Charleston Trip Continued...

How gorgeous is this view?? This is what we will be looking out at during my sister's wedding in the Charleston in September.  She is getting hitched and having the reception at the Creek Club at I'on in Mt. Pleasant just across the bridge from Charleston.

Here is a pic of the hall and its big porch where the cocktail hour will be while we look out at that amazing view...

And here is a pic of the stairs on the side of the hall where my sister plans on entering from as she descends into the garden where the ceremony will be held.  Such a dreamy and romantic place!   Just like Charleston itself...

Since my Mom and sister and I were in town to finalize all the wedding details (the fun stuff: food, flowers, linens etc.) we usually didn't wander out and about until the early evening, when the light of the sun setting on the city was breathtaking.  

We had heard amazing things via word of mouth about McCrady's restaurant, which is a run by chef Sean Brock who embraces the local food movement and specifically and uniquely heritage grains as well as other local food.   We tried twice to stop by McCrady's for a drink and a snack at the bar (since we didn't have reservations) but we decided both times that even the wait at the bar was too much...and resolved to make reservations when we are back in September!

Really, I can't wait to share this place with Patrick and Fiona in September.  We are renting a beach house with my family for a weeks so it should be a nice, relaxing trip. 

Charleston Trip...and the Sweetest Lunch Spot!

My sister is getting married near Charleston, South Carolina in September and I just spent the weekend in Charleston with my sister and my Mom finalizing all the details (Fiona stayed at home with her Dad).  Since my sister has already picked all of her vendors we were there to do the fun stuff and make final design and food decisions!   It was a special treat to spend a weekend with just my sister and our Mom.  And I love love love Charleston and all it has to offer.  It is always inspiring to be there - there is so much art and culture, great food (especially fresh seafood- hello blue crab!) and amazing architecture and history.   Not to mention that the beach is never far away.  

I plan on posting some more pictures of our trip once I download them, but in the meantime I wanted to quickly upload some pics from the cutest little eatery called "The Pickled Palate" that my sister and I found on Friday in Mt. Pleasant, SC (just across the bridge from Charleston).  The building and surrounding garden are so enchanting and sweet, I felt like we had stumbled into a storybook.  The lunch menu, which is mostly locally sourced and then made onsite, was sooo tasty.  We had a panini and iced tea, but they also have salads and wine, plus I think they offer more at dinner.  Also, on the same site, is a little store by the same owners called Earthly Artifacts, full of handmade and vintage inspired home and garden decor.  So lovely.  I can't wait to return in September! 

Intuition...

Lately I feel as though I have been leaning too much on the 'rational' mind.  I'm trying to change that, in part by attempting to practice yoga and/or meditation daily, and writing and sketching in my journal.  I'm still amazed by how much joy and focus it brings me (and how hard it can be to keep up those daily practices, even though they energize me).

I recently came across this great quote I wanted to share, by none other than Albert Einstein.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” 
― Albert Einstein

Thank you for the reminder, Einstein.