Mother’s Day is just around the corner! I wanted to share a few of my favorite things that would make great gifts for your mom, sister, girlfriends or to treat yourself!
What’s on your Mother’s Day Wish List?
Nashville Weekend Guide: May 3-5
- May 1st through September 1st
- Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
- Experience the magic of five of your favorite childhood classics reimagined in Cheekwood’s gardens. Visitors of all ages will enjoy these whimsical playhouses inspired by beloved illustrators including “Oh, The Places You’ll Play” inspired by Dr. Suess, “Hill Top Garden” inspired by Beatrix Potter, “Charlotte’s Barn” inspired by Garth Williams, “We Are Wild” inspired by Maurice Sendak, and “TRAINS!” inspired by Loren Long.
- Thursday, May 2nd at 7 p.m.
- Thistle Farms, Nashville
- Join Bloom Family Designs for a night of appetizers, desserts, live music, a silent auction and your chance to help sponsor and create a room for an adoptive family in Spring Hill, TN. Grab your tickets here.
- Thursday, May 2nd through Saturday, May 4th
- Harding Academy
- The 44th annual Harding Art Show hosts approximately 75 talented artists from across the country. This even is open to the public and showcases fine art for purchase. Proceeds benefit Harding Academy student programs, facilities and arts education.
- Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th
- Sevier Park, 12th South
- This festival celebrates the artists, makers, musicians of the Belmont/Hillsboro and 12South neighborhood communities with two days of music, shopping and more! Friday night hosts a ticketed concert with the Gin Blossoms and Saturday’s festival is free!
- Saturday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Nashville Farmer’s Market
- Enjoy strawberry sampling and purchasing strawberries grown by local farmers. More than 8,000 quarts will be on hand! Also, enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations and kid’s activities!
- Thursday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 5th
- First Tennessee Park
- Cheer on the Sounds this weekend! Kid-friendly atmosphere and special promotions all weekend!
Letterpress Art with Hatch Show Print
- Sunday, May 5th (3 sessions-noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m.
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Kids get hands-on with letterpress in this unique workshop at Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the U.S. Attendees must have a program pass (given out 30 minutes prior to each session). Ages 5 and up
- Saturday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Nashville Zoo
- May the 4th be with the Nashville Zoo! Kids are invited to participate in the Zoo’s Jedi Training Camp, featuring games and activities built to test their knowledge of the Force. Character meet and greets will begin at 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. and resume from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Saturday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Tru Bee Honey Farm, 4818 Hwy 41-A North, Eagleville, TN 37060
- Beekeeping demonstrations, free honey tasting and shop the little bee-themed farm store.
*Upcoming Events*
- Saturday, May 11th at 5 p.m.
- Nissan Stadium
- Enjoy twilight yoga on Nissan Stadium’s field, cocktails and shopping. Tickets are $20 each
- Saturday, May 18th
- Recreational Area behind Bellevue Middle School
- Join in this annual celebration of the Bellevue Community with rides, inflatables, pony rides, food trucks, live music, local vendors, arts and crafts, a kid’s zone and fireworks!
- Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th
- Nordstrom, Green Hills Mall
- Petals and Fields will have a floral pop-up at Green Hills Nordstrom. Pick up flowers for Mother’s Day! Call ahead to pre-order your bouquet 615-779-4823
Fitness on the ROW benefiting Survivor Fitness FoundationDate: May 18Time: Check-in at 8:40am, Workout begins at 9:00amLocation: Result’s Fitness on Music RowCost: $35 (This covers one session for a cancer survivor in our program)What: This group workout is designed for ALL fitness levels and open to everyone! Website: https://survivorfitness.org/special-events/
About Survivor Fitness: Survivor Fitness helps adult cancer survivors regain their health and wellness through personal training and nutritional support. If you or someone you know might be interested, you can find more information about becoming a participant here https://survivorfitness.org/become-a-participant/.
Girl’s Night Out
You DO NOT want to miss this special Girls’ Night Out at Draper James! Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be sharing stories from her latest book, Point of View. We will have a Bloom Bar with flowers from Natchez Glen House you to choose from, Certified Celebrator will have cute tags for the flowers, Love and Lion southern-inspired tattoos, a Kendra Scott Pop-Up, custom drinks from Jackson Morgan Southern Cream, Southern Baked Pies, shopping and lots of fun!
Please RSVP to nashville@draperjames.com
A Mother’s Day Brunch Guide
This Mother’s Day, celebrate the favorite moms in your life with a special brunch! Of course your own mom but your sisters, girlfriends and the ladies you’d like to spend time with.
Create an atmosphere where your guests can come as they are, feel welcome and know that you have thoughtfully prepared a meal for them. Moms are often so busy taking care of others, they often don’t get to relax and enjoy themselves.
Classic details like a printed menu and name cards on your tablescape add a special touch.
You’ll want to offer a variety of dining choices for your guests. Keep it simple with The Picnic Cafe tea sandwiches, in-season fruit or a fun waffle bar.
And all celebrations call for cake! Your guests do not expect you to handmake your offerings-pick up some decorated cookies or a cake from your favorite local bakery. You can always add extra garnishing like fresh flowers on top.
Have a variety of drink choices on hand like lemon-infused water, fruit tea and Jackson Morgan Southern Cream Cocktails. Jackson Morgan Southern Cream have choices like Banana Pudding, Peaches and Cream and Southern Bread Pudding.
While guests do not expect it, a party favor is always a treat! These monogrammed dinner napkins from South of Libbie make such a special keepsake.
Nora Fleming Minis offer a little happy that your guests can start or add to their collection to be used throughout the year.
A packet of wild flower seeds is another another sweet and simple gift idea as well.
Cheers to all the Moms out there! Know that you are celebrated!
Join The Certified Celebrator, Morgan from Jackson Morgan Southern Cream and myself for a Girl’s Night Out at Draper James in Nashville on Wednesday, May 8th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We are having a BLOOM BAR where the first 50 guests can select a bloom to take home, a Pop-Up from Kendra Scott, Call Your Mama tattoos from Love and Lion, sweets, sips, shopping and more! RSVP here.
Sources
Morgan’s Gingham Dress
Dawn’s Dress
Photography-Christy Wilson Photography
Monogrammed Dinner Napkins-South of Libbie
Menu, Bar Sign and Place Cards- Ruthie and Oliver Letterpress
White Serving Dishes-Nora Fleming
NFL Draft in Music City
The NFL Draft is heading to Nashville this weekend and here’s what you need to know! First step is to download the Fan Mobile Pass at nfl.com/apps.
NFL Draft Experience presented by Oikos Triple Zero invites families and fans of all ages to enjoy a FREE admission, three-day football festival held at Nissan Stadium. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in interactive exhibits, immersive games, virtual reality experiences, free player autograph sessions, and live music from some of Nashville’s hottest acts. The event will take place Thursday, April 25th (12 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Friday, April 26th (12 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, April 27th (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Drafts picks will take place on Main Stage on the evenings of Thursday, April 25th, Friday, April 26th and during the afternoon on April 27th. Find the Draft Order for Round 1 here.
Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Moon Taxi, Cece Winans and so many more will offer free concerts! Find the performance schedule here.
The designed Viewing Areas, which are free and open to the public, will be from Second to Fifth on Lower Broadway and Music City Walk of Fame Park. Food trucks, beer, soft drinks and water and video screens will be found throughout the site.
Other opportunities include:
- Autograph Stage with current NFL players and NFL Legends.
- Interactive games, Play Football clinics, and PLAY 60 Zone presented by Danimals for the little NFL fans.
- Photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy
- NFL Shop
- Taste of Tailgate with Nashville restaurants and Bud Light Bars
- Photo opportunities inside a replica NFL Draft Main Stage while wearing a draft day jersey of your favorite NFL team. Also find your favorite NFL team oversized helmet and have your photo taken. Share on your favorite social channels and Fan Mobile Pass.
- Combine Corner
- 40-Yard Dash: Race down the field against opponents and digital NFL players on a giant 40-yard long LED wall.
- Vertical Jump: Jump as high as you can and hit the corresponding flag to discover your vertical reach just like you would at the NFL Scouting Combine.
There are multiple entry points for the NFL Draft Experience.
- Entry A: Located at South Second off Koreans Veterans Boulevard
- Entry B: East Side of Nissan Stadium
- ADA Entry: Located at the elevator on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
The NFL Draft Experience limits the size and types of bags. All items will be carefully inspected. Consistent with all NFL games, the NFL strongly encourages fans not to bring any type of bag to 2019 NFL Draft, but if necessary, the following are permitted:
- Bags that do not exceed 16″ x 16″ x 6″
- No backpacks or luggage of any size will be permitted
- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after thorough inspection at a gate designated for this purpose
Bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, segways, golf carts, mopeds, scooters, electric scooters or any personal motorized vehicles other than wheelchairs of ADA devices.
Fans attending the NFL Draft will have access to free parking at Nissan Stadium and a variety of surface lots in and around downtown. Find the parking lot locations and maps here.
I will be rooting for my Clemson players Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell who are among the draft picks!
Nashville Weekend Guide: April 19-21
- Saturday, April 20th
- Cedarmont Farms in Franklin
- Bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon on the farm with a games, refreshments and a visit with the Easter Bunny. There will be age specific Egg Hunts also-tickets are $5 per person.
- Friday, April 19th and Saturday, April 20th (Check site for specific Egg Hunt times for age groups)
- The 27th Annual Spring Art Hop will feature egg hunts, story time with local authors, live performances, “art”ivies, garden games, food trucks and more!
Easter Bunny Breakfast and Easter Festival
- Friday, April 19th and Saturday, April 20th at Lucky Ladd Farms
- Join the Easter Bunny for a breakfast buffet, photo ops with the Bunny, a visit with the Farm’s baby animals, craft station and souvenir gift for each child. *Advanced Reservations required. Registration ends April 12th
- If you don’t want to do the breakfast, Lucky Ladd will also have an Easter Festival with fun games, activities, crafts, and journey through the story of Jelly Bean the Unbreakable Egg.
- Saturday, April 20th from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Nashville Zoo
- Nashville Zoo’s annual spring celebration is back with egg hunts and Easter treats for children of all ages. Activities during the day will include 10 scheduled egg hunts for kids, spring-themed games, bounce houses, face painting and more.
Afternoon Presidential Easter Egg Hunt
- Saturday, April 20th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
- Join The Hermitage for our annual Presidential Easter Egg Hunts on the beautiful lawn of Tulip Grove Mansion! More than 5,000 stuffed eggs will be hidden at each program, including special prize eggs. Easter Egg Hunts will be divided into three age groups, each with their own field and start time: 8–10, 4–7 and 3–under**NEW in 2019: Presidential Easter Egg Roll!**
- Kids will have a chance to decorate their own egg to race in a traditional egg roll down the front lawn of Tulip Grove, home of Emily Donelson who acted as First Lady for her Uncle Jackson! Additionally, families will get to enjoy a special photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, create springtime cards for military troops, decorate cookies, play historic lawn games, listen to music on the veranda and enjoy story time and crafts with Usborne Books! See event page for more information on the Sensory Friendly Hunts.
- Tickets are available online and cash only at the gate. $12 participating kids (ages 1-10) and $6 for adults and older kids. Infants and Hermitage Member Adults receive free admission. Tickets do not include general admission to The Hermitage, but discounts will be offered when you present your event ticket at the box office! Face painting and food trucks will also be on-site for additional purchase.
Mother’s Day Event at Grogan Jewels
Mom’s Night Out at Draper James
- Wednesday, May 8th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Join me, the Certified Celebrator and Jackson Morgan Cream for a fun event! More details to come!
Nashville Baby Guide Launch Party
- Sunday, April 28th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Lodge, Franklin
- Enjoy a family-friendly event with a princess visit, a braid station, The Happy Campers with kid-friendly juice boxes and mom-osas. Food, music, dancing and more! Also, bring diapers to donate to Nashville Diaper Connection.