A Peachy Weekend

Background & Feelings

(Feel free to scroll to the weekend)

Last Thursday, I got a call and then text from my pal Jessica (a.k.a. @caffeineuntilcocktails). She was about to host an Influencer Weekend, but unfortunately someone had to drop out and there was space, if I was interested. Uhhh ab-so-lutely. While on the phone, I started to ask my husband if I could go; and then I cut myself off and said “There is no way I can miss this, you’ll be fine.”

As I explained to Christian (my husband), the last Influencers Weekend looked amazingggggg. And Jessica had been posting teasers all week. The PR bags alone looked like more than I receive for Christmas. But the rest of the details - staying at Havisham House, dinner from Cummare’s and Whiffleboys, drinks at Havisham Bourbon Bar, a personal tour at Rendleman’s, lunch from Taco Jim’s food truck (I keep trying to catch them in Anna but it never works out!), a trip around the wineries, dinner at Von Jakob. Not to mention the sweets from my bestie Kendall at Shawnee Cake House, or the most important thing to me; learning from content creators I admire.

But here’s the thing I kept saying all weekend…I was worried I wouldn’t quite fit in. I’m not an influencer, I’m a content creator. The main difference is I typically don’t show myself or get too personal, I don’t tell you where my outfit is from unless it’s local, don’t really share links unless it’s just too good of a deal. I definitely model my account to represent a creator of tourism content; featuring Southern Illinois over myself.

So I was pretty sure I was going to look like that scene in Mean Girls where it’s Wednesday and Kady is in Damion’s oversized pink polo. Close, but not quite the look. There was also the trouble of this being last minute enough that I had to deal with what was in my closet, when I normally probably would have ordered several new outfits to make sure I felt I had the right vibe. Unfortunately, I haven’t been working out since my husband switched shifts about 5 months ago, and I have put on 7lbs of fat, and many of my “perfect” outfits did not fit. So I grabbed what I thought might work and overpacked my little heart out. I honestly cannot believe that my social anxiety did not get the better of me this weekend. I have bailed on family cookouts and hang outs with friends when I have arrived and noticed a few people I didn’t know, so going to an entire weekend with only a few people I have a parasocial relationship, where I would be the least prepared and have the smallest following, imposter syndrome bells ringing like crazy…I don’t know how I felt so at ease doing this. The only thing I can think is that being trapped at home being a mom had gotten me so desperate for human connection - hanging with women, moms - that I had overcome this fear. I was actually eager to meet everyone, not scared! And this group made it easy to not be anxious, I felt like I had known them my whole lives.

They were not what you see on tv, how Influencers are portrayed. These women were nice, comforting, relatable. We talked strategy without anyone downing on anyone, no superiority complexes to be found. Truly, Jessica handpicked the perfect group.

The Weekend

Friday

Okay, let me get on with how the weekend actually went. Friday night as soon as Christian got home, I headed down to Havisham. Jessica greeted me and lead me to the Havisham House, which I had never been in! After doing a tour and finding my room, I unpacked and checked out that amazing PR bag. After about 15 minutes, I headed down to the bar to meet the girls. While it is entirely walkable, I had on really crappy sandals and they were NOT comfortable to go far in, so I chose to drive the short distance.

While we were enjoying dinner at Havisham (meatballs by Cummares, pizza by Whiffleboys) we also received permanent jewelry of our choice by Beyond Bonded. I had never done permanent jewelry because I cannot stand to leave jewelry on for long, sensory issues. Almost a week later, still have my bracelet on! It’s thin enough I can’t even feel it!

We also had drinks by Havisham Bourbon Bar and holy moly are they both aesthetic and tasty! I have a Blackberry Lemonade that was dangerous as I tasted no alcohol. Yum!

After dinner we all headed back to the house to chat, eat cake by Shawnee Cake House and drink Clad and Cordon wine, and get in our pjs. Some of us stayed up late and some went back to their rooms at the suites above the bar or in the Carriage house. With the blackout curtains in my room, I slept great.

Saturday

The next morning the gang got up to hike the Quetil trail to Cliff View Park around 7:30 am. I did not attend this because 7:30 is right around the time I wake up (and I only get two days a week to sleep in, so I was going to!), plus I have been having symptoms similar to P.O.T.S., and if I get even slightly warm or walk more than 20 steps, I break out into a sweat…which leads to fainting if I don’t sit or cool down immediately. I figured I could skip this one and save myself the embarrassment, and instead had coffee on the front patio with one of the gorgeous cats.

The gang came back to the house for breakfast that had been set up by Sunny Street Cafe Carbondale. Cold Brew coffee bar, breakfast burritos, fresh fruit, biscuits with preserves. It was amazing.

After breakfast we went to Rendleman Orchards for a tour of the farm and lunch by Taco Jims. Michelle, Wayne, and Audrey took us as groups on side-by-sides all across the farm, educating us on the history of the farm and it’s future plans. It was amazing to get a behind the scenes look at harvest! We toured the flower fields to get an idea of where we wanted to shoot content while we waited for lunch to be freshly prepared. Michelle had gifted us Stay Peachy shades by brixxandstone, and peach smoothies for the ride. They were both needed, even though the temperature was insanely perfect for July, that humidity will getcha.

When we arrived back to our lunch spot, we were greeted by the most beautiful table scene I have ever witnessed from Wild Bloom Event Co. Katie added special touches, like hand painted Stay Peachy umbrellas from Shop Mollies. It was simply stunning, I have never sat at a table that beautiful before. Taco Jims blew us out of the water with their fresh offerings (I had the birria chicken quesadilla and cup of corn, banana pudding). After eating, we shopped at SOE 618’s pop-up shop and were gifted with the cutest glasses with straws and shirts! Truly, I was spoiled this weekend.

Next we loaded up to head to Alto Vineyards. We were given a thorough history of Alto, the first vineyard in the area in 1988 and the start of our Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. If you love the wine trail, you have Alto Vineyards to thank for that. I had the BEST mango sangria slushie, could not taste any alcohol. We were also gifted wine ice cream and a bottle of our choosing. We took photos among the vines, and the next stop was Von Jakob Vineyards to sample their new German-inspired menu.

Unfortunately, I had to cut my trip short at that point and return home to my kiddo, so I did not get to attend the dinner. You must check out the other gals videos and photos on this because it looks simply amazing.

If you want to copy our itinerary I recommend:

• Staying at Havisham House

• Having breakfast catered by Sunny Street

• Drinks at Havisham Bourbon Bar

• Visiting Rendleman’s on the weekend so you can see the food trucks and pop up shops

• Check out the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

If you need a professional itinerary, check out my shop and request one!

I’ll even book things for you!