2025 Travels - I'm Back!
Singing James Brown Get Up Offa That Thing
We just returned from a kids-free trip to Harbor Island on Sunday evening and it occurred to me how much I’ve traveled already this year. From the pandemic, to being pregnant, to covid-related (or covid booster-related, who knows) health problems, we really have not traveled much in the last 5 years. Our son was only two when the pandemic hit, so we had not gotten out much after he was born either. To date, I’ve been to L.A. and New York visiting projects, to a charming little town outside of Pittsburgh to pick up our new Golden Retriever puppy, Charleston for Memorial Day with the kiddos and, most recently, our little Bahamian adventure. I’m back with bells on.
Charleston Highlights:
Around the corner from our little rental in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant is The Heart of Gold photography gallery. I could have chatted for hours with the owner, Aaron, about music documentaries and British New Wave music tidbits. He carries work by Norman Seeff, a favorite photographer, as well other photographic pop culture works.
We did a little shopping one afternoon on King Street and bought a great pareo from Madison Mathews, teeny turquoise studs from Peyton William, and stopped into LePrince Gallery to chat with the Elizabeth. She chatted forever with our son when we visited last year about becoming an artist and she remembered us. Lastly, I always make a pitstop at Ben Silver to pay homage to classic menswear as it should be.
We had amazing meals all weekend, but a standout was at Topsail on Mount Pleasant. Post House Inn is always lovely, but I was more enchanted with the ambiance (which really boils down to a very dynamic curation of artwork) than the food itself.
Briland Highlights:
We were supposed to go to Harbor Island in February of 2022, but we all got covid and had to cancel. We went to Turks & Caicos in 2023 instead and it was fine (and actually more expensive), but nothing compared to colorful culture and charms of Harbor Island. We had great weather, explored, shopped and enjoyed a private boating experience that was centered around hunting for seashells (I have zero interest in swimming with pigs that poop in the water).
A few items I brought on the trip: this Staud swimsuit, a long necklace by Chan Luu (my green colorway is sold out), this navy dress by Alemais, my new pareo from Madison Mathews in Charleston, and a few pieces from Julia Amory (a blue Jane dress and sarong/shirt). Since the theme of this trip was SEASHELLS, I bought this rattan bag from the boutique at The Dunmore.
Reading:
I finished Never a Dull Moment: 1971 The Year That Rock Exploded last month and will probably read it again. It is the basis for the Apple TV documentary (which I do not recommend - it is completely different from the book) and it changed my entire foundation for rock music.
I also just finished Ione Skye’s new autobiography Say Everything which included some interesting follow-ups to my new 1971 music education, as well as a cameo by a favorite interior designer (IYKYK). Ione has a great voice and her colorful past makes for a great read.
I read Anderson Cooper’s Vanderbilt book when we were in Turks & Caicos in 2023, so I felt it was fitting to pick up his latest book, Astor, to bring to Briland. I’m halfway through it and enjoying it so far.
Next on my list is Just Kids by Patti Smith recommended to me by Aaron at the Heart of Gold gallery (and also our beloved old nanny whose taste is always on point).
Watching:
We finished Prime’s The Better Sister before we went out of town. The story is decent, the set design was good at times, but the real reason to watch is for Jessica Biel’s outfits and to decide if her bob is chic and stylish or if it is giving PTSD twitches from that awkward season on 7th Heaven.
My husband and I watch an episode of Apple TV’s The Studio every now and then. It’s entertaining and fun and I appreciate how it pokes at how ridiculous some social issues are these days (I noticed this on Hacks, as well).
I think I told everyone and their brother about this season’s American Idol. I was admittedly not an idol fan (I think I only watched the first season), but I thought having something live to watch with the kids would be fun, so we started watching. I was impressed with the talent, fell in love with the judges and we all started looking forward to Sunday and Monday nights. If you know me, you’ve probably been on the receiving end of one of my today-lacks-cultural-zeitgeist rants and America congregating together around this season’s American Idol gave me hope. My favorite artists were Josh King, John Foster and Slater Nalley (a Lovett student from here in Atlanta) - it’s worth a watch!
Listening:
The minute it turns summer, I always tune into Cannons. They sound like like a lazy beach day at dusk and every album is listenable all the way through.
Spotify really wants me to listen to New Constellations - they play Hot Blooded at the end of any album or playlist. Yes, Spotify, I like this song as much as you are pushing it, but unfortunately, they only have about 6 songs total.
I had to buy a new car a few weeks ago (RIP my favorite old car) and feeling nostalgic to the first time I drove by myself after getting my driver’s license, I blasted the same album I listened to in my Dad’s car all those years ago. 2001 was the summer of Incubus and Make Yourself definitely tests a car’s sound system.
Similarly, my husband (who does not share my level of rock-intensity) and I enjoyed listening to Seal’s 1994 self-titled album (which is said to be one of the best mixed albums of all time) on the way to the Metallica concert, since he did not want to get pumped up to Master of Puppets (his loss).
Until next time, XX.