There are some great sales happening over the holiday weekend that I wanted to share with you guys in case you were in the shopping mood! The biggest (and best in my opinion) one going on is the major markdown situation at Nordstrom right now. Serious discounts on the best brands like Adelyn Rae, Dolce Vita, Free People and Rebecca Minkoff.
Nordstrom | HALF-YEARLY SALE – up to 40% off through 6/4
Ann Taylor | 40% off full-price styles + extra 50% off sale items with code SUMMER through 5/30
I debated sharing this post because I was on a family beach trip, and we didn’t get out and about as often as we usually do because there were small children in tow. BUT so many of you asked about a travel guide, and since I’ve grown up coming to 30A I still feel equipped to share my favorite spots!
I had intended to share this post earlier but due to the technical difficulties I’ve been having I wanted to wait until everything was running smoothly.
Then I wrote the post on a flight, lost service and it deleted the entire post that I had written… so that was fun. BUT, thank you for your patience as I’ve gotten all this together.
Now that I’ve written it twice I feel like I could basically sing/rap my recommendations to you I know them so well!
Beach Town Breakdown of 30A (my favorite beach towns along the 28-mile stretch):
Seaside | The OG (urban dictionary definiation: original gangster) of 30A. A family-friendly, slice of heaven that is always worth a visit! Fun fact: The Truman Show was filmed here. That’s how perfect this little town is.
Watercolor | A newer development right next door to Seaside. Bigger houses to accommodate larger groups, a sweet little lake and an Inn available for smaller parties.
Seagrove | This was my first time staying here and I really loved it. It’s quiet, less busy than the more popular tourist spots and the beach access is really mellow = a dream. Seaside and Watercolor have some hoppin’ beaches which means your umbrella and chairs are sometimes on the second or third row viewing the ocean (not ideal). We had six bikes and a six-seater golf cart (rented from here), and you can easily get to all the beach towns by bike.
Watersound | I worked here one summer when I was in college! This is a gated community next door to Watercolor and it’s a great spot to rent a smaller condo and have a private beach experience without all the kiddos.
Alys Beach | A newer development and a little mini Mediterranean dream. Very mellow and quiet – it’s my parents favorite spot if you know what I mean! Fun fact: I wanted to get married here until Christian (a surprisingly opinionated groom… not ideal for my Type A self) really pushed for a traditional hometown party. When I visited earlier this month I was like… um, why did I listen to Christian? That boy know nothin’!
Rosemary Beach | A little beach town that has really developed over the past few years. Home of The Pearl and numerous adorable restaurants and shops. A great spot for families who want a more peaceful 30A trip versus the busier Seaside and Watercolor.
On this trip we stayed in this beach house. My brother selected it for the group because it had 8 bedrooms and was prepared to house all 13 of us. Several of you messaged me on social media asking for the details but to protect the privacy of my family, I wanted to share the scoop after we had left (I happily exploit myself #allday, but I try to be aware of normal people who prefer privacy). So thank you for patiently waiting!
BUT if you don’t need a house this big, we’ve stayed in numerous house rentals along 30A when we had 8-10 people, predominantly in Watercolor and Alys Beach. Some other recommendations if you’re not traveling with a large group –
Frostbites, Seaside | Snow cone central. Ask for some “sand” on top! It’s really just crushed up graham crackers, but still, so cute right?
Bud & Alleys, Seaside | A great pizza spot on the water. Plus there’s a rooftop bar.
Cowgirl Kitchen, Seagrove and Rosemary Beach | This is a place I’d heard of but never tried until this trip. We had it catered to our beach bonfire, and I’m happy to report it’s worth the hype. A great lunch spot!
Red Bar, Grayton Beach | This is the spot I always wanted to go to growing up and it remains a favorite. Crazy (as in crazy fun) decor, huge portions (split an entree with a gal pal) and the mashed potatoes you dream of. Unfortunately they don’t take reservations, so put your name on the wait list and hop into the cute shops next door.
The Wine Bar, Watercolor | Love this spot for a glass of wine. Christian and I will bike there during all the kids “power hour” and enjoy a quiet moment. What’s better than a cold glass of wine after a day in the sun?
The Donut Hole | I mean… am I dramatic if I say this place is legendary? We would visit the Destin location when it was the one and only, but now they have multiple locations so everyone can get a taste. The coconut is my ultimate jam, but those in my family with less impressive taste buds go ham over the Dutch Crumb. It’s so OG that they don’t even have a website. Like… welcome to the 90’s, Mr. Banks!
LiveWell30A | I shared in this post that we used this company for paddleboard rentals and a beach bonfire. They also offer golf carts, bike rentals and in-house chefs!
Seaside Square | Several great little shops, markets and casual eats. A place that all ages can find something to do – including a huge grassy lawn in the center for kids to run around.
The Zoo Gallery | An eccentric little shop that was a must-stop for my artist mom. I think we visited this place every summer and is worth a visit just to enjoy the creativity. Warning: if you’re a minimalist like my sister… this place could potentially give you a panic attack.
Destin Commons | Now THIS was the place I couldn’t wait to visit when I was a teen. All the cool stores – get some shopping done and finish the night with a movie or a scoop of ice cream. I’m happy to report it’s still a great place to do some shopping (or at least I thinks so!).
Silver Sands Outlet Malls | The amount of back-to-school shopping we would do here… I think I know this outlet mall like the back of my hand. A great stop on your way in or out of town!
Ok fellow Florida lovers – how did I do!? We really had the best time. I can’t believe it’s been four years since I’ve visited this dreamy little area. I have so much nostalgia with South Walton, and truthfully I’m sad this trip is already over. Until next year!
Can you guys believe Memorial Day weekend is around the corner? Christian actually has the weekend off so we have some fun plans, but it means it’s time to pick out some cute outfits for the weekend and keep your eye on some amazing sales that will be happening.
I’ve been shopping at River Island ever since I discovered the UK brand a few years ago. I love their on-trend styles, and I’ve found some of the most unique pieces there. They have you covered from classic everyday staples to sequined one-of-a-kind numbers, and I love the versatility in their selection.
SO, I have to spill the deets on a great sale they have going on right now! You can get 20% off full-price items with code Memorial20 through 5/29!
Do you have any big weekend plans? Don’t forget you can get ahead of the weekend sales by shopping 20% off all River Island with code Memorial20 through 5/29.
Thanks so much for reading, and now that my website is back in action (hallelujah!) I’ll be sharing my 30A guide this week! XO –
Not going to lie, this has been a week I’m happy to have behind me. I’ve had numerous personal and professional sagas not worth getting into, BUT it’s been a real test of my patience and attitude… and the verdict is I have a lot of improvement to make!
Thank you guys so much for your patience while I work on these technical issues. I know my blog posts haven’t been emailing out like usual this week (amongst other visual site errors), but day by day we have been working on this and here’s to hoping next week will be smoother!
I’m heading to Mexico today for a fun trip that I’ll be sharing more of soon, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much a mental reset is going to change my perspective. I really appreciate all of your patience as I work through these hiccups, and for all your love on social! I shared some #realtalk on Instagram Friday night – mostly about things not being as they appear – and the feedback was so beautiful and humbling.
In case I don’t tell you guys often enough – you. ROCK.
Thanks so much for reading – hope you guys have a beautiful weekend! XO –
I snagged this midi skirt at Nordstrom before going to Florida with the fam, and I gotta say… it’s even more fabulous in person. When I was perusing online, I immediately saw white, ruffles, lace and a midi skirt and clearly I zoned right in. Bonus points for the fit being perfection!
It proved to be a showstopper, and when I wore this ensemble for a night in Rosemary Beach I can’t even tell you how many people stopped me to ask about it! What I love about a statement skirt like this is that you can dress it up with a clean, chic crop top or style it down with a graphic tee or knotted tank. It’s stretchy and comfortable and can be as versatile as you want to make it.
Nordstrom has so many cute trendy pieces for summer right now, and with a few more travel plans ahead of me you know I’m perusing for some summer staples like this wrap dress, this cozy sweatshirt and this crisp off the shoulder top.
skirt – if you’re in between sizes I would recommend sizing down! | similar top here and here | heels, similar look for less here | similar earrings here and here | cable bracelet 1, 2, 3, 4 | lip in Tilt | similar clutch here
Thank you so much for reading!
And of course, thank you so much to everyone who followed the #LTKTakeoverTuesday on @liketoknow.it’s account on Tuesday (this look was included). Your sweet words meant so much to me, and I was so fortunate and proud of my sister and dad for helping me take so many of the photos!
Stay tuned for another post from Florida sharing the details on where we stayed, ate and some of my favorite spots.
Transitioning from working in a corporate office to working from home was definitely an adjustment. It took many, many months to find a routine that worked for me, and if you know me well, you know that I pride myself in efficiency. Crossing off things on my to-do list and then dancing around the kitchen while drinking wine and listening to the Jersey Boys soundtrack (I watched the movie recently on a flight and the soundtrack is like… way better than the musical soundtrack. Which I’ve seen twice and aggressively love.) is basically my perfect day.
SO today, I’m sharing some of my tips for staying focused during the work day – and if you have any to add I would love to hear!
1. Create a workplace that inspires you.
For the first year we lived in our townhouse, this guest room sat empty. I was still working in Newport Beach at an office everyday and we didn’t know how we wanted to use the extra space.
The more hours I was logging on the sofa with my laptop at night after my day job, I knew having a desk and distraction-free space was of a growing importance. We finally created a comfortable room where Christian and I both work everyday, and I love how it turned out!
2. Embrace an empty desk.
This is tough for me because I am a sucker for stuff, but I try to keep the desktop as clean and tidy as possible. It helps me avoid distractions and a clutter-free space equals a clutter-free mind (Oprah once said this, so you know it’s correct).
3. Multiple screens is a game changer.
I discovered this at my corporate job and now I can’t live without it. I’ll have my email on one screen constantly and work on photo editing, spreadsheets, etc. on the second screen. It allows me to me so much more efficient!
4. Start your day with a to-do list of 3-5 things you want to be sure to accomplish that day.
I’m a woman which means I love making lists. I keep a paper planner, but every day I list 3-5 things I want to get accomplished that day. It helps me prioritize what needs to get done and leaves me feeling like I’ve made a dent in the week’s tasks each day.
5. Make sure your chair is comfortable and encourages good posture. This chair is a custom creation from DwellStudio and I am in love with it. It’s roomy (enough for myself + Lula which is very important because she always wants to sit with me!), comfortable, makes me sit up straight and the armrests are the finishing touch that I didn’t have with my last desk chair and really wanted. It was so hard to select a piece because I loved so many of the pieces, and being able to customize the fabric, wood finish, etc. made the selection feel really personal and unique.
Do you have any tips that help you stay focused when you’re working? Especially to those of you working from home – it takes a little extra concentration not to get distracted when you’re in your own house!
Christian and I recently spent a weekend in San Diego at the beautiful Pendry Hotel and had the good fortune to spend an evening with the beautiful, talented (and Southern!) couple behind Pura Soul Photo.
It was Christian’s first weekend off in almost two months and we’d been planning a little getaway to SD because we hadn’t been in a few years. When I connected with Devin and Skylar the week before, it seemed like fate that our paths were so conveniently crossing. We met up for a drink and some sunset photos that take my breath away!
I love these photos because Skylar and Devin captured a much-needed weekend vacation during a really high-stress time of our lives. Christian has been interviewing for medical fellowships all over the U.S., so between our separate work travels we’ve gone weeks without seeing each other. I’m talking 20+ round-trip flights, termite fumigations (aka pack up all our valuables and being kicked out of our house for almost three days), missed family trips, many missed hours of sleep, all of his vacation days for the calendar year being used for interviews, etc.
It’s just another step of our journey together, and through all of this we’ve just reminded each other that we are always on each other’s team. I’ve always encouraged Christian to strive to meet his full potential, and it’s what has brought us to California from Mississippi and what will take us to who-knows-where next. Obviously I’m biased, but he has always been a standout for being incredibly bright (our rehearsal dinner toasts were mostly all about him being good at anything he does and me being dramatic and loving Cheetos and wine), and I’ve pushed him to get outside his comfort zone to see what he’s truly capable of. He does the same for me and it’s why I have a job I never imagined myself actually doing full-time… and I’ve never been more fulfilled in my work.
But I won’t lie, these last few months have been tough. There are frustrated conversations over the phone about not feeling supported, feeling like I’m carrying the responsibilities of both of us… and then some, feeling like I’m so often alone when I need my partner and so on. But this is not forever, it’s just a season. Christian is wrapping up his eighth (!!) year of medical training after college and still has two to go. However, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible and after 10 years together, we both know that as long as we stay on each other’s team we can get through any season.
Perspective is everything. Rather than compare my relationship to others, I need to focus on what makes my relationship unique. All the quirks, all the inside jokes, the moments, the vows, the commitment, the love. It’s beautiful – flaws and all.
If you are a couple in the Southern California area, I can’t recommend Skylar and Devin enough. They are kind, inspiring, upbeat and FUN, and their full hearts show in the photos they capture together. It doesn’t surprise me that they capture amazing wedding and couples photography, and you can check out some of their wedding work here.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you have any marriage advice for those high-stress times in your relationship, I’d absolutely love to hear. XO –
– my brother’s dog who flew with him from California #queenbee –
– this week’s morning walk –
– a bonfire, tacos and s’mores on the beach –
– using these paddleboards on the still turquoise water (and on the sand if you’re Harper) –
I’ve been in Florida all week on a family vacation, and after four years of not visiting 30A every summer like I’ve done since I was a baby, it’s been so sweet to be back. California beaches are beautiful, but I’ve loved being back in the silky white sand of Santa Rosa Beach and actually being able to paddleboarding out into the ocean (without a wetsuit). Gorgeous!
One of the highlights of the week was a beach bonfire with tacos and s’mores. Everything was set up for us by the team of Live Well 30A, including chairs and tiki torches, and we sat there for hours roasting marshmallows while the kids searched for crabs with their flashlights. So much fun!
Live Well 30A provides all kinds of services and rentals (like the bikes and paddleboards we’ve been using all week), and the concept is beyond brilliant. A one-stop shop for all your beach needs (where was this 10 years ago?! We needed this!) and so easy! You can also find your beach rental using Rent 30A, so literally in two websites you can get basically everything you need – including catering or an in-house chef. AND if you’re traveling to this area and use code CBL30A, you can get 10% off your order!
I plan to share another blog post in the next week or two with what we did, where we stayed and some of my 30A recommendations, so stay tuned for those details. Thank you so much for reading (and for all of your recs on Instagram), I hope you guys have a beautiful weekend! XO –
I’m excited to share some skincare that I’ve been using lately (and Christian might also be dipping his fingers in) that I think you guys will love. When I’m taking care of my skin, I want to feel beautiful inside and out. I like to know that what I’m putting on my body not only smells and feels good but is good for me.
Organic Doctor® skincare products are a new skincare line from Britain that just launched in the U.S. in over 3,000 CVS stores nationwide and on Amazon. I love that it’s a clean beauty solution that is accessible and affordable. Plus it’s free of parabens, petroleum, SLS, synthetic colors and silicones. They source natural ingredients from all over the world!
Truthfully, I didn’t really pay that much attention to the ingredients in my shampoo and skincare until Christian started ordering his own sulfate-free shampoo and chemical-free body wash. It made me wonder about the ingredients I was using. Now I’ve discovered a new collection that we can both use, and we’ve actually had a lot of fun trying the different collections together.
Sometimes it’s just the scent of a product that starts your morning right or ends your day peacefully. The coconut oil and rose otto collection smell absolutely incredible (my personal favorites), and I love knowing the coconut oil is sourced from organic farms.
I’ve been reading about the magic of tea tree oil for your skin for quite a while, so I’ve been using this Tea Tree Blemish Stick and it’s amazing! I made sure to bring it with me on my beach trip to help with blemishes that sunscreen will sometimes create.
Have you tried organic skincare products before? I really think once you do you won’t go back. I love knowing what I’m putting on my skin and with a line as vast as Organic Doctor®, you’re covered head to toe. You can find these products online at Amazon and at CVS!
Thanks for reading and sharing, and you can find Organic Doctor on Facebook here and Instagram here. XO –
If you follow CBL on Insta-Story you probably recognize this shirt. I actually immediately linked it to my right sidebar section titled “seen on snapchat and insta-stories” because I got so many questions about it, and it’s totally worthy because it’s my favorite striped shirt right now!
It’s got a loose, boyfriend fit without being too baggy, and it’s incredibly soft and thin. I love the blue stripes and that the pocket stripes go horizontally rather than vertically. So cute!
I paired it with the distressed boyfriend shorts I have in two colors, and I’ve also worn it with flare jeans for a date night look. Comfortable and effortless – and it will easily take you into fall.
Are you a striped shirt lover? I love a good black or navy striped tee but I think this is such a fun twist on the striped trend. A littler dressier but easily dressed down with a pair of shorts or boyfriend jeans.
I linked some more of my favorite button front striped tops above! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
– Bailey’s favorite cupcakes for her 10th birthday –
My first daughter turned 10 (or 75 in dog years according to this calculator) on Wednesday! Technically our vet thinks Lula is older but because she was an adult rescue, we’re not exactly sure of her age. However I found Lula about a week before Thanksgiving so that’s when we celebrate!
Every birthday Bailey has feels a little extra special because I helped Christian pick her out when we had only been dating a few weeks. Which means her age is essentially the exact amount of time we’ve been together. Cheesy… but fun!
I make this recipe for her every year and she loves it. You can make it in a loaf pan but I make it in little cupcakes and give her one each day of her birthday week.
– new shades that are perfect for summer, and they’re on sale! –
– the prettiest travel bag that I plan to use this weekend –
– the most gorgeous golden highlighter palette that I’ve also been using as eyeshadow – obsessed! –
– picking some of my favorite hats for a week at the beach –
I’m packing for my first time at 30A in like… four or five years and I’m so excited! We went on a big family trip when there were 10 of us and now there are 13 so it’s time for a do-over. We didn’t know my grandmother would pass away two weeks prior to the trip, so we actually all saw each other recently (minus Christian).
Per usual, Christian can’t make it (again), but I plan to soak up some family time… and count down until C actually has ownership of life again! Med school/residency/fellowship… will you EVER be over? 10 years too long!
I plan to do a travel guide after the trip because we have some really fun things planned, so stay tuned for that!
And of course I couldn’t end the week without tell you what your comments in yesterday’s post meant to me. Honestly I was completely floored and touched with all of your stories and personal experiences with your own grandparents. How LUCKY we are to learn from such an inspiring generation and may we do that for our children and grandchildren. Very, very special. Hope you guys have a beautiful weekend! XO –
My grandmother, Sarah Patrick Abide (or to me known as Grammy), recently passed away three months shy of her 90th birthday. We shared the same birthday, and I’ve referred to her as my role model for as long as I can remember.
All of the incredible things she accomplished in her life are documented here, but with Mother’s Day around the corner, I want to share some of the things I learned from her. Both the woman she was to others and to her family.
Life is better when God is at the center. She lost both of her parents and younger brother when she was in jr. high and she lost her only son to a brain tumor when he was only 27. She never steered from her faith, and there was never time for a pity party. She was always smiling, always warm and her goodness was infectious!
Put others before yourself and you’ll never regret it.
Travel often. As a flight attendant in the 50’s, Grammy loved to travel and explore. Some of her best days were when she was hopping city to city.
Toasted pound cake with butter is the most delicious breakfast option, best served guilt-free!
Women drink scotch.
Master a few recipes and grape leaves can go with every meal.
Canisters are really just different sized cookie jars.
When in doubt, wear pink.
Food is a language that everyone speaks.
Live and lead by example. A silent leader, she was never trying to teach us lessons, but taught us so much by the way she chose to live her life.
The best things in life are not possessions. She ran a women’s clothing store for the majority of her life but she cared more about creating a community than a perfect house or wardrobe.
My father’s mother passed away of breast cancer when he was only 10, so Grammy is the only grandmother I’ve ever known. As you can see in this post, we were incredibly close… although I think everyone who knew her would say that because she was just that kind of lady!
Without telling me, Christian wrote my mom a letter sharing his memories of my grandmother. He told my mom that he thought some of my best qualities came from Grammy. He said that as he reflected on how much I’ve admired her all of these years, he realized that her journey from growing up in a small town to traveling all over the world and being based out of several metropolitan cities with American Airlines showed me as a young girl that I could set high ambitions and achieve them.
He also said he was happy to be along for the world tour that Grammy started and that I continue. Queue the waterworks!
I was so fortunate to have her in my life for so long and we are beyond grateful that her life was long and her pain was short. She’s now reunited with her husband, parents, brother, son and great granddaughter. She’s the first person in our family to greet my niece Edie in heaven, and that makes all of us very, very happy.
If you have some life lessons you’ve learned from a special grandparent or family member – I would love love LOVE to hear! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:2-4
