Anniversary in Savannah, Part 2

I can't tell y'all what a blessing it was to have our anniversary fall on a Tuesday! We knew we wanted to be off work for it and it just so happened that the middle of the week in a tourist destination like Savannah is much less crowded! We had no waiting, no large crowds and the weather gods really helped us out since the temperatures were so much more mild than they had been the previous week in Savannah. All in all, it was perfect!!

Monday we woke up and headed to breakfast at Goose Feathers! We knew we would be spending most of our day out and about so we wanted to make sure we had a great breakfast! We walked to River Street to get on our Trolley Tour - Old Town Trolley! We knew we would be able to see so much of Savannah riding on one and it was great- I don't think our feet could have carried us around all of Savannah!

It's amazing the amount of history in Savannah- its large port and shipping industry have meant that the historic warehouses along the river are now store fronts! The ones behind me in this above picture are where we got James his 'anniversary' cigars! From warehouses to stores- amazing they are still in such great shape!

We toured all of Savannah and hoped off for some art. Way back in my UNC days I started getting more and more into art thanks to all my Spanish classes- basically history, art and culture all rolled into one- so I knew we had to check out the Telfair Academy in Savannah. It is housed in an old Mansion in the heart of the historic district and its collection of American Impressionism paintings would impress any southern gal who can't hop into the Met anytime she might want.

James at the Telfair Academy

At the Telfair Academy

After we enjoyed the art there, we moved on to the Jepson Center, which is part of the Telfair art family. This is where the more modern collections are housed and really, I walked in, enjoyed the AC, looked around and left. Modern art (American modern art at that) is not really my thing. Just not really a fan! They did have some very amazing blown glass which was beautiful but really, that was it!

Once we realized the Jepson Center was not our cup of tea, we decided to head to lunch! Our first lunch spot choice, Soho South Cafe, had a wait of over an hour (at 1:30 pm!) so we decided to go to another spot we had hear about - Maxwells!

We loved our food and enjoyed a short walk to our trolley! It was hot and we drank about 10 glasses of water a piece- our poor server! We did another trip on the trolley and headed to The Owens-Thomas house, part of the Telfair art group.

Loved the old trees and moss!

At the square near the O-T house

We really enjoyed the tour that came with the Owens-Thomas house! It was amazing - this house had so many 'luxuries' at that time that even the White House didn't!

After our touring we got back to our hotel and enjoyed the 'happy hour' that they had with wine, cheese, fruit and crackers! Some of my favorite things! We got ready and headed for a late dinner at Olde Pink House to celebrate our anniversary! It was a day early but since our hotel was right next door we thought we would plan for that night instead. We enjoyed restaurant week in Savannah - the prices were amazing for the delicious food we ate! Our service at the Olde Pink House was top notch- I recommend it to anyone heading to Savannah! Great food and atmosphere as well! Perfect spot to celebrate our first trip around the sun!

Anniversary in Savannah, Part 1

James and I knew we wanted to get out of Columbia for our first anniversary but where to go?! At first we considered Asheville, since we had not been together, but decided we had enough mountains from my families great vacations that we wanted something a little more historic. We have done Charleston and since we know so many people there - we thought it might be best to head to where our friends/family where few and far in between!

Savannah seemed like the perfect place. We know its hot in late July/August but honestly, its hot anywhere! We looked on trusty Hotwire and were so disappointed to see the crazy high prices of hotels! Well, we waited and waited and I kept checking during a lull on the work front and FINALLY- prices dropped for a 3.5 star in downtown Savannah and I booked! We stayed at The Planters Inn in Savannah and could not have been happier with the hotel! We had a great location, in Reynolds Square, and within walking distance to shopping and great food!

James' dessert!

My Gran Jean and I!

On Saturday morning, July 28, we headed to Hilton Head Island to spend the night with my grandmother. Although it technically wasn't 'on the way', we knew we wanted to see Gran since we had not seen her since July 4th weekend! We had a great dinner at Frankie Bones on Main Street - James even had S'Mores for dessert- as in fire at the table and roasting marshmallows there! So so fun!

Sunday we said our goodbye and headed to Tybee Island. It was a quick 45 minute drive from Hilton Head and we headed to lunch at the Tybee Island Social Club. We knew we wanted to do a bit of time on the beach and Sunday seemed like the perfect day! T.I.S.C was amazing! I had delicious tacos and James enjoyed a chorizo burger and we both washed it down with PBR's in our new koozies! We finished up lunch and headed to the beach! We had a good hour and a half before it started to look like rain so we packed up and headed to the car and into Savannah!

After a crazy drive in torrential downpour, we made it to our hotel and got ready to dinner at Taco Abajo. We wanted something low key after the beach and this was perfect! Tacos were good (T.I.S.C were a bit better though!) and we enjoyed a short walk to our dessert destination - Leopold's Ice Cream!

It was a great start to our trip!

A picture perfect day that lasts a whole lifetime

James and I were married July 31, 2011 at Grace Episcopal in downtown Charleston and our reception was at the Daniel Island Club. It was the best day of my life, getting to marry my better half and celebrating with family and friends.

Our first year of marriage has been so much fun. We have had some great times and learned a lot about each other and our differences. Not to paint this picture unfairly- we have had our share of arguments and tears but those are learning experiences that are needed!

We went to London for our Honeymoon and spent 10 days in our own version of paradise! We had just gotten to London a year ago today- We had a mini moon in Charleston before flying out! We were so lucky to have those few days in Charleston to eat drink and be married!
London was where I wanted to go and thankfully James did not mind- we aren't really beach people and we had a generous gift from my grandfather, Eduardo, so we headed off to London instead! It was perfect! I want us to go back and do it all over again!

We celebrated our first anniversary in Savannah, GA and I will be recapping it next week! Happy weekend!!

Catch the Sun

Today we are headed to Hilton Head Island to spend the night with my grandmother- she is the matriarch of my dads family and is all around a wonderful person! We then head to Savannah to celebrate our anniversary! Our first year has been filled with so much happiness, love and learning!! Still feel like the luckiest person in the world to spend everyday with my best friend.

This summer has been my favorite part of our first year. During the school year James gets stressed and school-studying-outlines-finals seem to get into James' mind and never leave! It makes me so proud to be married to such a hard worker- both in the classroom and at work- but in the summer it is just work occupying James' mind and he is stress free and so much more full if fun energy!

Part of our 'last summer of fun' has included a lot of traveling- we love being on the go! We have been to Atlanta, Charleston, Conway and Boone! Now we are headed for another trip and I can't wait!

We have also been walking our neighborhood or going to the gym together- love that USC employees have access to one of the gyms on campus for free!!- and we've both lost weight!

Since neither of us had ever read the books or seen the Harry Potter movies we decided to do that together this summer! Mine all come from the library- if you don't have a library card GET ONE, free books and DVDs at your disposal will save you some serious cash on Amazon that you can use for a new Kate Spade bag instead...- and James reads his on the iPad. What a mix or modern and old school are we!! So we read the books and then rent the DVDs from the library to watch- yes they have a huge selection of DVDs to enjoy!- its been such a fun thing to do together! We are on the third book now and will have to put them on hold while on our vacation!

I am blogging from my iPhone so I will leave you with some unorganized pictures to enjoy!!

Wine and new hair cut look- my salon pours a heavy glass of wine before I get my hair cut- love it!

A new favorite guilty pleasure of mine- how amazing are hazelnuts?!?

My awesome monogram koozie that my mom gave to all of the ladies at my cousins lingerie shower- thank you Lisa!!

Moaning Myrtle from the second Harry Potter movie!

Breakfast of champs! Toasted everything bagel from a place near campus with egg bacon and cheddar cheese. Wash it down with a coke zero and you have the perfect breakfast to cure any overly happy happy-hour.

I will try to post from Savannah! Y'all enjoy your weekend!!!