With the start of the new year, I thought it would be fun to share some of the new and new-to-me spots in town I’ve checked out recently. It feels like every week there’s a new spot opening up in Louisville and, while I am way too much of a hermit homebody to check them all out,  I do my best to make it to the ones that catch my eye, and of course, that you all might be interested in trying too.

There’s no rhyme or reason to the list, it’s just a handful of places I’ve tried and loved. Also, I hate having to clarify this but this list is entirely unsponsored. I’ve been invited to check out a couple of these places because of the blog but wasn’t required or paid to write any of this and I have spent my own money at all of them. Just keeping it real for you all.

Hoping to do this more often in the new year, especially since I’m working on a much needed over haul of the blog where there will be a whole area full of Louisville-focused content. Was hoping to get it finished over the holidays but that was one of those over ambitious goals. So the new goal is by the end of the month… fingers crossed.

But enough about that… on to these five gems.

Lumi Skin Bar:

If you follow on Instagram (if not, come on over), you may have seen my stories from this new skin spa. You guys, I’m obsessed with this place. It’s located right in the heart of St. Matthews on Lexington Road (a couple doors down from Colonial Designs and across from Mexa Tacos) and offers a wide array of services from facials and spray tans to waxing and brow treatments.

The owner Morgan dropped me a note and invited me to stop in and while I was obviously down to try it, what had me intrigued was their 30-minute facial bar concept. If you’re like me, you LOVE a facial but have a hard time making time to do one regularly. Not only do you have to find the two hour gap in your day – one hour for the appointment, one hour for travel time, checking in, changing, etc. – but also finding an appointment time that aligns with your schedule. That’s why this is so clutch.

First off, its right on my way to and from home, so I can easily stop in without having to make a special trip. Even better though, is that you can get an incredible, super relaxing facial in 30 minutes for an extremely affordable $45. I’ve already been twice and I bought their monthly membership for my mother-in-law as gift for all she does for us. I’m thinking about doing the membership myself since it’s $55 and includes one bar facial, one add-on service (the cooling globes are a must!) and 10% off products and additional services. Oh and I forgot to mention that they’re open until 7pm four days a week so you can swing by after work.

As for the actual facial, two thumbs up. I highly recommend Morgan but I’m sure their entire staff is great. You do sit out in a chair, similar to a hair salon, but it’s still relaxing and doesn’t skimp on any of the treatments. You just don’t have to change clothes or spend time waiting in an individual room. If you go, make sure you get the cooling globes. It’s hard to describe them properly but know that it feels like an elevated ice roller. So refreshing.

I haven’t tried any of their other offerings, which include more in-depth hour-long facials, but am going to try and swing by for a spray tan soon.  Overall the staff is welcoming, the space is gorgeous, the prices are great and the experience is wonderful. Can’t recommend it enough.

Ahh and I’m so excited to tell you all that I dropped the Lumi gals a note about this post and they are hooking you all up. If you use code LWW15 when you book an appointment you’ll receive a free facial enhancement with any facial treatment. You can pick from light therapy, serum infusion, head massage, cooling globes or a firming treatment. Want my opinion, pick the cooling globes!  Limits one per person to use the month of January. You can book online or give them a call at (502) 888-6345.

Lumi Skin Bar, 3706 Lexington Rd. lumiskinbar.com 

Shred 4/15: 

In full disclosure, we recently started working with Shred 4/15 at Lemonade BUT this is being done entirely unrelated to that because I’ve started taking the classes and I am INTO it. Big time.

It’s no secret that I love to try different workout classes. I’ve had memberships at CycleBar, OrangeTheory Fitness, Milestone, LAC, Pure Barre and probably more. And in their defenses, I’ve loved them all. What keeps me coming back to a workout is usually convenience and how it fits into my life at that point. For example, I LOVED Milestone when my kids were babies and I could drop them off at childcare and take classes. CycleBar was my jam when my schedule was flexible and I could make their 9 am rides work. OTF was my life for a few years until I started struggling getting into the classes that fit my schedule.

Currently, I have a Peloton at home (which I love, let me know if you’d be interested in hearing more about it) and a membership at Burn Bootcamp (which I also love and have shared about in the past). And while I love both as part of my current routine, I have missed running since leaving OTF. I’m one of those people that loves running. I had a treadmill at home but used it so much that the tread split and haven’t splurged to replace it. Running helps clear my head and it’s something my body responds really well to.

One thing I had trouble with at OTF was the rowing component, it tightened up my shoulders and made my already broad swimming shoulders when more pronounced. So I LOVE that Shred 4/15 has a similar structure but no rowing.

But that’s really just a baseline introduction. The studio, which is located right at Broadway and Baxter Ave., offers hour long classes that feature four 15-minute blocks where you alternate between running on the treadmill and a focused floor set. The floor components are either total body, core and arms or butt and legs. The floor blocks are led by the instructor and move fast so you have very little time in between exercises. This makes the classes fly by and really pushes you. You’re working on each move from somewhere between 20 seconds and a minute before switching so you don’t have time to tire out on one move or get bored.

As for the treadmill portion, you don’t have to run. You can walk, jog or go hard in the paint and sprint. You pick the pace based on their guidelines so don’t feel intimidated if running isn’t your bag. Their treadmills are also incredible and make running so much more enjoyable. The tread is a little more springy (that’s a technical term) so I don’t feel like you have as much pressure on your feet and ankles.

Overall the instructors are great, welcoming and totally nonjudgemental (and your first class is free). They get to know you, your fitness level and limitations and then provide modifications as needed. It’s usually a 70/30: girl to guy ratio and there’s ample space. The music is always on-point and I am motivated by all the hotties with bodies that regularly work out there. That’s not to say that it’s only fitness junkies there. It’s people of all fitness levels. The classes are as tough as you want them to be (and they can be TOUGH) but I always leave feeling super refreshed and excited to come back again.

The only drawback for some people may be the location. It’s great if you live in the Highlands, Nulu, Downtown or Germantown. Or if you work downtown or in the area. Otherwise, you’d have to make a bit of a special trip but it’s definitely worth it. It’s super close to my office, so I’ve been going in the mornings or at lunch when I don’t have meetings in the afternoons.

The good news for all the East Enders though is that they are opening a location in Hurstbourne this spring, so stay tuned for more info there. Hoping to host a community class when it opens and invite you all to come sweat it out with me there!

Shred 4/15, 642 Baxter Avenue shred415.com/locations/highlands/

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar:

Here’s another one you may have seen on Instagram. Last fall, I went to the opening of the new Walker’s Exchange restaurant and the renovated Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar in The Galt House. The party was a lot of fun but what really stuck with me was the beautiful job they did on the renovation of the bar.

You guys, it is swanky and right up my alley with the racing-theme. Located on the second floor of the West Tower of the Galt House (if you’re looking at it from Main Street, it’s the one on the left), it is a warm, inviting space with dark wood paneling (in a good way), cozy lounge seating and a killer cocktail menu. It would be the perfect spot to go with a group before a concert or UofL game. Especially if you want to sit down and chat with a cocktail instead of stand around, yelling at each other with a beer.

There are ample TVs if you want to watch a game but you can also find more intimate spots to sit and catch up. The cocktail menu features all the usual classic cocktail suspects as well as a long list of bourbons and their own speciality cocktails. I loved the ‘Oaks Filly Mule’ which is basically a hybrid of a mule and an Oaks Lily. They also have a bar menu so you can grab a bite to eat. I haven’t tried any of the food yet but am itching to go back before a Louisville game in the next couple months. If you’re downtown looking for somewhere to go before or after dinner, this would be the perfect spot.

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar, 140 N. Fourth Street jockeysilksbourbonbar.com

Repeal Louisville: 

With every new hotel comes a new hotel bar and restaurant to try. And while I haven’t had a chance to check out the rooms at the new Distil hotel, I have made it into Repeal – the bar and restaurant located right at the corner of 1st and Main Streets.

I’ve stopped into the bar for both happy hour and after-dinner drinks and had dinner at the steak house recently for my sister-in-law’s birthday. The bar is gorgeous. It’s definitely a showstopper with its prohibition vibe and dark granite counters that reflect the warm glow of what feels like a million bourbon options. The drinks are inventive and just strong enough – I hate it when you buy a fancy cocktail and it feels like you’re drinking a mocktail. The atmosphere is also cool with a mix of locals and out-of-town guests mingling throughout.

As for the dinner, we really enjoyed ourselves and the food. I will say that I think they were working out some kinks on the staffing as it took quite a while for our food to come out. The steak was delicious but it is pretty pricey. Certainly more of an occasion spot than a random dinner date night. I’m not a huge steak house and sides kind of girl, I’m more the type that loves a complete dish with sides that compliment what you ordered. So while the sides were good, they weren’t noteworthy. I’d definitely like to come back for lunch to try it out or come for a less formal dinner to get a better idea of the menu.

I will wholeheartedly recommend stopping by the bar as it is worth checking out. It’s also skews a little older but since it’s in a hotel, is open late so if you’re looking to grab a drink after a late dinner – this is the spot.

Repeal, 101 West Main Street repeallouisville.com

Butchertown Grocery Bakery:

I’ll keep this one short because I got very long winded on the previous reviews but I couldn’t leave out this new to the work neighborhood spot. Since my office is located right down the street, I’ve been not-so-patiently awaiting the opening of the bakery. My sweet tooth could hardly wait and certainly wasn’t disappointed.

Located right at the corner of Main and Shelby Streets, Butchertown Grocery Bakery is not only so cute (and instagrammable) but deeeeelicious. It’s my new favorite spot for a breakfast meeting since it’s quieter than most of the coffee shops in the area, the seating is very spacious and comfortable and the breakfast treats are divine. They have the standard pastries and scones along with breakfast sammies and quiche.

I’ve only done lunch carry out but my grilled cheese was so rich and gooey. Certainly not the order if you’re trying to keep it healthy. I will say the tomato soup was a little sweet for my liking but that’s my only knock. There’s also cakes, cookies and muffins if you’re in the area and in need of a sweet treat.

On the up side, they also do carry-out dinner specials. So you can pick up a lasagne or pot roast to bring home for dinner. This is super clutch if you’re someone like me who is always stressed about what to eat/make for dinner. It’s great if you work downtown since you can pop in and pick one up on your way home.

Butchertown Grocery Bakery, 743 East Main Street butchertowngrocery.com/bakery/