pumpkin breakfast casserole

Ingredients:

12 slices (about 1lb) brioche or challah bread - cubed into 1-inch cubes
8 medium eggs
1 ¼ cup whole milk
1 can (5-ounce) evaporated milk
1 can (15-ounce) pumpkin puree
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup (lightly packed) light brown sugar
1 tablespoon quality vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

CINNAMON SUGAR TOPPING
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Grease a 9x13-inch pan. Evenly layer in the bread cubes.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add in all the other ingredients and mix well.

Carefully pour the mixture over the bread cubes. Gently press the cubes into the pumpkin mixture as needed, so all the bread cubes are sitting in the liquid.

Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes, but preferably let the casserole sit in the refrigerator overnight.

In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Evenly sprinkle it over the casserole

When you are ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Bake the casserole in the middle oven rack for 45 - 55 minutes, until the middle of the casserole is set, and the top has browned. A toothpick inserted in the middle of the casserole should come out clean.

Enjoy!

Carmel apple mule

My house may be filled with faux leaves and pumpkins, but it sure isn’t sweater weather yet! And if you’re living in the south like me, it won’t be for a little while. So here’s a cool autumn inspired cocktail for us to sip on while we wait for the leaves to fall 🍁

Recipe:

Fill a copper mug with ice, then add:

2 oz caramel flavored vodka

2oz apple cider

the juice of half a lime

top with ginger beer

garnish with apple slices & cinnamon sticks

🍁 ENJOY! 🍂

Find my favorite mule mugs here!

Bachelorette & Girls Weekend Guide to Nashville

Are you visiting Nashville TN soon but don’t know where to start? There are so many things to do, but this list narrows it down to some of the best in the city. Use it as a guide to plan the ultimate Nash Bash!

#1 Decor

What better way to kick off the trip than having your Airbnb or hotel room completely decked out? It not only sets the tone for the weekend, but gets the party started!

Maybe you’re a disco cowgirl or celebrating your final fiesta? Coming in for a birthday or a “just because” girls weekend? I’ve got you covered! 

Want to have your accommodations decorated to the nines? Send me an email here and let’s get this party started!

#2 Happy Hour

Speaking of kicking off the weekend, I recommend a quick check in, dropping your bags and then heading straight to happy hour! Here are some excellent spots to check out when arriving on Thursday or Friday:

Saint Anejo (The Gulch) - Half price pitchers of Margs and buckets of beer from 4-6pm

VanDyke (East Nash)- 2 for 1 wines and $9 specialty cocktails all day

Von Elrod’s (Germantown)- big beer price for the small price 4pm-close

Zepplin Rooftop (Downtown)- $5 wine, $7 frozen cocktails, $3 draft beer, $2-8 snacks

Flatiron (Midtown)- $5 small bites, select beer & wine, plus rotating happy hour cocktail from 4-6pm

*Please check with individual bars and restaurants to ensure these deals are up to date

#3 Brunch

Happy hour will most likely lead you into your next destination and there’s a good chance you’ll end up on the main strip for the night, known as Broadway… so let’s talk about the next morning! These brunch spots are sure to snap you back into “go mode” after a night on the town:

Hampton Social- perhaps the most instagram worthy brunch destination there is! With its laid back coastal vibe and pink girly touches, there are endless opportunities for photos. Oh and the food is pretty awesome too!

The Ainsworth- if you’re looking for a brunch party, this is it! Rotating sets of Nashville’s best Dj’s on Saturdays and bottles are only $20 from 10am-4pm.
Earnest Bar & Hideaway- a refined tavern with an underground feel that serves unlimited mimosas. The poutine benedict is amazing!

#4 Group Activities

Rustler Hat Co. - what better way to remember your time in Nashville than with a custom hat? Create a hat that’s uniquely yours with various decor and even branding options! They have a private event room, perfect for a group outing. 

Link X Lou- Hats not your thing? Maybe jewelry is! Sign the group up to host a party where you’ll each receive permanently welded jewelry. 

Pinewood Social - classy cocktails and bowling? Yes please! Pinewood is a great spot for any group, with “lounge in the front, part in the back” type vibe. 

Bad Axe Throwing- get out some aggression and have a great time at Nashville’s only axe throwing venue. 
Pontoon Saloon- want to get out on the water? BYOB while cruisin down the river on a party pontoon!

#5 Not Broadway

Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good day of honky tonkin’ but sometimes you need a little break from the craziness. Here are some fun areas that’ll be a great time, but won’t be as crowded:

Rosemary & Beauty Queen (East Nash)- A colorful bar with a fun patio that’s deceptive from the outside. 

Sonny’s Patio Pub (Germantown)- a chill neighborhood spot with a great patio and fun lawn games

Superica (The Gulch)- tex-mex restaurant with killer queso and an awesome patio! 
The Listening Room (Sobro)- enjoy an evening of listening to local country music artists in this authentic venue. No two performances are the same and each show is truly a special experience that brings back a bit of “old nashville.”

#6 Rooftops

Nashville is now home to some of the best rooftop bars and these are top of my list:

White Limozeen- a shrine to the queen herself, Dolly Parton. This over-the-top pink palace sits atop the Graduate Hotel and is the ultimate backdrop for

L27 Rooftop Lounge- this chic rooftop lounge is perfect for grabbing drinks to start off the night. Pool access is only available to hotel guests at The Westin or you can rent a cabana for the day!

The Pool Club - need to cool down from the Tennessee heat? Rent a cabana and take a dip while still taking in the view of the Nashville skyline on top the Virgin Hotels. 

Bobby Hotel- one of the larger rooftops, The Bobby has an eclectic vibe and features a 1956 Scenicruiser! 
The Penthouse- if any place in Nashville appreciates holidays like I do, it’s The Penthouse at The Fairlane Hotel. They have the space decked out in a theme year round!

#7 Shopping

Is it really a girls weekend without a little retail therapy? I think not! Be sure to make a visit to these spots for cute boutiques and more photo opts!

12 South- You could truly make a day of it in this adorable neighborhood located 8 minutes from downtown. 12 South is home to several boutiques plus White’s Mercantile, Stoney Clover, Reese Withespoon’s Draper James, and the brand new LoveShackFancy store. 

Start by grabbing a coffee to fuel up at Frothy Monkey, grab some amazing bbq for lunch at Edley’s then end the day with a sweet treat from Jeni’s Ice Cream.

Photo Opps: “I Believe in Nashville” mural (next to Draper James), Amelia’s Flower truck, and the beautiful walls of LoveShackFancy. 

Hillsboro Village- located just blocks away on 8th ave, you’ll find even more cute shops! Some of my favorites in this area include The Impeccable Pig, Altar’d State, and Shop Molly Green.

L&L Market- located on the west side of town, this smaller indoor shopping mall features a ton of great “made in Nashville” products such as apparel, home decor, popcorn, and spices. 
Green Hills Mall- Need even more stores? Shop til you drop at this indoor mall. In the mood for an elevated lunch? The RH Cafe at Restoration Hardware is just the place!

#8 Dinner Spots

Twelve Thirty Club - when Justin Timberlake opens a restaurant, you know it’s going to be dapper AF. Velvet curtains, marble floors, and a big band stage all greet you in the swanky Supper Club. They offer a very shareable menu that’s great to enjoy family style, so everyone can try a bit of everything. Get the short rib pot stickers and thank me later.

Geist- a gorgeous brick-clad building with a moody vibe featuring a year-round champagne garden. 

Liberty Common- a southern comfort restaurant with a European twist. Stunning blue and gold decor inside plus a great patio outside! 

**Make your reservations far in advance, especially for large groups as many of the locations on this list book up quickly!

Hopefully this gives you lots of ideas of how to have the best time here in Music City. I’d love to make your trip extra special, please reach out if you are interested in a decor package: contact me

Watermelon Cookie Bars

Is there a more iconic summer fruit than watermelon? I think not! So I made a dessert just in it’s honor!

Using this recipe for gluten free cookie bars (you can also make them with regular flour), and frosting that I colored pink and green, I created pie slice shapes then decorated to look like watermelon slices.

I used a 9 inch round instead of a square like the recipe calls for. Prepare dough and bake according to recipe directions. Be sure to adjust for your oven- I ended up cooking mine for only 18 minutes.

Once out of the oven, let the giant cookie cool completely. Once cooled, cut into 6 pie slice shapes. With green frosting, decorate the crust of the cookie bar to resemble the rind of a watermelon. Frost the remaining slice with pink frosting. Lastly, top with chocolate chips to act as the watermelon’s “seeds".”

This recipe was really tasty! Crumbly on the outside but a little chew in the middle- I would definitely make it again. Let me know if you turn yours into watermelon slices too!

Thank you Shay from What The Fork for the great recipe!

Bachelorette Packages

Now offering Bachelorette decorating packages in Nashville!

Are you coming to Nashville to celebrate your bachelorette weekend? Nashville has become the ultimate bachelorette destination! With so many amazing things to do, it’s easy to see why! Plus who wouldn’t want to strut around in cute boots all weekend?

Whether you’re having your last rodeo, final fling, or you found your “same cowboy for life,” I want to make your weekend extra special!

I can decorate your group’s accommodations (hotel or Airbnb) and have everything ready to go when you arrive. Want to plan a surprise setup for the bride? You are the ultimate friend and we can totally keep it our little secret.

See the gallery above for some inspiration. Not into pink or a western theme? No problem! Let’s create the perfect theme and color scheme that best fits the bride-to-be!

Please send all inquiries to chelsea@eventfullychelsea.com or fill out my contact form!