South Carolina FYI

Menu

Isle of Palms

Uncategorized

The 5 Best Wedding Venues in SC

It should come as no shock to anyone that South Carolina is one of the wedding capitals of the world. With countless streets lined with Spanish moss and warm weather year-round, engaged couples seem to fall in love with the scenic Carolinas. For those considering tying the knot in the palmetto state, check out this round-up of the five best wedding venues South Carolina has to offer. 

William Aiken House

This Lowcountry locale is located directly off King Street, the main road on the downtown Charleston peninsula. The William Aiken House is a dreamy garden escape just feet away from the most lively boulevard. Its well-groomed green space is almost unheard of! Besides its picturesque location, the open-air piazzas and elegant reflection pool make it quintessential for saying “I-Do.”

Kiawah River

Kiawah Island is known for its vast golf courses and calm beaches, but just down the road is the Kiawah River sea-island. This homestead is cloaked with an awning of oak trees with Spanish moss dangling like a chandelier. The natural beauty paints the perfect backdrop for celebrating love. 

Lowndes Groove

This Charleston waterfront venue has stood for nearly four centuries. Known for its 14-acres of nature, Lowndes Grove attracts couples who have a passion for the outdoors. Dine al fresco or pitch a tented installation. You’re sure to enjoy an evening in this idyllic estate.

Harbour Town Yacht Club HHI, SC

Located in Hilton Head, SC, the Harbour Town Yacht Club has hosted weddings for over thirty years. Its famous lighthouse acts as a beacon for engaged couples. They adore the scenic view and surrounding nightlife its location has to offer. If you’re looking to dine on the finer side, this venue’s got you covered with its Club Room and outdoor patio.

Montage Palmetto Bluff

Hope to many celebrity nuptials over the years, Montage Palmetto Bluff is the pinnacle of elegance. Located in Bluffton, SC, this destination features a pristine chapel and charming Village Square. Guests can enjoy the oversized verandas and luxurious oak ballroom. It’s truly a fantasy come alive.

Eat & Drink

Our Favorite Farm-to-Table Restaurants in South Carolina

It’s hard to beat Southern food, but it’s even harder to beat the fresh offerings of these farm-to-table restaurants.

Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café

Right outside of Charleston is a “real farmer’s market” serving up meals made from their own organic produce. Located one island over on Wadmalaw, their farm grows all of their produce along with preservative-free shrimp that they catch with their own trawlers.

The Flipside Café

Comfort food is Flipside’s specialty, focusing on locally inspired dishes for everyone to enjoy. Located in downtown Fort Mill, the Flipside Cafe does farm-to-table right.

The New Moon Café

The spot for local food in Aiken is the New Moon Cafe. Not only does it offer some of the best coffee roasted in-house, but the food is also made with the best ingredients the Southeast has to offer.

The Farmer’s Table

Bringing the local food movement to Spartanburg is the Farmer’s Table. Family owned and locally sourced, the Farmer’s Table offers the best sustainable and seasonable options.

Grits and Groceries

In the small town of Belton is a farm-to-table restaurant with big flavors. Grits and Groceries tailors their menu to the local produce available to them, creating a diverse menu year-round. Acclaimed by Gourmet and Southern Living, we saved the best for last on this list.

View this post on Instagram

Y’all want to eat here-oh mercy, you truly do. Two New Orleans trained chefs own Grits and Groceries, they grow their own vegetables and use a local dairy to offer you “real food done real well.” Besides, I just don’t know where else y’all will find deep fried deviled eggs?. (swipe to see menu photo2) Joe was pastry chef for Emeril Legasse in New Orleans and Heidi at the helm at Elizabeth’s. But these two Carolinians wanted to come home to raise their son, so what’s a big city chef to do? Find an old timey meeting spot on the hind end of nowhere and set up a kitchen, that’s what. Your GPSwill whirl and spin, so look at the road signs in 3) just past the 15 foot chicken in the parking lot. It’s at Saylor’s Crossing, you know, just three miles east of Ebenezer Crossing— giving y’all these location tips because I wouldn’t want y’all to miss out on Joe’s Homemade Sweet Corn ? Ice Cream 5). #southernroadtrip #southcarolina #gritsandgroceries #southernfoodways #southernfood #yallcome

A post shared by Auntybelle (@auntybellecracker) on

Uncategorized

Summer Reading List

Best Beach Reads 2019: Books For Your Summer Reading List

The summer months are approaching in South Carolina and if you’ve ever spent any time in the Palmetto State – either on vacation, extended stay, or living here – you know that means many beach days are approaching.

Beach days and South Carolina’s famously hot weather go hand-in-hand, so, this likely means you’ll be spending some time on your favorite South Carolina beach this summer. From the Isle of Palms (the most aptly named beach in South Carolina) to Folly Beach or Myrtle Beach, there will be no shortage of tourists and locals alike soaking up the sun and taking a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Luckily for you, we’ve anticipated this and know that you’ll need something to do in your beach chair. So, we’ve prepared a “2019 Beach Book List” so that you’ve got some options for your sunny day read.

Here’s a list of our favorites:

For Fun:

If You’re A History Fan:

If You’re Crazy and Like Politics:

  • Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance (this book actually comes recommended by former South Carolina Governor and Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley)
  • Operation Lost Trust (South Carolina politics) by John Crangle

Self Improvement (You Can Do It!):

Grab your beach chair, one of these books, and head to the beach for a day of sun and relaxation.

News

300 People Stung by Jellyfish on Isle of Palms

Featured Image Credit: Island Reality
Warm weather and calm water makes for the ideal beach setting but it also leads to some not so perfect traffic, crowded areas and lots of jellyfish to look out for. Recently, close to 300 people were stung by jellyfish this past weekend on Isle of Palms.

“There were just a lot of people out here, and the water was calm, and that’s why we had a lot of stings,” Laura Edwards, assistant manager of Isle of Palms County Park, told Fox 24. “I got stung in the leg and my son was stung in the arm,” said one of the victims, Todd Cattaneo. “It hurt for about thirty minutes and then it was okay after that.”

Caring for a jellyfish sting is pretty simple, but most people don’t go to the beach prepared with the necessary items. Next time you go to the beach come prepared with vinegar, water bottles, and tweezers. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry!

After being stung by a jellyfish, follow these steps as quickly as possible:

  1. Thoroughly rinse the area with vinegar.
  2. Remove the tentacles while rinsing! The tentacles can continue to sting as long as they are in contact with skin, so glove up and get out your tweezers! No tweezers? Rub sand on the sting to remove the tentacles!
  3. Apply ice after. You should feel relief in about 30 minutes to an hour.

Even if you aren’t equipped with these items, it is still critical to remove the tentacles!

Irregardless to the amount of stings, many people were back out on the beach by Sunday- however, this time many visitors opted to stay on land.

“I’ll probably go out about halfway up my leg, but not all the way out, because of the jellyfish,” said Raven Flynn who was visiting the beach.

Read more from the source.