The Abstract Life

Outfit of the Day: Natural Bridges Beach

November 09, 2016

Top 15 Free Things to Do in Charleston

November 06, 2016

Charleston holds a special place in my heart. I love to visit this old city in the south and be transported back in time. That being said, I love to travel on a budget and find things to do that I can enjoy for free. Here is a list of my top 15 favorite things to do in the Holy City that don't cost a thing (unless you choose to buy anything while shopping, etc).

Farmers Markets Charleston's farmer market runs every Saturday in Marion Square with local farmers, food vendors, artists, crafts, and unique goods. It's a lovely way to spend a lazy Saturday morning perusing the aisles while sipping a fresh smoothie and snacking on your favorite foods.
Address: 329 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 724-7305
Blue Bicycle Books Follow your stroll through Marion Square and the farmers market with a trip to my favorite Charleston bookstore. Blue Bicycle Books might look small from the front but it goes back 172ft filled with new and used books. You can get lost for hours here reading and searching for just the right book.
Address: 420 King St, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 722-2666
Rainbow Row A popular photo opt location for locals and tourists alike. This colorful row of houses was built in the 1700s before becoming the "Rainbow Row" in the 1930's when they were remodeled and painted the colors they are today.
Address: 83 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
King Street Shopping to die for. This historic street is a meeting of our modern love of fashion and home. They have everything from designer labels, H&M, antique shops, boutiques, and local shops you won't find anywhere else. If you want to enjoy it for free you can enjoy some incredible window shopping just for fun. Address: King Street Downtown Charleston
Waterfront Park A 12-acre park with views of the Charleston Harbor and Cooper River Bridge. Stunning fountains, relaxing swings, benches, and pathways along the water make for a great afternoon of strolling and taking it easy. Pack a picnic to have while you sit in front of your favorite fountain overlooking the water.
Address: 1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
Cooper River Bridge This Charleston icon is also known as the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, this cable-stayed bridge over the Cooper River connects downtown to Mount Pleasant.
Address: Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, Charleston, SC 29403
Tour Historical Graveyards The Holy City has some incredibly old southern graveyards that are spectacular. You can walk through the gardens and graveyards touring tombstones dating back to the 1600s and 1700s. The Circular Church Graveyard of the Circular Church is possibly one of the oldest English burial grounds still in existence in Charleston. There are a lot of informational signs around that you can read to learn from, or you can usually ask one of the staff around about some of the history of the church and cemetery.
Address: 150 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29401
Charleston City Market This small market has everything from local jewelry, food, art, sweetgrass baskets, and a multitude of trinkets and knick-knacks. The market opened over 220 years ago and is surrounded by cobblestone streets.
Address: 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
Walk Around Historic Downtown I love nothing more than to walk around in historic downtown and time travel to the past with the unique architecture and cobblestone streets. Explore the streets and see all the lovely Georgian and antebellum style homes and courtyards.
Battery Park End your walk around historic downtown at this gorgeous public park and garden along the waterfront. Its paved paths, military statues, canons, and picnic areas a perfect place to have a picnic or take some pictures along the water.
Address: 2 Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401
Art Galleries Downtown Charleston is teaming with art galleries of all sorts of styles of art. Whether you'r an art expert or just simply like pretty paintings and photos this is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Address: 61 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Folly Beach The closest beach to downtown Charleston, this is a prime location to layout and relax. Walk along the pier or downtown to see the quaint beach town.
Address: Folly Beach, SC 29439
Sullivan's Island A lovely little island with southern beach houses and secluded beaches. You can walk or ride bicycles around the island and visit the Charleston Light lighthouse and Fort Moultrie.
Address: 1815 Ion Ave, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
Charles Pinckney House & Historical Site Charles Pinckney signed the United States Constitution-of which he was a principal author. His coastal plantation is now a national historic site and museum that showcases the story of the "forgotten founder," his Snee Farm, and the impact of slave labour on South Carolina Lowcountry plantations and on Charles Pinckney himself.
Address: 1254 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 881-5516
Angel Oak TreeEstimated to be 1,500 years old the Angel Oak Tree has giant branches that creep and crawl all over the ground. This ginormous old live tree is less than 25 minutes from downtown Charleston on John’s Island.
Address: 3671 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455

Have you ever been to Charleston?

What are you favorite free things to do?

The Lazy Girl's (OR Last Minute) Guide to DIY Halloween Costumes

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Outfit of the Day: Nob Hill Masonic Center Show

October 24, 2016

Top 7 Tips for Shopping on Budget

October 18, 2016

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Personally, I like to mix "high / low" pieces together or hunt for bargains and no one is the wiser. Unless I blog about it like I am right now. WHELP! Secrets out people. ;) Allow me to spill my secrets...

Budget Shopping Tips:

Mix High/Low:
Buy statement or investment pieces from quality merchandisers or designers (rag & bone, Burberry, Acne Studios, Anthropologie...) and fill your wardrobe gaps in with low cost (Target, H&M, Zara...) to mid-tier retailers (Loft / Lou & Grey, Madewell, Banana Republic...). Few people can notice you mixed your Elizabeth and James coat with a J. Crew blouse and Topshop jeans.
Buy layering pieces-like tank tops or plain tees-from low cost stores. Usually unseen, they serve as function over fashion. Reserve investments for long wear items that stand out for quality and tailoring-such as coats, dresses, or shoes.
DO NOT splurge on trends. Fashion comes and goes; style stays consistent. If you MUST wear the latest trend of body suits, chokers, etc, buy it from a H&M-like store. These items typically last as long as the trend does.
Shop Between Seasons:
Look for deals during the few weeks when stores transition between seasons. I bought these end of the season Loft white slip on sandals for < $4 (originally ~$50). Many stores try to clear out end of season merchandise to make room for their shiny, new pieces. You may not be the first of your friends to have "that one new piece" but you'll save loads of cash...and isn't that kind of better?
Small Holidays Deals:
Keep an eye out for promotional discounts around smaller holidays like Labor Day, Columbus [Indigenous People] Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc. Retailers love to entice shoppers to their stores or websites with holiday discounts and specials. I typically see anywhere from 20%-60% off and sometimes even free shipping (all the better to do online if you can avoid the crowds and find the exact size / color you need).
Off-Price Retailers:
Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, Ross, Saks OFF 5TH, Burlington Coat Factory, Big Lots, Filene's Basement and DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), etc... These guys usually sell an inconsistent assortment of off season brand name or designer fashion / home goods at low prices. You can get Ralph Lauren or Rebecca Minkoff 20%-60% below department and specialty store's regular prices. In short, high quality + off season = $ cheap.
Thrifting:
If you like to hunt for items and aren't afraid to try, and try again...this is the method for you! Never the same and always a scavenger hunt, you must go regularly to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or thrift store and search through the most recent hauls. Stores like these get their goods from donations so it's best to go early in the week after their heaviest donation traffic (weekends).
If you target donation centers near affluent neighborhoods (stay with me here) you can sometimes score designer or new clothes with the tags still on. I've bought Burberry, Oscar de la Renta, and even a brand new Banana Republic suit all under $15.
Always keep an open mind and eye to see something for its potential (Read: quality items that just need to be painted, washed, or ironed. Don't buy junk just because it's a deal!).
Bonus: Sometimes you can find a really unique piece that no one else has AND you are helping non-profits and the environment (fast fashion isn't so great for the earth).
Tax Free Weekends:
If you live in a state that has back-to-school tax free weekends wait to shop till then. Stores regularly attempt to drive consumer traffic to their brick and mortars by giving additional discounts on this mini-Black Friday. Buy your laptops, clothes, etc and forget about the tax!
Sign Up for Store Emails:
I know, I know. I hate digital clutter as much as the next person. However, if you sign up for store emails you get the occasional free shipping plus 40% discount-which is pretty great if you're keeping an eye out for something to go down in price.

Hope this helps you with your shopping on a budget. I'd love to hear if these tips work for you or if you have your own strategy!

Engage:

Do you usually wait for clearances or do you buy an item when you want it / spot it?

Do you have your top favorite stores or are you diversified where you spend?

Have you ever gone thrifting? Did you ever find a gem?

How often do you shop with coupons or use email campaign promos?

Do you mix high / low to achieve your final look? If so, what are your investment pieces or low cost basics?

Do you like hunting for deals and goods or does it overwhelm you to the point where you'd rather just have it all within easy reach and pay more for less of a headache?