Experiences – 242Blqrze

PANDORA: Petals & Pumps Party

May 25, 2017May 25, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Lifestyle

Hello Beautiful,

PANDORA is one of my favorite jewelry brands. Its always one of my easiest gifts to give and most desired gifts to receive.

I’ve been collecting and purchasing PANDORA jewelry pieces since 2009, with my first piece being the Moments Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet with a Barrel Clasp. It was a gift from my best friend. Since then I’ve gotten a pink leather bracelet, a pearl ring, the PANDORA Charm Necklace and lots of charms for my bracelets.

I love to give PANDORA charms as gifts on special occasions, and they have something for every occasion! When I turned 21, I bought my mom the little girl charm and gifted it to her with a note saying, “21 years ago today, You had a little girl, and she was Me.” She has since bought a little boy charm as well, to signify my brother.

My PANDORA charms tell stories of one of my best friend’s and I obsession over cupcakes, stories of travel, a reminder that I am a Black Rose, and love, love, love!

So when the PANDORA boutique located on Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas invited me to their Petal & Pumps themed mixer to celebrate the store turning 2 years in business, and the release of the PANDORA Rose Iconic Set, I was there… no questions asked!

The event was everything PANDORA. It was stylish, classy and pink!

There were pink peonies, pink balloons, pink champagne flutes and get this… a PINK carpet! Not the red carpet honey… the PINK carpet!

The crowd rocked to the sound of DJ Safire as she mixed Hip-Hop, Pop, and Soca’s recent hits.

I was excited to be there as I mixed with loyal Pandora customers, lovely Pandora staff and 4 of the Caribbean’s top Bloggers… all hailing from the Bahamas, and all looking as stylish as ever!

The little boutique was packed, so after a few excuse Me, excuse Me, I’m sorry… excuse Me’s, I made it to one of the stores sweetest sales reps. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t get her name but she had a pleasant smile and was very helpful. She showed me thumb rings, earrings, necklaces and made sure I entered my name in the raffle drawing. I didn’t win the raffle but I already felt like a winner just being there.

Although I was enjoying the party, I couldn’t pass up the chance to meet the lady behind the magic, owner of the Pandora Bay Street Boutique, Nirvana DeWeever. She told Me how the event was really a “welcome and thank you” to their customers ‘who’ve made them a success’ for the past 2 years.

I asked her about the theme of the party, why was it called “Petals & Pumps”? “We’re coming out with a new pump stiletto charm with the red bottom”, DeWeever explained, “coming out this Summer” she continued, “and also we’re celebrating the new Rose Gold Collection and the [Rose] Iconic Bracelet.”

Lastly, I asked Nirvana to help me decide on which Pandora earrings to get. I have no Pandora earrings and I was undecided whether I should get some classic, everyday wear earrings or… get the Shimmering Rose Stud Earring, which I really love and I think represents my BlqRze (Black Rose) brand. Nirvana suggested I get the Rose Earring or some Rose Gold earrings. “I think you should do Rose” she said, “Rose [Gold] is big for the Summer and Roses are what’s trending.” My heart smiled… Rzes, we are trending!

Nirvana told me not to move, because she had a gift for me, but in the interim I lost the sales representative who was assisting me. Mrs. DeWeever came back with a small PANDORA bag (the one that always excites me) and I thanked her for my gift, my invitation to the event and for answering my questions.

The party wasn’t over yet. I ate the delicious Hors d’oeuvres that were floating around by a server, munched on the best tasting Macaroons I’ve ever had, sipped some more bubbly and had a little girl chat with fellow Bahamian blogger, Aneka, of Cay to Style about our outfits and false eyelashes.

By this time I had totally forgotten to get my Shimmering Rose earrings, but I guess some traditions aren’t meant to be broken. Most, if not all, of my Pandora pieces were gifts and I will simply add that to my wishlist. I bet you I’ll have them by June 1st *winks* and until then PANDORA Bay Street gave me the cutest encrusted stiletto charm to keep me satisfied.

Overall, the event was a hit! It was definitely in line with PANDORA’s ‘DO’ global campaign, that celebrates strong, passionate women like Nirvana, the other Bloggers, You and I, and to empower us to do what we feel is our purpose with confidence and unique style.

I truly enjoyed myself, and I look forward to the PANDORA Bay Street location turning 3!

See more pics from the PANDORA “Petals & Pumps” party below:

Lunch at the Captain’s Table

May 18, 2017May 18, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Blq Bite's, FOOD, Lifestyle

Hello Beautiful.

Some restaurants are “Best Kept Secrets” in the 242! One such secret is the Captain’s Table in Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas.

I’ve only just learned about Captain’s Table after being asked about it by tourist visiting Nassau earlier this year. I didn’t know about it, and I don’t like not knowing about places that has food and can possibly be a lot of fun! Right then I added Captain’s Table to my list of places to try out.

I visited last week, and here’s how it went…

You have to make reservations for the restaurant if you’re not a guest or member staying in Lyford Cay. So I made reservations for my party and I.

When we arrived, we had to notify security at the Lyford Cay gates of our reservations which they had to confirm before allowing us access.

Once through the gates, we drove towards the Marina, parked and headed into the restaurant. We had the option of sitting wherever we chose, so we decided on an indoor window seat (you can sit outside as well).

Captain’s Table, as the name suggest, has a nautical theme and decor. Black & white pictures of boats adorn the walls, small glass and iron lantern centre pieces are on the tables and striped cushions and pillows complete the couch. Captain’s Table also overlooks the Lyford Cay marina, pleasing its customers with a beautiful view of blue skies, Bahamian waters and boats.

Like most restaurants the Captain’s Table menu changes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, therefore I can only speak on their lunch menu because that’s the time I went.

The lunch menu was casual with sandwiches, salads and a few tapas style options. My friends and I ordered the Teriyaki Steak w. Stir Fry Vegetables, Coconut Shrimp, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Classic Cheeseburger and 2 Orders of Fries.

The Teriyaki Steak was cut up into chucks and served on a bed of stir fry vegetables. This was the first time I ever tasted steak prepared differently than the usual fried or grilled. The teriyaki sauce gave the steak a sweeter taste than I would prefer but the steak was undeniably tender, just the way I like it!

One thing I learned about Captain’s Table is that the new owners Mr. & Mrs. Goodfellow were farmers turned restaurant owners and have been feeding people in Nassau the healthy way for about 14 year nows. This explains the hearty serving of vegetables with their meats.

Next on our little menu was the Fried Chicken Sandwich served with fries. It was a chicken breast fried crispy golden and served between two white bread toast along with lettuce and tomatoes. It also had a drizzle of melted White American cheese on the chicken.

I then noticed that the dishes lacked what we sum up in Bahamian dialect as “salt”. The dishes weren’t overly seasoned. They almost tasted as if they were not seasoned at all, just “fresh” or very healthy. I like my meals seasoned so I can savor the flavour.

So I moved onto the Coconut Shrimp, expecting the same “fresh” taste, but I was in for a pleasant surprise!

It was about 8-10 jumbo shrimps covered in a coconut batter fried to perfection and well seasoned. The shrimps were served on a salad and with a cold tomato salas dip on the side. I was so taken aback by the tastiness of the shrimps, I was down two 3 when I decided to try them with the salsa dip and it was even better! Yum!

I really wanted a cheeseburger. Like all week I wanted a cheeseburger! But I reasoned, “why would I come to a nice spot like Captain’s Table to have a burger?” In the end, my craving won over my logic and I ordered a cheeseburger.

There’s not a lot I can say about a cheeseburger that you probably don’t know (everyone’s had a cheeseburger before lol). However their burger patty tasted like 100% Beef, served with American cheese and fresh lettuce & tomatoes on a Brioche bun. Once I added my condiments it hit the spot with deliciousness!

Out of all the dishes we tried that day, the Shrimp was my personal favourite! It was seasoned well, the portions were filling and it still offered a healthy kick being served on a bed of salad. If you go to visit I suggest you definitely try the Coconut Shrimp and another option of your choice.

All of our menu choices averaged about $20 each, with the Chicken Sandwich being a little less and the Shrimp being a little more. The bill came up to $109.00, which isn’t bad for all this food, $4 drinks + VAT.

Because of where the Captain’s Table is located (Lyford Cay – A prestigious gated community) you would want to dress well in a nice summer dress or pants set with heels, wedges, or cute flats not jeans, cut off short and flip flops.

Overall, I had a nice time at Captain’s Table. I would like to visit again for Dinner just to try something new on the menu.

See more pics from my lunch at Captain’s Table below:

Xo,

Conesha

Blq, Bahamian & BIGGITY!

May 11, 2017May 11, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Blq Bite's, FOOD, Lifestyle

Hello Beautiful…

Are you Biggity?

Biggity, pronounced Big-git-ty, is a Bahamian colloquialism used to describe a person (or their actions) who is bold, egotistical and presumptuous.

So that term would be the perfect description of Pepper Sauce when describing food – just Biggity! That’s how this Bahamian owned merchant boutique and bistro got its name.

Biggity, the boutique, is well-known in the Bahamas for its home-made candles named after Bahamian culture, however, I didn’t have a chance to patronise them until they expanded into a bistro. Maybe I love my Belly, more than my Nose.

I visited the “NEW” Biggity Boutique & Bistro that is now located on Bay Street, above the Pandora boutique. Once you’re standing facing Pandora, look to your right, then look up, and THERE! You’ll see the Biggity sign. Then look left and you’ll see the stairs leading you to an AUTHENTIC Bahamian experience.

When you step into Biggity, the rustic, recycled decor will capture you first. After you’ve caught yourself, you’ll begin analysing the art work on the wall.

The staff then snaps you out of your gaze with a pleasant smile and menu. Its time to order… let’s eat!

Luckily for me, the day I went, I met the owner – Amanda. A Nassau native with the sweetest personality and a creative mind indigenous to Bahamians.

She suggested I tried their soup and salads. So I did.

As I waited, I further analysed the furniture and interior design of Biggity. Glass bottles and wash tubs used for lamp shades, wood pallets used for wall covering, an old electric wire reel used for a stand and as Amanda later admitted, the tables were old doors painted and stained.

The food started coming out one by one and the aroma of the soup and visual presentation was sure to make you hungry.

Biggity’s menu changes every week, with only two items remaining the same: the Spinach Artichoke Dip and the Biggity Signature Dip. Their paper menu is broken down into 3 sections: Dips n’ Ting, Salads and Somethin’ Solid.

The salads and somethin’ solid section changes weekly for several reasons. One, Biggity only uses local farm grown greens. They work with two of Nassau’s organic farming distributors – Bamsi & Field to Fork, therefore their salads and somethin’ solids are based on what is abundant in the farms at the time. Whatever is abundant, they create a menu based around that.

The day I went, the somethings solid option was the Split Peas Soup and the salad options were Tropical Cracked Conch, Nuts and Berries & BLT. I had one of each.

The soup was flavourful. The rich colour and aroma enticed your tastebuds and the ham in it was tender.

The salads are served with 3 dressings: Mango & Coconut, Balsamic Vinaigrette and Buttermilk Ranch and you have the option of adding Organic Abaco Chicken Breast or Wild Smoked Salmon (raw) to your salads. However, I didn’t.

The salads confirmed the fact that they’re made from organic vegetables and fruits because they tastes so fresh and crisp.

Out of the three salads, the Nuts and Berries were my favourite. Its made with walnuts, dried cranberries, grapes, golden raisins, blue cheese and local grown greens. The mesh of the blue cheese and berries has an exquisite taste. Next time I think I’ll try it with the Abaco Chicken added.

The food was so good, I had to ask about the chef. Surprisingly to me it was Amanda herself! Talk about a #Girl Boss! She made the candles, had a hand in the decor of the new Bistro and she’s the chef too!

She admitted cooking was not something she envisioned for herself at the onset of Biggity. The candles were inspired by her sister, who lived abroad and was missing home. She told Amanda in conversation, that she wished she could’ve “smelled” the sky juice Amanda had made that day and then a light bulb went off in Amanda’s head! That’s how the Biggity candles were born.

About a year later, Amanda and team decided to expand the business, change location and add a Bistro. But not just any Bistro. A real authentic Bahamian owned, inspired and supplied Bistro, to give locals and tourist a true taste of the Bahamas.

As I sipped on a freshly made Iced Green & Mint Tea, Amanda listed all the ways Biggity was truly Bahamian. “I don’t drink juice or soda, [and] we don’t serve that here”, she started, “literally the food is local grown, the chicken comes from Abaco, obviously we don’t produce Salmon, but its wild caught Salmon; its not farm raised Salmon”. She went on to say that they do their research to ensure that whatever items they use that are not made locally in the Bahamas are not genetically modified, they’re eco-friendly and health conscious.

Also, they sell other authentic products made by other Bahamians. For instance, they don’t offer Lipton teas, they sell Bahamian made bush teas that are packaged. They don’t sell imported jam, they sell Bahamian made jam from fruits like guava.

I sipped slowly on my Iced Tea that was served in a little mason jar. It was divine, and very refreshing on such a hot day. Biggity also serves freshly squeezed Switcha (Bahamian Lemonade) and fresh Coconut water. Not the ones imported in a can but water, from the coconut, picked from the tree.

Before leaving I asked Amanda about the art work on the walls. “All Bahamian Artists” she boasted proudly, and went in depth about these two 5′ pieces by Jordana Kelly of Kelly’s sister. They’re a must see and hard to miss once you step foot in Biggity.

I can go on and on about my hour or so at Biggity. I left full, inspired and proud to be Bahamian. The food was delicious, and so were the drinks! The customer service was warm and friendly. The decor and artwork was captivating and inviting, both at once. The price point is affordable with $15 dips, $12 soups & salads and $4 handmade drinks.

Biggity is a great place to have a one-on-one meeting, or a lunch break with a friend. Its even more perfect for someone visiting Nassau, Bahamas for the first, second or third time.

I enjoyed my lunch at Biggity, and now that they’re serving Hot Bahamian breakfast with a cup of coffee… I will be back! Biggity is opened from 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Saturday. So I hope to see you when I return, either for Breakfast or Brunch.

See more pics from my lunch at Biggity below:

Xo,

Conesha

Pretty in PINK Octopus

May 4, 2017May 4, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Blq Bite's, FOOD, Lifestyle

Hello Beautiful!

I’ve finally made it!

About a month or two ago, I saw an ad or promotion for one of Nassau’s newest restaurants on Instagram, and with an uncommon name like Pink Octopus, I was immediately intrigued.

I’ve been wanting to go for weeks, and I finally made it last week Tuesday.

Pink Octopus is located on West Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas. So it’s tucked away in this quaint but modern space (formerly Mojos), away from the traffic of Nassau. The space has ample parking, but that may soon change as the restaurant becomes more popular.

My cousin and friend accompanied me for lunch that day, and I would advise you to take 2/3 people with you when you go as well. The food servings are small. So the best idea would be for everyone to order multiple options off of the menu and sample each others meals. Thats what we did!

My cousin ordered the Fried Grouper Tacos with a side order of Asparagus.

My friend ordered the Roasted Chicken that is served on a bed of roasted Potato wedges.

I ordered the the Spicy Shrimp with a side order of Fried Cauliflower.

The presentation of the food is just as intriguing as the name. The food is served with lots of greens and vegetables, which is just as appealing to the eyes as it is the tongue palates.

If you’re not big on vegetables, don’t fear! You hardly taste the icky stuff, just delicious kicks to the meal.

Out of everything we ordered the Spicy Shrimp & Asparagus was our favourites. So I suggest you try those when you visit.

Now, apart from a unique brunch, lunch and dinner menu… Pink Octopus has an AMAZING cocktail menu! I’m not even a cocktail connoisseur, but I know a good drink when I taste one, or two or three (covers face).

To get our party of 3 started the bartender mixed us a shot called the “Pink Lemon Drop”. It was served in a shot glass, with sugar around the rim and a lime on top. Yes, of course, it was coloured pink!

It wasn’t as strong as most shots, and I was able to handle it. I like that shot, and will be ordering another round when I go back!

Personally, I ordered the Blood Orange Margarita. I heard the Mr. Pink is their popular drink, so I opted to go with the minority, and I wasn’t disappointed. Mixed with a muddled Blood Orange, Dry Curacao, Tequila and garnished with a slice of an actual Blood Orange, the margarita wasn’t too strong but it gave you a nice buzz.

I notice the restaurant didn’t have loud, overbearing music and it was quiet enough for us to have a good conversation with out everyone hearing our business. Thats a plus for me because I enjoy intimate conversations when I’m out to eat.

We had a small complaint, but nothing to keep me away from referring Pink Octopus or going back. Also, I’m not sure if the manager thought it was My birthday (I was Pretty in Pink like it was My Birthday) or if it was his way of apologizing but he sent out a complimentary Dulce de Leche Flan covered in toasted Sesame Seeds with a Happy Birthday candle (I haven’t seen one of them in years lol) and had the bartender, Alan, sing Happy Birthday to me.

Listen… Alan’s voice was enough to make up for any wrong! It wasn’t my birthday but I felt like it was. If you’re planning on celebrating anything special at Pink Octopus, make sure Alan is there to serenade you in the moment.

Back to the Flan! I’m glad the manager chose the Flan to send out to us, because it isn’t something I would usually order, but it was surprisingly good and the seeds give it a distinct taste at the end.

The surprises didn’t stop there! We got another round of shots. This time, Chocalate Cake shots and I’m not sure what all was in the mix but I tasted Bailey’s for sure.

Lastly, I orded a slice of Orange Cake. It was beautifully served on top of smeared yogurt and almonds, and covered with chunks of orange pulp. The cake was moist and delicious.

Pink Octopus menu is made to order, so you will have a little wait on your meals. When we went, our meals came fast because the restaurant wasn’t crowded, but keep this in mind if you go on a busy day or night.

The price range varies depending on what you order, but it’s pretty affordable especially if you’re splitting the bill.

Our bill came up to $124.96 cents including tax. We asked them to split the total in three and each paid about $42. This is another great tip when dining out with friends, share the food and split the bill evenly.

Overall I enjoyed my first time at Pink Octopus. From the decor to the decadence of the food & cocktails. The staff was inviting and very knowledgeable about the menu. Don’t be afraid to ask your waitress what she suggest, if you’re not sure what to try. Lastly the price point was on point. I didn’t feel like I broke the bank to enjoy an exquisitely different menu from the typical Bahamian culture, and be serenaded as well.

I will visit Pink Octopus again… hopefully sooner than later! And I hope I see you there so we can sip on a Mr. Pink while taking an Usie!

See more pics from my lunch at Pink Octopus below.

Xo,

Conesha

5 Ways to Travel Smarter, Not HARDER!

April 17, 2017August 18, 2020 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Lifestyle, More, Travel, Travel

Hello Beautiful,

I’ve recently traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and that trip inspired me in so many ways! By the time that this post is up, You would’ve heard all about My trip to Nashville already.

And if you haven’t… head over to my “Nassau Gal in Nashville” blog post, where I go more in-depth about my time in Nashville. However in this post, I wanted to give you 5 tips on how to travel smarter!

I’ve been traveling for most of my life, but now that I’m an adult, I’m finding more and more ways to save money and be more productive on my trips. These tips are for anyone because EVERYONE travels!

So let’s get started…

Tip 1: Long Layovers or Delays?… Read!

During my travels to Nashville, I took a plane from Nassau, Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida first, then a plane from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nashville Tennessee.

The wait between Fort Lauderdale and Nashville was about 3 hours long. Normally, I would just connect to the airport WiFi and scroll the ‘gram, but this time my friend encouraged Me to purchase some reading material for the wait.

Smart Idea! As there was a magazine stand ahead, and I’ve been meaning to purchase some new fashion magazines anyway!

Occupying your mind during a long or unexpected wait also saves you from spending money in the airport’s overpriced restaurants and souvenir shops.

Tip 2: Let Your Hotel Save You Money!

Did you know your Hotel could save you money on Food and Transportation?

I’m picky when it comes to where I lay my head. That use to override the cost for me all the time! I would want to stay in an expensive hotel, just because the Lobby was pretty. Yet, I still had to pay a lot per night with nothing extra except housekeeping.

On this trip I thought SMART! Instead of staying in a super stylish hotel, I opted for an Embassy Suite. And here’s why…

A. It offered Airport Shuttle, which was a FREE ride to and from the hotel along with a FREE ride anywhere within 3 miles of the Hotel.

B. It had complimentary made-to-order American style breakfast every morning and a complimentary cocktail hour in the afternoon.

That means I saved money on transportation to and from the airport. I saved on one meal every day, and believe me it was delicious!! And I saved on drinks. Who doesn’t like a free “turn up?”

Tip 3: Lyft Less!

Lyft seems to be the new transportation craze, and I must admit it’s pretty awesome.

During the Nashville trip, my friend and I used a Lyft account. At first it started out effective cost wise and time wise, but soon it started to get expensive even though we were splitting the cost.

Believe me boo, $11.00, 2 – 3 times per day can add up!

Then it hit me, we were Lyfting wrong!

We were so excited to see Nashville, we were like we’ll go here and Lyft. Go there and Lyft. Come back and Lyft again.

However, the smart thing would’ve been to make a list of all the places we wanted to go to in a close proximity and average out the time we would spend there.

Then take one Lyft to that area. Once there, walk to different locations and maximize the time there.

Then, take a Lyft back tot he hotel.

4. Split & Share… Smart Idea!

Traveling with some can be fun! Especially a fun-loving friend or a funny family member!

The second best part about travelling with some else, is you get to experience more stuff for the price of one!

My friend and I split and shared cost from the hotel room, to the Lyft rides, to food.

One of the best ways to do this is with Food.

Chose a restaurant, you’d both like to try or one that, one of you have never tried before.

You select one thing off the menu and your friend select another.

Then ask for an additional plate, and split the food.

Enjoy your meal, then split the bill!

That way, you’ve both just had two dishes for the price of one meal.

5. Smile and ask Questions!

My plane ride from Nassau to Nashville wasn’t a connecting flight, but it was two separately booked flights. One from Nassau to Lauderdale, and one from Lauderdale to Nashville.

Because they were two separately booked flights, ideally I would have to claim my bags twice (once in Lauderdale and once in Nashville). However, the smartest move my friend and I could’ve made on this trip was to ask the airline rep to check us all the way through. After all we were using the same airline.

A smile and a question saved me $50 dollars in checked in luggage and the hassle of having to go to baggage claim in one state to check in again for another!

A question and a smile also saved us money in transportation one day! Instead of paying $11+ with Lyft, we got a free bus ride to Nashville bus station and directions on a $2 bus ride to our next attraction.

I’m telling you… a smile and a question can save you on much more than you think!

So there you have it! 5 ways to Travel Smarter.

Spring Break is here, Summer is about to make a comeback and that means more time to travel at your leisure!

So if you’re thinking about taking a trip, remember these 5 tips.

Safe and Smart Travels, Beautiful.

Xo.

Conesha

Nassau Gal in Nashville!

April 6, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Lifestyle, More, Travel

Hello Beautiful!

If You’re reading this, it means I made it back home safely from my trip to Nashville, Tennessee, USA and I have lots to tell you!

So let’s get started…

I visited Nashville, Tennessee for the first time last month for 4 days and 3 nights. The primary reason for my trip was to attend one of my friends’ and high school classmate’s wedding.

My excitement mostly came from me knowing I was going to visit a new state for the first time. I love first times!

Once I got to Nashville I quickly found out one of the reasons they called it music city. There was a gentleman in the airport Lobby, singing and playing guitar. I knew right then Nashville had character and I loved it!

Shortly after, I hopped into my airport shuttle and headed to my home, away from home for the next 4 days. I stayed at the Embassy Suites Nashville Airport – affordable, lots of perks, and good reviews!

There are a few hotels close by the airport in Nashville. If you’re thinking of visiting Nashville, I suggest you stay in one, as most offer free transportation to and from the airport and daily complimentary breakfast. That was two of the main reasons why I stayed at the Embassy Suites.

One thing I’ll say about staying in the Embassy Suites Nashville Airport hotel, the higher up the room, the better the view but the lower the floor, the better the wi-fi.

After I got all checked in and dropped off my luggage it was time to LYFT to the Mall. Comment below if you use LYFT in the USA. I want to hear about your experiences with the service.

It was another first for me using LYFT and I liked it a lot.

Nashville has a mall called Opry Mills, similar to the Sawgrass Mills in Broward and Franklin Mills in Philadelphia. I didn’t spend much time in the mall as this wasn’t a shopping trip but I would love to go back when I return again.

Later that night my friend and I went to UP, Rooftop Lounge. It’s a chic little spot that offers a nighttime view of Downtown Nashville, and an angle of the Nashville skyline which is so beautiful in the night.

I ordered a fruity Sangria with red wine, and some Nashville Hot Chicken tacos with ranch dressing. The waiter raved that their tacos were rated #3 in the city of Nashville, and I quickly tasted why! They were very spicy, filling and delicious.

The next day was my friend’s wedding, and even though it rained hard in Nashville that day, it was a beautiful ceremony and reception! It was held at this cabin style auditorium that was different from anything I’ve ever seen in the islands. As if the actual auditorium wasn’t handsome enough and the location in the woods such a beauty, you should’ve seen the bride and groom and their bridal party! So beautiful, so stylish!

The night ended with a peach spritzer, lots of dancing and a dead cellphone. Hence why, I don’t have a lot of pictures of the fun.

Now, we’re on the third day! Day 3 was the adventure day and I was ready! But this day turned out to be more of an adventure than I expected.

In preparation for Nashville, I googled “things to do in Nashville” and Instagram searched “Nashville Attractions”. So when I got to Nashville, I already had 3 things I wanted to see and do in mind!

BlqRze’s Nashville Must See List:

Kelsey Montague Wings
Statue of the Greek Goddess Athena & the Parthenon Replica
The Nashville Zoo

The only thing I didn’t accomplish on this list was visiting the Zoo. But that’s okay because it was replaced with quality time with old and new friends, and I did something I always wanted to do but never thought I would… RIDE A MECHANICAL BULL!

My travel buddy and I got a LYFT to the Nashville Gulch area. Our driver dropped us off opposite a lifestyle merchandise store called “Two Old Hippies”. Don’t you like the sound of that? Nashville has a hippie vibe to it. Very free-spirited.

Two Old Hippies is on the corner of 12th and Pine in the Nashville Gulch Area, and its made of red clay brick, as is a lot of buildings in Nashville. The brick wall made for an awesome back drop and right there I had a photo shoot (lol).

Not far from there was the Kelsey Montague Wings #WhatLiftsYou Wall Mural, and I was in all my glory! However, we weren’t the only ones there to get lifted. There was a line to take pictures in front of the wings, and we humbly waited our turn.

This day was a beautiful day in Nashville! The sun actually shined that day and the weather was pretty consistent.

One thing about Nashville, the weather is bi-polar. Its hot, then cold, then rainy, then cloudy. One of our LYFT drivers said. “There’s a saying in Nashville. “If you don’t like the weather here right now, just wait 30 minutes.”” Oh, how true that saying really is!

After we left the Wings, we headed to the Parthenon on a $2.00 bus ride through Downtown, Nashville.

The Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece. It sits as the centrepiece in Nashville’s Centennial Park . Inside is the real treat though!

On the second floor of the museum is a 42-foot statue of the Greek Goddess Athena. She was a sight to see! The gold, the details, the artistry of her was something I will never forget.

Later, we caught up with our newly married friends for food. One of our friends is strictly Vegan, and took us to a really popular vegan spot in Nashville called The Wild Cow. Here’s where the real adventure came in.

I’m a picky eater and the complete opposite of vegan, but I opted to try it for my friend. Remember, I like first times… and this would be my first time eating Vegan. Let’s just say, it wasn’t my “taste” but the vegan wine was divine. I liked it!

By this time, everyone was tired but not too tired to experience some real honky-tonk underground bars, and in my case mechanical bull riding and karaoke.

Although I can’t remember the exact names of the bars we visited, I do believe we were in the Lower Broadway area in Down Town Nashville. I enjoyed the live Country Rock music, and as shy as I am, I got up on staged with my new friend and sang Patti Labelle’s Lady Marmalade karaoke style! Another first!

Lastly, I mounted the Mechanical Bull. It was bigger than I expected and a little uncomfortable at first. But once I got on good, it was time to ride! First time baby and I actually stayed on longer that I thought I would!

To see a short clip of me singing karaoke and riding the bull, head over to my Instagram page here, @242blqrze. Be sure to follow for more pictures and videos of my travels, and comment below to ask me any questions you may have about my experiences.

The next day it was time to go back home and I was sad to leave Nashville.

Honestly, I didn’t have Nashville on My Places to Go list, but I’m happy my friend gave me a good reason to visit and experience it.

I didn’t get to eat the famous Nashville Hot Chicken, nor visit the Zoo! So I will be back there soon. Maybe the next time I go, I’ll see you there!

See more pictures from My Nashville trip below:

Conesha

Munchies for Menchies!

March 3, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Blq Bite's, FOOD, Lifestyle, More, Uncategorized

Hello Beautiful,

Nassau has a new Froyo spot (possibly the only one on the island) and its the new craze!

I can guarantee you, if you’re a Bahamian instagrammer, you’ve definitely seen one of your Bahamian instafriends posting a pic of a purple bowl of frozen yogurt, hash tagged #MenchiesBahamas.

Menchies is an American frozen yogurt chain, that recently made its way to the Bahamas’ shores. It is actually named after the pet name the founder called his wife! How sweet is that?

Menchies Bahamas celebrated their grand opening on February 25th, but I went in a day earlier to check out the new spot, and I was delighted I did.

From I walked in I met Alicia. She’s the littlest person behind the counter with the biggest “Hello! Welcome to MENCHIES!” served with a smile. She encourages you to sample the flavours on the wall free of charge before creating your own Menchies bowl.

You know no one can deny a little “Free.99” in my Kanye West – The New Workout Intro Voice.

So I grabbed me 3 sample cups, and headed over to try the Froyo & Sorbet flavours.

Froyo is short for Frozen Yogurt, and as the name suggest it is a frozen dessert made with yogurt and other diary products. It’s considered to be a healthier alternative for ice-cream, as it is lower in fat due to being made with milk instead of cream.

I looked at the options on the wall and chose 3 out of 10 to sample. I sampled the Take the Cake Batter yogurt, the Pink Lemonade sorbet and the Original Tart yogurt.

The Take the Cake Batter yogurt was my favourite. I suggest you try it if it’s available when you visit Menchies!

Although Menchies Bahamas has over 100 flavours to chose from, they display 10 at a time, so that everyone can get a chance at their favourite.

After sampling my 3 flavours, I grabbed a bowl and started mixing my personal Menchies creation. I mixed the Take the Cake Batter yogurt with the Pink Lemonade sorbet and headed over to the toppings sections.

Menchies offers a range of toppings from nuts, candies, fruits, cool whip and more!

Oh and get this! The scoopers in the toppings are either solid beige, or clear. The solid beige scoopers warn against most allergy triggers such as nuts. So if you’re allergic to nuts, stay away from the beige scoopers… only pick up the clear ones!

I topped my yogurt and sorbet mixed with the Strawberry bursting bobas (yumm!), blueberries, raspberries, and pineapples.

Menchies has a Mix – Weigh – Pay set up! So the amount you pay is all up to you! A bowl can average about $10. However your price can be more or less, depending on how heavy or light you make your mix.

Menchies has a little something for every one – young and old, lactose intolerant, or diabetic! Just read the fun signs on the wall for information that may be helpful to you!

I love Menchies already! The ambience, the selections, and staff makes me want to visit every week.

You can make Your visit toMenchies a family outing or a date for two!

See more of My visit to Menchies Bahamas below:

HOW TO: Ball on a Budget at Dinner/Girls Night Out

February 9, 2017February 9, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in HOW TO, Lifestyle, More, Uncategorized

Hello Beautiful!

First off, I want to thank you for all the “InstaLove” I’ve been getting from You! Picture number 20 (from the top) on Instagram surely got more likes than I expected but I am grateful. So if you’re not following me on Instagram, do so now at @242blqrze!

So this year I have a few goals I want to accomplish that requires me to be smart with my coins (money). However, everyone needs a good time now and again… especially when it’s to celebrate you and/or your loyal friends and family.

So I came up with 5 Tips to “secure the bag” but still have a good time:

1.Plan Ahead:

Let’s say you got invited out to eat, maybe in advance or at short notice, and you’re not sure you can afford it, but you don’t want to decline.

Ask your friend or family the name of the restaurant and quickly look it up on your smart device. Pull up the menu and scan over it for the options you COULD afford.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll already know what to order at the restaurant and won’t become sidetracked by other peoples’ options, pressuring you to order something over your budget.

2.Dress for Less

Have you ever got all dressed up, went out and NO ONE saw you? Or you didn’t take any pictures? Well thats the dress/outfit you want to wear again, but possibly switch up your shoes and/or accessories.

Wearing an old, or less popular item from your closet allows you to look brand new on your night out, without having to buy anything new!

This saves you from spontaneous shopping, buyer’s remorse and going over your budget for one night out!

3.Ask Youtube!

Girlfriend, if this is not your birthday, your party or your dinner, there is no need for you to spend money to get your hair, nails and makeup done.

Simply look up hairstyles, makeup tips, and nail art tricks on Youtube to help you get ready for your night on the town. Sure you may not be as advanced as the beauty gurus, but there are a lot of simple and quick ways you can enhance your beauty for one night.

Now if it is YOUR big night… I say go all out!

4. Carry Exact Cash + Some Change

The easiest way to spend your coins, is travelling with more than you need!

Once you’ve already decided what you’re ordering off the menu, add that plus gratuity and tax… then take about $20-$30 extra incase your calculations aren’t correct. So if your meal and drink should cost about $50, then you take $70. And no more than that!

Leave your credit cards, and debit cards home! These are temptation to spend more than you want to and absolutely need to.

Now, if you’re a just in case person and concern about an emergency… take your debit card, “just in case”. But try your hardest to be disciplined and stick to the plan you set up from Tip #1.

5. Drive Your Own Car

This may sound obvious right?… but hear me out!

Unless it is in your plan (and budget) to bar hop all night… you should drive your own car and leave when you plan to. A good time isn’t determined by how late you stay out. It only matters if you had fun.

When you carpool with friends you become obligated to go where they go. Another restaurant, a small bar, or 2 clubs…all in one night and all over your budget.

It’s okay to tell your friends you’re “good for the night” and leave, because more than likely you’ll want to go out again next week, and the week after that.

So beautiful those are my 5 quick tips to BALL on a BUDGET on a night out. Remember we’re “securing the bag” in 2017, and that way we can be Fierce & Fabulous all year long! Not just for one night.

Conesha

New Orleans in Nassau: Louis & Steen’s

January 23, 2017 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Blq Bite's, FOOD, Lifestyle

If you’re anything like Me, you’re always late for Breakfast and too early for Lunch, so Brunch is your best option!

Gratefully, Nassau has a new little spot open from 6:30am – 7:00pm through the week, 8:00am – 7:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am – 8:00pm on Sunday. Perfect for a late sleeper like Myself on the weekend.

The new spot is a New Orleans inspired Coffeehouse called Louis & Steen’s located on West Bay Street. I won’t pretend to be a Coffee connoisseur, however I love trying new food places and this one was on my list!

Louis & Steen’s colourful ambience and vintage decor truly gives you a taste of New Orleans in Nassau. I’ve never been to Louisiana (its on my list of places to see) but now I know what to expect.

With a little Jazz playing in the background, I looked over the chalk board menu and pastries in the showcase. With the cashier’s help I ordered the below:

1-Butter Croissant

1- Order of Sweet Potato Pancakes & Sausage

1-Bowl of Chicken & Sausage Gumbo w/ Biscuit

1- Single Cappuccino

1- Iced Latte (Gulp/Regular Size)

The total of my bill was $49.18. Not bad for a brunch for two if you want to make it a date or have coffee with a friend.

The drink prices are reasonable, just a little less than a Starbucks but the food is pricey. My bowl of Chicken & Sausage Gumbo was $17.75! Maybe its the same in Louisiana… if you know, comment down below.

I tried the Gumbo because it was the “New Orleans Thing” to do. It was good for a first time try, the flavour was rich and it was made fresh. The pancakes were good also, a nice compliment to a cup of coffee if its your preference. Beware of the spice on the pancakes though, it can be a little over bearing so ask them to sprinkle lightly.

The Ice Latte was refreshing as well, you can get it spiked with a flavored syrup (I chose Butter Pecan) and they put coffee ice cubes in it so it doesn’t water down like it would with regular ice cubes. I think thats genius!

But for ME… it was the Butter Croissant & Cappuccino! They were my favourites!

I suggest you have your croissant warmed. It becomes so soft, each flake melts in your mouth.

I also suggest you customize your Cappuccino. Feel free to steal my request:

“A single Cappuccino, with ALMOND Milk and French Vanilla Syrup”. Divine!

Overall, I found Louis & Steen’s to be a delightful new spot, even for a not-so-big coffee lover like myself. Its great for breakfast, brunch or lunch meet ups with friends or meetings with clients. The atmosphere is bright and cozy with an amazing beach view across the street.

The staff is friendly and helpful, which is always a plus!

I’m sure I’ll be back again to try something new, as I was told their menu changes constantly. Maybe next time I’ll see you there… and we can take a picture on the wooden swing!

See more pics from my morning at Louis & Steen’s:

Fun, Food, Fashion

Xx, Conesha

LifeStyle

January 28, 2015 by http://242blqrze.com, posted in Lifestyle

I love dinners, traveling and new experiences. And guess what? I’m taking you with me wherever I can! So grab your ID (for the parties), your passport (for the travels) and your bestie (for the memories). You don’t want to miss any of the fun and exciting must do’s, especially here in the Bahamas! This is my “Lifestyle” page. My LIFE in STYLE!