6 Reasons You’ll Want to Visit “Top Destination of the Year” Nashville

Perri O. Blumberg
Jan 18, 2016

Toying with the idea of a trip to Nashville? Get ready to stir up some serious wow:Nashvegas beckons, y’all. This southern beaut offers countless attractions, events and activities for every kind of traveler (and did we mention concerts?). Whether fashion, fabled landmarks or flirting at the bar with a southern drawl is your cuppa (sweet) tea, this city’s got it. Ready to call it quits for the night? Probably not, but from boutique hotels to an Airbnb that’s actually a sleek tour bus, this Tennessee gem doesn’t disappoint. Recently voted Travel + Leisure’s Reader’s Choice for Top Destination of the Year, here’s why you should grab your favorite boots and giddy on up!

1. The food will leave you vowing to pack your bags and sign a lease. This southern sweetheart isn’t just for hot chicken enthusiasts (though they’ve got a hot chicken shack with a James Beard under their belt!). From shared plates to backyard-to-table offerings, you’ll find endless tantalizing choices to fulfill your wildest culinary fantasies. Some new and noteworthy spots that are must-adds to your wish list: Le Sel, Butcher & Bee, 5th & Taylor, Fifty First Kitchen & Bar, Little Octopus and Biscuit Love. Brunchavores: Bring your A-game and an insatiable appetite for bloody marys with more accoutrements than an interior designer has throw pillows. (Photos via Biscuit Love)

2. The fashion will blow you away. They’re as fiercely proud of their clothing designers, handbag and shoe maestros and jewelry whizzes as they are their musicians — and with good reason. Nashville is home to a burgeoning group of creative class acts. Swing by Ceri Hoover for bags that will make you swoon, Two Son to put clothing addicts in a happiness coma and Judith Bright for bold, streamlined geometric jewelry that will make you feel hall-of-fame-ready. (Photo via Judith Bright)

3. Your (air) guitar will gently weep at the exorbitantly vibrant music scene. From multi-day festivals to curbside performances that will have you tweeting with certainty that you just met the next Ms. Swift (The city holds no grudges that the city’s darling moved to NYC. In fact, locals will proudly direct you to swing by the Taylor Swift Education Center on your visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame), there’s no shortage of incredible musical sounds to soak up in, well, Music City.

Don’t miss the city’s famed honky-tonks that offer the charm of your favorite gritty dive’s subtle anonymity muddled with Hart of Dixie Rammer Jammer’s small-town hominess. Spotting that special someone across the bar and penning your name in eyeliner on a salvaged napkin from your double-whiskey coke? That’s the kinda stuff dreams are made of in this playful, flirtatious town. (Photo via Getty)

4. There’s a slew of awesome festivals. For sure, Music City works hard, but it also gets that whole work-life balance thing and knows how to play equally hard. From undiscovered talent crushing it in basement music dens for Tin Pan South, a festival celebrating songwriters, to sold-out arenas, you don’t even have to be a country music fan to find a dizzying array of beats you can get behind. Also, did we mention this year’s Antiques and Garden Show will feature none other than Goop queen, Gwyneth Paltrow, herself? P.S. If you’re missing the CMA Music Festival, well, you’re doing it wrong. (Photo via Music City Food + Wine Festival)

5. They have their own “Brooklyn.” The real BK? Pfffft. So 2015. Nashville’s own hub of free-spirited, hipster, creative-dreamland? Game on for the new year. Enter: East Nashville. Stop by Bar Luca, which strikes the perfect balance of classy meets approachable for a happy hour libation (the charcuterie boards and cheese plates will lure you in for a second round) or mosey around the walkable neighborhood filled with tucked-away shopping gems and epicurean havens. From vintage jewelry and furniture to small-batch chocolate, with eclectic galleries, eco-friendly shopping and vegan-friendly restaurants also in the mix, that lease-hunting may just get pushed up higher on your to-do list. (Photo via Andrea Behrends for Bar Luca)

6. Because Sam Hunt. Yep, he’s enough of a reason. He has played free, ears-still-ringing-the-next-day street concerts here. Thanks to Nashville’s small town and friendly vibe, you don’t need Carrie Bradshaw-status luck to wind up bumping into him at a local bar after his gig and capping your night with a phone brimming with selfies of you and the football player turned music dreamboat. (Photo via Rick Diamond/Getty)

Share with us: What will be your first stop in Nashville? Tweet us @BritandCo!

Leighton Meester's Underrated 2010s Pop Music Is Trending Amid Devastating LA Fires

Amid the devastation of the LA fires, neighbors opening their homes to one another (like Hilary Duff housing Mandy Moore), internet users have found a new way to support people who have lost everything by streaming their old songs. When Heidi Montag's 2010 album Superficial hit #1 on iTunes, generating income for the popstar and her family, Gossip Girl fans called for another celebrity to get the same treatment: Leighton Meester (AKA Blair Waldorf) after she lost her home with husband Adam Brody.

Yep, in case you didn't know, Leighton Meester wasn't just an actress during her Gossip Girl days, she was also a singer! In addition to her role in Country Strong (which gave us the MASTERPIECE "Words I Couldn't Say"), Gossip Girl featured some of her music, like when the season 3 finale featured “Your Love's a Drug.”

Here's how fans are resurfacing Leighton Meester's old music right now!

Leighton Meester's fans include none other than Flavor Flav.

www.tiktok.com

Stream @LeightonMeester Somebody to Love and use the song in yo TikTok’s 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

Hip-hop artist Flavor Flav posted his support of Leighton Meester's "Somebody To Love" on TikTok on January 15. "Starting to hype up my girl Leighton Meester and help her family recover from the fire," he says in the onscreen text. And he's not the only one who loves her music, because fans started flooding his comments with their favorite songs.

"Good Girls Go Bad still goes triple platinum in my house annually," one user commented, while another added, "Stream Heartstrings by Leighton Meester too."

A third TikTok user ended up offering their own (phenomenal) idea when they said, "Can someone put together a LA fire playlist (philanthropy edition) so I can stream it all week?" Literally let's do it. I'm listening to the songs over and over anyway.

And the best part is that Rolling Stone reports that Heartstrings is now at 21 on iTunes!

Leighton Meester released some incredible music in the '00s and '10s.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Leighton Meester changed lives when she was a feature on Cobra Starship's "Good Girls Gone Bad" in July of 2009. This is quite literally one of the best pop songs of the decade — I never get tired of listening to it.

And she has some incredible features on her discography.

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- YouTube

Leighton Meester follows up "Good Girls Gone Bad" with a song alongside Robin Thicke in a very steamy music video that Gossip Girl would definitely be writing about.

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- YouTube

And in 2014, Leighton Meester released a full-length album called Heartstrings, which includes this title track. It's a little country, it's a little pop, and it's very addictive. It feels totally different than the Blair Waldorf vibe we'd come to associate Leighton with, and it's like a breath of fresh air.

Here's the full Heartstrings tracklist!

  1. Heartstrings
  2. Run Away
  3. Good for One Thing
  4. Sweet
  5. On My Side
  6. LA
  7. Dreaming
  8. Blue Afternoon
  9. Entitled

If you need me for the next few weeks, I'll be listening to all of Leighton Meester's music on repeat. Check out the latest news on Adam Brody & Leighton Meester's New TV Show Good Cop/Bad Cop.

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12 Home Decor Ideas I’m Stealing From This Earthy Santa Barbara Remodel

Treehouse aesthetic is not only a charming decor trend, but it also evokes a sense of nostalgia, whether you grew up with one or simply wished you had. Santa Barbara architect Dylan Henderson and designer Bailee Roberts have reimagined a 1960s hillside home into a stunning modern retreat inspired by the magic of treehouses. Perched among California’s iconic coastal oaks, this home embraces its natural surroundings, offering breathtaking views of the Santa Barbara harbor and the rolling mountains beyond. It’s the kind of place that inspires daydreaming — it's my ultimate someday escape.

Here are 12 home decor ideas I'm stealing from this modern treehouse retreat.

Gavin Cater

1. Exposed Wood Beams

This project was a full gut renovation, designed to blend with the natural landscape while bringing the homeowners' vision to life. The couple, both in their 60s, wanted a home that felt nestled in the oak canopies of the Honda Valley Preserve while making the most of the light and sweeping views.

Gavin Cater

From the moment you step inside, reclaimed beams in the entry foyer set the tone for the entire space. The clients envisioned a retreat that felt both elevated and deeply connected to nature — warm, inviting, and sophisticated.

Erin Feinblatt

2. Floor-to-Ceiling Windows

The team wanted to maximize the ocean and mountain views by increasing the roof height and fenestration on the Southern façade. They also introduced upper west-facing clerestory windows to welcome the warm afternoon light. The result? Sweeping ocean vistas that take center stage, while natural light floods in throughout the day.

Erin Feinblatt

3. Bi-Fold Doors

The design team rebuilt the existing 1960s home to feel like a "treehouse in the sky." The bi-fold doors opening onto the deck blur the line between indoors and out, extending the living space and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Gavin Cater

The windows from the living room and kitchen frame breathtaking 180-degree views overlooking the Santa Barbara Harbor and the Honda Valley Nature Preserve, making the transition between inside and nature feel almost invisible.

Gavin Cater

4. Cozy Yet Refined Furniture

The result is a warm, multi-layered sanctuary — an elevated treehouse retreat that blends with its natural surroundings while revealing a refined yet cozy charm. The open living floor plan features high ceilings, expansive glass, and a plaster fireplace too. "The furniture is a thoughtfully curated mix of heirloom vintage, design classics, and modern pieces, creating a cultivated aesthetic," says Bailee. She notes that the furniture includes selections from Cisco Home, The Citizenry, and boutique sources.

Gavin Cater

5. Shelfie Perfection

Balancing tradition and modernity, Bailee combined the couple’s beloved antiques and heirloom pieces with contemporary furnishings and carefully curated fixtures. This shelfie is a thoughtfully layered mix of books, pottery, antiques, and personal treasures — designed to be both visually striking and inherently soothing.

Gavin Cater

6. Fluted Island

Fluted kitchen islands are a hot trend right now and I love the architectural detail and modern aesthetic of the vertical battens of white oak on the island, complementing the white oak cabinetry and marble countertops.

Gavin Cater

Adding a gentle curve at the end of the kitchen island enhances both form and function — creating a more visually dynamic focal point while also maximizing space and flow.

Erin Feinblatt

7. Layered Lighting

"The lighting is a mix of designer and mainstream pieces, from the gorgeous Ravinhill fixture over the island to the Visual Comfort sconces in the living room and Rejuvenation in the guest bathroom," says Bailee. By combining different sources, layered lighting enhances the mood and versatility of a space, making any room feel more inviting and well-designed. Sconces here add warmth while the pendant chandelier above creates a statement while diffusing light beautifully.

Gavin Cater

8. Earthy Palette

Sunlight pours into the home, accentuating the rich woods, organic textures, and an earthy palette that enhances the seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Erin Feinblatt

9. Statement Artwork

Bedrooms were designed as private sanctuaries surrounded by trees. This vintage goose painting beautifully echoes the room’s palette while adding an almost whimsical energy. The expressive pose of the goose brings a sense of movement and charm, making it both a statement piece and a harmonious accent.

Erin Feinblatt

10. Floating Sink

Floating sinks are a game-changer for smaller bathrooms, creating the illusion of more space while maintaining a sleek, elegant look. Marble is also a hot trend we love for kitchens and baths.

Gavin Cater

11. Entertaining Deck

Outdoor living is essential, and this deck is the perfect extension of the Santa Barbara treehouse — designed for lounging, dining, and entertaining while embracing the beauty of the surroundings.

Gavin Cater

12. Modern Landscaping

Modern landscaping transforms the curb appeal by blending clean lines, native plants, and strategic lighting for a polished yet inviting look. Thoughtfully placed greenery, sculptural hardscaping, and layered textures create depth and dimension, while sustainable elements like drought-tolerant plants elevate the home's exterior.

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This Major 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)' Release Date Easter Egg's Been There The Whole Freaking Time

Taylor Swift has been teasing Reputation (Taylor's Version) for two years — or, at least, Swifties have been clowning over it for two years. When Tay showed up to the 2022 VMAs in a "Look What You Made Me Do"-inspired outfit, fans expected her to drop the first Rep (TV) single, but she announced Midnights instead. And history repeated itself at the 2024 Grammys, when Taylor showed up in black & white before announcing The Tortured Poets Department.

Even though some fans feel confused, NOT getting Reputation (Taylor's Version) in 2024 totally goes with the "2 re-recordings one year, 1 new album the next" pattern we've seen since 2021. But there's one huge Easter egg that's been pointing us to 2025 all along: it's the Year of the Snake.

Here's the one major Reputation (Taylor's Version) release date Easter egg that suggests Taylor Swift could drop it in 2025.

When is Reputation (Taylor's Version) coming out?

Let it be known we still don't have an official Reputation (Taylor's Version) release date yet, but after the "I Can See You" music video featured the number 2.16 (February 16), everyone eagerly awaited February 2024 with baited breath...only to receive nothing. But now I've turned my eyes to February 16, 2025 because DUH, releasing Reputation (TV) during the Year of the Snake (the icon associated with the entire 2.5-year era) makes more sense than anything.

"Some of us have been saying this since like 2022," one TikTok user jokes, while another rationalizes, "We had fearless, red in 2021 then speak now, 1989 in 2023 so reputation and debut in 2025."

The Year of the Snake officially kicks off January 29, meaning we could be in for a late-January announcement, but some fans think Taylor will announce the album on New Year's Day 2025 in honor of the closing track on the album. In my opinion, it makes total sense to get Reputation (TV) for the first half of the year, and to wrap up the re-recording era with Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version) for the second half of the year before transitioning to her new movie (and a potential TS12, of course).

Will there be a Reputation (Taylor's Version)?

Yes, we're getting a Reputation (Taylor's Version)! Taylor Swift announced she'd be re-recording all of the albums leading up to Lover after she was unable to buy the rights to her music. In addition to more modern versions of all our favorite Taylor Swift songs, she's also added brand new tunes (called "From the Vault" tracks) as bonus songs for each album. Tracks like "When Emma Falls In Love (Taylor's Version)", "Timeless (Taylor's Version)", and "Is It Over Now? (Taylor's Version)" quickly became fan favorites!

Reputation has always been my favorite Taylor Swift album, and I can't wait to see what kind of vault tracks we get. At its core, Rep is a love album that also address fear and hope, and Reputation (TV) is going to be the one re-recording you won't want to miss.

Check out All The Pics From Taylor Swift's Sweet Eras Tour Party for more!

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14 "Charming" Cottage-Inspired Kitchens You'll Wanna Bake Cookies In ASAP

Stark white kitchen cabinets have had their day as designers gravitate toward warmer, earthier tones. Embracing this welcome trend are cottage kitchens — the perfect antidote to the cold, ultra-modern spaces of our recent past. With vintage charm, natural textures, and a perfect blend of old and new, this style brings warmth and personality back into the heart of the home. Here’s how to embrace the cozy cottage aesthetic in your kitchen.

Check out 14 cozy cottage-inspired kitchen ideas below!

deVOL Kitchens

This elegant plate rack from deVOL Kitchens, paired with a charming kitchen skirt, enhances this cottage kitchen’s English storybook appeal. Embracing color in your cottage kitchen can be a bold yet breathtaking move too. Try Farrow & Ball Preference Red No.297, Benjamin Moore Classic Burgundy, or Clare Paint Vintage to get the look.

Airy Kitchens

Modern cottage kitchens are great at balancing light and dark, creating spaces that feel both cozy and fresh. In this example from Airy Kitchens, warm wood cabinets ground the space, while a classic checkerboard floor brightens it. William Morris-style wallpaper and a wood-framed window enhance the warm vibes of the row house kitchen.

Shoppe Amber Interiors

This cottage kitchen by Shoppe Amber Interiors had me at the scalloped banquette and red checkered floors. Stunning! Timeless cabinetry, cottage-style windows, and vintage-inspired sconces add to the overall cottage vibe. Here are more banquette ideas if you're into this cozy, inviting look.

Studio McGee

This Utahranch house designed by Studio McGee blends rich blue cabinetry, warm wood accents, and a sleek steel range hood for a perfect balance of modern and cottage charm. Adding to the character are exposed wood beams — a signature feature of modern cottage kitchens.

Market by Modern Nest

Vintage artwork is a must for bringing that coziness to the kitchen, while brass fixtures, handmade pottery, and rich wood cabinetry enhance the warm, lived-in feel of this kitchen from Market by Modern Nest.

deVOL Kitchen

I'm swooning over the rosewater-colored cabinets and Zellige antique tile in this deVOL Kitchen. It feels fresh and modern yet still very much cozy cottage.

Backsplash.com

Artisanal, handmade tile makes a statement in a cottage kitchen, adding to the earthy, rustic aesthetic.

Magnolia

Joanna Gaines created a cozy breakfast nookby pairing a light gray wood banquette with classic black-and-white checkered floors. The result? A quintessential cottage feel that's full of charm.

Zia Tile

Open shelving styled with your favorite vintage treasures, paired with moody hued cabinetry, make this white cement tile from Zia Tile look perfectly refreshing and refined.

Edward George London

Butcher block countertops, classic Shaker cabinetry (especially in this gorgeous olive-grey hue), and thoughtfully curated accessories — like wooden bowls and copper pots — are all essential elements of cozy, cottage style.

Edward George London

Pairing rustic brick or stone walls with elegant taupe cabinetry is a beautiful way to warm up your all-white kitchen, creating a space that feels both inviting and sophisticated. Try Farrow & Ball’s Joa White, a light and clean taupe, to get the look.

Shoppe Amber Interiors

Warm brown hues are a popular color trend for 2025, making them the perfect choice to bring depth, coziness, and timeless charm to your cottage kitchen. This wooden table is an excellent accent in that vein!

Chris & Julia x Loloi

What I love about this space, featuring a Chris & Julia x Loloi rug, is that there's so much to love: the plate rack and vintage backsplash, the cafe-style floor tile, the striped loveseat with yellow chairs. I adore this cottage look.

deVOL Kitchen

deVOL Kitchen does it again with a charming kitchen that feels sophisticated at the same time. Glass cabinets, marble tile, brass fixtures and a scalloped edge pendant are all markings of a modern cottage kitchen.

Have a passion for home decor? Check out our Home page and Pinterest page for more home decor inspiration!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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10 Vegan Costco Finds Snack Lovers Will Instantly Crave

Costco is truly vegan-friendly, and there are plenty of plant-based snacks to prove it. From protein-packed treats to crave-worthy sweets, these 10 vegan finds from Costco make snacking both easy and delicious. If you're on the hunt for more fun vegan snacks, you’re going to want to see these Costco gems – and keep ‘em stocked in your kitchen 24/7.

Scroll on for the 10 best vegan snacks Costco has to offer!

Costco

Simply Protein Crispy Bars

This variety pack of protein bars delivers 13 grams of protein per serving (score!), all in the tastiest flavors like peanut butter chocolate, lemon coconut, and dark chocolate almond.

Costco

Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars

Each one of these organic fruit bars boasts three layers of deliciousness, and they're made with all real ingredients! You'll have something different to snack on every day with the trio of fruity flavors included.

Costco

Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Minis

These tiny bites are essentially like a better-for-you version of Almond Joy, with a nugget of organic shredded coconut surrounded by a dark chocolate coating. Yum!

Costco

Orgain + Justin's Peanut Butter Protein Powder

You can easily use this peanut butter-flavored protein powder to give smoothies, yogurt bowls, baked goods, and so much more a nice vegan protein boost! There's 20 grams of protein in each serving to fill you up when you need it most.

Costco

Kiss My Keto Tropical Ring Gummies

These vegan (and keto!) gummy candies will most certainly satisfy your sweet tooth, all for less than 1 gram of sugar per serving! It's truly rare to find vegan gummies as good as these.

Costco

Gourmet Nut Power Up Trail Mix

These individually-packaged bags of trail mix make 'em the perfect grab-and-go snack for road trips, hikes, camping trips, and long days running errands. The pack comes with three different vegan medleys to suit your cravings!

Costco

Bobo's PB&Js Oat Sandwich Bars

These oat sandwich bars are addicting. They're like a portable version of your typical PB&J, which makes snack time unbelievably easy. This box from Costco comes prepped with two different flavors – strawberry and grape – so you can switch things up on the fly.

Costco

Skinny Pop Popcorn

You'll practically want to inhale this 100%-vegan popcorn. Luckily, being non-GMO and only 100 calories per bag, you can do so, guilt-free.

Costco

Red Delight Vegan Dark Chocolate Bars

Chocolate is good, but dark chocolate is even better! This 2-pack of vegan dark chocolate comes with 30 bite-size per pack – that's 60 snacktimes total!

Costco

Lenny & Larry's White Chocolate Macadamia The Complete Cookie

This delicious 12-pack of Lenny & Larry's Complete Cookies carries a whopping 16 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per cookie to satisfy your cravings for sweets.

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