As you read on Wednesday, day one of our stay on Georgia’s Golden Isles welcomed us to the low country with easy, elegant charm. With The Southern Coterie‘s cofounders Cheri Leavy and Whitney Long at the head of planning, we knew we were in store for a wonderful weekend, sure to experience all of the gracious Southern hospitality this place had to offer. 

On Saturday morning, the group convened for a little morning coffee and crafts with  Grace Graffiti and Wake Up Coffee in Brunswick.  Whitney and her husband, the duo behind Grace Graffiti, work together to created one of a kind hand crafted wooden pieces from chalkboard placemats, state themed guestbooks, and their latest creation chalkboard @ symbols.  We painted and chalked our handcrafted @ signs while we chit-chatted and sipped cold brew, eager for a fun day ahead. 

After working up an appetite we then found ourselves around the table for the most fantastic brunch at Nancy, a restaurant and high-end boutique on St. Simons with a fabulous array of nearly-impossible finds for sale. The brunch, hosted by one of our favorite organic beauty brands, One Love Organics, paired each course to match an OLO product, and the result was divine. Think coconut soup as a nod to One Love’s Coconut + Salt Mineral Body Lotion. 

Full, but ready for our next adventure we spend the afternoon touring Sea Island and The Cloister, a legendary luxury hotel renowned for its utmost sophisticated elegance.  Seeped in stunning Mediterranean-inspired architecture, the hotel features grounds full of lush gardens, every amenity one could possibly desire, and the most fantastic fine dining. But perhaps most noteworthy, are The Cloister‘s luxurious suites that offer spectacular views over the marshes, begging guests to bask in the low country in all its glory, all while enveloping them in utmost comfort and privacy. 

We ended our day in true Southern Style with a party and planting workshop at The Vine.  These talented ladies handle events, florals and landscaping with ease, and even the blackest of thumbs could find their joy and passion for crafting beauty from the earth contagious.  Upon arrival oyster shell and orchid corsages were whipped up and tied on to each ladies wrist, mojitos were freshly muddled at the mojito bar, and we noshed and noshed on creations from Halyards Restaurant and Southern Soul BBQ until there wasn’t a mini taco or spec of cheese left.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day. 

I had heard about the glory of the low country coastline for years, and knew travelers from all over the world flocked to Georgia’s gorgeous Golden Isles. But now I can fully appreciate this elevated take on elegant relaxation that can only be found among these islands.  The weekend was full of amazing company, breathtaking views, exceptional service and fantastic food…a weekend I’m already yearning to repeat as soon as I can.  Truly, MKR

If you’ve been following along, you got a peek at the beginning of our 3-day road trip adventure with Garden & Gun Magazine, where we taste-tested and toured around South Carolina…Greenville and Pawleys Island to be exact.  

For our final stop, we had one last city in our sights, but after talking to the owner at Pelican Inn on Pawleys, we planned for a quick impromptu stop at the Old Sheldon Church ruins.  It was here where we saw the hauntingly beautiful remains of a pre-Revolutionary church dating back to the 1700s, the same church which was also razed by Sherman during the Civil War. History buff or not, you can’t deny the beauty of these ruins tucked away amidst the Spanish moss, off a quiet road outside Beaufort. 

After we had time to explore the hallowed grounds, the crew piled back into the car and headed to our final destination: the charming city of Beaufort, South Carolina’s second oldest seaside town.  It’s safe to say that Beaufort immediately stole our hearts as we meandered through its sleepy streets covered in Spanish Moss and lined with the most stunning Antebellum homes.  Can we talk about that curb appeal?  Just a dream.  Add a few cruiser bicycle rentals and some sunshine on our backs, and you have four ladies as happy as clams. 

Upon checking in at the Beaufort Inn, we immediately knew we were in for the most pleasant night’s stay. Its peachy pink facade and cheerful green and white striped awning beckoned us into this B&B-meets-boutique hotel. We had a quintessential lowcountry experience, as the four of us enjoyed the entire Fisher House and ended our last stop with a glass (or two) of wine and chit chat on the porch until the wee hours of the night. 

The next morning we got an invitation from Frank and Amy Lesene, owners of Anchorage 1770 a newly-renovated historic inn, to pop in for a little Southern hospitality before we prepared for the long journey home.  Anchorage 1770 was opening merely days after our visit, but to our delight, we were able to see hints of the Lesesne’s finishing touches on the impressive 15-bedroom inn. And as Amy invited several of her girlfriends over, we joined them for cool cucumber sandwiches, homemade pimento cheese bites, and strawberry cupcakes from Sweet Vivis on the sweeping front porch.  One of the beautiful things about a road trip is the spontaneous additions to your itinerary, and whenever they happen, it’s always a reminder that you should live in the moment and allow a trip’s moments simply unfold.  

A big, big thank you to Garden & Gun Magazine, Discover South Carolina and Travel South USA for making this dream road trip a reality for us.  We absolutely adored sharing our adventure with all of you, and what fun having it featured in the October issue of G&G! Truly, MKR