You are Here: Memphis

Meet Leslie of Sharp Stick in the Eye.

I've "known" Leslie 

{through mutual acquantainces}

for several years now.

In fact, I was even at her lovely wedding-
as a date of one of her friends.

Yet it's been through blogging that I've actually got to know her.

One thing I have discovered is:

 Leslie is a girl who loves Memphis.

She LOVES it.

When getting the cities organized for this series, 

I knew that we would all be in for a heart-felt treat

if Leslie would walk us through her city.

Lucky us!

YOU ARE HERE: MEMPHIS

Aspiring Kennedy: Where do you live?

Leslie J: Memphis, Tennessee: "Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll"

Aspiring Kennedy: Describe "your" Memphis- your daily experience to us.

Leslie J: My Memphis is what some call a "Big Little Small Town." Everyone has some sort of connection, so you never really meet a true stranger.


I live in the same zip code where I grew up, went to school, and learned to be who I am (mostly)...consequently, my husband also grew up in this zip code and our parents still dwell in our childhood homes.


Big trees, friendly people, and the best tap water around (artesian wells baby!).

photo by me, today!

There is a gritty, underdog spirit that underlies the Memphis city pride like I've never encountered. Kinda like, we may get a bad rap, but the diehards know the TRUE Memphis... and that it's a great place to live.

Cherry trees in the spring along {fittingly} Cherry Road, via

AK: Memphis is a really soulful place. That environment has to produce some inspired people. Tell us about the local talent.


LJ: How can we NOT start here?





The King of Rock 'n Roll.


Elvis Presley's home in Memphis, Graceland, is second only to the White House as the most visited home in America. {But I will tell you that most lifelong Memphians have never visited Graceland. Take that for what you will.}


Behind and surrounding EP is one of the most rich musical heritages a city can have... Aad this is what really makes us proud. Sun Studios (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis), Stax Records (Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, Booker T & the MGs), Hi Records (Al Green, Willie Mitchell)...see?


Obviously, that list is PACKED with some of the best music ever.


Besides these, we claim Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, Morgan Freeman, BB King, Penny Hardaway, & Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT (I went to his high school band's shows!)


AK: Where does Memphis go to see music today? And Beale Street doesn't count...


If you ever come to Memphis, rest up, and make your way to Wild Bill's juke joint. (You really can't get there until 11:30 or midnight. Late for me, at least.)

It's only one of the most wonderful places in the world. Yes, it's tiny and they only sell forties, and in part of town you may otherwise not visit, but it's my favorite place to listen to live music EVER. 

EVER. EVER. EVER. 

You can read more Wild Bill's, among other legit places, in this great New York Times travel article about Memphis here, if you'd like.

AK: So after staying out all night at Wild Bill's... where should we head for for breakfast?


LJ: Gibson's Donuts. Be still my heart.


Promise me, if you ever go, you'll get a glazed Old Fashioned.





AK: Memphis obviously has a past with some really important people. Who could we "rub elbows" with these days in Memphis?


LJ: Besides JT coming home for Thanksgiving (and the subsequent Britney, Cameron, or Jessica sightings), one of the biggest celeb events of my life was when they shot The Firm here in the early '90s.

The "Firm house" as people call it:

photo by me- taken about 5 minutes away from our house!

While they were shooting here, I remember moms keeping their kids home from school so they could try to get a glimpse of Tom Cruise. My best friend lived in the neighborhood and saw TC once or twice.


AK: I love that! What is the quintessential Memphis meal? Where do we find it?


It has to be said: Bar-b-que. But I'm not writing about it because a) it's too emotional for people [and I don't really "get" that] and b) much has already been said and written much better than I could do.


But yes, it's bar-b-que. And for the record, my preference is probably Central BBQ.


AK: And... dessert?

Muddy's Bake Shop was started several years ago by one of my schoolmates. Stop by Muddy's to get a freshly-made delicious baked good. No freezing allowed!

AK: What's the blogging community in Memphis like?


We have a wonderful resource here: a blog called I Love Memphis... Kerry's full-time job is finding out what's awesome in Memphis and writing about it [broken into sections like EAT, SEE, DO, LOVE, MEET, HEAR. She's darn good at discovering the up-and-coming spots and giving them some spotlight.


AK: Leave us with a lasting impression of Memphis. Give us a taste of the overall flavor of the city.


Underlying everything Memphis is is the constant presence of the Mississippi River... the "Mighty Mississip" or more affectionately "Ole Man River." It is because of him we're here in the first place.



[photo from here]


The Old South feel of Memphis is present yet at once it's as if everyone has acknowledged they don't revel in it too much.





Like I've said, it's underdog and people like it that way.


Come and see us!

You Are Here: TORONTO

Today, Shannon is guiding us through the city of Toronto. 


I've never been to Toronto, but after reading this- I'd love to see all the places Shannon mentions.


I've known for a while that Shannon was super cool from her blog, What's Up Whimsy,
 but now that I know about her hometown... I like her even more.

Toronto, Canada

Aspiring Kennedy: Start us out the with basics. Where do you live? 

Shannon: I say I’m from Toronto, but I live just outside the city in Markham. I'm a Toronto girl at heart though.  

All my friends and half my family live there, my consulting gig is there and I drive into Toronto probably once a week to visit or attend some sort of event, so in the interest of this feature,: I “live” in Toronto.

AK: For those of us who have never been to Toronto, what are three things that make it great?


Shannon: First, there is always something to do in Toronto.

Whether it’s a street festival, an art show, a launch party, or a new restaurant: you can never be bored.

2. Multiculturalism = yummy food! 

 Toronto is known for it’s wide range of cultures and people. You can have dim sum for breakfast in China Town, souvlaki for lunch in Greektown, and an authentic wood fired pizza for dinner in Little Italy. Mmmmm!

3. Torontonians are friendly.

I never really paid attention to it until my family from England came to visit for two weeks.  So many strangers helped them get around the city when they got lost, showed them the right way to go on the subway, and pointed them in the right direction to the nearest tourist attraction.  I was so proud!

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AK: I love nice people. I also love food... where is the best local spot to grab dinner?

Shannon: My absolute favourite place is Terroni.  There are four locations in and around the city, so wherever you are in Toronto, you can get to a Terroni pretty quickly.  The restaurants pride themselves on their traditional southern Italian food.  

And they do not budge from their menu. I once saw a couple walk out in a rage because the waiter refused to substitute ham for sausage on their pizza.  They don’t do substitutions or changes of any kind to their menu, which may seem precocious, but I appreciate it! 

Not only is their food incredibly yummy, the decor in all four locations is gorgeous. {Think:  big, lavish, rustic Italian.}

Via 1, 2 

AK: So the people are great, and so is the food. I like the sound of this place.
Now set the tone for us: what’s Toronto's overall style and feel?

Shannon: I would say the overall style and feel is very “trendy, hip and cool.”  


There's a large art scene in the West end of the city along Queen Street.  That area of the city houses the recently renovated Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD).

Yorkville

AK: Oh, I like it! Is there anyone we would know from Toronto? AKA- the local celebrity line up...

Shannon: The Toronto International Film Festival happens every September and it is a great time to spot celebs around the city.  You will most likely see them around Yorkville, known for Canada’s most exclusive shopping districts, which means the accommodations are extremely exclusive too.

Our biggest claim to fame right now is the singer/rapper Drake from Toronto's Forest Hill.  I once saw him at the mall back when he was on Degrassi and was star-struck!

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AK: We've covered food & celebs.. which leaves us at our next important topic: Where do you shop? 


Shannon: As mentioned above, Yorkville is the place to shop if you want brand-name stores – Lululemon, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., The Gap, Banana Republic, etc., but if you want a wide array of unique home furnishing and clothing shops, I tend to hang out along Queen West…

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... Or in the East end in the Distillery District, a little “village” of brick-lined streets and restored Victorian industrial buildings.

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AK: What is the blogging community in Toronto like?

Shannon: I have found the Toronto blogging community to be so welcoming and warm!  

I've become really good online friends with a few Toronto bloggers over my 6 month blogging career -if I could call it that- and, just recently, met a few of them in person (see picture below).

A bunch of us were invited to be in the audience for a taping of the Steven and Chris Show (picture a Canadian version of The Nate Show) on October 19th. I am so pumped to meet even more of my online friends in person.  

There is also a large Toronto Blogger Get-Together being organized for the end of November at a fun venue with sponsors. It should be tons of fun. I guess what I am trying to say is: the blogging community in Toronto is A-mazing!

From left – Jeff, Dee, Wendy, Jenny, Tania, Staci, Brittany, Me and Janice

 So there you have it folks – my Toronto in a nut shell.  

I hope you enjoyed this mini tour, and if you are ever in the city for a visit, let me know.

I am always up for meeting new friends!  

Thanks again, Lauren, for letting me participate in this fun feature!

Aspiring Kennedy Readers: Head over to Shannon's blog to see my day in Oxford's covered market!

You Are Here: Baltimore, MD

I'm so excited 

to present to you

the first post on a new series 

at Aspiring Kennedy,

"You are Here." 

We'll get to learn where our favorite bloggers 

like to call home... 

and what makes those cities extra special.

The amazing mind behind 

"Oh My Darling" blog and the etsy shop Oh My Darling Vintage, 

Melissa,
 is giving us 

the playbook for a trip to Baltimore... 

and I have to tell you, 

she really brought her A-Game to this city guide! 

Meanwhile, Melissa & I have blog swapped-

find me blogging on her site!

{Probably having something to do with Alice In Wonderland...}

*if you would be interested in contributing to this series- email me*

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Aspiring Kennedy: Let's start at the very beginning. Where do you live?

Melissa: I live in Baltimore, MD, which I always refer to as "B’mo" & "Charm City."

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AK: Describe "your" Baltimore.

MA: If you really try to get to know it, Baltimore is a fantastically quirky town.  A lot of out-of-towners think that B’mo is just the Inner Harbor and the Ravens, and they miss out on lots of little treasures throughout the city.  Baltimore is also definitely a “neighborhood” city, including little ‘hoods with names like Hampden, Charles Village, Mt. Vernon, Federal Hill, Canton, and Locust Point.  Some people prefer to just stick with their own neighborhood, but I prefer to take bits and pieces of each of these areas to create “my” Baltimore.

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AK: What three things make Baltimore a great city?

MA: First, the creativity.  Baltimore has several really great museums (American Visionary Arts Museum, the Walters, and the Baltimore Museum of Art) for you to really immerse yourself in great works, plus it is home to an amazing arts school, MICA and a great music school, The Peabody Institute.  As a result of this and just the vibe of the city, there are lots of great, creative places throughout the city.  For example, there are crafty places like Amazing Glaze (paint-your-own pottery), Lovely Yarns (you guessed it – a yarn/knitting shop), and several great annual craft fairs held by the Charm City Craft Mafia.  Plus, there are so many great music venues, and a really cool underground music scene, such as just about everything in the Station North Arts District (a special shoutout to The Hexagon there!), or the Ottobar (another cool venue), or music shops like Soundgarden. 

Second, the great minds and education.  Baltimore is filled with really quality universities and training hospitals, and thus has been home to some of the best doctors, most brilliant engineers, and most talented writers throughout history, and, presumably, in the future, too.  You never know if the person behind you in line at the grocery store is working on a cure for cancer.

Third, the amazing and/or completely random festivals.  My personal favorite is Artscape, a weekend-long event in July, in which art vendors display and sell their goods and bands put on free concerts, among other great things.  Depending on your interests, you can find just about any festival of your choosing in Baltimore (there is even an annual Fun Festival, how delightful is that?).

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AK: On to the really important matters. Let's talk food. What's the best place to hit for breakfast?

MA: Miss Shirley’s.  They don’t take reservations, and the wait here for breakfast can get up to an hour!  The last time I went, it was noted on the menu that their dish Shirley’s Affair With Oscar (steak with lump crab meat, paired with asparagus, fried green tomatoes, grits, bacon, and Old Bay seasoning) won a Food Network award.  I’m partial to the pumpkin French toast, which is more like a dessert than a breakfast.

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AK: Ok that sounds pretty amazing. And of equal importance- the Best place for lunch?

MA: Atwater’s.  Any local foodie will tell you that this is THE place for soup, salads, and sandwiches in Baltimore.  The last time I went (we go at least once a month), I had an amazing Bibb Lettuce and Watermelon salad, and a Ham and Glazed Pineapple sandwich on a cheddar biscuit. 

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AK: Anytime there is a biscuit involving cheddar- I'll be there. Finally, what's the best spot for dinner?

Can I call a three-way tie?  For an amazing traditional French meal and to feel like you’re getting the star treatment, go to Petit Louis.  For a funky little bistro that cooks most of their meats (even their steak frites) with a sous-vide method, go to Jack’s Bistro.  While you’re there, be sure to order the poutine, an amazing dish of French fries, brown gravy, and cheese curds.  Such fantastic gluttony!  For a more affordable and low-key night but still incredibly high quality dishes with interesting ingredients, eat from the bar menu at Brewer’s Art (they also have a pricier dining room, but I prefer their bar fare).

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AK: If I was headed to a bar in Baltimore- what would the locals be drinking?

Natty Boh, or National Bohemian Beer.  Once upon a time, it was brewed in Baltimore, but since the brewery has moved to North Carolina.  This hasn’t stopped Baltimoreans from loving it.

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AK: Have you ever rubbed shoulders with any local celebs?

MA: Yes!  I once saw Michael Phelps at my gym.  I almost fell off the elliptical, I was so surprised to see him there. He was accompanied by a posse of trainers, and he looked a lot younger and shorter in person.  If it hadn’t been for the posse, I probably wouldn’t have noticed him among all the other gym-goers.  Also, back when The Wire was still filming, I saw McNulty (Dominic West) – he was super good-looking, to say the least.

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AK: Take us shopping with you in Baltimore. Where are we headed?

MA: My favorite store in B’mo is Doubledutch Boutique (in the overall fun neighborhood of Hampden).  It is the perfect source for pretty dresses and funky accessories – my most recent purchase there was a striped Jack by B.B. Dakota shirtdress that has become part of my summer wardrobe staples.  In July, there was one day when Doubledutch sent an email out to customers and held a 2-hour-only sale where everything in the store was half off.  It was a dream come true!

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Another fun source for clothing is Cloud 9.  I bought this perfect Free People kelly green spring jacket from Cloud 9 a few years back, and I have been in love with the store ever since. 

For books, I love Ukazoo used books (it’s actually in a nearby suburb called Towson, but oh well).  You could browse the bookshelves there for hours, and the store just has a really calming vibe.

The absolute utopia of home décor and trinkets is Red Tree (right down the road from the aforementioned Doubledutch).  I’m pretty sure my words could not do justice to how amazing this store is.  Recent finds from Red Tree include adorable candles shaped like succulents and an epic set of Japanese washi tape.  The sell bigger furniture pieces, too, but I prefer the fun little trinkets.

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AK: Where can we find you enjoying your last days of summer?

MA: I’m partial to the Sherwood Gardens – in the spring, it’s a beautiful tulip garden and is packed with people who are checking out the flowers.  In the summer, there are still beautiful flowers, but fewer people go there to relax, despite the fact that there are some of the most perfect shady spots for a delightful summer picnic.

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Thanks for coming to Aspiring Kennedy, Melissa!

I loved getting to talk Baltimore with you...

and hope to get to try some of those yummy dishes 

& a Natty Boh's with you soon!