beach

On Perdido Key

/ lauden322 / Leave a comment

Back in Indiana today from ten rejuvenating days in Perdido Key. The island is a long-time favorite of mine for it’s stunning white sand, turquoise waters and super low-key atmosphere. And while I like exploring new places, my heart belongs to Perdido Key and I try to visit twice yearly for some biannual beach bliss.

My first visit to the area was nearly 20-years ago, when my mother and I spent an afternoon at the aptly named Perdido Key State Park. I fell in love with the area which is seemingly less developed and lacking the throngs of beach-goers that hit Gulf Shores, Fort Walton, Destin, PCB and other nearby hot spots. While there is a slowly growing number of high-rise condos, it is as yet untouched by mini-golf courses, go-kart tracks or department store sized beach outfitters offering tacky souvenirs. If you’re a ocean-lover like me and want to spend the better part of the day by unfettered beach beauty, then Perdido Key is your jam.

Perdido Key is flanked on the eastern edge by Johnson Beach National Seashore. A National Park’s Pass or Military I.D. will gain free entry and the dune views of the gulf on the south shore and the Big Lagoon on the north shore are outstanding. There is also a canoe/kayak launch that offers paddlers easy access to the Big Lagoon if you’re into that sort of thing. My husband and I did take our kayaks down a couple years ago and had a blast.

Nearby Pensacola is home to a large naval air station and some world-famous fly-boys—the Blue Angels. The Naval Aviation Museum is definitely worth a visit any day of the week, and the Blue Angels practice most Tuesdays and Wednesdays from March through November on-site.

On a past trip to the Naval Aviation Museum

When we do decide to get away from the beach for a few hours, the iconic Flora-bama is located on the island at the state line. The Flora-bama Yacht Club is always a pick for good eats and we went for a Halloween seafood dinner.

We followed our meal with a short drive over to Orange Beach on the north side of Bayou Saint John for a visit to Pleasure Island Tiki Bar—it seemed like an appropriate choice, as my daugher was costumed as a hula girl. The bar has live-music most evenings, draws a good crowd and is a fun little beach-themed watering hole.

As I wind down on this post, I find myself rehashing my favorite moments once again and waxing a wanderlust for my next seaside retreat.

  • My little hula girl
  • Beach baby, beach baby, under the sun

Love,
L.N.

A Grand Sea Couplet

/ lauden322 / Leave a comment

Is there anything as grand as the sand?
Is there anything as grand as the sea?

Is there anything as grand as cerulean waters?
Is there anything as grand as the brine?

Is there anything as grand as a seashore sky?
Is there anything as grand … or more?

You, my dear, are more grand than the sand.
You are more grand than the sky.

You are more grand, my sweet little one.
You are more grand than the ‘shore.

You are more grand, than briny blue waters.
You are more grand to me.

And when I take your tiny hand, and rock you like the waves …
I softly say you are more grand, can’t you see…

Love,
L.N.

Packing for Perdido Key

/ lauden322 / Leave a comment

Two things I love—the beach and fashion. In a few short days, I’ll once again be sipping mimosas, soaking up rays and breathing the salty air in Perdido Key. The Write Dish will decidedly not ever be just a fashion blog. However, a few posts on “what I wore” may filter in on occasion.

A favorite tale my mother tells about me as a young child is when I toddled into a room with an outfit on and plainly stated “this is not the look I was going for”… I think I was three…

My two sisters and I rocking some killer early 90’s fashion

Despite this love for fashion, I have always been the penultimate packer. One vacation found me in Florida with a stuffed suitcase and only a few things I was able to piece together for a passable outfit.

Which leads to my next post. In the spirit of embracing adulthood—and the skill of planning ahead I was recently required to adopt when I gave birth nine months ago—I present to you “packing for Perdido Key.” I’ve curated a collection of actual outfits that include pieces other than the embarrassing sweatpants, t-shirts and gym clothes I’ve been almost exclusively living in since baby girl came.

When it comes to beach fashion, I’d best sum up my style as bohemian-casual. Think flowy kimono robes pulling double-duty as cover-ups, band t-shirts and jeans. I aimed to pack pieces that are low-key, comfortable and versatile.

  • Novella Royale Jane Robe, Paige button-fly jeans, Susto acid tee
  • Novella Royale Jane Robe, Free People cut-offs, Dimmer Twins (#DBT) tee

A brand I absolutely adore is Novella Royale. I seriously lust after each new pattern when it’s launched. The price point is high, but I’ve acquired a piece here and there when sales hit and have a growing collection.

  • Novella Royale Linda trouser, Novella Royale Alice tank, Gola cheetah print sneakers
  • Novella Royale Jane robe, Bishop & Young dress, Sbicca leather flip-flops

And keeping my mommy-style real, I’ve packed my “fancy” sweats and a few super casual outfits for just hanging out. I’ve also packed a jumpsuit and Frye slip-ons that are super comfortable for daily wear, but stylish enough for a glass of wine at an upscale restaurant.

  • North Face shorts, Venus bikini
  • Novella Royale sweat pants and cropped sweat shirt, Free People tank, Minnetonka moccasins
  • Jean skirt, J-Crew navy bikini, Minnetonka moccasins, Ryan Bingham coyote tee
  • Chaser flutter-sleeve tank dress, Free People cut-offs, Ann Taylor snake print skinny belt
  • J.O.A. navy animal-print jumpsuit, Frye Melanie perf slip-ons
  • Patagonia Barely Baggies, Z-Supply cotton tee, Hard Tail lounge pants, Lucky Brand sweatshirt, Snoozies slippers

I don’t leave home without my Patagonia baggies. They’ve seen me through many adventures, and are as good as everyone says they are. Z-Supply is always a go-to brand for tees and Snoozies slippers are LIFE for this momma!

So, there you have it…what I’ve packed for the beach. And I didn’t forget to pack underwear, but some things are better left un-photographed…

Love,
L.N.

An Ocean Ode

/ lauden322 / 1 Comment

I believe in the healing power of the ocean. I believe in transformation, wrought by salt air and saltier seas…

I believe sunshine can truly save the soul…

I believe when God rested on the seventh-day, there’s a handsome chance he popped open an umbrella, slid on some shades and kicked back with sandy toes…

And I’ve discovered that if I stare long enough at the expanse of an endless sea horizon, I will feel small enough and insignificant enough that my life’s concerns become equally so…

And when it’s time to go back home, I earnestly cement the inky blues where ocean meets sky into my mind, and softly whisper “until next time my dear, dear friend.”

Love,
L.N.