American Road Trip - Part 2 Memphis

So upon leaving New Orleans and a 7 hour Amtrak train ride later I arrived in Memphis, Tennessee.

Moving on from a city of Jazz this place is all about the Blues and good old fashioned Rock and Roll.

Memphis certainly has a different feel to that of New Orleans and whilst it is mostly known for its music and bbq's its a city very much affected by poverty. The area surrounding Beale Street can at times feel very surreal as you walk past closed down shops and ramshackle buildings. However the city is still full of plenty of charm and charisma.

Of course no trip to Memphis is complete with a trip to the mecca of Rock and Roll - Graceland. I really didnt know what to expect from Graceland but I have to say I was pleasantly suprised and found the audio tour around the house and grounds fascinating. It really is like taking a step back in a time machine.

From Graceland you can catch a free shuttle bus to take you to the World Famous Sun Studios. This place was my favourite tour in Memphis and the little shoebox sized studios was amazing.

Sun Studios was founded by Sam Philipps in the early 1950s and was the place that recorded the first tracks of Howling Wolf, Johnny Cash and some guy named Elvis. You may have heard of him. :)

In fact you can even stand on the spot where Elvis recorded some of his most famous tracks. There is also the most iconic photo of the 'Million Dollar Quarter' that was Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins hanging on the wall. If you love music this place is an absolute must.

A short walk from Sun is the Gibson Guitar factory. If you love guitars then this place is like Disneyland. On the tour you get a front row seat into how the factory creates these beautiful instruments right from the very first piece of wood.

Now any history lovers will know that Memphis is not just about the blues music but that this place was an integral part of the civil rights movement back in the 50's and 60's and The Lorraine Motel on Mulberry Street is the place where on April 4th 1968 Martin Luther King was shot dead. You can peer through the window of the motel room where he was staying and then take a tour around the civil rights museum just across the road. Now this place is very information heavy but its definitely a worthwhile trip to fully appreciate the scale of what happened on that day and the days of the investigation thereafter.

Finally no trip to Memphis would be complete without spending a good few boozy nights of your stay on Beale Street. This 24 hour carnival zone is lined with bar after bar all playing live Blues music throughout the day and night. You can easily lose many hours just sat in a bar with a good beer in hand listening to real life rhythm and blues. I also recommend the BBQ ribs in BB King Blues Club.

Silky O'Sullivans Irish Bar on Beale

If you're looking for somewhere to stay in Memphis I would recommend the Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis. The ritz this place certainly isn't but its clean, right by the banks of the Mississippi and has a rooftop pool with a view of the Pyramid.

Here are a few photos of my time in Memphis - Tennessee.

Elvis' TV Room

Inside Sun Studios

Elvis' Jungle Room with Lisa Maries Panda toy

Hope you enjoyed reading my little blog :)

Loving this week

This week is the usual last minute panic buying week before Christmas to get those last minute gifts.

 Stocking Fillers

After reading a couple of other fellow bloggers posts +caroline burke I came across this great site http://ohhdeer.com/

Their site is full of quirky illustrated gifts and prints. My favourite is this cute Racoon coaster at a bargain £2.95.

Gin Lovers run in my family so this would be the perfect present for my Nan, Mum, Auntie, Cousin etc etc, so when I came across the cute little bottle of Gin brooch on Tatty Devine I just had to share.

http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/christmas-at-tatty-devine/stocking-fillers/gilbert-george-enamel-gin-brooch.html

Tatty Devine has some great gifts under £25 go check them out now.

http://www.tattydevine.com/shop/christmas-at-tatty-devine/stocking-fillers.html

Both of these would be perfect for any last minute little stocking fillers for your friends and family.

Christmas Panto

In amongst all of the pre Christmas madness its been nice this week to spend a lot of time with my friends and months ago we booked tickets to the Panto in Nottingham. David Hasselhoff is starring as Captain Hook this year at the Theatre Royal. Tickets are still available here.

http://ticketing.trch.co.uk/tickets/production.aspx?PID=111561

Christmas Songs

Finally here is an alternative to the usual Christmas songs that you keep hearing over and over again. BB King the King of Blues music has this festive musical treat. I visited BB Kings Blues club in Memphis this summer so it felt appropriate to post :)

Hope everyone is feeling festive now. Only 6 sleeps to go....

Images courtesy of Tatty Devine and Ohh Deer

American Road Trip - Part 1 New Orleans

So in July and August this year I headed to tick another thing off my Bucket List 

'Do an American Road Trip'.

After months of planning the route and all the things I wanted to see I can honestly say that it was a once in a lifetime trip.

After visiting New York and Washington in the past I knew there was so much more to experience in this vast and diverse country.

First stop was New Orleans

A city of history, architecture and Jazz Music.

My trusty Lonely Planet book revealed some real treats when it came to the best bars, restaurants and highlights that the city has to offer. Here are a few highlights below.

Hotel Monteleone has a carousel Bar in the middle so you can enjoy a cocktail (or Gin and Tonic if you are me) while the carousel slowly revolves.

Croissant D'or Patisserie was right opposite our hotel on Decatur Street and served up the most amazing pastries and coffee. Perfect fuel for a long day walking.

The Oak Alley plantation is an hour bus ride from the French Quarter in a town called Vacherie and the view is simply breathtaking. An old plantation where the main house is lined by 28 x 100 year old oak trees.

People that have been to New Orleans before have told me that it is a really special American City and it really is. I cant wait to go back one day. But for now I have my photos to remind me of an amazing adventure. Here are a few photos of my time in NOLA.

Beautiful buildings on every street in the French Quarter

A town full of colour

The famous Jackson Square did not disappoint

Mississippi Paddle Boat

The famous Spotted Cat Jazz bar

Swamp Tour in the Bayou was a must 

Croissant D'or

Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone

Oak Alley Plantation

If you are thinking of going to America or doing a road trip I recommend the following sites;

http://www.discoveramerica.com/

http://www.planyourroadtrip.com/

Hope you enjoy reading my Little blog :)

Loving this week

This week has been packed full of festive activities.

Winter Wonderland

Last night I met some friends in Hyde Park for Winter Wonderland. This was my first time and I have to say I LOVED it. Quaint christmas markets, fairground rides and German Beer. Whats not to love?

Christmas Jumper Day

13th December is officially Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save the Children and I have been counting down the days until I could wear my lovely new purchase from H by Henry Holland. Penguins, fair isle and cosiness.

 

 It looks like most of his Christmas jumper collection have now sold out but you can still buy the cute reindeer one here. http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_037010141243_-1

Loving this week

So as part of my shiny new blog I wanted to create a page that gives a quick snapshot of all of the things I am loving in the week.

Christmas

Yes the month of December is upon us and I just had to put my tree up on the 1st December. So I put on my favourite Christmas film 'Elf' poured myself a Baileys and set to work. 250 fairy lights later and here it is.

Novelty Christmas Decorations

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this little fella whilst shopping in B&Q. He is just adorable. Its just a shame my living room is too small for him to live.

Cosmic Nails

In last months Glamour Mag they gave away this great Kate Spade @nailsinc polish and I have been dying to try it out. The cold weather makes me hands and nails so dry so I decided to give them some TLC and a lick of paint to spruce them up. This cosmic silver colour is great and only needed two coats. 

Perfect Winter Nails,

2014 in search of my next wonder of the world

So as 2013 draws to a close I felt it was time to look ahead to 2014 and do what I am passionate about and that is travel.

A few years ago I started my bucket list and on there was to see the 7 wonders of the world.

In 2012 I visited India for the first time and the magnificent Taj Mahal was on the agenda. Now I am hell bent on ticking off the remaining 6 wonders.

Wonder No.1

Colourful elephants in Jaipur

Machu Pichu in Peru has always interested me especially after watching Karl Pilkington visit there in An Idiot Abroad. I have a few friends that have been and have said it really is a special place and next year I turn 30 eeeek and I really wanted to mark the occasion by doing something I can look back and go 'Wow I did that'.

I have travelled with G Adventures a few times now across SE Asia and India so they were the obvious choice for Peru. After spending hours doing research (geeky pleasure) I chose the Amazon to Andes  tour as it combined a mixture of the trek and jungle lodge mixed in with a few nights in Lima and Cuzco.

So that's it I booked it and I go on the 28th June. The next step is getting all the sensible clothes and shoes I will need for the trek. Which breaks my heart to spend money on sensible shoes rather than pretty ones. I am also travelling alone but the great thing about G Adventures is you get to meet lots of new and interesting people from all over the world - some single travellers and some with friends. But that's the beauty of it all, the fact you are thrown together with people from all over the world and in past experiences I haven't been with a bad crowd yet and the travel agent tells me I am booked on a tour with lots of Ozzies. Bonus!!

So here's a quick sneak peak of whats ahead of me.......