Meet our Contributors: Whitney and Carlye

0

Meet our contributorsAt Charleston Moms Blog, we love to hear from our readers and find out more about you and where you are in your life. But do you ever wonder who the writer’s are behind these great stories you read on here? If so, you’re in luck! Each month we will be spending a little time getting to know the amazing contributors that make up Charleston Moms Blog!

Meet the contributors-Whitney and CarlyeFirst up…Whitney!

Profession: I’m the Coastal Marketing Coordinator and Client Liaison for McDonnell and Associates, a law firm focused on real estate. I’m also a soon-to-be mom, and working overtime to be qualified for that gig. The rumor is nothing will ever prepare me for it. 

What are your kid(s)’ names and ages? Baby Holbrook is joining the world this June. He or she will be our first child. Not finding out the gender has brought a new excitement for us. I was unsure about the decision to not find out at first, but now I’m so grateful we are leaving it a surprise. It makes it all the more magical, or chaotic, depending on how you look at it.   

What do you do for fun in your spare time? I’m a writer for a creative agency downtown, and an avid movie goer. I also enjoy playing the piano and guitar, but most importantly spending time with my family and friends. Happy hour was on the top of that list until we found out our little one was on the way. My blog No Wine for Nine was born when I found out I was pregnant and had to leave happy hour and sushi on the backburner for nine months. It’s been a fun journey.    

Are you a Charleston transplant or were you born and raised here? I grew up here, and yet still have no sense of direction about the area. It’s something my friends relentlessly tease me about. If you enjoy getting lost in Charleston, I’m a great tour guide.

What is the best trip you have ever taken? I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel to some pretty incredible places with the people I love. The Caribbean with my family and husband is always an incredible time. Alaska is breathtaking in a way I never expected. Europe with my best friend is definitely up there. For me it’s really more about who I’m with than where I am. Those experiences with the people I love are the pinnacle of happiness for me.    

What is your most memorable concert experience? Prince, Usher, and Garth Brooks were incredible. The energy they have is just astonishing. I’m out of breath walking up a flight of stairs these days, and they could just run the stage without skipping a beat. True entertainers.   

What are your post-bedtime guilty pleasures? I love watching the same movies over and over. If I watch Jurassic Park or Batman one more time, my husband may have me committed. 

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? If the consequences didn’t involve a crane lifting me out of my house after years of this indulgence, I could easily eat pasta every single meal. I am the easiest person in the world to order for, because you’ll never go wrong if you pick the pasta dish. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Charleston? This is such a cliché answer, but I love exploring the food scene in Charleston. It’s constantly evolving, and we are lucky to live in a city that has such incredible options at every turn. 

What is the craziest piece of parenting advice you have ever received? Well, the piece of advice that’s kept me from GOING CRAZY is “No matter what decision you make, it will sound like the best thing to someone and the worst thing to someone else, so do what works for you.” I learned early on it’s impossible to please everyone, and that everyone will have an opinion about how to raise your child. It’s important to me to surround myself with a supportive village and be a supportive mother for others. We’re all in this together. 

Would you rather: Potty train? or Give the sex talk? Definitely give a sex talk. There aren’t enough books on earth to prepare me for the roller coaster ride of potty training. I’ve heard horror stories. I’m sure I’ll be posting about it when we cross that bridge. 

What is your favorite post you’ve written for Charleston Moms Blog? My post about my first prenatal yoga class was a fun one to write. I think it’s important to have a sense of humor about life, and me trying to do yoga is definitely a free ticket to a comedy show!


Meet the contributors-Whitney and CarlyeMeet Carlye

Profession: I work full time as an Emergency Room Tech at Trident Medical Center, and also am in college full time to become an RN

What are your kid(s)’ names and ages? Abigail is 12, Elizabeth is 10, Nicholas is 9 and Zachary is 4

What do you do for fun in your spare time? I am not sure what that is most days, but if I am not doing homework, working or sleeping, I enjoy anything outdoors, the beach, hiking, and swimming, My kids and I love to explore.

Are you a Charleston transplant or were you born and raised here? I am a transplant. I grew up in the Buckeye state and moved to Charleston two years ago.

What is the best trip you have ever taken? The best trip I have ever taken was to Hawaii, it is the most beautiful place I have ever been.

What is your most memorable concert experience? When I was about 16, I saw a Beatles tribute band perform and it was pretty darn close to the real thing.

What are your post-bedtime guilty pleasures? Post-bedtime would have to be ice cream and BBQ potato chips.

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I love pizza, literally love it.

What is your favorite thing to do in Charleston? Ice cream by the pineapple fountain

What is the craziest piece of parenting advice you have ever received? I guess more old school things; whiskey on babies gums to soothe them while teething, Benadryl for plane rides, and holding a baby too much spoils them

Would you rather: Potty train? or Give the sex talk? Both can get messy in their own way, but I would choose potty training. Any questions have pretty clear answers

What is your favorite post you’ve written for Charleston Moms Blog? Well, my first one since I am new here!

Thanks for reading more about our contributors and be sure to check out next month’s installment!

Previous articleThe Investment of a Teacher
Next articleLucky and Thankful
Jody Vitali
Jody and her family made the change from big city life in Chicago to the suburbs of Charleston and couldn't be happier! With an undergraduate degree from Elon University, and a Masters in Counseling from DePaul University, Jody's career path took a different turn when given the opportunity to take over ownership of Charleston Moms. This new adventure has left Jody with so much excitement for continuing the great work that CM has already started, and also very little free time as any business owner knows! In between balancing the responsibilities of being a WAHM, Jody enjoys spending time/keeping up with her two young daughters, date nights with her husband Rob, practicing yoga, exploring Charleston, and indulging in some retail therapy.