Enchanted in Charleston, SC

{Shirt $6, Belk// Shoes $25, TJMaxx}

     The warm, coastal breezes of Charleston, South Carolina made it hard to return to the cold Virginia air at the end of a busy getaway weekend. With about a seven hour drive, my boyfriend, Erick, and I had to pack a lot of activities into a short amount of time in order to take advantage of the Charleston experience.

     We arrived later Friday evening, rushing to pick up Erick’s race packet for the Charleston Marathon and grab dinner at Fratello’s, a nice Italian restaurant with excellent service and lovely set up, perfect for ordering the necessary pre-race carbs. After dinner we arrived at the Mount Pleasant Pier to take in the cool night air wafting over the calm water. It provided a romantic setting with city lights twinkling on the water surface and a full moon illuminating the sky. We turned in early that night to prepare for the hectic day ahead of us.

     The race was a success with Erick  finishing first in his age-group! The atmosphere offered a fun and positive experience filled with shrimp and grits, music, and interactive break dancers.

     Once Erick received his award at the awards ceremony we headed out to grab a late lunch at the Charleston Crab House which displayed a direct view of the waterfront. We enjoyed oysters and fish tacos; the food was good, but a little over priced.

     I wanted to experience the historical plantation sites, so we headed over to McLeod Plantation which was just down the road from the Charleston Crab House. While the exquisite trees and whimsical Spanish moss was enchanting, the plaques explaining the site’s history served as a reminder of the struggles slaves faced during plantation life. Understanding the history of a geographical area is essential to the full experience.

    The grounds were laden with trees and exhibited slave quarters, the area where a cotton gin was kept, the plantation house, and, across the road, a slave graveyard where one could pay their respects. The site provided a wealth of information on the history of the surrounding area as well as providing a rich aesthetic.

    Following our hour at McLeod Plantation, we headed back to the hotel to change for dinner. On the way back, I noticed that there was a walkway on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which boasts to be one of the longest cable-stay bridges in America. We parked and trekked up the towering bridge to admire the sights of the river and city from one of its overlooks. Definitely a destination everyone visiting Charleston should see!

    The air was beginning to prove a bit chilly, so I opted for pants instead of my go to dress or skirt outfit for date nights. I tend to be more apt to dress in darker shades in order to create a sultry look; furthermore, I always grab a black outfit when I know there’s a chance I might overeat, for black is a slimming shade. I opted for a pink, comfortable heel to jazz up the outfit.

{Bodysuit $27, Lex’s of Carytown// Shoes $11, Plato’s Closet}

    That night we met our reservation at Blossom for 7pm. Being Charleston’s Restaurant Week, it was packed and crowded, but we managed to be sat in a pretty solitary area. We ordered a sample plate as an appetizer in which we surprisingly discovered the best deviled eggs we had ever eaten! We both ordered fish plates; my specific order was blackened catfish atop shrimp and grits with pimiento cheese and fried green tomatoes. Needless to say, the food was extraordinary.

    To end the night we wandered the stone streets. Both of us being suckers for live music, we were drawn in to Lagunitas Brewing Company to sway to the melodies of Hans Wenzel and the 86ers, a local Charleston band. The day had been filled with scrumptious food, rich history, and grand aesthetic. We were sad to leave the next morning as we headed back toward Virginia weather, but vowed to return to Charleston again with more time to explore.

Be BOLD… but maybe with some help

I had been dreaming about starting a blog for years, but I did not have the courage or accountability to actually sit down, plan it out, and give it a go. I had a goal without any structure. So what did I do? I forced myself to take action which would hold me accountable to creating this blog.

I knew I wanted to start with quality pictures, but where was I going to get them? I knew a fellow RA (Resident Assistant) of mine who often did photography for weddings and portraits. I decided to approach her about helping me put together a starting portfolio. The next week she worked joyfully with me through outfit changes and finding the best backgrounds. Needless to say, I was stunned at her work behind the camera. (Taylor Lynn Photography, check out her blog and work if you are in the Richmond, Virginia area!)

The absolute best thing she could have done for me is call me out in her own blog post! After reading her post about my upcoming blog, I knew I had to actually do it. So, reality sets in. A little over a month later, and here I am.

{Bodysuit $12, Forever 21// Pants $10, Ross// Vest $30, Ross// Steve Madden Heels $11, Uptown Cheapskate}

    For my main outfit I wanted something bold. I personally love to dress in monochromatic outfits, hence all the red. Red may seem like a risky color to utilize, but it scientifically proven to catch the eye. As long as you portray yourself with confidence, you can always pull off bold colors like red. When dressing in one color, add small pops of color with accessories as I did with the cheetah print shoes. Adding a color that is related to the main color, like I did with the pink vest, softens the intensity that can be overbearing when wearing one bold color.

     If you like the monochromatic look, try neutral colors first. Whites, tans, and blacks are the safest way to test out this style before moving to bold colors.

(Check out Taylor Lynn Photography at http://taylorlynnphotography.com/ )