Life Lately, Spring Edition

So Kate, how’s your life lately?

Is it just me, or do everyone else’s schedules just get jam-packed once spring hits? Maybe it’s the weather, or the new season, but everyone is out and about and all the fun events start popping up. Remember how I said my social calendar was going to fill up real fast? Oh, it totally did.

I’d rather keep myself busy than have too much free time. Fortunately everything that’s kept me busy has been fun and given me lots of adventures to share about here! And it means lots of visitors from out of town, and I’ll never say no to showing my friends and family around my city.

I love this city so much.

So, what’s life been like lately around here?

Over Easter weekend back in March, my sweet friend Nicole visited from North Georgia! She had never been to Chattanooga, so I got to go into real tourist mode. A highlight of her visit were our sessions at The Blowout Co. of Chattanooga. The ladies there made our hair look absolutely fab for the rest of our adventures! Sometimes you just need to treat your hair (and yourself) to some pampering!

We also treated ourselves to some amazing food and drinks at STIR, which opened this past November. I was a huge fan of their mint julep and waffle-crusted chicken at brunch. Nicole said the Eggs Benedict was also delicious. And brunch + $1 mimosas can’t be beat. That’s another spot I can cross off my food bucket list!

I’m not a foodie. I promise. But I may be turning into one. Earlier this month, I had the awesome opportunity to check out Taste 2016, an annual food-tasting event that benefits the Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. There were 20 restaurants and bakeries from Chattanooga and North Georgia represented, and I loved tasting all of their food. From fish tacos to cupcakes, and from short ribs to banana pudding, I had a little bit of everything. So much delicious food.

A couple weekends ago, my parents hopped down for a weekend visit, too. They had not been here since shortly after I moved down last summer, so I had a ton to show them. I was super excited to take them to all my favorite eating spots around town (like brunch at Food Works), and of course I had to take them to the Tennessee Stillhouse.

We checked out a place called The Hot Chocolatier, which is conveniently next door to the stillhouse. They make gourmet chocolate treats and beverages, from traditional hot chocolate to fancy lattes and mochas. And they have some pretty sweet cakes, too.

And most recently, Jordan, my sweet best friend from college visited! So many visitors — I’m good with it. It gives me more reasons/excuses to play tourist. She got the full, crash-course Chattanooga experience, which started with a really exciting Bartender Brawl at Miller Plaza. Bartenders from eight of the best restaurants and bars in town created cocktails with Tito’s Vodka and Chattanooga Whiskey, and attendees voted for their favorites! The Fix, the new third-floor cocktail lounge at The Bitter Alibi, took home this year’s prize.

The fun didn’t stop there! I took Jordan to the Tennessee Aquarium, and we saw a Chattanooga Symphony concert at the amazing Tivoli Theater. And of course, she got a taste of Chattanooga’s eclectic food scene (haha, taste, I’m hilarious) at Brewhaus and brunch at Flying Squirrel. I couldn’t let her come down and not take her to brunch!

Still not a foodie. Not yet. Give me a little while, though.

For real, I’m still catching up on some sleep. And to think it’s only going to get busier as the spring goes on. There are so many amazing events coming up in Chattanooga that I can’t wait to check out.

Want to follow along my adventures in Chattanooga? Follow me on Instagram and add me on Snapchat (thekrobertson)!