Vacation Heaven: Charleston Edition

Please excuse the photo overload that will be occurring in this post! 

There were way to many good ones that I did not want to leave out :)

Back in September, Will and I took a much needed mini vacation to Charleston, SC. A trip to Charleston was a first for the both of us so let's just say I took full advantage of getting recommendations and making plans! Not only was the weather beautiful, but we were able to do everything we wanted to and more. This city has been so wonderfully preserved that I literally felt like I was back in time in some of the areas we ventured through. 

The only thing Will would not let me do was book the hotel. He wanted to pick out a nice place for us to stay; a hotel in the heart of the city that was perfectly located so we could explore everything on foot. And when we arrived at the Historic Renaissance Hotel, I couldn't have been more impressed! He did such a great job and our stay was amazing!

I can happily report that our trip included zero stress. The whole time I was in complete awe at all the beautiful surroundings (historic churches and gardens galore), the friendly southern people, Sullivan's Island, the history and of course my favorite...the COBBLESTONE roads!

Of all the things I enjoyed most, being able to walk from place to place, hand in hand with my best friend and coming across some good ole' lowcountry style southern food and the bars topped everything! Y'all the food here is out of this world GOOD. Some of Will and I's favorite stop were  at Virginia's On King, Poogan's Porch, Toast, Blossom, High Cotton (where I ran into an old co-worker!) and The Rooftop. Of course I am leaving out a handful of other places we went to that were ahhhh-mazing but these were the ones that I could remember from the top of my head.

Will and I's brunch we got at Poogan's Porch!

Ran into an old co-worker Ellen at High Cotton!

Aside from the amazing food and bars, I have to point out that we had a few other "top picks" from our trip: shopping on King Street, strolling through The Market, wandering down Rainbow Row and relaxing in Battery Park. I would recommend making a point to visit each of these "top picks" when in Charleston without a doubt. 

All in all, this was a vacation from heaven. Something I will never forget and defiantly a place we will be visiting more in the future! And no trip is complete without our traditional stop at Cracker Barrel and an added bonus to the end of a wonderful vacation was being able to stop in Columbia, SC to see one of  my best friend's Emily!

Blogger Realization

I have been the WORST new blogger ever. After a few weeks into blogging, I got stuck. I got self conscious. I started to compare myself to other bloggers. How many people have viewed my page? How  many followers do I have? Is the content I write about "readable"? Those were a few of the things running through my head. So I got behind...and I stopped logging in to write. I wasn't sure if blogging was worth it anymore, and thought that is was to late to get back into the routine I had started...until I met some amazing bloggers in real life this weekend.

A few weeks ago, Caitlin from Southern Curls & Pearls told me she was hosting a fall styling party at Lilly Pulitzer Charlotte. Well LP just so happens to be a love of mine, and above all else I LOVE TO SHOP. But most importantly, I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I immediately thought that this would be something fun to do with my time, and since the event was in Charlotte I made sure to add it to my planner right away.

Shortly after I made up my mind to go to Caitlin's event, another semi-new blogger Alyssa over at The Lesson Plan Diva thought it would be a great idea to meet up and go to the event together...and I am so glad I did! Alyssa brought along her sweet boy, Philip, who knew Caitlin, and we ventured to the styling party excited and ready for a fun night ahead.

From here, all I can say is it that my night turned out to be one of the best nights I have had in such a long time. Caitlin and Alyssa literally are the sweetest.girls.ever. Not only are they precious and have the cutest style, but they are truly genuine, hilarious and now real life friends of mine...I couldn't be more thankful for this random friendship that has just begun! 

After sipping on pink bellini's, trying on clothes and making our purchases, Alyssa, Philip and I headed to Mavericks were we met my boyfriend Will for dinner! After dinner, we headed to Brazwells were we met up with Caitlin, Mason from Mason Like the Jar and my friend Allison and her boyfriend. Not once did I look at my phone to see what time it was because I was having so much fun and did not want the night to end! We spent the next few hours laughing hysterically, taking photos, and enjoying the night and atmosphere...(FMGM!)

(Left to Right) Mason, Caitlin, Me, Alyssa and Allison

Thankfully, I didn't have to say goodbye to these amazing girls at the end of the night (insert sleepover--whoop whoop)!! After leaving Brazwells we headed to Will and I's condo where Philip, Will and I ate pizza because Alyssa and Cailtin couldn't stay awake! After a long day, I was finally ready to go to sleep. I was content. I was happy. Will and I had a condo with 3 wonderful new friends. And Saturday morning was spent laughing about the previous night and saying our final goodbyes (until next step of course).

All in all, I am back to blogging thanks to Caitlin and Alyssa. It's a given that you need to check out their blogs. You won't be disappointed.