BASICALLY BRIT

Food

Top Five Austin Happy Hours

August 27, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

There are few things I love more in life than a good happy hour. Luckily, some of the top restaurants in Austin love them too and offer some of the best food and drinks in town at a fraction of the price. From $5 martinis to 50 percent off on food and wine, I’m breaking down my five go to spots for happy hour in Austin.

1. Clark’s 2. Jeffrey’s 3. Buffalina Due 4. Neighborhood Sushi 5. Backspace

Clark’s

Taking the top spot on my list is Clark’s. We love going to Clark’s any day and any time so I especially love going when I can get a deal on my favorite food and drinks. Will and I love a good martini–Hendricks with a twist, straight up–so you can catch us here having a little tini time and enjoying the most delicious burger and fries in town for half-off!!

The Deal:

Monday-Friday: 3-5 p.m.

$5 Martinis, oyster shooters and draft beer, half off burgers and 50 cents off oysters.

Saturday and Sunday: 3-5 p.m.

Half off all bottles of wine.

2. Jeffrey’s

Jeffrey’s is not only probably the best restaurant in town (in my opinion), they also have one of the best happy hours. I love this happy hour because they change it each night so it isn’t just the same deal every day. As a wino, I live for their Sunday night deal, which is half-off ALL wines, because I get a chance to try some of the most beautiful wines in the world at a really accessible price point.

The Deal:

Monday: All night

25 percent off all items marked with a diamond and $2 off beverages.

Tuesday-Sunday: 5-6 p.m.

25 percent off all items marked with a diamond and $2 off beverages.

Sunday: All night

Half-off any bottle from the Jeffrey’s Cellar.

3. Buffalina Due

When we first moved to Austin last year, I fell in love with Buffalina and when they closed, I was devastated. Luckily, they have a second location in north Austin and I make Will go as often as possible! Is there anything better than half-off on a beautiful bottle of wine and a couple of pizzas? I think not. A must-try if you are in Austin!

The Deal:

Seven Days a Week: 4–5:30 p.m.

Half off all wines under $100, $5 house wine, $5 draft beer, half off all pizza

4. Neighborhood Sushi

Many Austinites will tell you to try Uchi while you’re in town, but my go-to spot for sushi is Neighborhood Sushi. I love their vegetable tempura and I think their sushi is the best in Austin. They also have the perfect location right on South Congress so once you’re done with happy hour, you can walk down the street to enjoy some of the live music Austin has to offer.

The Deal:

Monday-Friday: 4:30-6 p.m.

$10 beer and a sake, $2 off drinks, 25 percent off all food.

5. The Backspace

We love the Backspace! It is a hidden gem in downtown Austin that serves incredible pizza and wines (lots of other food and drinks too, these are just my faves.)

The Deal:

Tuesday-Saturday: 5-6:30 p.m.

Half-off antipasti and half-off beers and wines by the glass.

I hope you get a chance to try these spots out soon! What are your favorite happy hours in Austin?! Leave me a comment and let me know!

XO,

Brit

Style

Fall Style Crushes

August 26, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

Fall is almost here, my loves! Even though it is 100 degrees outside in Austin today, the promise of cooler weather, sweaters and boots is here. Although it has been hard for me to get in the mindset for fall, I’m sharing my crushes as we transition into this new season.

If my wardrobe on our trip to Kohler was any indication, I will be wearing these green pants all day, every day for the foreseeable future. They look amazing and are incredibly comfortable. I’ve paired it here with my favorite H&M sweater set from last season and my new shearling Birkenstocks.

Since the temperatures in Austin will be toasty through November at the earliest, I’m focusing mostly on dresses in darker tones of green, rust, black and blue as the seasons change. Swapping out sandals for tennis shoes and mules is also a great way to transition in a warmer climate.

I cannot wait to pair this dress with a great pair of tan boots this fall.

As promised, I will be styling my favorite shirt dress with tan boots this fall. I love this dress because you can use the buttons to make it a sexy look or leave it undone for a sophisticated casual look.

What colors and styles are you loving as we move from summer into fall? Leave me a comment and let me know!

XO,

Brit

Travel

The American Club and Chicago: A Weekend Travel Guide

August 23, 2021by Britni McAshan2 Comments

We just got back from the most relaxing and enjoyable trip to Chicago and to a little town called Destination Kohler, near, Sheboygan, Wisconsin…random, right? It totally was, but also completely amazing. My mom, Charlie and I tagged along with Will, my dad and their friends on their golf trip to Wisconsin and I am so glad we did.

Since we were barely in Chicago, this is by no means an all-encompassing guide to the city, rather just a quick taste of the town. My guide to Destination Kohler and Sheboygan is a bit more comprehensive.

Chicago:

Because we could all get nonstop flights into Chicago, we decided to start our trip and celebrate my mom’s birthday with 24 hours in Chicago. We stayed at the Fairmont Millennium Park, which was nice, but I didn’t love it and am not sure if I would stay there again.

Since we knew our time was limited, we hit the ground running as soon as we landed. We picked up a deep dish pizza from Giordano’s which was around the corner from our hotel and had a picnic lunch in Millennium Park (home of the infamous Bean). I know there is a heated debate about deep dish pizza in Chicago, but honestly, I will eat any pizza, any time so I was just happy to try one of the many famed establishments. Pro tip: order your pizza ahead of time online because they take about 50 minutes to cook.

Enjoying the Architecture River Cruise with my boy and a little Gin and Tonic.

Once we were done with our lunch, we walked from Millennium Park over to Navy Pier, where we boarded a boat for the Chicago Architecture River Cruise. This is my absolute FAVORITE thing to do in Chicago because I love being on the water, but I also love learning about the Chicago architecture. It is truly stunning and all of the boats have a bar so there is no better place to spend the afternoon in my mind.

We celebrated my mom’s birthday while we were in Chicago and had the most delicious meal at RPM Steak. We all loved the food and the service was incredible, but the music was really loud and the vibe was something like what I would have been into in my early 20s. I would highly recommend it and also suggest trying Bavette (and making reservations early!)

Destination Kohler:

The main part of our trip was spent in Destination Kohler–an idyllic town outside of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The area is well-known for its golf–Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run which each have multiple courses within them, and the Kohler Waters Spa.

Although the beginning of our trip was a bit stressful–we were staying at the Inn on Woodlake which at the time legitimately seemed like a frat house for golfers, and my mom, Charlie and I were getting a lot of unwanted attention, by the end of the trip, we were all raving about how we had the best time. My mom and I relaxed, went paddle boarding, did two days at the spa (if you’re getting a facial or a manicure, ask for Dawn–she is incredibly talented and a truly wonderful person), went shopping at Sweet Potato’s and the Woodlake Market (I live for a good grocery store) and we are already planning our return trip.

Where to Stay:

My husband booked our stay with a golf package so we could only stay at the American Club or the Inn on Woodlake. By the time we booked, the rooms at the American Club were fully booked. The next time we go, I definitely want to stay at the American Club rather than the Inn on Woodlake. If you’re not planning to book through a package and just want to explore Sheboygan, I would suggest the Fairfield Inn or the Grandstay hotel.

Activities:

I know we just barely scratched the surface in terms of activities, but my mom and I really enjoyed ourselves and didn’t want to over do it. Obviously the boys golfed so we took full advantage of the spa and the recreational activities at the Sports Core on Woodlake which included paddle boarding. I would also recommend stopping by Sweet Potato’s for some retail therapy. They have everything from Birkenstock’s to Vince and CBD oil–mom and I loved so many things there.

One of my favorite activities wasn’t exactly planned, but we kind of stumbled upon it. After our massages one day, mom and I were both craving just a really simple sandwich so we picked up Jersey Mike’s and then my mom had the brilliant idea to eat it by the lake. We discovered Deland Park which is a beautiful park right on Lake Michigan. Lots of green space and even beach access so we had a gorgeous lunch and Charlie loved running around.

Where to Eat:

The food really blew all of us away on this trip. I asked our group after to rank our meals and it was nearly impossible because we enjoyed each one so much. In my opinion, I guess I would have to say my favorite breakfast was the burrito at Whistling Straits and my favorite dinner was at Trattoria Stefano–the food was delicious and we had the best waiter. My mom and I loved grabbing coffee and snacks from the Woodlake Market and lunches at the Horse and Plow were so good! Our waitress there even showed me the most delicious trick–dipping sweet potato fries in honey–genius!

Truly the best trip! I am so thankful for the new memories made with my parents, Will, Charlie and our friends and I can’t wait to go back to Destination Kohler!

XO,

Brit

Style, Travel

Packing Guide for Chicago and Destination Kohler

August 12, 2021by Britni McAshan1 Comment

I can’t believe we are finally going on a vacation this summer! Because of our housing drama, we were forced to cancel all of our trips this summer except for one…of course it is a golf trip, but regardless, I am excited to travel and get out of the Texas heat for a few days.

This weekend we will be going to Chicago for one night and Destination Kohler for a few days so my husband, dad and a couple of their friends can have a Ryder Cup Style golf tournament with one another. Thankfully, my mom and sweet Charlie are coming on the trip too. We plan to do an architecture river cruise and dinner in Chicago and lots of spa time, walking and water activities while we are in Kohler.

Since the vibe of this trip is relaxation and fun dinners, I’m bringing mostly casual clothes with a few fun pieces for our dinners. I am also so excited to read my new book, Golden Girl, written by the “queen of beach reads” Elin Hilderbrand. Of course we will be on the shores of Lake Michigan, but that counts as a beach, right?

Stay tuned next week for my travel guide to Chicago and Destination Kohler!

XO,

Brit

Style

A Midsummer Date Night

July 30, 2021by Britni McAshan1 Comment

We have had wild few weeks here in Austin! After finding out our lease couldn’t be renewed on our current house, we decided to buy our first house. While the process was wild–have you heard about the real estate market in Austin?!–we finally found a house and are moving in this weekend. To celebrate, I wore my current favorite dress. I love this dress because you can easily wear it during the day with tennis shoes or turn it into a sexy look for the evening.

Celebrating closing on our first house!! I wore the dress loosely here without attaching any of the buttons and paired it with my favorite Vejas.

To transition this look from day to evening, simply swap the tennis shoes for heels, add some hoop earnings and a great clutch. by fastening the buttons on the front and back, this dress goes from casual and comfy to chic and sexy.

Gypsy Water Perfume, Blue Shirt Dress, Hoop Earrings, Tan Strappy Heels, Tan Clutch

From day to night, I have been living in this dress. While it is a little bit pricey, I believe it is worth the money. Not only is it machine washable, it is also incredibly versatile. In the fall I plan to pair it with tan knee-high boots…stay tuned for that!

XO,

Brit

Style

Loving Lavender

July 27, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

Hailey Bieber isn’t the only one loving lavender this summer! As one of the season’s hottest colors, it comes as no surprise that we are all loving the pastel tones of purple too. “Millennial purple,” as it has been dubbed by Hola! Is encompassing of the hues from lilac to lavender and has been a staple in my spring and summer wardrobes this year.

One of my favorite purple pieces has been this mini dress from English Factory because of its color and light-weight cotton fabric. The ruffle detailing on it is so beautiful and this dress also just got marked down to under $60! My only complaint about this dress is that it is a bit short. I am 5’8″ and it is shorter than most dresses I am comfortable in. This is a common theme for English Factory dresses…I just wish they would make a “tall” version or add about two inches to their dresses!

Midi Dress with Lavender and Sunflowers, Lilac Mini Dress, Lavender Crossbody Bag, Lavender Midi Dress, Lavender Birkenstocks, Duck Egg Pareo, Lavender Midi Dress, Lavender and Chamomile Spray,
Lilac Hunza G Swimsuit, Lavender Workout Tank, Lavender ON Sneakers, Lavender Biker Shorts,
Lavender Beach Cover Up

In the summertime, I am a sucker for dresses. Living in Texas, the heat can be overwhelming so having a light-weight dress is the most comfortable thing for me to wear. This beautiful wildflower dress is a must-have and is less than $50! I’m also loving this lavender midi dress from Sea. It would be perfect for church, brunch or a romantic date night.

I have worn this flowy maxi dress on repeat all summer! The subtle hints of lavender are beautiful and feminine which make it easy to dress up or down.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect swimsuit, mine has been this lavender Hunza G. one piece. You can pair it with this lovely printed pareo from Julia Armory or keep it monochromatic with this tunic coverup from Amazon.

My favorite swimsuit this season has been this lavender one piece from Hunza G.

Whether you’ve been loving lavender, green, white or blue, I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down the purple rabbit hole with me today! What has been your favorite color this summer?

XO,

Brit

Style

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021

July 13, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally here! It is one of my favorite sales of the year because instead of marking down items that are about to be out of season, the anniversary sale offers up to 40 percent off of new items for the season ahead of us. By working with top brands, Nordstrom is able to offer discounts on items that do not regularly go on sale.

I’m mostly excited to shop for beauty products during the Anniversary Sale because they are something I always need and beauty products do not normally go on sale. In addition to stocking up on beauty favorites, I also love to get a start on my holiday shopping–Barefoot Dreams blankets make the best gift and I love getting them on sale–I also like to get new workout clothes, accessories and maybe a new dress!

Burberry Sunglasses , Gold Hoop Earrings, Layered Necklace Set, Stud Earring Set, Tory Burch Striped Shoulder Bag, Michele Mixed-metal Watch, Rag & Bone Wide Brim Fedora, Monica Vinader Diamond Huggie Hoop Earrings, Poppy Finch Pearl Choker, Monica Vinader Green Onyx Ring (small), Monica Vinader Diamond Bracelet in Silver, Longchamp Expandable Tote in Navy, Slip Silk Hair Tie Set
Monica Vinader Green Onyx Ring (large)

Theory Grey Striped Hoodie, Polo Ralph Lauren Boxer Set, Peter Millar Polo in Blue, Tom Ford Square Sunglasses, Bonobos Slim Fit Plaid Button-Down, Grey Quarter-Zip Pullover, Allen Edmonds Leather Belt in Walnut, BOSS Dark Blue Wool Blazer, AG Slim Pants in Navy, Allen Edmonds Oxfords, AG Men’s Light Denim, Selected Homme Loose-fitting T-Shirt, Calvin Klein Boxer Brief Set, Driving Penny Loafers in Tan, Bonobos 7-Inch Shorts in Herbal Mist, Barbour Quilted Vest in Forest, Jack Black Deodorant Duo, ON Cloud Running Shoe in Black, Jumbo Jack Black Daily Facial Cleanser

Down Comforter, Pink Throw Pillows, White Linen Duvet Cover and Sham Set, Down Alternative Pillow, Percale Sheet Set, Floral Shower Curtain, Barefoot Dreams Blanket in Stone and Cream, 10-Piece Viking Cook Set, GREENPAN, Cheese Knives, Six-Piece Towel Set in White, Diptyque Candle Set,
Amalfi Coast Oranges, White Striped Shower Curtain, Le Labo Candle Set, Giraffe Bathrobe in Pink, Dyson Cordless Vacuum

Happy Shopping!!

XO,

Brit

Style

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Preview

July 6, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

It’s that time of year again! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is upon us! While today is just a preview, the actual shopping will begin later this month based on card status.

July 12: Early Access for cardmembers with Icon status.
July 14: Early Access for cardmembers with Ambassador status.
July 16: Early Access for cardmembers with Influencer status.
July 28: Anniversary Sale opens to the general public.

Barefoot Dreams Lounge Set, Giraffe Bathrobe in Pink, Supergoop Sunscreen Set, Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Lotion Pouch, Navy Blue Veronica Beard Dress, Rag & Bone Wide Brim Fedora, Little Giraffe Baby Blanket in Pink, Alo Sports Bra in Pink Lava, Alo Leggings in Pink Lava, Club Monaco Shirt Dress, Le Labo Candle Set, Adidas Ultraboost Sneakers, Spanx Faux Leather Leggings, Stud Earring Set, Barefoot Dreams Blanket in Stone and Cream, Classic Black Nordstrom Pajamas, PMD Facial Cleansing Brush in Pink

I have been shopping this sale since I was a child and I love stocking up on essentials during it. One thing I always look for during this sale is the Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Lotion Pouch. This is my favorite lotion and you will not find it priced lower or at a greater volume than at the Anniversary Sale. I also like to treat myself to a new dress, workout clothes and boots and shoes for Fall.

This is also a great time to stock up on gifts. I always get several sets of candles, pajamas, bathrobes and blankets because they make beautiful gifts and it is great to get them on sale.

What are you shopping for at the Anniversary sale?!

XO,

Brit

Party, Style

Fourth of July Styles for Every Kind of Celebration

June 27, 2021June 27, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

The Fourth of July is just one week away. To prepare for patriotic celebrations of all kinds, I’m sharing my favorite red, white and blue styles today. From the pool and the beach to a bbq or dinner with friends, I’ve got you covered.

Sparkling Stars Headband, Mer-Made in the USA Tee, Navy Blue Maxi Dress, Red Picnic Mini Dress, Blue and White Linen Sleeper Dress, Red Crop Top, Red Midi Skirt, Blue and White Midi Dress, White Linen Maxi Dress with Rose Embroidery, Straw Loewe Bag, Baby Blue Freedom Moses Sandals, White High-rise Denim, Red and White Embroidered Blouse, Red, White and Blue Golden Goose, White Swim Tunic, Red Swimsuit, Blue Bow Mules, White cut-out Midi Dress

I personally love wearing a beautiful dress for the fourth because not only are they incredibly cute, they are also great for a hot day. If you’re hitting the pool or the beach, order this red swimsuit and white tunic cover-up ASAP! They are currently on a major sale at J.Crew and with luck, you can have it by the fourth.

However you choose to celebrate this year, I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

XO,

Brit

Style

J.Crew End of Season Sale Takes an Additional 70 percent Off of Sale Styles

June 25, 2021July 2, 2021by Britni McAshanLeave a Comment

J.Crew is having a major sale this week! By using the code “BestSale” you can get up to an additional 70 percent off of sale styles that are perfect for summer. I stocked up on swimsuits and easy-breezy styles for the hot summer ahead of us.

I’m sure you all know this by now, but I LOVE J.crew. The clothes fit me perfectly and I think they are really well made. That being said, I never buy items there at full-price because they have sales all of the time. Also, if you’re a student like I am, or a teacher, you always get 15 percent off of your purchase so don’t forget to utilize that!

White Swim Tunic, Colorful Shell Bracelet Set, Blue Paisley Swimsuit, Lavender Scrunchie, Red Swimsuit, White Shirt Dress, Pink Wrap Espadrilles, Pink Embroidered Blouse, Cotton Dress, Wildflower T-Shirt, Lilac Boxer Shorts, Pink and White Striped Pajamas, Orange and Pink Wrap Blouse, Coral Cabana T-Shirt, Blue and White Lounge Pants, Blue and White Striped Wrap Blouse

Although it says “end of season sale” most of the clothes included are dresses, swimming suits and summer clothing so it is the perfect time to buy them.

Here are a few new items I’m loving from the sale this week:

Green Safari Shirt Cover-Up

Cotton Tunic Set for the Beach

Paisley Print Cotton-Linen Robe (would be a great gift if you are staying at a friend’s vacation house this summer!)

Red and Pink Freedom Moses Sandals (not the cutest pattern, but only $16!! Hottest sandal of the summer and retails for $45!)

Pink Shirt Dress

Striped Robe (Lake vibes, but for $100 less!)

Whether you’re looking for work clothes or fun clothes and swimsuits for this summer, you do not want to miss this sale that is running now through July 5th. Happy shopping, friends!

XO,

Brit