Shakespeare in the Park

Need something fun to do this weekend?

I have your answer.

I had never been to Nashville's Shakespeare in the Park festival before. But the weather yesterday was so very perfect that I couldn't imagine spending the evening anywhere but outdoors.

So, naturally, I packed a picnic basket:

• One Pink Panther and one Rosco from the Silly Goose
• One bottle of white wine from Woodland Wine Merchant
• Two steady stick wine glass holders
• One blanket
• Two Crazy Creek chairs

PINK PANTHER: house smoked beef brisket, gorgonzola, kale, carrot &  cabbage slaw, horseradish aioli, toasted hoagie.

Patrick and I arrived around 6:00 to eat our picnic and stake out a prime location. There is always an opening musical performance by a local musician that starts at 6:30. And the show starts at 7:30.

The cast performed A Midsummer Nights' Dream in a way that brings Shakespeare to life. Brad Brown plays Theseus with a perfect rendition of a Charleston accent. Savannah Frazier, as Helena, even incorporates her cell phone into each scene, in a way that makes it seem Shakespeare almost scripted it so.

The suggested donation is just $10, and what started as just a night to be outside, ended up being one of the best dates we've ever been on!

The show goes on every Thursday-Sunday until September 15th at Centennial Park.

Don't miss it!

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For more, visit www.nashvilleshakes.org

To Ascot or Not to Ascot?

This is my friend Hal. In this photo, he's wearing a seersucker ascot made by Otis James right here in Nashville. And somehow. He pulls it off.

Now listen. I'm not a dude. And I don't pretend to know that much about fashion. (Because let's be honest, I basically just ask myself what would Whitney wear every time I look in my closet.) But, if I were a guy... would I have the guts to wear an ascot?

Otis says the goal was to rid the ascot of its "commonly-implied pretension" and to "bring it into the realm of comfortable approachability."

So what do you think... did he succeed?

Would you ascot?

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RELATED:

• To see more of Hal's adventures in modeling, check out his wife, Kim's blog.
• This is also about Hal + Kim
• Don't wear a Zebra-striped blazer
• On being Cool

Photo via otisjamesnashville

From Two Cars to One: Can it be Done?

How many cars do you own? Statistically speaking, the answer is likely two. Patrick and I owned two. Until recently.

Listen, I'm not saying we'll never buy another car. But when a transmission goes out, and then it goes out again (after you paid to have it repaired), one car starts looking a lot more attractive than two.

For many people, two cars are necessary. If you're married, or living with roommates, chances are the people you live with work on opposite sides of town. Carpooling, as we once knew it, is all but dead.

But for Patrick and me, life with two cars isn't a necessity anymore—it is a luxury. Oftentimes, I use "my" car to run to the store, while Patrick stays at home to work. Then, in the afternoon, Patrick takes "his" car to the office, while I lock myself in my home office to write. We have two cars, but more often than not, we only need one. One sits in the driveway while the other is out on the road. Then vice versa.

So, when one of our cars went kaput this week (his)—we didn't exactly freak out.

In fact, the first thing out of my mouth wasn't "let's start shopping for cars." It was actually something I never would have imagined I would ever say. Ever.

"Maybe you should have my car, and I should get a bike."

I haven't bought a bike yet. (The one pictured above is my friend, Taylor's. Isn't it pretty?) Patrick's car is still in the shop. We're still deciding what to do with it once it's fixed. (And it will get fixed because that shiz is under warranty.)

But can we do it? How do you move from luxury to necessity? 

I think it will mean saying "no" more often. Already, I've had to backpedal (no pun intended) with a friend who invited me to hang out today. I forgot—Patrick took the car this afternoon.  It will mean communicating more clearly.  After all, no more "quick" runs to Target that Patrick won't know about until the end of the month, right? Right.

I think it will also mean buying a bicycle.

What do you think? Is it feasible? Do you live with one car or two? How do you do it?

And what kind of bike should I get?

Ultimate Guide to Nashville - (the email version)

So, it's been a few (okay more than a few) days since I've stopped in around here. Hope all (five) of you are having a great summer! Patrick and I just got back from vacation last week, and I've been playing catch up ever since. One of the things I'd been putting off was responding to a friend who'd emailed me asking for recommendations about traveling in Nashville. She's going to be here for a whole week in July, and wanted to know what fun things she and her family could get into. So, this morning, I sat down to write a response... and what it turned into was something I should probably be writing for Forbes, but instead—decided to post here! Perhaps this will convince some of you to come visit the Gibsons in Nashville... or better yet... move here!

So, without further ado...

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO NASHVILLE (the email version)

Dear [insert your name here],

Okay, so I HAVEN'T forgotten you! I've been so crazy busy the last few days, but I've been thinking about your trip and can't wait to hear more!

So it sounds like you're going to be here for a week, correct? Will you be working at all or just vacationing? There is plenty to see and do here... and lots that will be great for the kiddos too. ALSO - Patrick and I would love to have you guys over one night for dinner - or to babysit (for free) while you're here. (Not kidding.)  Just let us know what you need!!

Where are you staying? If you haven't made any plans let me know - I can try to offer a few recommendations. Also - be aware that I'm telling you a lot here about MY favorites in Nashville. So... if you're interested in twang and honky tonks... you can walk down Broadway and see that... then go see new Nashville:

RESTAURANTS

Kid friendly restaurants are all around. Some of our favorites:

• BurgerUp (an upscale burger joint with lamb burgers, quinoa burgers, bison, beef etc.)- they have a great atmosphere and books under the hostess table for kids to read during dinner. I'd go between 5-7 to be seated right away. After 7 there's usually a wait.
• Rosepepper - Mexican Cantina - some of the food is awesome (ie, the chimichangas) plus, there's a really great hack you can do during happy hour - 2 chimichangas and 2 of the city's BEST margaritas for just $20. Not bad.
• Bread and Co. - This is a place that you order up at the counter and can take stuff to go if you want. There's one right across the street from Nashville's largest public park, Centennial Park, and you could do a picnic.
• Edly's - a BBQ joint (there are 2 locations) - really delicious and kid friendly.
• Wild Cow - a vegan/vegetarian place in East Nashville people rave about alot. I must admit I haven't been there.
• Smiling Elephant - THE BEST THAI in Nashville. Hands down. Order the cashew chicken.
• Marche - for BRUNCH... any day. Beautiful and delicious.
• Jeni's - for ice cream. It's right across the street from Rosepepper
• Silly Goose - a great restaurant that's kid friendly and the Chef recently won a People's Choice award for Food & Wine Mag. Just next to Jeni's and across the street from Rosepepper.

Let me know if you are looking for any date-night type restaurants, too. (The Yellow Porch, Park Cafe, and Rolf and Daughters are some favorites off the top of my head)

 

COFFEE SHOPS

I don't know if you guys are obsessed with coffee like I am ... but there are a few great coffee shops that are great breakfast places around here. 

• Barista Parlor - hipster coffee mecca. Delicious homemade biscuits. Great boutique-style pour-over coffee... don't ask for cream unless you ordered a latte. I did that once and it was bad. (Go here for the scene)
• Frothy Monkey - there's one on 12 S and there's one in Franklin (and there's great shopping in Franklin... see below) - (Go here for the food and vibe)
• Crema - Really great views of the city... and in my opinion, the best coffee in town. (Go here for the views and coffee)

SHOPPING

Not sure if you like to shop, or what kinds of things you like to look for but here are my favorite Nashville treasures:

• OMG- a little off the beaten path, but worth a visit because the stuff here is pretty interesting and fun. Housewares, vintage clothes, lots of irreverent goodness. Tell the owners Kate and Ashley that Claire Gibson sent you. 
• The Flea Market - this is only the third weekend of every month. You can check dates here, but it's a fun time. Bring cash or checks if you're thinking of going home with anything. It can get REALLY hot. take a water bottle! 
• Shoppes on Fatherland and the Shoppes on Woodland. These are both really close to each other and are full of some really cool "incubator" shops. Since they are so small, the rent is affordable for new entrepreneurs to try their hand at a business. I'd go to brunch at Marche, then walk up to the shops. 
• Downtown Franklin - a little out of the way (about 30 minutes from Nashville) but this has a very cute, southern feel to it. There's lots of different shops and some great restaurants down there.
• Parnassus - Book shop with lots of local authors and character. Usually have story time etc. for the kiddos!

SIGHTS

• The Frist - there's a cool exhibit going on right now about Art Deco Cars. It's there til September!
• Johnny Cash Museum - just opened. Haven't been. Sounds cool though. 
• Pedestrian Bridge - it's worth it to walk across and take in the city skyline!  Super fun. 
• Nashville Zoo - Could be fun if it's not too hot!
• Nashville Public Library - honestly I think it's underrated. 

OUTDOORS

• Hike Percy Warner Park
• Walk the Greenway (with me and Patrick!)
• Grassy Knoll Movies 
• Nashville Farmers Market - Find a buy peaches from the folks at the Peach Truck! 
• Canoe the Harpeth

MUSIC

Not sure that many of these places are "kid-friendly" - but they always have live music going on.

• Mercy Lounge
• Third and Lindsley 
• Family Wash (also a great restaurant, this is your best bet on kid friendly, I think)
• Third Man Records - Jack White's label, worth a visit
• Grimey's and Grimeys II - record shops with lots of character
• Ryman Auditorium is the home of the original Grand Ole Opry. Could be cool if ya'll got tickets to a show!

This is probably WAY more than you wanted... but there's plenty to choose from!! I'll help you sift through the madness if you need help.

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There you have it folks. The Ultimate Nashville Guide - for my buddies in Nashville... what did I forget? For people traveling to Nashville... what questions do you have about planning a trip here?

Related:

Nashville Outdoors

What's New in Nashville

HOW TO B-CYCLE*

I haven't owned a bike since I was 10 years old.

True story: When I asked my mom if we had a bike she could bring up to Furman so I could ride to class, she showed up in Greenville with the bike I had as a 10 year old.

Another true story: She made me go to a bicycle shop and listen to them tell her what I'd already told her — there's no way to make a bike made for a 10 year old work for a 20 year old. I haven't stepped in a bike shop since. (Though I've wanted to, bad.)

Thankfully, Nashville, like lots of other cities, has invested in a new bicycle share program called B-cycle. Over the last few months, we've watched bike hubs spring up across the city—stations where 10 bikes are locked up and ready for the renting. But as we passed by in our four-wheeled vehicle, I kept wondering... how does this really work?

So... over Memorial Day weekend, when the weather was perfect, Patrick and I decided to take some b-cycles for a spin. We made some mistakes and learned some lessons that I felt I needed to share. So whether you're visiting the city, or (like us) just don't want to shell out the cold hard cash for your own cruiser—here are five tips to b-cycling Nashville.

STEP ONE: Sign up online. This takes an extra few minutes, and just a little bit of forethought. When you sign up, you'll be mailed a b-cycle card that can work at any of the b-cycle cities (16 total).  We did not do this. We walked up to the station and clicked the screen, and put in our debit card, and took out a bike. (WARNING: You only have 30 seconds to take out said bike.)

STEP TWO: Understand the Cost. B-cylce bikes cost $5 per bike per day PLUS a usage fee of $1.50 every HALF hour after your first free hour. We did not understand this.

STEP THREE: Understand the Loophole to the Cost. Bike sharing is all about sharing. So the idea behind the "free hour" is for you to be able to grab a bike, ride to work, and drop off the bike at a different station. Little did Patrick and I know... that the "free" hour resets every time you check your bike in to a new station. Therefore, the next time we take a bike ride across Nashville, we will click in and out of a few stations along the way, so it really will only cost $5.

STEP FOUR: Ride across the Pedestrian Bridge. You just HAVE to. It's so gorgeous. (And there's a station to click in and out of on both sides.)

STEP FIVE: Return the bike.

It's that easy.

**Note: a former version of this blog post was titled "How to B-Cylce." My apologies.