Good morning, Wednesday...we made it to the midweek didn't we? I'm hanging listening to Estelle (More Than Friends is a song that makes me exceedingly happy) and trying to see the light at the end of this chasm like tunnel of a week...
Besides dark tunnels and light and such, I wanted to mention a few more little notes about my trip down South. Yesterday I mentioned I love cities where dreams are fulfilled, or at least can be indulged for 15 minutes or so. Nasvhille is a dreammaker for sure, but what they also have in spurs is a local pride that permeates the whole city.
There's been so much talk of late of "localism"- of rooftop farms in Brooklyn, of farmers markets in Cincinatti, of farm to table movements feeding a nation hungry for something that feels authentic and not mass produced. Nashville is a city where local informs everything- from homegrown musical talent to vintage stores that share space with a guitar seller. And the food has always been local down South- farm to table might be the new buzzword for eating chic, but I suspect Nashville has always eaten local- how can you not love a place where local cuisine has nothing to do with organic but everything to do with bbq, grits, and a heaping helping of food prepared with love and fried bits of all kinds? You can't go wrong with local, baby, and that's that. And have you ever had a Jack Daniels cocktail in an ice cold copper mug? The Oak Bar at the Hermitage Hotel is a class act, with a copper mugged cocktail to match. Amazing...oh and you MUST do the Patterson House if you ever go to N'Ville- best cocktails I have ever heard and a dark and stormy that was second to NONE- in a speakeasy setting inside of an old house with a savant-like class of bartenders. And ice of all shapes from big orbs to long slabs that populate your drink with happiness.
And in an entire city built on music, how can local not play a huge role in a city's culture and vibe? New Orleans is another city where music is everywhere and knit into the fabric of the people. I know I sound like a Miami hater of late, but I gotta say- I can't think of many things that feel uniquely Miami to me besides the beach. And no, mojitos don't come from Miami. In Miami, people come from all over to live here, but I am not sure there is an indigenous Miami thing- closest thing I can think of are the Keys, which very much march to their own beat and feel absolutely local. (Yes, I know we have the Heat. For this I am thankful. Go Heat and such). Are fake boobs indigenous to MIami? Ha. I kid. I kid.
But in the ville of Nash, you can't help but get caught up in the local flavor- I almost bought a pair of cowboy boots, but had to restrain myself as most likely I would never wear them. I was on the hunt for a neutral pair of suedes short ones but couldn't find them. There's even a uniform to how people dress there- boots, jeans, cool belts, tees- girls in sundresses with cowboy boots. It's all very adorable, really. I'm not saying it's the height of haute, but I dig it nonetheless. An embrace of local keeps things indie and real, just the way I like them.
Oh and on a side note to my single female friends but still in the local mood- guys in Nasvhille are hot. Super hot. I have a dear friend in New York City who is single- beautiful, successful, and single. She tells me she can't get down with this hipster thing happening in New York, she just wants a guy that can fix shit when it breaks, who wears jeans and tee shirts, and is just a real man. Well to her and all my other single friends in search of a man who does not wear skinny jeans in rainbow colors- Nasvhille is your place. There are some well fed men there of above average height, who wear Levi's and tee shirts and work boots and probably know how to change a flat or fix your sink when it gets clogged (is that an entendre? Perhaps...hmmm). In any event, the Southern boys are cute as could be (I should know, I married one). Just sayin' ladies- go get yourself a real man. Who wears cool boots to work. Who rocks a pair of Levi's with confidence. They grow them locally there.
So Nashville is exceedingly local and cool and soulful, and sexy if you want it to be. PS- never before have I been to a town where you can go to a gospel church service in a bar. At 10 am. With no alcohol of course, but amazing what went on there the night before...only in Nashville, kids. Local color is the spice of life...and that's that.
Cause that's what's up this localized edition of Wednesday in the 305. Keep it real, peeps. Keep it real. XO
PS- spotted boots by this brand, Vintage, in Nashville. They are made in PA so are not local, but they are PHENOMENAL. Check out link below: