, Lyft and Snickers. They were promoting their products and giving out free things like a new candy bar and key chains. Mellow Mushroom had a really cool art project set up in the Artist Village. It was a big mural waiting to be colored in. There were a ton of sharpies and we all got to go up and color in a little section! One of the coolest booths there for sure.

The Tasting Room
 

You could buy tokens to get smaller samples of seasonal SweetWater beers or beers that they don't produce a lot of. It was pretty cool to see all of the different beers they have produced over the years, but a lot of the beers tasted the same or were some kind of weird hybrid that probably didn't sell well. Worth a try, but I would rather stick to the tried and true classics.
 

The Music
 

We completely skipped Friday, we wouldn't have made it for many shows after work and we didn't really want to see Kid Rock. We found out the next day that his set was cut short by lightning anyways so we really didn't miss much.

Dawes
 

Ashley and I had seen Dawes together months ago so we were excited to see them here! They put on a great show and we were pretty close to them since not many people seemed to know who they were and it was still pretty early in the day.
 

AWOLNATION
 

I really only knew the one song by them (Sail!), but checked them out anyways and they were amazing! They were super high energy and really fun to watch. It definitely made me want to check out more of their music.

Bastille
 

The headliner for Saturday was Bastille and they were one of the main bands I wanted to see that weekend. We ended up getting pretty close for the show and they did not disappoint!

Ludacris
 

We walked around to a few other bands playing on Sunday, but really I just wanted to see Luda. The last time I saw him was at my freshman UGA Homecoming concert. He was soooo good, his love for Atlanta is the most adorable thing ever and he just kept playing hit after hit after hit. It was perfect and basically everything I could have wanted from a Ludacris concert.

I love going to Sweetwater 420 Fest, even if the lineup isn't always full of people you've heard of, it's a great way to spend the weekend with great music and beer. Something you have to experience at least once if you live in Atlanta!

 

I also volunteered at the festival, you can read about my volunteer experience here.

 

xx Kristen