I have been overwhelmingly thrilled to write this blog. What a spectacular place to visit! Even better, see a musical show! It has been weeks already since our last visit to the historic jewel of Charleston, SC and we are already desiring our next trip. Our last visit was sculpted primarily around a musical even that took place at the venue that this blog will depict. 
The MUSIC FARM, located on East Bay Street in Charleston, SC is a treat right in the heart of town. It's a unique building complete with a balcony on both sides of the stage, a bar in the center of the room and beams that add to the warehouse feeling that embraces you from all surroundings including outside the venue. 
The size was perfect for a band. It was large enough for a good amount of folks to squeeze in and enjoy the perfection of instruments being harmonized together, but still small enough to feel as if you're enjoying a small bar show. There's something far more magical about seeing a show in this type of environment compared to an amphitheater where you may be surrounded by 1500 people who rarely listen, or appreciate the talent they're witnessing. Most of the time when you are watching a show in a smaller bar environment, you have the opportunity to experience music that is not as likely to be heard on that radio's top hits list. Always in my opinion, something more unique. 

Anyways, if you're staying in downtown Charleston, the Music Farm is just a slight walk. We parked on King street near the market and hiked over to the venue. It wasn't a bad walk at all, especially for a brisk spring evening. 

When you're inside, you not only have the feeling that you're in a REALLY COOL, historical place, but you get the feeling that Charleston is engulfing you with its uniqueness. Something that inevitably unavoidable. 

So, my recommendation, check out their website. Plan your show. Go experience some great music in a really awesome venue, in an amazing town! 

I have been excited about writing this post since I visited this place over the weekend! It climbed it's way to the top of my favorite places lists in just ONE night! 

We met a friend for dinner at this John's Island gem this weekend and I have wanted to have dinner there ever since! Our waitress greeted us by explaining that EVERYTHING is made IN HOUSE! I mean EVERYTHING! The waitress also treated us like we had all been best friends for years. I questioned throughout the whole dinner whether or not our friend knew our waitress prior. It really was just that kind of place! You entered wondering what you were going to get and you left feeling like family having so much Italian satisfaction you might just burst! 

The pasta was homemade, every single strand. The meat was fresh, the vegetables were fresh, and the sauce was made in house. It was very apparent! From the first bite until the last I kept wanting to go back for more. I felt the EXACT same way when I tried a bite of everyone else's food on the table. DE..LIC..IOUS does NOT even begin to describe it! Aside from the amazing food, the menu also listed an extensive selection of Italian wines and the dessert menu was impossible to choose from. Everything looked exquisite! The dessert menu was also complete with a list of lovely dessert wines and/or coffee. Delightfulness just took over that food list! 

Aside from the beyond amazing food (if we can really go beyond that), the restaurant decor was spectacular. Every little aspect was personalized. Everything from the wine rack that filled one wall, the shelves complete with homemade specialties, the wooden beamed ceiling that was complete with lights strung throughout, and the chandelier hanging from the tree outside. It was extremely unique. The type of restaurant that you come into feeling welcome and desiring to stay for hours. 

Wild Olive is the PERFECT place for that special occasion, family reunion, girls night out, family dinner, etc. If you are EVER in Charleston it is completely worth the drive to trek across those bridges into John's Island to make yourself into this little masterpiece. 

While visiting Charleston recently with some friends we suggested going to eat breakfast at Sweetwater Cafe. We had visited the one on James Island before and fell in love with its breakfast. It was a neat surprise when we ended up at the Sweetwater Cafe on Market Street in downtown Charleston. 

There wasn't too much difference as far as food quality. Still your typical diner breakfast. Tasty, reasonably priced, and satisfying. The omelet was wonderful and I partnered it with a nice hot cup of Joe and some hashbrowns. Also very good! The hubs got the stacker breakfast which was complete with pancakes, meats, and eggs. Also very good! 

I had to really write this post in order to set the record straight. There are TWO Sweetwaters! You can't go wrong! It's wonderful! One is located on James and the one we discovered this weekend thanks to a good friend is downtown across from the Charleston Place Hotel. The atmosphere is very neat and it's conveniently located across from the Market and beside a good coffee shop. Double win! Eat, Drink and Shop! 

So, as I have stated before.... Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Go get you some! 

The more I blog the more comfortable I am becoming with the simplicity of letting the pictures do the talking. I feel they do the best speaking anyways. 

This weekend the Hubs and I were in Charleston. This isn't the first time we have visited this charm. In fact, this was just one of many times. We try and go as often as possible. It really is just a rare gem that we have fallen in love with over the years. 

This particular trip it dawned on me that although I have been to the Low country so many times before I still find myself pulling out the camera, being that tourist and snapping photos. At first I felt somewhat embarrassed,  but then it made me smile at the realization that one of the reasons I have fallen in love with Charleston over and over is for this very reason. There's ALWAYS something more to see. Something extra to remember, a rarity that needs to be captured. 

So, while we were walking the quaint historic streets, driving the beautiful back roads and tracking through the sands of its beaches, I was privileged once again to gain access to some really special hidden wonders. 

It's funny really because while so many of us are occupied with taking in a conversation or an experience the world around is still moving and developing. We are often so busy trying to get to our destination, or so busy with other distractions that we forget to notice what's around us on the journey. 

These photos echo that type of experience. While we were heading to specific destinations (many which we had been to a thousand times before), these moments made their presence and I thought it would be nice to share them with you. If anything, just as a reminder to stop and smell the roses (literally if need be) every once in a while.

Enjoy!  

Want to go to a restaurant where you can sit at a table that other celebrities have sat at multiple times? Want to eat at a world renown restaurant where the owner is still humble enough to be present each evening, personally greeting and talking to each table? Want to try some of the South's best voted seafood? Want to feel like your part of an incredible family story that been successfully passed down for generations? Hymans Seafood Restaurant is your ticket! I hope you got the point I was trying to make from all of the listed credentials above :)

My family and I have eaten at Hyman's Seafood restaurant a number of times.  My step-dad has frequented the restaurant throughout his years of growing up more times than he can possibly count on his fingers. It is in fact a family must when visiting the low country. I'm not sure what would happen IF  we didn't go while visiting, but I just won't take my chances. God blessed Charleston, and God has certainly blessed the family oriented business of Hyman's! Some of their credentials include being ranked #1 seafood restaurant in the South for nine years running, listed on the Food Channel Network as one of the top five seafood restaurants, and even positive reviews in some of the most prestigious, well known listings such as the New York Times. 

Hyman's is located right on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston, across from the market center. Many locals will play it off as if it's not an amazing place to go, making comments that it's a tourist trap and locals don't go there. Do Not Listen! Hyman's is amazing whether your a local, foreigner, owner, or employee! Trust me, I have asked around! Go! Try everything! You can't go wrong, and most importantly enjoy the hushpups! The prices are great, the staff are impressive and the owners, down to earth! I have never been there when the 15 minute wait wasn't worth it. My husband and I visited a year ago in October, before we got engaged. We returned in April, after being engaged for six months and the host who took names outside not only recognized us from six months prior but even remembered our first names. This is an establishment that most likely filters hundreds of hungry visitors from all over the world daily. To remember a couple from six months ago, as if it was just yesterday that you saw them, is anything shy of impressive and sincere! 
Also, while you're there, don't be ashamed to buy a souvenir. I have NO problem buying souvy's when it's for a great establishment. 

Hyman's Seafood Restuarant: Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
Hours: 11 - until
Recommended dishes:
                    *  Lobster Tail *
                     *  Hushpups *
                     *  Salmon Melody *
                     * Anything & Everything *

"Always smile while you're eating, you never know who's dinner will be made more delicious because of your brightness."  ~ Mo