A Charleston Gift Idea!

While I can't say this will become a regular series,

I have tagged my Gift posts with "A Charleston Gift Idea!".

As the tag indicates, these are gifts that really apply to Charleston locals, however the inspiration can be translated to wherever you are!

Happy Holidays!
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Anyone who is a native Charlestonian, going back atleast 3 generations, most likely has a relative that grew up downtown. My grandparents and K's grandparents were friends as kids growing up in Wagener Terrace. Old-time Charlestonians tell stories that are reminiscent of eachother's, regardless of neighborhood or background. These stories are as much their own memories as they are Charleston itself's memories.

My mom's best friend, Mary Coy, has written several books on our Holy City.

From Amazon:

"Mary C. Coy is a fourth-generation Charlestonian. A 1975 graduate of ‘old’ Bishop England High School, she holds a B.S. and M.Ed. from the College of Charleston and is a former educator in local classrooms, museums and historic sites. She is a registered city tour guide, lecturer and free-lance writer for local publications and is the author of a number of books about Charleston including 'The Civil War Walking History Book;' 'The Revolutionary War Walking History Book;' 'Uptown Whirl;' 'Charleston: From a Kid’s-Eye View;' and 'Charleston 101' (which is also available as an audio book narrated by native Charlestonians in their “native tongue”)."

We visited with Ms. Mary at a Craft Fair this weekend where she was selling stacks of her newest book: "To Hear Them Tell It".

Ms. Mary says this is a book by Charlestonians, for Charlestonians. 

So basically, this is not for transplants, visitors, or tourists. 

These stories will touch the hearts of any friends or relatives that grew up in the Charleston of days gone by.

I can't think of a more special gift!!

We are buying 2 copies for Christimas gifts this year,

and they are probably my most anticipated presents to give!

Purchase yours here! 

A Brief Brunch Review

A couple Sundays ago K and I met up with my family for brunch near our home on James Island.

K has a joke that James Island is where restaurants go to die, and I have to admit it's sort of true.

While there are a handful of favorites near us, mine being Mondo's, Zia, and Smoky Oak, there are also "ghost of restaurants past" all around the island. 

There isn't much in the name of bars either, but we stop by O'Brien's in the Publix shopping center from time to time for a cold beer.  Recently I noticed a sign advertising $2.00 glasses of wine at a restaurant right next to O'briens called Salty Waters.  We went in for a couple glasses and ended up chatting with the bartender, who shared his recommendation for their brunch. 

 

So, we ended up going back and the brunch was fantastic!  Mimosa's are only $2.00!  I am also one who judges a Brunch based on grits (because you can really tell when grits are cooked in milk versus water, and this is really important to me).  Delicious grits.  We all loved our meals.  There was no wait time (ahem, Triangle and Toast) and bottom line: the food really was fantastic. 

So, go and get you some!

Empty plates all around!  Sorry I forgot to get pictures of the actual food...I blame the mimosas.

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Ok I have to scoot,

I'm baking cookies all afternoon for my 5th Annual Cookie Decorating night with my girl Abby.

 

toodles :)

 

Wedding Details: Reception Location

We have chosen our Reception Location and I am smitten.
Truth be told, finding a reception venue was harder than I thought!   
I mentioned in my last Wedding post that there were certain areas that I was going to really try and make our money stretch. I decided early on that one of the best ways to do this would be to find a place that allows you to bring in your own catering and bar service.

So, this narrowed the venue pool down to a baby puddle.

Another non-negotiable for me: Indoor Space. I'm not a big fan of tents, however nice they may be.
I also felt that paying for a waterfront or any scenic view would not be worth the premium, because there will not be a whole lot of daylight during our reception. 
I wanted to focus more on capturing the charm of Charleston,
and finding somewhere warm and inviting for our guests!

So, without further ado.....

Our Reception will be held at South Carolina Society Hall on Meeting Street.

South Carolina Society Hall was built in the 1800's and has charm for days, y'all.  

 I'm so happy that it is available for us!

If anyone has any questions about other venues that allow outside caterers, I'm happy to send a list!

xo,

Laura

p.s. This is where my parents had their Reception so it's just extra special all around :)