Pittsburgh

After 29 years, my parents finally moved back to Pittsburgh this spring and it couldn't have come at a better time.  I think I have spent more time there in the last month than I have in the last few years combined!  While it feels a little weird not to have a "home" in Virginia anymore (and makes for a confusing answer to the "Are you headed home?" question on the airplane!), I have to say I love having my parents in Pittsburgh.






My cousin Krystal got married over Labor Day weekend so the first trip was for her bridal shower and bachelorette party and the second trip, just a few weeks later, was for her wedding.  I extended both trips to spend some time with my family and get to actually do some of the our favorite Pittsburgh things we usually don't have time for.








Tropical Storm Hermine looked like it might keep Rob from flying in but he made it just in time for the reception.  We squeezed as much as possible into that weekend - celebrating the wedding with my family, going to a Pirates game, riding all of our old favorite rides at Kennywood, and of course eating tons of delicious food and pierogies at every meal! ;)

Getaway to Atlantic Beach

There is part of me that is so excited for all things fall and another part of me that is desperate to soak up every last bit of summer.  It's so hard to believe that October is right around the corner!  In an effort to stay focused on the present, we decided it was time for a last summer getaway.  My requirements were poolside cocktails, comfy robes in the room, and lots of unplugging.  Somehow we lucked into a weekend that was above and beyond.



Atlantic Beach is nestled between Amelia Island and Jacksonville Beach, on the coast of Florida.  It is a quick 2.5 hour drive from Beaufort but feels like a world away.  Unfortunately on our drive down, we watched the storm clouds build and build.  By the time we checked in, the rain was coming down in sheets.  Not an ideal start but the doorman was sweet enough to give us umbrella and a recommendation for The Flying Iguana right across the street.   Luckily storms blow in and out fast in Florida so tacos + a round of margaritas bought us just enough time for the sun to start shining.  We ended up with gorgeous weather the rest of the weekend, perfect for lounging by the pool most of the trip ;)





I am usually not particular (at all!) about hotels but we really lucked out staying at One Ocean.  The staff were SO friendly and helpful, the pool walked directly out onto the beach, and the hotel is conveniently located near tons of restaurants and shops.  The sweet people at One Ocean go as far as to steam your clothes for dinner, wake up calls each morning with hot coffee, and even stock your room with complimentary drinks and snacks of your preference (including delicious gluten-free cookies!)  All the little details made the weekend feel that much more luxurious.



Weekends like these make me want summer to last forever!

Water Festival

I have heard about Water Festival ever since moving to Beaufort and I can officially say it lived up to the hype!  Water Festival is a week-long event, held each year in July and has been a lowcountry tradition since 1956.  It is THE event of the summer in Beaufort.  Between concerts and parades, fireworks and races, there is truly something for everyone, and more than anyone can possibly do in a week.





During the days, the place to be is on the water.  Thousands of boats are out on the river or anchored on the sandbar .  I have never seen anything like the sandbar parties in Beaufort - one day there was even an impromptu concert on the sandbar!  In the evenings, the festivities occur on the waterfront downtown.  We kicked off our first WaterFest with a LoCash + Canaan Smith country concert on Saturday night.  It was a blast!  The festivities continued throughout the week, with a live band featuring a different style of music each night.  We sat out on the porch of Panini's on Tuesday night and enjoyed wood-fired pizzas while listening to the awesome 80's band that opened for the Beatles Tribute band.  Live music and cold drinks on the water make it easy to feel like you are on vacation!  Finally, we finished the week out at the 80s + 90s cover band concert at Friday night's River Dance.

Sandbar concert photo courtesy of ESPB

It was such a fun week and run extremely well.  The weather turned out beautiful (for South Carolina!) all week and I can't even complain about the price of drinks -- $3 tall boy ciders/beers inside of a concert?!  Beaufort - you are wonderful :)

Boating in Charleston

By land or by water, Charleston never ceases to impress.  This gorgeous Sunday we spent the morning out on the boat in the Charleston harbor with Rob's parents.  We cruised in awe of the mansions in the Battery, had brunch on Isle of Palms, and enjoyed the gorgeous weather along with a few dolphin sightings.

4th of July

4th of July might be one of my absolute favorite holidays.  It's no secret that I am a big fan of America and everything patriotic...so adding in sunshine, cookouts, and fireworks just makes it even better.  Rob had a 96 this holiday weekend (four day weekend) so we made sure to fill it up with all things "American"!


On Saturday after our usual trip to the Port Royal farmers market, we headed up to Charleston to watch the Riverdogs take on the Augusta Greenjackets.  Although the Blue Wahoos have the number one spot in my heart, I am sucker for all minor league baseball and this was no exception.  The team might have lost but the food was definitely a win.  Although it was tough to narrow down the options, we tried the shrimp and grits corndog dipped and fried in hush puppy batter, chicken and waffles, buffalo chicken sweet potato fries, and the deep fried pecan pie cheesecake on a stick.  When in the South on the 4th of July, eat all things deep fried right?! ;)  Luckily the baseball stadium is located right beside the Citadel so we were able to walk off some of that delicious food and check out the campus.





Brunch is clearly an American necessity so Sunday morning we headed to The Americano.  A Miami inspired restaurant located in Mount Pleasant, this place is an instagram dream.  I could not get enough of the bright colors, the huge palm leaves, and the succulent wall.  I had the chili infused plantain french toast and it was super unique.  I am looking forward to coming back to grab drinks for Happy Hour as they have an awesome drink menu.



Anytime we make the drive between Beaufort and Charleston, a stop at Carolina Cider Company is a necessity.  Do you know that their pecan pie was voted the BEST pecan pie in the entire state of South Carolina?!  That is saying something!  A pecan pie square and a peach cider from here make the perfect summer roadtrip snacks.





We kicked off the actual 4th with a parade in our neighborhood.  Nothing says small town America like a golf cart parade led by our neighborhood fire truck!  After the parade, we headed to the pool for the afternoon before washing up for the cookout.  We started the night at our neighborhood cookout back at the pool.  Responsible for a side dish, I brought red, white, and blue pasta salad.  10 Market, an awesome restaurant right in Habersham, cooked the BBQ and the neighbors provided every possible delicious side.  (Trust me, I tried as many as I could fit on my plate!)  After dinner, we headed to our friends' cookout in a nearby neighborhood for dessert and fireworks on their dock.