I received a Grand Opening flyer for Learning Express Toys last month.
And while I didn't make it to the celebration on March 27th, I needed to check it out.
Any place that looks like it can help to entertain my 5-year-old for awhile is worth a peek.
Its unassuming storefront, nestled in between the Verizon store and Subway, is hiding quite a gem inside.
Continue reading: Learning Express Toy Store
Swankys Taco Shop is a new addition to the Meridian Cool Springs center in Franklin.
As we really like Mexican food, my husband and I decided to try it out.
Swanky's is a "fast casual" restaurant -- meaning you order, pay, and take your food to your own table. They have recently changed to full table service after 4:00 pm.
They offer burritos, tacos, low-carb bowls, selections from the grill, and even a kids menu.
Continue reading: Swankys Taco Shop Review
In an attempt for a cheap date recently, my husband and I used the Restaurant.com website to purchase a gift certificate for Mickey Roos on Hillsboro Road in Franklin.
Restaurant.com was offering a $25 gift certificate for $10. We also used the RetailMeNot.com website and found a discount code that actually let us buy the $25 gift certificate for $2 -- a pretty good deal for a cheap date!
I had never been to Mickey Roos before, but I love barbeque so I was hoping for good things. I wasn't disappointed.
Continue reading: Mickey Roos Restaurant Review
Just had to share this info with the dog owners in Franklin...
As part of their 2009 lecture series at The Farm, they're offering a number of small-group sessions with experts in the field.
Dog owners in Franklin will surely appreciate the fact that these lectures are FREE.
What a great way to get together with other dog owners in the area and learn some new things that may benefit your dog!
Continue reading: Free Doggie Lecture Series At The Farm
Do you love good independent films and, like me, wonder why you have to go all the way to The Belcourt or Green Hills to see them?
Well, here's something you're gonna love!
Grab a sitter, money for popcorn and get ready to head to Carmike Cinemas Thoroughbred 20 in Franklin for the Independent Film Festival March 2 through April 11.
One film will be featured each of the 6 weeks of the film festival and all movies are only $5.
Funky and a bargain! Maybe if we wish hard enough they'll do a combo snack special just for the festival! (Okay, it doesn't hurt to wish!)
Continue reading: Franklin Independent Film Festival
Every Valentine's Day, my Daddy was in charge of buying his 4 little girls heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Every year, I'd methodically push the bottom of each chocolate to reveal its hidden secret, and, without ceremony, immediately throw out the all-chocolate ones and savor only the ones with pink, sticky-sweet centers.
While Hershey bars still rank pretty high on my personal hierarchy of needs, I've developed a love of really good artisan chocolate too. I've been known to drive across town for a chocolate fix.
So, it was with joy that I discovered the Hillsboro Chocolate Company located in the Grassland area and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
From chocolate fixes to kids' holiday gifts, corporate gifts and wedding favors, they have something for every occasion.
Continue reading: Hillsboro Chocolate Company Review
Hunkering down can mean many different things. To Southerners, it can also mean sitting down to Mama's home cooking and eating yourself silly.
Well, here's a place for anybody who loves to hunker down to good old-fashioned Southern fare -- Barbara's Homecookin' in the Grassland area of Franklin.
It's so good it almost tastes like your Mama made it but I assure you it has been made by the owner, Barbara Thomas, a Southern Mississippi transplant, who cooks up some of the best comfort food around.
As my Daddy once said about the place, "It ain't much to look at but the food sure is good." Amen, Daddy!
Continue reading: Barbara's Homecookin' Restaurant In Franklin
What boot keeps feet toasty warm, made Oprah's favorite things list for several years, and was on the Christmas list of many college and high school girls this year?
If you've answered UGGS, perhaps it is because you've tried on a pair of the sheep skin lined boots yourself.
Generally, there is only one thing that has scared me away from UGG boots -- the price. At a starting price of over $100, I've never been able to convince myself that the boots are worth it.
I wasn't able to convince myself of it until a friend of mine introduced me to French's Shoe and Boot Outlet, a great place to score a fantastic deal on UGGS, as well as lots of other shoe and boot styles.
French's is located at 1020 Columbia Avenue and is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 to seven and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Continue reading: French's Shoe & Boot Outlet
It is rare to ever find Mexican food that I do not like, but I think there is a big difference between good Mexican food and great Mexican food. I think the main difference for me is the amount of flavors and the way the spices are used -- that the flavors don’t all end up tasting the same.
Recently, friends invited us to eat at their favorite Franklin Mexican restaurant, Pueblo Real, and I found a new favorite place for great Mexican food.
Continue reading: Restaurant Review: Pueblo Real
The Franklin Mercantile Deli is a place that just feels cozy.
My husband was the first one to notice it during a breakfast visit to the Merc and as soon as he said it I noticed that, yes, that peaceful happy feeling was emanating as much from the restaurant itself as it was from our bellies full of pancake goodness.
The owners, Graeme and Corrie Asch, take as much pride in making you feel welcome there as they do in cooking up great food with fresh ingredients at great prices.
Continue reading: Franklin Mercantile Deli
Franklin, TN Restaurants: These Are The Best!