meet Martha!
Y’all, words cannot explain how excited I am for today’s post! Some of you may have noticed in my snapchat or instagram stories that I referenced a new friend named Martha who’s been assisting me with the blog…and today I want y’all to officially meet / get to know her!
Before I introduce you to her though, I wanted to explain a little back story of how we met / why she’s the perfect fit for LKS.
Martha actually came to the going away happy hour I did at Saint Ann in Dallas back in January (before we moved to Boulder). So I met her at this event and we chatted for a bit, and I remember thinking she was super nice and so cute!
After the event, Martha had sent me a message just offering to help out with the blog, if I was ever looking for an intern or assistant. At that time, I wasn’t necessarily looking to bring an assistant on, but told her I’d definitely keep it in mind. I knew I would most likely need to bring on help with the blog at some point, but just wasn’t ready quite yet.
Once we moved to Boulder, and the blog continued to grow, I finally hit a point where I felt like my balance in life was just off. From the time I woke up to the time I went to sleep, I was constantly working on blog things and felt like I needed a break, or someone else to help with things.
I get a lot of messages (I’m sure, like most bloggers) from amazing girls offering to help with the blog, but for whatever reason, nothing really felt ‘right’ until I talked with Martha. Around the time when I had hit my “off-balance” point, Martha actually reached back out to me offering to help again…and thank heavens she did! (FYI – for any of y’all wanting to assist or intern for a blogger, persistence is key haha).
Anyway, I won’t go into every single detail about the story…but from the first time Martha and I chatted on the phone, we just clicked! We are crazy similar, in very similar life stages, she also loves queso…basically a match made in heaven haha. But really, right off the bat I could tell Martha was so sincere, loves the Lord, and is just one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. And she has already been such a tremendous help with the blog and brought so many amazing ideas to the table!
SO, without further ado…meet Martha!
Tell everyone a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, where you’re living, hubs, college, etc!
Martha: Hi friends! I’m so, so grateful to be “meeting” y’all today. A little bit about me: I was born and raised in Dallas, and graduated from Texas A&M in 2013 (whoop!). I got married shortly after I graduated to my husband, Bill, and we lived in Dallas for three and half years. We recently moved to Nashville for Bill to get his MBA from Vanderbilt, and we’re loving it so far! We’ve only been in Nashville for a couple weeks now, so we’re still exploring and getting to know our new home. All Nashville restaurant/hike/coffee shop recommendations welcome! Neither of us has ever lived outside of Texas before, so it’s definitely been a fun adventure! Feel free to follow along on Insta – @_martharobinson .
If you could only shop one place the rest of your life, where would it be?
That’s tough! I would probably choose Nordstrom because it has everything, but Madewell is a close second.
Favorite type of workout?
I’ve recently become addicted to spin! It used to intimidate me for some reason, but I tried it a few months ago and got hooked! I really like any type of HIIT workout for the most part, and try to incorporate strength training/weights too.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Although to call him a ‘pet’ doesn’t really seem to do justice to the role he plays in our family. We have a three-year old Golden Retriever named Shiner and we are so, so obsessed with him. He’s very snuggly and needy, and he always wants to be RIGHT next to us (which we love!). He’s never met a stranger and he’s happiest when he’s got a tennis ball in his mouth.
Where would your dream vacation be?
That’s a hard one too! I absolutely love traveling. I think if I had to choose, I’d say Italy.
Favorite thing so far about working for LKS?
Umm can this be a whole blog post? There is SO much I’m loving about this job – working alongside Lauren, brainstorming for the blog, working on fun collaborations, looking at cute clothes all the time, etc – but I think my favorite part is just seeing the Lord’s hand in this whole thing, so clearly and so frequently. From the very beginning, He’s been so faithful to affirm this decision for both of us and to make His presence known in every step. I’m so certain that this is exactly where He wants me to be, and I’m so grateful for a boss who seeks the Lord wholeheartedly. I’ve gotten to know Lauren pretty well over the last couple of months, and I can confidently say her heart for the Lord is so genuine. I wish each of y’all could sit down and grab coffee with her so you can see how authentic she is… like “lattes with Lauren” but in real life. 🙂
Favorite food?
Well, this is kind of a sensitive subject because I’ve yet to find good Mexican food in Nashville, but I would have to say tacos/Mexican food in general are my absolute favorite food. Cheese/charcuterie boards are also a favorite!
LKS: So glad to finally introduce y’all to Martha! Like I said she’s been a tremendous help to the blog, and has tons of great ideas in store! Make her feel welcome or ask any questions in the comments below!
About laurenkaysims
hi Martha.. Nashville native here!
Here goes: my favorite restaurant is Local Taco in Brentwood. The queso is on point and the margs aren’t bad either 😉 Bar Taco in 12 South is a close second. Koi in Franklin and Samurai Sushi are my fave sushi places. The best burger in Nashville is at Jack Brown’s in Germantown. A couple date night options – Sinema in 8 South, Kayne Prime or Virago in The Gulch, LeSel, or Henrietta Red. Pinewood Social is a fun place, too! (There are so many indigenous restaurants here that you’ll never run out of options.) Coffee shops are a dime a dozen here but definitely check out Red Bicycle (the crepes, ohmygosh!) and High Brow (I mean, homemade pop tarts. Enough said.) As for hiking, the Warner Parks are always a win but check out places just outside the city – Firey Gizzard (near Chattanooga), Burgess Falls (near Cookeville), and Murfreesboro has a few trails to choose from. They’re all dog friendly 🙂
Welcome to my city! I hope you love Nashville as much as I do.
oh my goodness, all these places sound great! thank you for sharing your inside scoop to Nashville. it really is such an incredible city!
-Martha
Bar Taco was going to be my suggestion too! I’m from Dallas and just visit Nashville to see family.. but bar taco is one of my favs!
hi Haley! we looove Bar Taco – so delicious and a fun spot, too. thanks for the rec and for following the blog!
-Martha
<3
Welcome girl! I’m from the Nashville area so if you have any questions let me know. We love five daughters bakery and fidos in downtown. If you want true southern food there is a place called the Gladeville diner outside of Nashville. It’s only open til 3 but there’s a place right down the road called Sunset that is open for dinner. As for Mexican, there’s a drive through mexican restaurant in Mount Juliet that is super authentic. Their burritos are insane. Hope this helps!
so appreciate all the restaurant recommendations – my list of places I need to try is definitely growing and I’m so excited about that!
thanks for following the blog!
-Martha
Hey Martha! Nice to meet you! I live in Nashville and would love to connect with you! I’ve been here for 7 years and LOVE it. Girl – try Rose Pepper Cantina in East Nashville – great Mexican food! Saint Anejo in the Gulch is also great! And if you’re like Lauren and love Chuys – there is one in midtown! Frothy Monkey is a great coffee shop and hiking at Radnor Lake is good! So many good restaurants but here are a few of my faves: City House, Henrietta Red, Caffe Nonna, and Virago. Hope this helps! 🙂
Anna – http://www.parkavenueblogger.com
hi Anna! thanks for all the Mexican restaurant rec’s – can’t wait to try them! and the picture in the post is actually from Radnor Lake, and we LOVED it! so pretty!
-Martha
Just visited Nashville and had Saint Anejo for dinner with friends and it was absolutely great!!
Hi Martha! Welcome to Nashville! From one Texas girl to another I can tell you the struggle to find good Mexican food is real! Uncle Julio’s is probably the closest you’ll get to real tortillas (they also have locations in Texas). My two favorite coffee shops are Crema and Steadfast. Hope that helps! 🙂
hi Delaney! yes, I am definitely an Uncle Julio’s fan – didn’t know they had a location there though. thanks for passing this along!
-Martha
Hi Martha! My husband and I moved back to Dallas from Nashville/Franklin a couple years ago, but miss it so! We LOVED our time in Nashville. It was such an amazing place to start our marriage off in and grow community.
I would also agree with Anna on the recommendations. I’d also try Mas Tacos in East Nash too for some good tacos. Other types would be The Pharmacy (for a great burger and sodas – but it can get preeety busy so prepare for a wait); A few of our favorites are…
Coffee – Crema or Barista Parlor – SO GOOD (along with Frothy Monkey)
Area – Franklin/Leipers Fork (we lived in downtown franklin/cool springs area for about 3 years and LOVED IT..it is THE cutest downtown area, and leipers fork is absolutely beautiful)
Food – Thai Phooket (near the stadium), Grey’s (in downtown Franklin..great for a date night), Sopapillas (this is def not the traditional tex-mex, it’s new mexico cuisine, but we really liked this restaurant while we were there..it almost become a usual, the food was so good and fresh; Franklin), Lockeland Table (another good date night place, East Nash), Marche (I’ve only been for brunch but it was delicious and I’ve always heard good things, East Nash)
Other – Not sure if you’ve been to Arrington Vineyards yet..it’s great all year round BUT my favorite is going during the fall and taking a picnic with friends. SO fun!!
I literally have a whole list of other recs..but I’ve paired it down to this 🙂 Welcome to Nashville and I hope it’s an amazing time for both of you! And also wishing you the best in working with Lauren and LKS, she’s pretty great 🙂
Christina, this list is incredible!! thank you! will definitely be checking off a few of these (hopefully sooner than later!). we tried the Pharmacy last week and oh my goodness, SO good!
and I agree with ya about Lauren – she’s the best!
-Martha
Yay Martha, so excited for you!!! Having lived in Nashville for a few years and being the Tex-Mex aficionado: I recommend La Hacienda Taqueria for a more tex-mex authentic taste – prices are amazing too!! I am also a big fan of Edley’s BBQ – brisket nachos are bomb) and The Pharmacy for a an amazing burger and sweet potato fries. The thing I miss most?? The coffee shops of course! Try 8th and Roast if you are ever around the Music Row area – they have the best iced mochas and breakfast sandwiches, the atmosphere rocks too! Frothy monkey is a close second, being in 12 South which is the cutest little neighborhood area for shopping/walking around. On a nice day, I like to take my coffee out on the patio or the nearby parks for a picnic! Enjoy Music City!
XOXO
love all of these recs! especially the coffee/park combo – seriously sounds perfect! thanks girl!
-Martha
Welcome to Nashville! I’ve been here for 10 years since moving to Nashville to go to college. I’m sure everyone is going to be giving you the newist, hippest restaurant recommendations, which are great. But there are so many Nashville staples that are overlooked and still amazing:
Monell’s – family style Southern food. This is such a great breakfast date or friend outing. (Come hungry)
PM – great sushi and one of my favorite burgers in town (so random, I know)
B & C – my personal favorite BBQ though there are so many newer, hipper options
McDougal’s – fried chicken strips heaven. I recommend getting them dipped in Honey Bee with honey mustard on the side.
I have also been so inspired by Lauren’s blog/instagram which she uses to speak out about her faith while focusing on fashion/lifestyle content! So rare.
hi Lauren! thanks so much for the amazing recommendations – I had yet to hear about any of those!
-Martha
What are Martha’s social handles! would love to follow along with the whole LKS team – and their pups! 🙂
hi Ashley! Martha here 🙂 I just added it to the post. thanks for following!
Martha!!!!!!! SO excited that you are apart of the LKS team. We love Nashville too! We moved a year ago. 12 South has some great places to eat. We really like Taqueria de sol…they have great queso and quinoa. Good luck with the blog, you will do great!
Golden’s are the best ever, Shiner is a cutie!
hi there Presty! SO grateful to have an insider’s perspective to the amazing queso (and quinoa!) Nashville has to offer! 12 South is such a fun spot for sure!
thanks for following!
-Martha
Hey Martha!! Love this story and congrats on the new opportunity with LKS! My husband I recently moved from TX to Nashville (last September) and I can definitely relate to the Mexican food struggle! Nashville has so much to offer, I hope you and your hubby enjoy it just as much as we have these last few months?
hi Haley! gosh, there are seriously so many people from TX in Nashville – I love it! so happy to hear you’re enjoying it here. we’re so grateful to call it home!
-Martha
Hi! And welcome to Nashville! I have lived here for about 20 years and my hubs was born and raised here. I hope you love Nashville as much as we do! It’s such a great city. Sounds like you got lots of good restaurant recommendations but just wanted to add a few more 🙂 Josephine on 12th is my fave. Dinner is great and the brunch is the absolute best. There is an awesome boutique right across the street called Vinnie Louise which is so cute and so affordable! Definitely love Frothy monkey and 8th and roast for coffee. Definitely try PM, 5th and Taylor, peg leg porker for BBQ (Martins is so good too). Nama is good for sushi and also Wild wasabi in Cummings station. Roteirs and Bobbys dairy dip are good Nashville staples and I’m sure you have heard of Loveless cafe for good southern food. There are too many good ones to name! And definitely go to Arrington in the fall…it’s absolutely beautiful!! Enjoy Nashville 🙂