Greetings From Alpharetta, Georgia: Road Trips, Brunches, & Concerts Oh My!

Hello my Travel Girl Gang! They say college is about finding yourself. Personally, I think it’s about finding your people—especially the kind who will drive six hours to another state with you just to see Lorde and make it back in time for an 8 a.m. class.

So, greetings from Alpharetta, Georgia—home to one of my favorite spontaneous, sleep-deprived, and serotonin-filled Achievable Adventures yet.

Picture this: it’s a Monday afternoon in Tallahassee. My roommates—Mia, Riley, Julia, her girlfriend Lauren—and I have just wrapped our mandatory classes at Florida State University. We’re running on caffeine, excitement, and a Spotify premium subscription. Mia and Julia are not only my roommates (and dearest friends) but also Free Coconut brand ambassadors, so naturally, I had to turn this into a blog opportunity as well. The content wheel never stops turning!

We packed our suitcases, tossed in our duffel bags, and hit the road bound for Alpharetta, Georgia—where Julia’s family graciously welcomed us into their beautiful home. Our destination: Lorde’s concert in Duluth, just thirty minutes away.

This was not a luxury getaway—it was a Free Coconut lifestyle kind of trip. The kind built on vibes, laughter, and the thrill of stretching a college budget into a core memory.

Oh, and we met this gas station cat. I named him "Lueseldorf" and I think were soul-tied for life now🤞🐈

The first night was what cozy dreams are made of. Julia’s family treated us to a delicious homemade Italian dinner—complete with carbonara pasta (regular and gluten free for my gluten intolerant bestie Mia) , caesar salad, and the best garlic bread I ever had (not kidding, I took down like 6 pieces of it).

After dinner, we headed downstairs to their movie room—a real-deal, theater-style setup that had me plotting my “future home goals” board on Pinterest. We watched NERVE (Emma Roberts & Dave Franco. Need I say more?), ate candy and popcorn till we all had a stomachache, and reached peak relaxation that is nearly impossible to come by for full-time college students. It was the kind of simple, happy night that makes you forget every looming deadline and exam.

The next morning, we woke up to cool Georgia air (yes, we Floridians forgot what that feels like) and headed downtown for brunch. I ordered breakfast tacos that were nothing short of magical—eggs, bacon, potatoes, cheese, and salsa perfection.

Downtown Alpharetta itself was full of charm: boutique shops, fall decorations, and buildings that looked straight out of a Hallmark Movie I've watched with my Grandmother (shoutout Gammy!)

This was the zen calm before the Lorde storm🧘‍♂️ 

And then, the moment we’d all been waiting for. Lorde.

Let me just say: she is everything. Cool, simplistic, artsy, and so effortlessly magnetic. Her vocals live? Out. Of. This. World. The stage lighting, the visuals, the crowd energy—it all felt surreal. Every lyric hit differently when you’re surrounded by your best friends, screaming along in unison.

By the time the final song ended and the lights came up, I was sweaty, tired, and my feet were killing me-but, that moment was also euphoric. I knew this was one of those moments I'd never forget.

Now, here’s where things got real. Instead of staying another night, we made the brave (read: mildly unhinged) decision to drive back to Tallahassee right after the concert.

We fueled up with McDonald’s chicken nuggets, Julia and I downed an energy drink each (she volunteered to be our fearless driver, and I her passenger princess), and we blasted some hardcore rap throwbacks. Between car games, delirious laughter, and trying to keep our eyes open, it felt like we were suspended between exhaustion and pure joy. I knew sh*t  was getting real when I asked Julia: "Did that mailbox just move?"

And just like that, we rolled into Tallahassee at nearly 6 a.m.—just in time for sunrise and that brutal 9am class I needed to shortly get ready for. However, that kind of post-adventure silence, delirium, and soft smile are things that only best friends and roommates can share.

This trip marks the launch of my newest Chatty Coconut blog series: Achievable Adventures. Because here’s the truth—travel doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant to be meaningful. We’re five broke college girls who managed to make memories on adrenaline, a dream, and a hundred bucks each.

The Free Coconut lifestyle is about freedom, creativity, and conscious travel style—proof that adventure isn’t reserved for luxury travelers. Sometimes, it’s just about saying yes, grabbing your vacation carry-all bag, and hitting the road.

Going forward, I’ll be curating budget-friendly trip guides for my travel girl gang—helping you plan, pack, and pull off your own “Alpharetta moments.” Because every girl deserves to live her sun-soaked style dreams, no matter her budget.

From basement movie nights to brunch tacos and unforgettable concerts, Alpharetta reminded us that adventure is what you make it. It’s not about where you go—it’s about who you go with and the laughter that fills the in-between.

Here’s to road trips, shared playlists, and achievable adventures that keep our Free Coconut hearts beating wild. 🌺

As always ladies, Happy Traveling!

XO,

Ava (& Mia & Riley & Julia & Lauren)