Charleston | Shop + Stay + Play

Happy Thursday Friends.  I have been meaning to do this post for awhile since I last did my favorite Charleston Eats Post.   I feel so lucky to call Charleston home.  It is such a fabulous city filled with so much historic charm, southern hospitality and fabulous food!  If you get the chance I highly recommend you visit Charleston.

I get a few emails a week from people wanting to know where to stay and what to do here while visiting.  Keep in mind there are so many things to do here, so many great shops and great places to stay,  these are just a few of my favorites.

|| S H O P ||

Hampden Clothing

314 King Street

One of my favorite clothing shops in town, it is hard to leave here empty handed.  Stacy Smallwood, the owner does such a great job bringing cutting edge fashions to Charleston.

Sugar Snap Pea

233 King Street

also located in Mt Pleasant ( 712 S Shelmore Blvd)

My favorite shop for the kids.  Filled with adorable clothes, toys, and gifts.

Finicky Filly

303 King Street

This shop is filled with all my favorite brands like Joie, Mara Hoffman, Tory Burch. You might remember my post about their Brown Box Club.  You must stop in if you are strolling King Street.

Open Door Shop

1630 Meeting Street

This off the beaten path and not walking distance from the main strip of downtown but worth a stop in.  They are a fabulous entertaining store.  I always pick up serving platters from here.

NOVEL

1630 Meeting Street

If you stop in Open Door Shop you must pop in Novel too, they are in the same building upstairs.  It is filled with The Library Collection By Lauren Lail,  Art by Way Way Allen and stationary by Liza Cleveland.

GOAT. SHEEP. COW

106 Church Street

If you love meat, cheese and good wine (like me) then you will be heaven in this shop. I have become addicted to it and stop in often for weekend appetizers.  They also make killer sandwiches at lunch if you luck up on one, but they sell out fast!

PINK CHICKEN

225 King Street

This adorable girls/women's store just opened here in December and I am already obsessed with it.  They have the cutest stuff ever, I am always buying Frances dresses here.  There are only two other locations in the US so stop in if you are in Charleston!

MAC AND MURPHY

74 1/2 Cannon Street

If you love paper products like I do you will want to stop in this charming store.  It is filled with adorable cards, notepads, wrapping paper and ribbons.

ECLECTIC

875 Coleman Blvd

This home interiors store is in Mt Pleasant but if you are over that way you must stop in.  It is filled with the cutest home accents, art and decor.

CELEADON

1015 Johnnie Dodds Blvd

Another great home store in Mt Pleasant.  Filled with great furniture and accesories for the home.

SHOES ON KING

335 King Street

If you love shoes, this is your store.  Right now they are running their buy one get one free sale.

ROBERTA ROLLER RABBIT

322 King Street

I just stopped in this store this week and lets just say I am officially obsessed.  The most gorgeous Boho cover-ups, kids clothing, accessories (think gorgeous beaded necklaces and purses), and bedding!

|| S T A Y ||

The Vendue Inn

19 Vendue Range

This was one of my favorite places to stay before we moved here.  The hotel was just recently redone and looks amazing.  Don't miss the rooftop bar and restaurant, The Drawing Room.

Zero George

0 George Street

I have yet to stay at this boutique hotel but I am dying to!  I have heard nothing but rave reviews about the hotel and the service.  They have a restaurant on the property and offer cooking classes too!

MARKET PAVILION HOTEL

225 East Bay

This hotel is worth it just for the rooftop pool and bar!   It is within walking distance to some great restaurants too.

CHARLESTON PLACE HOTEL

205 Meeting Street

This hotel is right in the heart of downtown Charleston and walking distance to most shops and restaurants. 

PLANTERS INN

112 N Market Street

This hotel is located in the heart of Downtown too and home to the famous Peninsula Grill (they make the insane 12 layer coconut cake)!

P L A Y

The AQUARIUM

If you are traveling with kids, the aquarium here is awesome!

CARRIAGE RIDES

If you want to see more of Historic Charleston the Carriage Rides are such a fun way to see downtown.

THE ARTHUR RAVENEL JR BRIDGE

This is the bridge that connects downtown to Mt Pleasant.  If you want to see the city from a different view and get some exercise the bridge is great way to do that.  People walk and run this bridge everyday.   On a sunny day the views are pretty incredible.

 

USS YORKTOWN

If you have kids this is another fun activity to check out the USS Yorktown.

FIREFLY DISTERLLY

This is bit of a drive about 25-30 minutes from downtown but such a fun activity.  We did this last year for my birthday and had so much fun.  You get to tour where they make the Firefly Vodkas and do a tasting.  There is also a vineyard (Irvin House Vineyard) beside it where you can do wine tastings as well.  After our tour we bought a bottle of wine and sat on the property (its gorgeous) and drank it and listened to the live band.

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

After I posted this on instagram so many of you commented and wanted the recipe, ask and you shall receive.  I honestly can't beleive I have not shared this recipe yet, it is one of my favorite salads.   I can't even remember where I originally found this recipe, in some magazine years ago.   I think maybe an old Cooking Light, but then I made a few changes.  This is such a great salad.  It saves well in the fridge and is full of so many of my favorite Mediterranean flavors.  You could easily serve this with grilled shrimp or chicken and have a meal.  I made it for my lunches last week.  This makes a lot of orzo.  I actually took half over to my neighbor who had surgery, so be warned it makes a huge batch.  I find it is best served room temperature.  

The dressing measurements are not exact, so alter to your taste.

|| M E D I T E R R A N E A N    O R Z O ||

- 1 box orzo

- 1 small jar chopped sun dried tomatoes

- 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (save liquid)

- 1 can chick peas, drained

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes diced

- 1/2 red onion diced

- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives

- 1/2 cup good feta cheese crumbles

- 1 cup spinach sliced thinly

DRESSING

-Liquid from Artichoke Hearts

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- 3-4 tablespoons white wine vinegar

- salt and pepper

Cook orzo according to box, drain and let cool slightly.  Add all other ingredients but feta to a large bowl.  You may need to chop the marinated artichoke hearts smaller depending on the size.  Add the orzo to the veggies.  Whisk together the dressing and pour over the orzo and veggies.  Add in the crumbles feta.  Season with more salt and pepper if needed.

Obsessions || Spring Fever

 || Zinke Cut-Out One Piece

also here

I honestly feel most comfortable in a one piece these days.  I just ordered this for our upcoming vacation and love it!!  I ordered the navy and white stripe version but it also comes in 3 other gorgeous patterns.

|| Love Sam Tie Dye Dress

I am such a sucker for anything tie dye.  It is my inner hippie coming out.  This dress needs to be mine.

Also comes in a maxi version.

 || Crystal Ray Earrings

So excited these earrings are back in stock I have been wanting them.  A fun everyday earring.

|| Tibi Dress

I wanted this dress last season but never bought it.  I found it on The Outnet for 60% off!

 || Banana Republic Cross Back Blouse

This is such a great blouse for work or play.  I just love this stone color and the back detail.  Would be gorgeous with white jeans and a fun necklace.  Also comes in black and emerald green.

|| 6 Shore Festival Lace Dress

I always love a pretty white dress and the lace detail makes this even more gorgeous.

|| Monrow Vintage Tee

I love a good tee shirt.  This one is such a great shade of gray.  It is on sale plus you can take additional 30% off with code Saleonsale.

|| JCrew Crepe Dress

I actually just ordered this dress, it is my favorite shade of blue and looks like a great casual Summer dress.  Also comes in black.  Use code shoppingtime for 20% off.

|| Tassel Necklace

This is by the same brand that made my tassel necklace in yesterdays post.  You can't beat it for the price, I am tempted to order this one too.  So cute with a bathing suit or white tee.

|| Aspiga Sandals

I am loving these beaded sandals.  Perfect to throw on with a tee and jean shorts to jazz up a boring outfit.

|| Joie Arrayn Dress

I bought this dress last year in the navy version and love it.  It is lightweight and so comfortable.

|| Seychelles Wedges

I am obsessing over these wedges.  Such a great neutral color and under $100.

|| Austral Embellished Top

Of course I am smitten with this embroidered top!

|| Next Level Amuse Dress 

Such a fun beach dress and under $70!

|| Pia Pauro Embroidered Dress

Off Shoulder + Embroidered- yes!  Really want this for our vacation.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Happy Monday Ya'll!  Did everyone have a great weekend??  After having family in town last weekend and prepping for Sterling's birthday party we decided to have a low key weekend this weekend.  Did some work around the house and finally enjoyed some warmer weather on Sunday!

Friday afternoon I had a doctors appointment in Mt Pleasant, afterwards I stopped in the Square Onion to grab lunch and could not resist this Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Brownie.  It was insane.  I will be back for more.

Friday night I went out with some girl friends.  We were going to try the wine bar in Avondale but it was packed so we hit up Roost and Oak Barrel instead.

Wore my Joie Blouse (on sale) paired with my new tassel necklace.  Ladies this necklace is only $22 and so cute in person!

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans

Had a blast with these girls drinking wine and eating sushi.

New favorite Breakfast ||

Whipped Cream Cheese layered on whole grain toast topped with avocado wrapped with prosciutto.  You bake the avocado and prosciutto first so it gets crispy then layer on the toast.  So amazing.

Saturday I worked around the house, styling and filling my new glass cabinet in the kitchen.  I also hung my new painting from Marquin Designs.  Such a talented artist, you can check out her whole Site HERE.  I just love my painting, the colors are even more gorgeous in person.

Matt had to work all day so I took the kids to the park.

Sterling was dying to go to McDonalds because the happy meals have Spongebob characters in them.

So we ht up McDonalds post park.

I can't ever resist McDonalds fries even though I know how bad they are for me- I did resist a burger though and just stuck with my fries and coke.

My goodies I ordered from Old Navy arrived and I must say they were even better in person.

The bikini reminded me so much of Mara Hoffman and the shoes for Frances, no words- just adorable.

Bikini Top | Bikini Bottoms | Gladiator Shoes

Saturday night we made Crock Pot Chicken Cheesesteaks.  They were so easy and super delicious.  I found the recipe HERE

Sunday I went on a much needed run.  I have really only been running on the weekends lately so I look forward to that alone time plus the weather was amazing!

My favorite running shoes.

Frances Moon and I accidentally dressed alike in our blue and white outfits.  But seriously how cute is her dress??

Ended Sunday with the Oscars.  

Two of my favorite best dressed were Marot Robbie (I think she is so gorgeous) and Naomi Watts.

 I am so glad Julienne Moore won for Still Alice, I have yet to see the movie but the book really moved me and stuck with me.

Don't miss out Piperlime just announced additional 30% off sale items and 50% off final sale items.

Use code SALEONSALE, ends tomorrow.

RT Blouse

Log Cabin Sweater

 Dolce Vita Flats

 Steven Shoe

Rachel Comey Mars Bootie

Milly Fringe Cross Body

(extra 50% off such a steal)

Foley and Corina Tote

extra 50%!