If you’re confused as to whether you’re on the right blog, you’re not alone. I had assumed I would make it through my entire life on this earth without stepping foot in Mississippi. Actually, I hadn’t thought about it one way or another. But, life is nothing if not unpredictable!
Long story short, my boyfriend (gah, it still feels so weird to say that!) went to Ole Miss for college and counts Oxford, MS as one of his favorite places on earth. He wanted to show me the town and insisted it would be very “me.” Turns out he was right! It’s charming and quaint, filled with adorable boutiques featuring colorful clothing, and has tons of delicious, over-the-top eats.
If you ever find yourself in the area, I’ve created a little guide for you (or should I say ‘y’all’?!) below.
Colorfully yours,
Haley
Stay:
The Graduate
This hotel is what my decor dreams are made of. The colors, the prints, the textures…I was in heaven. The floors are almost all pink! There are books all throughout the lobby! The soap is Malin + Goetz! If you follow me on Instagram, you’re probably sick of seeing photos from my stay.
Eat:
Call me naive, but I didn’t expect the food scene in Oxford to be so great. They take their restaurants seriously! Funnily enough, all three of the below restaurants are run by the same restaurant group. Safe to say they have a bit of a monopoly on #OxfordEats.
City Grocery
Hello, James Beard winner! We started with grilled octopus, which was incredible, alongside equally epic cornbread rolls. Then I had a fancy take on shrimp and grits. Both City Grocery and Snackbar (below) rotate their menus often, which makes the meal even more exciting. It’s also worth noting that we went to the bar upstairs twice…loved the vibes.
Snackbar
I liked this one even more. We had oysters, oysters gratin (there’s no such thing as too many oysters, ok?) and more delicious rolls. I’m a bread gal, what can I say? For my entree, I had a pork tenderloin with delicious winter flavors. My only complaint is they were completely out of dessert. They must not have known I was coming…
Big Bad Breakfast
I’m only slightly ashamed to admit we ate here for breakfast two days in a row. Holy. Yum. The first day, I had a “breakfast crumble” that consisted of grits, biscuits, bacon, gravy, and poached eggs in one drool-worthy bowl. The next day, I continued my southern indulgences with a chicken biscuit.
Shop:
I Just Have to Have It
I might’ve gone a littttle crazy here, but the prices were just right. Plus, it’s all in the name! Everything in this store screamed “Haley.” So, of course I left with three dresses I didn’t need and two pairs of cowboy boots. Am I a southern belle yet?
Hinton and Hinton
This one is definitely on the pricier side, but both their women’s and men’s selections are stunning. I fell in love with the brand “Queen of Sparkles” here. I mean, can you blame me?
Square Books
You know I love a bookstore. This one has two floors and features a rooftop porch where you can grab a coffee and read or people watch. The charm makes my heart burst.
Jane
This was actually the first store we went in. I didn’t purchase anything because $$$, but if you’re looking to treat yourself, their clothing is gorgeous.
Rebel Rags
It wouldn’t be a trip to Oxford without a stop for Ole Miss gear. This place is the size of a freaking department store. When I say there’s something for the whole family, I mean it—they even have cheerleader outfits for your dog.
Olive Juice Gifts
If you need a cute gift for someone—or want a cute gift for yourself—this is the place to go. Not the mention, the holiday decor in here is exactly how I want to decorate my future home at Christmastime.
Visit/Do:
Ole Miss
Well, duh. You have to go walk the campus while you’re in Oxford. It’s beautiful and looks like it’s right out of a movie about American colleges. The sorority houses will make you swoon…we’re talking Architectural Digest-worthy.
Rowan Oak
For my fellow book lovers, you can visit William Faulkner’s home—named Rowan Oak—nestled in a quiet, woodsy area. He wrote some of his best work inside, and you can still see the original furniture and tchotchkes.
Christmas Parade
Thanks to bad weather the previous weekend, we were lucky enough to be able to catch the rain date of the Oxford Christmas Parade. We sat on the rooftop of The Coop, The Graduate Hotel’s bar, with beverages and heaters. Such a Hallmark moment!
