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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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Treasure Hunting: The Top Antique Stores in Charleston

August 29, 2012 by
Charleston Antiques

The Charleston Battery Bench, Image Taken From:Geo C. Birlant and Company (www.birlant.com)

Looking for something nostalgic to spruce up your home? In Charleston, there’s no shortage of fantastic antique boutiques—and each of these local shops is a trove full of beautiful finds you never even knew you needed. Make your next shopping trip a stroll down memory lane, and find an heirloom or two to take home with you. Here are some of our favorite places to treasure hunt:

Geo C. Birlant and Company: Founded by George Birlant in 1922, this historic shop is one of the best places to find exquisite English Georgian furniture and silver. The family-owned business offers the finest in antique benches, dressers, silver, porcelain, crystal, brass, fireplace accessories, and longcase clocks. For those looking for something old-but-new, they even handcraft exceptional reproductions.

Golden and Associates Antiques: Located in historic Charleston, this local boutique has a reputation for dealing with the finest antiques around.  Art, seating, case pieces, chandeliers, mirrors, and tables are just a few of the extraordinary items waiting to take your breath away. You’re sure to find your home’s new signature piece here!

Terrace Oaks Antique Mall: Since 1988, Terrace Oaks Antiques has been one of the most renowned multi-dealer antique shops in Charleston with over 90 booths for every collectors’ tastes. Here you’ll find Victorian jewelry, books, American and European furniture, majolica, oyster plates, antique prints and engravings, original works of art, military items, linens, rugs—and that’s just the short list. Come peruse this storied mall and see for yourself!

Antiques of South Windermere: This upscale antique shop has plenty of furniture, household goods, and art to offer the discerning buyer. With well-preserved, high quality antique items on the main floor to entice your browsing, there is also a back room with a plethora of books to discover. If you’re looking for a nice gift or trying to decorate on a generous budget, you’ll love this gem of an antique shop.

Now get out there,  and find the little piece of antiquity to complete your home’s stellar décor.

What is your most treasured antique find?

 

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A Good Lowcountry Read: A Spotlight on Charleston’s Most Beloved Bookstores

August 22, 2012 by

Image Above Taken From: www.bluebicyclebooks.com

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know a good read is a powerful experience. Fortunately, Charleston is full of charming bookstores that are just as inspiring as the books they house. Here are a few of our favorite booksellers where you can pick up the next book on your summer reading list:

  • Blue Bicycle Books: Boasting 1565 feet of stacked books, this local bookstore is anything but plain. Owned and operated by local writer Jonathan Sanchez and his wife Lauren, they offer over 50,000 volumes, including the most complete collection anywhere of used, rare, and new Charleston material. Other popular sections include history, architecture, military history, Civil War, eastern religion, science, philosophy, gardening, poetry, hardback classics, and literary fiction. Come see why they’ve been voted Charleston’s best used-bookstore for the past five years, and don’t forget to pet the store cat!
  • Heirloom Book Company: On lower King Street, you’ll find this gem of a bookstore dedicated to the literature of food. The store offers an extensive selection of rare, out-of-print, and new books, alongside photographs, heirloom plants, and even seeds. Additionally, you’ll find thousands of publications, from the perfect Southern cookbook, to literature about gourmet cuisine, international eats, cooking vegan and gluten-free, the art of wine pairing, and cocktail recipe guides. It’s enough to stoke your hunger and your thirst for knowledge!
  • Books-A-Million: For the book-lover who wants it all, this bookstore doesn’t disappoint. From the latest bestselling titles and new releases to movies and magazines, you could lose a whole day browsing their endless stacks. Try as you might, you won’t want to leave here empty-handed, and you will surely be happier for the visit!

What is your favorite bookstore to visit in Charleston?

 

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The Best & Brightest Fireworks in Charleston this Fourth of July

July 2, 2012 by

Of course Charleston, historic landmark city that it is, would never settle for anything less than the brightest to rein in the 4th of July, and we at the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction wouldn’t have it any other way! To set your patriotic heart a-soaring this holiday, we’ve rounded up the places where you’ll want to get a good seat come sundown:

  • Patriots Point will host one of Charleston’s biggest and brightest pyrotechnics displays yet with the USS Yorktown as the center stage. Patrons can sit aboard the Flight Deck for $10, but spectators can also enjoy the fiery spectacle landside as well. With food vendors abound and plenty of entertainment for the kids, it’s a walk-through-friendly environment. The real selling point, though, is the view: the fireworks overhead and reflected off the waterfront will saturate your senses in awe.
  • In the heart of Summerville, catch the “Red, White, and Blue on the Green” in Town Square from 5-8 PM. As a special patriotic treat, the Fort Dorchester Garrison re-enactors will set up a Revolutionary War era camp on Hutchinson Square. A reminder of the reason for the holiday, World War II jeeps owned by Summerville locals will be on display. The fireworks sizzle shortly after dusk.
  • The North Charleston Fireworks and celebration take place at Riverfront Park
    where you can enjoy local live music provided by CoastRunner, The Blue Dogs, and Quianna Parlor. A little dancing is good for your health, and a great way to celebrate our country’s independence!

  • Folly Beach, only 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, is yet another perfect star-spangled spot this Fourth of July. Tour the local restaurants, then settle down with your blanket on the sand to watch the sky dazzle above you.

Happy Fourth of July, Charleston! Where will you go to see the fireworks this year?

 

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Laughter is the Best Medicine: Top Comedy Spots in Charleston

May 9, 2012 by

laughterBecause it lowers stress, boosts the immune system, reduces pain, and improves bonding among individuals, laughter really does have the powerful health benefits we’ve long attributed to it. We at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction are proud to say that Charleston is home to world-class comedy clubs where you can get your daily dose.

Next time you’re in need of a hearty chuckle, check out one of these laughter hot spots.

Theatre 99

Known as Charleston’s home for improv comedy, Theatre 99 offers affordable live shows most Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In addition to improv, audiences enjoy sketch and stand-up comedy performances on the theater’s stage. Those who are interested in participating in comedy themselves can take advantage of Theatre 99’s improv classes and workshops.

Plan your next outing here.

Visit: 280 Meeting Street, above The Bicycle Shoppe, Charleston, SC

The Stephen Colbert Childhood Tour

Stephen Colbert, one of Charleston’s most famous and well-loved native sons, soaked up the city’s atmosphere and went on to a wildly successful career in comedy. Diehard fans can make a driving tour of Colbert’s childhood stomping grounds by visiting James Island, where he spent his youth, and East Bay Street in downtown Charleston, where his family moved after the death of his father and two brothers.

Be sure to swing by Episcopal Porter-Gaud school, where Colbert acted in school plays and wrote for the newspaper.

Center Pointe Bar & Grille

Friday nights at Center Pointe mean comedy. Enjoy jokes in a sports-bar atmosphere where you can enjoy food and drinks from a full kitchen and bar menu. Want to create some comedy of your own? Come back on Monday nights for karaoke!

Visit: 4950 Centre Pointe Dr., North Charleston, SC

Palmetto Comedy House

Enjoy a night of stand-up at this comedy hub, located inside the Clarion Suites Hotel. The Palmetto is known for special event shows (including performances for Valentine’s Day and its Divas of Comedy show), so check out the schedule to see what’s coming up.

Visit: 3640-B Dorchester Rd., Charleston, SC

 

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Charleston Plantations

April 18, 2012 by

charleston plantationNo visit to Charleston, South Carolina, is complete without a stop at one of the area’s striking historical plantations. These immaculately preserved sites allow visitors to take a step back in time and soak up the atmosphere of the Old South.

Next time you’re in town to visit the Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we recommend stopping by one of these three beauties.

Middleton Place

No matter what time of year you visit Middleton Place, you’ll find 65 acres of stunning gardens in bloom. A National Historic Landmark, Middleton Place offers a glimpse into the plantation life that dominated pre-Civil War South Carolina.

Visitors of all tastes will find something to love at Middleton Place, which includes extensive landscaped gardens, a preserved plantation mansion, and rejuvenated stable yards, where actors perform the tasks that African slaves would have done in the 18th century.

Plan your trip to Middleton Place!

Boone Hall Plantation

Famous for the double line of oak trees (planted in 1743!) that line its driveway, Boone Hall Plantation provides educational tours as well as an opportunity to participate first-hand in plantation life. For 320 years, Boone Hall has been a living, producing plantation.

In the 1800s, Boone Hall produced cotton and pecans, but today its crops include strawberries, pumpkins, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Visitors can pick their own harvests in special fields after learning about the life of those who lived in the Boone Hall house and on the plantation hundreds of years ago.

Plan your visit to Boone Hall!

Magnolia Plantation

Home of the oldest public gardens in the United States, Magnolia Plantation opened its doors to the public in 1870, nearly 200 years after its founding in 1676. In 2010, Magnolia Plantation won a prestigious Heritage Tourism Award for its efforts at interpretively recreating and presenting slave cabins to visitors.

Visitors can enjoy boat tours, a petting zoo, tours of the gardens and house, and a leisurely stop at the plantation’s Peacock Café. The self-guided walking tour of the Swamp Garden is especially popular among tourists, and is open 365 days per year.

Plan your trip to Magnolia Plantation!

 

 

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The Best Tours of Charleston

March 21, 2012 by

Charleston ToursCharleston, South Carolina, is commonly cited as one of the nation’s most historical cities. Many of our patients who come for breast reconstruction surgery stay long enough to enjoy the eclectic sights Charleston has to offer.

The next time you’re in town, consider making time to visit one of these excellent Charleston tours.

Historic Charleston Tour

Founded in 1670, Charleston boasts more than three centuries of fascinating history. Join the historic tour to learn about Charleston’s role in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, as well as the natural disasters that the city has withstood through the years. Your licensed tour guide will draw your attention to more than 100 points of interest. Hotel pick-up and drop-off service may be available.

Old Charleston Walking Ghost Tour

Keep your mind sharp and your body healthy with a walking tour of Charleston’s most haunted places. Tour guide Mike Brown offers more than a decade’s worth of research about the city’s spookiest alleys, graveyards, and other locations. Offered at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. daily, these tours are sure to get your heart thumping and can act as either a main attraction or the opening for an exciting night on the town.

Historic Harbor Boat Tour of Charleston

Relax aboard a boat for a nonstop tour from the water. During your 90-minute sea adventure, you’ll learn about the historically significant Charleston Harbor and get to view three major forts (Moultrie, Sumter, and Johnson). The tour also includes views of Charleston’s best-known landmarks, including St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. If you keep your eyes on the water, you may even spot dolphins, pelicans, or other Low Country sea life.

Gone with the Wind City & Mansion Tour

Relive the beauty and drama of Margaret Mitchell’s iconic novel on Charleston’s Gone with the Wind City & Mansion Tour. You’ll see the French Quarter, the Market, Old Citadel, and the Rainbow Row of homes in pastel colors. The tour concludes inside the historic Manigault House, complete with antique furniture and architecture.

 

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Top 5 Yoga Studios in Charleston

October 12, 2011 by

charleston yogaYoga is one of the most effective ways to develop a mind-body connection and improve health and flexibility. Following are five of the top yoga studios in the Charleston area.

Charleston Power Yoga: www.charlestonpoweryoga.com

A Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga affiliate studio, Charleston Power Yoga promises to provide a “challenging, dynamic combination of strength, sweat, and flexibility sure to push you to your edge, yet accessible to all body types.”

In addition to an amazing yoga experience, Charleston Power Yoga offers a unique boutique with One of a Kind Yoga Bags from The Rose Knot and handmade jewelry from yogi Stella Maris. Yoga gear includes Manduka mats and Yogitoes.

Bikram Yoga Charleston: www.bikramcharleston.com

With two locations in downtown Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, Bikram Yoga offers hot yoga for all levels and abilities. Bikram yoga consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises and works every muscle in your body.

Many clients say they feel more positive and have strengthened their bodies and calmed their minds. Others say yoga has helped them lost weight and change their spirit and soul. Between the two studios, over 50 classes a week are available.

Daniel Island Yoga: www.danielislandyoga.com

Diane Zalka’s YogaFit® and Sadhana Yoga Chi holistic style flow in her sessions, which according to the website “strive to create holistic balance, personal growth, and harmony by focusing on flexibility, strength, balance, breath, body awareness, alignment, relaxation, healing the body, calming the mind, and lifting the spirit.”

Zalka, a retired teacher and Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher, believes yoga is for everyone and offers a range of classes at Pierce Park Pavilion, Daniel Island Park Club, and The Field House. Sessions include YogaFit for Kids, Sunrise Yoga, and Restorative Therapeutic Yoga.

Holy Cow Yoga and Artistic Center: www.holycowyoga.com

Holy Cow Yoga has been a fixture in the Charleston area for 12 years and offers a variety of yoga classes including Vinyasa flow, gentle-restorative, yin, children’s, and prenatal. These classes range from challenging to relaxing, and the environment is supportive and dynamic.

Workshops offered include Hip Helper with Steven Willard, Meditation Immersion with Trace Sahaja Bonner, Yoga and the Pelvic Floor with Leslie Howard, and Food for Life with Ayla Sarnoff. Holy Cow Yoga’s Om Store features organic yoga clothes, Kulae eco mats, and eye pillows.

Serenity Now Yoga: www.serenitynowyoga.net

Located near Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and downtown Charleston, Serenity Now Yoga focuses on not only yoga, but also offers free meditation instruction and special workshops and events. Their philosophy is that yoga should be accessible to anyone, no matter the fitness level or the age, and their mission is to serve all students who wish to develop a yoga practice.

The instructors at Serenity Now recognize the spiritual component of yoga and are careful to respect that everyone has a different spiritual path. While every session includes the traditional aspects of yoga such as yama, niyama, and pranayama, every instructor leaves room for students to include them in their practice as they wish.

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