Michael Mitchell

After a much needed hiatus from classes and the grind of college, I’m back to posting and overly ecstatic about my new internship at Michael Mitchell Gallery  in Charleston. The contemporary gallery on King Street doubles as an amazing venue for anything from mixology competitions to fashion shows and rehearsal dinners. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the showroom. Happy New Year!

Daniel McClendon

David Ryden

Elizabeth Foster

John Stango

The land of Oz

My best friend and sister just took one big leap, moving down and over to the island of Australia. Yes, I may still be “living the college dream” in our countries best city (thank you Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards), but between the accents, Thai food and the summer season approaching, how could I not be jealous…?

Fall Back

As neglectful as I have been to my blog the past month (rounding down here…) I have been seriously busy in the real world. It’s so great to be back! Finally finding the time to post some personal photos from my most recent adventures and interesting sights.

Of Two Cities

Chelsie Ravenell has been a favorite, local celeb of Charleston for quite a few years now and he deserves the attention. His personal grasp of “country-boy meets urban-lifestyle” has helped him create some amazing designs. Gentlemen: now is the time to take notes.

credit: www.kennethbeatrice.com

London has had quite a few artists pop in over the last month. The Bortusk Leer is awkwardly perfect.

Bortusk Leer

Boxi

giving tree

Growing up, my Mom and Dad read to me all the time but The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends were always my favorite. I think it was the way that Shel Silverstein illustrated that caught my attention but I was looking through my book shelves and came across the books again. If you have never read The Giving Tree, I am pasting the story at the end of this post but it is worth going to the nearest Barnes and Noble, sitting on the floor and taking a few minutes to flip through.

Apparently I am not the only one who loves the story.

Angel Oak outside of Charleston, SC. It’s 1400 years old.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Once there was a tree….. and she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples. And they would play hide-and-go-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree…….very much. And the tree was happy.

But time went by. And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone. Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said “Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy”

“I am too big to climb and play”, said the boy. “I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?” “I’m sorry,” said the tree, “but I have no money, I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy.” And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away. And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time.. and the tree was sad. And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, “Come, Boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy.” “I am too busy to climb trees,” said the boy. “I want a house to keep me warm,” he said. “I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?” “I have no house,” said the tree. “The forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches and build a house. Then you will be happy.” And the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. And the tree was happy.

But the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak. “Come, Boy,” she whispered, “come and play.” “I am too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “I want a boat that take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?” “Cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree. “Then you can sail away…… and be happy.” And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy….

but not really. And after a long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree,

“but I have nothing left to give you—-” “My apples are gone.” “My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy. “My branches are gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing on them——” “I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy. “My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You cannot climb——–” “I am too tired to climb,” said the boy. “I am sorry,” sighed the tree. “I wish that I could give you something—— but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump.” “I don’t need very much now,” said the boy. “just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.” “Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.” And the boy did. And the tree was happy.

 

bow ties and beauties

Since my return from Spain, I have been beyond busy. Alongside a load of school work, catching up with friends and a few unnecessary (but pleasantly gained) pounds to drop, I was able to take a break from reality and spend a beautiful weekend with some fabulous people. Charleston Fashion Week 2011 is a prime example of the phrase “only gets better with age”. A handful of years under her belt, Ayoka Lucas has turned her fashion week into something to talk about (even NYFW’s Fern Mallis came down to see what the hype was about!). Another reason why I love this city…

hidden beauty

A graveyard and an old jail. Not the most stereotypically scenic spots until you visit them on a warm, sunny day in Charleston.

Chuck

Charleston, SC.

(except: I took the last 3 in Dorset, England)