Maine.

Earlier this fall, Todd and I drove up the coast with no real plans in mind besides making it to Portland, Maine in time for dinner. We stopped in Portsmouth, New Hampshire first, where we poked around the cute downtown area and escaped the drizzle in a little pub. It had stopped raining by the time we made it to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, so we took our time exploring the tacky beach shops then continued up the coast, stopping at Crescent Beach State Park and Cape Elizabeth. We reached the Portland Head Light just as the sun was setting and an old park ranger was shooing everyone away, then drove into Portland for dinner at Eventide Oyster Co. My favorite thing about this trip? Realizing how incredibly diverse this small patch of New England coastline is. One minute I felt like we were in Ireland; the next, Florida.

moving day(s).

Yesterday, I left Charleston in my rearview mirror. As I was driving away, I tried to remind myself of the enormity of the moment, but really, I think there's just too much to process right now. I waved goodbye to my house, my neighborhood, and then the entire state of South Carolina as I made my way up the road.

Yesterday was North Carolina and Virginia, two familiar states that never seem to end. Today starts with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and continues through Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and finally Massachusetts. I just can't wait to wake up in my new house. Maybe it'll all seem real then.

sheldon church ruins.

Last weekend, a friend and I hit the road for a little trip to Savannah. The drive is only about two hours and pretty picturesque most of the way. I always like to make a stop halfway there to check out the Sheldon Church Ruins. It's just off the highway, but it feels like a world away, like you're stepping back in time.

road trip.

The past few days we've been prepping for our big trip to Florida. It's an eight hour drive, but I'm actually kind of looking forward to spending some quality time with Todd. My road trip essentials: a camera (for capturing random roadside eccentricities), embroidery thread for friendship bracelet making, gummy worms, and a pillow and blanket for nappage. Not shown: Where's Waldo app for iPhone (my new obsession) and books on tape (by Anne Rice, David Sedaris, and Tolkien). What are your road trip essentials?

savannah smiles.

This weekend I'm headed South for a little weekend road trip with some girlfriends. We've been looking forward to this trip for weeks, and to sweeten the deal, I scored a last-minute deal on a four-star hotel downtown. On the agenda? Lunch at Back in the Day, perfume shopping at Paris Market, a stop at shopSCAD, and drinks at Rocks on the Roof.

For me, it's sort of a last hurrah before life gets crazy stressful with this little thing called Spoleto. It will own my life through mid-June, so you may not want to expect much from the ol' blog during that time.

For now, however, happy weekend! I hope you're having fun wherever you are.

atlanta recap.

Sometimes I think you don't really get a sense of a city until your second, or even third visit. The first is usually a whirlwind of the must-see spots, while subsequent visits let you explore the hidden places you may have overlooked.

We stayed with our friend Phil, who lives in Brookwood Hills, last weekend. I could have spent all day walking around the beautiful neighborhood, but we also fit in an estate sale, a drive through Decatur, the Dogwood Festival, a Braves game (including drinks at the 755 Club), and much-needed trips to Ikea and H&M. One of my favorite areas was Virginia Highland, a cute, stylish neighborhood where we ate at Yeah Burger. I can't wait to go back and explore more of this big ol' city.

oh atlanta.

We're going to Atlanta this weekend. What should we do while we're there?

open road.

For some reason, I never really thought about decorating a camper. Todd and I owned an '80s pop-up that made it out to Edisto Island once before refusing to pop up again — the musty orange and brown velour stripes of the interior softened the blow of our loss. And the fact that we got it for free and sold it for $250 on Craigslist.

These pictures, however, make me want to buy a little camper, put some love into it, and take it on road trips throughout the Southeast, from the Sea Islands to Asheville to Tennessee. Sure, it would be a little retiree of us, but I'm pretty sure our friends would be scrambling for invites to join us on weekend jaunts.

Images found via Bliss.

gville.

Last weekend I went to Greenville with Todd for Euphoria, a wine/music/food festival. Opportunities like this are what I love most about my job. We spent the weekend eating, drinking Firefly, lounging in our luxe hotel, and exploring the surprisingly charming little city in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was the perfect slow-paced, romantic weekend.

home.

**

I'm thrilled to be heading home to Virginia this weekend. On the agenda: my favorite Mexican restaurant, J. Crew factory store, antiquing, apple-picking, and Dad's cooking. I might even climb this mountain. Just thinking about scrambling up the rock outcrop on the tippy top makes my toes tingle.

Funny how I couldn't wait to escape the mountains when I was young, and now I can't wait to get back.

curioser.

As expected, I very much enjoyed my time wandering solo around Savannah.* I ran around like an art school student with my camera and have some fun, colorful photos to share later. Until then, here are some of the strange/spooky things I ran across that I may not have even noticed had I been more sociable.

A mysterious wall of graves at Colonial Park Cemetery.

There is no doubt in my mind that this old hospital/"poor house" is haunted.

Speaking of ghosts...

 Ghost kitty.

* That is until I was involved in a minor car accident that has given me a (hopefully temporary) driving phobia.

south bound.

Oh Darling! Photography.

I'm headed to Savannah again this weekend. I sort of invited myself along on the boy's tournament weekend, so I'll be stuck entertaining myself for most of it. I'm quite looking forward to it. 

I don't get to spend much time alone, and I've been thinking all week about browsing antique shops, getting lost on side streets, discovering new bakeries, taking artsy photos, lounging by the pool, and reading — an actual book, not just the internets. Heck, I might not even take my computer. 

OK, that's a lie.

savannah.

Savannah is two hours from Charleston, perfect for a weekend getaway. The two cities are strikingly similar in a lot of ways — history, architecture, landscape, Southern sensibilities — and really different, too. The differences keep me coming back. Funky, affordable shopping, stylish restaurants and bakeries, and a youthful art scene really set the city apart.

Strawberry cupcake and sweet tea at Back in the Day Bakery.

Our uber-swank hotel, the Avia Savannah.

Produce at the farmers market at Forsyth Park.

More Savannah musts:
* ShopSCAD for art from future Picassos.
* Paris Market & Brocante for the most beautiful store you'll ever see in your life.
* Clary's Cafe for greasy brunch.
* Bonaventure Cemetery for ghosthunting.
* Twilight Visions: Surrealism, Photography and Paris exhibit at the Jepson Center.

Check out my full article in the Charleston City Paper.