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Music of the Season

December 5, 2012 by

 

music of the seasonNow that it’s finally December, the sounds of the festive season have finally begun! Everywhere you go, the holiday spirits infuses the air…a carol here, the Linus and Lucy theme song there!

Immerse yourself in the music that makes the holiday so enchanting. Here are a few of Charleston’s most exciting concerts, symphonies, and ballets for you and your family to enjoy:

  • Nutcracker Ballet: From December 12 to December 13, the Charleston Ballet will be performing the classic ballet, The Nutcracker. Come to the Theatre Gaillard Auditorium on 77 Calhoun Street, and experience the magic of this holiday tradition! For more information, call 843.723.7334, or go to www.CharlestonBallet.com.
  • Charleston Christmas Special: Broadway performers, Brad and Jennifer Moranz, take the stage at the Charleston Music Hall, with 20 talented performers, in this Christmas time tradition in the Lowcountry. Join them at 37 John Street on December 8 through December 22 for a holiday performance you won’t forget! Ticket prices range from $34 for adults, $31 for seniors and military, $19 for students with ID, and $16 for kids 12 & under. For more information, visit www.bradandjennifermoranz.com .
  • Charleston Harbor Sleigh Ride Aboard “The Thriller”: Take a one-hour tour aboard the Thriller Charleston, a speedboat with seating for 43 people. Dress warm, sip on hot chocolate, listen to Christmas carols, and cozy up with warm waterproof blankets for this unique Charleston, SC Christmas event. These Shem Creek  cruises will take place through the month of December in Charleston. Advanced reservations are available, and recommended! Call 843.276.4203 or visit www.thrillercharleston.com for more information.
  • Holiday Choral Performances at Charleston Country School of Arts: Join in the holiday spirit as The Charleston Country School of Performing Arts hosts a series of concerts sure to please the entire family. Performance are held December 6 and December 14-15 at 6:30 pm.  Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. All shows are held at the Rose Maree Myers Theater for Performing Arts on campus. For tickets and more information visit their website at  www.soavocal.com
  • Charleston Symphony Orchestra: Join the Charleston Symphony Orchestra on December 14, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. for all of your holiday favorites with the CSO Chorus and conductor James Stephenson, whose arrangements have been performed by the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, New York Pops, and more. It all takes place on the College of Charleston main campus in Sottile Theatre. Tickets may be purchased online at www.charlestonsymphony.org.

Which of these musical festivities will you attend this holiday season?

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The Best Home Décor Shops in Charleston

November 14, 2012 by

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we’re always surprised by how a little decorating around the office breathes new life and energy into the space.

For those visiting Charleston, plan a little time to stroll through these fantastic galleries and shops, and let your imagination wander as you envision the transformation of your most-loved rooms. When you’re ready to revamp your interiors, these boutiques will help bring your ideas to fruition with elegant home décor:

Candelabra: Are your interiors in need of a contemporary flourish? Then you’ve come to the right place! Candelabra in Mount Pleasant offers an array of home décor and light fixtures to take any room from ordinary to fashionable. Take a look at their teal mirrors, sculptures, wall art, throw pillows, designer bookends, and beaded chandeliers, and you won’t want to leave empty-handed!

  • Elizabeth Stuart Designs:  For the connoisseur of fine home furnishings, this emporium is indeed a wonderland. Glowing with luxurious furniture, lighting, frames, candles, and paintings, you could easily spend an evening simply taking in the beauty of this store. ESD even offers work local artists, such as the Charleston painter Teil Duncan.
  • GDC Home Interiors: The original Gregorie, Douglas & Co. was founded in historic Charleston, South Carolina in 1781, and has offered gorgeous textiles, furniture, lighting, rugs, and garden décor ever since. Though all of their merchandise is exceptional, we recommend their hand-knotted carpets and the Algonquin Table Lamp!

    Image Above Taken From: www.shopcandelabra.com

  • Michael Mitchell Gallery: Just walking through the doors of this gallery is sure to leave you breathless—and inspired! Featuring original work from painters, sculptors, and glass artists, you can take home a one-of-a-kind piece to liven up your home. If you need an artist’s eye to truly capture the beauty of your spaces, gallery owner Michael Mitchell is also a seasoned interior designer.

Which of these boutiques have you visited in Charleston? We’d love to hear about the treasure you brought home!

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Best Gifts Shops in Charleston

November 7, 2012 by

Whether you’re just passing through Charleston, or you’re here to stay, at these gift stores, you can find the perfect token to remember what you love most about the Lowcountry.

From candles to kitchenware, to cufflinks and cutlery—these keepsakes make a wonderful treat for yourself or your loved ones. Take a look at our favorite gift shops in Charleston, and remember—it’s never too early to get started on your holiday shopping!

  • Charleston Collections Gifts: Peruse the endless gifts and home accessories with accents of the Lowcountry. Check out their Charleston Candle collection and the locally designed dinnerware featuring scenes from the Holy City. For collectors of beautiful jewelry, this shop has a gorgeous line of sterling silver charms, pendants, bracelets, and even cufflinks.
  • The Silver Puffin: In downtown Charleston, you’ll find this locally owned and operated gift shop filled with charming gifts and handmade items. Tour their selections of glassware, tableware, local gourmet food, gift baskets, hand-crafted jewelry, and toys for the kids.
  • Harbor Specialties: Take a stroll through Harbor Specialties on East Bay Street, and try not to swoon over Michael Healy’s brass blue crab door knocker—just one of the many distinctive, bay-inspired gifts you’ll find at this little shop. Be sure to explore their apparel, purses, jewelry, hats, cutlery, and more!
  • Palmetto Moon: We adore this gift shop for promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its merchandise throughout October, their storefront boasting pink rain boots, Columbia jackets, mugs, t-shirts, and watches. Regardless of the month, you can find a piece of Lowcountry life at Palmetto Moon. And for the sports enthusiasts, you’ll quickly discover this is your go-to store for collegiate fan apparel!

Which is your favorite gift shop in Charleston?

 

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Trick or Treat: The Best Candy Shops in Charleston

October 31, 2012 by
Trick or Treat

Image Above Taken From: Christophe Artisan Chocolatier – Patissier
www.christophechocolatier.com/

Happy Halloween, from all of us here at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction! In the spirit of the season, we’ve compiled Charleston’s most delectable shops where you’re sure to find a holiday indulgence for yourself or for trick-or-treaters!

Robot Candy Company:  If you have young children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, treat them to a trip to Robot Candy Company on 322 King Street this Halloween. With toys and sweets galore, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that sings more to a child’s heart. You can even pick up a little candy for yourself!
Charleston Candy Kitchen:Looking for a little something to pass out to your neighborhood trick-or-treaters? Check out Charleston Candy Kitchen. Though the shop is renowned for its homemade taffy, it’s also lined with shelves and barrels of colorful serve-yourself candy. They even have caramel-dipped apples, hand-dipped berries and nuts, truffles, and gelato. Stop by 32 North Market Street and discover the spoils for yourself!

Kilwins Chocolates:Chocolate, toffee, caramel, saltwater taffy, brittle, and fudge—if you can crave it, Kilwins Chocolates has it! Since 2001, this little chocolate and ice cream shop on 59 South Market Street has been innovating new ways to make our mouths water! For a seasonal treat, try the pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin walnut fudge, or Kilwins Tuttles, a rich concoction of chocolate, caramel, and your favorite nut!

  • Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Pâtissier: Christophe Paume is a third-generation French chocolatier, who grew up in his father’s pâtisserie in Toulouse, France. Alongside his father, he learned to create artisan chocolates that are just as beautiful as they are delectable. The French chocolatier showcases his artistry on 90 Society Street in Charleston, where you can check out the array of hand-painted truffles, chocolate bars, chocolate sculptures, and chocolate orange peels—your sweet tooth will thank you!
  • Market Street Sweets: On 100 North Market Street in Charleston, you’ll find all the treats you could dream of for the spooky season. Try their Pumpkin & Pumpkin Pecan Fudge, Fall Chocolate Caramel Apples, or Pumpkin Pralines! One thing’s for sure: you won’t leave this sweet shop empty-handed!

What is your favorite Halloween treat?

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BRAdayUSA 2012: A Photo Journey Recap

October 24, 2012 by

We are thrilled with the turn out and success of our BRAdayUSA event held last week aboard the Carolina Belle in Downtown Charleston! The night was filled with great people, food, a little retail therapy and outstanding raffle prizes. The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction team couldn’t be prouder to have hosted our own BRA Day event for the first time this year, or to raise awareness of a cause we so firmly believe in.

If you couldn’t make it this year, or just want to relive the great moments, we’d like to share some of our favorite pictures from the night with you below!

Guest enjoying the hors d’oeuvres and mingling on the top deck!

What a beautiful night spent in the Charleston harbor.

The Premier Design Jewelry booth featuring fabulous baubles.

Some of our guest enjoying a little retail therapy in the cabin.

The Radberry Nails with nail creations to match any mood!

We cannot say thank you enough to all of the wonderful businesses that donated beautiful raffle items for this year’s event. Without you, this event would not have been the success it was! For a complete list of the participating vendors click here

For more pictures from this year’s event make sure to visit our facebook page!

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The Perfect Outdoor Workout Spots in Charleston

October 10, 2012 by
Outdoor workouts

Hampton Park, Charleston SC

With the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® just around the corner (October 20, 2012—mark your calendars!) and fall in full swing, the outdoors are a great place to get in shape for the upcoming 5k! Let Charleston’s natural beauty guide you to a fitter version of yourself and help you meet your exercise resolutions this fall. Whether you enjoy walking, running, or cycling, these incredible open-air venues will keep you inspired and coming back for more workouts:

Hampton Park: Though Hampton Park today is a sprawling 60-acre public park, it was once part of the Orange Grove Plantation owned by John Gibbes in 1769. In 1835, the South Carolina Jockey Club, a group that developed the Washington Race Course on the site, acquired part of Gibbes’ plantation. Though the racetrack once attracted thousands of spectators, today the park is used for scenic outdoor recreation and events. The park is an especially popular venue for walkers, joggers, and cyclists who use the one-mile perimeter road for exercise while taking in the park’s natural serenity.

  • Ravenel Bridge: The Arthur Ravenel Bridge, also known as the Cooper River Bridge, is the perfect destination for runners and walkers who thrive in a more urban setting. The eight-lane cable bridge stretches over the Cooper River, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant with a total span of 13,200 feet. As you run over the tranquil river, you can watch ocean freighters pass under the bridge on the way to the Port of Charleston.
  • James Island County Park: Enjoy the natural beauty of James Island County Park while you train! Just a short drive from downtown Charleston, the 643-acre park offers an abundance of natural beauty. Take in the grassy open meadows and explore the miles of paved trails perfect for walking, biking, and skating. The park even has an off-leash dog park for your four-legged companion. Park hours in October are from 8:00 A.M. ET until sunset.

So get outside and enjoy the fall weather! After all, exercise is one of the easiest ways to maintain your health after breast cancer or to lower your chances of developing cancer.

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Shop Local and Support Breast Reconstruction Awareness!

October 3, 2012 by

As you might already know, the month of October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! And our team couldn’t be prouder to reside in Charleston, where compassion and community-support is never in short supply.

All over our historic city, local businesses have donated raffle items for BRADayUSA, an event happening  designed to promote education, awareness, and access regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. The proceeds from the event will go to the East Cooper Hospital Volunteers to assemble post-op care bags for all breast reconstruction patients upon discharge from East Cooper Medical Center.

Check out these local shops, boutiques, and businesses next time you go out for a little retail therapy! Shopping locally supports your community’s economy, and when you patronize these businesses, you join their charitable efforts in the fight against breast cancer.

So grab your purse, and hit the town! Here is your guide to good karma and great local shopping by the location:

Downtown

LulaKate

Stella Nova

Finicky Filly

One Respe’ Wellness Center

 

West Ashley

Charleston Collections Gifts

Party&Paint Charleston

Paul Baron MD/Cancer Specialists of Charleston

Cynthia Sunde & Robin Hoffman – Premier Designs Jewelry – Independent Distributors

Summerville

Radberry Nails

Mount Pleasant

East Cooper Medical Center

Lowcountry OB/GYN – &  Lisa Henderson, Laser Technician

Chantilly Lingerie

 

Daniel Island

Paisley

 

James Island

Beba Luxe

 

Other:

The Little Black Book for Every Busy Woman

Yes Ma’am Tee

 

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is overwhelmed with gratitude for these sponsors and their commitment to making a difference in our community! For info on BRAdayUSA events happening across the country check out www.BRAdayUSA.org

To learn more about our BRADayUSA on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, visit our Facebook Event page here. Be sure to join us aboard the Carolina Belle to celebrate the event with delicious food and outstanding prizes! Just RSVP to info@naturalbreastreconstruction.com.

 

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All About Shem Creek

September 26, 2012 by

Shem Creek is one of Charleston’s most exciting and unique places. Both boating and seafood aficionados have plenty to do here thanks to Shem Creek’s spectacular waterfront dining. With fresh seafood coming in daily from the locally parked shrimp boats, our patients are sure to get the best seafood in town.

Though it’s lined with restaurants on both shores, Shem Creek is more than just great food. Here are our absolute favorites places to dine, drink, relax, and take in the natural beauty of this Charleston  gem:

Page’s Okra Grill: The Page family established The Okra Grill in 2006 with the intent to provide the best Southern food in the Charleston area. With a specials menu that changes daily—from homemade meatloaf, to Southern fried pork chops, and grilled beef calves with liver—Page’s Okra Grill gives every patron a true taste of Lowcountry dining.

  • Water’s Edge Restaurant: Water’s Edge is located on scenic Shem Creek and offers both waterfront and outside dining where guests can view the local fish and shrimp boats unloading their daily catches. This spectacular restaurant features a diverse menu of gourmet seafood, juicy burgers, prime rib, and many more Lowcountry favorites. Enjoy a delicious meal paired with one of their 450 wines from around the world to top off your memorable outing in Shem Creek.
  • Shem Creek Inn: On the waterfront overlooking the tranquil Shem Creek lies this popular hotel. Restaurants, shopping, and bountiful wildlife surround the hotel known for its quaint views and harbor-side activities. Each morning of your stay, you can watch the shrimp and fishing boats make their way out to the Charleston Harbor, or unwind by the waterfront pool and watch the pelican fly overhead.
  • Shem Creek Shrimping Harbor and Crab Bank Island Preserve Saltwater Tour: If you’re looking for a little adventure during your stay at Shem Creek, look no further than this kayak tour. Paddle down historic Shem Creek among the shrimp boats, then journey out to Crab Bank. This preserve is home to thousands of nesting shorebirds, including the Wilsons Plover and Eastern Brown Pelicans. Frequented by dolphin and sometimes manatee, this tour is popular among wildlife enthusiasts. It also includes incredible views of the historic Charleston Harbor, Castle Pinckney, Ft. Sumter, the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, and Patriots Point.

Where is your favorite place to go when you visit Shem Creek?

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Charleston’s Most Romantic Venues for Tying the Knot

September 17, 2012 by

Image Above Taken From: www.Huffingtonpost.com

With Charleston’s breathtaking waterfronts, rolling countryside, historic plantations and home, and lush parks, it is no wonder the city is such a hub for celebrity weddings! On September 9, 2012, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds exchanged vows at Boone Hall Plantation, the same house featured in the film The Notebook.

Last year, Eva Amurri, Susan Sarandon’s daughter, married Kyle Martino at the Confederate Home event space in Charleston. Even Emily Maynard, the most recent Bachelorette, is purportedly planning her nuptials to reside in the historic city!

If you or your loved ones are looking for a celebrity-worthy wedding, look no further. We’ve compiled Charleston’s most stunning wedding venues right here!

  • Boone Hall Plantation: Turns out, the Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina—where Lively and Reynolds held their intimate ceremony—is the mansion where Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams first fell in love as Noah and Ally in the 2004 film The Notebook. Other than its silver screen pedigree, the Boone Hall sets the scene for the perfect plantation romance with its famous Avenue of Oaks, nearly a mile of 268-year-old giant oaks draped with Spanish moss that lead to the sprawling house. Over 300 years ago, the brick and tile were handmade for this 18th century plantation and can still be seen, as well as the cotton gin house, circular smoke house, and in the formal gardens’ original walls and walks.
  • Confederate Home: The 127-year-old Confederate Home and College offers a unique historic location in downtown Charleston perfect for the big day. The restoration of this landmark features two formal adjoining drawing rooms on the second floor furnished with period furniture and a stately columned piazza which overlooks the landscaped garden. Each drawing room has a fireplace and separate doors for access—the perfect touches for an intimate, romantic occasion.
  • Legare Waring House: For a banquet of traditional grace, explore this 1840s home that has showcased legendary parties attended by governors, international dignitaries, and blushing brides alike. Recently redecorated with characteristic Charleston colors and furnishings, the grandeur of this home, accented by an avenue of majestic, moss-draped oak trees, is truly timeless.
  • Patriots Point Pavilion: The Pavilion at Patriots Point is one of the most captivating and sought-after event venues in Charleston. With rapturous views of the harbor, the luxury tent sits on the 18th hole with the Harbor just beyond for a truly contemporary, yet classic venue.
  • William Aiken House: One of Charleston’s most renowned venues, The William Aiken House has become the centerpiece for the most memorable affairs. This majestic estate has been fully restored to its 1811 condition so that bridal parties and guests can fully relish the rare combination of 19th century elegance and 21st century refinement.

Have you had the chance to explore these enchanting venues? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

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The Lowcountry Tales of Dorothea Benton Frank

September 12, 2012 by
  • Dorothea-Benton-FrankWhat better way to welcome the new season in Charleston than through the tales of the New York Times’ bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank?  With the Lowcountry at the heart of each novel, her words create the same cadence and wonder as the places that inspired her stories.

 Experience the wild beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and unforgettable characters of the Lowcountry, and the emotional honesty that has garnered Dorothea Benton Frank’s fiction national attention. Here’s a sneak peak at some of our favorites—be sure to snag a copy for yourself!

  • Lowcountry Summer: The much-anticipated sequel to Plantation follows Caroline Wimbley Levine as she returns to Tall Pines Plantation. After the death of her late mother, the Queen of Tall Pines, Caroline and the rest of the family are uncertain of who will take her place. Along the banks of the majestic Edisto River, new betrayals and secrets unfold, and a new generation takes the reins.
  • Folly Beach: Folly Beach is the shore of Cate Cooper’s childhood, and the place where her past still roams. After her husband’s death leaves her homeless and penniless, she returns to Folly Beach with the hope of building a new life from her old stomping grounds and becoming the women she was destined to be.
  • Sullivan’s Island: Born and raised on Sullivan’s Island, Susan Hayes’ brand of Southern sass has always helped her navigate troubled times. When faced with an unfaithful husband, a resentful teenage daughter, and painful memories, Susan finds she must seek her future by revisiting her past.
  • Shem Creek:  Meet Linda Breland, a single mother of two teenage daughters, who hopes to find a sweeter life in Mount
    Pleasant. There, she meets Brad Jackson, and soon, she is running his restaurant on Shem Creek. Taking on her responsibilities as a manager and single mother, Linda’s story is one of determination—and proof that second chances do exist.

Can’t get enough Dorothea Benton Frank? Check out her website for even more Lowcountry reads and the latest on her upcoming books: www.dotfrank.com

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