A Love Letter to Kiawah Island
Two years ago, I'll be honest – I wasn't exactly thrilled about vacationing at Kiawah Island. As a California girl, I had my reservations about this South Carolina destination that my husband's family had been visiting since he was in diapers. How could it possibly compare to what I was used to?
The moment my feet touched that pristine beach, all my doubts melted away.
First Impressions: Pure Magic
Kiawah Island completely won me over with its powdery soft sand that feels like silk between your toes, the surprisingly warm embrace of the Atlantic Ocean, and that perfect summer warmth that seems to wrap around you like a gentle hug. There's something truly magical about this place – it has an enchanting quality that makes it the ideal backdrop for creating lasting family memories.
A Special Celebration
Our recent trip was extra meaningful as we gathered to celebrate my in-laws' golden anniversary – 50 beautiful years together! With the entire extended family in tow, we spent our days lounging on the beach, playing in the sand, and yes, constantly reapplying sunscreen. Like any proper beach vacation, we all had our cherished jewelry pieces with us, including our beloved Sethi stacks that never leave our fingers, even in paradise.
Anyone who's ever worn rings to the beach knows the struggle: sunscreen, sand, and saltwater have a way of finding every tiny crevice in your jewelry. After days of beach bliss, our rings were calling out for some serious TLC. The combination of SPF, sand particles, and ocean spray creates quite the cleaning challenge for our precious pieces. In our previous blog post, we shared our tried-and-true methods for getting every last bit of sunscreen and beach residue out of your ring settings – because let's face it, we've all been there after a perfect beach vacation! So here is a refresher! https://sethicouture.com/blogs/news/cleaning-101
Discovering Kiawah's Hidden Gems
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the stunning new Auberge resort that opened last year. I was completely smitten with Lynette's impeccable le corbusier green decor – every detail was thoughtfully curated with a total southern charm. And can we talk about their restaurant? The food was phenomenally delicious, making every meal feel like a special occasion.
For families traveling with little ones, Kiawah truly delivers. We spent magical afternoons at Heron Park, enjoyed a lovely brunch at the Sanctuary and of course the Spa is worthwhile, and treated the kids to ice cream and movies in the park at The Nest. The island's charming town shopping district is filled with delightful little boutiques that are perfect for leisurely browsing between beach sessions.
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Charleston: A Shopper's Paradise
Our day trip to Charleston was pure bliss for this shopping enthusiast! The downtown area is absolutely charming, with its historic cobblestone streets and picture-perfect architecture. I couldn't resist visiting some of my favorite boutiques: Oliphant for their curated selection, Croghan's Jewel Box for stunning pieces, Sézane for that effortless French style, La Ligne for chic essentials, and Estelle Colored Glass for the most beautiful home accessories. Each shop felt like discovering a little treasure trove.
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My Beach-Ready Jewelry Selection
For this trip, I chose pieces that were fun, eclectic, and beautifully colorful – perfect for complementing both beach days and Charleston shopping adventures. There's something wonderful about jewelry that can transition seamlessly from sandy toes to city strolling.
The Takeaway
Kiawah Island has officially converted this West Coast girl into a true believer. Sometimes the most unexpected places end up stealing your heart, and this magical island has certainly stolen mine. Between the stunning beaches, the family memories, and yes, even the jewelry cleaning adventures, it's become one of my favorite destinations on earth.