East Bay Hardware shop assistant

East Bay Hardware, 18 Society St., Charleston, SC   

What a happy treat it is to find yourself inside a store that isn't tied to a major corporation's rules. I popped into East Bay Hardware to see if they could make a copy of my car key. I haven't had a spare key for a couple of years and it's been on my mental to do list. They had an entire key shop set up and easily took care of me.

In front of the key kiosk was a "take one, leave one" library and movie book shelf. They have racks of clothes for sale, a mix of handmade and vintage items and a fund raiser for breast cancer going on. The shop assistant cat was eager to recommend the best potting mix.

Yelp Reviews:  

I was walking past and saw a sign beckoning me to check out their baby chicks....it pulled me in like a chick magnet.  The hardware store is located right downtown, and it was my first stop in my exploration of downtown.  The chick-a-dees were uber cute in their fluffy chirping yellow glory.  Oh, how I wanted to hold one....somehow I restrained...or maybe I restrained because their habitat had a secure top on it and I did not want to get bounced out of True Value.  Other than the adorable baby animals, they had other items that really sets them apart from your average hardware...like stone Buddha's for your garden, live orchids and other live plants.  It was a nice garden shop combined with a hardware.

I love that the woman there puts the pretty things she loves right out there with the pipe wrenches and WD40. Last time I was there I bought a saw blade, spackle, anchor bolts and an adorable mulit-colored scarf that's perfect for parties.  This is a great place. Never die East Bay Hardware. You rock.

Bring me to a Travel Agent!

McIntosh Travel, Society St., Charleston, S.C.

It isn't a travel agency anymore but this building on Society St. still has the McIntosh Travel agency sign hanging and it reminded me of this picture below that I took years ago.

There must have been a child in the family helping to promote business. "Mcintosh Travle. The Numer One Cruise Line"  and the picture of the black cat says "Please bring me to a travel Agent!" Cute :)

I didn't mean to travel more than a few inches from my couch this evening but after a lazy dinner of potato pancakes (yum, yum)  my legs seemed to decide they were going for a march with or without me so I tagged along and we did the King, Meeting, Broad St. loop. Now I am wide awake again. 

Amuse Me

Muse, Society St., Charleston, S.C.

Isn't it pretty? The flowers are still blooming and it looked so pretty and European I couldn't help grabbing a shot as I walked by. It is the upper porch of Muse restaurant on Society St.

Who schedules a meeting at 3 p.m. on a Friday? Sigh. Made me miss my regular Friday matinee although I reckon that is what I get paid for, and I am grateful for that.

I also missed Stephen Colbert at the College of Charleston. Lots of photos being added to this article in the Post & Courier. Go Stephen!

I am getting together with a gang of women friends who worked at the hospital. All but three of the group has retired so I'll listen to them going on about their fun day trips, frequent vacations and midweek lunches while I keep plugging along. Just kidding ;)  I love 'em dearly. I made dessert. See ya ladies!

Muse - Restaurant Week

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Muse, Society St., Charleston, S.C.

How pretty is this? I'd never been to Muse before but took advantage of it during Restaurant Week. It is a little jewel box of a restaurant. Sweet, sweet, sweet. I've owned an old home for too long. I kept looking at the elaborate painting and thinking, "damn, I'm glad I don't have to paint this room" but I am glad they do. It is gorgeous and the food was delicious.

The pictures are in reverse order starting with dessert but I'm not going to fix them because my companion happily ruined the budget restaurant week deal by ordering a good bottle of wine. Hic.

Elite Parking Society

Society St., Charleston, S.C.

Parking spots are so precious in Charleston we tend to get creative with our No Parking signs. Is this one threatening the howling hounds of hell?