Honky Tonk Fun and Food!

 

Have you ever visited or have you been to Nashville lately?

They say it is the music capitol and if you are into country music and  cowboy boots you’d love it. It had been awhile since I have gone there and the foodie scene has exploded.

Bodacious and YUMMY on a plate! There was this amazzzzzing diner called Sun  Diner where country stars photos and ELVIS line the walls.This was my meal. It was so delicious! OPEN 24 hours!

http://www.sundiner.com 

A (looked like Krispy Kreme)  hamburger, slices of melted cheddar and a sunny side up egg with a donut on top (THAT’S YOUR BUN). Killer! I can’t wait to go back or make it at home.This diner is located next to the Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline museum.

SO WORTH THE TRIP TO EAT HERE!

 

Window shopping is the best shopping! You never know what you’ll find.

Looking for old school destinations? I discovered a Woolworth’s counter STILL open for business. Serving breakfast,lunch and dinner! in the heart of downtown.

A cab ride away to another area is an amazing place to dine called Urban Grub. The shrimp and grits was amazing.A few short blocks away is Draper James a fashion and lifestyle store owned and curated  by Reese Whiterspoon the actress.

Another section of town I discovered was the Gulch district. You can dine,snack,have coffee and shop in this pretty area.

I stayed at the JW Marriott it was one of those beautiful hotels! I loved THE STAFF from the second I pulled up,I loved the spacious room. I loved the food, SPA,the gift shop, their own coffee shop and the bakery. Your next trip to downtown Nashville I highly recommend this is the place to stay.

They even have healthy shots with a vitamin twist at the coffee shop and Nightly Turn down service…priceless!

 

I LOVE NEW YORK…let me share the ways!

I went to New York City last week on a quick business trip shortened by the recent Nor’Easter…but when I go back home I always want to see what’s NEW! So, since my time was short I grabbed a limo and enjoyed the city…quickly before my meetings and a beauty event that night.

The view out my hotel room window was stunning. I never get tired of looking at the Empire State Building. I love the Empire State Bar and Grill.

I had breakfast at Tiffanys with an awesome Danish and gourmet coffee uptown.Next was so ready to visit my Dim Sum Brunch spot in Chinatown NYC. This street is where many movies are shot and fashionable photo shoots for magazines too. Some of the cast from Saturday Night Live eat here. This is is a historic and unique place.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor.

Do you see the glitter and sparkles? Those are the celebration remains of the  Chinese New Year Parade.

I have a sweet tooth so I had to go to  the newest sensation Eggloo…a hot bubble waffle with your choice of exotic and familiar fav’ ice creams. Toppings to make your lips sing and in the above I got fresh strawberries and Asian cookie sticks. It will set you back $$$ so I’ve warned you. The entire experience was delicious fun and I loved watching them make the bubble waffles from scratch. I only wish I owned the waffle maker.

Next stop to a few new boutiques and then Macy’s in Herald Square. If you have never been this store is HUGE and a shopping mecca. Macy’s has had a makeover the past few years and keeps on getting better.

The only traces of it’s old school decor that is left are these iconic wooden escalator stairs. I hope they never change these. I remember when I worked in Macy’s where I started my NEW YORK beauty career…how MANY TIMES I went up and down these stairs to powder my nose and use the rest room or grab a bite at lunch. I was always afraid my high heels would get caught in those wooden slots…but they never did.

I shopped FAST and had to run on to my next beauty business event!

After cocktails,chocolates,cupcakes,gourmet Truffle Chips from Italia,photo opps, seeing my beauty executive friends again and making new ones. I then played in makeup,fragrance and skin care and more.

I craved one thing more before the night was over!!! A NYC style thin crust ooozing with cheese PIZZA. I soon discovered my fav’ place had changed names. I took a chance to see in the pouring rain (I might add) and see if the pizza recipe was the same. It was. This photo of my slice on a paper plate does not do it justice. It was AMAZZZZING! The place is called Bravo Pizza on Seventh Ave. minutes from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

I hoped you enjoyed the sneak peek into my day BEFORE the Nor’Easter snow and cold.

Unfortunately, it snowed like cotton balls were flying from the sky and got even colder. I hate March (Jan. and Feb too) in NYC the WEATHER is so unpredictable! Flew back to the palm trees of FLORIDA WISHING I could have done so much more.

#foodie #travel #workandplay  #noreenyoung  #MUA  #skinexpert #nyc #blogger #iloveny #speaker

A getaway to work and play in Marvelous MAINE!

First Stop …Press Hotel in Portland Maine…LOVED my room.Finally I get a chance to take my notes from my recent trip to Maine.I hope you enjoy!

I arrived in sunshine got picked up by a Mercedes van by my hotel. The hotel is called the Press Hotel and used to be home of the local newspaper.The staff was wonderful from the moment my 5 feet 1 self  hopped in that van. The rooms are pretty amazing,clean and have what I love and look for a mini refrigerator! The bar and meeting rooms are luxe and petite. Cozy and charming kinda place. The room had a frig,a Keurig coffee unit and some delicious Bar Harbor Tea Company bags.

The staff  down to house keeping were a delight to be around and always helpful to my needs. The Press Hotel is located in downtown Portland where a lot of eateries,bars and quaint shops and the waterfront is.

One of my other fav’ bath and body delights was the amenity tray filled with CO Bigelow products and adding to that impressive array was a BLACK wash cloth that had MAKEUP engraved lettering on it.This was the best part as white wash cloths are a big expense for hotels and destroyed by hotel guests daily from makeup or other unexpected messes.Using a black one to remove mascara and makeup keeps the hotels laundry bill down a notch and you can remove your makeup without looking at a big makeup colored mess on a white wash cloth.  I have been using black washcloths at home and in my beauty business for ears. Finally I found a hotel who uses them too.

TOP of my Maine list is to let you know the people of Maine are so friendly! And it is a very clean state.

Here are highlights from my trip!

My stay at the Press Hotel

Holy Donut (OMgosh) these potato flour donuts were absolutely wonderful and so unique and light.And did I mention ginormous?

Gilberts Chowder House makes the BEST Chowder I HAVE EVER TASTED!

There was lots of window shopping! And of course I had to buy some local treasures.But not ones you think. I used to buy souvenirs with the state or cities name on them. No more. I now buy things that are really local and indigenous of the area. Not mugs or ash trays with the states name on it but something more meaningful.

This trip I purchased a small bottle on a silver wire hanger for my bathroom window. I love to take herb clippings from my larger plants and place them in water and root them. Herbs like mint,rosemary and then after they root I can place in soil and start a new plant for my home. I also like to take those clippings and snip and use in my bath or a D.I.Y. facial treatment.Downtown Portland has some cozy lovely shops!

Fun Fact:

The Whoopie pies mesmerize and were ginormous.

They serve a bread call Brown Bread and it is made with molasses. But you don’t buy it at the bakery you buy it down the canned food aisle next to the pork and beans. So delicious!

Bar Harbor a few hours away is filled with so many sweet shops. My fav’ is the Bar Harbor Tea Company of Maine. The tea shop is a must for tea enthusiasts like me.

I love coffee but I also LOVE a great pot of tea!

Blueberry jam,syrup,tea,soap is BIG there. They have many blueberry and other farm fields.

LOBSTER,lobster and more lobster! My cheeks are all scratched up for the lobster tails and claws.(only kidding)

As for fashion…you don’t need to get all dolled up (Except I have to for work).  This is fishermen and women territory. I wore blue jeans and light sweaters or jackets. So unlike me. BUT it felt so freeing

I still have more to see and explore! It is a must go back.

If you’ve never been to Maine you’ll go insane…it is a lovely sweet place to escape.