I've been soiree'd

An Evening under the Stars, Middleton Place, Charleston, S.C.

Not stirred, not shaken but soireed! The folks at Charleston Magazine were kind enough to include me in their Evening Under the Stars event at Middleton Place this evening and what a perfect night it was. The weather was ideal, they had the garden lit with chandeliers hanging and colored lights, a live band, food stations set up in all the different gardens. It was grand. I even came home with a goodie bag. I met my blog friend Renae Brabham and we had the very best time at our evening under the stars. Thanks Charleston Magazine!

Charleston Grit Blogging Party

Charleston Magazine's posse of bloggers Charleston Grit had a party and I was invited. Woo hoo! The event was held at the Rebekah Jacob Gallery on King St. and I'd been looking forward to snooping around all the delicious artwork. I went with my friend Susan Moore and we met all kinds of interesting people. Bloggers, artists, writers, designers and stylish folk galore. It was great to meet the faces behind Charleston Magazine. They gave out a few awards to people who have been blogging under the Charleston Grit umbrella. It was good to put some faces to people I've only known online.

In the bottom photo is the meeting of the "Joans". There aren't too many of us Joans around anymore. We have to stick together when we can. :)) Whenever she says something clever I aim to take credit for it.

Good to meet y'all! 

Tuesday evening hodge podge

Charleston, S.C.

I put myself in Isolation at work today. I taped a sign on my door saying, "Joan has a cold. Enter at your own risk" and tried to stay inside my office. I'd like to be done with these sniffles by tomorrow please.

Check out this recipe for Champagne Marshmallows. Oh my. Or this one for Salmon Bisque.

Isn't it a shame to cut off bright hibiscus blossoms to wrap the branches against this cold night? I hope I didn't wait too long.

Criggo. Always a smile.

Exploding Flowers. Pretty.

Charleston Magazine put the link up to my article. Smile!

Stay warm, kids!

My Moment of Fame

Charleston Magazine

I kept getting emails from people congratulating me so I finally walked down to Harris Teeter and bought the January Charleston Magazine. Although I am a subscriber, I send my subscriptions as gifts and read old
issues at work for myself.

How fun is this!? Pretty damn fun.

Style Editor Ayoka Lucas and photographer Leann Canon came to my house just before I went away on my trip and put this together. I think they did a lovely job and I am incredibly flattered that they featured me. I've always loved Charleston Magazine. Thanks folks! You made me look good!

We're stylin'!

Ayoka Lucas & Joan Perry, Charleston, S.C.

Yep - that is Charleston Magazine's style editor Ayoka Lucas in MY house. The most amazing things do happen!  Ayoka was gracious enough to pretend I was actually stylish and checked out all my personal belongings - photos, knick knacks, teapots and shoes. It was the oddest feeling but she made me completely comfortable and apparently will be an item in the January magazine issue. 

Thanks to Ayoka and photographer Leann Cannon for a fun afternoon and new experience!

I've followed Ayoka's career with interest because although most people don't know it, she was briefly a volunteer coordinator herself. Many years ago I took a team on a Day of Caring project to paint and prep the Charleston Children's museum and Ayoka coordinated the activities for the museum's opening. Now she is the style editor for Charleston Magazine and was the one who brought Charleston Fashion Week into being. I had to keep interrupting her interview to learn more about her.