What began as an idea to keep exploring in the middle of a cold, harsh Philadelphia winter has now blossomed into a 5 year old! I remember it well… that month me and my IT angel spent grinding the idea out with laser sharp focus. By the end of January 2015, we had not one but two websites Explore Philly and Explore New Jersey (this is what happens when you mix a Virgo with a Taurus… extra AF). But since it was such a local East Coast hyper focus, we found that limiting. Of course we frequently traveled outside of the tri-state area but then the name didn’t make sense.
After a life-changing press trip with Visit Phoenix, my heart was set on moving West. At a Philly foodie tasting event, my sweet friend Geo Darwin said, “Why don’t you change your name to Explore with Cassie? Then you can go anywhere!” I slept on it and in the morning decided he was right. Running two websites was just too much and making it into one was the best idea yet (with mad content to boot)! So again my IT angel and I once again went through the grueling process of changing your brand name and viola! ExplorewithCassie.com was born with home base in Phoenix, Arizona. And just like that, two years had passed and we had been exploring for 5 years… so it was party time!
We had gone to an Arizona foodie night with Melissa Ayana from Eat Drink AZ and learned about her client, Wasted Grain in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. So when we posted where to have a 5 year blogaversary party, she hooked it up! Wasted Grain reopened with a remodel and unveiling of the champagne lounge and nightclub, Bubble Room, and a new, expansive menu.
Forever early, Cassie Hepler arrives to make sure everything is running smoothly at Wasted Grain and get that Instagram-worthy bubble wing mural for the ultimate photo op.The early birds arrive first with Melissa Ayana and Merichelle Norwood at Wasted Grain.Cheers to 5 years with these blogger babes Eat Drink AZ and She Moves PHX!Justin and Merichelle Norwood strike a pose with Travis Timmons from Food, Art & Culture.The food started coming out right away at Wasted Grain featuring boneless chicken wings, burger sliders and egg rolls. Those chicken wings hit the spot when I could grab a few!Some of the first friends I made in Arizona right here, camping buddies too at Wasted Grain!Making new friends at Wasted Grain like fellow model Aly-Alyshia Carter and her crew.Marisol Avila from AllthePrettys and Jes Dobbs Shapiro from Camelback Culture came to support Explore all night long!The fresh faces behind AZsipsters and their friend swung by to show support before dinner plans.Check out this awesome crew of amazing humans at Wasted Grain with newbies Jenny Runner and Luxe & City joining the fun!And then you have people you didn’t even get to meet who came out to support, thank you!What beauties we have here in Arizona! It’s official now, Afi Maita from AfiLikeTaffy and her wonderful women have arrived!The Chandler crew has arrived at Wasted Grain! I relaxed for about 5 whole minutes with Jason Taylor from FattyFlyer with Marci Stallings and Chelsea Groves to my left.World’s most awkward photo of our friends but we love it weird at Wasted Grain! *Insert funny caption here*We almost missed these foodie beauties but glad I got a couple minutes to chat with them at Wasted Grain.My beloved cannabis community sisters came to represent at Wasted Grain including Hannah Meliana and Amanda Rae Fox from Felicity Events.Everyone was enjoying the live music at Wasted Grain.Thanks for supporting me Samantha and Alex from Luxe & City, teamwork makes the dream work indeed!Most people moved out back as it was easier to talk to one another at Wasted Grain. It was great getting to know these gals!Formerly ImbibePHX, this cocktail loving man Daanon DeCock is now Quench Press, make a note of it!So happy to see people having a great time at Wasted Grain!The Irish mafia has arrived with two of my faves, Kelly Sallaway from RushBrookMedia and Katie Jones at Wasted Grain.I love seeing my ladies smiling at Wasted Grain!The Totem Yoga guys arrived too, love these guys and all their good vibes they always bring!The lovely lady behind our after hours party at Frasher’s Tavern, Julie Sweeney swung by to show her support at Wasted Grain.Cheers to 5 years of blogging gang!Also an awkward photo of myself that I kind of love at Wasted Grain!All the good vibes right here at Wasted Grain!My girl Jasmine Bojorquez from JasmineVenturesAZ arrived full of smiles. Great women right here!The party was getting lit and giggly at Wasted Grain. Get it gang!These three Chandler peeps always have my back, love you guys!When you have someone try to take a photo of you & your photographer with her camera… am I really yellow?More humans I missed thanking for coming out, you are appreciated. Just when you think the party is winding down… but wait, there’s more!Because we are extra AF and because heels hurt, we arranged a ride to our after party with Valley Hop AZ!
This renovated school bus is a party on wheels complete with stripper pole! It has a 15 passenger limit complete with a cooler and party props, LED lighting and bluetooth available to link to your own music while you indulge. They offer 3 hour tours to all day excursions and something unique and fun to mark off your bucket list!
Get inside the bus and make bets on who spins on the stripper pole first with Valley Hop AZ!The calm before the storm on Valley Hop AZ… everyone looks so innocent and happy.Things are getting weird on Valley Hop AZ…Who’s on the stripper pole inside Valley Hop AZ? Watch the video below to find out!
Located in Old Town Scottsdale, they can pick you up in the valley or can offer a meetup location. Save 15 percent with code EXPLORE on your adventure: enter it on the website, call 480-630-7730 or email info@valleyhopaz.com.
And the ladies load off the Valley Hop AZ party bus and head hungry toward our after hours party at Frasher’s Tavern right up the street.
On the corner of Drinkwater and Indian School in Old Town Scottsdale, Frasher’s Tavern just opened in 2020 and is owned by the master of meat himself George Frasher also owns Frasher’s Smokehouse and Mrs. Chicken in Phoenix. Frasher’s Tavern meats include a 6-ounce Arizona-raised filet mignon, 12-ounce ribeye, a double-cut Frenched pork chop and slow-cooked prime rib. Seriously great steaks at delicious prices in Scottsdale!
When you throw an event, you barely eat anything that day… it’s not nerves per say it’s just you are so busy you forget! And delving back into fun February after dry January, let’s just say things were getting fuzzy at this point. So I was super grateful for this feast and guests were raving as well!
Because I had it at friends and family night, I remembered this delicious filet mignon beast well at Frasher’s Tavern. Submitted PhotoAnd because a salad always makes me feel healthier, I cleaned this plate too at Frasher’s Tavern. Submitted PhotoAnd you can never have enough carbs when out all night, I also fit in potato skins with bacon on top at Frasher’s Tavern. Submitted PhotoChocolate lovers cheer, this fudge cake even I couldn’t finish at Frasher’s Tavern it was so decadent. I also enjoyed some outstanding chocolate martinis that night too! Submitted Photo
It was a great night and I was feeling the love from my Arizona fam! A huge thank you to Wasted Grain for hosting, Melissa Ayana from EatDrinkAZ for coordinating, Valley Hop AZ for the fun ride (we didn’t want to get off the bus!) and Julie Sweeney for coordinating and hosting me at the after hours party at Frasher’s Tavern. Let’s keep killing it in the roaring 20’s and beyond. Cheers until the next 5 years!
