I couldn't possibly be more excited to finally share this edition of "Explore" (a project I am creating with my friends Sleepy Fox Photography & Aislerchic). We took a whirlwind trip to Nashville in the fall and I fell madly in love with the coolest coffee shop around, Barista Parlor. With a flare for hipster elegance and one foot firmly planted in the territory of craftsmanship, the entire Barista team perfectly orchestrates a cup of Joe.

Infused with Tennessee style, the transmission repair shop turned Nashville staple boasts a roster of the best roasts (Stumptown Coffee from Portland is one all-time of my favorites) and locally sourced touches. Everything from the heavy-duty Emil Erwin aprons (made entirely from leather) to the quirky art and decor hails from the heart of Music City. Presiding over everything, a large-scale mosaic installation by Nashville based design firm, Isle of Printing (responsible for Pinewood Social's wall of cans) and Bryce McCloud, lingers on the space's massive back wall. Made of 4,000 individually printed blocks, the mural reveals itself as a sinking ship only after passing through the lens of a camera (or more convenient for building an epic social media following like Barista Parlor has, an iphone).

In a land where dark roast and deer busts coexist beautifully, brew masters are knowledgeable and homemade pop tarts are never far away. Here whiskey is encouraged, coffee is king and the two marry wonderfully in the barista-invented Clover Croft. If heaven is an industrial space filled to the hull with espresso beans and the dulcet tones of Phantogram records wafting through the air, I'm excited friends!

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