Charleston is a city of Magnificent Gardens. They are everywhere. Tucked behind private historic homes, peaking out of wrought iron gates. They are in our neighborhood parks providing us beautiful places to walk or sit quietly among the flowers. They are national treasures like…
I have always wondered about Goat Island. What would it be like to run away from home and live on an island? Close to Charleston, on the Intercoastal waterway, and only accessible by boat. When my husband and I moved back to Charleston after…
When was the last time you played? You engaged in a purposeless act, something needless, something that was fun, pleasurable, with no goal or outcome intended? It wasn’t long ago, when my work was all consuming, that someone said to me, “you don’t have…
And I mean that in a good way. Receiving the news of winning the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Carolopolis Award was the culmination of all of our hard work on the house project. Deemed the “architectural Oscars for Charleston”, the Carolopolis Award was never…
“If you can’t do something right, then don’t do it at all.” Ouch. This little “old school” saying, often repeated to me by my Daddy, was the basis for my success and my burnout. Growing up on James Island, I watched my Daddy become…
Food is love. Nothing better represents this concept than Once Upon A Treat bakery. What was once an empty, non-functioning space on the corner of Rutledge Ave. and Huger St. is now a bakery making a difference in the community. Started by Katrina Murphy…
I have fallen in love with my lighting all over again. As darkness greets us earlier each day, I am guilty of turning on all the lights. I first noticed on Halloween, “Wow, I am so glad I got that light fixture”. And then,…
I had no expectations. Maybe that’s why I got so much out of it. I showed up with a clear mind, alone, notebook in hand. Seeing diversity was the first thing I noticed. Not just young, creative people. But all ages, all walks of…
How do we know if we are living a big life? A life of fulfillment, a life of purpose, a life that makes a difference. Our very best life. Many years ago, a longtime friend of mine was mourning her good friend who had…
This post was originally published in skirt! magazine’s online blog. Thanks to skirt! for the opportunity and partnership with the Charleston Blog Society! Any boldness in me comes from my momma. She didn’t let anything hold her back. She was feisty, kind, caring and…
