Hiking North Carolina: Stone Mountain

We found our hike, Stone Mountain, using the North Carolina State Parks- Pocket Ranger App. It’s free to download and has hiking trails, pictures, and other information about the parks. Stone Mountain is about an hour and a half from Hickory and an hour from Boone. We did the loop trail and then added a bit more to see the Homestead and the waterfalls making the total hike a little over seven miles. Josh and I went with friends on an overcast day, and it ended up being perfect weather. I couldn’t imagine doing this hike in the dead heat of summer being as it was one of the more strenuous hikes we have done. Not because the trail was particularly treacherous, but there were so.many.stairs.

Things we take in our hiking backpack:

At least two waters for each of us, after getting dehydrated during our last trek, I make sure we over pack the water.

Bug Spray

Sweatshirts

Napkins

Small Snacks

Our phones, on airplane mode so the battery doesn’t get eaten up.

Things we should pack but haven’t:

Deodorant

Extra clothes

Our trip by the numbers:

4 water bottles

7 Miles

301 Steps after the waterfall

1 snake (not seen by me)

5 babies being carried (fit parents!)

Check out more about Stone Mountain here. I also love to check out social media pictures of the places we are hiking before we go in case we miss anything good. I looked up #stonemountainnc on Instagram and found some great pictures.

Do you use social media to enhance your trip? Or do you ditch the phones and experience it sans technology?

XO, LKC

You can read more about Lauren's adventures and pieces of her perspective of living among the North Carolina mountains here .

Coastal living style: fashion inspiration

Michelle of Pink Champagne is in Paris as we speak, after relocating back to the northeast...and somewhere in between, she was gracious enough to share these pictures from her time spent in South Carolina.  She also owns a shop called Pink Bubbly Shop , where she draws inspiration from her favorite spots around the world.  You can read more about Michelle and her shop here .

Hiking: Catawba Falls, North Carolina

One of mine and my husband's favorite things to do in North Carolina is hike. Not only is it a cheap date (usually free unless there are park fees) but it is a great secret workout. And one of our favorite places to hike is Catawba Falls, located about a half an hour from Asheville in Old Fort (or Old Fart, as my husband likes to call it).

The hike itself is fairly easy (to the lower falls), meandering through streams and forests at about a mile and a half long. There are a couple of areas where you have to hop across rocks to make it to the other side and you may end up with a soggy shoe with misstep.



The waterfall is about 100 feet tall and can best be viewed at the lower fall area. This is also a great place to dip your feet in and have a picnic.
If you choose to go up further, the views aren’t as good, but the bragging rights are. My husband, friends and father hiked up until the rope ladder to get up even further. (I chose to stay grounded at the lower falls). This is definitely more dangerous and I would recommend that only serious hikers venture up that far, it would not be something I would want to do with young children.



We took our dog, Monkey with us and he REALLY enjoyed it, although there were some parts that he struggled a bit and had to be coaxed into jumping (note the picture, he was panicked here, but loved the rest of it). If you are going to go, make sure you bring water! Most of the the trail is shaded by trees, but we still lathered on the spf. There is a bathroom and a trash area at the beginning of the trail, but nowhere else. Also parking has been closed for over a year, so you will have to park on a side road. But the trail is open!

Our trip by the numbers:
1 soggy shoe
3 streams crossed
16 other hikers
1 baby snake
38 pictures taken

 Do you like hiking? Where is your favorite place to go?

You can check out more of Lauren's take on life in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina here.

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Out and About: Picture of the week

Shelton Vineyards, Dobson, North Carolina

There are several wineries in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina.  It's nestled between Winston-Salem and Hickory and the drive is gorgeous!

Shortly after our engagement, we picked out our honeymoon wine at Shelton Vineyards.  We plan to go back for our 4 year anniversary in February.  We even ended up with a signed bottle of wine from the owner of the vineyard...that was a day for the books my friends!

You can read more about Yadkin Valley here .

We are launching a new series every Wednesday: simply submit your beautiful photos from your favorite spots within North Carolina and South Carolina to:
 admin@sincerelycarolinas.com

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Out and About: Picture of the week

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

We are launching a new series every Wednesday: simply submit your beautiful photos from your favorite spots within North Carolina and South Carolina to:
 admin@sincerelycarolinas.com

Whether you are a local of the Carolinas or just passing through, we would love to share your perspective from the eyes of your camera lens!

Out and about: Picture of the week series

Folly Beach Pier (South Carolina)

We are launching a new series every Wednesday: simply submit your beautiful photos from your favorite spots within North Carolina and South Carolina to:
 admin@sincerelycarolinas.com

Whether you are a local of the Carolinas or just passing through, we would love to share your perspective from the eyes of your camera lens!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Daddy Day!

That's what we call it in our home...and let me tell you- those are the sweetest words coming from tiny voices!

Father's Day Gift Guide

Hey ya'll...just a friendly reminder that Father's Day is just around the corner! It's too late for any wonderful personalized gifts which is such a thoughtful way to tell your father you appreciate him but those items normally take a couple weeks to order. 

I know May has flown by and we're already flying through June. So in case you've been busy here are some easy picks at varying price points to get your ideas flowing.

First, a YETI tumbler. My dad is obsessed with his YETI cooler and swears that it keeps things the coldest out of all coolers. This stainless steel coffee tumbler is perfect for carrying his coffee on early morning fishing trips! (Purchase here.)

Second, a Southern Tide hat. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a hat because you can have several. Eventually one will wear out and you have to break in another. These are great hats! My dad has several and I even have a few myself. (Purchase here.)

Third, a Vineyard Vines bathing suit. It's summer after all, so what's more perfect than new swim trunks? These will have your dad stylin' on the beach or lake! (Purchase here.)

Finally, a Char-Broil grill. This is great if you have brothers and sisters who can help split the cost. I don't know any man who doesn't love being a "grill-master." It would be an even better gift if y'all put it together as a family instead of gifting it in the box! (Purchase here.)

I hope this got some ideas rolling! Remember a heart-felt card goes a long way.

If any wonderful readers have children, my favorite creative gift is a book of coupons for Daddy. (It'll be a cherished keepsake for sure.)

Be sure to stop by Little Lady in the South and say hey!

Brunching in Hickory, North Carolina: Josh's On Union Square

When I was single, brunch was one of my favorite events of the week. I lived in Columbia, South Carolina and there were endless places to eat and sip on a mimosa or two with friends. When I moved up to Hickory, North Carolina after getting married I was sad to see that most brunch places were closed on Sundays. I love that places close for church for their employees but man oh man did I miss a good omelet and community after service.

We celebrated our anniversary June 1st (our first one!) and I was going to find a brunch place for Josh and I to eat. This was going to happen. And Josh’s turned out to be our brunch hero, not my husband (though he did pay for the meal, so in that aspect he was) but Josh’s On Union Square, had a delicious 3 course brunch for a great deal (13 dollars!!!). We called ahead for seating, because we were meeting friends but we didn’t really need to. The place was busy but not slammed.

I got Caesar salad, an omelet full of bacon, spinach and cheddar cheese (these daily omelets change weekly) and blueberry cheese cake (and of course a mimosa to wash it down). Everything was excellent. The portions were perfect, my husband initially thought he would be hungry, but when he finished all three servings of his banana foster pancakes, shrimp and grits and banana pudding he was rubbing his stomach in agreement.

Price-$ (for brunch and lunch) $$ (for dinner)

Kid friendly- Yep! They have high chairs, and wait staff is very accommodating to small children. They don’t have a kid’s menu online but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Parking- Union Square has plenty of free parking available.

Outdoor Seating- Yes

Location: 206 Union Square NW, Hickory, NC 28601

What are your favorite places to brunch in the South?

You can read more restaurant reviews by Lauren on her personal blog here .

Angel Oak: John's Island, South Carolina

Whether you're a local of the Charleston area or just visiting, a drive to Angel Oak should be on your bucket list.

These pictures really don't do this beautiful tree justice-I truly could not capture the magnificent beauty of Angel Oak through pictures.  It is one of those sites that you really must see in person to truly appreciate.

There are picnic tables behind the tree, and a small gift shop.  This would be the perfect place for a picnic...especially this summer when you're craving some shade!

Because this tree is such a treasure, climbing the tree is not allowed in order to preserve it for future generations.

You can read more about the history of Angel Oak here.

Meet our Contributors: Allison of Sincerely Alli

How long have you lived in the Carolinas and where are you from originally?

I have never lived anywhere other than the Carolinas.  I grew up in Aiken, South Carolina.  I'm a 5th generation Aikenite, and my two baby girls are 6th generation South Carolinians.  Other cities I've lived in are Columbia, Greenwood (SC), Charlotte, Greensboro, and currently Charleston.  

What is your favorite thing about the Carolinas?

I love the history within these two states; I didn't realize how unique this region is in terms of preserved history until a friend from Oregon pointed out that the historical architecture and landmarks don't date back a far in the northwest as they do on the east coast; history is rich here and I love how preserving it is treasured here.  

I love that you can visit the mountains and the ocean all in half a day's drive at most!

How long have you been blogging?

I've been blogging for a little over 2 years now.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love that blogging brings people together all over the world and creates a common thread among us: to inspire, be inspired, and to document this one life we've been given to share with the world and our families.  Writing is accessible to everyone; it's one of the rare things in this world that creates a level playing field for everyone regardless of things like career, income, and social status.   I have made some dear friends through the blogging community and I love that my little girls will have pieces of my thoughts from this season of our lives to reflect back on when they grow up.

Give a brief description of your blog.

Over at Sincerely Alli , you'll find alot of stories about motherhood and how it's changed my life in both big and small ways.  You'll also find my thoughts on my faith, marriage, friendship, fashion and things that inspire me.  I have fallen in love with the South Carolina coast and photography so you'll see pieces of my journey with these two interests as well.

Carolinas wedding attire: keeping it classy in our signature summer heat!

Hey Y’all!

I’m sure everyone has at least two or three wedding invitations lying around your house. If you’ve already sent your RSVP, you’re now worried about what to wear. I thought I would share a couple of my favorite wedding looks.

Let’s start off with the formal summer wedding. In the southern summer heat, I’d suggest a cocktail dress with heels. Instead of going with dark colors which tend to be more formal go with a bright stand out shift!

Ditch the typical clutch! If you can get away with tucking your necessities in your date's jacket pockets, go for it! You’ll be much happier not having to worry about where to place your bag when you hit the dance floor.

Living in the south, we love to have outdoor weddings in the afternoon. Pick a cute summer shift that isn’t too heavy. I’d recommend wearing flats or Jack Rogers ; if you’re the kind of gal who loves heels, make sure to wear wedges.  I’ve seen a precious wedding invitation that politely suggested guests not wear heels by saying, “Unless you want to aerate the grass please wear comfortable flat shoes.”

Pink Cocktail Dress: Lily Pulitzer Nude Heels: Target

Shift Dress: Vinyard Vines Shoes: Jack Rogers Wedges: Lily Pulitzer

Head on over to Little Lady in the South for your daily dose of southern charm!

Enjoy wedding season!

-Waverly

We are linking up today at Style Elixer , What We Wore , What I Wore Wednesday .

Asheville Restaurant Review: Mela

My husband Josh and I love to eat, but let’s be real, who doesn’t??? We got married almost a year ago and we probably eat out 4 days a week… I know, I know, I am not going to be winning any Wife Of The Year awards anytime soon. But the bright side is we know some pretty dang good places to eat in a 90 mile radius. (Yes we will drive an hour and a half for some grub.)

One of our favorite places is Asheville. Seriously, this city is a foodie heaven. While we love trying new places, it is hard to tear Josh away from Mela, an Indian restaurant in the heart of downtown. So I thought it would be an appropriate spot to talk about for my first post.

Josh and I usually try to make it for the lunch buffet, from 11:30 to 2:30 every day and we always leave stuffed. Not only is it delicious, but it is a great bargain. Sometimes they even have a special for a buffet lunch and a local beer (they have Highland on tap) for only 12 dollars. I know what you are thinking, because I think it too… a buffet, seriously? But this buffet is constantly replenished with Chicken Masala, Tandoori chicken, chickpeas, Kheer and more. It is definitely the best bang for your buck.

But if you want a more romantic, less hurried atmosphere, going at dinner time is the way to go.

I got the Seafood Aviyal, which was on special, and I was not disappointed. It had just the right amount of spices and it was full of shrimp, scallops and Mahi Mahi. I could have had leftovers if it wasn’t so good. Josh usually gets the Chicken Korma, but he’s also a fan of Chicken Vindaloo (if you don’t like spicey, stay away from the Vindaloo). Check out their daily menu here.

For dessert I had Gulab Jamun, which is deep fried cheese in a rich syrup: a perfect cap for a delicious meal. We usually end the night at the used bookstore across the street, or at the Lab to grab a brew and listen to some local music.

Price- $$

Kid Friendly- While they don’t have a kid’s menu, we have been there during lunch and  the child we were dining with had a great time.

Parking- Street (Sunday: meters are free or there are parking structures, specifically on Rankin Avenue that give you the first hour free)

Outdoor Seating- None

Location- 70 North Lexington Avenue, Asheville, NC

Much Thanks to Erin over at The Cornwell Fam for this review-be sure to check back for her June restaurant review!

On Location at Palmetto Bluff: A Hilton Head Island treasure spot

Greetings! My name is Michelle, which you may already know from the recent introduction post. 

In case you missed it, I live on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina .  I have a fashion blog called Pink Champagne .  I'm also an online shop owner of Pink Bubbly. If you love fashion, southern living, and all things sparkly and monogrammed, we are going to get along swimmingly.

When my husband and I moved to Hilton Head Island last summer, one of the places that was instantly on my must see list was Palmetto Bluff (mostly because the fall Lilly Pulitzer catalog had been shot there, and it looked absolutely gorgeous). It has quickly become one of our favorite spots, as it is even more charming and beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Fittingly, here I am wearing Lilly enjoying the gorgeous scenery and lunch at Buffalo's (a must if you have not been).

Outfit details: Blouse and Pants Lilly Pulitzer, Necklace and Bracelet Pink Bubbly, Earrings and Watch Kate Spade, Shoes Chanel, Purse Kate Spade

Have a fabulous day, y’all!

We are linking up today at Style Elixer , What We Wore , What I Wore Wednesday