photo by vatsa shamanna
Charleston, where the Civil War began. Known for it’s avid historical preservation and southern hospitality, this city has so much to offer! From amazing restaurants, galleries, boutiques and museums to beaches, marshland and ancient oaks, Charleston is one city not to be missed. The intoxicating scent of jasmine and the sound of horses as you explore the cobblestone streets will transport you to another world, a world full of true “Southern Charm”.
Most of our favorite summer dishes include sweet strawberries or basil, but putting the two together never really crossed our minds until we came upon these recipes. There is nothing like a fresh salad that celebrates all the flavors of … Continue reading
After a six year hiatus Gaea Yoga has reopened her doors on Coleman Boulevard. The owners Kate and Legare Smith have found the perfect space right up the street from the original location. The new space is full of beautiful light … Continue reading
With summer break right around the corner, it’s time to get your supplies organized so you are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Think outdoors and protecting you and your little ones from the sun, bugs and heat. Having … Continue reading
The spring garden is coming along nicely, the flowers are blooming and the herbs are plentiful. If you are like us, your intention is to add herbs to everything from iced tea to scrambled eggs – so you plant like … Continue reading
We love anything old turned new, especially if it has a nostalgic feel to it. Two summers ago we purchased these fabulous glass coasters at the Charleston Farmer’s Market. These coasters, made by local artist Kim Hunter, have vintage paper … Continue reading
Years ago a talented musician and mother, named Hazel Ketchum, wrote a song called Big as the World that touched our hearts. Every time the lullaby played in the car or when we had the joy of hearing Ms. Hazel perform, tears … Continue reading
Summer is right around the corner and it is time to start planning some fun activities for the kids. After a year packed with academics, give them a reprieve and tap into their creative side. The Artists’ Loft School, located … Continue reading
Collecting cookbooks over the years is just something you do when you enjoy cooking. In addition to all those cookbooks, you probably have a collection of recipes from magazines, printed from websites, and handwritten from family and friends – all … Continue reading
Our goal is to eat mostly fresh food and minimal packaged and processed foods. Therefore, we end up using the fridge as our primary place for storage. A fridge is designed to keep food cold to inhibit the growth of … Continue reading
Local Charleston artist Kristen Solecki combines various medias, from traditional printmaking and ink to paint and found photographs, to create the most unique works of art. Kristen received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration from the University of the Arts in … Continue reading
For a delicious and easy treat this weekend, try this yummy French Toast casserole. Make it the night before and in the morning just pop it in the oven for an easy breakfast or brunch. For hearty appetites, you may … Continue reading
Open your cabinets under your kitchen sink and take a quick inventory. Most likely you will find that you can get rid of half of what is there. Today we are sharing ways to store and organize your everyday kitchen products … Continue reading
Vanilla makes everything taste divine. The majority of baked goods include vanilla so why not make your yummy treats the best they can be? Don’t ruin your recipe by using imitation vanilla, it’s worth buying pure vanilla extract or, even … Continue reading
I love grits. Being born and raised in the south, it was practically my breakfast baby food. Grits add an extra pizazz to so many meals from plain ol’ eggs and bacon to the dish of the south – Shrimp … Continue reading
Southern Living, a magazine devoted to the best of southern life, has teamed up with chef Jeremiah Bacon of The Macintosh to share his favorite Cheap Eats in Charleston. Covering everything from sweet treats at WildFlour Pastry to loaded dogs at Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, this … Continue reading
There is nothing better than having fresh ingredients when cooking or baking. It is also nice to be able to make your own substitutes when you find yourself missing an ingredient that you may need. Here are just a few … Continue reading
“Choosing something handmade by an artisan is a celebration of individuality, durability and simple beauty.” Mark and Sally Bailey, authors of Simple Home When I think of our daughter Mia as a young child, the picture in my mind is of a … Continue reading
With Earth Day this weekend we thought it would be a great time to recap some of our favorite “green living” posts from the past year. As you already know, caring for the earth is something we are passionate about. … Continue reading
Parting is such sweet sorrow…unless of course you are moving to the South of France! Our lovely neighbors, and their beautiful children, are leaving Charleston, SC to embark on this incredible journey. We will miss them terribly as they were … Continue reading
The following question is from Leslie R. “Hi Ladies, My bath towels smell of mildew just after one use. I am sure part of it is lack of ventilation in my bathroom, but was hoping someone can help with good … Continue reading
The Charleston Farmer’s Market is back and so are all the wonderful artisans, craftsmen, food and fun that come with a visit downtown on Saturday mornings. One of our old favorites is All Ya’ll’s Favorites with their delicious sauces, dressings, … Continue reading
I have vivid memories of driving around with my favorite aunt, sitting on her lap in the driver’s seat of her car. Carol King blaring from the 8-track tape player, her high heel Candies on, completely carefree. Obviously things have changed … Continue reading
Looking for something fun and educational to do this Saturday? Consider piling friends and family in the car, pack a cooler and take a Dirt Roadtrip! This one day farm tour event (coordinated by Lowcountry Local First) will provide tours … Continue reading
If you are like us and love to cook with herbs and spices, keeping them sorted can be a bit overwhelming. In addition, making sure they are fresh and have not expired is also important. There are lots of great … Continue reading
We have been blogging for a while now (almost a year!) and on our mission to live more simply, we have had the support of many readers who are following along on our journey. Many of our posts have come … Continue reading
Through May 13th the work of David Boatwright will grace the City Gallery at Waterfront Park in Charleston, SC. The exhibit showcases sketches, paintings and murals from a 25 plus year career. In addition, the public is invited to come … Continue reading
If you are traveling this Easter holiday and don’t have the room to take along your Easter baskets, get your kids involved and have them design their own Easter bags! They can fold flat and add the perfect handmade touch … Continue reading
Last year for Easter we gathered at Boone Hall with several families for a picnic. Every family brought their favorite “picnic” food and we had a wonderful potluck. The kids could run around and play while the adults enjoyed the … Continue reading
Just the thought of Grandmother’s grease can on the stove to collect bacon drippings in order to fry up chicken and such can make your arteries clog. Today we have so many delicious and healthy options for cooking that enhance … Continue reading
The easiest way to describe the Charleston Artist Collective is art with a mission! The website acts as an online gallery of local artist’s work. The mission is two fold. Promoting and supporting the work of artists, and giving back … Continue reading
If you love bed and breakfasts like we do you know it’s not just the quaint surroundings that draw you in, but the amazing food as well. In 2010, the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association put together a cookbook of … Continue reading
Recently, our friend Lisa surprised her husband with horseback riding on Seabrook Island for his birthday. This is the kind of gift we like, the gift of an experience. According to Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus, of the minimalists, … Continue reading
Stocking your pantry with good and healthy staples makes cooking easier and reduces trips to the grocery store. If you haven’t used some of these items before, give them a try! Your local health food store has many of the … Continue reading
One of our very favorite studios, Cone 10, is having their first student show! All you bridge runners visiting Charleston this weekend need to make sure and drop by! It’s never too early to think about those very special Christmas gifts! … Continue reading
Eating vegetarian is a great way to stick to a budget and keep it healthy. This is a great go-to recipe when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare a meal but want to feel indulged. Add some … Continue reading
Today is part two of our feature on Magnolia Gardens. We went to meet with Tom Johnson, Director of Gardens, to learn more about the Camellias grown there and left so inspired and knowledge soaked we decided to do two … Continue reading
If your home is like ours in the morning before school, you understand chaos. Trying to get everyone dressed (if you have little ones), pack lunches, eat breakfast and get teeth brushed can be a challenge. Getting things together the night before helps, … Continue reading
We have come across an important and informative website from Monterey Bay Aquarium called Seafood Watch. Located in Monterey, the mission of the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium is “to inspire conservation of the oceans”. The purpose of the site is … Continue reading
The adjective ‘romantic” is often used to describe works of art of a particular kind, including gardens of the type discussed in the book. Appropriately, it stems from the word ‘romance’ - originally, a medieval tale of chivalry, with scenes … Continue reading
Everything we possess that is not necessary for life or happiness becomes a burden, and scarcely a day passes that we do not add to it. ~Robert Brault One of our favorite bloggers, Leo Babauta, of Zen Habits shared his Simple … Continue reading
The Charleston Men’s Chorus Spring Concert, Love is in the Air Scholarship Benefit Concert, will be performed March 18th at the beautiful Sottile Theatre in downtown Charleston. Proceeds from the concert, and all of their concerts, go to benefit voice music … Continue reading
Keeping your kitchen cabinets and pantry organized is enough of a challenge but the fridge seems to trump everything. If the majority of your food is fresh and you have several family members, who will remain nameless, that don’t check … Continue reading
One of my most favorite pans to use is my Grandmother’s cast-iron skillet. Grandmother was an excellent cook, and I treasure my memories of her frying up cornbread, eggs and other delicious recipes in her cast-iron skillet that I was … Continue reading
Life experience adds a great deal of depth to an artist’s work. It provides a wealth of knowledge, experience and vision that can be translated into a well thought-out and executed piece of art. Ellsworth Wheeler is one of these artists. … Continue reading
We were so excited to meet with Mary Gatch, owner of the fabulous healthy and sustainable living store DwellSmart. This store offers everything you need to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly from counter tops and tile … Continue reading
We love the Pioneer Woman! We love her spunk, the fact that she is not afraid to use butter and cream, and her down to earth style. Recently, she shared a recipe on her show on Food Network for Strawberry … Continue reading
Did you know you wear 20% of your clothing 80% of the time? According to our favorite organizing guru, Peter Walsh, this is a fact. So how do you know what to keep and what to purge? Here is a … Continue reading
Composting is a great way to reduce your overall household waste. You would be amazed at how little trash you have once you have recycled and composted. Studies show that composting can divert 30% of household waste away from the … Continue reading
There are very few books that when made into a movie succeed in capturing the characters perfectly. The movie The Help is one of the few to accomplish this with absolute perfection. As a reader, you fall in love with all … Continue reading
Keeping a well stocked and organized pantry will save you time and money. In addition, it will ensure you have all you need to prepare healthy meals for your family. As we continue to organize the kitchen, we are devoting … Continue reading
BPA (Bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical that has become highly controverial over the past few years. It has been used to make certain plastic materials since the 1960′s. In addition to being used in plastics it is also used … Continue reading
Charleston’s Carolina Millinery Company makes beautiful handmade, heirloom hats for both women and men. These beautiful modern and vintage designed hats and head pieces are created from raw materials that are shaped over wooden hat blocks and are offered in … Continue reading
The love of chocolate, bread and cheese is pretty universal. What a bonus that all three of these guilty pleasures can be found at goat.sheep.cow, a quaint formagerie on Church street in downtown Charleston. goat.sheep.cow is a mecca for the … Continue reading
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Family and friends gravitate to this room where conversation is warm and appetites are satisfied (hopefully). It doesn’t matter if your kitchen is large or small, it’s about utilizing your space efficiently … Continue reading
With spring around the corner it is time to start thinking about your garden. We posted this last season but it is fun to revisit our favorites when relevant. We had found this picture on an adorable blog called The Lark. … Continue reading
If you have ever felt bamboo fabric you know that it is super soft and great to wear. You might also know that bamboo is an extremely sustainable material that is gentle on the earth and you. Something surprising that … Continue reading
This year the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will host over 100 artists. Over 20 of these artists are local and will be showing their work in the Carolina Ballroom of the Frances Marion Hotel. The event is free to the public. … Continue reading
We completely agree with Cam, a kitchen should “make sense”! That is our goal over the next few weeks. After moving through the home, we have landed in the kitchen in an effort to streamline our homes. For some of … Continue reading
If you own copper pots, have we found the perfect cleaning tip for you! Not only is this a huge time saver, but there are no harsh or harmful chemicals in this process. All you need to do is cut … Continue reading
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and if you have not gotten something “sweet” for your love, artisan chocolate is the perfect gift. Nothing says, “Happy Valentine’s Day” like a box of chocolates or creamy truffles. In Charleston, we are fortunate to … Continue reading
Don’t you just love Pinterest? This online pinboard has become a great way to share ideas with others. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, there have been some great ideas and recipes pinned on pinterest for us all to enjoy. We stumbled across … Continue reading
Just off King Street is the sweetest boutique where the city meets the beach. Salt and Seaweed, a contemporary women’s clothing boutique, is home to an amazing array of clothing, jewelry and a sweet pup named Howie. Local business owner, … Continue reading
The coat closet certainly gets it’s fair share of daily traffic. It also seems to be the catch all for items without a “home”. Everything from coats, bags, sports gear and shoes end up being tossed in there to keep … Continue reading
Nothing is more meaningful than gifts made by hand. To celebrate this Valentine’s Day, make a quick trip to your local craft store, instead of the card store, and treat your loved ones to a gift from the heart. Your … Continue reading
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we are excited to share a few of our favorite recipe ideas over the next couple of weeks! As big fans of alphabet stamps, we thought it would be fun to get the … Continue reading
As fans of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race, when we heard there was a food truck rodeo in Charleston we had to check it out. The trucks lined up along the parking lot of the local Whole Foods … Continue reading
If you are fortunate enough to have a linen closet, it is time to pull everything out and get rid of old towels, sheets, blankets, table cloths, wash cloths and other linens you no longer use (note: please donate old … Continue reading
As we continue to move through the house simplifying and streamlining, we thought we would share a few ideas on creating a neat and fresh linen closet. Considering how much time we spend in bed, it certainly should be something … Continue reading
For 28 years, Berta Freeman has been baking delicious bread. After raising four children and finding herself an empty nester, she decided to start her own bread business she affectionately has named Berta’s Breads. From her husband’s favorite white bread, … Continue reading
When a friend shares a favorite recipe with you it is a real gift. I treasure all of the recipes I have been given over the years and keep them in a binder so I can refer to them often. … Continue reading
Did you know that from field to fork, an average dinner travels 1,500 miles? Or that a meal purchased at a commercial grocery store consumes four to 17 times more petroleum for transport than the same exact meal made from … Continue reading
Laundry can be a daunting chore, especially when you have several children who all like to get dirty and sweaty. Just when you have broken ground and made some progress, the laundry piles up again. Setting a schedule for doing … Continue reading
As we continue to move through our home to streamline, this week’s focus will be the laundry room. Not only will we attempt to gain control of the “beast”, also know as the laundry, but we will share some tips … Continue reading
Lisa Henson, a local glass maker who specializes in making crosses, never thought she was creative until she stumbled onto an artisan’s work in another part of the country using the medium of glass. Instantly motivated and inspired, she took … Continue reading
We love this idea from Keepers Ministry! Grab a jar, put in cut paper strips, index cards or organizing labels, add a pencil or pen, and throughout the year write down those experiences that made you smile. Get the whole … Continue reading
If you don’t have a desk, or you find yourself needing more room or a change of scenery, why not create a traveling office! If the sun is shining, you can take your portable office and move outside to your … Continue reading
Many people can work with a desk full of piles, files, post-it notes and supplies everywhere. Sadly we cannot. For us, a clean work space reduces stress, allows for quicker results and more time for fun! Both of us have very … Continue reading
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, photo by Eric M.Gilliland)
If you are from the south (Liz) or even if you are not (Kari), you know that nothing pairs with a good southern meal like biscuits! They’re just part of the diet. That’s why we love the Southern Biscuits cookbook … Continue reading
As we continue to move through the office, getting organized and simplifying, creating a file system is one of the most important steps. Today we will take you step by step through what can otherwise be an intimating process. Devote … Continue reading
Now that we have all our important papers corralled in a safe or secure spot, it is time to conquer the rest of the office. Most of us have a plethora of old electronics in our home offices – from … Continue reading
With our love for candles we were excited to discover Breathe. Breathe Candles are 100% natural soy, earth friendly and hand poured right here in Charleston, SC. Not only are soy candles beneficial to the earth and to us, as they … Continue reading
Out with old and in with the new! That goes with food too! The holidays are over and it is time to get back on track with diet and exercise. We don’t know about you, but we can only eat … Continue reading
A while back we had the pleasure of meeting with Jorge Riano, of GreenBy3, at the Digital Corridor in downtown Charleston. With the goal of guiding homeowners and businesses in the understanding and utilization of sustainable practices in building, renovation … Continue reading
We are so excited to be featured in this month’s issue of skirt! It was a blast spending time with the ladies of skirt and taking pictures at Metto Coffee and Tea while enjoying the perfect chai latte. It is an … Continue reading
As promised, here on two doors down, we are streamlining your home and ours in 2012. We thought we would start in the office while we are still riding on the energy of a New Year. One of the most … Continue reading
Reclaimed Artistry, a team lead by Sarah Jeffers Beauchene, is passionate about repurposing and reclaiming unique materials that create timeless art with vintage appeal. Sarah has spent her whole life painting and has a keen eye for interesting materials in … Continue reading
Do you usher in the New Year with black-eyed peas and collard greens? If you live in the south you know what we’re talking about. The southern tradition of eating collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is … Continue reading
Some of us are ready to take Christmas and holiday decor down on December 26th, while others like to keep their decorations up through, and past, the new year. Whenever you decide to take your decorations down, make sure it … Continue reading
As the holidays come to a close and the gifts have been unwrapped, it is easy to be ready to just toss everything into the trash can. Set back and be mindful. Take the time to breakdown your cardboard boxes, … Continue reading
Maybe last year was a breeze, or maybe you faced some challenges. Maybe you still have dreams to fulfill and are continuing to strive for balance. As the New Year approaches, think of it as a clean slate, a fresh … Continue reading
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from two doors down! You are never too old to believe….
If you have lived in Charleston for any length of time and like clothing you know about Utopia. Located on Broad Street, this chic shop has been open since 1991 and has laid the foundation for women’s contemporary fashion in … Continue reading
A great way to bring friends together before the holidays is a gingerbread drop-in. It is also an efficient way of getting rid of any halloween candy still hanging around. My friends add a nice twist by requesting guests bring … Continue reading
Yay! You have some time off and are looking forward to visiting family and friends for the holidays. Have fun wherever you are headed and if you are going to be someone’s house guest, make sure you follow some basic … Continue reading
With the holidays here, many of you have opened your homes to family and friends. Make sure that you are ready for your visitors so that you can relax while making your guest feel right at home. Believe it or … Continue reading
Exciting News! Through the 23rd of December Health First, an urgent care center and pharmacy, located in Summerville, West Ashley, and North Charleston will be giving out FREE flu shots to the public. Be sure to stop in if you still … Continue reading
Our Chocolate Nut Clusters have been a hit for years! Along with being great neighbor and hostess gifts, these make great treats for cookie exchanges! This chocolate drop recipe is just as easy as the yummy White Chocolate Candy Cane … Continue reading
We have found another coffee shop hang out in downtown Charleston. We love City Lights Coffee! The ambiance, the coffee and tea and the owner, Gregg Lambton-Carr, make for a perfect setting for meeting a friend, having a business meeting … Continue reading
If you live here in Charleston and have not popped into Savannah Bee tonight is the night. This evening from 6-9 pm everything in the store will be 20% off and there will be champagne to make your experience festive. … Continue reading
Next month we will be featuring Lisa Henson, a local glass artist, who makes the most beautiful crosses. From necklaces to wall hangings her work is not only stunning but inspiring. We thought we could wait to show some of … Continue reading
This week we are sharing two recipes for chocolate drops. The first are white chocolate with crushed candy canes and the second will be milk chocolate and chock full of nuts. These sweet treats make great gifts for teachers, co-workers, … Continue reading
Several years ago on a visit to Washington D.C I discovered a great little tea shop in Dupont Circle called, Teaism. While walking around in the bitter cold I stumbled upon it and stopped in for a chai. The restaurant … Continue reading
Parting with your child’s art work is really difficult, even for a minimalist. But if we saved everything our children ever marked with a crayon we would be living in a sea of paper. Since we love the idea of … Continue reading
It is always a good idea to do a pre-holiday toy purge. Not only does this keep the quantity under control but it also is a great opportunity to teach your children about the importance of donating to the community. … Continue reading
Using what you have at hand to decorate for the holidays is a great way to save money and time. Here are a few “homemade” holiday decorations that are super easy and you probably don’t even need to go to … Continue reading
This is often what we hear from our readers when we mention the two doors down directory, so we thought we would take today’s post to explain what the directory is, how to use it, and how you can help … Continue reading
Don’t you love to receive something homemade or handmade around the holidays? Get Ready! As the holidays approach we have lots of easy made-at-home gift ideas and we are ready to dish them out! One of our favorite gifts to … Continue reading
Join Cone 10 Studio in the heart of NOMO (North Morrison) tonight for a kiln opening. New works, gifts, and treats will be shared. From 5:30-9 p.m. the gallery will be open for shopping and holiday cheer. Come and bring … Continue reading
We have talked alot about scouring your local antique markets to find treasures that you can repurpose. I struck gold when finding this antique post office-sorting shelf! I now have a place to organize and keep the kid’s school supplies. … Continue reading
Recently while visiting my dear friend Kendall for tea, she kept referring to items in their home and yard as “obtainium”. Curious of course, I went home and searched the Urban Dictionary and found the meaning: obtainium- any item, found or … Continue reading
When we went in search of the perfect bag to represent two doors down, we were looking for something as eco friendly as possible. While perusing Etsy one day, we came upon Pom Pom Purses and artist Amy Wallace. Amy … Continue reading
Thanksgiving involves a lot of eating and preparing of food in most families. The next day you feel bloated and in need of something fresh and detoxifying. Fresh juice is the solution! Our favorite is a simple carrot, apple and … Continue reading
As the biggest shopping day of the year approaches, Mom & Pop shops have to compete with big budget advertisers and large chain stores. Show your support of local businesses and keep money in your community by supporting locally-owned shops … Continue reading
As Thanksgiving approaches and we begin to get caught up in meal planning and travel arrangements, let’s remember the main reason we come together to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Add a fun mix to the day by making your own … Continue reading
Apple Crumble This is a great recipe because you can adapt it to whatever fruit is in season. Peaches are great in the summer and using apples makes the perfect fall dessert. Quick and easy… 4 cups of apples (peeled … Continue reading
As friends and family come together this Thanksgiving Day, celebrate your most cherished relationships with dishes that reflect family tradition and fond memories. Whether you are preparing the whole meal, or just a side dish, take the time to plan…THE … Continue reading
The most treasured trait of Charleston is it’s historical homes and gardens. Transforming some of these homes into inns, art galleries and restaurants has allowed the community to continue to enjoy the historical architecture and even take a step back … Continue reading
Located just West of the Ashley is a fabulous design emporium, Elizabeth Stuart Design. An eclectic array of art, antiques, furnishings, jewelry and gifts fill your senses as soon as you enter the boutique. The perfect place to reinvent your … Continue reading
I love candles. They add just the right touch to any setting. It is rare that I don’t have one lit while cooking dinner each night. Candles are cozy, comfort and scents and appearance are important when decorating with them. … Continue reading
It is a known fact that most women love chocolate, and artisan chocolate ranks at the top in satisfying our sweet tooth. While strolling down Church Street in downtown Charleston last week with Lisa (friend and tour guide extraordinaire), we … Continue reading
Looking for a great fall muffin recipe? A sweet friend Rene gave us this recipe over 10 years ago and we are ever grateful. We have made it countless times and it is always hit. Every fall the kids start … Continue reading
I am a bit obsessed with Lazy Susans. To the extent that I even purchased a lovely table years ago from Palmetto Moon with a built in Lazy Susan. They are great for corralling like-items together. Their ability to spin … Continue reading
As the winter approaches it is time to think about changing out your summer planters and window boxes to something cold hardy and low maintenance. One of our favorite tricks is to keep an evergreen plant in the pot year … Continue reading
Lisa Sexton and Dr. Doug Berger hosted Music Cafe this past Saturday evening at their home on South Battery. There was something so refreshing about an evening of music, finger sandwiches, prosecco and stimulating conversation. The event was reminiscent of … Continue reading
With the cool air blowing in, there seems to be a sense of rejuvenation among us. On those chilly nights, nothing spells love better than a little comfort food for your family. It’s my sister in-law’s birthday, and I wanted … Continue reading
At Rein and Shine, our mission is to create and sustain an equine therapy facility where people with disabilities of all kinds can learn, grow and heal. Rein and Shine has been providing equestrian and therapeutic horseback therapy since 2001. … Continue reading
Friends of ours have three children, one boy and two girls, that are very close in age. Their girls share a room as do all of our boys. There are perks and challenges to sharing space, but we think she … Continue reading
There is a plethora of information out there about what foods are healthy to eat, what to avoid and the benefits of eating organic, but there seems to be limited information about whether or not your cookware is safe and … Continue reading
We thought we had heard of most types of alternative therapies, and then we heard about “Rolfing”. Named after its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, and founded more than 50 years ago, Rolfing is a type of bodywork that reorganizes … Continue reading
With Halloween right around the corner we thought we would share a recipe idea for a class party, trick-or-treaters or just for fun. Pick your favorite cupcake recipe and vanilla icing and then add the following fun surprises… a green … Continue reading
Coleman Village located in Mount Pleasant, SC has certainly become a “destination” spot. From the Square Onion’s new sister store to Earthly Artifacts and Wabi Sabi Home, you could just spend hours there. Last week we had the pleasure of … Continue reading
It may seem that Kari and I are obsessed with notebooks and binders. And frankly, we are. We have found that notebooks are a great way to keep many items in your house and office organized. Notebooks are also a … Continue reading
October is breast cancer awareness month and never in our wildest dreams did we expect our 12 and 13 year old boy’s soccer team to experience the scare of the disease so close to home. Their beloved soccer coach’s wife … Continue reading
This is the best time of year in the south! The heat has lifted, the bugs are starting to disappear, there is minimal pollen to dodge and the crisp air seems to rejuvenate a sluggish spirit. As the weather improves, … Continue reading
Many of you know we love The Beekman Boys. We have seen all the episodes on Planet Green, read Josh’s book The Bucolic Plaque, made the margaritas, and are seriously planning a trip to Sharon Springs. So you can imagine … Continue reading
I have a notebook that we keep on the kitchen counter as a resource for everyone in the family (mainly me!). There are tabs for each family member, including our two dogs, a tab for coupons, the daily docket, emergency … Continue reading
While helping my Mom go through her house last month, we found lots of surprises as well as some valuable treasures. Amongst the surprises were a complete set of Richard Simmons exercise videos from Sweat-in to the Oldies to Stretch-in … Continue reading
Recently I attended a fabulous trunk show for Elizabeth Horton’s Nostalgic Graphic Tees. Charleston based Graphic Designer, Elizabeth Horton, was inspired by her own childhood memories and decided to create a children’s clothing line reminiscent of the joys of childhood. From … Continue reading
There’s lots of BUZZ about honey bees right now and Savannah beekeeper, Ted Dennard, is right in the middle of it. First introduced to honey bees as a young boy living on the coast of Georgia, and over and over … Continue reading
This past weekend we had the privilege to be the guests of Southern Living for the 2011 Southern Living Taste of Charleston. Southern Living and the Charleston Restaurant Association teamed up to present the two day festival at Boone Hall Plantation in … Continue reading
On a visit to the Hawk & Ivy Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina, I discovered the “blue jars”. These antique mason jars lined the open shelving in the kitchen of the inn. Fully functional with nuts, seeds, coffee and … Continue reading
This weekend we had the pleasure of meeting James Farmer lll at the 2011 Southern Living Taste of Charleston. James was raised on a farm in Kathleen Georgia where “farm to table” was a way of life long before it … Continue reading
Yes, I know, pumpkin pancakes? But truly, the hint of orange, the vitamin c, beta carotene and fiber that pumpkin adds to your yummy morning stack is delicious! For 15-20 pancakes, I used about 1/2 to 3/4 can of pumpkin. … Continue reading
This weekend is the Southern Living Taste of Charleston, an event not to be missed! The two-day festival will be held at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC from 10:30 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, October … Continue reading
When working on an organizing project, I try to use items already in the home to corral stuff. I love to take old boxes, wine crates, cans & tea cups and repurpose them to store books, toys, art supplies, make-up … Continue reading
I love fall. I think it is my favorite season (until spring hits that is). I can’t wait to dawn my boots and take a break from the summer shoes that I’ve been wearing for months and months. Recently, I … Continue reading
When we decided to launch our blog we knew that we needed all the help we could get when it came to designing our site. We knew what we wanted, but neither of us knew how to turn our ideas … Continue reading
One of our favorite after-school snacks is chocolate-chip banana bread or muffins. I always have a helper on hand, sometimes even one who is ready for Halloween a bit early…. Ingredients 3 or 4 ripe bananas, mashed up 1/3 cup … Continue reading
Even before Husk restaurant was named “#1 Best New Restaurant in America”, in the September issue of Bon appetit, and before it was written up in the New York Times, Dining and Wine section, we enjoyed a delicious lunch on … Continue reading
Between us, we have five children that play soccer on a regular basis. Four of them play enough that they have several uniforms to keep track of. We won’t mention names, but a few of them come home with very … Continue reading
Interior designers have always been intriguing to me, they really know how to pull everything together and make a room work. I tend to just find old pieces here and there and hope they work when I bring them home. … Continue reading
Our kids love smoothies, and we love making them in the mornings before school to start their day off right. We have a variety of different combinations that we have experimented with, but the Best Blueberry Smoothie remains at the … Continue reading
This weekend, in Charleston, the annual Carolina Green Fair will be held in Marion Square on the corner of King and Calhoun Street, Sunday from 12 – 7 pm. The fair is a way for local businesses and educators to share … Continue reading
Often I work with clients who can’t seem to part with magazines because of one article, picture or recipe. I like to help them to create an “idea book”. That way, they can save all these ideas in a binder … Continue reading
Fall is a great time to plant herbs in pots so that, when winter arrives, you can bring them inside for fresh herbs all winter long (make sure they have a sunny spot). Our neighbor, who is an amazing chef, … Continue reading
A few years back, while strolling through the Charleston Farmer’s Market, we came upon The Scarlet Poppy’s Vintage Jewelry. Jewelry artists, Michelle Fowler & Jennafer Bryan, have taken old vintage pieces and given them an updated look with a modern twist. … Continue reading
Do you love to read? Do you love the whole experience of going to the bookstore, browsing to find a great read, drinking a yummy latte, and twenty bucks later leaving with a paperback you will finish in a matter … Continue reading
“Change is never easy, you fight to hold on, and you fight to let go.” – The Wonder Years This past week, I went to help my Mom go through the house that she and my Dad have lived … Continue reading
After finishing our last book for the book club, we have pondered what to read next. We have several great books in the line up, but we were looking for something really interesting and unique to read that would encompass … Continue reading
The recently opened Clay Cottage gallery and pottery school is a wonderful annex of Charleston’s Creative Spark – a non profit center for the arts offering everything, from art classes to music and theatre, for kids and grown-ups of all ages. … Continue reading
I still remember my sadness when Gourmet Blend on Coleman Boulevard closed their doors. I loved their coffee and the fact that they had a drive-through (moms out there you know what a bonus this is!). They also had a kid’s meal that did … Continue reading
The first time we saw Betsey Carter’s work was on a visit to Cone 10 Studio. We were inspired by the simplicity, functionality and grace of her pieces. We had the honor of showing her work in a Bloom’ in … Continue reading
One of my favorite places to find unique things for the home is the Antique Market on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. I love mindlessly wandering around, stepping back in time, and exploring what were often someone else’s treasures. Even … Continue reading
Recently a friend asked for ideas on ways to organize her everyday jewelry. I thought I would share a few options. If you are short on space, your best bet is to use a wall hanging organizer. I found this … Continue reading
This is our two year old rescue, Bear. He was just a little fur ball with huge feet when we got him. Based on everyone’s opinion, he was going to be as big as a “Bear” when he grew up. … Continue reading
I was first introduced to jewelry designer Nikki Wood, owner of It Fitz Jewelry, when my neighbor had a trunk show to promote her beautiful designs. I bought a sweet pair of red beaded, drop earrings that spice up any … Continue reading
When walking the grounds of the gorgeous Boone Hall Plantation, one really can step back in time and experience all of the history this Charleston local treasure has to offer. One of the oldest working plantations in America today, Boone Hall is still … Continue reading
One of our favorite places to get right off the boat, fresh shrimp is the Wando Shrimp Company, located on Magwood Drive in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The people there are so friendly and helpful and, had we arrived a bit earlier, we could … Continue reading
One of my favorite things to do in the springtime is check out the window boxes around downtown Charleston. Recently, I had a few spare moments to cruise around and see what kind of masterpieces were on display. One after another, … Continue reading
With a mission to promote all things local, we made a trip to Lime Blue. Lime Blue, located on Queen Street in downtown Charleston, makes one feel like they have taken “happy pills”. From clay birds and owl (piggy) banks, to … Continue reading
Downtown Charleston is the most dynamic city. I have lived here for over 20 years and still, I am constantly surprised by all the places I did not know existed. Recently, I was driving down Rutledge Street and came across … Continue reading
While visiting the Charleston Farmer’s Market, it is hard not to stop and sample everything you see. From homemade pickles to mouth watering jams, everything is so fresh and delicious! On a recent visit, we had the pleasure of sampling some pimento … Continue reading
One of our favorite things to do in Charleston is visit the Farmer’s Market. It is a mecca for discovering what is happening locally in terms of art, music, and of course food. The market opens at 8 a.m. on … Continue reading
