There's no place like a new home

No, I am not moving but the Twin is!  She is moving to a great loft like space in Houston.  And the best part about a new place is decorating it of course :) Even though I am miles and miles away, I will still help a sister out.  I will be going in September after she has settled in, I am sure there will be shopping during that trip.  But in the mean time - let the pinning begin!  I created a new board just for her.  Check it out {here}.

This are the pictures she posted as her inspiration on her {blog}.

Here is a hint of the colors that will be leading the pack in the new place.

Weekend Fun

It's been a while since I did a weekend recap, but since the Twin did one today on {her blog}, I thought I would too.

It was a quick weekend but a good one.  Friday was pretty low key because my parents didn't get there with the Twin until after 11 and everyone was beat.

Saturday morning we got up and went to the Maritime festival at the lighthouse.  There was too much going on right around the lighthouse to get a good picture, I will go back to get a good one.  I did get a great shot of the old coast guard station next door.

After that it was right to the beach!  We stayed until 6 pm and it was wonderful.  I think I could sit there all day and be perfectly happy.  Here I am with both sisters.

Our spot all day....

It was Christmas in July so Santa made an appearance on the beach - candy canes and all!

We were with family friends on the beach so I did a quick little photo session with them.  I have a long way to go to be near good at this but I enjoy taking pictures and this one came out pretty good.  Love the pig tails on Lily in the middle.

 This is my nephew from last year to this year.  Crazy how big he has gotten.  That's my parents on either side of him.  I didn't take these the same on purpose, but I think we will need to keep doing this for the next few years.  He is so damn cute!

Sunday was a repeat of Saturday minus the festival.  I got home Sunday night and had to celebrate National Ice Cream Day!!

 Have a great week!

The Beach House

The Twin is coming home for the weekend!  Well not really home but home and right to the shore!  I haven't seen her since April so this will be fun.  My sisters and I were also given the green light to make some cosmetic changes to the upstairs of our duplex beach house!!  Woot woot...this will be fun.  We do have to make a plan that we agree on and have it "approved" by our parents since it is their house.  It's kind of a big deal they are going to give us some what of control.  But hey, I have done a pretty good job at my house so that's gotta give them some piece of mind.

My dad's parents bought the house more than 45 years ago for a whopping $9,000.  That is still crazy to me.  My Grandmom will tell you it came fully furnished, even canned good in the cabinets.  Our house is a block from the bay so we get to see some amazing sunsets.  My grandfather wanted to be in a quiet part of town and not near the beach because of the noise and the boardwalk.  Over the years he made lots of improvements.  I will try and get some pictures when I am there this weekend.  It's always been a duplex and for a while my grandparents rented the bottom floor out.  They always lived upstairs.       It's bittersweet to have the chance to make it ours.  My grandfather passed away a few years ago and my grandmom doesn't really enjoy it without him.  She comes with us sometimes but I can tell its just not the same.  If nothing else it was her and my grandfather that introduced me to the shore which has turned into an love affair with the beach & the ocean.

Back to the fun stuff...here is some eye candy inspirations for what I would like to do.  Just have to get the others to agree!

original sources can be found on my {beach house} Pinterest board

Seafood Success!

I was back down the shore this weekend.  After a crazy day of rain on Friday things started looking up.  I spent the day on the beach with my mom and aunt.  Dad and my uncle went to the BBQ & Blues fest in town.  After the beach Dad and I got to work on my first ever seafood boil!! It was so easy and super delicious.  I used {this recipe} as a guide.  My local grocery did not have the Zatarain's seasoning but did have something similar so we went with that.  Of course you can add anything you want really.  We added clams to the mix since I love them! Here is everything before.

Longest to cook goes in first and then you just keep adding, finishing off with the shrimp.

Some champs or bubbles as my aunt calls it to celebrate a great day.  

Doesn't think look awesome?  I think so.  It was the first time but I think it came out great.  We may make some tweaks before making again this weekend with my Twin comes home.  She likes muscles so we may add them too!

Oh and there was a big sale on Lobsters so we did those too, just put them in the pot after everything else was done.  We couldn't fit it all at one time.  But this was close enough.

All in all this meal gets an A+

Happy Friday!

Case of the Mondays

I definitely have a case of the Mondays today.  It days like today I think I should have been a teach so I can enjoy the entire summer.  The long weekend was just what I needed though.  A nice break from work.  Here are just a few more pics from my mini vacation.

My sister and her little man walking to the beach...so adorable.

Little man napping on the beach.  This got us an extra 2+ hours in the sun & sand.

More ice cream, this time from the boardwalk.  This is my absolute favorite no question!

This is the view from the top of the Giant Ferris Wheel.  I love the lights on the pier.  Even Dad said we may need to get this printed to hang in the house. I love my iPhone!

Happy 4th

(I tried to post this from my phone the night of July 4th, obviously it didn't work)

What a great day!  Of course we went to the beach. Finally the beach weather I have been looking for!

Not trip to the beach is a success without a fudgie wudgie...have to eat it quick before it melts!

Had some champs Real Housewife style, Heather would be so proud!

Beautiful sunset over the bay.  This is the view at the end of our street.

My festive shirt for the night from Old Navy.

Pic I took of the fireworks over the boardwalk!

4th Fun!

I love most holidays and really any reason to make the house look festive.  I live alone so little changes make me smile!  Here are some things I am loving from the world of Pinterest!  All images on my {holiday ~ summer} board.  Click over and check it out!

Mason jars are great for so many different things.  

I like to change out my art with free printables.  I never thought I would be someone that changes my art, but it's so easy and FREE!

Next time I will show the lady a picture.  I did not walk out of the nail salon with the below.  I may try again.  

These are perfect for the beach!

That Jess over at {Little Baby Garvin} is awesome.  This is her festive creation - who wouldn't love some Champs, a Bombpop and a Sparkler!

 Happy 4th!

Happy Place

I bit the bullet and drove to the shore tonight. I have no idea what traffic will be like tomorrow because of the holiday this week. 

I'm looking forward to being here through the weekend. I'll be working from the beach house tomorrow (that will be tough) but better then sitting in a ton of traffic. I love the beach it is definitely my happy place.

 There's just something about the salt air, the sand, the sound of the waves that puts me at ease. 

Where's your happy place?