Charleston Happened

Y'all. I love Charleston so. I'm talking favorite city on earth so. May and I tried an Airbnb for the first time, and it was great. I love having all the space of a home, and it just makes you feel more like a local. I already booked another Airbnb in August. Once we arrived to the land of the palms and pineapples, we went straight to newish Tex-Mex restaurant Minero (same owner / chef as Husk - another Charleston favorite of mine). Here's what we ordered up:



Sangria. Chips and guacamole. Their guacamole is amazing with all the cilantro, radish, etc. garnishes - really kicks it up a notch. The chips - those are great too - not your average tortillas. All of their tacos are under $4 each. Resounding favorite was pastor followed by grilled steak and pork carnitas. They don't take reservations so just get there late.

That night we went to the bar Blind Tiger. Inside is definitely college but outside is the polar opposite (well, I can't speak to clientele on the night you're there, but ambiance, yes). The outside patio truly is "an enchanting garden where seating areas are tucked behind crumbling brick walls or under branches." Charlestonians were loving my pineapple spirit. One person did say, "what's up Tupac," so there's that. I'll go with it.

Saturday morning came and we walked it out to the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square. I don't think I could ever miss this market on Saturday. The hustle and bustle in the heart of it all really gives you the pulse of the place. It opens at 8 a.m. so I try to get there right around then. At the start of the market there are a good amount of breakfast and coffee vendors so that's always my first stop. We're talking giant breakfast croissants that two people need to share. Oh, and bring cash here. Many of the shops take cards but not so much the food spots so $20 will do you good. 

As for the shopping, Rewined candles are here cheaper than we can get them at home since they're Charleston made - perfect souvenir. My favorite Rewined scent is pinot noir and their second line, Produce candles, the scent wildflower is pretty great. They'll hold them for you while you walk the rest of the market. I love the Charleston Soap Chef too. Try her sugah scrub and the lotions and bath salts are great as well. I have almost the whole line (whoopsies!) in her sweet magnolia scent. Both of those vendors have the Square, so cards accepted. 

After the Farmers Market we walked King Street to City Market. May had to buy a bag for her bags so I suggest packing a reusable shopping tote with shoulder straps (just sayein'). My favorite shop in City Market is the Historic Charleston Foundation. They have everything pineapple you could dream of. I recommend their pewter pineapple bottle opener (at only $6 it's an absolute steal). Since they are a nonprofit, you don't pay tax so that's a pleasant surprise. 

From there we went to all of my favorite stops that I'll stop at every time I am in Charleston no matter what. Even though I've already seen it, it doesn't seem like a visit to #Chas without seeing the staples: Rainbow Row, White Point Gardens at Battery Park (where Hank and I got engaged!) and the Pineapple Fountain. 

We seriously could not have done it without Phil. We hitched a ride at City Market and he pedaled us and our bags to all of those stops. It was delightful or as I said, PHILnomenal. He took us to favorite beer shop The Charleston Beer Exchange where I picked up Westbrook's Mexican Cake beer for Hank. It only comes out once a year so the odds of us being there the day the shop stocked it is beer fate. Souvenir for Hank, check! 

We did all of that by lunchtime. Whew. Phil pedaled us all the way back to our Airbnb. Bless him. It was hot. May and I popped on our suits and made our way to favorite beach Sullivan's Island for some fun in the sun. We called ahead at Poe's Tavern and got takeout for the beach. Surprise... more tacos. The line for Poe's is always long in the summer so I'd recommend a call ahead. The parking for Sullivan's Island is sparse so patience and it will happen. 

After the beach we stopped by Sugar bakeshop, and oh my goodness it was so good. 

So cute, so good. I picked up an ice cream cone shaped ginger snap dog treat for Bentley and a coconut cupcake for myself. Seriously delicious. Next time I'm picking the one with sprinkles. 

We got dolled up and it was off to Moon and Lola as May was teaching handlettering. 

I organized some things. Wrote some things. And posed with giant pinata letters. 

After a job well done, we went to Leon's Oyster Shop for dinner. Hank said he wasn't seeing enough seafood so by golly I will eat seafood. May and I started with their char-grilled oysters and fried brussels sprouts. The brussels were amazing. Then we ordered more oysters but raw this time, and I always love oysters so those were of course great too. Next time I want to try their crushed avocado toast as it seems like that's what people are eating these days. Leon's has an abundance of outdoor twinkle lights so yippee for that. 

On Sunday we woke up and had more seafood. We got to Hominy Grill (UNC alumni owners and chef!) right when they opened. I had their shrimp and grits. I just couldn't not order them. 

Afterwards we packed it up, went to see my favorite potter, Elizabeth Carlton, grabbed iced chai tea lattes at Kubu, walked down the middle of King Street because it was Second Sunday, their celebration of the arts, and then worked an alumni event where there were benne wafers (another Charleston staple). Then it was off, off and away back to the land of the pines. Until next time, Charleston.

P.S. If you're interested in trying Airbnb, here's $25 off your first adventure. As for my past Charleston adventure recaps, here and here.