When in Arkansas…

they say you should do as the Arkansians do. Last weekend, Summer + I traveled to Arkansas to represent Pollinate Media at the Kiss a Pig Gala. Each year they partner with several organizations to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. This year Pollinate Media was excited to participate as a sponsor at the event, which gave me a reason to, once again, don a dress from Rent the Runway and enjoy a fancy night out. I also had a day filled with business meetings the following Monday. But, we all know that when I travel, it’s more than just work, work, work, there’s always some play involved as well.

Since Summer had never been to Arkansas and I had only been once for a total of 30 hours, we took this as our chance to really see everything we could around town. So in case you’re ever in Arkansas, here’s a few things we didn’t want to miss out on!

Taking fashion posts in front of a wall filled with patriotic tiles designed by the students in the local elementary school. This wall was incredible and we were so bummed to learn that it’s going to be taken down soon.

We took a visit to 21-C Hotel and enjoy the unique art they have displayed around their lobby area. The artwork is unique and changed out often and the installations are incredible! They also have the cutest green penguins everywhere that you can move around for a fun photo op! This is us in the hotel restaurant, the Hive, smooching on one of the penguins.

Here’s a few snapshots of our evening at the gala! If you haven’t checked out Rent the Runway, you’re missing out. This is the 3rd dress I’ve worn this year and I couldn’t be more thrilled with their service. Just so you know new customers get $25 off their first order! We had such a fantastic time and look forward to sponsoring again next year.

I kissed a pig and I liked it! Couldn’t come all the way to Arkansas and miss my chance to pucker up for this sweet piglet.

Oh and see The Wallflowers play! Talk about taking me back to my high school days.

I bet y’all didn’t know this but Bentonville, AR, is the home of Walmart and because of that they have all kinds of great Walmart store concepts that you don’t see in other parts of the US, especially here in Southern California. After a fun night partying the gala, we were in the mood for a snack so we hit up a Walmart Grocery Market for some ice cream. As you can see some of us have more will power than others 😉

Now, you can’t travel without eating so let’s talk about all the fun place we ate while we were there.

• The Pressroom: located in the downtown Bentonville Square, this local spot has amazing breakfast and lunch and their coffee is mouthwatering too!
• Bone Fish Grill: this is a great local seafood restaurant. Their bang bang shrimp is soooo good! We did hear this is a chain restaurant, but not one that we have here in So Cal.
• Crepes Pauline: umm there’s nothing better than a food truck, but a crepes food truck? oh my word! Delicious! Summer and I shared 4 different crepes of the sweet and savory menus and we got to meet a friend from Instagram! I love meeting people I know from social media.
• Tavola: Great Italian food – I recommend the tomato soup + also the fig and prosciutto crostini appetizer!
• Cracker Barrel: It’s just cruel that So Cal TV shows commercials for CB + yet we don’t have one anywhere near us, so anytime I hit a state that has one I’m there. We popped in for a game of chess, a browse around the country store and some biscuits and gravy!
• Logan’s Roadhouse: Now don’t laugh, I know this is another southern chain, but again I don’t have one near me and I kid you not, their butter yeast bread rolls are more than delicious!

While in Arkansas, one should visit as many places (and states as possible) during your stay, so that’s what we did. We visited Crystal Bridges and enjoyed all the 19th and 20th century artwork, our favorite being this rainbow yarn installation. We must’ve stood in the staircase admiring it for a good 15 minutes. This photo doesn’t even do it justice!

We also visited Walton’s 5/10 and the Walmart Museum. It was pretty awe inspiring to read all about Sam Walton and how he build his company. Oh and we had ice cream at the Walton’s ice cream shop.

And since this is the year I’m stretching myself to go on new and fun adventures, we took our trusty Fiat 500 rental car and drove an hour from our hotel to stand in the exact point where Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas meet! And then we made sure to take pictures in front of all 3 historic signs! It was a blast!

We also spent some time dancing in front of a very bright yellow wall! If you’re from Bentonville, it’s the wall at the Thai Kitchen Restaurant on A Street. #yourewelcome

There are so many things about my job, both as a blogger + being the CEO of a company that I love, and having the opportunity to travel is definitely one of them. From the fun, to the business meetings, to the sessions at conferences I’m inspired by sitting through, to the amazing people I’ve met along the way…. I truly feel blessed to do what I love every day and be surrounded by incredible people while doing it.

Have you been to Bentonville, AR? Anything we should plan to do on our next trip?

xo, Alissa

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