Last Days of Summer
As we roll into Labor Day weekend I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on this past Summer. After years of fighting battles internally, I found a freedom I’ve never experienced before. I took my second solo trip to Florida stopping along the way in historic Vicksburg, MS then onto Mobile, AL, and landed in the Emerald Bay in Florida. Meeting up with a friend I haven’t seen in twenty years was just one highlight of this magical season. Summer is the season of living outdoors, of dipping your feet into the sea and laying on the beach listening to the humming of the ocean. It’s a time for lots of SPF, sunshine, and hydration. The season for really living life to its fullest and being as carefree as possible. Road tripping from beach to beach and walks at sunset make this season unlike any other. What was your summer like? Did you find a way to get out of your home? Did you make it to the beach? Did you watch the sunset on the horizon late into the evening while cicadas sang in the background? Here are a few of my favorite memories from my week in Florida.
Grabbing lunch on Mirimar Beach
Nestled in the middle of hopping Destin, Florida lies Miramar Beach. It’s open to the public and covered in families vacationing in the heat of the summer. I had lunch right on the beach overlooking the beautiful green-blue sea. I opted for crab-cakes which offered a lighter fare for the middle of the day. This part of Florida has some of the best seafood around and crab cakes never disappoint. As I sat on the upper deck which I admired the view and enjoyed the breeze softly blowing across my face. Below is a pic of me with windblown hair on the deck. The beach is stippled with umbrellas in bright primary colors in the picture below that.
Eat, Shop and Play at Rosemary Beach
Out of all the places I visited that week, Rosemary Beach was my favorite area. I would gladly stay all summer in this adorable seaside haven south of Panama City. The community was built in 1995 and has a playful feel. You can bike almost everywhere and the beach is private to residents and guests. It’s the kind of place you would rent a home at and live out of for the week. I grabbed coffee at Charlie’s and a new tank top at The Rosemary Beach store. It’s quaint, charming and even the Post Office is cute! They have a town square, water fountain, and tons of shops to spend the afternoon browsing.
Get LosT in the Blue Green Waters of the Gulf Coast
The beaches along the gulf coast of Northern Florida are incredible. Ranging from a deep blue-green to soft sage there’s really nothing on earth like them. I’ve been lucky to travel the world from an early age and the sand is the softest in Florida. It’s like walking on the softest powder sugar and the white color stretches for miles making the perfect foreground for the deep turquoise water. Sitting on the beach and soaking it in is a favorite summer pastime of mine. I’ve been coming to this area since I was a kiddo vacationing at the Super 8 motel with my parents in between military moves. If you’ve never been, it’s just a day’s drive from Texas. You can make it from Houston to Destin in about 11 hours. It’s worth every mile!
Living in My Swimsuit
I’ve decided I am happiest when I am living in a swimsuit. Growing up I was in ballet for most of my life and then moved on being a lifeguard year-round in High School and early college. Needless to say, as much as I love blogging about fashion I am happiest in wearing my swimsuit. Less is more and this swimsuit was one of my favorite Amazon finds this season. Its the halter neckline and flattering ruffles give it a LoveShackFancy feel with minimal cost. Don’t get me wrong, I love LoveShackFancy but this is a great option for a similar look and feel on a budget. Add vintage headscarves and classic aviators to complete the look. When I wasn’t on the beach I threw my favorite Hill House nap dress on. I basically lived in some variation of this outfit for the first half of Summer. Now is the perfect time to grab clearance items for your favorite summer things!
