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As you may have heard, we’re gearing up to embark on a pretty epic four-day road trip around the great state of South Carolina in collaboration with our friends at Garden & Gun Magazine and Travel South USA. We’re building the ultimate playlist, grabbing the sunnies, mapping our glorious route, calling dibs on Shotgun and starting to pack our bags…and we simply could not be more excited. We’ll of course be documenting the entire thing, so make sure to follow along for the adventure (#takingcarolina). And in honor of our upcoming road trip for the team, I rounded up ten essentials for the road trip planner in the slideshow above, but I’d love to hear what you also can’t hit the road without! Cheers, Kat
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
THE ULTIMATE PLAYLIST
FIRST AND FOREMOST, A KILLER PLAYLIST IS IN ORDER (AND CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO GET HYPED FOR THE TRIP WEEKS IN ADVANCE). STAY TUNED FOR THE SPOTIFY LIST WE'LL BE ROCKING ALL THE WAY THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA.
EVEN THOUGH WE ALL HAVE A SMART PHONE IN OUR POCKET, A GOOD OLD MAP IS A MUST-HAVE WHEN EXPLORING (AND ALSO SMART IN CASE PHONES DIE AND RECEPTION IS BAD).
DRIVE INTO THE SUN LIKE IT AIN'T NO THING, AND LOOK COOL WHILE DOING IT IN A GREAT PAIR OF SUNNIES. WE HAVE OUR EYES ON THIS PAIR IN JUST ABOUT EVERY COLOR.
THE INDULGING IS INEVITABLE, SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL INDULGE IN HEALTHY SNACKS, RIGHT? OH, AND VARIETY, VARIETY, VARIETY (BECAUSE SOME LIKE IT HOT AND OTHERS DO HAVE A SWEET TOOTH AFTER ALL).
DON'T FORGET TO THROW YOUR CAMERA IN YOUR BAG TO CAPTURE THE ADVENTURE AT EVERY TURN. WE'RE HUGE FANS OF THIS POLAROID-ESQUE CAMERA FOR INSTANT FUN PICTURES EN ROUTE.
TAKE TIME TO RESEARCH YOUR STOPS SO YOU CAN REALLY ENJOY THE JOURNEY. IF YOU'RE PEDAL-TO-THE-MEDAL THE ENTIRE TRIP, YOU MAY MISS OUT ON SOME PRETTY AMAZING SCENERY AND A FEW GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY.
A few weeks ago the Mr. and I jumped on a plane and headed to the island of Turks and Caicos. Our destination, a private sanctuary resort, Amanyara, housed in the middle of the clearest, turquoise waters I have ever laid my eyes upon.
Being in complete seclusion getting to Amanyara is an adventure in itself. Though the resort is only 25 minutes away from the airport, those minutes are spent on coastal un paved back roads that rise to hills then quickly fall away to flat plain covered in nothing but native, untouched landscape. During our entire drive we passed only one other car and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to asking Anthony more than once if he was sure GPS was leading us in the right direction. However, with only one wrong turn we arrived at the resort a short 27 minutes later, greeted by what seemed like a small army of staff members with cool drinks in hand. From that moment we knew Amanyara’s description of being a refuge wouldn’t be far from the truth.
Immediately you’re struck by Amanyara’s carefully though out architecture. Each airy space designed to allow complete views of the next is both modern, but completely one with it’s surroundings. The large reception pavilion opens onto a breathtaking central reflection pond surrounded by mahogany trees, framed on one side by the Library and Gallery, and the other side by the Restaurant and circular Bar. The bar, a natural gathering spot, leads out to the main pool set on the edge of Turks and Caico’s turquoise waters. A short walk down a stone path to the right lies a private, white sand beach, and to the left all glass pavilions are perched just above the ocean’s edge. Our pavilion stretched out over a tranquil pond and like the rest of the resort, was tucked away providing complete privacy. In the mornings we would open every wall of windows and enjoy breakfast, and at night we’d lay on the deck, listen to the complete and utter silence and gaze up at the stars. After living in a city for so long you forget just how many stars can fill a night sky.
Time on the island just seemed to move slower, and for the first time in I don’t know how long I found myself with four glorious un planned days. Days we filled with long leisurely strolls on the beach and plenty of swims in Turks’ crystal clear turquoise waters. We unplugged, re connected, and recharged and when it was time to say goodbye I whimpered as I got on the plane destined to take me back to reality. As I type I find I’m already yearning to escape and smell that tropical air and find a little bit of Amanyara peace again. Tell me Loves, where are you planning to escape to next? Truly, MKR
This story is in collaboration with Amanyara Turks and Caicos, an Aman Resort, a breathtaking resort we love and adore. All images and opinions are 100% our own.
When we lived in Chicago and found ourselves needing to escape all the noise we’d run away to Kohler Wisconsin, a tiny little town in between Milwaukee and Green Bay set on the edge of Lake Michigan, Kohler was my calm in the crazy. So when we moved to Atlanta two plus years ago I knew I’d need to find a refugee again to replace my beloved Kohler. Enter Kiawah Island. A barrier island on the Atlantic coast, 20 miles south of Charleston, and an easy five hour drive from Atlanta, lies Kiawah a sanctuary along the shores.
Kiawah, a private island community is home to a mix of year round residents, luxurious second homes, the quaintest downtown, a top ten golf course, and a five star resort appropriately called The Sanctuary. Awaiting at the end of winding moss filled streets The Sanctuary is the epitome of grandeur. With its sweeping architecture, specifically their two main staircases, and immaculate grounds this seaside mansion envelops you in Southern hospitality from the moment you walk through the front doors. And by the time I had made myself cozy in front of the fire with a pinot in hand any stress that was lingering from the week was all but non existent.
Our weekend was filled with lazy mornings, plush white robes, room service, and magazines. Hours spent in the spa. A few rounds of golf at the Ocean Course. Lingering dinners and fireside discussions about everything and nothing at all. And plenty of oceanside play with Addison as she braved the waters to fetch her neon yellow tennis ball. All in all, it was exactly the recharge and refuge I needed and I have a feeling we’ll be back the next time things get too noisy. Do you have any place you escape to? Truly, MKR
