Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

Starting a family in any city is challenging, but when you are living in the landscape of a city that has gotten global recognition for multiple years for its beauty, tradition, history and culture and is in the midst of a population renaissance, the challenges can even be greater. We had an opportunity to speak to Adrienne and John who are expecting a baby boy in early 2014. As they prepare for parenthood, we discussed the excitement and risk around starting a family in Charleston.
This is truly a wonderful interview with two individual that have not only found love, but are filled with unconditional love and excitement for the impending birth of their son. Enjoy this heartfelt exchange of questions and answers from Adrienne and John.

With the great recognition Charleston has been getting, it will result in a advanced population growth. One of the potential concerns is over-crowded schools. Is that a concern as you bring a new child into the world?

Adrienne: Charleston is a great city. Its culture and environment are unlike many others and that’s one reason why we love living in Charleston so much. That being said, so does everyone else, people are reading about Charleston in travel magazines and seeing beautiful pictures online everywhere and they want to move here. It’s crazy how much this city has grown in the last 5-10 years. I’m a product of Charleston County Public Schools and I’ve seen almost all of the public elementary schools on James Island go under construction to make room for students. Boeing has also already brought so many families to the Low Country that school districts are being forced to build new schools in Dorchester and Berkeley Counties. There is no doubt that having a spot for our child in a good school district is a very top priority; so much so, that I would consider moving in order to get our child into a good school. I also work at a local private preschool and know first-hand how early you have to start planning for childcare & education here. There are people with babies and kids on waiting lists for some schools and they just found out they are pregnant. We are already on a waiting list. It’s never too early to start thinking about this future population boom that is inevitable!

John: YES! I have to drive to different areas of Charleston daily for work and often do work in many schools located throughout the area. All I see are trailers everywhere. Schools are already overflowing. There are some schools that have more students out in trailers than inside the actual building. It’s a major concern and one that we have already started discussing. Hopefully, Charleston’s school districts are also thinking ahead and will be able to accommodate everyone as this city continues to expand.

What makes the two of you so passionate about living in Charleston? What makes this area special to you?

Adrienne: How can you not be passionate about living in Charleston? If you can handle the weather and like living by the water it’s a perfect place to live. Charleston will always be special to me since it’s my hometown. I love everything about Charleston. I’m southern to the bone and can’t imagine not having Charleston culture and scenery being a major part of my family’s life. The sounds and smell of the ocean warm my soul. There is nothing sweeter than sitting on the beach, toes in the warm sand and watching the sunrise or set. It’s my “happy place”. I always run to it when I’m feeling sad or need some “me” time. I also love the food, the history, the shopping, and the various festivals that flow through here. I look forward to things like Spoleto, The Charleston Farmer’s Market, Piccolo Fringe, local comedy festivals at Theatre 99, RiverDogs games, Stingrays games, The Cajun Festival, The Greek Festival and many, many others every year. You can almost always count on me to try and gather a group of friends together to attend many of these events. Charleston is very special to me, because it’s home.

John: I originally moved down to Charleston with a close group of friends and family to start a new chapter in my life, and although we have all gone our separate ways now, I decided to stay in Charleston because of my job and I met the love of my life. I’m in a good place in my life right now meeting Adrienne and being able to start a family down here is what makes Charleston special to me.

What are some of your fears and challenges about becoming a mother?

Adrienne: There’s no greater challenge or blessing than becoming a mother. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can ever be given (I’m crying just thinking about it). I face many challenges ahead, but many rewards as well. I pray that I will be a loving, flexible, exciting, adventurous, physically active, & capable mommy. I want my son to know that I will always do any and everything I can to make him happy. I want to stay physically fit so that I can also play sports with him, go on camping & hiking trips, and play a very active role in his life. One concern I have is being able to let the little things go more, relax and go with the flow. I’m a natural born planner, and sometimes that dictates my life. I know as soon as you have a child all planning goes out the door. I guess you could say I’m working on that. I have a lot of fears and concerns about motherhood, but I am more excited than scared. I know I’m not perfect and that’s ok because I don’t need to be. I just need to be “his mommy” and that I know I can do that because my heart is already overflowing with more love than I’ve ever felt before. I’m already changing who I am to become a better mother, and look forward to all the other changes that lie ahead!

What major changes in your life do you both expect when your new addition comes?

Adrienne: I expect a lot of changes when this little boy arrives. I assume I have a lot of the same expectations most first time parents do: less free time do to…well anything (take a shower, go to the gym, cook a healthy meal, hang out with friends, watch movies etc.), all extra finances going to this baby (no more shopping sprees for me!), less sleep, and of course I’ll have way more to pack for the beach next summer! Our lives are about to completely change, but I think we are ready for it, as ready as you can be.

John: I’m expecting everything to change, a lot that Adrienne has mentioned…less sleep, not having as much free time to hang out with friends, and I expect to be working a lot more. But hey, what’s life without a little change?

Are there things that your parents did to raise you that you would do different and things you want to do the same?

Adrienne: My parents divorced when I was 2yrs. old and mainly my mother raised me. She was and still is a very strong willed and independent woman who can accomplish anything she puts her mind too. I was raised with the same mentality…that I don’t need anyone to do anything for me, because I can do it! I want my son and other future children to have a similar sense of security with themselves. I want them to feel secure enough to try things on their own, and if they fail it’s ok to brush yourself off and to try again; however at the same time I want them to feel it is ok to fail, that I won’t be upset or disappointed and if they need help I am right there to support them. My mom was also great about putting me into extracurricular activities like cheerleading, gymnastics, and letting me try anything I wanted to. I’d like to do the same thing for my son, because I think it’s important for kids to participate in-group activities outside of school. I take pride in knowing I’m a fully independent, responsible, and capable woman and I definitely hope to pass those characteristics onto my children.

John: My parents are amazing; they’ve been married for over 30 years and had twins at 21 years old. There is not much I would change when looking at my parents now. They started young and worked very hard (still do) to give my brother and I everything we ever needed and wanted. They stood by us when we gave them trouble in high school and when we wanted to start our first band. They were always supportive with our love for music and came to every single show we put on at first. I hope I can show my son that same level of support and love every single day of his life.

If a family were looking to move to Charleston and raise a family, what would you say to them?

Adrienne: Do your research! Make sure you can afford to live in Charleston with the rising cost of homes and schools. It isn’t cheap to live here and with the growing popularity prices continue to soar. Also make sure you already have a school district in mind and there’s room for your child there before you relocate. If you can handle the heat, humidity, and love the beach Charleston is a great place to settle down. There is always something to do and plenty of mom groups to join. It’s just a beautiful place; inside and out.

John: I agree with Adrienne about doing your research. There are already a lot of people living in Charleston, and depending where you are moving from you may or may not be able to deal with the traffic and crowded downtown areas. It is a really nice place to live, but don’t forget your sunscreen!

Sometimes in life, the right moment comes along and you meet your true love. Together, life takes on a whole new meaning and direction. For Adrienne and John, their love has led them down the road of a new and exciting journey. From the time spent with them, it seems clear, they are ready to take on this new stage in life together full of compassion and hope.

Adrienne and John were so wonderful to open up to us and share their story. We hope their insights of love, parenthood and life in Charleston drew some pure emotion and provided some wonderful advice for new families starting out in this city.

You stare directly into the eyes of a goat. Nicely settled on the top of the his castle, ten steps up from the garden wilting away for the winter. A few minutes earlier, in your pursuit to make friends with a chicken, you are pecked on the hand. Maybe a sign of love or maybe he didn’t like his feathers ruffled. Now for the reason, we came in, wine, vodka and moonshine. Step through the gift shop and experience Charleston’s winery experience.

This is the home of Irvin House Vineyards. Starting as a retirement project over a decade ago, this unique experience just outside of Charleston, James Island and John’s Island is a haven for wine enthusiasts, vodka lovers, animal fans and so much more. Only 25 minutes outside of the city, this is one attraction that keeps you coming back for more.

What makes this experience so unique and wonderful and a perfect addition to the Charleston landscape?

• For five dollars, you get to sample each of their five wines produced and take the glass home with you (Types of Wines)
• For six dollars, you can sample six flavored vodka, bourbon or moonshine offerings from the Firefly Distillery. There are selections you can only purchase here and not in the stores.
• Walk through the vineyard and taste the muscadine grapes.
• Play corn hole or play on the tire swing in the back.
• Have a picnic on the grass with the family or a loved one.
• Take your picture with your face in a batch of grapes.
• Play with the free roaming animals.
• Walk through the magic garden area.
• Watch the process of wine making take place.
• Find unique gifts in the gift shop.

Have we convinced you yet?

Here is a little more to whet your appetite. On special weekends, you will find live music from bluegrass to blues making it the perfect setting for a day out of the crazy downtown life including the 11th Annual Blessing of the Vines Festival on November 9th, 2013.

The vineyard is open for tastings Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM EST. They are also available for special events as well (Schedule of Available Tastings)

The driveway is a little rough and rugged so don’t bring the good family car.

This is a fun and playful place for adults and children alike. If you have not been to the vineyard, schedule a half a day. If you have, come back again for another round.

Where is it located?

Address
Irvin-House Vineyards
6775 Bears Bluff Rd.
Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
843-559-6867

Email if you have any questions:

info@charlestonwine.com

Meet Tina, the passion behind Mudd Pie Girl Bakery, a true culinary gift to Charleston.

Let us for a moment take a trip down memory lane, when young Tina was no more than two years old, curious and full of wonder. She would sit under the willow tree telling stories formulating in her head to the neighborhood dog, Pokey and make Mudd Pies. Coming from a long lineage of bakers, baking has always been a happy haven for Tina and she is so excited about sharing her secrets with all of Charleston.

The opportunity to become a business owner and spend each and every day doing something she loves while seeing the smiles on the patrons faces is a dream come true. Like most business owners, the risk is high, sometimes life hands you signs and you just know. From the first batch of mud to the exquisite treats she prepares for humans and dogs alike, Tina knows what she is doing is important. Her top priority is meeting the needs of her customers. Through her retail business and catering, she understands the customer and develops bakers delights based on their personal needs and preferences.

How did Tina take on this giant leap in her personal and professional career? The only way she knows how, all or nothing. Her advice to aspiring business owners:

• Save now. It is an expensive endeavor.
• It isn’t about the experience or the education as it is the belief you can succeed.
• The business will consume your life. Long hours will become a part of your way of being and should be expected.
• Never lose sight of the dream that got you there in the first place.
• Differentiate yourself from your competition. Remember what got you there and make it your own.

How is Mudd Pie Girl Bakery Different?

• They love baking. Pies, if you couldn’t tell are the true bread and butter, but this business is a full service bakery. There is no request that will go unturned. If an great idea is introduced to Tina, she will find a way to make it delicious and memorable.
• Think outside the box. Dessert for breakfast, why not. One example is the Orangecicle Muffin. That name speaks for itself.
• Attention to detail and quality of products. Each and every menu item or personal request for special occasions, catering or retail are developed to the needs and standards of the customer. Whether it is a gluten sensitivity or a sugar restriction, each project is taken on with personal ownership.

What inspires your creations?

Menu items are rarely planned. It may be taking a traditional favorite and making it unique or an idea will come up in a conversation that spins off into a magical creation. The true inspiration is the pallets of those that glow each time they eat one of Tina’s treats. Seeing the smiles and satisfied appetites is what keeps her coming in each day to bake before the sun rises.

Mudd Pie is proud of its dog treat line of products that are inspired by her own four legged children. Baker loves crunchy biscuits, so Baker’s Biscuits came to life. Oak is a big husky dog and always preys on leftovers and thus Oak’s Oats was born. Buddy is the elder dog and does not have the strong teeth he used to. He helped develop the soft and easy to eat banana bar.

How can someone enjoy all your wonderful menu offerings?

• The retail store is currently partnered with How Art Thou Cafe at 1956 Maybank Highway, James Island (Terrance Theater Plaza). You can stop by as early as 6:30 AM and as late as 10 PM but don’t come on Sunday. They will not let you in the door as they are closed.
• Don’t let that get you down. The bakery is part of the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market on James Island each week and will be part of the James Island County Park annual Harvest Festival on November 2.
• They are proud to provide full catering options as well. You can email or contact Tina directly for details – Mudd Pie Girl Official Website

What is next as you reach for the stars?

The long-term goal is to open a second location and then bring the magic back to Tina’s hometown of Newtown, Connecticut. Devastated by one of the most tragic events in our country’s history on December 14, 2012, the shootings in the elementary school, near her hometown has weighed heavy on Tina’s heart. If she can take something that is special to her and bring happiness to a community left with so many unanswered questions, it is the best she can do and a personal goal she would like to fulfill.

Meeting Tina will bring you joy. Her zest for life, passion for baking and ability to understand and connect to her customers it what makes her story so special and what will make her bakery such a stand out in this community. Whether it is a brownie, muffin, pie or cupcake, stop by her bakery. Say hello, take a seat at the bar, have a latte and spend sometime with Tina and her creations.

Kahlan – Irish origin meaning “Strong Leader”

Behind those soft eyes, long legs and fiery dance moves behind the bar at Market Street Saloon in downtown Charleston, SC lies a beautiful soul with tremendous depth and a mission to achieve greatness. Currently, a finalist in the Charleston Hottest Bartender competition and lead vote getter, Kahlan sees this competition as an important stepping stone toward reaching her dreams and following the wishes of her father who passed away last October. Now a year later, she is on the verge of looking up at the stars and keeping a promise to make him proud.

A recent transplant to Charleston, Kahlan sees the importance of this competition for the city, Market Street Saloon, herself and her childhood.

Charleston has been a special place for Kahlan since she was a young girl. Her family would take her to the beaches of Sullivan’s Island and it was so beautiful that it felt like home.

As she let her feet touch the sand as she ran into the first waves crashing down from the powerful ocean, she recalls a place where “no one judges you because your dreams are too big or small”. Being able to wake up to the sun rising over the ocean is a dream and an inspiration to reach her goals. Being recognized as the Top City in the World and the United States is more motivation to want to represent this city with pride.

Why is winning this competition important to you and the Market Street Saloon?

• Kahlan is from Columbia, SC and she wants to show her hometown she can do it and do it with her saloon girls.
• This competition will have a direct connection to a new MTV show and winning would thrust her closer to her career aspirations.
• This win would not just be for the Market Street Saloon, but all the businesses on Market Street that support each other each and every day.
• There is so much support from family and friends that it would mean so much for them to be a part of the excitement in celebration.

Who is Kahlan Michelle Shull?

Kahlan is a spirit fueled by the light and energized by life. She is passionate, caring, warm, playful, talented and would be a wonderful symbol of Charleston and the hospitality industry that serves as such a critical part of the landscape of Charleston.

At the age of twenty-one, most of us are still trying to figure out what to have for breakfast and what major to focus on in college. Not Kahlan who has:

• Been awarded Miss North Charleston Teen 2007
• Auditioned for American Idol
• Ran track for seven years, volleyball for four and worked for 93.5 radio
• Attended modeling school for a year while she was thirteen (13)
• Is an entertainer from head to toe: Contemporary singer, runaway model, hula hoopist, dancer and actress
• Won a competition senior year in high school for developing and presenting an international business model to a panel of business CEO’s

To meet Kahlan is to love the her. She is and ambitious, driven independent woman; a little girl that wants to play; a talented entertainer; a daughter, a friend and a lover.

It is is this love for Charleston coupled with her natural beauty that will put her center stage to represent Market Street Saloon, Charleston and the wonderful culture this city offers.

Next time you see Kahlan on the street or at work behind the bar, give her a hug. Not because she lost her father, not because she is a warm cuddly sweetheart, but because she represents all that is good in Charleston. It is her genuine happiness that is an insignia of what Charleston represents.

Vote Today for Charleston’s Hottest Bartender

This is Charleston

It is a rainbow of infinite memories
From the early settlers to the pioneers of tomorrow

Sailboats raise a symbol to the sky as the wind guides them offshore creating a finely stitched canvas of white clouds and ocean blue

From the tips of the church steeples reaching to the heavens, to the remains of our forefathers resting in the sacred burials, Charleston is a blessing and gift

In its wonder, we are taken back in time to cobblestone roads, horse drawn carriages and southern hospitality as sweet as nectar on pecan pie

Once a shipping ground for slavery and inequality; now a harmonious settlement of integration, culture, dining and hospitality

Each morning, the sun rises over the harbor and welcomes a new day with open arms

Streets filled with life, the sound of music and aromas to warm the soul

This is Charleston

It is home to the world

Defining a global appeal, an artist sees a city with a marriage of nature and skyline beauty becoming one
Painting in his head a true masterpiece
Now this canvas, resting peacefully on the coast, is laden in strokes of reds and blues
Always in flux as patrons pay homage to the city we love

This is Charleston

From the laughter of the children in the fountain, to the love of an elderly couple embracing on the sand, this is heart of all that is good

This is Charleston; where the heart of the south reminds you of the beauty of life

Last evening at the Woolfe Street Playhouse in downtown Charleston, we were taken through a time warp to the Roaring Twenties for an evening in the world of Jay Gatsby.

Inspired by The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, The Woolfe Street Playhouse was the perfect setting and back drop for this gala event.

Under the stars, the night was filled with unique drinks, food from Vietnamese to sliders to sushi, flapper dresses, fedoras and a carefree attitude filled with dance and laughter, the Woolfe Street Playhouse and Yelp brought us back to a time when life was filled with elegance, dancing and drinking. A time when the wealthy were not just about the dollar value, but how hard they could party until dawn.

Yelp Goes Gatsby was a celebration of life. It was a costume party, a theme party and a gathering of people with one common goal: Party like it’s 1925.

From the moment you stepped into the theater, you were instantly greeted with outfits of class and style, fine art, music, cigarette girls and a wide array of drinks and shots to help loosen and liven the mood.

Like a cinematic flashback, 2013 Charleston turned into the roaring streets of 1925 Charleston. We all had money, we all had class, we all had style. This was our night. Each and every one of us were special.

Charleston is a special town that embraces all that is good. Often times, we gather together for a cause and a reason to laugh, converse and dance. This night was no exception. Not only was this night focused on the Roaring Twenties, but partnered to raise money for a very worthy cause.

A number of very generous businesses and restaurants helped make this night possible and this collective effort, helped this evening go off without a flaw.

From the walk down the red carpet to the final drink of the night, A Night of Gatsby was truly a night of memories to last.

Thank you F. Scott Fitzgerald
Thank you Woolfe Street Playhouse
Thank you to The 827
Thank you to Yelp

Most of all, Thank you Charleston for being a town that embraces creativity and community.

Video Montage of Yelp Does Gatsby