The Male Emporium: Middleton Place

Outfit Details:

J.McLaughlin Cape & Shirt, Frame Jeans, Express Flats, Celine Bag, Ray Ban Sunglasses

One of the exciting things about moving somewhere new is newness of everything. While the feelings of unfamiliarity and absence of a routine feel a bit scary, it's also a fun time to be embracing new surroundings. I always feel like once we get settled in somewhere, the things around us start to seem mundane and repetitive. It's always nice to see someone come in with a fresh set of eyes and point something out that you've otherwise missed or brought something old into a new light for you. That's one of the reasons I love to travel. It's also opened my eyes on being more appreciative for the things around me when I am home. There is beauty no matter where you are, whether you live in a city, the country, the suburbs or somewhere in between.

So last Sunday morning, Thomas and I headed out to visit one of the handful of historic plantations in Charleston, Middleton Place. We've already visited Magnolia Plantation (which is minutes from Middleton Place) this past summer, but we still have a few others on our list to get to. It was the perfect time to head out too, right when they opened in the morning. There were already a few dozen visitor's cars parked in the entry, but after a few minutes of roaming the grounds, we realized that the place was big enough to feel like we were the only ones there.

This past weekend was also our first one that welcomed the brisk mornings that autumn brings. I do love that about this time of year. It also made it the perfect time to pull out this J.McLaughlin cape that I absolutely adore. And guess what? It's reversible, so you can either wear it as camel or grey. I love that! It also comes in black that reverses to a grey and black houndstooth pattern. I paired my cape with this plaid blouse that has the cutest ruffled collar, also from J.McLaughlin. This one also comes in white, perfect to pair under all of your sweaters this season.

It's easy to get lost on the 65 acre property of America's oldest landscaped gardens. The property was acquired by the Middleton family in the 1740s. They were responsible for building the gardens and plantation. The garden was lovely – we particularly enjoyed walking the path that runs along the Ashley River. We could have easily spent a few more hours walking the grounds. Camellias are expected to be in bloom in November, but we might have been a bit early, as we only spotted a few. With plenty still left for us to explore, we can't wait to revisit in the spring and summer when new plants are in bloom.