After our time at Fripp Island Tom and I were lucky enough to spend about 24 hours in Charleston before we continued onto the next leg of our trip (Boston for less than a day then Ireland). It had only been a year since I’d last visited (you can read my previous Charleston blog post from 3 years ago here), but there were a number of restaurants and shops on my list that we’d never been to before. So here is a quick post with some of that info for ya! (We stayed at the Embassy Suites in the old Citadel and it was a great spot to venture out from. We often stay at the Doubletree next to the old Market though, which is also in a great spot…Tom is a Hilton guy so we always stay in one from that chain!)
outfit details:
dress c/o Madison-Mathews | packable bow sun hat | woven mules | rattan earrings (on Prime for under $12!) | necklace (mine is from Tiffany but this one is cheaper and on Etsy and looks the same!) | nylon and leather tote (the best for traveling, mine is 7 years old!) | similar bandana
outfit details:
running shoes | the best high rise non-maternity yoga pants/athletic pants and they are on Prime! (they run tts) | sports bra (has 2 pockets!) | athletic tank (non-maternity but I wear these all through pregnancy and they never stretch out)
Favorite Restaurants in Charleston
Leon’s Fine Poultry and Oyster Shop.
This laid back restaurant is on waaaaay upper King Street but it’s definitely worth the walk! It’s a hip little place in an old auto garage and the food is great. I had the fried chicken sandwich and it was delicious! They have frosé (frozen rosé) on tap that I want to try next time when I’m not pregnant.
The Darling Oyster Bar.
outfit details:
sunglasses (old but these and these are so similar) | necklace (mine is from Tiffany but this one is cheaper and on Etsy and looks the same!) | dress c/o Madison-Mathews
Beautiful restaurant with delicious seafood! We shared the clam strips as an appetizer and they were sweet and slightly spicy and made me realize I actually like clams. I had the shrimp and grits for dinner which was yummy too! Tom got a pasta with crab and he really enjoyed it.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
I know this is a small national chain but the ice cream flavors are so unique and delicious that it definitely makes my Charleston must-visit list. So so good!
167 Raw.
We didn’t go here this trip but I can’t not include it. I’ve eaten here on my last 2 or 3 trips to Charleston because it’s so stinking good if you like super fresh seafood. They have a large assortment of raw oysters and the guacamole, lobster rolls and fish tacos are to die for! It’s a tiiiiiiny and hip little place that doesn’t take reservations so make sure you go during an off time (between normal lunch and dinner times is when we go) but be prepared to still wait. You won’t regret it!
outfit details:
white sneakers | no-show socks ($6 for 3 pairs and they don’t slip down!) | sunglasses (old but these and these are so similar) | high rise denim (non-maternity) | eyelet top (old but here, here, here and here are similar options!) | packable bow sun hat | nylon and leather tote (the best for traveling, mine is 7 years old!) | similar bandana
Favorite Shops in Charleston
Madison-Mathews.
Y’all know my love for this store and it’s simple cotton and linen dresses…they’re my absolute favorite! (See all my previous posts where I wear the dresses here.) I became friends with one of the ladies who works there (hi Ginger!) back when Jack was a baby and stopping by the shop on Church Street is always a highlight of my trip. The dresses (and tops and bottoms) are so simple yet classic and even though they’re a bit of a splurge I’ve never regretted anything I bought from there and I know they’ll last me years and years. Here is the link to the dress above (I wear a tts small in all of their dresses.)
LAKE Pajamas.
I’ve followed LAKE on Instagram for a while and was excited to check out their new shop on King Street. I LOVE pajama sets (they’re all I sleep in) but typically I get mine at Target or on sale at J.Crew. LAKE pajamas are pricy but they are made of pima cotton that is sooooooo soft that I couldn’t resist buying this pair. The story was dreamy too! I plan on buying these pajamas for the kids so we can all match. Almost all of the pjs they sell are striped in beautiful colors, and at this point I’m thinking about getting another cooler weather pair for once we move back to the mainland next year. (I got my normal size small, although they do run a tad big.)
Amanda Lindroth.
If you love rattan and island themed decor then this is the place for you! Gosh I wish I’d been able to shop because I loved everything here and the store is breathtaking. I have 2 rattan wrapped hurricanes and 2 rattan wrapped votive holders at home from here (found in a shop in Hawaii) and they’re some of my favorite pieces. Perfect for candles and flowers. There are lots of dreamy linens, totes, and tableware too.
The Skinny Dip.
This shop is so fun! I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought anything here but it’s full of all the preppy and classic brands you’d ever hope to see. It’s on King Street and it’s two stories and there is a coffee and wine bar too! Mom and I had frosé on the deck last summer when we went and it was so fun! This trip I discovered these water friendly and washable neoprene espadrilles while I was there and almost bought them but I didn’t have room to take them to Ireland so I found them online and they’re cheaper here! I ordered them and they’ll be waiting for me once I get back from our trip 🙂
Oh and here are a few random pretty flower boxes we came across. Charleston is the prettiest place to just wander!
