How a weekend at a historic South Carolina bed and breakfast became one of the most intentional things I’ve ever done for my family

I’ve been thinking about what it means to gather the women in your family on purpose. Not for a wedding, or a funeral, or because something happened that required everyone to show up, but just an intentional gathering that in an ordinary moment of time that becomes an opportunity to reflect and bridge the gaps.

Continue reading We Took a Matriarch Trip— Now Every Family Needs to Do This! at Shades of Pinck.

If you’ve never considered Columbia Food and Wine Festival, let this be your sign to change that next April.

Y’all know how much I love my hometown of Charleston, but let’s be honest– the entire country knows and loves Charleston too. Columbia is, in many ways, South Carolina’s best-kept secret—and this festival is when it fully reveals itself. For nearly one week, the city transforms into a thoughtfully curated culinary destination, where many events are steeped in history and set in spaces that feel both intimate and storied.

Continue reading SC’s Best Kept Secret: Columbia Food + Wine Festival at Shades of Pinck.

One dish that’s always going to be at our table, no matter the holiday, is collard greens. Growing up they were a staple at Sunday dinner, so I had watched my grandma make them countless times. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized  she never used recipe cards for this dish (or really any); everything was by memory. And I honestly didn’t realize just how hard that would be for me until I followed her around the kitchen one day, writing it all down!!

Continue reading How to Cook Collard Greens: A Family Recipe Passed Down Through Generations at Shades of Pinck.

When you think of Soul food, you probably picture fried chicken, collard greens, Mac & cheese, and even sweet potato casserole. Whether you’re up north in NYC, out west in LA or even down south in Charleston, SC, if you order one of these dishes, there are flavors you just expect to experience. And that’s because many of these dishes have been passed down Black families for generations. Actually– for hundreds of years!!! What a lot of people don’t always realize is that these so-called “American classics” are rooted in West African traditions.

Continue reading How African Traditions Shaped American Food: 4 Foods with African Roots at Shades of Pinck.

Honestly– it’s kinda hard to believe but summer is almost over!!! If you live up North, then maybe you’re one of the lucky ones that spends the month of August on Martha’s Vineyard or the Hamptons. But if you, like us, are based in the South then you’re preparing for schools to resume and that routine of fall to kick in. 

Lately around the PINCK HQ we can’t help but complain that summer has gotten away from us.

Continue reading A Luxe Camper’s Packing Guide: Adult Summer Camp Must-Haves at Shades of Pinck.

Back in 2020, when the world was holding its breath and uncertainty was a part of every day life, I, like many others, sought comfort in something simple, something tangible.

With a stay-at-home order in place, I craved the outdoors and hence turned my terrace into my own little flower garden. A place where through the chaos of the world, I found peace in the rhythm of planting, watering , pruning, and watching things grow.

Continue reading My Homegrown Harvest: How I Built a Thriving Vegetable Garden in My Backyard at Shades of Pinck.

Art has been a part in my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, it was always incorporated into my playtime. But I think it became a true part of my identity and lifestyle after attending a school of the arts throughout my middle school years.

Since those formative years, I’ve found various ways to be involved and keep art in my life. The most notable, thus far, has been serving full two-year term as co-chair of 1858’s Prize for Contemporary Art, a prestigious award given to a visual artist that is using their talent to tell a new story about The South.

Continue reading Black Girls in Art Spaces, Charleston at Shades of Pinck.

Just this past week, the SoP team and I headed down to Charleston to cover the 2023 Charleston Wine and Food Festival and let me tell you– it did not disappoint. I was a part of the small group of social media experts + content creators that made up the 2023 Street Team again this year, which always makes the entire experience soo much more fun! If you’ve never attending CHSWF, or didn’t make it this year, take this as your sign to purchase tix early next year so that you don’t miss any of the fun.

Continue reading Charleston Wine and Food Festival 2023 at Shades of Pinck.

If you’re a boy mom like me (or have a daughter that loves nature and the great outdoors) then you must add SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Exposition) to your events calendar. Every February, SEWE celebrates all the outdoors has to offer through black tie events, fine art, live demonstrations, and countless special events around downtown Charleston.

As the biggest event of its kind in the US, you’ll find artists, craftsmen, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts from all over the country.

Continue reading SEWE 2023 // Photo Diary at Shades of Pinck.

Just this past week, I took a short girls’ trip down to Savannah, GA with my mom, aunt + of course Teagan. It was a quick stay, but we had the best time exploring what the city had to offer. We stayed at the Thomspon Savannah which is located alongside the Savannah River and is a modern hotel in the heart of this historic city. From the moment we walked into the hotel lobby, we felt like we were in a luxury urban oasis.

Continue reading 48 Hours in Savannah, Georgia at Shades of Pinck.