Toast With the Mostess
Direct My Bar (843/789-9257;
DirectMyBar.com) wants you to raise your glass with flair, whether now for a small gathering—hello, engagement party—or down the road for your big day. The boutique beverage service offers easy-to-book packages with custom options, and this month they debut their pale blue mobile bar, “Off the Wagon” (get it?). Aside from tasty libations, what sets the group apart is its super stylized setups and nattily dressed servers. The team accommodates health regulations and preferences du jour (think disposable cups or extra glasses rented per person to ensure clean glassware with each pour; passed drinks to avoid lines or clumps of guests; etc.). Given the uncertainty of late, they’ve lowered deposit fees into 2021.
A Shore Thing
“Why go bar hopping when you can hop on a boat?” That’s the brilliant, timely slogan for Crusin Tikis of Charleston (843/771- 8454;
CruisinTikisCharleston.com), the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Steve and Gisel McManus. Rent out their 16-foot-diameter floating tiki (it holds six guests), and Steve will tug you and yours throughout Lowcountry waters. Want to land on a barren island? Done. Cruise the harbor at sunset? Just ask. It’s BYOB (bites and beverages); they supply an ice-filled cooler.
Cute for the Whole Crew
Love Rainbow Row? How about poplin? If you answered in the affirmative, head to Cannonborough Collective (
CannonboroughCollective.com), where The Tiny Tassel (
TheTinyTassel.com) now offers adult-sized renditions of the shop’s popular Urban Baby pieces. Talk to boutique cofounder and TTT designer Mimi Striplin about suiting up the whole wedding party (bulk orders are 15 percent off, and she can share leads for bow ties and pup collars from the same patterned fabric); the looks are great for this year’s casual weddings and ideal for rehearsal dinners or showers.
Veiled Beauties
Beyond the usual (sophisticated Southern bridal gowns) debuts this spring, the local couture queens of Kate McDonald Bridal (843/805-7193;
KateMcDonaldBridal.com) also released two first-time collections worth noting. One is a suite of hand-painted veils and another is a parade of “Mother of Occasion” ball-gown skirts; both star heirloom quality statement pieces that are at turns flattering and fashion-forward.
Pop-up Flower Party
Hire Dani Motley of Salt and Stem (
@saltstem_chs;
SaltandStemFlowerCo.com) and she’ll load up her ’72 Ford pickup and head your way with buckets of blooms and whatever else is needed to coach you through crafting floral arrangements—be those bouquets for a DIY wedding or favors for a flower-crown bachelorette party. Follow Salt and Stem on Instagram to find out what public events, markets, and more Dani will visit next (her to-go bundles range from $5-$35). To book her truck for one heck of a photo op (engagement photos, anyone?), DM Dani.
Get Your Glow On
RMS Beauty (
RMSBeauty.com) has done it again—released a slew of must-have products that real-deal reviewers and pros alike can’t stop raving about. The Charleston-based brand, carried at Sephora and elsewhere, is known for its safe, “clean” products, and the latest goodies are all about glowing. We love the long-lasting, shimmering face and body powder that works on all skin colors (right); the quad of sheer highlighter creams; and the new shade of gold that was just added to the Living Luminizer collection.