Charleston

The conversations tended to go like this...

Me: Phillip & I are going to Charleston for our 2nd anniversary! It's my first trip there! Yay!
Warning: I sometimes speak in exclamation points and say "yay"... a lot.

Friend: Yay! Your first trip!? I can't believe you of all people have never been there! It's going to be your favorite city!
Warning: So do my friends...

Me: I know! I have no idea what I'm in store for, but I know I'm going to love it!

Friend: You are going to take a ton of photos!

Me: I can't wait!

I probably had this exact conversation with three or four people. Our anniversary was a few weeks ago, but it's just as fun now to revisit one of our favorite trips. Phillip and I decided that rather than give each other gifts for our anniversaries, we'd always try to take a mini-vacation. Last year we were in Florida, this year it was Charleston.

We were very fortunate to have "tour guides," Phillip's dear friends Michael & Jessie, who are locals, to show us around on Saturday since we wanted to see everything and weren't sure where to start.

First up, breakfast at Hominy Grill. Surprisingly, I'm not one to take pictures of my food (I tend to dive in before it occurs to me that I should photograph it), but this meal was meant to be captured. Sweet potato and pecan pancakes and shrimp & grits... YUM.

After breakfast we waddled wandered downtown for a tour via carriage. Toursity? You betcha, but definitely the best way to learn about Charleston's colorful history... full of ghosts, libations, churches, fires (no need for Sherman to torch it, Charleston had already taken care of burning down the city), gorgeous architecture, and explanation to the "haint blue" that's painted on the ceilings of proper Southern porches - it has to do with ghosts! Who knew?!

After touring by carriage, we toured by foot where I got to snap to my heart's content.

I loved all the iron gates and pastels... it's as if the entire city is color coordinated, which I learned  from my carriage ride, it is! By a committee that reviews/approves all requests for painting, remodeling, etc., to ensure the preservation of the city's beauty and history. 

So many great alley ways in Charleston!

LOVE!

I need an orange door...

and a very large gate.

Our 2nd meal of the day was at an unassuming French bistro, Gaulart & Maliclet, whose food was simply amazing. The lunch special includes a bowl of soup, slice of melon, sandwich, and a glass of wine... for $7!?! Delicious and affordable! We were so pleased with our meal, that we decided to extend it and ordered dessert... chocolate fondue and fruit... we basically would have licked the bowl clean if it wasn't fondue, which would have been very hazardous.

I think Michael's expression says it all...

Then it was more walking, gazing, grazing, and taking in the gorgeous day in my new favorite city.

You were right Friend. I love Charleston.

But more than that, I love him. My best friend, who I love growing with and seem to fall more and more in love with every day. How does he do that? I have no idea, it's probably a combination of knowing me better than I know myself and unconditional love, but whatever it is, I'm forever hooked.

 {Charleston, SC Photography}