Forecastle 2013

Since the weddings have wrapped up for the summer it was time for a music festival!  I went to Louisville this past weekend for Forecastle.  Last year I went for one day only and then to Bunbury for a day which is a festival the same weekend in Cincinnati.  This year I decided to stay for the whole Forecastle weekend.

Friday night. Kristen, Jenny, Lauren and I.

The first night we saw Big Boi (best show of the weekend?) and Houndmouth.

Morning after.

The next morning we went to Hillbilly Tea for brunch which was disappointing.
J and K left to head home for Bunbury but Lauren and I stayed. 
We walked to the Flea off Market to visit my friend, Katie at her Bourbon Built tent!  I bought a koozie that I used the rest of the weekend and got many compliments on. Spoiler alert!  I foresee many bourbon built gifts for friends and family this year.

Bourbon Built.

Katie and I. Twice in 1 month!

We poked around the market and I had the most amazing burger at Grind which totally made up for the bad brunch!  We also had the most delicious treats from Please & Thank You.

Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the second day.

Sidebar in NKY just closed but we found one on our walk to the festival!

Day two notable bands we saw were Dawes, Alabama Shakes and Jim James.  LOVED me some Alabama Shakes!

Lauren and I. Day 3.

The third and final day was a hot one!  But we checked out of our hotel and headed straight to the festival. 
We saw Tift Merritt, Bombino, The Wheeler Brothers, El-P & Killer Mike, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Forecastle Incident, Robert Plant presents the Sensational Space Shifters and the Avett Brothers.

I was most excited to see Robert Plant being the huge Zeppelin fan I am.  He didn't disappoint!  Unfortunately, a HUGE storm rolled through so he had to cut his set short.

My friend Paul is a member of Avett Brothers and he met Lauren and I early in the afternoon and caught most of the shows during the day with us. Other friends of mine were able to come down Sunday night for the Plant and Avett shows so we got a group photo with Paul. 

Justin and Brandon.
Myself, Grace, Natalie, Lauren and Paul.

A super bitchin' weekend for sure!  Next up, Phish in Chicago for three nights!  I can never get enough of fun summer music, don't you agree?

Let's play catch up!

Happy Holiday weekend!

Here's what I've been up to.

Weddings!  Predictable. I had three Saturdays in a row celebrating my friends' nuptials.
First up...  Kristen and Gerry!  Their wedding was in Lousiville so I made a weekend out of it.  The wedding was lovely and I was able to spend some time with the bride before I skipped out before supper to meet up with my friends Katie and Casey.  We went out to eat at Holy Grale and then for drinks afterwards at Flanagan's.  K & C were the best hostesses!  Hadn't seen them in a long time (years maybe?) so it was good to catch up.

 

There's a funny story about that cup...

Last weekend I celebrated Taylor and Garrett!  They eloped in New York City, Central Park, last month so this was just a fun reception.  It was at York St. Cafe (bonus!  I can walk there from my house!) and it was so nice!  This couple, they've got charisma and style.  DJ Buttonz played some fun music and we got pretty dancey.

The last of the three weddings is for my friends, Kiley and Noah, tomorrow evening.

Oh, but speaking of weddings!  I went to my friends Carly and Adam's engagement party and I was asked to be a bridesmaid!! I've attended many weddings but have only been in two so far (my sister's and Mara's).  Honestly, there are only a few friends left that I'd like to be a bridesmaid for.  Otherwise I'm happy to just attend the festivities.  But, Carly is definitely one of those few!  So excited for the upcoming year!

A new bike!  My previous bike got stolen when I moved into my new house.  So, I wanted to spend some money on a good bike since I love to ride around the city. Nothing serious, so I didn't need a 20 speed road bike but this Public 7 speed is perfect for the city.  And cute, to boot!  It took longer than expected to come in since I ordered it through a small bike shop here in Newport so they threw in a bell, flower vase and rack for me.  My favorite thing lately is to ride up to Washington Park for Bluegrass Thursdays or to Findlay Market on the weekends.

House parties!  Last weekend I had my co-workers over to celebrate the end of our fiscal year.  We had a good time and I made quite the spread...

Peach Shortbread with blueberry sauce, caprese skewers, ham & swiss and turkey & colby jack sandwiches, spinach and artichoke dip, vegetables with a wasabi goat cheese dip.

Lake weekend!  My friend Becca's family owns a nice home right on Lake Norris so she invited a few gals down for a weekend.  So, so nice!!  Their dock is right by the house so we hung out and swum around, took the boat out a few times, road jet skis.  Lake life is nice, I totally get the appeal.  I made these and they were a hit! 

Kelly, me, Leyla, Katie, Becca, Stacy.  Elle's fingers are in the picture!  A budding 4 year old photographer!

Becca's friend Stacy and her daughter Elle came up from Charlotte.  It was great to meet them and seriously, Elle was the best little gal ever!  Fun times.

Food!  It's been so rainy here lately that I've been spending some time in the kitchen.  I made the best lunch ever today!  My favorite blogger and my favorite cookbook never do me wrong.  Seriously, the tomato scallion shortcakes with whipped goat cheese was easily the best thing I've made in a while.

I don't think I'm allowed to post the recipe, so you'll have to buy the book.

Look!  The recipe I made is the cover photo.