Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina was our quickest adventure. Arriving in the late afternoon we only had a few hours to explore before the city went to sleep. Waking up at the crack of dawn to leave before the unanticipated fourth New England nor’easter was not at all a part of our plan. We had hoped to have the next day to be able to see the sights, but with a twelve hour drive a head of us with the potential of snow, we knew we had to leave. In the short amount of time we had in Charleston, I fell in love. The city is so vibrant and welcoming. Even though we left early it gave us the perfect excuse to travel back soon.  

Outfit Details: Jean Jacket (Similar), Top, Jeans, Heels (mine are Michael Kors from last year here is a similar pair), Clutch (Similar)

Accommodations

The HarbourView Inn was absolutely stunning and perfectly situated for exploring Charleston! The room was equally as beautiful as the lobby and had two standing balconies that offered the most beautiful views of the harbor and city. After a thirteen hour drive we arrived just in time to take advantage of two events hosted by the HarbourView Inn that were complimentary with our stay. The Wine & Cheese reception began at five and had a wide variety of options for guests to indulge in, which we loved because cheese and wine happen to be two of our favorite things! We also had an opportunity to grab a cookie at the cookie and milk station on our way back from dinner (who doesn’t love a sweet treat before bed)! Next time we make our way to Charleston there is no doubt that we will stay here again!

See the below for a list of all the events you are able to take advantage of during your stay!

Wine Tasting 5PM – 6PM Fridays

Wine & Cheese Reception 5PM – 6PM Daily

Milk & Cookies 9PM – 10PM Daily

Local Beer Tasting 5PM – 6PM Thursday

Rooftop Skyline Tours 5PM-6PM Wednesday & Saturday

Live music 5PM – 6PM Fridays

Wine & Dine

Minero can be described no other way than as a taco heaven!

The restaurant is located in an industrial space on the second floor 153B East Bay Street and was recommended to us by our tenant who use to live in Charleston. Once you’ve arrived you are immediately met with the smell of fresh tortillas and delicious tacos. Everything looked so good, making it hard for Chris and I to make any decisions. After deliberating for quite some time we decided on ordering a variety of tacos. We tried the Fried Catfish Taco, Taco al Pastor, Grilled Steak Taco and Grilled Cauliflower. Picking a favorite was near impossible because they were all so delicious, but if I had to pick just one I would have to say that the Fried Catfish Taco would be my go to. There is no question that I would go back again and again!

Has anyone been to Charleston? I would love some recommendations for when we go back!

Key West, Florida

Key West was an absolute dream! The weather couldn’t have been better and it was so much fun to have time with some of our closest friends. Our time there wasn’t nearly long enough but there is no doubt that we took advantage of every second. In the two days we were there we were able to accomplish so much. Our time was filled with golf, jet skiing, shopping, sunset sailing and amazing food. Check out my review of Key West below!

Outfit Details: Jean Jacket (Similar), Jumpsuit (Old) Heres Another I Like, Slides (Similar), Clutch (Similar)

Accommodations

Key West has an endless amount of accommodation options for your stay and if we were to return to Key West without friends we would definitely stay at Sunset Key Cottages. The rooms look stunning and the location is within walking distance to all of our favorite restaurants and bars. Although, staying at the Sunset Key Cottages would be amazing we were both really excited to have stay at our friends vacation rental. The property consisted of two large houses divided by a large in ground swimming pool. Friends stayed in one house and family stayed in the other, it was the perfect amount of space for us all!

Outfit Details: Swimsuit, Sunnies 

Wine & Dine

Breakfast: Croissants de France on Duval was the perfect way to start our day. The girls headed out for a walk while the guys played golf. Looking for a light breakfast we ended up at Croissants de France. The croissants were by far the best I have ever had! If you get a chance while in the Keys grab a raspberry croissant with a vanilla late, it was sheer perfection!

Lunch: The Fisherman was within walking distance of our house, which made it the best spot to grab lunch to-go to enjoy some quality pool time! Typically, when I find something good on a menu I stick with it day in and day out, but because everything at the Fisherman looked amazing I did switch it up. The Lobster Tacos were fantastic (I would suggest some freshly squeezed lime juice and hot sauce) and the Blackened Shrimp Wrap was so yummy (again, lime juice never hurts!).

Dinner:

1. Mangia Mangia: Italian may be my favorite type of food (I have a lot of favorites in the food realm so this is saying a lot). Who doesn’t love a great pasta dish with homemade meatballs, there are definitely no complaints here! Mangia Mangia has a large menu and I don’t think you could order anything that wasn’t delicious. I loved having the Chicken Parmesan!
2. Pepe’s: The saying, “never judge a book by its cover” could not be more true in the case of Pepe’s. First impressions of Pepe’s can be considered rough, but the food will change your life! The home-style American cooking is so very delicious. On Sundays, they have ribs and they were cooked to perfection. You never once had to pick them up with your fingers because they fell off of the bone!  

Drinks: Captain Tony’s was so neat! My step-dad was stationed close to Key West while he served in the U.S Coast Guard and he absolutely loves the bar scene there. He recommended that we pop into Captain Tony’s and Sloppy Joe’s if we had a chance as they are staples to the Key West experience. Although we didn’t have enough time to make it to Sloppy Joe’s, (we are so old haha) we did get a chance to hang out at Captain Tony’s. The bra and dollar covered walls and ceiling set the tone for a super casual night out. Our group grabbed a couple of shots at the bar and headed over to play some pool and skee-ball. The current top score to beat is 280 (whether that’s lame or impressive I have no idea!) so go to Captain Tony’s and let me know how you played!   

Entertainment

Fury Jet Skiing: Jet Skiing has always been on my bucket list. The extent of my jet skiing experience extends to a 10 minute ride I took with my dad during our summers at the McNamara’s lake house, so I truly had no idea what I was doing. Immediately upon arriving to Key West the girls were asking if I wanted to try it out while the guys went golfing (lay by the pool or go jet skiing – definitely jet skiing)! We were told to arrive to the dock early and being the baby in the group I had to take a test to be able to operate the jet ski (Florida law). There were so many questions and some were so hard (definitely not prepared to exercise my test taking skills, but I passed!). Once we were out on the water I had an absolute blast. Leading the group by going really fast was my friend’s husband and behind him was me! There wasn’t one thing about it I didn’t love. I loved going as fast as possible. I loved stopping to swim on a sand bar. I loved going over huge waves! I LOVED everything about it!  

Outfit Details: Rashguard, Bikini  

The Hemingway House: Visiting Earnest Hemingway's home in Key West was a dream come true. As a book enthusiast I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend our afternoon! The property was stunning and was kept in the best condition. The state of the home was a clear reflection of its importance. Although dated, every imperfection told a story and reminded me of the home we just purchased. The whole experience was fascinating! The opportunity to see the kitties was also so much fun! They are the cutest and every single one of them wanted to be pet and given some love (made me miss my own fur babies!). 

Outfit Details: Dress (Similar), Sandals

America 2.0 Sunset Sail: Sailing around Key West was stunning and was one of the most memorable moments of our trip. The America 2.0 Sunset sail included unlimited drinks (champagne, white and red wine and beer) and passed appetizers. Champagne was flowing our entire time on the water, which may have been the reason the night was so memorable. Liquid courage helped me get out of my seat and experience something new. When we left the harbor I helped the crew open the sails and once we were off sailing, Captain Wade was nice enough to let me drive (it was so cool!). The sunset on the water was just beautiful and we only took about 100 selfies. I’m sure you can imagine how thrilled everyone was to be on a boat with a group of five people who were taking pictures the entire time (somehow we became entertainment haha). Overall, we couldn’t have had a better time and I would definitely go again!

Outfit Details: Top (Old), Jeans, Sandals

What are some of your favorite things to do in Key West?

Beaufort, South Carolina

As a planner, I plan EVERYTHING (obvious, I know)! Creating meal plans, shopping lists, itineraries, content calendars down to the very last detail I rarely leave room for any spontaneity. In fact, there are very few times that I can recall being very spontaneous (that’s not to say that I don’t break my routine and do fun things, I do, I just have never really walked into a situation without a plan), which was one of the main reasons I started to write this blog. Over the past week I did just that and completely stepped out of my comfort zone leaving New England behind on a road trip to Key West with no plans (OK, OK…we did book two hotels, but that was it, I swear!!!) 

Our first stop, Beaufort, South Carolina!

Beaufort, South Carolina is a charming town located on Port Royal Island, in the heart of the Sea Islands and South Carolina Lowcountry. Overlooking the river and nestled in Oak trees covered with Spanish Moss (they are gorgeous!), Beaufort offers a rich historical perspective imbued with southern charm. 

Interested in channeling my inner Reese Witherspoon, we set out for Beaufort, South Carolina (it was as close to Alabama as I could get! #sweethomealabama). Unaware of what to expect of this tiny town having done no research before hand I was unbelievably anxious to arrive. After a thirteen hour drive, we arrived and Beaufort, South Carolina stole my heart from the moment I started to explore. 

Accommodations

Anchorage 1770 allows its guest to step through the pages of history upon their arrival. Described best on on the Anchorage website, “Guests of Anchorage 1770 have a front-row seat in a rich drama 240 years in the making.” There is no other way to describe it other than rich with history, timeless with touches that make you feel at home and unbelievably magical. Attention to detail from interior design to homemade cookies delivered to your room before bed made our stay at the Anchorage 1770 by far one of the best hospitality experiences I have ever had and will continue to set the bar for future vacations. My advice would be to book it as soon as you can and go, I promise you, you won’t regret it! If you love history and would like to know about what makes this gem so fascinating check out their website or call to speak to one of their amazing staff members (they are the nicest people ever!). 

Wine & Dine

Lunch: Plums is perfect for a relaxed lunch with a fantastic view. An outdoor patio over looks the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park offering a view of the river. The ingredients are sourced from nearby farms. The big portions ensure that no one goes home hungry and I recommend the Biarritz wrap!

Outfit Details: Sweater (Similar), Top (Similar), White Skinny,  Shoes

Dinner: The Ribaut Social Club at Anchorage 1770 aims to create a similar atmosphere to the original Ribaut Club, established at the Anchorage in 1891. The club hosted performances, lavish parties, dancing and gambling - an escape from everyday responsibilities. Today, the club offers locals and visiting guests decadent regional cuisine in their intimate dining room or roof-top balcony. The menu, changing monthly, has something for everyone and is unbelievably delicious. The Heirloom Tomato Salad, Wild Striped Bass. Prime Strip Steak and Lemon Custard Sponge Cake are must haves if you can get there by the end of March! 

Outfit Details: Dress, Heels

Entertainment

Our time in Beaufort wasn’t nearly long enough leaving so many adventures waiting for us when we return. Even though, we weren’t able to fully explore all the Beaufort has to offer I wanted to give you a list of a few things that are on my must do list for the next time we are there so if you visit you all can try it out and tell me if you liked it or not! 

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park: Enjoy the view from one of the many bench swings along the walking paths at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park! We could have spent all day there if we weren’t starving from our long drive. The view is outstanding and having a few moments to just talk and relax is always a nice way to start a vacation. 

Fort Fremont: Watch Hill, Rhode Island and San Francisco have so many neat forts to visit, but from the pictures I am dying to explore Fort Fremont in Beaufort. Located in St. Helena Island, Fort Fremont is a Spanish American War fort built in 1899 and abandoned in 1921 (so freaking cool!). 

Port Royal’s Cypress Wetlands: I LOVE animals and from what I have read you are able to take a nature tour at the Port Royal’s Cypress Wetlands and could potentially see egrets, ducks (I LOVE DUCKS), great blue herons and a variety of other shorebirds. Along the winding boardwalk you also will be able to see willow oak trees. 

Bahamian Honeymoon

Paradise Island and the Atlantis resort was the perfect honeymoon destination! Chris and I were married on October 31, 2017 (yep! Halloween) in Napa, California. Spending almost two weeks in wine country to celebrate our love felt like it was the perfect amount of time for both a wedding and a honeymoon, but once we got home and the winter took its toll we thought there was no better way to extend our time in Napa by heading to the Bahamas!

Outfit Details: Top, Shorts, Sandals

Accommodations

 The Cove at Atlantis was phenomenal and absolutely beautiful! The open air concept throughout the whole hotel allowed for a small breeze to keep it cool and the landscape to be awe-inspiring. The view from our balcony was equally as stunning and was one of my favorite parts of our trip (there really is nothing like waking up to palm trees and the ocean right outside your window!). The room as a whole didn’t disappoint and included a step-down living area, generous walk-in closet and spacious bathroom, but the benefits of staying at the Cove far exceed the room. As a guest of The Cove, you have the ability to wine and dine at Sip Sip, the islands locally sourced and inspired food haven, tan pool side at the Cove Pool exclusive to adult guests and receive access to the private Cove beach (worth every penny)! As a part of your stay you also have access to Aquaventure, the island’s water park, which is discussed in more detail under entertainment. There simply wasn’t a better choice for us when it came to where to stay, Chris and I both appreciate luxurious accommodations while on vacation (who doesn’t love a good splurge) and there couldn’t have been a better option. I can see The Cove becoming our winter home in the future!

Entertainment

The entertainment on Paradise Island is endless! There are so many different activities going on throughout the week that it is nearly impossible to see them all, but that makes for a perfect excuse to come back! Dolphin experiences, water slides, turtle feedings just begin to skim the surface (that was punny!).  Our favorite activities are listed below:

1. Aquaventure

I LOVED THE LAZY RIVER! I loved it so much that Chris and I hopped on a tube multiple times a day. In fact, we loved it SO much that we rode the Rapid River almost thirty times in four days.  This love of lazy rivers wasn’t always the case. Growing up, I had one lazy river experience and it was awful, which of course, left me scarred me for life. There was nothing particularly dramatic about it, I just felt as though it could have been much cleaner (leave it to a 8 year old to draw that conclusion!). Naturally, this made me extremely skeptical to join in on the fun of the Rapid Rivers at Atlantis, but because Chris loves all water activities I decided to give it one more try and I am SO happy I did!

Outfit Details: Top (Old), Shorts (Old), Sandals

The Rapid River at Aquaventure in Atlantis is full of rapids making it not as lazy as a lazy river should be, but totally better. Any experience on the Rapid River starts with a large push from a huge wave, you are then carried down the “river” to your next stop, which is a large conveyor belt that pushes you up a hill and pushes you into the water once again. From there, you are met with two sets of rapids (biggest advice: keep your butt up and feet in, rapids are not soft!), then you get a slight break where you can relish in the lazy part of the River Rapids before you are met with another set of larger rapids. Then there are options! The Rapid River has strategically placed exits that lead to all of the water slides so if you’re feeling a little adventurous you can hope off your tube and climb the Power Tower to access a variety of different tube water slides. Climb to the very top of Power Tower to ride the water slide with the largest drop! Once you have made your way down this very large drop you are spit back out to the river to continue on and do it all over again!