We Travel - Watersound

Last week I shared one of my favorite places to travel to, 30-A florida. For our family it's a time to disconnect and be present. I know that is something that can be done from home, but why is it so hard sometimes? Something about escaping the daily routines of home life can really awaken our spirit, be more intentional with each other, and let us simply just be. These are some of my favorite moments from this past winter.

Things To Do:

• Grab a meal and watch a movie or a game at the Hub. It's a perfect place for little's and adults to have a good time. 
• Bring or rent a bike and ride for hours on the bike friendly sidewalks
• the taco place in seaside is one of our favorites. Don't forget a donut from five daughters food truck, they have gluten free too, but beware once they sell out for the day they close shop. 
• Exploring the architecture of Aly's, Watersound and Rosemary Beach always leaves me inspired. Everything from the landscape to building is done oh so well. Also tons of little hidden play parks for those with little's. 
• we can never get enough of reading on the beach
• George's is a favorite place to dine. It is a bit of a splurge for us, but so worth it.  
• For the rainy days we may head to the movie's at pier park they have an arcade that is fun for all too. 

A Beach Cottage

Some places can tend to make me breath deeper, want to disconnect more and simply just be. That place for me is by the water. Whether a lake or ocean I am impartial. We have some dear friends that bought a new place in Water Sound, 30- A Florida. They asked if I would help decorate it in exchange for trip time. Of course I said yes and to be honest they wouldn't have had to make any sort of deal, but don't tell them that. We are trying to save for Disney so this makes a perfect extra family vacation on a budget. They are planning to rent it out some so I had to mindful of that. Plus their young adult children and crew of friends can put a beating on a house. This was no hard renovation, but more of a facelift. We changed out most of the furniture as thier style is more young and organic in feel by sticking to a simple palette of black, white, and wood tones. Most of the lighting changed and a good coat of paint everywhere was a definite need. Once the owners decide to make this a more permanent destination and no longer use it for a rental we will make a few more changes in the kitchen and baths. My favorite part may be all the art. We had it all commissioned by the owners mother! She is such a brilliant artist and put every vision we had into play. Here are some of my favorite snippets from a place that exudes peace.

dining chairs | black stoneware | black and white cups | coffee table | black leather swivel chairs | sectional {model no longer available} | library sconce in aged steel | headboards throughout | gray oversized lumbar | bath pendant |  bunk room pillows

Mom shoes? Maybe

The last few years I have really honed in my so called uniform. It consists of mostly black, white, blue, and camel. My daughter calls it boring, but it works for me. I have honed in so much so that my whole wardrobe fits in a 2 ft space. How do I mix it up? With my never ending love of shoes. This love started when I was just a girl. I still remember my papa driving me to countless stores in search of the white hightop reebok sneakers with two little straps that my babysitter had even though they would have been a splurge for my parents back then. I never got them as I was too late to the party and they sold out everywhere, but have you seen they are back! 80 and 90's girls did you love them as much as me?!?! Better yet did you own some? As much as I love a good heel or mule, I tend to lean towards a tennis shoe for daily wear. I dress them up and down. My back thanks me daily and it's much easier for me to keep up with my almost teenagers. This is also where I tend to invest. Once I realized I will wear a shoe for years to come, and no longer think of fashion as passing trends or disposable, I now lean towards better quality as for my finicky feet need comfort and support. Plus now that Ellie and I can share shoes it's like I am buying for two, sort of. These are most recent acquisition and these need to go on sale, because this love is real. I save in areas, like this wedge, that I won't wear too often. Although I am not a fashion blogger and I prefer to be behind the camera, I thought the only way to truly share my affinity for a good tennis shoe was to share myself wearing the said shoes. So here is a mere 5'3" girl who is creeping closer to 40 wearing what she feels most comfortable in. What makes it even better is that my 11 year old boy took them. I have to say he can drop my guard better than anyone. Do you all have a style that you lean towards or has your closet evolved into a uniform over the years? I would love to hear! 

tee: everlane | purse: Noha Nadler

dress: everlane

Tote: madewell