STATEMENT EARRINGS
HEADBANDS
GRAPHIC TEES
SKIRTS/SKORTS
ANYTHING NEON
XOXO
Kels
5 TRENDS I’M OBSESSED WITH FOR SUMMER
Girls Weekend in Charleston :)
SHOP MY OUTFIT (Wearing XS)
SHOP MY OUTFIT (Wearing SM)
SHOP MY OUTFIT (Wearing SM)
SHOP MY OUTFIT (Wearing SM)
SHOP MY OUTFIT (Wearing SM top, 25 shorts)
Yall know I always provide my travel recaps a couple of weeks after the trips, so today’s post is all about my birthday weekend in Charleston! I actually have a Charleston recap from last year HERE, which is also like a travel guide. Anywho, on Thursday Maxie and I flew into Charlotte, and we stayed with Andrea that night. It was SO much fun! I was literally drinking Prosecco from a red Solo cup before my spray tan and the night only got better from there! Hahaha.
On Friday morning, we road tripped to Charleston to meet up with Tanner! Our first stop before the Instagrammable spots (lol) was Clean Juice for acai bowls. And they were GOOD! I didn’t realize this place was a chain, but there definitely aren’t any in Mississippi, so it was still a treat! We then Ubered to 80 Tradd Street for photos in front of the cutest pink door! Everywhere in Charleston is great for pictures, though. We ended the night eating at Darling Oyster Bar! I had never tried oysters before, so I decided this was as good a time as any to just do it. (Like Nike hahaha) Needless to say, I won’t be ordering them again… I did love the shrimp & grits from there, though!
We started the day early on Saturday at Charleston City Hall. Most people don’t realize this is where the pretty marble staircase is that so many take photos at! I recommend going in the morning before the sun hits directly. We had brunch at Toast afterward, which was phenomenal! Per usual, I ordered the french toast as I do at every brunch spot! Lol. Rainbow Row and sightseeing around downtown came next on the agenda! A sweet follower also recommended we go to Skinny Dip for Frosè. AMAZING! They have the cutest flower wall to take photos in front of too! (pictured above) We shopped a little on King Street before heading to dinner at Lewis BBQ! This was probably the best BBQ I have ever had. It’s a really fun atmosphere with outside seating and live music!
Sunday was sad because we had to leave, but Maxie and I booked late flights so we wouldn’t be rushed! We ate brunch at 82 Queen, and I switched it up with the biscuits and gravy (pictured above). It’s a MUST if you go! Truthfully, I would have been happy eating brunch for every meal if it was an option. Haha! We made it back to Charlotte that afternoon and headed to the airport! It was such a fabulous weekend thanks to my blogger friends who have become my real life besties 🙂
PS: I’m linking all outfit details under each photo with sizing!
XOXO
Kels
TRAVEL GUIDE TO 30A
PLACES TO EAT
Chiringo’s: I ordered the guacamole for an appetizer and then the blackened shrimp tacos for my meal. So fresh and delicious!
The Pearl: This place is my favorite spot on all of 30A! I have stayed here before, and I cannot recommend it enough. If you just want to stop by before dinner, head to the rooftop for tasty appetizers and yummy drinks. I love their frozen ones!
Surfing Deer: My first time eating at Surfing Deer did not disappoint! The crab cakes were amazing! (pictured above)
Food Trucks in Seaside: If you want a lowkey breakfast or lunch spot, eat at one of the food trucks in Seaside Square. Specifically Meltdown on 30A for grilled cheeses (pictured above) and Five Daughters for donuts!
Great Southern Cafe: Everyone raves about the brunch here, so I wanted to include it! Unfortunately, we missed it, though! 🙁
Caliza: Oh my gosh. Caliza is beyond fabulous! Even if you only go for drinks, it’s a MUST. I ordered the frozen peach bellini, and it was the best cocktail I have ever had! There’s also a pool in the middle of the restaurant. Such a cool place!
Whiskey Bravo: Whiskey Bravo isn’t my favorite, but they have fried mac & cheese sticks as a starter. I go just for that! Haha
Bud & Alley’s: I haven’t been to Bud & Alley’s in a while, but I remember loving the crab cakes. Yes, I always order crab cakes at seafood restaurants if you can’t tell! Lol.
Big Bad Breakfast: SO obsessed with BBB! They have a few other locations, but it still has that local vibe! I order the french toast and bacon (pictured above) and it never disappoints!
Donut Hole Bakery & Cafe: This place literally has red velvet donuts. Need I say more?! Their breakfast is also delicious as well! Chocolate chip pancakes. Basically, you’re guaranteed to go into a sugar coma here! In the best way 🙂
The Red Bar: I couldn’t create a 30A guide without mentioning Red Bar in Grayton Beach even though it’s currently under construction! There was a fire that destroyed the entire restaurant a few months ago, but they are in the process of rebuilding! YAY!
THINGS TO DO
BEACH: I think this was an obvious choice! Lol. I love renting chairs, so I have somewhere to sit that isn’t in the sand.
The Hub: This is a new spot on 30A! It usually has fun events going on, not to mention some delicious spots to eat or grab desserts! Lots of outdoor movies and live music are on the schedule for this summer!
Seaside Square: Seaside is THE cutest place in America, so of course their town square is perfect. That’s where several of the restaurants I mentioned above are located along with cute shopping spots! 🙂
Rent Bikes: Biking along 30A is truly living your best life. We didn’t have time to rent any, but I was jealous every time I saw people on them! Haha.
Paddleboarding: I am determined to do this on my next trip to 30A! It looks like a blast!
AJ’s in Grayton Beach: If you like going out at night, AJ’s is a great choice! It’s not super crazy, but you’ll definitely have a good time! Oh, and I recommend trying their Jello shots. You can thank me later! Hahaha
Sunset bonfire on the beach: The first time I have ever done a sunset bonfire was with Live Well (located at The Hub), and they did a wonderful job from building the fire to supplying us with smores! 10/10 recommend.
Grayton Beer Company: I have honestly never been to this place, but I love their beer. So, I thought it would be worth adding to the list! 🙂
WHERE TO STAY
The Pearl: As I mentioned above, The Pearl is IT on 30A. At least to me! Staying here is pretty pricey though, especially during peak season! I really only recommend it for a girls weekend or a couple’s getaway! Kids aren’t allowed at the pool, which is so nice. Unless you have children you need to bring! Lol
The Pointe on 30A: This is a more kid-friendly option! I haven’t personally stayed here, but I’ve heard rave reviews. Big Bad Breakfast is actually connected to it, so I have scooped out the premises at least! 😉
Rent a Condo/House: If you’re traveling with a large group, I think renting a condo or house is your best option! My favorite company for this is Wyndham Vacation Rentals, but there are other great ones too.
I hope this travel guide helps you plan the perfect vacation to 30A! And if you have some extra room, feel free to invite me! Hehe
XOXO
Kels
30A OUTFIT ROUNDUP
SHOP THIS OUTFIT (Wearing US 6 top and US 4 bottoms)
DRESS (Wearing SM) *Use KELSIE20 for 20% off*
ROMPER (Wearing SM) *Use KELSIE20 for 20% off*
DRESS (Wearing SM) *Use KELSIE15 for 15% off*
ROMPER (Wearing SM) *Use KELSIE15 for 15% off*
SHOP THIS OUTFIT (Wearing SM)
DRESS (Wearing SM) *Use KELSIE20 for 20% off*
SHOP MY OUTFIT (Wearing MED)
I know I was in Charleston last weekend, but I didn’t have time to round up my looks from 30A yet! This is strictly just my outfit details, and I’ll be sharing a 30A travel guide later this week. I’ll post my favorite places to eat and things to do along the 30A highway! 🙂 Until then, everything is linked under each photo with sizing details. Thanks so much for stopping by!
XOXO
Kels
A Letter To My 23 Year Old Self..
DRESS | HEELS | HAIR CLIP | INITIAL NECKLACE | ROUND NECKLACE
Dear Kelsie,
Gosh. You’re 24 today! You swore you would stay 21 forever, but I guess you finally figured out that wasn’t possible! It’s okay though because the best years are yet to come, at least that’s what they tell you! 🙂 Although 23 is now behind you, you learned more about yourself this year than any of the others to date. You worked tirelessly to turn a fun hobby into a real job that you continue to pour your heart and soul into! You actually applied what you learned in those college business classes to YOUR business. Something you have built from the ground up, and now you’re so proud of this little space on the internet that you get to call yours! You also met some amazing new friends that you never would have known had it not been for blogging. These girls are the real deal, and their friendships couldn’t have come at a better time! They didn’t realize the impact they had on your life, but you did!
After letting go of things that were never yours in the first place, you made the decision to focus on yourself and stop trying to find a man to save you. This was such a defining moment for you in year 23! The make-believe and fairytales were nice for a while, but they weren’t real! You never needed a guy, but you had to figure that out on your own! You were capable of so much more than you ever realized. And maybe you wasted more time than you would have liked on boys who didn’t matter, but they were lessons learned. The tears and the heartbreaks made you stronger! Your heart may be guarded now, but you realized it’s better that way.
You learned that everything will ALWAYS fall into place regardless of the circumstances. God’s plan for your life will prevail, and you have found peace in that. You stopped worrying about the situations that were beyond your control, and you just embraced the cards you were handed. It didn’t always make sense, and it didn’t always seem fair, but life never is. You just had to close some chapters and move forward to the new ones! Looking back only hindered you from the wonderful things that were ahead. You learned to truly appreciate the good friends in your life because they are far and few between! It’s important to make time for the people who made time for you.
You fully understood what it meant to love yourself before anyone else could. You figured out how worthy you really were, and you embraced your confidence! You never gave up on your dreams, and they’re finally coming into fruition. You stopped letting others dull your sparkle, and you stopped settling for less than you deserve both professionally and personally! In fact, settling isn’t even in your vocabulary anymore. Because that’s something you’ll never do again! Year 23 might be behind you now, but it served a purpose greater than you realized. It was a year filled with life lessons both good and bad! But those moments have helped shape you into the person you are today! So cheers to 24! May it be the best year yet 🙂