December 2024
Season's EatingsFor me, getting into the spirit of the holiday season typically starts with the food—familiar aromas and flavors that immediately conjure happy memories—and I’m always intrigued by what people crave this time of year. A quick survey among magazine staffers produced a range of flavors: caramel layer cake, apple and sausage stuffing, anise cookies, mac ’n’ cheese, eggnog with fresh nutmeg, and tamales. That last one is mine—a beloved tradition from my West Coast family; Dad would pick them up at a local tienda, and Mom would revel in not having to cook.
November 2024
The Giving SpiritWait, what? It’s November already? I feel like life has fast-forwarded from steamy summer days smack dab into the holidays. I haven’t yet stashed the Halloween gear, but before we know it, it’ll be time for turkey and decorating the Christmas tree. Thankfully, our annual Giving Issue has all the bases covered: the meal, the presents, and most importantly, the philanthropy.
October 2024
Fall for AdventureDuring the latter half of August, there was a glorious stretch of days that hinted to the promise of autumn—more civilized temperatures, lower humidity, and a reduced risk of being carried off by mosquitoes! Fittingly, the staff and I were busy producing this October “Outdoors” issue, and I could almost feel a nip in the air as I dreamed of breaking some cozy sweaters out of hibernation and getting outside and enjoying all the natural beauty that surrounds us.
September 2024
True RichesPlanning for our September Luxury issue means focusing on the finer things in life. Lucky for me, there’s no dearth of grand homes, high-end clothing, alluring baubles, or gastronomic delicacies here in Charleston. And you’ll find prime examples of all of those delightful indulgences in this issue, including a 12-acre estate overlooking Bohicket Creek; our fall fashion feature; and a review of Marbled & Fin, downtown’s decadent new steak house, to name a few. But unlike other prosperous cities, I find Charleston to be, thankfully, a bit more subtle.
August 2024
Group Effort“Water is Charleston’s ubiquitous element, our secret sauce and not-so secret threat.” This eloquent statement by editor at large Stephanie Hunt sums up the conundrum that all Lowcountry residents face: We’re besotted with the beauty of this historic city by the sea—with its rivers, marshes, and myriad tidal creeks—while being inundated with the hazards and costs of increased flooding, pollution, and overdevelopment.
July 2024
Design In MindWhile we may not top lists of design-centric American cities (New York, Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles), Charleston, with the country’s oldest designated historic district and its centuries of architectural styles, plays host to an intriguing and ongoing conversation about the preservation of the built environment and adapting it for modern life. It’s also a burgeoning metropolis with a growing creative class. At this juncture springs forth a bevy of talent and ideas from architects and designers, artisans and craftspeople that we explore in this design-focused issue.
June 2024
Savoring SummerNot much beats a day on the water in Charleston—especially in the summertime. While a paddleboard is my usual means of getting out on the creeks, every now and again, generous friends invite my husband and me out on their boats. (The old saying is true: The only thing better than owning a boat is having a friend that owns one!) Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to go on a variety of excursions, from picnics on sandbars and fishing the marsh flats to harbor cocktail cruises and camping trips to Capers Island.
May 2024
Artful ImpactAstonishment—I recall my reaction to seeing artist Mary Whyte’s portrait of revered Charleston blacksmith Philip Simmons (1912-2009). It was the fall of 2000, and I had been invited to Whyte’s then-gallery in Ansonborough for the unveiling of Iron Man, her absolutely astonishing likeness of the local icon that now resides at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Mr. Simmons was there, humbly delighted by his portrait, and I was taken aback, not only by the depth of her skill—in watercolor, no less—but that she had seemed to capture his very being.
April 2024
Garden VarietyOn a recent Sunday, my husband, Wally, and I attended the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s oyster-focused “Shucked & Sauced” fundraiser at Hampton Park—a fantastic event, by the way (see page 158)—and I was taken by how much the Rose Pavilion area had changed. How long had it been since I visited this jewel of the city’s park system?
March 2024
Walking the Walk“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.” I couldn’t agree more with Serena Williams on the importance and power of women working together and uplifting each other. With March being Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day being celebrated on March 8, it’s a reminder to be thankful for all of the women who have blazed trails and uplifted others on their journeys—and to do our best, in turn.
February 2024
Top ShelfWhen I moved here from Santa Barbara more than two decades ago, a kind friend from the East Coast warned me that Charleston’s a drinking town and I had better know about “brown liquor.” Huh? I was just turning 30 and couldn’t tell you the difference between bourbon and Scotch. At the time, it was rather intimidating, but that bit of advice makes me laugh to this day.
January 2024
Keeping TabsThe tick of the clock on New Year’s Eve ushers in 2024, and a reminder that I’m nearing a quarter century living in our fair city. It’s astounding to reflect on how much Charleston has changed in those almost 24 years. Back in 2000, I lived in Wagener Terrace, and my commute home took me up Morrison Drive well before the area received the unfortunate moniker “NoMo.” I often wondered why that stretch, so close to the Cooper River, remained rather blighted and industrial. Of course, I was fresh from the West Coast and just getting to know the lay of the land.