Harbor Island had been on our radar for a few years now, but what moved us to book wasn’t an Instagram post or a Pinterest mood board. It was a novel.

Pink Sand Summer by my friend Chassity Evans— her debut, and one of my favorite reads this year— is set against the blush-colored beaches of the Bahamas, and somewhere between chapters I closed the book, looked at my husband and said “we should visit Harbor Island for my birthday”.

Continue reading Harbor Island, Bahamas: An Honest Review at Shades of Pinck.

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.

Idk about y’all, but to us it felt like this entire summer saw the New England coastal aesthetic on full blast. Between Instagram feeds filled with Nantucket’s hydrangeas, Polo Ralph Lauren’s Oak Bluffs collection, and the popularity of Netflix shows based on the Elin Hilderbrand novels, it seems like everyone is yearning for an escape amongst the preppy elite.

MPR found herself on the island of Nantucket for the very first time at the start of this summer (click the link for our guide), and though she didn’t make it back to the Vineyard with her family this August,  she did get the opportunity to visit Newport, Rhode Island for the first time this month!

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: Newport, RI at Shades of Pinck.

It just doesn’t feel like summer until you’ve taken a little adventure. So we packed up the car and took a little trip to Bryson City, North Carolina! Tucked away in the majestic Smoky Mountains, just over 3 hours from Columbia, this hidden gem offers a surprising blend of affordability and tranquility. If you’re looking for an affordable family vacation that encourages traditional summer activities from simpler time then Bryson City is just for you.

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: Bryson City, NC at Shades of Pinck.

Back in June, I met up with my beauty queen besties for our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY trip! (At least) once a year since the summer of 2013 when we all competed for the title of Miss USA the four of us have made a point to meet up somewhere face-to-face. I would say it’s hard to believe it’s been a whole decade since we’ve been doing this, but the truth is, the four of us have been there for soooo many life-changing events over the years that it’s not so shocking that they would all add up to ten by now lol.

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: The Hamptons, NY at Shades of Pinck.

Pinck in Paris?! Oui, oui!

Just last week, the SoP team + friends took on Paris. Leading up to the trip, we were a bit nervous and didn’t know what to expect due to the city-wide protests and unpredictable weather calling for rain. Yet, to our surprise, the weather was gorgeous, and the protests were only one night (and we got a front-row seat since they were right below our Airbnb!). From the location of our stay to the food, and of course the shopping, we had such a great time exploring all the city had to offer.

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: Paris at Shades of Pinck.

Just last week the SoP team headed to Nashville, Tennessee for a quick two-day trip. I had been wanting to go back and visit this city, so when the opportunity arose for us to go, the whole team packed our bags and headed out for some fun! We had such a great time shooting content and bonding as a team. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect trip.

Since we had such an amazing time, we have partnered with Thomspon Nashville to give one lucky winner a chance to win a 2-night stay at Thompson Nashville and a $150 credit for food/beverage at the hotel.

Continue reading 48 Hours in Nashville, Tennessee // Giveaway at Shades of Pinck.

This gorgeous mountain town is hidden on a plateau of the Appalachian Mountains and should be added to your list as a “must-visit” place! Its charm and beauty are unlike any other mountain town I have been to. There are exquisite restaurants, luxurious stays, fabulous shopping, and a wonderful cultural arts scene. We love to come here as a getaway from the city and for weather much cooler than the South Carolina heat.

Check out some of my favorite places to stay, eat, and things to do!

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: Highlands, NC at Shades of Pinck.

Earlier this month we took a quick trip to wine country– WITH AN INFANT!! I’m here to report that you can totally do it, but you should be prepared to ensure you make the most of your trip. Be sure to make a reservation before arriving as most wineries only allow children during specific hours and it fills up quickly. Also, be sure to pack your baby wrap bc there a few vineyards that banned strollers.

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: Napa 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.