Have you gone to order an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote this summer and wondered, “Why is it back-ordered for two months?” The iconic canvas bag, which has been around since 1944, experienced a surge in popularity every few years as part of the “ironic boat and tote” trend.
Here’s the gist: In lieu of your name or a monogram, you customize the tote bag with humorous, sarcastic, or pop culture-referencing phrases.
If you want your own, but you’re not sure where to start with customization, we’ve put together a list to proudly represent your city.
Celebrate your spots
Shem princess
cir squad (for the Park Circle peeps)
Summerville sweetheart
Note: A few of these are too long to fit on an official Boat and Tote, but a local shop like Fancy Trimmins may be able to help you customize without character limits.
Skin Pharm Pop-Up Marsh & Magnolia | 6-8 p.m. | Marsh & Magnolia | Price of purchase | Join these two brands for an evening focused on skin care and personalized sun protection.
Blackwater Kayak Tour | Echaw, Quinby, or Wambaw creeks | $95 | Head to the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest on a guided kayak tour with Coastal Expeditions.
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry’s outdoor space has been upgraded. The yard now features a mini golf course, an outdoor patio + play area, and a splash pad. Stay tuned for an official opening date — there will be a ribbon-cutting for the splash pad later this month. (The Post and Courier)
Seasonal
Does this cooler weather have you longing for apple donuts and pumpkin patches? Well, hold your horses. The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch doesn’t open until the end of next month, and we’ll likely be back in the 90s before you know it. So in the meantime, enjoy these can’t-miss August events.
Cause
The Charleston International Airport’s Clear the List campaign is aiming to provide local educators with school supplies for the upcoming school year. How do you get involved? Teachers can submit an Amazon wish list using a school-issued email address + community members can nominate their favorite teachers. Lists will be cleared through August 15.
Eat
This Friday, head to The Brick from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. for the Hip Hop BBQ. The end-of-week event will feature old school beats, comfort food, and that backyard vibes. Just save us some mini corn dogs, please.
Biz
Mark your calendar — next Wednesday, Aug. 13, you can head to Uptown Social from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for a free business + brews chat. The featured guests will be Coastal Carolina Athletic Director Chance Miller + Garnet Trust Director of Operations Jeremy Smith, who will discuss collegiate athletics and NIL.
Travel
No more juggling tennis shoes after TSA. Did you know? You can now keep your shoes on during your security screening. For the best coffee spots, where to park, and everything else you need to know before taking off, tap here.
Number
20%. That’s how much you can save on our self-service ad portal thanks to our Countdown to Q4 special. Hurry — it only runs until the end of the month. Use code AUGUST20 at checkout to secure your discount.
SCDNR has declared August as Sturgeon Awareness Month. The fish dates back to the Jurassic period, over 170 million years ago. Talk about old school.
Both the shortnose sturgeon and the Atlantic sturgeon can be found in the Charleston area. Shortnose sturgeon can grow 4 feet long and weigh up to 50 pounds, and Atlantic sturgeon can grow almost 9 feet long, weighing in around 200 pounds.
These two species are federally endangered, so if accidentally caught, they must be returned immediately to the waters from which they were taken.
A go-to pair of running shorts to get you through hot summer workouts. This pair is under $20, has a built-in liner, and stays secure around hips thanks to a thick elastic waistband.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Don’t miss UP, UP & Read!, a free children’s literary festival, at the Charleston Library Society. The event starts today, Aug. 5, and runs through Thursday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children and their families will enjoy story time + special activities each day, see the full schedule.
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