We went to Charleston for the long weekend.
If you follow me on INSTAGRAM {@lindseyreganthorne} this is probably old news to you.
It was the best time that we’ve had in a long time… just the two of us. No agenda. Notta.
FRIDAY :: We left Charlotte by 8am {really, 8:30am LRT time} on Friday and arrived in Chucktown just in time for a pre-lunch drink. We decided to do Charleston, through ‘first time’ tourists eyes. It was actually chilly, the perfect weather for exploring. We started at one of our favs, THOROUGHBRED CLUB for a pre-lunch drink {ok, two}. I’m not sure what it is about this spot… it’s in a hotel, it’s dark, traditional, urber southern with lots of old people. But, I dig their drinks. They make some crazy concoctions.
Next up with we shopped the CITY MARKET as we made our way to the next noshing spot. JT purchased some famous boiled peanuts. Stop #3, NOISY OYSTER {see, told ya we were acting the part as ‘first timers’}. JT continued to drink IPA beers and I enjoyed some ‘goose on the loose’. We also ate some overly fried oysters. Next up we wen’t to my all time favorite spot in the city, MARKET PAVILION BAR. We were the only loonies taking in the wind + chill on a rooftop. After that we walked down East Bay Street… and found ourselves making BFF with the tenders at 82 QUEEN {another fav}. We had the best time sitting at the bar and making new friends… we enjoyed a bowl she crab soup accompanied by their speciality redberry spritzers and IPA’s for the hub. A few hours later we made our way back to the FULTON LANE INN, where we freshened up for dinner.
We enjoyed a ridiculous tasty dinner at another fav spot of ours, HIGH COTTON. Man, they do it right there. I love how gorgeous the atmosphere is; brick walls, wide plank floors, white planked ceilings, but in the evening the lights are totally dimmed… leaving it nice and romantic. I didn’t want to leave! Dinner was perfect with my hub. Next… back to CHARLESTON PLACE HOTEL via pedicab to THOROUGHBRED CLUB {the old people joint} for dessert and one last drink. They have the absolute best ice creams… down to the way the perfect little nuggets {scoops} are frozen. Apple pie ice cream + creme brulee. Delightful!
SATURDAY :: It was a gorgeous day… the cloud coverage had gone and the sun was shinning. Still only a high of 70 degrees with a slight chill in the air. Perfect for shopping! We were up and out of the Inn by 9:00am. Headed to brunch at a spot we’ve never tried, PALMETTO CAFE also located in CHARLESTON PLACE HOTEL. We’ve never gone wrong with the food options in the hotel. We went wrong this time around. We both had the buffet at $27/per person. It was a big flop… no pancakes {wha!}, no waffles {double wha!}. AND to top it off the bar didn’t open until 10am so we were unable to enjoy bloodies and mimosas! Boo to the double hooo! Oh, their bacon was a 5 outta 10! We left there after a $70 “brunch”, still starving and sober to and hit the shops. JT was a champ and shopped by my side. I gushed when I stepped into SOM, the most amazing home interiors shop. Really, this place screamed LRT’s style. All white, raw/ destroyed but refurbished wood accents, oversized light fixtures and statement pieces. It was a dream come true to me. Luckily, the hubs loved everything in there too. We took lots of pictures for inspiration for our ‘someday home’. Here’s the SOFA we died over… actually, JT picked it out. Super deep! It was displayed on the floor in a burlap colored linen fabric. Fell head over double heels with this DINING TABLE, $6k isn’t gonna happen… it’s fun to dream though! JT loved THESE for a front porch while I went into cardiac arrest over THIS. Doesn’t look like much on the webby, but it’s an oversized wicker chair and it’s close to amazing. I fell in love with this ART work {series of 3}, but then I saw THESE {they had them in pink ~ hello, bedroom} and fell even more in love with the sculptures. I could go into another blog post about their textiles… the throws and pillows were… I can’t think of the perfect word.
The day just continued to get better and better… we explored every art gallery and antique shop. Went into a few retail chains, but not many. It was all about the local shops. We stopped for ice cream and sprinkles along the way and then made our way back to MARKET PAVILION to soak up the gorgey weather. Had a small pizza, bubs and IPA. Bluest sky I’ve ever seen. Next up a history lesson by horse + carriage. Call me craze, but I always enjoy these tours. I learn so much about the city I love. So much historic architecture which is mind blowing. The tour took us down by the battery which is the hubs fav part of Charleston. They had a donkey at the carriage house… did you see that little guy!? After that we ventured down East Bay to AMEN STREET where we watched the Masters enjoyed oysters, IPA’s and goosie! Our dinner reservation for the evening wasn’t until 9pm… so by this point ~ we had all day!
We ended back up at 82 QUEEN to finish watching the Masters for the day. Also, the tenders there are just awesome! We sat at the bar… I enjoyed a redberry spritzer, maybe a glass of the bubs and JT stuck to his IPA’s. JT made his new BFF with the tender. He was super sweet though. 25 years old, surfer, loved all things sports… Him and my old man hit it off. By 7pm we closed out and stumbled {ha!} our way back to the Inn… where {oh em gee!} we entered our room and a bottle of Veuve was chilling. Our friends SARAH and John surprised us. Seriously, cannot tell you how much that meant. It’s the only kind of champagne the hubby enjoys too. Thank you, SC and smooches back at you!
We freshened up and made our way to our 9pm reservation at SERMET’S. At one time you might have overlooked this little gem sitting on a corner on Kings. While shopping earlier that day I was immediately drawn to the interiors… huge windows, wide planks, brick walls, white furniture, white walls, doors open, huge draperies… so we popped in to find that it’s still the same SERMET’S… just went through a renovation earlier in the year. The dinner, service, atmosphere was perfect! After dinner around 10:30, JT wanted to keep the party going… he wanted to go back to 82 QUEEN to visit with his new bromace! I put the kabosh on that… this girl was zonked!
SUNDAY :: We had breakfast in our room and then laced our tennies for a run. It was even prettier than Saturday. We ran around the battery, the parks, rainbow row, cobble stone streets, the pier… and it was at the pier when we saw dolphins! We needed up running for an hour. Headed back, packed our bags and said our Charleston goodbyes then headed to ISLE OF PALMS where we enjoyed some beach time. We ended our trip with burgers and brewskis at POE’S TAVERN. Home in Charlotte by 6pm… just in time for the hubs to shed some joyful tears over Bubba winning the Masters.
It was a perfect weekend spent with the hubs!
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