Mini Honeymoon in Charleston (Where to Eat & Drink, DOLPHINS, Amtrak Sle...

I have to say we really needed this break, right after the wedding and opening my store in Baltimore, Maryland a week after. We had a drink on the beach at South Point the night before and ironed out some of the last details. Some of the planning involved trying to go somewhere close enough to drive together (we love road trips) and bring back some good memories. Last year when we drove all the way down the East Coast, one of our favorite cities was Charleston South Carolina. We always wanted to spend more time together there and had a great mini honeymoon there!



So we got a good deal on a rental car (Ford Flex), and started the drive! We crossed through D.C. on the way and stopped at this greasy spoon 'Silver Diner' that we used to go to when he picked me up from the bus station on my trips down to see him when we were dating long distance. In those days he was in College Park Maryland and I was in Manhattan, four hours away. I used to love coming to this restaurant and playing on the little booth jukebox. What a nice throwback. 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles was my favorite.  I had some chicken soup, and he had a burger.



A little further, we found ourselves in the Outer Banks of North Carolina along the beaches. There was a rest stop Mark looked up, where we could sleep under the stars in the back of the car. When we woke up, we got to sit and see the sunrise along the beach together. It was like we were the only people in the world.



One fast food joint I'd never tried before is Bojangles, but the crisp on everything was amazing! I'm so glad we stopped here for breakfast to try the cajun chicken filet biscuits! Most giant hash browns ever, as well. The ride was sweetened by some Seagrams pre-made cocktails from one of the many gas stations and stops we stopped at for snacks and the restroom.



The first place we stopped in Charleston was the Angel Oak Tree, oldest living organism on the East Coast and maybe the largest? It was so beautiful and grand.



The Vendue Hotel was really nice and gave us a happy honeymoon card, snacks and bottle of champagne. The concierge was really helpful and nice. Dropped off our rental car and started to explore the city. There were a lot of memories from our original trip that made us want to retrace our steps. Pineapple Fountain, a local boutique called Indigo, and walking by the water were first.



We ate all the food. Low country boil at an out of the way spot on the water. Incredible Fried Chicken at Magnolia's Restaurant, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit & a tea, drinks at SNOB - 'Front Porch Thyme' is really good, and gelato at Carmella's.



The trip back was enjoyable and relaxing on the Amtrak Sleeper commuter train car. It was another throwback nostalgic activity and a bucket list item for sure. Though small, we were comfortable in the twin bed compartment, and had a great breakfast for free in the dining car that morning.

The codex club store opening weekend

At long last, winning the Remington Storefront Challenge back in February (sponsored by Seawall, Howard Bank, Johns Hopkins, and GRIA the Greater Remington Improvement Association)- the store was finally open to the public as of this Saturday September 7th at 10:00am. I’m still impressed people were able to wake up and come over that early, for a group picture and a great day of sales. It was eventful- a shelf fell, and a woman tried to steal a bunch of product and thankfully gave it back when nicely confronted about it. I was happy and grateful to see everyone there milling around.



It was also great the the local CBS station let me come in and hype the opening, which aired the morning before the party. Neighbors Charm City Cakes came by with cupcakes which were a huge hit (and incredibly delicious), Mt Royal Soaps did a custom ‘Baltimore Snowball Soap’ with us, and B. Willow lent us a bunch of plants to decorate the inside- and local Author Allison Robicelli was there signing copies of her book '111 Places in Baltimore You Must Not Miss'.



We’re so proud of not just our brand of items and growth but all the makers who’ve been with us from the start or come to join us along the way- we’re stronger together as a community and I’m inspired and glad to be in Remington every day from now on 11:00am to 8:00pm.

On the Road (Summer Photo Album)

Took some beautiful sunset photos from the road recently. Felt really good to update the Shutterstock Portfolio. Please check them out and let me know what you think (click to enlarge).



www.shutterstock.com/sets/102450632-on-the-road.html?rid=186880126

Pizza and Pool in Baltimore

Home Slyce is a pizza bar in Baltimore that offers free pool and varying kids of pizza and pizza-related food and beverage items. Mark and I went and had a great time Sunday.

Our recommendations: Beer and Pomegranate Lemonade, and the Strongman Pizza.

4 Things to Do on the 4th of July in Annapolis, MD

Did you know Annapolis was the capital of the United States, before Washington D.C.?

So it seemed fitting for our Fourth of July to explore Maryland's Capital, and America's Sailing Capitol.







There is so much history here. Driving in is idyllic and calm, the Naval Academy dominates a lot of the landscape downtown, but there is also a lot to do near the harbor and Main street as far as sightseeing and dining.



1. The Naval Academy. This is first on everyone who comes here's list. Pedestrians are encouraged to come in through Gate 1, on Randall or Prince George Street, approximately a block away from the Annapolis City Dock. Guided tours are available for around $12, and there is a huge gift shop carrying all sorts of USNA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps merchandise. You might not expect to go through the security gates, but it's still a military facility. However, it moves fast. Even if you choose not to take a guided tour, just strolling through the yard is beautiful.



2. The Harbor Queen. Our favorite part of the trip was being on the water and learning about the history of the town from this ship tour. It was a sunny day with lots of people in patriotic regalia. The narrated cruise is 40 minutes and you really do experience Historic Annapolis and the banks of the Naval Academy as well. The view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridges is also really beautiful. The tickets are available on site the day of your cruise, at a Red Umbrella stand on the City Dock.



3. Storm Bros. Cream Factory. There is nothing nicer than a root beer float on a hot, summers day. Just a short walk from the Dock is this hole-in-the-wall gem that made the best treat possible. It ain't Annapolis Ice Cream Factory, but its a lot closer to the two things above.



4. Main Street. However, if you feel like walking a little more, this is the place to do it. So many cute shops along here. I'd park nearby and then walk. Lots of people watching, and souvenirs abound.

Enjoying the ☀️

Little Havana Restaurante y Cantina off of Key Highway in Baltimore is just a short walk from Riverside Park to the water. Like I wrote in my Presidents Day Brunch Post- there's the coolest huge mural on the wall here with a handwritten headline  'Land of Eternal Spring'. We were definitely in the mood to enjoy the Spring weather, and hopefully it'll stick! It was an ideal date. Not too hot or cold, and all we needed was a light jacket.

I didn't know until coming back here, that they've been serving Cuban-inspired cuisine on the South Baltimore waterfront for almost 20 years, and it was once a former Feed Supply warehouse!

Presidents Day Brunch and 'Seeds' Film Teaser

Spent Presidents Day with literally some of the nicest women I've met since moving to Baltimore. It's one of the most therapeutic things to just talk for a long time, with a good meal and cup of coffee. Here's to more Monday's off.  

The outside of Order & Chaos has 'a creative cup of coffee' written out on the wall, and I definitely feel revitalized and inspired after a day like this. Little Havana is an eclectic, cool space. Pool table and generous booths, and twinkle-lit outdoor area with a view of the water. There was a mural with different locations in Cuba mapped out, and the title, 'Land of Eternal Spring' along the top.

'Seeds' Film teaser came out today as well:

Do you have Behance? let's be friends: https://www.behance.net/andreachen

Been taking photos around Baltimore and Maryland County this Winter, for Shutterstock.

If you have suggestions of places to shoot please message or comment!

Love and BBQ

Country love songs and barbecue at the first place we ate when we moved to Baltimore (on the way from BWI to the house).

Bonfire BBQ, we love you.

In first

Started off the year at Sagamore Pendry and had the best time. There was a light dusting of snow, complimentary Sagamore Rye Whiskey Cider, and free brunch and water taxi ride.