flying cucumber

The folks at Hendrick's Gin recently invited me to ride in their #flyingcucumber. We arrived at Beverly Airfield and were greeted with crisp, cucumber based Gin & Tonic's to sip in their runway living room before boarding the blimp. 

We cruised over picturesque North Shore Massachusetts towns and surrounding harbors, the downtown Boston skyline in the distance. We sipped from an ice cold flask filled with refreshing Hendrick's Gin. The pilot steers with foot pedals (like riding a bike) and hand wheels (like maneuvering a wheelchair). Floating through the sky on a gorgeous July morning -  this was one of my coolest blog-life experiences to date. 

outtakes, charleston

That's a wrap on Charleston and another girls trip for the books! 

We LOVED the quaint and cozy five seat bar at Zero George Hotel. (Which is most of these photos) but, really, all are excellent places to linger over cocktails. 

1 & 12 | Proof | intimate craft cocktail bar, extensive wines by the glass | 437 King Street
2 | globe lights @ C4B | Jever Pilsner @ Proof
3 | Closed for Business  |  Burger w/ a fried egg 

4 | Rainbow Row charms and delights
5 | CfB | draught beer emporium | 453 King Street
6 | buildings and blue sky on King Street
7, 8, 9, 10 | Zero George Hotel | 0 George Street
7 | Sun, Moon, and Truth: Hangar 1 Buddhas Hand Vodka, strawberry, lemon, lime, basil
11 | happy girls after our meal at FIG

13 - 16 | South of Broad + Rainbow Row

Not pictured but equally worthy cocktail / fun night out destinations:
The Belmont | 511 King Street
Blind Tiger Pub | 36 - 38 Broad Street
The Vendue Rooftop | 19 Vendue Range

I have so many good memories of our time here. Thank you, Charleston!

Poogan's Porch | Charleston

The ladies and I had a fabulous lowcountry lunch at Poogan's Porch; located on charming Queen Street in an elegantly restored Victorian mansion. We started with a basket of warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits and classic Aviation martinis (gin, maraschino liquor, creme de violette, lemon). We also shared an order of their lust-worthy pimento cheese fritters ($7) with green tomato chutney.

The Fried Green Tomato BLT ($12) comes overflowing with gorgeously fried - super crispy green tomatoes, a crab meat remoulade, apple wood smoked bacon and arugula. Easily, this one takes the spot for best BLT I've ever had. No one does Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($14) like they do in the south, and Poogan's rendition is splendid with sage herbed pan gravy and simple, well executed sides of whipped potatoes and collard greens. 

This was a meal I won't soon forget. Embodying all the classic Southern charm there is, definitely have a meal here (they do brunch, lunch and dinner) when visiting Charleston! 

Poogan's Porch

72 Queen Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Chez Nous | Charleston

Nestled in a quiet dirt alleyway off of a residential street, we visited the tiny French restaurant Chez Nous for Sunday Bunch on our last day in town. A small handwritten menu changes daily - the kitchen typically offers two appetizer, entrée and dessert courses. We came with large appetites and while this wasn't exactly an indulgent brunch, the food was exquisitely prepared. (There is a long story that involves a cancelled flight down on why we couldn't make it here for dinner as originally planned. Dinner would have been my first choice. Anyways.) Eden and I had the most perfect, fluffy, herb laced scrambled eggs with an arugula and radish salad. Tricia and Laura enjoyed soft boiled eggs with the ham tartine du jour. We felt so welcome and content to linger over Illy cappuccinos and Orangina mimosas in the warm homey space. 

Chez Nous

6 Payne Street

Charleston, SC 29403