savannah.

Whenever I try to describe Savannah, I find myself at a loss for words. In some ways it's strikingly similar to Charleston and in others, it's completely different. I always stay for such short amounts of time so although I do feel familiar with it, I also find myself wanting to delve deeper into the soul of the city.

My cutie sister is thinking about going to SCAD. She is almost done with her junior year of high school (what!?), so college plans are rapidly transitioning from thoughts to realities. Isabel seems to be completely smitten with the city and the school, and I'm certainly not opposed; she would be less than two hours away from me.

The only alternative that would make me happier, on an entirely personal and selfish level, is Charleston. (We could be roomies!?)

husk lunch.

One of the things I miss most about France is the lazy alfresco lunches.* These lunches would last for hours upon hours. Wine and dessert were always included.






My family had the kind of lunch at Husk that reminded me of my summer days in France (besides the tiny detail that we were eating Southern, local, exquisite cuisine). We sat on their Charleston porch under a big magnolia tree and just revealed in the perfection of the day.




Unsurprisingly, dessert was our favorite part. S'mores bread pudding, coffee cake with doughnut ice cream, pecan pie and an apple tart with smoked ice cream -- my family really knows how to live.

*A short glimpse of lunch in France. I'm eating a lemon tart. Only words I can make out: "I'm dying. I'm dying right now."

wine and cheese night.

In honor of both mine and Hailey's families being in town, we threw a little wine and cheese party.

Fourteen of my favorite people in one place, with copious wine, cheese, roasted tomatoes and caramel salted brownies as the sun set off the terrace -- it just doesn't get any better.

weekend.

To end our week together, my family went on a quick trip to Savannah. Saying goodbye to them never gets easier. Though I thoroughly enjoyed a peaceful train ride back to my true love (Charleston), lots of long bike rides, mid-day roof top margaritas (it's summer weather!), a comedy show, and a "family" dinner with friends that combated my homesickness for my family.

And now it's an overcast Monday. As giddy as I get about sunshine, the dreary sky today is a nice change of pace. I love a good thunderstorm.

scenes from charleston.

1. French wine with lunch outside.
2. (Fail-proof) caramel salted brownies.
3. Birds at the battery.
4. Isabel as a bird at the battery.
5. The cheesiest french onion soup.
6. Olsen twin faces.
7. Sunflower season.
8. Melissa rocking jorts and a camera.
9. Yummy cheese from the most amazing night.
10. Palmetto trees, late afternoon.
11. Cutie Hailey with a pixie.

I have had the most incredible week. Feeling beyond grateful for everyone in my life. I am a lucky girl.

sullivan's island.

We spent Saturday lounging on the beach at Sullivan's Island. It truly felt like summer. Eating and drinking at Poe's later that afternoon was just the icing on the cake.

nanaimo bars.

The moment I saw a photo of Nanaimo Bars, I knew I had to make them. I had no idea what they tasted like or what the process entailed, but something about them tugged at my heart strings. They are just so stinkin cute, and as it turns out, also delicious.



All three layers -- the coconut pecan crust, vanilla cream cheese filling, and dark chocolate ganache -- work so well together, it's almost unfair. My self-control has consequently taken a turn for the worse.




More about the history behind these little bars and the recipe here.

hailey gets a pixie.

I don't know many people that would grab a pair of dull scissors and chop all of their hair off, but that is precisely what my friend Hailey* did.






She knew she would eventually end up at a salon for shaping and styling, but she wanted to do the initial chopping herself (which I thought was beyond amazing).




Hailey is gorgeous enough to rock any hairstyle, but it takes serious guts to chop your hair off. Watching her, while giggling and screaming excitedly, was inspiring to say the least. It's just hair, and it will always grow back.



Although, I kind of doubt she will want it to grow back -- a pixie suits pint-sized Hailey perfectly.

*mother of Tutti, girlfriend of Ben, hostess of indoor picnics